The Value of Nothing

Someone, I think it might have been S. Rajaratnam, defined Singaporeans as a people who knew "the price of everything, and the value of nothing."

He might have adapted or adopted it from another quote, but as a description of Singaporeans, it is often quite apt.

[Google Save: The quote is usually attributed to Oscar Wilde who used it as a definition of cynics.]

But Singaporeans, if we are indeed cynics, are shallow cynics, unthinking cynics, unimaginative cynics, lazy cynics.


Why do I say this?

It was revealed that Singapore Day in the UK this year costs $4.4 million. The immediate cynical response and comments were predictable - that's $4.4m that could have been spent on the poor.

Like I said. Shallow. Unimaginative. Lazy.

Really, if there is any govt expenditure you do not like, you can say the same - you should spend it on the poor.

Don't like our defence budget - it's several billion ($20b?) - cos you are a pacifist? Should have spend it on the poor.

Don't like the jingoism of a National Day Parade ($17m)? Should have spend it on the poor.

Don't like the contrived pretentiousness/artificial "nature" of Gardens by the Bay? The $1b development budget should have gone to the poor. That would save us about $60m a year in running costs, that could also have gone to help the poor.

Don't want SG to promote or encourage vehicle usage? The $1.7b LTA budget for expanding SG's road network could have been better spent on the Poor.

And that plan for the SG government to spend about $2.2m to cover the installation of Digital TV for low-income families? That would be better spent on the... low... income... wait... That IS for low income families? So we are already spending on the poor?

$2.2m?

About half of the Singapore Day UK 2014's budget?

On basic necessities like Digital TV?

Call me cynical, but I don't think the poor should be watching TV.