Our government recently announced the Budget for 2008 and as usual, there wasn't much surprise.

Assuming not many of you guys know what is happening, let me just highlight some stuff.

Our gov spend a whooping 40% of our budget on security and defense. Which means ALOT of money goes into the Singapore Armed Forces(SAF) and the Singapore Police Force(SPF). I guess defense is important to a country's development and growth. A safe country attracts many investors and rich people. But i wonder... have you seen our military force? Well if you have not, let me give you a glimpse of it, being from the SAF before.

Things you see in the SAF
1) NSFs do all the work. Regulars and DXOs just sit down and command the NSFs around. Basically, they don't work.

2) Schedule for most regulars
8am - Appear in office to read newspaper
9am- Upon finishing the papers, goes for breakfast
10am- Return to office to clear emails
12pm - Lunch
2pm - Return to office to read newpaper
3pm - Make some phonecalls that is definitely not related to work
4pm - Tea break
5pm - Chiong out of office
They spend most of their time in the canteen rather than working in the office. Basically, they don't work.

3) They declare off days for themselves. They play sports during office hours like golf and badminton. Basically, they don't work.

So yes. Basically, they don't work.

This makes me wonder whether the funds allocated to the security of the country is well spent. Then i realise why we do this. Apparently, its not the quality that counts but the quantity. If we cant scare our 'enemies' with our pathetic defense force, we shall scare them with our enormous budget!

Who cares about the quality of the soldiers. As long as they think we are filled with high tech equipment. Like those available in world war one. Who cares about the training of the soldiers. As long as they think we have an island filled with combat ready soldiers. An island filled with 18 year olds who are old enough to fire rifles but not old enough to watch movies which are excessively violent.

Our defense force rawks!

So anyway you will be happy to know that our government still spends quite alot on education though significantly less than security. And of cos the annual cash give away of $100-400. I feel like im in a country governed by Ellen Degeneres! Free money lah! But of cos they say its to relief the hike in GST. However, if you think of it that way, you will realise that few hundred is not enough to relief the anxiety and depression i get everytime i see the receipt after every purchase. Hence, see it as a give away. You will feel so much better. But still... I wish Singapore was governed by Oprah. Then can get free car! But only for show in garage. Since its so bloody expensive to maintain and drive one...
Signing out - 2/19/2008 09:36:00 PM

Our government recently announced the Budget for 2008 and as usual, there wasn't much surprise.

Assuming not many of you guys know what is happening, let me just highlight some stuff.

Our gov spend a whooping 40% of our budget on security and defense. Which means ALOT of money goes into the Singapore Armed Forces(SAF) and the Singapore Police Force(SPF). I guess defense is important to a country's development and growth. A safe country attracts many investors and rich people. But i wonder... have you seen our military force? Well if you have not, let me give you a glimpse of it, being from the SAF before.

Things you see in the SAF
1) NSFs do all the work. Regulars and DXOs just sit down and command the NSFs around. Basically, they don't work.

2) Schedule for most regulars
8am - Appear in office to read newspaper
9am- Upon finishing the papers, goes for breakfast
10am- Return to office to clear emails
12pm - Lunch
2pm - Return to office to read newpaper
3pm - Make some phonecalls that is definitely not related to work
4pm - Tea break
5pm - Chiong out of office
They spend most of their time in the canteen rather than working in the office. Basically, they don't work.

3) They declare off days for themselves. They play sports during office hours like golf and badminton. Basically, they don't work.

So yes. Basically, they don't work.

This makes me wonder whether the funds allocated to the security of the country is well spent. Then i realise why we do this. Apparently, its not the quality that counts but the quantity. If we cant scare our 'enemies' with our pathetic defense force, we shall scare them with our enormous budget!

Who cares about the quality of the soldiers. As long as they think we are filled with high tech equipment. Like those available in world war one. Who cares about the training of the soldiers. As long as they think we have an island filled with combat ready soldiers. An island filled with 18 year olds who are old enough to fire rifles but not old enough to watch movies which are excessively violent.

Our defense force rawks!

So anyway you will be happy to know that our government still spends quite alot on education though significantly less than security. And of cos the annual cash give away of $100-400. I feel like im in a country governed by Ellen Degeneres! Free money lah! But of cos they say its to relief the hike in GST. However, if you think of it that way, you will realise that few hundred is not enough to relief the anxiety and depression i get everytime i see the receipt after every purchase. Hence, see it as a give away. You will feel so much better. But still... I wish Singapore was governed by Oprah. Then can get free car! But only for show in garage. Since its so bloody expensive to maintain and drive one...