Long story short – one bad apple is just one bad apple. But
the insidious part of it is dear readers, are the PEOPLE WHO ARE KEEN TO SPREAD
THE NEWS ON THE OTHER APPLES (and labelling them just as rotten).
Poor innocent apples.
The research shows the positive mindset makes a difference – we
are all discerning readers and thinkers (foreign friends always say that Singaporeans
they meet have a good head on their shoulders!). Are we so easily misled by the
one bad Grassroots leader or one errant volunteer?
I think not. I think we owe it to the nameless auntie who
cleans the vegetable garden at the community plot near my HDB block and the
toothless uncle at the CC who always helped me with the badminton courts.
Let us all be a bit more discerning and positive.
Oops… Found out that the “toothless” uncle had forgotten his
dentures for that day, so he is technically not toothless, my apologies. :)
Don’t worry if you’ve missed the National Day Rally, we
picked out 3 Hosay news for 3 groups of Singaporeans.
Singaporeans who
are planning to get married
Congratulations! We think you are the most Hosay group!
Did you get into a fight with your girlfriend over where to
stay after getting married? Are you one of those whose combined income sway
sway just exceeded $10,000 and you cannot apply for a HDB and at the same time cannot
afford a condo?
Fret not! The
government has it sorted out for you. The income
ceiling has now been increased to $12,000 for HDB and $14,000 for EC. That
means you are now eligible for public housing! And if you have a little bit
more moolah to spare, why not consider grabbing one of the leftover units at
some of the EC developments.
Before you start rushing down to HDB to apply for a flat,
remember that there is an added BONUS. If you choose to stay near your parents,
you may receive a Proximity Housing
Grant of $20,000! Okay, if you need a property agent, call me :)
Singaporeans who
are married already and planning to have kids or more kids
Congratulations. Your baby is born in a lucky year, under
lucky stars!
For babies born from 1 Jan 2015 onward, they will
receive a bigger Medisave grant
which can be used to cover the premiums for MediShield Life and healthcare
expenses. This is for all Singaporean babies even if he/she is number 4th, 5th, 6th or 10th in the family.
There’s good news for Mummies too! Daddies will be
getting an extra week of paternity leave to help with changing diapers,
washing bottles and night feeds soak in the joys of fatherhood.
Oh,
and if you need a tip or two on *ahem* baby making, Lulu from the Noose who has
got some sound advice for you *wink* *wink* :)
With more kids, you may now want to consider moving
closer to your parents so that they can help you look after your kids. Here’s
when you will benefit from the Proximity Housing Grant.
For the soon to be
retirees
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!
By 2017 re-employment
age will be raised from 65 to 67.
WAIT! Before you jump up and scold the government for making
you work longer, this increase in re-employment age MUST NOT be confused with retirement age. You can still retire at
62 if you want to, but for those who want to continue to work, the employer can
re-employ you until the age of 67. After 67, you can stay at home and go
“ga-ga” over your adorable grandkids :)
I smell that the Gahmen has been trying to buy votes for the
past 5 years!
Don’t believe me?
Here is the evidence!
1)Cooling Measures for Property
Remember
how we complained about the cash over valuation and how it was really expensive
for first timers to buy a flat? Guess what? They purposely impose property
cooling measures to lower housing prices so more people can afford a home.
Confirm
Gahmen is buying votes from young couples!
2)Medishield Life
Government
has insider information that Singapore’s population is aging, some people could
fall sick and some will need to be hospitalised. So, they quickly introduce Medishield Life which will cover everybody including those with pre-existing
illness.
Confirm Gahmen is buying votes from older Singaporeans!
3)Downtown Line 2
You
know how the MRT breaks down and causes delay ever so often these days? So the
government quickly open Downtown Line 2 this coming December, ahead of schedule
to reduce load on the current lines and let us get to work and home faster.
Confirm Gahmen is buying votes from the working
class!
4)More healthcare
The
opening of the 700 bed Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and 400 bed Jurong
Community Hospital will almost certainly benefit the us who live in the West.
Confirm Gahmen is buying votes from people
living in the west!
5)Pioneer Generation Package
Seniors aged 65 and above are now
given the title of “Pioneer Generation” and they get so many goodies, from
discounted health care to priority queues at NTUC Fairprice! They get special
treatment everywhere they go.
Confirm
Gahmen is buying votes from the elderly.
6)One-year road tax rebate for Singaporean drivers
Because of higher petrol tax, the
government introduced a one year road tax rebate for petrol cars. 20% rebate for cars, 60% rebate for
motorcycles and 100% rebate for commercial vehicles.
Confirm Gahmen is buying votes from car owners, motorcyclists, private
bus drivers, etc!
7)GST Vouchers
The
Government introduced a permanent GST Voucher to help Singaporeans offset the
GST that they pay each year. And as if this is not enough, they even went to
the extent of increasing the cash quantum by $50 this year!
Confirm Gahmen is buying votes from 1.6
million Singaporeans who will benefit from this!
See, see, see! So many goodies dished out by our Gahmen. If
it’s not vote buying, then what?!
Lai,
lai, lai! Please continue to throw goodies at me and buy my vote! But I can’t
promise I won’t complain hor :)
The community has been buzzing over getting free NDP
Funpacks, and here are some reasons why they are YAYS rather than NAYS.
1 1. Here’s
to #localtalent
Local designers get to showcase their designing skills. With
50 funpack designs, here’s cheers to #local talent
Source: One of the designers of the funpack, Sgcomplainqueen
2. Here’s
to customisation
Different areas of Singapore would have extra different
goodies added to their Funpacks by their grassroots people. Yay for that! For
example, constituencies with older people might have more practical
necessities. For this HSB writer living in a relatively younger estate, I have a portable power bank. Coolio!
Some political party people say (not I say), that the
government is giving out these funpacks to win votes and because they have a lot of resources.
Hello….. sure or not? Got ask yourself why no one
provide funds for your campaign? Do you really think these items will
help me decide which box to check, come the next elections? Please la, Singaporeans got so shallow or not? What will work for me is if the government work
hard for 5 years to win my vote.
These funpacks are meant to bring some cheer to all
Singaporeans. Cheer up people! Oh, and if you think the funpack is not good
enough for you, you can give them to me. My latest hobby is to collect all the
Singas, #truestory
4. People
are getting excited and ready to celebrate National Day together!
Look at everythingalsocomplain
blog – this dude complained that the Funpack is a waste of money (Wah
really everything also complain). But, look at other families who are looking forward
to having this pack and having some fun.
Oh lookie…. we found someone who was really happy to find 2
flags in his funpack and will be flying it on his balcony with pride and joy
(That’s the spirit, bro!)
Let’s count-down: 6 more days to National Day, whoopeedo!
