Beware the empty promises of government

The failure of planners will inevitably end up with the planners empowering a dictator to make the failed plan work. It is a race to the bottom as the party takes over the country demanding absolute obedience. 

I fear not who occupies the PM's overpowered seat today, but the one who will succeed him. He will be unopposed, demanding obedience as a necessity. All freedom will be lost. People will be forced into jobs they are not suited to, creating inferior products and services, and structural unemployment (may already have happened).

There is one thing that prevents this from being completely irreversible today, something Hayek did not see coming: Social Media. 

But the powers that be in government and the UN are working hard to weaken and stifle this medium. They want the free flow of information controlled. They will claim it to be for your own safety, your children's safety that they protect you from the dangerous gay and child porn on the internet. They will tell you they're protecting you from the radical elements of Islam or any other boogeyman they can conjure up. 

But we know how government works. Surely by now we're wise enough to see they can't even keep a limping man in a sarong secure. They cannot keep their loose lips from spouting rubbish. What makes you think they can protect you and your family?

Will keeping you uninformed and helpless strengthen you or strengthen the dictator? You decide. We don't have much time. The road has been paved with good intentions, and all we need to do is walk on it.

Watch Hayek's 'The Road to Serfdom' in Five Minutes

Save nothing for the swim back

In the spirit of the Olympics and National Day, I hope this inspires you as it inspired me all those years ago. Pursue your dreams, fight for them, or drown in regret. You may be born with less than others, but there is no gene for the human spirit.

Pastamania: No outside food allowed, even for babies

I was shocked to learn that Pastamania does not allow 1 year-old babies to eat their own specially prepared food while the mother and myself patronized the Bugis outlet. The baby's mother was told that "No outside food allowed" applied even to babies. 

The staff told us that she was afraid of her boss coming in and seeing a baby eating its own food. She made it seem like she was doing us a favor by "closing one eye" as long as her boss was not around. What kind of bosses are they hiring to strike such fear in the staff that they would rather threaten the well-being of a baby?

Later, she even suggested that we order from the menu for the baby. Are they aware that adult food is unsuitable for babies?

Lets follow the logic here. 

"No outside food allowed" is to ensure that patrons eat your food and generate revenue. Simple concept which I agree with. 

We were in an empty restaurant with only two tables occupied. We (adults) were going to generate revenue by buying their food, while feeding the baby to keep her quiet, at no additional cost to Pastamania. Instead, Pastamania chose to uphold its policy blindly, and LOSE revenue in the process. 

My contribution to the legend

When Siri is trying to find something, it asks Chuck Norris.

Windows 8 Release Preview: A hard climb with limited payoff

You're in a hot desert. There is water but it is on top of a totem pole. You know how to climb the pole to get to it, but you can't hold on to the hot pole and drink the water simultaneously. You collect some water in your sock, climb down, squeeze your sock then drink from it. If you need more water, you repeat the entire process. After a while, you know how to do it, it is intuitive and discoverable, but it just ain't worth the effort. Finally, in frustration, you kick the pole, spilling all the water onto the hot sand. That's the Windows 8 experience after continued use. 

Give women opportunities to contribute to Singapore

National Service (NS) unfairly penalizes men for two years of their lives and requires them to return for two to four weeks every year for ten years but with good reason: national security. Sadly, it robs men of economic and social security, opportunities and mindshare during their most productive and innovative years. Because of NS, the Singapore man is viewed as "uncompetitive" when compared to foreigners and local women. It is time we did something about the problem, without compromising national security, while creating greater value for all Singaporeans.

Firstly, I must applaud the women who suggest that childbearing is a national sacrifice and that men should not complain about NS. Mothers help us maintain a Singaporean Singapore and care for the young and no amount of writing can do justice to the wonderful job they do. I salute the mothers of Singapore: Thank you for keeping our country going, your sacrifice is clear for all to see.

However, as shown by Singapore's plummeting replacement rate, there are far too few Singaporean mothers. Instead, there is a growing number of free-loaders who do nothing for the country, while hiding behind the guise of potential motherhood. Their deceit forces Singapore to depend on so many foreigners for essential services . These free-loaders use their gender to take advantage of the opportunities denied to Singapore men by NS. I believe it is time to give everyone, regardless of race, religion or gender, the opportunity to earn their rights by delivering on their responsibilities as citizens.

I suggest that at age 18, every citizen, male or female should be invited to serve. For men service will be compulsory, but women would have a choice:

1. NS track
Two years of full-time service before the age of 21, but no need to perform reservist duty. The female NS trainee would be trained and deployed to care for the sick and aged, solving the labor supply problems we face in the aged and health care sectors. This kind of service will inculcate the values of empathy and build a more caring society.

2. Birth track
Assuming her reproductive system is healthy, the woman pledges to bear a child by age 30.

However, should the woman on the Birth track fail to bear a child by age 30 for any reason, she will be put on the NS track immediately to help care for the sick and aged. Two years of full-time service, followed by ten years of reservist duty.

This should solve some of our problems with NS inequality, aged and health care. As the old Total Defense chestnut goes: There's a part for everyone.

Abundance is not an excuse for incompetence

The standard Singapore government/GLC response to any problem: Blame high volume

• No 3G service? 
• Too many subscribers
• MIO TV disruption? 
• Too many channels
• Euro/World Cup TV subscription expensive? 
• Too much competition
• Train disrupted? 
• Too many passengers
• Toxic/contaminated food? 
• Too much food to check
• Traffic jam? 
• Too many cars
• Housing expensive? 
• Too many couples
• Education quality sucks? 
• Too many demanding students
• Not enough babies? 
• Too many distractions
• Dead bodies in reservoir? 
• Too many copycats
• Dead Bangla and Indonesia maid found in water tank?
• Too many contractors
• Lack of focus in Parliament? 
• Too much Opposition
• Flood? 
• Too much rain

With one exception:

• Ministerial pay too high? Too little talent

If you can think of any others, just add it into the comments and I'll update the post.