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	<title>deadpris &#187; Social Issues</title>
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		<title>Singapore Ministerial Salary</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2012/01/09/singapore-ministerial-salary/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2012/01/09/singapore-ministerial-salary/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:58:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Earthly News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Rantings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Singapore Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Issues]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1711</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Wow. What a great read from The Online Citizen TOC I too agree that it&#8217;s bullshit to say unless we pay our miniters millions, we won&#8217;t have talented ministers that will stay away from corruption. Even with their previous pay package, we have many incompetent ministers and corruption exists at all levels in both the [...]
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/12/19/we-are-singapore-singaporeans-are-we/' rel='bookmark' title='We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?'>We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/05/08/the-flaws-of-singapores-grc-system/' rel='bookmark' title='The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System'>The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/10/26/not-enough-foreign-workers-in-singapore/' rel='bookmark' title='Not Enough Foreign Workers in Singapore?'>Not Enough Foreign Workers in Singapore?</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Wow. What a great read from <a title="ministerial salary" href="http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/01/ministerial-salary-what-kind-of-people-are-we-trying-to-attract/" target="_blank">The Online Citizen TOC</a></p>
<p>I too agree that it&#8217;s bullshit to say unless we pay our miniters millions, we won&#8217;t have talented ministers that will stay away from corruption. Even with their previous pay package, we have many incompetent ministers and corruption exists at all levels in both the public and private sectors. For a greedy person, no money is too much money.</p>
<p>Instead of cultivating future politicians that goes &#8220;Some day I want to be a politician so I can earn lots of money. It&#8217;s my ticket to becoming a millionaire&#8221;, why can&#8217;t we spend more effort in instilling national pride and interest in politics in schools so that our children will one day grow up and say &#8220;I want to serve my country because I love my country and I want it to become a better place.&#8221; I don&#8217;t even think our current primary and secondary curriculum have any politics or much unbiased history of Singapore&#8217;s politics. We are given the &#8216;clean&#8217; version of our history, then what difference is there between Singapore and China and North Korea? The problems of our politics in the past should be something that is taught to our children, so that they understand how Singapore came about. We aren&#8217;t here today because everyone was nice and smiling and shaking hands with everyone. I want my children to know what&#8217;s at stake, what was sacrificed for us to get to this beautiful garden city, I want them to feel proud of Singapore &#8211; mistakes and achievements.</p>
<blockquote><p>It would appear that in the committee’s deliberations, one of the important factors has been on how much to pay the ministers well so that people would not be deterred from taking on the job.</p>
<p>Have we come to this pathetic state? Is there such a paucity of people with a sense of mission in politics that we need to scrape the bottom of the barrel with the dollar sign to entice people to come forward? From the large number of people offering themselves to opposition parties in the last general election, where financial gain for them is less likely than financial liabilities, this cannot be so.</p>
<p>A good political leader should be one with a strong moral conviction to do what he believes in without regard for his life, liberty or monetary reward. If a person is deterred to serve his country and his people because the money is not right, how can such a person be a good political leader?</p>
<p>People who do not recognise their special obligation and duty to society, which has invested so much in them and helped them attain a high status and position and need to be enticed by humongous salaries to serve are really no extraordinary people and could be dispense with.</p>
<p>We should not gloss such people with labels like “talented people” and “good people” when the word “mercenary” would be a more appropriate term. It would really be a service to the country to deter such people from political office. We would be much better out off without leaders who are more interested in their pay cheques than in serving the country.</p></blockquote>
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/05/08/the-flaws-of-singapores-grc-system/' rel='bookmark' title='The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System'>The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System</a></li>
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</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/12/19/we-are-singapore-singaporeans-are-we/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/12/19/we-are-singapore-singaporeans-are-we/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:57:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Earthly News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Priss Thinkeths]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Singapore Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Issues]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[singapore news]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1697</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With the recent price hikes in Singapore&#8217;s transport systems, more and more disgruntled Singaporeans are beginning to feel annoyed with what is happening in Singapore. Some may still defend Singapore&#8217;s system and policies, comparing it with neighboring countries such as Thailand and Malaysia, and try to convince themselves that Singapore&#8217;s transport system isn&#8217;t that bad [...]
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/10/26/not-enough-foreign-workers-in-singapore/' rel='bookmark' title='Not Enough Foreign Workers in Singapore?'>Not Enough Foreign Workers in Singapore?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/21/my-vote-counts-singapore-general-elections-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]'>My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]</a></li>
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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With the recent price hikes in Singapore&#8217;s transport systems, more and more disgruntled Singaporeans are beginning to feel annoyed with what is happening in Singapore. Some may still defend Singapore&#8217;s system and policies, comparing it with neighboring countries such as Thailand and Malaysia, and try to convince themselves that Singapore&#8217;s transport system isn&#8217;t that bad even with all the problems we are facing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sgpolitics.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/singapore-taxi.jpg"><img class="alignnone" title="http://www.sgpolitics.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/singapore-taxi.jpg" src="http://www.sgpolitics.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/singapore-taxi.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="218" /></a></p>
<p>Our transportation is getting from good to bad to horrible. To drive a car in Singapore, you got to apply for COE (Certificate of Entitlement) that costs as much as the car itself. COE is now fluctuating between $30000 and $60000. Taxi prices just rose again, having taxi &#8216;surcharge&#8217; from 6pm to 10am the following day. So there&#8217;s only 8 hours of non-peak periods where you don&#8217;t have to pay for surcharge. The taxi companies might as well just add surcharge for the entire day! Now those who can&#8217;t afford to drive or take taxis, they have to resort to the MRT &#8211; which is failing too! There have been 3 break downs in the past few days! What is wrong with our transport system???</p>
<p><a href="http://trendsupdates.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/singapore-mrt.jpg"><img class="alignnone" title="http://trendsupdates.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/singapore-mrt.jpg" src="http://trendsupdates.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/singapore-mrt.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="245" /></a></p>
<p>What has our failing transportation system got to do with foreigners and the government? Everything.</p>
<p>The reason why Singaporeans are unhappy with influx of foreigners here is because we are not given preferential treatment. Foreigners are given so much incentive to come to Singapore that us Singaporeans feel as though we&#8217;re marginalized and we are the sacrifice to &#8216;build&#8217; Singapore. With more foreigners pouring into Singapore, I fail to see the immediate benefits of having so many foreign workers but the negative social and cultural corrosion is becoming more obvious.</p>
<p>Our trains are flooded with foreign workers, many of them hard laborers board the trains with a stench of unpleasant body odor. Trains need to keep up with the number of commuters so they increase their frequencies, but our MRTs have been breaking down and SMRT have no idea how to deal with angry and unhappy commuters. Crime rates are increasing, more people are committing suicide. Our birth rates are declining as this society has become so stressful that people have no mood or time to have sex. Inflation and cost of living keeps rising, but our salaries remain stagnant. Some people feel that it is easier to find a job in Singapore if you are a foreigner! I&#8217;m not sure if that is true, but I won&#8217;t be surprised. Singaporeans are too arrogant to take a job that pays $2000 a month? No, we are not too arrogant. How does someone earn $2000 a month support a family in Singapore when everything is so expensive now??</p>
<p>We are unhappy because we decided to make Singapore our home, our ancestors decided to make this our home. We shouldn&#8217;t have to bear the consequences of letting the flood gates open for foreigners by compromising our quality of transport, quality of service, unscrupulous hiring tactics, corroding our Singlish and Singaporeness -<strong> all in the name of building Singapore&#8217;s economy. Who are we building this economy up for? For them or for us? After building up a world class economy, if foreigners are allowed to enjoy it as much as Singaporeans, then what pride should we have to be a Singaporean? The problem isn&#8217;t foreigners, but foreigners that did not pledge their allegiance to Singapore like I did. If you want to stay here, be a citizen! Serve the nation! Learn bloody Singlish!</strong></p>
<p>What the government can look into is setting penalties for Singapore PRs for forfeiting their application for citizenship. Singapore PRs gets almost similar benefits to Singaporean, but they can leave any time since they are holding other nationalities at the same time. What I&#8217;ve heard is that some Singapore PRs even buy HDBs, and when they earn enough in Singapore, they sell their HDBs for a profit and return to their home country to retire! How about increasing taxes on foreigners based on income? How about limiting number of houses and cars they are allowed to own in Singapore? How about making it more difficult for Singaporeans to get sacked or retrenched? Besides English tests, how about implementing oral examinations and hygiene lessons for foreign workers!</p>
<p>Perhaps my suggestions may come across as very Nationalistic, but if the government continues the way it does, can Singapore still make it? Let Singapore love us as we love Singapore. Let us feel that this country deserves for us to defend and protect.</p>
<p><span id="more-1697"></span></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff0000;"><a title="singapore songs" href="http://www.deadpris.com/2008/08/09/top-10-singapore-national-day-song-priss-picks/">We Are Singapore</a></span></h3>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">There was a time when people said<br />
That Singapore won’t make it, but we did<br />
There was a time when troubles seemed too much<br />
For us to take, but we did<br />
We built a nation, strong and free, reaching out together<br />
For peace and harmony</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Chorus 1:<br />
This is my country, this is my flag<br />
This is my future, this is my life<br />
This is my family, these are my friends<br />
We are Singapore, Singaporeans</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Singapore our homeland, it’s here that we belong<br />
All of us united, one people marching on<br />
We’ve come so far together, our common destiny<br />
Singapore forever, a nation strong and free</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">( Repeat Chorus 1 )</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">( Sung )<br />
We the citizens of Singapore<br />
Pledge ourselves as one united people<br />
Regardless of race, language or religion<br />
To build a democratic society<br />
Based on justice and equality<br />
So as to achieve happiness<br />
Prosperity and progress for our nation</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Chorus 2:<br />
We are Singapore, we are Singapore<br />
We will stand together, hear the lion roar<br />
We are Singapore, we are Singapore<br />
We’re a nation strong and free forevermore</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">( Repeat Chorus 1 &amp; 2 )</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">We are Singapore, Singaporeans ( X 2 )</p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_51830" title="We are Singapore, Singaporeans - Are we?" url="http://www.deadpris.com/2011/12/19/we-are-singapore-singaporeans-are-we/"></script><p>Related posts:<ol>
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/21/my-vote-counts-singapore-general-elections-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]'>My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/05/08/the-flaws-of-singapores-grc-system/' rel='bookmark' title='The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System'>The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Adelyn Hosehbo &#8211; Social Media Lesson for Teenagers</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/11/02/adelyn-hosehbo-social-media-lesson-for-teenagers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/11/02/adelyn-hosehbo-social-media-lesson-for-teenagers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:35:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Earthly News]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1669</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have seen many teenagers in my facebook account that are not concerned or mindful about what appears on their facebook pages or other social media platforms. I am worried for them because I know most of them take it has harmless fun. With the latest incident with Adelyn Hosehbo, I think it serves as [...]
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/02/18/work-and-social-network/' rel='bookmark' title='Work and Social Network'>Work and Social Network</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/05/10/yam-ah-mee/' rel='bookmark' title='Yam Ah Mee &#8211; Singapore&#8217;s Returning Officer'>Yam Ah Mee &#8211; Singapore&#8217;s Returning Officer</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have seen many teenagers in my facebook account that are not concerned or mindful about what appears on their facebook pages or other social media platforms. I am worried for them because I know most of them take it has harmless fun. With the latest incident with Adelyn Hosehbo, I think it serves as a good warning to other teenagers &#8211; be more mindful with what you want the world to see! (Background story: Adelyn Hosehbo posted on facebook that she slapped her mother. Read more at <a title="http://alvinology.com/2011/11/02/i-am-adelyn-hosehbo-and-i-am-a-gen-z-ah-lian/" href="http://alvinology.com/2011/11/02/i-am-adelyn-hosehbo-and-i-am-a-gen-z-ah-lian/" target="_blank">alvinology</a>)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.deadpris.com/uploads/2011/11/adelyn1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1670" title="adelyn1" src="http://www.deadpris.com/uploads/2011/11/adelyn1.jpg" alt="" width="452" height="389" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>1.<strong> Do not add hundreds and thousands of &#8220;random&#8221; friends on your facebook</strong> unless you don&#8217;t mind not knowing who has access to your information. It really depends on how comfortable are you sharing your personal information online. With Adelyn Hosehbo&#8217;s facebook page, there are quite a few &#8220;friends&#8221; of hers that are mocking and scolding her publicly on facebook.</p>
<p>2.<strong> Check your facebook privacy settings</strong>. In Adelyn Hosehbo&#8217;s profile page, you don&#8217;t need to be her friend to see things posted on her wall. Again, how much would you want to show the world &#8211; while not knowing who is reading it.</p>
<p>3. <strong>Don&#8217;t post things that may potentially be harmful to yourself.</strong> Eg. Posting that you slapped your mother, stole a car, commited a murder&#8230; things like these should be kept to yourself. If I slapped my mother, I would probably be too ashamed to even tell my closest friends. Your potential employers might actually see all those on your facebook someday&#8230; Go get a diary if you really need to pen it down. I wonder if this generation people still use diary or not&#8230;</p>
<p>4. <strong>Don&#8217;t post your school</strong> for public to view if you are likely to get stomped. See now everyone in Singapore knows that Adelyn Hosehbo was from Marsling Secondary School. Not a very good image for your alma mater.</p>
<p>5. Last but not least&#8230;&#8230;&#8230; If any readers reading this post has violent tendencies like Adelyn, <strong>please speak to your school counsellor or approach counselling centres near your home</strong>. A list of VWOs in Singapore can be found here <a title="http://www.ncss.org.sg/vwocorner/members_list.asp" href="http://www.ncss.org.sg/vwocorner/members_list.asp" target="_blank">http://www.ncss.org.sg/vwocorner/members_list.asp</a></p>
<p>I do not like STOMP as it is breeding an anonymous self-righteous vigilante platform as I voiced my opinion here before <a title="http://www.deadpris.com/2008/12/16/stomp-singapores-most-disgusting-seen/" href="http://www.deadpris.com/2008/12/16/stomp-singapores-most-disgusting-seen/" target="_blank">http://www.deadpris.com/2008/12/16/stomp-singapores-most-disgusting-seen/</a> but these kids should have seen it coming *sigh*</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>There are always consequences to your actions.</strong></span></p>
<p>UPDATE 3/11/2011: Seems like Adelyn read my blogpost and changed her facebook privacy setting. Good girl.</p>
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</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Not Enough Foreign Workers in Singapore?</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/10/26/not-enough-foreign-workers-in-singapore/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/10/26/not-enough-foreign-workers-in-singapore/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:58:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bloggers]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1656</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A few days ago, Straits Times had a report on how Singapore&#8217;s increased foreign worker levy is affecting MNCs in Singapore and how these MNCs might bring their investments to other countries. To my surprise, Straits Times wrote another Special Report section on the same issue again. Straits Times 26 October 2011 reported, again, &#8220;Firms [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A few days ago, Straits Times had a report on how Singapore&#8217;s increased foreign worker levy is affecting MNCs in Singapore and how these MNCs might bring their investments to other countries. To my surprise, Straits Times wrote another Special Report section on the same issue again.</p>
<p>Straits Times 26 October 2011 reported, again, &#8220;Firms feel impact of foreign worker crunch&#8221;. The article went on portraying how businesses finds it difficult to hire both Singaporeans and foreigners, with 4 different reports of businesses not able to find workers. However, when I read the article, this is what I felt they were trying to say:</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>1. Businesses do not want to hire Singaporeans because they are too demanding.</strong></span></p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;We are willing to pay $2500, higher than the $2000 we pay for foreigners, for a new local, but they tell us, &#8216;Saturday, Sunday I don&#8217;t work. Go out sea to troubleshoot, very tough, cannot&#8217;.&#8221;</em></p>
<p><em>&#8220;Most don&#8217;t have the patience &#8211; they quit halfway and become property agents&#8221;</em></p>
<p><em>&#8220;Some job seekers asked &#8220;Does the bus stop in front of your shop?&#8221; and &#8220;Can I get a cash advance?&#8221;.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Well, I don&#8217;t think Singaporeans being concerned about their job welfare is a problem. Employers want to hire quality labor for as cheap as possible while employees want to find a job that pays well enough for the amount of work and trouble they have to be put through. Fair? I&#8217;m sure these employers would be so happy to find workers that work 7 days a week for $400. Do they care that our salary has been stagnant for the last 10 to 20 years and the cost of living is increasing?</p>
<p><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>2. Implying that foreigners are cheaper and better workers than Singaporeans.</strong></span></p>
<p>It&#8217;s possibly true! These foreigners earn peanuts in their home countries. When they come Singapore, they are earning many times more than of what they would get back home. They come with experience, knowledge and are more humbled and appreciative of their jobs (probably). Then why don&#8217;t these companies just go to China or India to set up their companies instead?</p>
<p>Singapore has a great infrastructure, safety, government stability etc. etc. that is what attracts big businesses here. Should foreign workers instead of Singaporean workers be reaping the benefits of having such a great country? We didn&#8217;t set up this awesome place to attract investors and businesses just to have foreigners come and reap the reward that is suppose to be ours.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ok. Let&#8217;s take a look at this from 3 different views of Singaporean workers.</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Singaporean A &#8211; The lowly educated</strong></span></p>
<p>In my line of work, I interact with many lower income and educated families. Many of whom work jobs that pays less than $1000 a month. Assuming that both parents are working, they earn a total of less than $2500 a month. These are the drivers, the delivery men, food packers, hard laborers, technicians etc. I really wonder how does a family of 5 survive on $2500 a month! HUH? A driver earns $1000 a month?? Are you sure?? Yeah of course they only earn $1000 a month&#8230; The company can easily hire a foreigner to work for $1000 a month, so why would they want to pay locals any more than that?</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #800000;">Singaporean B &#8211; educated</span></strong></p>
<p>I hear this from a friend who works in the hotel industry. She is a fresh graduate with a degree and she only earns $1500 a month, working 6 days shift! Her Filipino colleagues working the same position earns $1800 a month holding S-pass. The only reason why a Singaporean earns $1500 a month and Filipino earns $1800 a month is because it is a requirement to attain an S-pass and employers do not pay CPF for foreigners. How is it that a degree holder should have to earn such minimal wage in a country like Singapore??? If there were no supplies of foreign workers in her sector, perhaps hotels would have to offer higher pay to attract locals to work.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve got yet another friend, who is a foreigner, earns only $1800 a month and he was given an employment pass (E-Pass). This was approved after the General Election 2011 this year. When the government said they were going to raise the E-pass requirement to $2800&#8230; they actually meant $1800 is it?</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #800000;">Singaporean C &#8211; The highly educated</span></strong></p>
<p>Studying a post-graduate course in Singapore, I was hoping to some day earn lots of money. I don&#8217;t. This I don&#8217;t blame the foreign workers but the under developed sector of psychology, counseling and social work. I found it difficult to accept that my current pay is less that of someone working in MacDonald in Australia. If I were to find work in a westernized country, I would get at least twice that of my current pay.</p>
<p>This is what is happening to many brilliant, smart, educated Singaporeans&#8230; They would rather work overseas than to stay in Singapore. What is there for them here? The public transports over crowded with China and Indian nationals? The higher competition their children may receive in schools due to foreigners? The fear of cooking curry at their own homes? The poor services we receive from non-English speaking staffs? The stressful, fast-paced life that does not even allow you to have quality family time anymore, don&#8217;t talk about even having kids! Where got time to even have sex!</p>
<h3><span style="color: #0000ff;">I was not born in Singapore but I grew up here and I am proud to call myself a Singaporean. I have nothing against foreigners and I am not xenophobic. I have a problem with Singapore&#8217;s current legislation and the direction of which the country is heading. My parents thought Singapore was a great place to migrate and bring up their children… slowly but surely… Singapore is losing all the factors that made Singapore so unique and great.<br />
</span></h3>
<p>All in all, we do need foreign workers in Singapore, but not at the expense of affecting the livelihood and quality of life of other Singaporeans living here like you and I.</p>
<p>News article:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.deadpris.com/uploads/2011/10/photo2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1665" title="straitstimes20111026" src="http://www.deadpris.com/uploads/2011/10/photo2-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_51830" title="Not Enough Foreign Workers in Singapore?" url="http://www.deadpris.com/2011/10/26/not-enough-foreign-workers-in-singapore/"></script><p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/12/19/we-are-singapore-singaporeans-are-we/' rel='bookmark' title='We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?'>We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/05/08/the-flaws-of-singapores-grc-system/' rel='bookmark' title='The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System'>The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2012/01/09/singapore-ministerial-salary/' rel='bookmark' title='Singapore Ministerial Salary'>Singapore Ministerial Salary</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Flaws of Singapore&#8217;s GRC System</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/05/08/the-flaws-of-singapores-grc-system/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/05/08/the-flaws-of-singapores-grc-system/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 May 2011 12:23:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Earthly News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Priss Thinkeths]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Singapore Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Issues]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1511</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is the day after Singapore General Election 2011. There were many cheers and many tears shed over last night&#8217;s results. Many people cannot stand the idea of having Tin Pei Lin as their MP and it has resulted in many Facebook groups created in protest: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Petition-to-remove-Tin-Pei-Ling-as-a-MP/152408424825883 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-do-not-want-Tin-Pei-Ling-in-Parliament/144764052259319 and even an online petition to [...]
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/12/19/we-are-singapore-singaporeans-are-we/' rel='bookmark' title='We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?'>We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/21/my-vote-counts-singapore-general-elections-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]'>My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is the day after Singapore General Election 2011. There were many cheers and many tears shed over last night&#8217;s results. Many people cannot stand the idea of having Tin Pei Lin as their MP and it has resulted in many Facebook groups created in protest: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Petition-to-remove-Tin-Pei-Ling-as-a-MP/152408424825883" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Petition-to-remove-Tin-Pei-Ling-as-a-MP/152408424825883</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-do-not-want-Tin-Pei-Ling-in-Parliament/144764052259319" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-do-not-want-Tin-Pei-Ling-in-Parliament/144764052259319</a> and even an online petition to have her disqualified as Marine Parade GRC&#8217;s MP at <a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/disqualification-of-the-pap-marine-parade-team/" target="_blank">http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/disqualification-of-the-pap-marine-parade-team/</a></p>
<p>The truth is, Tin Pei Lin, George Yeo and Chiam See Tong are all &#8220;freak&#8221; cases of the GRC system, the latter 2 can even be called victims of the GRC system. The fact is if Goh Chok Tong was not running alongside Tin Pei Lin in Marine Parade, she would not have a free ride into parliament. If George Yeo was running as a single candidate, against even strong opposition candidates, he would most likely be still in parliament. If Chiam See Tong was running solo, he too would have been elected in. Some people speculated that for Chiam See Tong&#8217;s case, he should have stayed in Potong Pasir and ran for the SMC alone. But remember: the aim of all opposition parties this election was to have MORE seats in the Parliament. Chiam See Tong took a risk so that his party can get 5 elected seats in the parliament, it was a pity that it didn&#8217;t work out.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone" title="http://onesingaporean.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tinpeiling.jpg?w=225&amp;h=300" src="http://onesingaporean.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tinpeiling.jpg?w=225&amp;h=300" alt="" width="144" height="192" /><img class="alignnone" title="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T85sT-QKDp4/TbVEm8WpqHI/AAAAAAAAAFU/QJ9SdxRjSRo/s200/George+Yeo.jpg" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T85sT-QKDp4/TbVEm8WpqHI/AAAAAAAAAFU/QJ9SdxRjSRo/s200/George+Yeo.jpg" alt="" width="153" height="200" /><img class="alignnone" title="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/php2ujjQp.jpg" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/php2ujjQp.jpg" alt="" width="256" height="214" /></p>
<p>The truth is roughly 60% of the Singaporeans voted for PAP and 40% voted for opposition parties but our preference are not reflected in the number of seats taken up in parliament: 81 seats to PAP and 6 seats to WP. How are the people properly represented in government if 40% of the people preferred an alternative voice but they are only represented by 7.4% in parliament? This result came about due to the flaws of the GRC system.</p>
<p>Our government (PAP) can close 1 eye about their alleged blatant gerrymandering but re-drawing our electoral boundaries every election. I would like them to explain how does moving people from 1 GRC to another benefits the people. I have heard people say &#8220;what is the agenda of the opposition parties? they are just power hungry or want status!&#8221;. Unfortunately, I don&#8217;t know what is PAP&#8217;s agenda when they keep pushing people from 1 GRC to another GRC. I would like PAP to explain how does that benefit the people and benefit the economy. Let me give you some examples.</p>
<p>1. I live in the area inbetween Dover MRT and Buona Vista MRT: I now belong to the West Coast GRC. My friend lives in Boon Lay, she belong to the West Coast GRC.</p>
<p>2. My friend lives opposite Alujnied MRT: He belongs to the Moulmein-Kallang GRC. Another person that lives near Novena belongs to Moulmein-Kallang GRC.</p>
<p>3. Yet another friend of mine lives near Sixth Avenue (along Holland Road): she belongs to Tanjong Pagar GRC. Another friend that lives in Tiong Bahru: she also belongs to Tanjong Pagar GRC. Yet another friend living in Bt Panjang belongs to Holland-Bt Timah GRC!!!</p>
<p>The list goes on. We live VERY far away from the area of the name of the GRC, and far apart from each other. Someone that stays in Hougang may belong to Aljunied GRC or Hougang SMC!!</p>
<p><img class="alignnone" title="http://blog.alansoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Singapore-Election-2011-Boundaries.jpg" src="http://blog.alansoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Singapore-Election-2011-Boundaries.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="343" /></p>
<p>How does anyhow cutting the areas up into GRCs improve our neighbourhood? Can my MP in West Coast GRC manage Boon Lay AND Dover the same? Infact, you may be from a GRC with a 100million dollars Town Council fund, but after re-drawing the electoral boundaries, you may end up in another Town Council with 50million dollars funds (let&#8217;s take for example). I am not sure if this is even true because I don&#8217;t think the GRC system, the Town Council system, our Town fundings are fully explained and made widely available for public records. Transparency please?</p>
<p>How does drawing of electoral boundaries benefit the PAP? Well, they have the numbers of different polling centres around the island, and they can shove blocks that has a stronger opposition support into other GRCs that have stronger PAP support to balance it out. How does it benefit the people? I have no idea.</p>
<p>Most, if not all, of the opposition supporters I have spoken to, really like George Yeo and really appreciate what he did for our country. However, even more people want to see promising talents like Sylvia Lim, Low Thia Kiang and Chen Show Mao speaking up for the rest of us in Parliament. If there is no problem with our government, why did Lee Hsien Loong apologize and George Yeo hoped to reform our government?</p>
<p>Now, if the PAP see the results of this election, it is definitely NOT a strong mandate of the people. This is a wake up call from the people. We are not trying to be disloyal or rebellious &#8211; we are all patriots that want something more for our country. We are all trying to be brave, like Singapore&#8217;s no. 1 brave man &#8211; Chiam See Tong.</p>
<p>I do like the PAP, I do like some policies they implemented in the past, I do like that my country is stable. However, after making so much progress to this nation, shouldn&#8217;t we sit back and reflect on what we have done right and wrong and what we can improve on? The reason why many Singaporeans voted for their opposition party even though they are not as strong as some PAP members is because we need more people that can tell PAP where they have done wrong. So far, only when things goes awry then PAP will apologize amend. But many of these things can be prevented if they had more alternative opinions.</p>
<p><strong>I hope that after this elections, after all the outburst of unhappiness and disappointment online be it from PAP supporters or opposition supporters, despite our differences, we can all agree to 1 thing &#8211; that the GRC system is not working anymore.</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.deadpris.com/uploads/2011/05/singapore-elections-results-2011.gif"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1514" title="singapore elections results 2011" src="http://www.deadpris.com/uploads/2011/05/singapore-elections-results-2011.gif" alt="" width="687" height="307" /></a></strong></p>
<p><em>Take from </em><a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/Home/Home.html" target="_blank"><em>Straits Time&#8217;s election page</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_51830" title="The Flaws of Singapore's GRC System" url="http://www.deadpris.com/2011/05/08/the-flaws-of-singapores-grc-system/"></script><p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/12/19/we-are-singapore-singaporeans-are-we/' rel='bookmark' title='We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?'>We are Singapore, Singaporeans &#8211; Are we?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/21/my-vote-counts-singapore-general-elections-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]'>My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/21/my-vote-counts-singapore-general-elections-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/21/my-vote-counts-singapore-general-elections-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:27:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Earthly News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Priss Thinkeths]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Singapore Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Singapore General elections 2011 SGE]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1482</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[2011 is the year I become a real Singaporean. This will be the first time that my family and I will get to vote. This is the first time we can proudly say that we have a voice as Singaporeans. For many years, we weren&#8217;t given a chance to vote because it was always a [...]
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/28/what-is-your-agenda-singapore-ge-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='What is YOUR Agenda? Singapore GE 2011'>What is YOUR Agenda? Singapore GE 2011</a></li>
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>2011 is the year I become a real Singaporean. This will be the first time that my family and I will get to vote. This is the first time we can proudly say that we have a voice as Singaporeans.</p>
<p>For many years, we weren&#8217;t given a chance to vote because it was always a walk over in our area! That means, PAP wins without any contest! Finally, this is the first time I am going to vote!</p>
<p><img class="alignnone" title="http://www.next-gen.biz/files/imagecache/article_content_360x270/singapore%2520flag.jpg" src="http://www.next-gen.biz/files/imagecache/article_content_360x270/singapore%2520flag.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="270" /></p>
<p>I was quite reluctant to blog about the upcoming Singapore General Elections 2011 for many reasons. I am not someone that actively keep tracks of Singapore&#8217;s political movements, and at one point in time, I was much more engaged with USA&#8217;s political happenings than locally. Another reason is because&#8230; I have not decided whether I will vote for PAP or the opposition for the upcoming elections.</p>
<p>I was inspired to write a blogpost on this topic by this blog article that I came across: <a href="http://yaevlejunce.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/my-vote-counts-10-reasons-why-i-cannot-vote-for-the-pap-in-the-next-election/" target="_blank">My vote counts: 10 reasons why I cannot vote for the PAP in the next election</a> from <a href="http://yaevlejunce.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/my-vote-counts-10-reasons-why-i-cannot-vote-for-the-pap-in-the-next-election/" target="_blank">http://yaevlejunce.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/my-vote-counts-10-reasons-why-i-cannot-vote-for-the-pap-in-the-next-election/</a></p>
<p>Many of the information written in this blog article are rarely publicized, if at all, in local mainstream media.</p>
<p>It is not surprising that many friends and acquaintances I&#8217;ve spoken to about this year&#8217;s elections, are mostly voting for which ever party that is NOT PAP. I have also some friends that feel that voting blindly for any party that is not PAP is recklessly voting for something we might not want for Singapore. Although I do feel that most Singaporeans with that mentality might be speaking out of fear instilled in us by the government, there are some truths to it as well.</p>
<p>As I was writing this post, I went to double confirm which GRC I am under&#8230; the strangest thing for the past 2 weeks I was thinking I&#8217;m under the Holland-Bt Timah GRC and after checking with <a href="http://www.elections.gov.sg/online.html" target="_blank">Registers of Electors Online</a>, I found out that I am actually under West Coast GRC! That is really great news!! I was quite skeptical voting for SDP instead of PAP under the Holland-Bt Timah GRC&#8230; But Singapore Reform Party is actually looking quite good with JBJ (Jeyaretnam)&#8217;s son <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Jeyaretnam" target="_blank">Kenneth Jeyaretnam</a> leading the party! Even if you live in &#8220;ABC Road&#8221; it does not mean that you are under ABC GRC ok! Please go and check the website <a href="http://www.elections.gov.sg/" target="_blank">http://www.elections.gov.sg/</a>online.html to double confirm your eligibility to vote!</p>
<blockquote><p>Voting at Singapore&#8217;s presidential elections or parliamentary elections is compulsory for all eligible citizens. It is part of the responsibilities of being an adult Singapore citizen.</p></blockquote>
<p>Remember that Singapore General Elections 2011 will be held on 7 May 2011 !!!</p>
<p>Interesting Reads:</p>
<p><a href="http://veryfinecommentary.tk/articles/tin-pei-ling-new-blood-bad-blood/" target="_blank">http://veryfinecommentary.tk/articles/tin-pei-ling-new-blood-bad-blood/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://yaevlejunce.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/my-vote-counts-10-reasons-why-i-cannot-vote-for-the-pap-in-the-next-election/" target="_blank">http://yaevlejunce.wordpress.com/2009/12/12/my-vote-counts-10-reasons-why-i-cannot-vote-for-the-pap-in-the-next-election/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=11206" target="_blank">Why many have chosen Nicole Seah over Tin Pei Ling</a></p>
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/28/what-is-your-agenda-singapore-ge-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='What is YOUR Agenda? Singapore GE 2011'>What is YOUR Agenda? Singapore GE 2011</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/07/06/ndp-2011-singapore-national-day-parade-fun-pack-lady-gaga/' rel='bookmark' title='NDP 2011 Singapore National Day Parade Fun Pack Lady Gaga'>NDP 2011 Singapore National Day Parade Fun Pack Lady Gaga</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Money For Japan 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/03/15/money-for-japan-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2011/03/15/money-for-japan-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:37:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Earthly News]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[earthquake]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[tsunami]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1467</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m sure all of us are saddened and shocked by what is happening in Japan now.   Japan, is after all, a country that brought us many amazing anime, games, hentai, J-pop etc. Nippon banzai! You can do your part to help in this effort by donating money&#8230; Credit Card payment of $5, $10 or [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="_mcePaste"><img class="alignnone" title="http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/0311-japan-earthquake-tsunami-after/9742077-1-eng-US/0311-Japan-Earthquake-tsunami-after_full_600.jpg" src="http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/0311-japan-earthquake-tsunami-after/9742077-1-eng-US/0311-Japan-Earthquake-tsunami-after_full_600.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></div>
<div></div>
<div id="_mcePaste">I&#8217;m sure all of us are saddened and shocked by what is happening in Japan now.   Japan, is after all, a country that brought us many amazing anime, games, hentai, J-pop etc. Nippon banzai!</div>
<div></div>
<div id="_mcePaste">You can do your part to help in this effort by donating money&#8230;</div>
<div></div>
<div id="_mcePaste"><a href="http://www.groupon.sg/deals/singapore/support-emergency-relief-efforts-in-japan-and-other-affected-areas-all-donations-will-be-given-to-the-red-cross/715829794" target="_blank">Credit Card payment of $5, $10 or $25 from Singapore based company</a></div>
<div id="_mcePaste"></div>
<div id="_mcePaste"><strong>Singapore RedCross</strong></div>
<div id="_mcePaste">Sms RedCross to 75772 to donate SG$50 to the Red Cross Japan Earthquake Appeal (only in Singapore)</div>
<div></div>
<div id="_mcePaste">Japanese RedCross</div>
<div id="_mcePaste"><a href="http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html</a></div>
<div></div>
<div id="_mcePaste">World Vision</div>
<div id="_mcePaste"><a href="http://donate.worldvision.org" target="_blank">http://donate.worldvision.org</a></div>
<div></div>
<div id="_mcePaste">Apple iTunes store</div>
<div id="_mcePaste"><a href="http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_opens_itunes_to_donations_for_japan_earthquake_victims/" target="_blank">http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_opens_itunes_to_donations_for_japan_earthquake_victims/</a></div>
<div></div>
<div id="_mcePaste">American Redcross (you can select which disaster to donate to)</div>
<div id="_mcePaste"><a href="http://www.redcross.org/" target="_blank">http://www.redcross.org/</a></div>
<div></div>
<div id="_mcePaste">Because I know very limited Japanese.. my translations of the above is:</div>
<div id="_mcePaste">okane kudasai! お金ください MONEY PLEASE!</div>
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<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/03/29/buy-tf2-hats-for-japan-disaster-relief/' rel='bookmark' title='Buy TF2 Hats for Japan Disaster Relief'>Buy TF2 Hats for Japan Disaster Relief</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/21/my-vote-counts-singapore-general-elections-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]'>My Vote Counts [Singapore General Elections 2011]</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/04/28/what-is-your-agenda-singapore-ge-2011/' rel='bookmark' title='What is YOUR Agenda? Singapore GE 2011'>What is YOUR Agenda? Singapore GE 2011</a></li>
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		<title>Why 8 year olds become Anorexic</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2010/12/04/why-8-year-olds-become-anorexic/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2010/12/04/why-8-year-olds-become-anorexic/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Dec 2010 11:13:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life & Death]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Rantings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Priss Thinkeths]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Singapore Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Issues]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1341</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ask yourself this. Have you ever laughed at someone in their face because they were too&#8230; fat, thin, ugly, stupid, gay, [anything negative] ? Have you ever picked on someone just because they are different from you? Have you ever excluded someone because you just didn&#8217;t like them? What I&#8217;m trying to get at&#8230; All, [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ask yourself this.</p>
<p>Have you ever laughed at someone in their face because they were too&#8230; fat, thin, ugly, stupid, gay, [anything negative] ?</p>
<p>Have you ever picked on someone just because they are different from you?</p>
<p>Have you ever excluded someone because you just didn&#8217;t like them?</p>
<p>What I&#8217;m trying to get at&#8230; All, if not most, of us have been guilty of doing the above. It is our accidental BULLYING and their lack of self-esteem that children as young as 8 year olds are becoming anorexic.</p>
<p>People are naturally competitive by nature, and many of us like to shove what we think we&#8217;re better at into others faces.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve never been obese in my life, but I&#8217;ve always been the &#8220;plump girl&#8221; around. I&#8217;ve been a victim of bullying since I was in primary school. The teasing doesn&#8217;t ever stop, not even now.</p>
<p>I have tried to be bulimic and puke out my food &#8211; this is the stupidest thing ever. I gave up the puking after a couple of days.</p>
<p>After a while, I figured out that the problem was not ME &#8211; it was THEM &#8220;the bullies&#8221;. I was never unhealthily fat or obese, I&#8217;ve always been active at dance and sports. Hell, I was probably more fit than many of those skinny girls in school. I realized then, the problem wasn&#8217;t me. They were bullies and it didn&#8217;t matter if I lost some weight, they would just find something else to poke fun and laugh at your expense. You&#8217;re too dumb, you&#8217;re too skinny, you&#8217;re too ugly, you&#8217;re too poor, you&#8217;re too not cool, you&#8217;re too whatever.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m sure I&#8217;m not totally innocent in the matter, I probably have said some unkind words to others before as well. However, I think the cure to Anorexia, bullying, and all that bad stuff is just to have confidence in yourself!</p>
<p>Having confidence instilled at a young age means you&#8217;re resilient towards negative comments and feedbacks being thrown your way. The lack of self confidence may be one reason why there is a rise in young children committing suicide due to the pressure they receive from family, school, friends and the society. Being a confident person is different from being arrogant. I&#8217;m not over my head to think that I look like a super model or can be smarter than Einstein. But with the confidence I have built up over the years, I think I&#8217;m pretty happy with myself. I&#8217;m happy that I&#8217;m slightly plump, I&#8217;ve got a birthmark on my face that looks like a bruise, I&#8217;m not always the smartest but I&#8217;m definitely smarter than many people. I&#8217;m comfortable with all my positive and negative points. I&#8217;m me! I don&#8217;t have to be Jessica Alba or Einstein to be happy. The route to happiness is not becoming somebody else, but being happy with yourself. Know where you can make improvements and work on it. Set manageable goals that you can achieve rather than unrealistic ones that makes you look stupid. That is what anorexic is about. Anorexia is not fat people trying to go on diet &#8211; anorexia is anyone with a warped image of their bodies and go on life threatening diets. It doesn&#8217;t even matter if they are underweight, they will starve themselves to look like skeletons just because they feel fat. <strong>They are insecure of their own bodies.</strong></p>
<p>I was conducting a group counselling session with my youths the other day and we did an exercise. I think everyone should try it.</p>
<p>1. List 1 thing about yourself that you don&#8217;t like.</p>
<p>2. Try to come up with something positive to say about the thing that you don&#8217;t like.</p>
<p><strong>Example</strong></p>
<p>1. I am very talkative</p>
<p>2. I am verbally expressive</p>
<p>SEE HOW EASY IT IS!!!</p>
<p>Now do that for every negative thing you have to say about yourself. Then continue doing this for the people that you care around you.</p>
<p><strong>Another Example</strong></p>
<p>1. My mother is very naggy</p>
<p>2. My mother is very concerned and caring towards me</p>
<p>SIMPLE? (Btw Mom if you are reading this, this is only an example!!!)</p>
<p>Ok, now take this tool and go make yourselves happy. Learn to love yourself and be comfortable under your own skin! Good luck! If we have more positive thinkers among us, maybe we won&#8217;t see 8 year olds becoming anorexic.</p>
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		<title>Compiling list of songs related to mental illness</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2010/11/18/compiling-list-of-songs-related-to-mental-illness/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2010/11/18/compiling-list-of-songs-related-to-mental-illness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:54:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life & Death]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Rantings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Issues]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1296</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The struggle with any form of mental illness cannot be easily expressed or understood by words. Only people that are going through the struggle with mental illness and people close around them understand the pain and suffering they go through. As a psychologist / counsellor, I try to stay optimistic about all my patients. The [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.deadpris.com/2011/08/09/happy-46th-birthday-singapore/' rel='bookmark' title='Happy 46th Birthday Singapore'>Happy 46th Birthday Singapore</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The struggle with any form of mental illness cannot be easily expressed or understood by words. Only people that are going through the struggle with mental illness and people close around them understand the pain and suffering they go through. As a psychologist / counsellor, I try to stay optimistic about all my patients. The truth is, even the more sane patients I&#8217;m seeing are going through so much pain and problems in their lives, it would turn any sane person insane. Nature? Nurture? It doesn&#8217;t even matter. We live in a very complexed and fast paced world. Perhaps a little too fast for us to play catch-up. Perhaps the more feeble minded of us gets left behind. Very often, there isn&#8217;t a place for these people. There isn&#8217;t a place anymore for many children to receive unconditional love from their parents if they don&#8217;t do well academically. There isn&#8217;t a place for people to socialize in a relaxed environment because there&#8217;s too much work piled up. Where have these places gone? How many of us can actually call the place we live in our home. Home &#8211; a place that you should be able to feel safe and happy to return to after a long day of battle. Can we still find that place?</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve been doing some workshops with a bunch of troubled youths. This week, I intend to do some music appreciation. I&#8217;ve not done anything like this before so I feel a little scared. I&#8217;ve compiled a list of songs that are related to mental illness and struggles in life. I hope at the end of the workshop, they are able to come up with their own list of &#8220;power songs&#8221; &#8211; songs that will cheer you up and lift your mood. Everyone should have a playlist of those songs and whip them out whenever you&#8217;re feeling down.</p>
<p>So here are some more depressing, philosophical, painful songs. Don&#8217;t listen to them too often cause it can make you sad.</p>
<p>Radiohead &#8211; Creep</p>
<p>Family Portrait &#8211; Pink</p>
<p>Everybody Hurts Sometime &#8211; R.E.M.</p>
<p>Mad World &#8211; Gary Jules</p>
<p>Unwell &#8211; Matchbox 20</p>
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		<title>21st Century Slavery of The Mind</title>
		<link>http://www.deadpris.com/2010/09/02/21st-century-slavery-of-the-mind/</link>
		<comments>http://www.deadpris.com/2010/09/02/21st-century-slavery-of-the-mind/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:11:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Priss</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life & Death]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Rantings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Priss Thinkeths]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[philosophy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.deadpris.com/?p=1199</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[During a conversation with a good friend, I discovered that most of my closer friends are people that do not hold full-time 9 to 5 (9am to 7pm in Singapore) jobs. The conversation went on, and I started churning out philosophical ideas about life and whatnot. The 21st century slave, as I would like to [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>During a conversation with a good friend, I discovered that most of my closer friends are people that do not hold full-time 9 to 5 (9am to 7pm in Singapore) jobs. The conversation went on, and I started churning out philosophical ideas about life and whatnot. The 21st century slave, as I would like to call it, are people that uses 80% of their available brain power for their careers and spends the remaining 20% for basic daily functions such as walking, talking, marketing, socializing etc. Many of these people only have three to four hours a day to themselves, and if you have a family, that few precious hours goes to them.</p>
<p>The working culture in Asia is one that encourages people to act like drones &#8211; just act, don&#8217;t question. The more opinionated and vocal people tend to find themselves getting depressed in their job, or have to find a job in the creative sector (which is really small in Asia). You have to understand that in Singapore, one&#8217;s work is graded since they start schooling, even for art! These unqualified teachers actually gets to grade your drawing, not knowing that one might be a Picasso in the making! Companies run on a hierarchy, whereby the people who are most able to execute commands and please the one sitting above you gets promoted. Not that I am proposing companies to run any differently, but this is particularly so for Asian countries like Singapore, where it has been instilled upon us since young not to challenge someone that is above you i.e. your teachers. I call the working life in Singapore, a <strong>constriction of the mind</strong>. Even if you are absolutely loving your 9 to 5 job and you&#8217;re not made to work like a drone (let&#8217;s say you&#8217;re the boss aka drone operator), by the time you get home, your body and your mind is so tired that you can&#8217;t think about anything else.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone" title="http://www.jordanmaxwell.com/articles/bits/images/picasso/picasso_dora_maar.jpg" src="http://www.jordanmaxwell.com/articles/bits/images/picasso/picasso_dora_maar.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="403" /></p>
<p>After work, many of us still have to go home and look after our families. For the women, some still have to cook and do household chores AFTER their 9 to 5 job while the men watches TV and rests. That&#8217;s Asia. Others have to look after their children, help them with their homework or read story books. There&#8217;s basically very little time for people to stop and think.</p>
<p>This is in no way their fault, that they are made to be drones. That&#8217;s how the society works. That&#8217;s how life is.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone" title="http://www.ohgizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/asimo-historia.jpg" src="http://www.ohgizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/asimo-historia.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="253" /></p>
<p>But what else could the time be spent on?</p>
<p>Expanding your knowledge of anything and everything. Learning shouldn&#8217;t stop where you graduate from school. There is so much to learn and know from this life&#8230; Not knowing about this life, is like playing an RPG game without reading the story-line, sort of. We are made to lose our child-like curious, innocent, creative minds so that we will all become standard issue robots some day. Without that curiousity, that creativity, how do we further explore ourselves and the world we live in? How do we feel fulfilled?</p>
<p><img class="alignnone" title="http://www.warrington.gov.uk/images/PLAY_01_tcm15-12494.JPG" src="http://www.warrington.gov.uk/images/PLAY_01_tcm15-12494.JPG" alt="" width="423" height="275" /></p>
<p>Think and digest why things are the way the are. Why people behave the way they are. Don&#8217;t just blindly follow and accept things as it is. Why should we? Do we really want to be drones?</p>
<p>I guess all my points, points to Maslow&#8217;s hierarchy&#8217;s self-actualization. Being self-actualized is being someone that doesn&#8217;t just live a bitter and unsatisfying life and don&#8217;t do anything about it. Many of us can&#8217;t do anything about it, because of bread and butter issues, I blame the social construct and unhealthy expectations of the Asian workforce.</p>
<p>I know I&#8217;ve got a &#8220;talent&#8221; for making people misunderstand my core concept of my argument, so if you do feel strongly against what I said in this post, you could leave a comment and I would clarify myself.</p>
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