I wasn't going to write anything about this as I feel very strongly that the Elected President role is a completely useless and redundant role and the money (FOUR MILLION DOLLARS) used to pay that person's salary can be used for a better cause.
However, this morning, an ex-student of mine texted me to ask me whom I was going to be voting for. The text came right after I had just posted on my wall. A post that indicated I had already made my decision. A decision based on a specific event that happened in the last few days. So, for the benefit of those of you who don't follow politics very much, this is how I came to my decision.
When the candidates were first announced, there was only one sure thing. I wouldn't be voting for TT. There are several reasons behind that.
1) He is afterall still from the ruling party. Having submitted his resignation so he could run for the presidency does not mean that he no longer bleeds PAP. He does. He always will. And he is someone who is contented bleeding PAP because they have treated him well. His connection with the PAP does not allow him to perform his role as being a "checks and balances" person objectively.
2) His stand on the ISA. His position, especially (I repeat, ESPECIALLY, as this has the biggest impact on my voting decision) on the 1987 Marxist Conspiracy detentions, is flawed. When asked his stand at a recent forum, he deflected the question and instead answered a whole bunch of generic gibberish. He knows how the ISA is used and it is to his favor and for that, he is definitely NOT getting my vote.
3) His honesty... or rather lack of... He has thus far been unable to come out and state categorically if his son(s) was given preferential treatment during the time he had deferred from National Service and during the time he was supposed to be serving National Service. I would rather the person asking for my vote to be the ceremonial head of state just be honest and say "yes, sorry, it was an oversight" than treat me like an idiot and sweep it under the carpet.
Well, that was the only sure thing. I was not going to vote for TT.
However, splitting the votes among the rest of the candidates was going to be very detrimental as the hard core PAP supporters, probably a good 20-30% of voters, would still be voting for him.
So, as of this morning, I believed I had to convince anyone I know, who is eligible to vote, why I would be voting in this manner.
Next up, TKL.
I don't dislike TKL. I don't like him either.
The problem I had with TKL is that he was the CEO of NTUC Income.
I think NTUC is the biggest scam in this nation's history. It is a gigantic conglomerate business disguised as a union. Maybe with the exception of the first few years of it's existence, NTUC is a union that doesn't speak up for her members instead, it's speaks down to it's members. And it owns every darn business you can possibly think of that competes with local small businesses. Why? Why does a union have businesses in transportation, education, grocery stores, pharmacies, food outlets, financial products and the list goes on? Why?
But, to be fair to TKL, he didn't set it up this way. But, he is part of the biggest scam.
Anyway, he wasn't going to be getting my vote for a much simpler reason. He just doesn't have "it". I consider the "it" as the X factor. Something not as tangible as education or former positions held but more along the intangible lines of charisma and persona. I just don't feel the "it". I would be embarrassed to introduce him as my President. With all due respect to him and his efforts to help the people who had purchased toxic financial products during the 2008 financial crisis, he may be a sweet and wonderful man, but he just lacks the "it".
So, he is not getting my vote either.
Then there is TCB.
My Dad told me he was voting for TCB. The reason... he is a very vocal back bencher. Sounds great. Except that I am not entirely convinced he is not a plant by the ruling party so that we are given an impression that there are also opposing voices within the ruling party. But that alone was not a good enough reason not to be voting for him.
The bigger reason came at the forum where they were asked about the 1987 Marxist Conspiracy. His answer was so non-committal, I was disgusted. The 1987 Marxist Conspiracy was not just an arrest of 22 individuals, it was an outright attack on the Catholic Church in Singapore. And as a Catholic, if TCB cannot stand up for the persecution of his religion, then, I don't think he is worthy of representing me as the Head of State... GOD BEFORE COUNTRY. And I am not a very religious person... but to favor the unwarranted arrest of 22 individuals using the Catholic faith as a reason over saying nothing is just unacceptable.
But honestly, he was still in the running up until this morning.
Then there is TJS.
I have a fear about voting for him.
I am not entirely convinced he is good for this country.
He is too confrontational. He is too combative. These might be counter productive in trying to unite a nation.
I also hear not so nice things about him.
So honestly, up until this morning, I was torn between TCB and TJS.
Late yesterday and early this morning, cyberworld has been ablaze with accusations at HDB and PA. It all started with new MP for Aljunied GRC CSM posting a picture of an invitation card retracting an invitation made to him to attend a Chinese 7th Month celebration. The reason for the retract was that the organizers were told that if they invited their MP, they would not be allowed to rent the space for the event. This is honestly a downright stupid request. What if they invite the person who is their MP but NOT in the capacity of an MP? Anyway, the WP has since discovered that the leases on 26 pieces of property in their constituency were recently taken over by PA (supposedly non-partisan). PA, the new lessors of these properties, in their rules and regulations, prohibit these places to be used for political activities. So, how is inviting an MP to a 7th Month celebration a political activity? How did a 7th month celebration with an MP in attendance go from one with ghostly implications to one with political implications? And why is PA making such decisions? The blurring of lines between HDB, CCC, RC, PA, NTUC, SPF, MRT, is just another scam that should be eliminated.
That said, I am still not convinced that TJS is the right person for this job.
Honestly, I am not convinced that any of the 4 candidates are the right people for this job.
But since I do not have a choice AND, I don't believe in spoiling my vote, come Saturday, Aug 27, I will be casting my PROTEST VOTE, a vote for TJS, the only person who IS (since I don't believe resignation means no more alliances) from the opposition.
A protest on the way this country is governed.
A protest against the ISA.
A protest on bullying tactics from the ruling party.
A protest that those elitist people are still not listening despite their lip service about the citizens coming first.
DO NOT spoil your vote.
If you are one of the 40%. TJS was your 40%, continue in the same direction.
If you are one of the 60%, it's time to contemplate. The government has already been formed. There is no fear that the country will collapse in the next 5 years (that's what many of the 60% think anyway, should there be an opposition run government), so, if you are dissatisfied with anything the government has done, it's time to show it, on this mostly ceremonial position. It will barely have an impact on your wealth (or the lack of it). Don't take the middle road by voting TCB or TKL. State your dissatisfaction by voting TJS. Why go halfway? Go all the way...
