I am a forty plus year old and I still think that Singapore’s success is not possible without a government like the past 40 years’. No, I do not belong to any party. I’m not a civil servant either. I am just a commoner like most.

Like some have mentioned, we cannot compare Singapore and Switzerland. Just mentioning the history of Switzerland would make this whole comparison futile. Singapore is only 40 years of age. Sad to say, we still don’t have enough gel factor…

Singaporeans not patriotic enough? You bet, a good number aren’t and they have not found enough reason to. Patriotism should not be valued by what a government has done or not do, its a sense of “This is my homeland. Its my home.” Governments come and go, its what we ourselves make of this nation that matters.

One good reason, I believe, why we celebrate National Day is so that we may all have a deeper sense of pride and belonging for the nation. Whether it is yielding the right results, I believe is very subjective. We can choose to criticize till the cow comes home but will it encourage other readers to be more patriotic? I prefer to give a benefit of doubt. No, I am not blind to the flaws, but i believe even if we are in Switzerland, and we choose to criticize, there will be room aplenty. Just google and we’ll see how many internal issues Switzerland (or any other country for that matter) they have.

Why do we spend so much money on National Day parades? Would we rather the government pocket the money and we have nothing instead?

Singaporeans not patriotic. You bet, and perhaps it may be getting worse. A recent program I watched on TV hosted by the Flying Dutchman blew my socks off. Three generations were being interviewed in that program. An old timer, in his sixties or seventies, was “swearing” (in a good sense) that he would defend Singapore if war really breaks out. My oh my, he’s an old man yet his words had weight. I think we should all be like him to make Singapore to be HOME. What really blew my socks off was the conclusion that the third generation representative insisted on having, he said, “Being Singaporean is to make money and if anything happens to Singapore, I’ll run, or at most I’ll just defend my own family.” (That’s one person I won’t live beside, cos he won’t do anything for his neighbors when anything happens). That attitude has penetrated our third generationers. Don’t you hear that familiar tone in your own home? That self-focused ME ME ME. “You are supposed to feed me, educate me, send me to the best school.” “Housework for the family? No time… cos it doesn’t benefit me and I don’t enjoy them.” (Aren’t your kids saying the same?) No wonder we need the National Day parades. Its a deeper social problem we have. If not, can anyone suggest anything else on a national scale that can achieve that purpose of gel-ing the nation together? Do we really think that changing our Nation Day parade tagline to “Singapore, our ATM Machine.” would yield better responses and make us all feel like a nation? Lets be real.

Whilst none of the two mentioned above represent the majority, they are contradicting voices in our society and they do reflect something about our population.

As for the foreigners, whether they are Malaysians, Koreans, Indians, Vietnamese, Philippines, etc. we should welcome them as long as they are here in peace and do their just bit to the benefit of the country. Its just fair, we give them job, they contribute to the society. They fill a gap in our societies. No? Now, lets ask ourselves, who of us readers are willing to take care of the rubbish in the housing estates? (There is nothing un-noble about such professions actually) How many moms are willing to do without the maids and be a stay-home mom? (which is actually a noble role that many choose to give up at a low price of some few thousand dollars a month). Who is willing to do night shift day in and day out? If we are not willing, who is going to do it?

Regarding foreigners, in fact we should treat them nicely in spite of the differences. What can we achieve by giving them the look? Nothing. They too left their homes like our forefathers. Remember, our next generation may one day be residing in their countries so let’s sow some good seed. We are in the position to do it now, thank God for the development we have achieved as a nation.

Does Singapore have a future? Will we be overtaken by other neighboring countries? Well, friends, it depends on you and me, not necessarily the government. If we all will take time to build a better next generation while making a livelihood, we still have a chance. Our next generation does not need more high-tech stuffs, nor entertainments, they need good mentors, parents who will let go a bit of their material goals and pay some attention. We determine what our country will be like.

I guess the above are my two cents…

Ah Beng

The SG government controls everything, even, personal matters like family planning. They control what the people should read, hear, see and think. They even control what languages, dialets the ppl should speak. In fact, they control every citizens’ (and residents) life, including their creativity and expression.

Yes, in terms of infrastucture, facilities and the economy, SG is one of the best. But, its citizen’s thinking, knowledge and mentality are just not up to that level. It is not even close to any other developed countries. The ppl are just not equipped with the knowledge of survival.

So, SG (and the ppl) will probably survive for the next 20, 30, 40, 50 years or so. But when the other nations (like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, etc) pick up and become more developed, I can tell you Singapore will probably run into big problems that even the government cant fix them.

We are simply too young a nation to see storms and downs. If there is to be a bombing somewhere in Orchard or City Hall, it will have a deeper impact on Singapore than if it is to happen elsewhere. That is because we just do not know how to react.

She seemed so righteous all this while…

This time “Loyalty and Patriotism” is the product being rammed down your throat and we’re tired of the lecture. Tired of the lying flag-waving politicians with their hypocritical smiles that never reach their eyes, tired of the GDP hype and their greed, fed up at being told the ludicrous story that an earth-shaking event occurred at XX minutes on day YY as if it was the equal of D-Day. We know very well that the MSM’s propaganda BS spin dept is hard at work. We’re simply sick of PAP’s idea of give-and-take. We always give, they always take.

NDP waves a cynical middle finger at the ordinary hard-working Sinkie salaryman desperately trying to provide for his family. It celebrates the fact that they have us all so firmly by the balls that our hearts and minds must surely have to follow. And that is why I and 99% of sinkies will bo chap this party political show unless coerced into participating.

It is as stale as a 44 year old loaf of bread.

Any mystery why the vast majority prefers to do something else on 9 Aug 09?

To turn even more off, the parade will surely pander to the so called new citizens. This is the only country in the world that went out of its way to adapt to new arrivals while foe the rest of the world, its the reverse – the new citizens learn to adapt to their new country of adoption.

If the newbies are thinking people, they surely must smell something fishy and be wary of such obsequious behaviour of a govt. Like what the proverbial spider said to the fly, “Welcome, into my parlour!”

There is a time and place to show off military powers like SAF day or RSAF day, NAVY Day or total defence day. For National day, showing how much we achieved or progress in the year before would be great, showing the arts scene (that’s how the nation progresses), caring for the oldies who contributed to our nation, and even revealing the newly converted Singaporeans. Achievements that make us proud to be Singaporeans. It should be more software than hardware. It should tingle the heart strings.

Lets not over glorify the President, PM, and government. It’s the people that make the nation, not the government. The President, PM, and government are in fact appointed servants to the country. When we serve the country, we are called servants. They are no kings, but servants.

Lets honour the people from all walks of life who in every way helped to make Singapore a better place to live in. People centred to be precised.

Also, there are celebrations for National Day in the neighborhoods as well.

Omnipresent police: A tad bit much don’t you think?

Article seems exaggerated and over the top. I am sure you can criticize Singapore without resorting to hyperbole.