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01-11-2011, 11:19 PM
hmm, i agree. but i think lao lee's smile is the scariest (because he hardly does!).
but i understand why you said that. communism is still a dirty word even today (especially in sg). it remains extremely misunderstood, ever since lee grabbed power in 1963 and rounded up his communist comrades. to persuade people of the evils of communism, they are feed mental images of third world countries like russia, cuba, cambodia or vietnam, characterized by poor living standards, authoritarian governments, lack of human rights, no free press, and a police state. wait, doesn't this sound like someplace very close to our hearts?
what's that? only leaders of third world countries abuse power and enjoy great wealth while its people suffer? hmm...
granted, we don't eat out of mess tins, but communism is an instinct that is closer to us than we would readily admit.
for one, singaporeans have been asking for slower growth, more equitable distribution of wealth, lower hdb prices, lower medical costs, lower transportation costs, and some say limit the number of cars per household, or allow household with families preferential access to COEs. the clamour for a more socialist approach to the everyday issues has a positive correlation to the rise in the gini coefficient.
you will find it hard not to find elements of capitalism or communism in communist and capitalist states, respectively. it is impossible to divorce the two and organise your society according to only one set of principles and not lead to certain imbalances. why would it make sense to go to war even though you do not fully practice the principals you're fighting for, or worse, adopt the principals of your enemies?
owners of capital always seek to generate returns. thus capital will always be looking for markets where they may be put to use. what happens when you've run out of markets? guess which country has been invading 'communist' countries since the 50s, has the largest corporations, and has the highest number of billionaires and millionaires.
if you break it down, communism comes from community. and aren't we all communal-loving people?
but i understand why you said that. communism is still a dirty word even today (especially in sg). it remains extremely misunderstood, ever since lee grabbed power in 1963 and rounded up his communist comrades. to persuade people of the evils of communism, they are feed mental images of third world countries like russia, cuba, cambodia or vietnam, characterized by poor living standards, authoritarian governments, lack of human rights, no free press, and a police state. wait, doesn't this sound like someplace very close to our hearts?
what's that? only leaders of third world countries abuse power and enjoy great wealth while its people suffer? hmm...
granted, we don't eat out of mess tins, but communism is an instinct that is closer to us than we would readily admit.
for one, singaporeans have been asking for slower growth, more equitable distribution of wealth, lower hdb prices, lower medical costs, lower transportation costs, and some say limit the number of cars per household, or allow household with families preferential access to COEs. the clamour for a more socialist approach to the everyday issues has a positive correlation to the rise in the gini coefficient.
you will find it hard not to find elements of capitalism or communism in communist and capitalist states, respectively. it is impossible to divorce the two and organise your society according to only one set of principles and not lead to certain imbalances. why would it make sense to go to war even though you do not fully practice the principals you're fighting for, or worse, adopt the principals of your enemies?
owners of capital always seek to generate returns. thus capital will always be looking for markets where they may be put to use. what happens when you've run out of markets? guess which country has been invading 'communist' countries since the 50s, has the largest corporations, and has the highest number of billionaires and millionaires.
if you break it down, communism comes from community. and aren't we all communal-loving people?