MP's Outburst in Parliament

[Krist]

i was told that our chinese newspapers are more detailed and contain more pictures.

ST shld follow the same format.

so many things are happening in our country everyday but its not bein reported.

they only want us to read what they want us to read.

wow, sounds like a possible album title for Fear Before The March Of Flames.

 

[THOA]

Hmmm... sadly I am unable to appreciate the Chinese paper's coverage cos of language barrier

 

[roninriot]

Fascinating stuff! Love her for what she did!

 

[THOA]

I remember some time back when Dr Lily Neo was asking about mamogram subsidies or something like that to Lim Hng Kiang and all he did was to rebutt something to that effect that if women spend less on their hairdos they'd be able to afford mamograms.

Ah yes, I read bout that. Smart rebuttal... :lol:

I would like to see more of that: politicians... no wait, more like INDIVIDUALS who represent the people, not just some loser who keep falling into the same cycle of nit picking and end up getting himself trapped and bullied by big brother till bankruptcy but offer no solutions.

On a side note, a friend remarked that most supporters of PAP would chant the party's name in the elections, while supporters of Mr Chiam See Tong would chant HIS name instead of SDA, heh.

 

[rottenramone]

Good point. But then, what's after the MPS? This is where as a citizen, I expect MPs to surface ground issues not to simply sign referal letters which any social worker at the family service centre can do for a monthly wage of under a fifth of the MPs allowance.

The MPs, at least the ones I've been to, will try their best to resolve the problem on the spot. They don't sign referral letters to send the problems away. You really gotta head over to your constituency to volunteer, see what they do. its really long hours, but suddenly u'll feel more as a person.

 

[AgingYouth]

bro RR bro for MP!!! Then, President!!!

Another one bites the dust:

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/08/ms-lee-bee-wah-a-new-broom-sweeps-indiscriminately/

 

[fuzztremecho]

bro Thoa..that loser person is my Political Idol okay ??? he's the bestest of the bestest..now that party is asking for donations to fight okay ?? i already gave..50 cents..hehehehehe...

 

[THOA]

Alamak, bro Fuzz! Sorry sorry.

Like that I must blanja you 80 cents teh. How? :lol:

 

[fuzztremecho]

80 cents teh tarik...can..but I must go to Speakers' Corner and demo 1st..
my demo will be..."why teh tarek must be 80 cents..cannot be half-price ?? no subsidy for teh tarek ??"

 

[THOA]

Want subsidy for teh tarik must see who tarek first. If tarek power, no subsidy also people buy. :lol:

 

[wyldeboon]

Dr Lily Neo rocks!!!

i'm goin to speakers corner next monday!!!!

 

[super_punk]

this lily neo story would be a peaceful day in the taiwan parliament dont you think? haha singaporean parliament has gotta one of the dullest parliaments in a democratic country where debate is supposed to be carried out in parliament. i like watching the bbc news channel to see british chums talk in parly cos that shit is dope. tories calling brown and blair wankers and still have a nice cuppa tea afterwards "no worries old chap but you're still a twat innit" i can only imagine. anyway, i'm just ranting now, i guess this lily neo issue is no big deal in real terms but we need more of open debate.

 

[THOA]

Rabak! Tak ajak!

What are you going to demonstrate about?

 

[obzervr]

The MPs, at least the ones I've been to, will try their best to resolve the problem on the spot. They don't sign referral letters to send the problems away. You really gotta head over to your constituency to volunteer, see what they do. its really long hours, but suddenly u'll feel more as a person.

Bro, I think you missed the point, resolving problems on the spot are the role of Social Workers, Community Development Officers and Executive Councillors not Legislators, not Politicians. Members of Parliaments are to represent the voice of members of the public in parliament, i.e. to speak up not sit back and wait for a motion to be tabled only to nod their heads along with occassional grumbles.

I know very well that MPs do spend a lot of time trying their best to listen and help individuals that come up to them with issues. However, does it mean that I have to regard them as effective MPs? I don't think so as this is a secondary role. It is outside parliament. Their primary role is inside parliament and public institutions of governance such as Ministries, Stat Boards, Town Councils, CDCs etc. such that they ensure that standards are set, adhered to and met, and where necessary advocate changes that make people's lives better. This is where I repeat my salute to MPs like Dr Lily Neo and Mdm Halimah Yaacob who have diligently fulfil their primary roles as Members of Parliament in Parliament.

Citizens too need to be educated on the role of public institutions to resolve issues (particularly domestic issues) such as Family Service Centres, Town Councils, Community Development Councils and a host of self help and voluntary welfare organisations. These institutions have the authority to perform duties to improve lives of individuals and communities. Hopefully, it will spare MPs energy to exercise statesmenly duties. A good reference to look up is the ST interview with PM Lee on 6th Oct 07 entitled 'Beyond Kissing Babies'.

In anycase, as a professional in the social service sector, I do have a fair share of interactions with MPs.