Disappointment and indignation
I've stumbled across an article in Today about autistic children and disability in Singapore. I have to say that I'm quite disgusted by the comments that certain persons have said.
[PM also said, "In helping the disabled, we must take a fair and practical approach, one that can be sustained over the long term, and will not impose too heavy a burden on society as a whole."]
Too heavy a burden on society? Franking, I'm not surprised that the government should take such a stance. The singaporean society (and the government that runs it) tends to determine an individual's value by his/her perceived contribution (in tax revenue) to society. And this whole idea what the individual bears a debt/duty towards society which has to be repaid is ridiculous. If an individual has a disability and does not contribute as much in tax revenue as the corporate minions at Raffles Place, does this person have less intrinsic worth? Of course not! Every single person is precious and unique, created in the image of God, and hence has value regardless of GDP.
The institution of government is for the representation and the protection of the people, and the provision of their needs. If a person has more needs because of a disability, it is the duty of the government to provide it! It is the government that has a duty towards the people that elected them, and not the other way around. I hope they realise that. Singapore has made huge economic progress since our independence, but sometimes I wonder what price have we paid for it.
[PM also said, "In helping the disabled, we must take a fair and practical approach, one that can be sustained over the long term, and will not impose too heavy a burden on society as a whole."]
Too heavy a burden on society? Franking, I'm not surprised that the government should take such a stance. The singaporean society (and the government that runs it) tends to determine an individual's value by his/her perceived contribution (in tax revenue) to society. And this whole idea what the individual bears a debt/duty towards society which has to be repaid is ridiculous. If an individual has a disability and does not contribute as much in tax revenue as the corporate minions at Raffles Place, does this person have less intrinsic worth? Of course not! Every single person is precious and unique, created in the image of God, and hence has value regardless of GDP.
The institution of government is for the representation and the protection of the people, and the provision of their needs. If a person has more needs because of a disability, it is the duty of the government to provide it! It is the government that has a duty towards the people that elected them, and not the other way around. I hope they realise that. Singapore has made huge economic progress since our independence, but sometimes I wonder what price have we paid for it.
posted by atreidai at 9:15 PM
Comics 
1 Comments:
well... i suppose the role of government differs depending on which political theory you're using... anyway,I've always been of the opinion that Singapore favours utilitarianism. And not the mild form.
by the way, you should visit this blog... www.fallujapictures.blogspot.com. It's really quite horrific, I feel so sad when I see it. Talk about waste of human life!
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