EOD Links - 20100504

Happy birthday Mom!

• Leong Sze Hian is not convinced of the benefits of the CPF restoration.
• William Deresiewicz believes "solitude is the very essence of leadership".
• Proposed bill that will outlaw "abortion for reasons of gender selection and racial discrimination" in Georgia thankfully died in committee.
• Yoong Siew Wah rubbished The Straits Times.
• "Americans are already starting to see the benefits of health care reform."

The problem with government forums

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong "wants to strengthen the CPF route in the buying and selling of flats" to reinforce "the aim of these homes as assets for life":

"When we help people to own a home, it's really for you for life," Mr Lee said. "When you're not so old, and you've bought the house, and now you see that the pot of gold is down there and you ignore the 'please don't break the glass sign' and you break the glass and take the money out straightaway, then what happens to you? Or more importantly, your children and your dependents? Where do they go?

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Failure of policy, not personal responsibility

This is becoming a familiar and increasingly common theme, as more Singaporeans begin to identify various PAP policies as inadequate and outdated. While personal responsibility is important, we should not overlook the influence of policy over the psyche of a country and its citizens.

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Reminder: Your CPF money isn't really for you

Parliament passed an amendment to the CPF Act on July 20th that will guarantee a steady income for retirees. Sounds like a great plan, but the devil, as always, is in the details:

Under amendments to the CPF Act passed yesterday, CPF members will receive a steady stream of retirement income. But premiums and payouts are at the Government's discretion and will vary with factors such as interest rates.

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