Lurker > ATfire567

DrizztLink posted...

... that's certainly something to celebrate.

I feel really free living here, to be honest, though freedom may be relative.

I get to discuss matters like these with people from other countries like you guys and getting so many points of views. I get to express my liberal views on social media websites like Instagram and Facebook without getting into trouble, as long as Im not slandering other demographics or notable individuals (which I wouldnt). I get to travel regularly to other countries around the world and see how different every country is. I get to consume media from all around the world without much censorship.

Sure, the cost of living is very high here, but I get complete safety and a high quality of life in exchange. This is true for most developed countries. In fact, Singapore was listed as the happiest country in Asia on the most recent World Happiness Report.

Its called a benevolent dictatorship by some, but its still essentially a democracy, with increasingly viable opposition parties. Also, if the government does make questionable decisions, you can be sure that we will make them hear it, and we have done so before. The government has retracted many decisions due to rejection from the citizens.

sfcalimari posted...

Ah yes you guys went from being unable to afford housing or a car to being unable to afford housing or a car. And in only 30 years! So amazing.

There's a reason other countries don't want to emulate an overpriced boring island where fun is outlawed.

Its true that housing and cars are very expensive here due to a lack of space, but most people here already have homes in the first place. There are currently about 530 homeless people in Singapore, significantly less compared to other countries, and they are taken care of by the government.

Cars are a luxury item and and not a necessity, because public transport is cheap and efficient.

Saving, investing and insurance, along with our regular jobs are all managed by the government and banks, so we still can afford housing and cars with good financial planning.

Fun isnt outlawed. Just drugs, guns for civilians, and chewing gum. You still get to have a fun time with alcohol, nightlife, hobby gatherings, concerts etc. Its nowhere near as scary here as the media in other countries paint it to be.

Speaking of changing systems, Singapore has moved from an authoritarian system to giving more opportunities for the opposition to speak their mind, and members of opposition parties have been getting more seats in the parliament after recent elections.

Doe posted...

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/singapore

Singapore is still relaxing its laws after being a highly conservative country for a long time, but gay sex was finally decriminalised in late 2022. It will take time, but our country is becoming more open-minded in recent years.

I had a debate here with someone almost 2 months ago, but it was more to do with me not believing in China's system, but he convinced me that China is doing pretty well for itself. During that debate, though, the term "benevolent dictatorship" sprang up.

For my country, Singapore, I admit that "benevolent dictatorship" is a rare term that might seem strange to many people. It was mostly used to describe the man (Lee Kuan Yew) who transformed Singapore from a third world, war-torn, poverty-stricken land into a first-world nation within just 3 decades during the latter half of the 20th century.

"Dictatorship" has a negative connotation to it, and for good reason. Dictatorships hardly work, if ever. However, if absolute power was used for good by an incorruptible leader, to guide a country and its people to better lives, is it necessarily always a bad thing?

It is extremely rare for a "dictatorship" to succeed, but if the word "benevolent" was added to it... The results are there in my country after decades of this system. One of the highest GDP per capita (PPP) in the world, one of the longest life expectancies, highly educated workforce, clean and green environment, peaceful, multiracial and multireligious society with no riots, no feeling of danger for a woman and child walking around the streets at 2AM after midnight, the ability to voice your displeasure at the government's policies and vote for an opposition during polling day, much higher degree of freedom compared to regular dictatorships etc.

I voted Unsure, as an Agnostic Theist. Until a human being literally sees or finds scientific evidence of a god, I am cautiously optimistic. What is a god though? If someone from a Type IV civilization (someone who can teleport through the universe, create worlds and living beings, live forever etc.) shows themselves, sure, thats godlike enough to me, and my answer would become a definite Yes.