Sunday, January 30, 2005

Democracy is DEAD

'I believe that democracy is..dead.'

I have always wondered the reactions from the educated friends of mine when I make bold statements like these. Singaporeans, as always, are careful people. We (Singapore people) have very well crafted answers and perfectly manicured speeches to ensure that we remain not too deviant from the norm; yet with scents of the floral language we choose to remain politically sensitive, correct and acceptable.

Lets' see how this goes down your throat when you read it. And you will probably have no choice to agree that Democracy is dead, and very dead.

Hmmm.. where is democracy when opinions and thoughts that are different cannot be accepted?

Hmmm.. where is democracy when there isn't an avenue for alternative opinions, views and cultures?

Hmmm.. where is democracy when we all speak the same political language, scripted and worded to the point it looks like a religion?

When you look at it again, it probably looks like some cheap thrill to please everyone, branding what we do as democracy. Why don't we democratically brand our politics 'Uniquely Singapore' and tell democracy to truly die, and champion what we have as a working formula for Nation Building?

Weigh it! Aren't most people happy in Singapore there isn't a need for a street protest? Isn't the economy booming, comparing it to the population size, we're pretty rich!? Isn't this the country with one of the highest literacy rate in the world?

So what's with the bullock that democracy works? Or is it just a superpower issue that they believe in, and think the world must then subscribe to the same political ideology, or become a renegade State?

Look at Cuba today! The portrayal of the Cuban society by the propagenda against them is so untrue. A country beeming with pride, yet does not kowtow to any other countries, or allow their ideologies to dilute their pride.

And the country is working out well!

Face it, I am sure democracy is dead. If it is well alive, my views in a democratic society (onethat truly lives the meaning and embraces it...) will be accepted as different, and damn RESPECT.

If you object, I simply rest my case.

Saturday, January 29, 2005

A New Chapter

In most books, stories and lives, there are chapters that makes the beginning, the end or the change. Each chapter in life will be marked with decisions, turning points and milestones.

Milestones are place to indicate a successful crossing from a period or distance of a greater journey to mark small faithfulness to the task, for the purpose of a larger goal. It is used as an encouragement to spur one further.

Munster's Ink is a milestone in my life to mark the beginning of a new chapter. It is a new beginning from Mundayblues', a fresh approach that seeks to look at things from perspectives that sometimes bemuse myself. It may offend, upset, frustrate, irritate, humour or whatever emotions it may conjure. For these, I will make little apologies for.

Entries may be political, social, rarely religious or racial, 3rd party angles, challenging, irritating, narrow, sweeping; but allow me to try making it all tastefully done, and not too explicit for your reading.

Mundayblues' was fun, but I am certain that Munster's Ink will not disappoint and keep you coming back for more.

Cheers,
Mun