butterfly__________

Monday, May 01, 2006
8:26 PM

My Friends, do you Care about your WelFare?

They say Singaporeans are apathetic towards politics.
They say Singaporeans are indoctrinated.
They say Singaporeans are "stupid".

You know what I think? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

If you would like to know an 18 year old's take on the upcoming elections, read on. Or, if you are highly pragmatic, apathetic towards your country, brainless, or totally uninterested in politics, you may stop. You may just freeze yourself with your own apathy in the process. Don't say I didnt warn.

Last night, my whole family went to the mass rally at YCK stadium held by SDA. Initially, I did not want to go ( even though I was highly interested) because I wanted to do math. After the entire thing, I was totally covinced that my decision to turn up for it is the best and most inspiring thing that happened to me this year.

It totally opened my eyes.
To a whole new world.
A new view towards my country.

Who said our people don't care? The stadium was filled up.
Who said we are unable to think for ourselves? The attendance tells all.
Who said we are "stupid". Pui.

At least, my answers are referring to the working portion of the society.All the grown-ups turned up.
And maybe a few teenagers.
That's all. Sadly.

For one, the rally made me change my perceptions of a certain non-constituency mp( from the opposition party). As an avid fan of the mass media, I am like any of you, my thoughts are constantly influenced by whatever is reported in the papers, the news. I want very much to believe whatever is reported and usually I do.However in many cases,I know for sure that the media cannot be trusted and that they do fail to "keep us properly informed". By ommiting crucial information and selectively choose biased articles, our rights have already been compromised.

"The mass media, as a form of channel or link between the truth and the masses, have already inputed some opinions into the article or clips, as reflected in the means of presentation.The fact that each and every aricle is "personalized" by individual journalists, in the sense that it is written by a different journalist, provides the room for doubt that the journalist, whether on purpose or not, has inserted some un-truths somewhere along the way." -quoted from my essay.

I mean, prior to the rally, the idea that that particular mp is an indecent person was stuck in my mind, and that he was uncapable of being an mp. The negative ideas simply manifests in my brain, unfortunately, through the supposed photo of "reality " supplied to the masses. However, I wish to inform you that the negatives of film might be spoiled in this case, causing the photo to be a damaged one as the truth is the contrast of it.

Based on my judgement. Based on the speeches he made. Based on the things that he had done for the people.

Let me put to you an example.
Why is there a need for us to put forth both sides to a story, the bad and the good, the positive and the negative, when we write our GP essay?
Why is there a need for us to weigh the pros and cons?
Why is there a need for choices?

The answer is blatant and simple- we can only make the best decisions if and only if we are shown two sides to an issue, to a problem. If you can only see one side, how do you know if you have made the best decisions. How do you know that the underside of a fish is raw or decayed, if you have only seen the fragrant and delicious upper part of it? You would not know, until someone told you about it.

Some people have told me, "Why do you care? You can't vote. You are 18 only. Don't care so much. A levels more important."
Some have asked me, " Don't care lah. I am taken care of, that's all that matters. I don't care how many people."
The most challenging one yet, " If you vote XX only for the sake of voting, that's wrong."

From the rally last night, I truly realise how near-sighted I have been, caught up in my pathetic little life. Many things were perpetually unheard of in my 18 years of life, until last night. If you want to know an alternative side to the real story, I suggest you turn up for the rallies, both by the prop and the opp.

It upsets me infinitely that my fellow friends don't care about matters that affect their family and ultimately us! Who said we can't do anything? By keeping ourselves informed, we are doing something. 5 years down the road, 10 years down the road, you will be voters as well, you will be working. You will have kids, you will need money, healthcare, housing. You have to care. Because this is your home and you play a part in it. You just have to.

If all of us remain so caught up in our little lives, and when pragmatism overides ideals, important ones at that, I fear. I fear.

butterfly___________