Start here, stay here, wait for everyone to come here.

Blog Response 2: "S'pore won't 'burst at the seams' with 6.5m people: Minister Mah"
Category: Politics

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Singapore is still a little red dot. There is nothing we can do about it. However, we can cause this little red dot to have a lot of influence on other countries. Big things can come in small packages, but we must make use of this limited space to ensure every little bit of it is used to make us more attractive to investors.

With our limited space, we can still develop a global city. All we need is careful planning of our land use. The world is rapidly moving on. Singapore must go with the flow, or we will be pushed aside.

Another obstacle Singapore faces is we need more “talent”. Talent is a very vague word in this context. I define it as people who have the power to drive Singapore forward, be it by new scientific discoveries or people with the “big ideas”.

We cannot depend on foreign talent alone. If that is the case, we might as well be a country that is full of foreign talent and discard our “untalented” people. Singapore must retain our own talents, and also nurture new ones. Doing so by means of education. The younger generation is the future. If the younger generation is not full of these “talents” it could be a hurdle in our future.

Another problem I see is that, if we invest in all these “large parcels of green spaces” are we using the land effectively? However, I do not wish to see Singapore as a total urban jungle. Its hard to use our space, if we put more space in one area of development, we cut down space on another area. It is really a matter of priorities.

An investor would look out for places capable of growth. An added bonus would be one that could grow rapidly. This is because investors are all looking out for personal gain, if they can get gain faster, it would be a great plus. I think Singapore is capable of rapid growth. We have a high standard of living. We have pretty high standard education systems, meaning we will have many workers that will hold degrees. This means we will have the manpower for businesses that need manpower with high education.

Singapore has its lacking points. It does not have large recreational facilities. So I think the improvements to the Marina area will be a good way to start on that. However, the effectiveness of that in attracting investors, I am unsure of. Maybe, as it improves our standard of living, it would make us more attractive. This higher standard of living will also help retain Singaporeans that think Singapore “does not hold a future” for them. New investors would also be further reason for them to come back, as it is growing and expanding, and can finally “be their future”.

Singapore is young; it has much to do to move up. With careful planning and management, we finally become the global city we are aiming for.

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Words: 499(i think...)

Perry, you're on the wrong side of the road.

Blog Response 1: "In Texas, planned coal-fire plants stoke environmental battle"
Category: Environment

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In recent years, many countries are stepping up to save the environment. Taking big steps to decreasing carbon dioxide emissions and the such. However, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, decides to go against the flow like a car on the wrong side of the road.

Perry wants to build 16 new coal plants in Texas, adding on to the air pollution that already heavily plagues the country. Many environmentalists are against his decision. There are definitely cheaper alternatives. However, Perry thinks that doing so would slow down economic growth. Apparently, the country’s economy is more important than the health of its people and the effects the emissions have on a global scale. This is really and issue of personal interest above all. He is looking at only a short-term gain.

If I were Perry, I would look at different factors. What if, the pollution causes people to not want to move or go to Texas? That would affect the population of the country, reducing manpower. This would be far more dangerous to the economic growth of Texas than using cleaner alternatives. He takes a short cut through the wrong side of the road that could very well end in horrific accidents.

With cleaner alternatives, I would steer myself from these “accidents” and it may eventually find a gain. It may attract investors and thus spurring economic growth. Perry certainly has not thought of that, going head-on into oncoming cars.

Many drivers are shouting at him too. The environmentalists are all opposing his ideas, trying to make him change his mind. Luckily, the fast-track approval of the plants has been halted temporarily. Perry himself ordered the fast-tracked approval. I feel its selfish to not hear what others have to say and making hasty decisions with no proper thought and discussion with others, such as the people of Texas.

Although I strongly disagree to what Perry plans to do, he might have his reasons. Maybe he thinks Texas needs to step up and become a top first world country. Maybe he thinks by doing so, it will be very much better for Texas’ economic growth. Hopefully, if this happens, he will use the money to think of cleaner alternatives. However, if this does not work out, what will he do?

There are also the wrong reasons. Apparently Perry has been receiving donations from TXU Corporations. It might be an ulterior motive. However, I am not entirely sure.

I may not be looking at this from the right perspective though, as I am unsure Texas’ state. If I was, I might give a better analysis of Perry’s plans. Still, I am pretty sure that harming the environment is obviously bad. Since, the Texas is not the only country on the Earth. What Texas does to the environment, affects everyone, his “accident” will cause a chain accident, then causing a traffic jam. The effects stretch to a global scale.

I sure hope he U-turns and gets back on track.

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Words: 495(well it should be)