| The Aquarian ( @ 2008-08-19 14:21:00 |
National Day Rally Speech
Not that I am a big fan of his speeches (in fact I was a tad annoyed that it ate into my usual TV programmes), but with headlines splashed in the papers (Straits Times, My Paper, Today and The New Paper), I can't help but be drawn to the contents of the article.
Again... my views:
Cost-of-living
Liberalising Political Landscape
Parenthood; Procreation; Marriage
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I can't figure out which is worse... getting more locals to give birth (higher taxes and more children on the streets) or getting in immigrants. As I was discussing with my colleagues earlier, we can't imagine which is worse. Then I broke the dilemma by saying, "if the immigrants look anything like the China reps in the Olympics, I will welcome them with open legs... er... I mean arms, but please don't give us China's rejects or silver medallists. Give us the good lookers and the gold medallists."
Do you guys know the SG team - Wang Yue Gu is only 28? She's younger than me!!! Most astonishing piece of news I heard today.
Not that I am a big fan of his speeches (in fact I was a tad annoyed that it ate into my usual TV programmes), but with headlines splashed in the papers (Straits Times, My Paper, Today and The New Paper), I can't help but be drawn to the contents of the article.
Again... my views:
Cost-of-living
- 50% more in 2nd payout in Oct
- 50% more in Utilities rebate
Liberalising Political Landscape
- Ban on party politicial films eased.
- More liberal new media rules during general elections.
- Outdoor demonstrations allowed at Speakers' Corner.
Parenthood; Procreation; Marriage
- Maternity leave extend from 3 months to 4 months.
- Infant care leave extend to 1 week a year.
- Child care leave extend to six days a year.
- Baby bonus.
- To relief and child care subsidy for the fifth child
- Subsidies for child care centres.
- Financial Aid for IVF
- Better tax incentives to encourage mums to work.
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I can't figure out which is worse... getting more locals to give birth (higher taxes and more children on the streets) or getting in immigrants. As I was discussing with my colleagues earlier, we can't imagine which is worse. Then I broke the dilemma by saying, "if the immigrants look anything like the China reps in the Olympics, I will welcome them with open legs... er... I mean arms, but please don't give us China's rejects or silver medallists. Give us the good lookers and the gold medallists."
Do you guys know the SG team - Wang Yue Gu is only 28? She's younger than me!!! Most astonishing piece of news I heard today.