When oil prices went up, everything went up!

When oil prices fall, prices stay.

Nobody is doing anything to lower cost of living.

Mr Goh Chok Tong urged those who can afford to spend as usual to keep to economy going.  How much can a person spend?  He should urged big organizations who can afford to spend by hiring more staff to ease the jobs of those who have to slog more than twelve hours a day at work (almost every day and sometimes over the week-end).  The government should pass a law and stop companies from slave driving their staff who have to work more than 44 hours a week, in line with the promotion of family day.

I went for an interview at CDC and was shock to learn that the salary for office jobs starts from $700 - $800 when uneducated foreign workers can get more than that.  Even part-time domestic workers(maids) are paid $12.50 per hour whereas office workers are paid $6.00 per hour.  Obviously something is very wrong with the job market.  No wonder more foreigners are flooding into Singapore as they can survive better than Singaporeans.

I wonder our government knows what they are doing.  Instead of trying to fight inflation, they are pushing everything up ever further.  Last time bus fares increase only after each election, but now bus fares increase every year which I don't think is justified.  Imagine it take me almost an hour to travel from Ang Mo Kio to Toa Payoh by bus, transfer to train and another transfer by bus which is about five to ten minutes drive by car.  If I take a direct bus, it take one hour and more (it like so near yet so far).  There are no control on prices of food and essentials which should not exceed the 2% hike, some of the things have increased by as much as 50% or more.

On one hand the government is giving benefits and incentives to encourage people to have more children and on the other hand they slapped them with higher childcare fees.  Why our government always think that money can resolve all problems.  There are many issue why young couples are not willing to have kids even though they are financial stable.  They chose money and career over family.  There is practically no family life when people have to spend lots of time at work, often worked till 9.00 or 10.00 pm and by the time we reached home is about 10.00 to 11.00 pm every day and even over the weekends.  Divorce cases are increasing as fast as marriages and it will be easier for them to part when they do not have kids.  They are also not getting enough support from parents and parents-in-law who have to work beyond their retirement age of 55 and have to rely on domestic maids when they have kids.  I have read from Todays' articles that maids may be given compulsory off-days, public holidays and even maternity leaves.  Who are they going to fall back on when their maids are on leave.  I think I rather work as a maid than in an office.  I am surprised that big ISO comapnies are exploiting their staffs with multi-tasks jobs with low pay and doing two to three persons work.  There is no time even to drink water or visit the washroom except during lunch time - just work ourselves sick, seven days a week (14-16 hours a day).  What kind of life-style is this?

Our country is degrading and becoming a low-class society with an influx of "foreign talent", heading away fom a gracious society.

What our government is doing is in their own interest and not in the welfare of Singapore citizens.

The benefits to encourage people to have more children will not have a significant impact.  It is not only financial problem, but there are a lot of other issues to take into consideration.  It is a long term investment to bring up a child until they complete their education which is very costly - at least twenty over years.   It is not easy to bring up a child when both young parents are working.   During a economic downturn when people with young children were retrenched, what will happen to their children.   I have a late marriage and am in my fifties and my child is only sixteen yyears old.  I have lost my job and my spouse income is not enough to maintain the family.  If I were to live life over again, I will choose not to have a child so that they will not suffer.   Older people are working beyond their retirement age and young couples with babies do not get family support.  Marriages does not last and divorce are on the rise.  Companies are exploiting their staff with multi task jobs and oftern have to work long hours and have very little time for family. 

The government encourages people to conserve energy, but why are they lighting up on more festive seasons and there are more firework displays for no reason.  They can save a lot of money and do much more for the lower and middle income Singaporeans.  They should also spend more money on training Singaporeans instead of foreigners on sports.

Hawker foods are becoming more and more salty which is very very unhealthy.  Despite asking for less oil and salt, I still find it very salty.  The Ministry should conduct checks and make sure they do not exceed the normal dosage.  We can add salt if we find that it is too blend, but we cant't do anything if it is too salty.  I would like to cook my own food if time permits, but I have to work and do house chores which leaves me no time for cooking.  Previously, when we order porridge, we can add soy sauce if we find it too blend, but now it comes with salt already added and leave us with no choice.  Same with fish soup.  These hawkers have no regards to consumers' health and their attitude is take it or leave it.  Unless the Ministry step in to educate the hawkers, Singaporeans will not be able to lead a healthy life.  In addition to the stressfull lifestyle and that more people are advancing in age, what we need now is healthy food.  Besides, hawker centres are not properly maintained.  There are a lot of birds in the morning and by evening, we can hardly find a clean stool without stain.  Utencils are not thoroughly washed and food handlers are very unhygenic.

There were also lots of pigeons around HDB flats and it seems that nobody is bothered by them.  The sight of the neighbourhood nowadays reminds me of the environment in the 60's.  Why are we not taking preventive measures instead of preparing and waiting for a pandemic?