The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time. Enjoying one moment at a time. Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will. That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.
–Reinhold Niebuhr
A reader commented on the previous post asking me about the lack of action on my part regarding the ministerial pay hike other than the few crazy rants. After thinking about it, I think qualifying it with a blog post will do much better than just another 10 sentence comment.
In all honesty, I really didn’t think anyone could do anything about it- much less me. When it comes to money, I am pretty resigned to the fact that the people running the country will get their money come hell or high water. I guess the quiet resignation led to a greater degree of anger- anger borne out of recognition of the fact how much power the politicians has usurped from the people and how little recourse the ordinary man in the street has. Anger borne out of recognition of our own powerlessness.
The only thing I could do was to write about it. To release some of the anger and frustration through my writings. And by writing about it, that was the one thing I could do something about it. I am not so stupid as to think it was going to change the world or anything, nonetheless, I think it struck a chord with a lot of people. And by writing about, I look at it as my way of doing something- albeit small and insignificant but nonetheless a registration of my dissatisfaction with government. I think it also allowed many people to see, they were just as unhappy as the next guy regarding the issue despite the rosy picture painted by the ST.
And by writing it on my blog, I’ve also elevated it one step above idle coffeshop chatter. Far better to speak out and speak up and to show others that they too could do the same without fear of reprisals as long as they can keep it honest and true. Maybe its not a lot, but its still something and definitely not nothing.
In the previous post, I’ve written about coming to terms with the limits of our power and being able to accept that in the larger scheme of things, there are also many things which is beyond our power to change. We can only do what we can to change what we have the power to change. Many things with regards to national policy is mostly beyond our power to effect immediate change. But what we can do is to open the minds of others, to encourage others to challenge, to think different and to question. I am not saying most of the things I am saying is right, but at least by presenting an opinion which will never be allowed on mainstream media, I hope to also challenge others to question and to think for themselves.
Do not always accept that the government knows best.
In all honesty, most government policy bears minimal effect on me. Whether its the raising of the CPF withdrawal age, the ministerial pay hike or the increase in GST. I do well enough to live a pretty comfortable life. But still I write or rant if you will because, I don’t feel many of the policies is fair or just. It angers me to see politicians insult our intelligence with their petty self serving statements. So I write to offer my views and opinions. Maybe some people get offended, but if it stirs debate, I still think its good and worthwhile to pursue. To date, I’ve yet to delete one comment that offers views contrary to my own. As much as possible, I’ve have tried to allow people to speak their minds in their comments. Even insults have been kept.
So I hope this answer your question as much as it can be answered.
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14 Comments so far
Yes, it certainly has. Very much so.
Like what you said, your blog entries have always been able to offer views other than just “the rosy picture painted by the ST”.
And I have to say I agree whole-heartedly.
Thank you for sharing.
I guess the quiet resignation led to a greater degree of anger – anger borne out of recognition of the fact how much power the politicians has usurped from the people and how little recourse the ordinary man in the street has. Anger borne out of recognition of our own powerlessness.
Some Singaporeans are challenging that powerless-ness. They have the courage and determination to make a difference. The road ahead is long and will be met with failures, hardships and even greater hardships. The fruits of their labour may not even materialise in this lifetime. In the mean time they are belittled and even despised by other Singaporeans. But Rome is not built in one day. And any cause that is just and worth striving for, the journey itself will already be fulfilling and liberating. We find in ourselves what we need to do, however small and insignificant those little steps may seem to others.
Well said, I may not have a blog but I do take note of the blog posts that offer alternative views and make my comments, with regards to the blog posts.
I cannot do much about the fat minister pay. But, I can register my displeasures about it on blogs. I am beginning to discuss and enlighten other people with alternative views in real life. Once we have better understanding of the disparities between the rosy picture (ST version) and the real world, we can transfer this understanding to the real people on the ground. This translates to real effort to educate people who are blinded by the rosy picture. We need to wake people up.
Things that are discussed in blogsphere can be brought across to the real world. We can help people to OPEN THEIR EYES. That is what I can do about it. People may not like to talk about politics, but there are always ways to inject these rational views in day-to-day conversations.
ST can do “nation buildig”, so can we.
shameless is the perfect word…
you are mistaken that anger is permitted in this country. you see, all these years, they have been telling you anger precedes violence and it never solve anything. if you will to recall, those who had displayed fiery passion , not even close to righteous indignation, in opposing integrated robbery had been strategically removed from the house during the last election.
don’t you know they are afraid of an angry mob? a RIGHT measure of anger is a powerful force to rally the people behind a righteous cause even though it may result in violence sometimes. even then, anger can be the boost to rouse the people to action or be more politically involved. that is the reason why righteous indignation is not encouraged in politics. they have successfully subdued the people’s anger and even eradicated this powerful human trait.
they have kept the discontent of the people blunt and dull, easy to subjugate through intellectual discourse .
and the result is a funeral parlor in the house lacking spirit and fire and the people dumb as donkeys lead by carrot and sticks!
Beg to differ. Ranting on blogs and ranting at coffeeshops produce the same type of results – hot air. In fact, many of our coffeeshop political “analysts” can be far more eloquent than armchair computer political warriors, but are no less effective.
There’s a big diff here if you can’t see it.
Ranting in coffeeshop = you can talk anything you want to jsut a few friends of yours, after the discussion it is indeed hot air. Or put it another word you are just sharing your thoughts to a few ppl without having to bear the responsiblity of misjudgement or even proper thinking process.
Blog is different in a sense that it is a simple form of publishing your thoughts, in another word, a media form. And since is a type of media, naturally it become a form of responsibility. People have to take the responsibility in sharing thoughts thru blog. Therefore they have to think thru before mumbling nonsense like some uncle in coffeeshop. And it is a tool to share your thoughts to even those you have never met in life. And that’s a big diffence. I may not get a chance to sit down in coffeeshop with you to listen to your thoughts, but by reading your blog i can read your thoughts. See the difference? And the effectiveness you are asking? I don think all the ppl who read this blog have a chance to sit down in coffeeshop every weekend rite? But you can just sit at your comfortable chairs and converse thru here. Instead of keep ranting just to a few friends of yours, you can choose to sharing your thoughts with the whole world ^^.
Do you see mediacorp interviewing any coffeeshop political or individual?
And now just count a few famous blogger because of some arguement they are even being interview or even asked to attend some variety show by mediacorp?
And now go and think why is this site “partially” blocked by MDA/Singnet ? ^^
Dear Insane Polygons,
Please keep this up. The articles on your blog are a good alternative view point, most importantly, they remain factually sound. The thing about blogs and political agendas is that they usually end up as empty rhetoric with no real merit (enter coffeeshop talk). Publishing these view points on internet media avails you to not only a greater audience, but a succinct need for factual accuracy in order to maintain the reputation of your internet personae.
Yes, for those of us that engage in political discourse through our blogs, we are armchair warriors. Yes, there a select few who challenge that powerlessness whether it’s crazy ranting on the streets ala Dr. Chee or silent protests ala average Joe, you have to admit, at the end of the day, either action results in a net result of ZERO change.
As it stands, the majority of Singaporeans are comprised of those interested in SURVIVAL. That means that they cannot see beyond the need for food on the table tomorrow (look up our income distribution. Cross reference with voting districts) and thus less concerned with long term effects and policies that will effect our economic and social futures. They believe, and rightly so, “What’s the point of democracy when i’m starving.”
I applaud Insane Polygons, usually you reach a level of comfort or material wellbeing, you wouldn’t even give a damn. He still does where I have more or less given up. Look at the state of our opposition for pete’s sake. You have angry fist-in-air ranting SDP or “watchdog” WP.
NO ONE has really sat down and said- Guys, PAP has got it wrong. This is what we think. Here is our plan. On the economic front, after research and studies, we have plotted PAP policies to run us out of X money in X years,we therefore suggest XYZ. Current education policies train an excellent worker-bee work force but do not mold any real leaders or develop creative talents, with cheaper producing countries on the rise, we cannot depend on this primitive level of people talent, we need to be developing intellectual talent, etc, etc.. NO ONE has sat down to think it through.
Insane Polygons has, even if it’s just for the animation industry. Which is more than I can say for his detractors. So you posted a comment, you finger pointed the armchair politicians, what have you done? And more importantly, have you even thought about whether we can even do anything about it without risk to our own personal futures?
Name me one positive and significant change each from both coffeeshop talk and blogs such as insanepoly that have benefited the not-too-privileged Singaporeans. (Entertainment in the form of the Elite Girl comic series does not count.)
Sean – What, then, happens after you share your thoughts with the whole world?
Tantalizine – Why do you think NO ONE has sat down to think about stuff while hot air is consistently being produced by the so-called “politically astute” bloggers?
Greetings IrCTP,
Whether calls to action begin hidden in mooncakes or stew in the blogs of “politically astute” bloggers, it is this effort that keeps that flame however small kindled.
You might want to look at the facts and weigh the evidence yourself but it is my opinion that bloggers like Polygons here are attempting to provide a little glimpse to the other side of simple public relations rhetoric like how better pay doesn’t hold poorly paid workers to a higher ideal while ministers deserve more or my favorite-
How statements like “opposition members going AWOL” are bandied about without reaction by the Worker’s Party. First of all, how does one go AWOL or commit dereliction of duty when one wasn’t called to office in the first place!? They LOST the election, I think that means, they’re free to go overseas for work assignments don’t you?
I don’t even want to talk about defamation suites at this point cos anything I say beyond this goes without precedent and thus, a forgone conclusion. The more “astute” among us already know what happens when opposition enters a civil action against the ruling party.
While it is “Hot Air” to you. It provides MANY singaporeans hope. Hope that there’s still intelligent life in our red dot. It gives food for thought. While it may seem like nothing to you, thoughts have a tendency to germinate and grow. And when the time is right, it’ll flourish.
To answer the question- why i think NO ONE has sat down to think about stuff? I think it’s best to answer with another- Why should we bother especially after being called to action to form a more inclusive and free Singapore and then being repeatedly slapped down?
Perhaps you can respond to this question, a certain leader once declared to Reuters that any opposition party elected to power is a freak result and the military would be called in. Why bother at this point?
From what I understand about Military coup d’états, they’re neither fun nor healthy (ahem.. gunshot to the head or life imprisonment under ISA) for the losing end. So how about a giant dose of NO THANK YOU at least not while there is no separation of powers.
Singaporeans vent on the roads – that is the only time they feel in charge. Perhaps that is why we are such aggressive and inconsiderate drivers!
Blogs and such are allowed partly because they’re difficult to stifle but more likely because they enable us to let of steam.
I find what the country and people has become is utterly depressing. Yes I am generalising and over-simplfying, but there is a lot wrong in myriad ways – small and big.
And I share the frustration of not being able to leave, to quit as it is called.
We have the 3 Cs: contrived, controlled and claustrophobic. And it is amazing that we are treated like idiots; incapable of reason and of making our own life decisions.
Someone once described this as a big kindergarden – I think that is being too kind. At least in a reputable kindergarden the teachers and staff are trained and experienced. And they are in a profession where they are not that well paid and they love their jobs and the children entrusted to their care.
Tantalizine – If no one admires what Chee Soon Juan does, then at the very least admire his courage and perserverence. If Singaporeans are not prepared to raise their own awareness, learn to be more discerning (instead of depending on reading hot air), dig in for the long (and I really mean long) run, and get their hands dirty, they deserve the government they get and being treated like idiots.
I agree with you…with this anger just comes a great sense of helplessness. There’s nothing individuals can do and frankly, even if the people here reading the blog feels indignant and decides to stand up against any issues, I feel that it will be futile since the people who decides that they are going to do something about it are really the minority. Unless the rest of Singapore decides to stand up and not sit on the fence anymore, there is nothing else to be done. But chances are, many of us are too resigned or scared to do anything.
Still, keep up the good work though. You provide many inspirations to my own blog rants really.
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