Daily Lessons from Life 27 January 2011 - Not All Are Benefitting?

"Thu, Jan 27, 2011 The Yomiuri Shimbun/Asia News Network - Singapore's growth not so rosy for common folk

Xu Yuan Shao was not satisfied with his life in Singapore. Year after year, his frustration grew with the city's crowds, shallow materialism and limited career prospects.

So instead of waiting for the government to provide a solution, he took action. He left.

"Residing overseas will definitely broaden our horizons," said the 28-year-old, who started a new career as a coordinator for international relations at the Kagoshima prefectural government in September. "I think this is especially important for Singaporeans, who are highly shielded by our government."

The surge of foreigners has created a backlash to the government's open-door policy. Local residents have increasingly voiced anxiety that migrant workers compete with them for jobs, housing and public transportation.

The government has responded to public sentiment by vowing to slow down the inflow of foreign workers, and has taken steps to reduce dependence on low-skilled outside labor, such as by raising levies on employing foreign workers."

Good to read a foreign journalist writting about the not-so-good scenarios in Singapore. It is called balance. Of course, it is another view and it is IMPORTANT for people to read different views and then possessing the intelligent and awareness to make their own conclusions:

Lessons for me are:

1. it is not easy to run any organization pleasing everyone in it. It will be futile to try though the policies must be one that you firmly believed will benefit the majority always!;

2. while we have our own views, we MUST listen to other divergent views who may even be hostile to our views. As long as the hostile views are based on facts, not thrashing the very sensitive destablilizing topics of race, language and religion, they should be welcome;

3. it is a fact that living in an urban society, having an income is a must. If you are out-of-job in a city, you will be in trouble. Looking to the government for ALL your welfare needs indefinitely will be unrealistic. At the same time, democratic voters do expect their government to take care of them 1st! Especially when they are NOT just parasites but eager, able and willing workers if they can find jobs!!

True leaders listen to divergent views and make their own strong and firm conclusion.