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Two editions of National Day Message 2008

1.李显龙(PM of Singapore)唱的正调(也有人说是usual bullshit)

My fellow Singaporeans,

We celebrate National Day this year in a somewhat guarded mood. The last twelve months have been a period of economic uncertainty worldwide.  Considering the external challenges, Singapore's economic results are good.  For the first half of the year, growth was 4.5%.  For the whole year, we expect growth to be between 4 and 5%.  We added 144,000 jobs in the first half, and unemployment remains low, at 2.3%.

The US economy is still facing serious problems.  The housing crisis is adding further stress to its financial system.   US consumers are spending less, and that is affecting the whole global economy. The difficulties will probably drag on well into next year before getting better. 

Singapore's economy has so far been partly buffered, because we have been carried along by the vibrancy of the Asian region.  But Asian economies are starting to feel the impact of America's problems, and so are we.  We must therefore prepare ourselves for a bumpy year ahead.

In Southeast Asia, ASEAN has become less prominent on the radar screen of investors, who are more focussed on opportunities in China and India.  Several ASEAN countries are pre-occupied with domestic economic and political problems.  However, all ASEAN countries know that we must work together resolutely as a group.  Singapore will do our part.  But we must also maintain our reputation in a turbulent region as an economy that is competitive, a society that is cohesive, and a government that is honest and competent.

Against this backdrop we have the problem of inflation, which I am sure is at the top of your minds.  We are paying more for the food we eat, the electricity we use, the fuel for our cars, taxis and buses, and many other things too.  We cannot prevent these prices from going up, when prices are rising worldwide, and we import all our energy and food.  But we are lightening the burden on Singaporeans, through the Growth Dividends, U-Save, Workfare, Medifund and ComCare.  These measures are aimed especially at the poor, the elderly, and the sick, but middle-income Singaporeans are getting something too, to help tide over this period.

Some government policies do raise the cost of living, like the GST and ERP increases.  But they are essential; otherwise we would not do them: the GST allows us to finance Workfare and other schemes to help lower-income Singaporeans over the long term, and the ERP keeps our roads free flowing.  Also please remember that the Government has given GST rebates and road tax reductions, which more than offset the cost increases for most citizens, especially the poor. 

I know that Singaporeans wish that prices did not have to rise, or that these policies were not necessary.  Unfortunately this is not possible.  But we are doing the next best thing: to put in place effective relief measures, and provide the poor and needy with the help they need. 

We must look beyond immediate problems like the cost of living, to understand what is happening in the world around us, discover new opportunities and tackle our longer-term challenges.  Then we will strengthen ourselves and be more ready to deal with future crises.  In particular, we need to develop our economy, reproduce our population and keep evolving our system to stay abreast of the changing world. 

To achieve our aspirations, we must develop and grow.  Unless we can create wealth, we will not have the resources to do anything else.  Because we have pushed hard over the last few years when conditions were favourable, we can now look forward to many major projects: the Formula One Grand Prix, the integrated resorts, and huge manufacturing investments like the world's largest solar cell plant.  These projects will create many good jobs, and keep our momentum up despite the uncertainties ahead.

To upgrade our economy, we must invest in our people, especially through education.  We are improving our polytechnics and ITEs, where most of our students go.  We are also expanding university places.  The Government has approved plans for a new publicly-funded university.  Its campus will be in Changi, with good bus and train access from around the island.  It will admit its first intake in 2011.  This new university will open up more opportunities for Singaporeans to develop themselves and to advance.

To secure our long-term future, we also need enough babies to replace ourselves.  Year by year, fewer Singaporeans are getting married, and those who do are having fewer children.  We have implemented one measure after another over the years, but we have not succeeded in reversing the trend. 

We have to take this very seriously.  Marriage and parenthood are personal decisions.  But we can create an environment where Singaporeans see them as a natural and important part of life, and where young couples get support in starting families.  We have looked at this comprehensively and will take further steps to address the practical problems which couples face.  I hope more Singaporeans will find fulfilment in bringing up children and setting up a happy family.  Let us make Singapore a good home where citizens lead full, meaningful lives, and experience the joys of bringing up a new generation.

This new generation will grow up in a digital world.  The Internet is transforming societies and economies everywhere.  It will change the way we work, learn and live our lives.  We must adapt ourselves to it, and use it to educate and engage our cyber-citizens.  We will evolve our policies and rules, our economy and society, to take full advantage.  We will continue to open up our system progressively.  This is the right way to go.  But we must also be careful to avoid the dangers that lurk in cyberspace, and learn to protect ourselves from them. 

All these are long-term issues.  Not many countries tackle such issues well.  Sometimes, the politics forces the government to focus on fire-fighting, and ignore what happens after the next election.  In other countries, “money politics” corrupts the whole system.  Singapore is unique in having a clean and stable, responsible and responsive government.  We have avoided the political turbulence that has engulfed several countries around us.  We have not had strident protests from minority communities who feel unfairly treated.  Nor have we had unruly demonstrations for all kinds of reasons real or imagined.  Instead we choose leaders on merit, build trust between leaders and the people, and work together for the good of all Singaporeans.  This is how Singapore has outperformed other countries. 

As we open up, we must preserve these strengths.  Please understand that all freedoms come with responsibilities to uphold social stability and security.  Then Singapore will stay attractive to investors, our economy will keep growing, and we can continue achieving the best for our nation. 

Despite the uncertainties in our region, and in the world economy, Singapore is in a strong position.  In good times and bad, we have stayed united, looked over the horizon, and moved carefully but resolutely forward.

On this anniversary of our independence, let us take pride in our achievements, tackle the challenges together and continue to build an even better and more vibrant Singapore.

I wish all Singaporeans a Happy National Day.

尊敬的新加坡国民

今年，我们是以喜忧参半的心情庆祝国庆日。在过去12个月，世界经济表现得很不稳定。不过，尽管外在局势不稳定，我国经济还是取得不错的成绩。今年上半年，我国经济增长了百分之四点五，全年的增长预料将介于百分之四到百分之五。上半年增加了14万4000份新的工作职位，而失业率也很低，只有百分之二点三。

美国经济仍面对严重的问题。房屋贷款危机使它的金融体制承受更大的压力。美国人也减少消费，这对世界经济造成不利的影响。这样的困境可能延续到明年才会好转。

新加坡的经济至今还没有受到全面的冲击，这是因为亚洲经济一片兴旺。不过，亚洲经济体已经开始感受到美国经济问题的影响，新加坡也无法幸免。我们应该为未来一年起落不定的经济做好准备。

在东南亚，亚细安不再是投资者雷达屏幕上的亮点，这是因为投资者更注意中国和印度的商机。一些亚细安国家正受到国内政治和经济问题的困扰。所有亚细安国家都明白团结一致的重要性。新加坡将尽一份责任。同时，尽管这个区域动荡不安，新加坡必须维持良好的口碑；维持一个具备竞争力的经济，一个和谐团结的社会，以及一个可靠和能干的政府。

我知道新加坡人目前最关注的是通货膨胀的问题。许多日用品都起价了，包括食物和电力，以及汽车、德士和巴士所消耗的燃油。这是我们无法控制的现象，因为全球物价都在上涨。同时，我们的能源和食物都是从外国进口。政府正在做的是帮助国人减轻负担，这包括分发增长分红和就业奖励补贴。此外，保健基金，社区关怀基金和水电节省计划，都是帮助人民的措施。政府援助的主要对象是穷困、贫病交迫和年长的同胞。不过，中等收入人士也得到一些补贴，以帮助他们渡过这个困难时期。

有些政策确实加重了人们的生活负担，比如调高消费税和增设电子公路收费的闸门。不过，这些政策都是必要的，否则政府不会推行。消费税使政府有能力实行就业奖励补贴和其他长期的措施，以帮助低收入家庭；电子公路收费则确保公路通畅无阻。与此同时，我吁请大家不要忘记政府已经降低路税，也给予人民消费税回扣。大多数人从这些措施所获得的好处，超过他们所承担的额外负担。这对低收入家庭来说，更是如此。

我知道大家不希望物价上涨，也不希望政府推行这些政策。但是，这是无法避免的。我们应该做的是找出最好的对策，那就是采取有效的扶贫济困的措施，确保贫困的家庭得到适当的帮助。

我们除了关注生活费和其他眼前的问题，也应该了解外在世界的局势，从中发掘新的机会，并且设法克服我们面对的长期挑战。这能使我们自强不息，更有能力应付未来的危机。我们最应该关注的是如何促进经济的发展，以及如何更新人口，并且确保我们的体制与时并进。

经济的发展和增长是实现我们所有理想的先决条件。除非我们懂得创造财富，否则很难累积资源，最终将一事无成。过去几年，我们懂得把握良好时机，才迎来了一级方程式赛车和综合渡假胜地，并且争取到许多大型的制造业投资。其中，世界最大的太阳能电池厂房便是个例子。这些投资将带来很多就业机会，使新加坡能够在未来的困难年头里保持冲劲。

新加坡的经济要不断的进步，就必须投资在人民身上，特别是教育方面的投资。我们正在提高理工学院和工艺教育学院的水平。大多数学生是到这些学府升学。我们也会增加大学的学额。政府已经批准设立新的一所公立大学。新的大学将设在樟宜。这里的巴士和地铁服务十分便利。大学将在2011年录取首届新生。它将为国人开辟更多自我提升和求取成功的道路。

新加坡要取得长远的发展，就必须有足够的新生婴儿，以达到人口替代的目标。注册结婚的男女正逐年减少，而结了婚的人也减少生育。我们多年来实施了多项奖励措施，但是无法扭转趋势。

我们要严肃看待这个问题。婚姻和生育都是个人的决定,但是我们可以创造有利的环境,鼓励国人把它看作是人生大事和人生必经之路,并且为想生育的夫妇提供帮助。政府彻底地探讨了这个问题,并将推出更多措施,设法帮助人们解决养育孩子所遇到的困难。我希望更多国人能够拥有一个美满的家庭和人生,并且体会养儿育女的乐趣。让我们把新加坡建设为美好家园,一个人民安居乐业和享受天伦之乐的家园。

新一代新加坡人成长在一个全新的数码时代。互联网对各地社会和经济发挥深刻的影响。它改变了我们的工作,学习和生活方式,我们不得不设法适应这个新环境,并且设法开导我们的网民,跟他们沟通。我们的政策,条例,社会组织和经济,都必须进行调整,以充分的利用互联网来达到发展目标。我们将继续逐渐的开放体制,这是顺应时代趋势的作法。不过,我们也必须谨慎从事,以避开网络世界的潜在危险。

这些都是长期的问题，而且很少国家能够有效地解决这些问题。有时候，政治上的交锋迫使政府专注于解决燃眉之急，而无法兼顾下回大选之后可能出现的问题。在另一些国家，“金钱政治”渗透到社会各个层面。新加坡拥有一个廉洁、稳定、可靠和负责任的政府，这是很独特的体制。我们避免了许多周边国家所面对的政治问题。我们没有亏待少数社群，他们因此没必要进行违法的示威活动。新加坡人也没有利用各种理由或借口上街示威游行。我们任人唯贤，用心建立政府与人民之间的互信，为全体国人的利益共同努力。这是新加坡领先其他国家的原因。
 
随着我们的社会逐渐开放，我们必须维持这个优势。我要吁请大家注意的是，我们在享受各种自由的同时，也有责任维护社会的安定。惟有这样，新加坡才能继续吸引投资，使经济不断增长，而我们也能够为国家争取最好的表现。

未来几年，东南亚的局势和全球经济必将出现更多变数。但是新加坡的状况仍然良好。一向来，无论经济是好，还是坏，新加坡人都能团结一致，以长远利益为重，并且以谨慎但坚定的步伐向前迈进。

在我国庆祝独立四十三周年的时候，让我们为所取得的成就感到自豪，同时携手并肩，共同面对挑战，一起打造一个更美好、更有活力的新加坡。

我祝全体同胞国庆日快乐。

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2.张培源(President of National Solidarity Party)唱的反调

Dear fellow Singaporeans,

Happy National Day

. . . but are there good reasons to celebrate?

Inflation is at an all time high. Consumer prices are soaring, fuel oil is at record prices, and the value of our money is also getting smaller. So, is there any good cause to celebrate?

More ERP gantries are being installed, for longer hours, and some at higher prices too. Night ERP is here to stay. Even though our night-time drive home does not affect economic productivity, they are still up. These will directly affect our time spent with our families. The Government wants us to take more public transport like buses and MRT. Yet, the Public Transport Council has given its green light for both the SMRT and Comfort-Delgro to ask for another guaranteed 3% fare hike -- to enable them to maintain their profit margin, in the light of soaring business costs.

When the workers asked for a corresponding pay rise to cope with the higher cost of living, Finance Minister Tharman responded that it will cause another round of inflation. It is indeed a surprise that our workers have such powers to cause Inflation, but not our Ministers. Do you know that our PAP Ministers would soon be enjoying another round of confirmed wage hike of up to 21. 64% at the end of 2008. This hike was approved in Parliament last year.

Our President, MM, SM and PM will each earn around $3.76 million per annum, after this wage hike. Now, if those scary wages are not inflationary, how can our workers' request for a pay-rise be inflationary?

When increasing the GST to 7% last year, the Government, estimated that it would suffer a $700,000 deficit with the GST-offset package. But by the end of 2007, it reported a budget surplus of $***5 billion instead. The Government had once again extracted too much more money from the people, than was required to run this country.

Except for some PAP elites, life is getting tougher for everyone in Singapore. Middle-income Singaporeans have been hit hard, and are badly squeezed by the Government's policies. Are you one of them? If so, what are you going to do about it? We cannot remain indifferent and pretend that nothing can be done.

On this occasion of our 43rd National Day, may we wish you a happy holiday. We would also urge you to think and reflect on how we (together) can work to lobby the PAP Government to squeeze less and do more for the people of Singapore.

Please email us at (nsp-cec@yahoogroups.com) to express your views, concerns, ideas and suggestions on how we can compete with the PAP more effectively. When there is greater political competition, there will be a greater desire to serve you – the people of Singapore -- better.

Once again, Happy National Day.

Sebastain Teo Kway Huang
President

尊敬的新加坡国民

国庆日快乐！

...但我们真有好理由来庆祝吗？

通货暴胀,百物价格持续上涨,燃油价格迭创新高,咱们的钞票也变得愈来愈薄。在这样的处境下，我们还真有好理由来庆祝？

政府增设更多的公路电子收费闸门，延长了收费时段和调高过路收费。即使晚间国人开车回家并不影响经济成长，却得照样支付夜间实施的公路电子收费。避之则直接影响了我们和家人团聚的时间。政府要国人多用公共交通工具（如巴士和地铁），然而，公共交通理事会却允许SMRT(新捷运公司)和Comfort-Delgro (康福德高)提出调高车资3％的申请，以确保它们在经营成本不断上升时还能保持其高盈利率。

可是，当一般员工要求加薪以应付更高的生活费时，我们的财政部长尚达曼先生却回应说它将引起另一波的通货膨胀。这可真令人感到惊讶！我们的一般员工竟然具备这种足以引发通膨的威力，而并不是部长们。

您知道吗？我们的PAP部长们将在今年末获得另一轮的加薪，幅度高达21.64%。这项加薪方案是在去年由国会批准的。我们的总统，内阁资政，国务资政和总理在加薪后的年收入每位将高达376万新元。试问：如果这不是引起通货膨胀的薪金增长，难道会是一般员工的加薪要求所导致的？

去年，当政府将消费税调高到7％时，政府预估在实施抵消消费税的配套后，财政将需承担70万元的预算赤字。然而，在2007年末，政府却公布了64.5亿元的财政盈余。政府再次征收了过剩的税收来管理这个国家。

除了PAP的精英，每个新加坡人的生活都过得愈来愈艰苦。中等收入的新加坡人因政府所推行的政策而陷入困境。您是其中一个吗？如果是，您该如何应对？我们不应对此漠不关心和装作无奈的样子。

在这个国庆日里，让我祝愿大家假日快乐！我也要借此吁请大家思考并反馈如何齐心合力去劝说政府，希望它不但能减少对国民生活上的压迫，还能致力于为新加坡人谋创更多的福祉。

如何更有效的为广大民众向政府力争更好的利益和服务是我党的首要课题。希望您能提供宝贵的意见和建议，将它发到我们的电子邮箱：nsp-cec@yahoogroups.com 谢谢。

再次的祝贺大家：国庆日快乐 !

张培源　谨上

国民团结党主席