Daily Lessons from Life 31 March 2020 - Last Blog 4 now!

Will stop blogging here 4 a while as i try FB instead.
It has been fun to amuze myself with "Lessons fr Life" commenting n reflecting on life events n happenings n what lessons i can learn from them.

Bye 4 now!!

Daily Lessons from Life 30 March 2020 - More money 4 COVID-19 if needed!

"Support package to see Singapore through next 3 to 6 months, says Chan Chun Sing

As for concern about the availability of resources, Mr Chan said: “If there’s a need to do more and implement other plans, we will do so accordingly.”

He noted the Government efforts to “save up quietly” over the years to prepare for potential rainy days.

“We can have the confidence that because we have saved up for the rainy day, we have the depth of resources to see us through,” he said."

and

"Singapore ready to deploy third stimulus package if COVID-19 outbreak worsens: DPM Heng"

Interesting that the 2 leaders r still not sure if more money are needed to tie Sgp n Singaporeans over the COVID-19, especially 4 those not infected.

If the gov gives nothing, what would b the industries n sectors that will b wiped out through the true market economy of supply n demand?

The gov has identified the aviation, the services, etc., etc. N the related employees involved. Also the upstream n downstream enterprises n, most importantly, the employees/people!

Whatever does it take to keep them alive? Cut pay by 50% but not touching those with the lowest fixed pay in the company.

Then look at the 2nd biggest cost item in the biz: rental or what?

Landlords that hv been making tons of money will hv to bite the bullet n suffer big time this year. It is only fair!

It will b unrealistic to expect the gov to use taxpayers' money to pay these enterprises. Some r national icons invested by Temasek n GIC. Any benefits that acrrued to this type of biz

Daily Lessons from Life 29 March 2020 - No time 4 BS in COVID-19 Crisis

"Commentary: No room for BS in the time of coronavirus

Speaking clearly and honestly in a COVID-19 crisis cuts through the guff, says the Financial Times' Pilita Clark.

LONDON: The other night, New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, put her daughter to bed and sat on the couch to send a video message to her nation as it entered a coronavirus shutdown.

“Thought I would jump online quickly and just check in with everyone really, as we all prepare to hunker down for a few weeks,” she said, apologising for wearing what appeared to be a tracksuit.

“Excuse the casual attire, it can be a messy business putting toddlers to bed.”

In that moment, as she explained that New Zealand’s relatively small number of cases was expected to rise sharply and people should stay at home, she rocketed into the ranks of a laudable — if sometimes unprintable — group of men and women."

This piece is really just abt talking honestly n directly on the COVID-19 crisis.

My take is: it depends on which school of medical public health care you believed in n belonged to after reading abt "all supposedly medical science based" approaches of: "herd immunity" vs. "lock down isolate n cure" vs. "a hybrid"!!??

I m in 2 minds too though I subscribed to, n rely on, "healthy people can recover well if they contracted COVID-19".

The challenge is: how do u prevent a COVID-19ed "healthy patient" fr infecting "high risk" people like elderly with underlying heart n lung conditions among others?

This is especially so when the virus CAN spread when the person is asymptomatic for 14 or even 28 days!!

The isolate-n-trace-cure route os ok if people c how many can actually b saved against how many had died after being infected!

Each life is precious. Yet, many deaths will just become a number n only the loved ones will mourn deeply the loss. So, to some, even 1 life lost is inexcusable! While some work on as a % of the infected n m happy with 2-3%!!

If possible, can self-test each day till 14 or 28 days b4 getting close with the known vulnerable groups 9f people.

Accelerate the discovery of cure n mass produced to save every COVID-19ed human being!!

Maybe China can lead here?

Daily Lessons from Life 28 March 2020 - Training to spot fake news n lies!!

"IMDA debunks WhatsApp audio recording claiming COVID-19 can be spread through mail"

and

"Message circulating online about safe-distancing ambassadors imposing fines untrue: Enterprise Singapore"

As if fighting the COVID-19 crisis is not bad enough that some idiots deliberately creating n/or sending out half-truth n untruth to confuse n/or unnecessarily alarm n causes stress on already freaking-out people!

What could b their motivations? However twisted!?

The sick joy of seeing people believing n causing self harm? The ego got stroke bug time becoz people believed the lies n fake news? etc.

Whatever the motivation may be. There should b no mercy when the perpetrators r found n charged, except if they were truly being assessed to b innocent!

Maybe USA n Europe would survive the COVID-19 n the end of the tunnel is near with Chinese's help!!

Daily Lessons from Life 27 March 2020 - Boris the Clown?

"British PM Boris Johnson, health minister Matt Hancock test positive for COVID-19

LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self isolating but will still lead the government's response to the outbreak.

"Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus," Johnson said."

I watched a video clip abt Boris proclaiming that he met some new COVID-19 patients n shaked  hands with them n mumbling abt everyone has the right to decide whatever s/he wants to do!

As i thinking abt it, maybe it is a deep fake news as it is hard to imagine a fully grown, supposedly well educated, man in power of position demonstrating such highly destructive n selfish beaviours of "I continue to shake hands with everyone i met!"!!

Anyway, UK has to be ready for a big pandemics!! God saves the queen!!

Daily Lessons from Life 26 March 2020 - COVID-19 2nd Budget

"SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat delivered a ministerial statement on Thursday (Mar 26), announcing about S$48 billion in additional support measures from the Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Resilience Budget has three key areas: To save jobs and support workers; to help businesses overcome immediate challenges; and to strengthen economic and social resilience, Mr Heng said."

1st of all we can dole out these extra money is due to the accumulation of wealth over the last 50+yrs of return fr our national reserves.

This has been estimated to be between 600B to 1T, exact no. not available for whatever reasons.

Assuming the inflated part of the national reserves lost 40% of it's values, we are looking at 360B to 600B. Taking out 18B will still leave us with 342B-682B of wealth. So, Singapore CAN definitely afford this at this uniquely critical storm.

This crisis actually is a very good opportunity for us to critically examine and execute "right sized and right valued" our investment, especially those financial assets that really have no direct connection to the real world! e.g. inflated real estates, stocks and commodities, etc.

The additional relief budget still insist on giving cash to ALL Singaporeans above 21 years old instead of really should be using "mean testing" to ensure only the truly poor and disadvantaged get helps!!

It is great to help with the freelancers. While for the taxi and private hire drivers (PhD), the GLCs like Confortdelgro and SIS,  should understand they too have to "suffer some losses this 2020 from the past accumulated profits" instead of all the cash handouts from the government's coffer; which are taxpayer's money!!

A lot more work need to be done yet!!

Daily Lessons from Life 25 March 2020 - GE n COVID-19

"SM Teo said delay of GE beyond April 2021 with a caretaker gov is unconstitutional."

I write as a private citizen here in responses to SM Teo's points:

1. China is a much bigger country than Sgp. Wuhan is much bigger than Sgp.

The COVID-19 is very serious in Wuhan. It is now slowly opening up n returning to some semblance of normal. So is China.

Surely the current PM Lee admin can resolve this crisis before Dec 2020, if not earlier. Possible?

2. if the current constitution does not allowed the Elected (though there was no contest) President to form a caretaker gov, n the 'declaration of emergency' n form a caretaker gov is not ideal, the PM Lee admin with his party, PAP, holding more than 2/3 majority can pass an amendment to the constitution, as it had done for the "reserved EP" in 2015 n Sgp voters will b ok with it since the gov believes the voters, at least 70% of them the last time, hv confidence in them. Yes?

3. while precautionary measures will b taken to ensure the safety of the voters on polling day, the proposition parties' reach without the optic effect of mass rallies will give this GE a possible bad reputation of "an unfair GE".

Whatever n however it is decided, the voters must still exercise their democratic rights of voting for the long term after COVID-19:

a. will the future generation hv affordable home to raise n develop a 3-kid family with a peace of mind n pursue their dreams;

b. will the middle aged able n willing Sgp folks hv good jobs n receive protection fr unfair foreign workers in it's own backyards; n

c. will the elderly generation hv adequate retirement funds n with their healthcare needs covered.

Not forgetting the ever higher Costs of Living.

Hopefully the voters remember to consider this long term issues.

Daily Lessons from Life 24 March 2020 - More serious COVID-19...

So it finally happened! The IOC n Japan gov n the Tokyo Olympics Organisers hv agreed to postponed the 2020 Olympics Games by 1 yr! Unprecedented as the worst case that happened in the past was cancellation!

Sgp gov is also upping it's defence by ordering residents returning fr UK n US to serve Home Stay Notice at designated hotels wef 25 March 2359hrs!! It also issued temporary shutdown of entertainment venues n restricting gathering of more than 10pax in outdoors places.

SIA, one of our Sgp icons will cut 95% of flights n negotiated with the unions of pilots n air crews n other functions to take forced annual leaves n cut salaries m allowances, etc.

Many more biz to come under pressure n on survival mode with cash flow being most critical.

Again i look 2 our supposedly super rich national reserves, hopefully didn't shrink too much fr the burst of assets bubbles, to bail everyone out!

The most vulnerable that r already getting aids will continue. The new class of beneficiaries for fuel, oil, rice, salt, etc. should b identified n help.

As 4 the rest, monitor n adapt as we come F2F with the COVID-19 casualties!!

Keep well n keep safe!!

Daily Lessons from Life 23 March 2020 - SMRT in the wrong news again?

"SMRT worker dies from injuries after workplace accident at Bishan Depot

SINGAPORE: An SMRT staff member died on Monday (Mar 23) after sustaining "severe injuries" while working at Bishan Depot.

Group Chief Executive Officer Neo Kian Hong said Technical Officer Muhammad Afiq Senawi had been working in a Rolling Stock workshop and was operating a hydraulic press machine when the accident occurred at about 9.20am."

A sad news as 1 fellow Sgp citizens died at work!

Just as the country n the world live in fear of death fr the infectious Coronovirus (COVID-19), someone died at work!

Hope the causes r identified n that this will never happen again!

RIP to the dead n condolences to the family members n friends!!

Daily Lessons from Life 22 March 2020 - World locking down soon?

It is still spreading ard the world. This COVID-19 thingy!

More n more countries r starting to close their borders to outsiders who land in their country!

Aviation industry is way down. Pilots, airplane service staffs, n all related industries r facing no job or reduced opportunities.

Hope the vaccine trials in PRC n wherever yield positive results.

Another week of anxiety to deal with!!

Blessed earthlies!!

Daily Lessons from Life 19-21 March 2020 - Catch up ...

Wow! Missed 2 nights of blogging n can't let it b 3 in a roll!

The dreaded news nobody wants to know in Sgp finally came true. Our 1st 2 deaths fr COVID-19! A Sgp lady 75-yr old n an Indonesian man aged 64-yr old.

The Indonesian man supposedly was hospitalised in a Jakarta hospital b4 flying over 2 seek medical care. He had pre-existing heart condition.

As we emotionally mourned the deaths, the rational minds also go into overdrive to analyse, for the Indonesian man, why n how could he jeopardise the passengers on his flight to Sgp knowing he has the COVID-19 bug? Some said he was being selfish while other said he came by private jet!

Whatever the rational minds do won't bring him back. More importantly is to ponder the BIG Q: what's next?

PM Lee warned that we must brace ourselves 4 possibly more losses as the no. of infected patients increases since the no. of ICU beds n cares r finite.

The key is to keep the no. of vulnerable infected patients to the lowest by preventing the spread fr accelerating.

This means:
1. b aware of the vulnerable n deliberately keep them safe through ensuring opportunity 4 infection is kept 2 an absolutely low to 0 cases!

2. practice social distancing, b diligent on personal hygiene, etc.

3. exercise appropriately to build n maintain consistent stamina n immunity as healthy people hv less adverse consequences!

Keep well n keep safe all!

ps: condolences to the dead n their families n friends. 

Daily Lessons from Life 18 March 2020 - Worst than COVID-19??

"Woman asked maid to punch herself 50 times, strike her teeth with meat pounder until they 'dropped'

SINGAPORE: A woman abused her maid over eight months, asking her to punch herself in the face 50 times and use a meat pounder to hit her mouth until a tooth "dropped".

The victim struck her own mouth with the pounder about 50 times, but her teeth did not fall out. Three were loosened and one chipped."

It sounds really bad. A behaviour that normal person would not do though there were cases of normal sane abusers like that hubby of a stressed wife who both abused their maid in a very cruel n inhumane way.

For this case, the abuser has OCD n was having depressive episodes w/o medical care. So, it is slightly u derstandable. STILL, the abuser has to take full responsibility 4 the consequences caused! i.e. thehapless maid was physically n mentally abused n potentially leaving her scarred permanently (?).

So, sentence the abuser 4 what she had done while ensuring she self help by getting proper treatment cum ensuring she DO as instructed!!

Thot there is something worst than COVID-19? Maybe this??

Daily Lessons from Life 17 March 2020 - COVID-19 n Economy Growth?

I m an x-CA/CPA of NZ n Sgp. I m perplexed by the focus on the ups n downs, especially the downs, of stocks exchanges ard the world, especially the Walls Street, since trillions of "wealth" can be Created (everyone (seems like) is happy) or DESTROYED (everyone definitely is very angry!!) in a matter of seconds or a day!!

How does ANY of these relate to COVID-19? Sure the fact that if the world is infectex by this virus n nobody is going to go to work to design or produce or service or whatever, n nobody has the money to buy n consums or use the increasingly scarce products or services or solutions, the economy will shrink n growth can drop n dropped badly.

Those on credit to survive probably will b hardest hit. Cash will b KING or Queen.

Q is: how would the gov create cash that WILL NOT go to those finance experts who will AGAIN use it to "create Wealth" of inflated real estate prices or commodities?

How will cash b used to just pay employees who had NO REAL WORK to do but need to feed her/his families n elderly parents/parents-in-law, etc.?

How can PEOPLE realise that they MUST quickly learn to CONSUME LESS to make the scarce resources last longer?

Can we use only 1 piece of toilet paper after "shxting"? can we eat less rice or whatever so 1kg of rice can last longer?

Can biz n "rich" biz people dig into their past reserves (past profits made b4 this catastrophic COVID-19 struck) n endure losses for 2020 by paying their workers some salaries 4 NO WORK??

Can human race finally realized that farmers n fishermen r MORE RELEVANT to human's survival than moneyed men n women? Even the Social Media biz n the Mongols that industry created!!??

Sgp has lots of money supposedly in our national reserves. How much r invested in inflated financial assets vs. real economic assets of foods (land n sea) should b looked at with a new pair of eyes now, n into the future!!

May human kind learn abt REAL ECONOMY again. Sooner than later!!

Daily Lessons from Life 16 March 2020 - Some old fashion lies?

COVID-19 continues to hog the headlines!

USA n the Western world really hv to look themselves in the mirror n ask: "Did we go overboard vilifying n demonising PRC people n how their gov handled the outbreaks after initial mishandling?

While this goes on, a few old fashion lies by:

1. a disgruntled ICA officer admitted to falsely accusing his superior of filming a man's private part!!

Why?

2. Court jailed French preacher 4 violating boy's scouts!

Why did he do it? N lied abt it 4 ths longest time! Under the cloth of a "u should trust" clergy!!

Daily Lessons from Life 15 March 2020 - Covid-19 n GE

"'Two choices' for General Election timing, says PM Lee

SINGAPORE: There are two choices when it comes to the timing of the General Election, the country’s Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday (Mar 14), a day after changes to the electoral boundaries were announced.

“When to hold elections? That depends on the situation, and the outlook,” Mr Lee said in a Facebook post after holding a dialogue with grassroots leaders on COVID-19.

The next election, which has to take place by Apr 21 next year, can only be called after the electoral registers are updated, Mr Lee added.

"This will take about a month," he said.

Shortly after the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) released its report on Friday, the Elections Department said the registers of electors will be available for public inspection from Mar 14 to Mar 27.

Given the current situation, Mr Lee said Singapore has two choices – to hold elections after things stabilise or to call elections early.

“We have two choices. Either hope and pray that things will stabilise before the end of the term so that we can hold elections under more normal circumstances – but we have no certainty of that,” he wrote.

“Or else call elections early, knowing that we are going into a hurricane, to elect a new government with a fresh mandate and a full term ahead of it, which can work with Singaporeans on the critical tasks at hand.”

He said precautions will be taken if elections are to be held before the COVID-19 situation is over.

"If we have to hold elections before COVID-19 is over, we will take all the precautions necessary, so that parties can campaign effectively, and people can vote safely. At stake are jobs, businesses and lives," he wrote.

“Which way to go, and the elections date, will depend on what will best see Singapore through this major crisis.”"

When PM Lee broached this GE thingy, many questioned the need to consider it b4 the COVID-19 situation is resolved; unless it extends beyond Dec 2020.

If it is resolved by Dec 2020, the parties can all campaign n hv a "normal" GE with mass rally, walkabout n house visit etc. besides the online campaign since the deadline 4 the GE is b4 April 2021.

So, while PM Lee has 2 dates in mind of when to hold the GE, most would suggest that he does it AFTER the COVID-19 is taken care of.

Daily Lessons from Life 12-14 March 2020 - ISIS in Sgp!

Travelled to Sydney on 12 March midnight n missed blogging. Last night was too tired.

So here r the catch up:

1. no panics in Sydney when we landed. No ugly Oxford Street London situation. Tks u Australia!

2. EBRC reported the redrawing of the electoral boundaries with 93 MPs vs. 89 MPs in 2015 GE. No more 6-member GRC n the most is 5-Member! 1 more SMC though 3 old ones got subsumed!

3. shocking image of a person in ISIS get up starting a fire near the police post. NOT sure if he had any accomplices or not! Suffice 2 say he didn't make any damages as he could not get fire arms!! The video was a bit intimidating as the stuff in the black disposal bags seemed to caused a burst of fire! Again luckily no explosive materials!

Hope we learn more abt this case. A very rare object or ...??

Daily Lessons from Life 11 March 2020 - 2nd packages...

"Second stimulus package in the works as global economy, COVID-19 situation worsens: DPM Heng

SINGAPORE: The Government has started working on a second stimulus package about 10 days ago as both the global economy and COVID-19 outbreak have worsened since the first package was announced three weeks ago, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Wednesday (Mar 11).

During the Budget statement on Feb 18, Mr Heng had unveiled a S$4 billion Stabilisation and Support Package that contained a range of measures to cushion the blow of the novel coronavirus on local businesses and workers.

During the global financial crisis which started in 2008, the Government had sought approval from former President S R Nathan for a provision of S$150 billion from past reserves to guarantee bank deposits in Singapore from October 2008 to December 2010.

In 2009, Mr Nathan had also approved a draw of S$4.9 billion from the past reserves to help fund the Resilience Package to protect jobs and support companies.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, President Halimah Yacob said the COVID-19 outbreak, which the world’s health experts have said could take many more months before running its course, and a recent plunge in global oil prices will have a “great impact” on Singapore."

It is almost inevitable as COVID-19 spread ard the world.

A few things need to b looked at:

1. Biz that r looking 4 handouts. Any help MUST B to protect their workers 1st n NOT helping them to make money! For those that hv made good money, they will need to dip into, if u like, their "reserves". If they hv made money the last 5 yrs, 1 yr of loss that amount to even last 5 yrs profit SHOULD B Acceptable!

Of course, cash flow is the key. Like the blood that courses ard the body n keep the human alive to fight or make money again another day!;

2. this thing abt "innovation" in the short term is NOT going 2 work unless the creative folks enjoy the extra stress n pressure to produce something innovative in super short time! Assuming the physics n time truly allowed.

3. the FAT CATs of corporate Sgp, esp the GLCs must look at the structural org of their companies. Honestly, we hv TOO MANY in property development n real estates mgt. Just look at Capitaland, MapleTrees, Ascenda (or part of Capitaland now?), etc.

The cost of doing biz MUST B brought down. Rentals is one big part!

4. Local Talents (LT) taking over higher priced FTs n accelerate the trf of knowledge n doubling up of work to gain experiences must b initiated. Our world class educational system surely must b able to produce good learners who can learn fast n well.

If NOT, we hv a BIGGER problem ya? One that we hv not being willing to look at since our gov always touted how good our education is!!

5. the past reserves. Good to know we had S$150B in 2008 for cash flow of the banking system. No run means actually the cash weren't used really. N the S$4.9B in 2009, a small change really assuming the teserves is at a trillion!

It is not a rainy day. It is the PERFECT storm. All we hv really is the past reserves to help us!

For financial assets, so-called, a trillions CAN n DO evaporate in a day as the Black Monday just passed showed. How much of our reserves r in these papers!??

Worry not as ALL other sovereign funds r in the same shxt boat!!

Daily Lessons from Life 10 March 2020 - I m human n not virus!!

"‘I was called a virus’: Singaporean living in Italy speaks of anxiety as nationwide lockdown begins

SINGAPORE: As Italy went into a nationwide lockdown, a Singaporean studying in Florence shared his experience of dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. 

“There’s a lot of anxiety going on in Florence,” Mr James Khoo told CNA, as the unprecedented nationwide measures to curtail the spread of the disease were enforced on Tuesday (Mar 10).

Unlike the northern regions of Italy, Tuscany, where Florence is, only went into lockdown mode on Tuesday. However, the 32-year-old Singaporean's concerns over the outbreak began long before that.

“I’m very frightened about the racism against Asian people and it has been increasingly tense," he said.

“I was called a ‘virus’ on the street by some (French-speaking) tourists," he added, saying he felt irritated at the ignorance."

Yo brother, sorry 2 hear that aah. A famous line fr a old macho movie named Cobra said: "u r the disease n i m the cure" followed by a gun shot to the head! Finito!! Italian style!!

Good grief. I wish nothing of this fr ever happening anywhere in the world. COVID-19 or whatever!

So, to whoever become paranoia, tell him or her: "I m a human being n not a virus!" or "A human not a virus made!"

Keep well n keep safe!

Daily Lessons from Life 09 March 2020 - The end of financial excess is near?

Forgot that yesterday was Women's Day. Blessed half the humankind!

"Coronavirus shock and oil price fall pummel world stocks

LONDON: Global stocks plunged on Monday and prices for crude oil tumbled as much as 33per cent after Saudi Arabia launched a price war with Russia, sending investors already worried by the coronavirus fleeing for the safety of bonds and the yen.

Saudi Arabia had stunned markets with plans to raise its production significantly after the collapse of OPEC's supply cut agreement with Russia - a grab for market share reminiscent of a drive in 2014 that sent prices down by about two-thirds.

"We are seeing this week, finally, a full-scale liquidation and signs of capitulation, full-scale panic - we see this in every asset," said Paul O'Connor, head of multi-asset at Janus Henderson."

Honestly as a trained chartered or certified accountant or whatever title the accounting profession tries to coin up to justify some form of control over entrance to their comfortable niche market, I grew increasingly disillusion with the so-called smartest financiers in the world helping the people with capital to amass more n more capital or wealth.

People who helped these folks get rewarded handsomely too as measure by whatever they cared more: money or assets in monetary terms. How many billions gained (or lost, which gets little airtime if any at all) today over yesterday or whatever.

Yet the PHYSICAL trades, the products/services n solutions designed, made, provided to n used by REAL people HARDLY can ever get rewarded in similar moneyed measurements.

How strange. Still many of the so-called brightest people on earth CONTINUED to play along. I guessed who would want to pull yourself down fr this financial empire when the rules n rewards r so so generous n when u r so so entrenched n swimming in the juiciest gravy pool!!

Econmic growth 4 economic growth alone will kill the humankind that devote sole to this purpose, eventually. It will b when the end comes n not IF it will come.

Time to reset n gets the Insurgents in? The establishment would dismantle their own empires. 

Daily Lessons from Life 08 March 2020 - Selling your babies!!

Decided 2 leave COVID-19 alone today n look at why n how people sell their babies!!

"'It’s not that I want to sell my kid. I just need money’: The Philippine mothers who sell their babies

In the Philippines, some new mothers who feel they cannot raise their own babies sell them in the illegal trade of child adoption.

MANILA: Christine holds her baby as she breastfeeds him in a quiet park near the Port of Manila. She has covered his small head with a piece of cloth to shield him from the burning sun. His eyes may be closed but the boy knows his mother is there. He grabs her with his tiny hands as she cradles him in her arms.

The baby is two months old, delicate and defenceless. His father died before he was born and his mother has become his sole protection, his only source of love and security. But he has no idea she wants to sell him as soon as she can."

Can this b resolved? When getting pregnant n selling the babies away is the "perceived" ticket out of poverty or a better life?

I doubt so!!

Why r there so much poverty in the 1st place should b the problem