Contact them directly!
I was watching the news last night and heard this opposition candidate say that one of the "services" they would provide to residents is a line for people to call and contact their MP directly on their handphones. And he challenged the incumbent MPs to provide the same level of "committment".
That got me thinking for a while whether that candidate knew what he was getting into. I mean being called anytime of the day? Anywhere? Anyone? Reminds me a bit of the time I was working and being on call 24 hours a day fortnightly, but worse!
But then again after thinking for a while, I realised that these were the same people who said they would quit their jobs and be full time MPs if the people voted them into parliament. Now I do know that the majority of MPs these days have full time jobs in addition to their duties as MPs. Some of these full time jobs are pretty heavy going themselves. Some MPs hold directorships in as much as 10 companies!
And yet the MPs have been reportedly doing great work for their wards. I mean everyone has at most 24 hours a day. You still got to sleep at least 4 hours a day. And the night hours from 12am to 6am are usually not the most conducive to do anything since most other people are asleep. So there is a definite limit to the amount of time one can spend serving people as an MP and holding a full-time day job.
So it got me thinking again what exactly does a full time MP do on a day to day basis during the normal working hours between 8am and 6pm? I mean most MPs would be working their day jobs during those times. Effectively we can call them part-time MPs. (I mean if they were to actually say they were full time MPs but part time manager of XYZ company, or Executive of ABC Accoutning Firm I wonder how the respective organizations would feel about such employees?) So what about those who would be full time MPs? Wha would they be doing during those hours from 8am to 6pm? I think maybe nothing!
I mean if the current MPs can do such a great job without working much during the hours from 8am to 6pm, then those hours are relatively non-essential. MPs do get an allowance anyway. So hey, having a direct line to the full-time MP is not that big a deal for the MP! After all he does about nothing from 8am to 6pm, we might as well give him a call when we have a problem! That's what he's there for isn't it? That's what we pay him for right?
The other way to look at it of course is to ask why don't those "part-time" MPs, full time job holders, forfeit their MP allowance or donate it to charity since they already make a good living from their day time jobs? I'm sure this could be a big political plus point for certain candidates if they said "Vote me and I serve you for free. No allowance! After all I already got my job or business." Otherwise I think if you are an MP and taking the allowance/pay, then you jolly well should take it as a full time occupation.
posted by Dr Oz bloke @ 12:52 AM
10 Comments:
Most of the mp's work done by GRCs lah.
Grass Root Colleagues lah.
So where got need for fulltime? Their main job is to sit in the chamber and listen listen and listen and sometimes yak, yak and yak lah.
Hey, oinkle, you are not supposed to talk politics now. So let's roll back the discussion to nasty docs ok?
This "annoynomous: feller no balls leh. Direct meet force with force mah. He paid and then cried on your shoulders. What a jerk!
Err Baladji said Singaporeans are allowed to talk about politics during elections. C'mon lah elections time cannot even talk about politics? It's in the news, on the radio, everywhere you turn got posters, banners etc and cannot talk about politics? Dun like that lah :)
But they did say cannot package candidates. Cannot take sides politically and promote certain candidates etc etc.
I'm just sharing what I want my MP to do that's all. No party names. No candidate names.
Uglybaldie
It's not abt having balls or not, it's abt having principles and we are nice and civilized people.
We don't behave like hooligans, besides, this doc do have bad PR and bedside manners, people like him, tell him off nicely and you walk away a bigger man.
Money is not the issue here.
I, for one, can't stand uncilivized people, like nowadays, the very young and old people.
Have come across many such people, in supermarkets and public places, whereby the use underhand tactics to cut queue and getting their way.
What's more shocking is the very young are doing it with their parent's approval.
The parents are the young ones, post 65.
The older ones, past 60s, they literally just cut yr queue, they even do it to the teens, if they ask me, I would gladly let them, since they are old.
Even in polyclinic, when approached, I would let them cut my queue, if they are really in bad shape.
But, I would definitely speak up, if I am taken for a ride.
And it is always nice to communicate with Dr Oz and reading your comments - minus the direct insults on Dr Oz, okay!
To: Annonymous,
Sorry old chap.
Ya, I quite agree with you about the youngsters nowadays but your comments about the older folks like me may be a bit uncalled for.
Please understand that we older folks got no choice. Stand also not steady, walk also like want to drop dead anytime so please spare us a thought okay? Our body is racked by arthritis, our eyesight cannot see further than the tip of our nose and the only thing we can smell from far away is the cash that is coming from the progress package!
I don't normally take the train or the bus but one day, I did a test. I got into the train and there was this thirty something ass sitting right in the corner under the "Give up this seat to old folks'" sign. He pretends not to see me but obviously knew that I am past my prime. I used my umbrella and gave him a sharp poke on the foot. Next, I pretended to be labouring under a heart attack grasping at my chest. Only then reluctantly did he stood up and gave me the seat. What an a piece of shit!
After I got the seat, I calmly sat down, took out my $1200 dopod smartphone and started calling my mistresses long distance.
For good measure, I took his picture with the phone and MMS it telling my damsels what a stupid jerk he was.
Fun man.
Ha, he sure looked like he wanted to drop dead anytime!
Hee Hee.
Uglybaldie
Sorry, if I have offended you or anyone, which is not meant to be. what I wrote is not meant to hit on the elderly or the young but based on my experience.
Of course, I understand the elderly, that's why I mentioned that I would gladly give way to them, esp in clinics, when they are sick and having to wait for so long.
I can assure you that any elderly who passes my way in the bus, mrt, clinics, bus stops and mrt stations, etc would be guarantee a seat by me.
But I can't say the same for the young ones and the very young, yes very young abt 4 to 10+.
Honestly, tell me what would you do, if you are in this situation.
Once, I was offering my seat to an elderly, as she was about to sit down, 2 spoilts brats rush to the seat and occupy it and feeling very proud of themselves. The parents were nearby and they pretended that nothing happens and I can see the face of the mother literally "glowing" with pride for their conquest.
Again, here I am writing abt the uncivilized young and very young(parents below 40 and and kids below 11).
Anyone, who read this, pls note that it's just my views and opinions based on what I see and experienced. It is not meant to offend or insult anyone ( it is not my style nor my nature).
If it this, I would have been very nasty with the insulting doc, but I am very proud of myself, that with one sentence spoken nicely, he was dumbfounded and I hope he would be feeling very ashamed of himself.
Sorry, Dr oz I have change your subject here, hope you don't mind, if you do, please let me know, ok!
No problem.
I would tell the young kids firmly that I gave up my seat for the elderly person and request that they let the elderly person have that seat.
No need to be rude or scold anyone but just tell them firmly. My intention is to let the elderly person have a seat, not to teach or educate anybody. That one I believe is up to parents as well as our society to learn.
I don't deny that graciousness is not something we find a lot in Singapore.
I have had many experiences of graciousness extended to me by non-Singaporeans. But I know some people would have a lot to say about this and reprimand me instead.
Anyway I understand your point of view anonymous.
Live and let live lah. If you feel something is not right then speak up firmly and bravely. No need to be rude of course. I see nothing wrong. Of course if the youngsters start to pick a fight because of this, then call the police.
Thanks, Dr Oz for yr understanding.
The problem here is not the kids but the parents, who are definitely teaching their kids such bad behaviour.
When you do tell the kids nicely , we will be inviting a confrontation too. Such kind of parents would not take it lying down, and would tell you off that you have not right to talk or teach their kids.
Hoping to avoid such ugly scene.
Agreed, live and let's live, just getting it out of my system, lah.
Well how did the parents become who they are today? By being kids just like their kids and nobody guided them away from that path.
If telling kids nicely, incites a fight from the parents, I'm afraid I would still have to do it. Otherwise the elderly and the weak will be bullied and they are the ones who suffer in the end.
If I don't fight for him who will?
Well spoken, Dr Oz, maybe I shouldn't be too nice and if things do get out of hand, like you said - call the police - will keep that in mind.
Why do people like you don't run for election and make a difference? Stupid question - because I more or less know the answer.
I trust my doctors more than I trust....
Uglybaldie, still waiting for your opinion.
To anonymous,
Hi, sorry about giving you my views late. I was terribly busy spending my progress package paycheck. The streets are filled with shoppers, the shops only have standing room. Wow, everyone is euphoric. Shop and Eat, Eat and shop! Bought for myself, an 8 megapixel canon digital camera(latest model) and a budget airticket by Jet star to Hong Kong. Cool man.
Can't wait for the next package to upgrade my Oakley shades and maybe a pair of Nike shoes for climbing the Great Wall. Still reckon can have some change for a new motherboard and a top end video card for a new computer I'm thinking of assembling. Cool, cool, cool. What a life!
Yes, yes, yes! I agree totally with you about the shithole parents below 40 and their pieces of shit brats. They are the showpieces for the worsts that is in Singapore. Some of my more "civilized" friends from abroad have commented about their behaviour. You are looking at the next generation of ill bred, ill mannered, materialistic, uncouth, unscrupulous rotten critters. If faced with the same situation as you in that particular circumstances, I would turn to their parents and tell them to tell their brats to mind their manners. This action kills two birds with one stone. I am telling the parents that they are dysfunctional and I am insinuating that their offsprings are the product of bad genes. Don't like? Call the police. The father wants to use his hands? Think of spending next chrismas in Jail with three strokes of the rotan for assaulting an old defenceless senior citizen. Want to see me in court, please oblige to make my day.But unfortunately, most times, my life is very very boring. Haven't had the fortune to meet these kinds of parents. So you didn't hear about it in the papers.
I do taichi for health but I don't do taichi when the gloves come off! It's combat with "deadly" force.
My matinee idol? Clint Eastwood. In fact, we look quite alike. He is dirty harry and I am crafty ugly. Only thing is, he is older and I don't have a "six piece".
Have a good time spending your well earned progress package! :-))
Post a Comment
<< Home