Some Singaporeans think they are very smart. They look down on people who can't speak English. Can they be smarter than the Chinese or Indians? No. The only thing is that they are given opportunities to good education and jobs. Many Chinese and Indians are more intelligent but just that they don't have the opportunities. And Singaporeans are fortunate to be born in a land where they are taken good care of and where things are well-planned.
Now, if we were to be just a mediocre city with corrupt politicians, there would be a different course in history. Singaporeans would be worse off than our Asian neighbours because we don't have natural resources and water. We don't even grow our food. Investors wouldn't come to invest and foreigners wouldn't come here to work. Some of our women would have become maids or prostitutes in other countries. Other countries would not want our men. What is it that our men can do that their own citizens cannot do? None. We would be preoccupied with bread and butter issues instead of having the luxury to grumble about ERP charges or arguing about freedom of speech and human rights.
A few words about ERP. Motorists have long been given notice that they are going to pay more and more for road usage with reductions in other taxes and fees. So I see the recent hikes as part the plan to make motorists pay more for road usage and to encourage them to take public transport. I foresee more ERP gantries and higher charges to come. I remember reading somewhere someone jokingly said there would come a day when, once you leave the car park at your house there would be a gantry.
Some private car owners will give all sort of excuses why they need their cars. They say public transport is not efficient. They need the car to fetch their children or for this and that ...But there are many people in their situation and they have no cars. So the main reason is that they are reluctant to give up their cars.
Motorists can keep their cars but will have to use less of the road. They should plan their journey to optimize fuel and road usage. Take public transport too.
