On the other hand the PAP lost two ministers, so at least some taxi drivers I’ve met are feeling very excited, as if the people have triumphed. “We don’t hate the government,” said one very excited driver last night: “We support it 70%. But it must change, must reform! It must show that its policies benefit everyone, not just millionaires. How is it that a 160 square meter flat cost $60K in 1985, while a 50 square meter flat costs $300k today? and these are houses for the poor! How are the poor to afford these?”

He also is annoyed at the cronyism in government, because it directly affects him. He is a retired policeman, and like many people paid faithfully into a CPF (Citizens’ Provident Fund) retirement account. But at his retirement he is not allowed to withdraw the interest on the full amount, and cannot touch $200k of his capital – which was supposed to be his under the terms when he paid in. Why? Because the Lees (current prime minister, and his father, Lee Kwan Yew, and Lee Kwan Yew’s wife’s family) have their tentacles in everything; the PM’s sister-in-law (I think) was put in charge of Temasek Holdings, the big investment corporation that was to manage CPF money. “She lost $60 billion last year! And that’s why I can’t use my money – why instead of $1,000 a month I get only $400! Now I cannot touch my capital and I get very little to live on, because of government policies. So I drive a cab and when I have saved another $200k I will buy a townhouse in Thailand and go live there!”

This man was very excited about the election, but sounded quite reasonable; he feels that once Lee Kwan Yew dies (and the man is 88, still running for office under the PAP banner) his coattails will vanish and things will really shake up. “I revere Lee Kwan Yew- he built Singapore; he is a great man. But he is too old for politics now! He used to hold rallies where he spoke for two hours – now he has to be helped by his bodyguards to get off the dais and he rests every 15 minutes. He cannot last much longer, and once he is gone all his allies in the PAP will strike out for themselves and join the other parties.”

Speaking as an american, it is really wonderful to listen to Singaporeans talk about politics. They don’t demonize; they don’t belittle the accomplishments of the current regime; they talk about progressive changes in a long-run scenario, and they are very engaged. Such a difference from the psychotic maelstrom of American political discourse!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/06/singapore-elections-internet