SMRT

[brattzz]

wao raos, "all socialism benefits should be eliminated."

u must be very elite!!!

i demand that essential services to be provided at a socialism price for vulnerable groups... (think elderly/low-income..etc)
We need to take good care of our people.

[freedom]

people are wonder why US is running huge deficit and constantly requires debt ceiling raise or why Europe is in such a mess. Let me summarize for you. because they are running too many socialism benefits.

If there is no giveout from US government or European governments, the government will be the best institutions. They collect huge amount of tax.

cut welfare like Singapore, all the above governments have no problem at all. They will run surplus every year just like Singapore.

Elite or not. We should try to be the best of the society, not the worst.

[kichialo]

the question is what is excessive? Without subprime crisis, no one has an idea about it.

With glass steagall act, there is not going to be such a successful bank as JP Morgan. People often forget why glass steagall act was repealed and the benefit of repealing glass steagall act. Just because of subprime crisis, we should just ignore the wealth/value created since the repeal?

On derivatives. Before there is derivatives, interest rate and forex fluctuated widely. so was any other asset. Yes derivatives are not perfect, but is anything?

Well, people get choked to death when they are eating. So should human beings stop eating? Or at what circumstance should human being stop eating? What a wonderful world we have! A bunch of ignorants are telling how Jamie Damion should run JP Morgan.

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How about this? for "essential services", public transports, energy..healthcare.. educations...NS...

Can we have capitalism profits and socialism benefits?

afterall, the profits has to be spent... (after the reserves are topped up, of cos..)

so you like to pay more tax or less tax?

To me, all socialism benefit should be eliminated.

Public services like defense (National Service), security (police), are also socialism benefits. Perhaps we should do away with them and let those who can afford it pay for their own bodyguards and army.

[brattzz]

I don't think socialism causes society to worsen... socialism in fact highlights the importance of values which are the fabric of the society, and gives an purposed advantage to that value via services, for eg, 999, 995 services = 24hrs assistance for all people... Low cost Education = leveler... CPF 2.5% interests : withdrawal limits @ age..CPF life...

As long as people understands that, society continues to improve! those who can support themselves, contributes back to society and helps those who are not yet there... isn't that already "besting" the society and in turn, it's people?

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[/quote]

Public services like defense (National Service), security (police), are also socialism benefits. Perhaps we should do away with them and let those who can afford it pay for their own bodyguards and army.
[/quote]

you can go down this line... but you will be left with only the ELITES.. and there are many ELITES that can afford to pay, if needed to stay in singapore!!!

What you will lose is the average singaporean and the singaporean's identity and values that has help us to survive/good over the last 48 years...

Not all people can be ELITES..hey! i am just a normal average person!

sure, drive me away if you wish to make way for more ELITES... i'm not sure i want to be belong to a place where ONLY ELITES are left afterall...

[specuvestor]

Scandinavian countries are socialist... key is how to manage and distribute wealth creation on a sustainable level. Do not mistake socialism with populism. The idea of government itself is socialist in nature. You cannot have a capitalistic government as much as an Austrian school central banker

On a lighter note... my friend said he would sell SMRT and Delgro if I ever get into politics... makes sense!

[countonme]

Its hard to imagine a society with the elites taking charge of everything abeit this could be the case that some countries have. The elites alone cannot provide defense, healthcare, supply of labour. Yes, one can argue that slavery could be applied by the elites. But history proved that slavery would like be overcomed by human basic righteousness.

In similar case, there will not be rich people if there is no poor people. If a country is run on a full capitalism approach, the system will breakdown and it will go through a reorganisation to regain balance.

[kichialo]

http://infopub.sgx.com/FileOpen/Annc_Rat...eID=257838

STANDARD & POOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT
Research Update: Outlook On SMRT Corp. Ltd. Revised To Negative On Weak Financials; 'AAA' Rating Affirmed



Singapore, 27 September 2013 SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT) refers to the attached announcement by credit agency Standard & Poors Rating Services. SMRT is pleased with the reaffirmation of its AAA credit rating, which remains strong amongst its peers in the global land transport industry. We will continue to maintain financial discipline with our balance sheet while working with the regulators towards a sustainable financing model for the rail and bus businesses.

[Temperament]

Its hard to imagine a society with the elites taking charge of everything abeit this could be the case that some countries have. The elites alone cannot provide defense, healthcare, supply of labour. Yes, one can argue that slavery could be applied by the elites. But history proved that slavery would like be overcomed by human basic righteousness.

In similar case, there will not be rich people if there is no poor people. If a country is run on a full capitalism approach, the system will breakdown and it will go through a reorganisation to regain balance.

So can anyone tell the man in the street simply what is Singapore? How much or how many % of Singapore is Capitalist, Socialist, Communist, or what ist is mainly Singapore?

[corydorus]

I am aware American spends a lot on Military and their personnel retirement benefits. Is a large sink hole.
And large PET projects like NASA.

Social benefits i believe they can be worst than many developed countries in many aspects. I know they can terminate employees on the fly with little compensation by law. People here can help verify. Medical care wise, ObamaCare introduction is so tough to cover more folks on insurance. This implies today Health Care is not comprehensive or supported.

[Dividend Warrior]

Its hard to imagine a society with the elites taking charge of everything abeit this could be the case that some countries have. The elites alone cannot provide defense, healthcare, supply of labour. Yes, one can argue that slavery could be applied by the elites. But history proved that slavery would like be overcomed by human basic righteousness.

In similar case, there will not be rich people if there is no poor people. If a country is run on a full capitalism approach, the system will breakdown and it will go through a reorganisation to regain balance.

So can anyone tell the man in the street simply what is Singapore? How much or how many % of Singapore is Capitalist, Socialist, Communist, or what ist is mainly Singapore?

Singapore is mostly a 'Every man for himself', 'Dog eat dog', 'Survival of the fittest', 'Money makes the world goes round', 'Adapt or die' society.

Even from a young age, teachers and parents are oredi training the children to score as high as possible in their exams. High grades mean 'good' student, low grades mean 'lousy' student. When they grow up, society will judge their worth by the size of their houses, cars and bank accounts.

This is life.

No one gets left behind? Yea right.....
Someone always gets left behind.