Confidence for the Future?

It's not whether I have confidence for the future, it's I have no confidence in the people of Singapore. With recent happenings, one have to wonder if our values is starting to erode and deteriorate.

Presidential elections will be here on the 27th of August.

I have this thought that since the President of Singapore is supposed to be just and above the parliment that maybe, there will be not be that much protest about whether he was formerly part of the ruling party. But, I was wrong. Some people are still narrow-minded, short-sighted and hard-headed.

Despite re-emphasising on the role of the President, people and even some Presidential candidates seem not to get the gist of it. Maybe, they seek to change the system or play up citizens' feelings and expectations?

The President of Singapore is mostly a figurehead, I would have thought that is established by now. To put it bluntly, he will be a "puppet". The Prime Minister has the power of the government, whether you like it or not.

Don't make empty promises like promising to change this and that and raise expectations. Is this considered misleading? I know that some citizens are fired up by the thoughts of bringing changes but they are going to be disappointed.

Time and again, various parties have stated that 'keeping an eye' on the government is the opposition party's job, not that of a President.

Past and recent examples show that 'thinking of doing something' is almost always not the same of doing it. For example, one can say he will cut taxes but in reality, he will find that it's easier said than done.

Besides, one of the main duty of a president is to be a diplomat. He will be the one whom other head of states will meet.Needless to say, there has to be a certain bearing and demeanour in the way the President conduct himself to be a representation of Singapore. The way one speaks and carries himself will reflect on the image of Singapore. And let's be honest, first impressions do count.

I like the way an editor puts it, don't hide under the axiom "Let Singaporeans decide".