Membership has it's privileges

A friend worried about his son's future.

Said his son didn't finish school. And by that, he wasn't referring to Junior College or Polytechnic. Hence, said son had not been able to secure a job in certification crazy Singapore.

Unwanted by employers, said son turned aimless, wasn't ambitious. Spends his time playing games on his computer or hanging out with friends.

To be fair, if I were said son, I might well enjoy myself instead of looking for a job.

After all, I know I'll come into wealth of such amounts that I'll never be able to finish in my lifetime, short of foolishly spending on Audi A8s or yet another house.

I comforted friend, that it's fortunate the son will have enough money to see him through his lifetime.

Friend looked at me in frustration, and helplessness.

'It's not good to just rely on this money. What can I do to help him?' he implored.


Said friend is very wise.

He shared that in Singapore, there are only 3 types of successful people
1) the ones who succeed by sheer luck and hard work eg entrepreneurs
2) the ones who succeed by inheriting wealth eg children of < fill in name of billionaire >
3) the ones who succeed by being part of a successful system

#3 is what I'd like to touch on...in part due to this report.


I do interact with local politicians in my line of work. Except for a rare few, the numbers of which I can count on one hand, the rest left me wondering 'why them?'

Politicians at the very least, must be able to motivate, to impress you with in-your-face guts and conviction about their policies and dreams and visions for the country and countrymen.

Sadly, the ones I've known, are status quo don't-rock-the-boat-I'm-about-to-retire and worship-me-because-I'm-so-and-so men. In the words of one, you don't need to be smart. But you do need to stay out of trouble. Maintain a low profile, in his words.

Hence, year after year, we get the same policies, same practices, same conclusions to the endless committees setup to make things better.

Sorry. The truth is, things will never be better. Nobody will stick their necks out for real innovation.

That would be political suicide.

And so, in this way, said system keeps reproducing a new generation of politicians just like them, mediocre. And shielding them when they do wrong.

Or perhaps I am wrong.

Perhaps the anecdotal stories I've been hearing are false.

Perhaps what I see in their behaviour were just a 'freak' event or solitary misstep.

Whatever.

I just hope they come contest my ward.

So, are you a member yet?