SingaPOORean!

Yes. I've intentionally misspelled for dramatic effect. And to make a point. Look on any world survey of relative income by country, and you'll find Singapore near the top. It's even ahead of the US. But are they really rich?

Or - as I believe - are they desperately poor? But too full of their own arrogance and sheep-like mentality to even begin to realise their true poverty.

But let's start at the beginning. I'll be the first to admit Singapoor has come a long way - having so many wonderful and admirable accomplishments under its belt. In the space of 40 years, like the tittle of Lew Kwan Yew's 2nd autobiography, Singapoor has literally gone from 3rd world to 1st.

Remarkable indeed.

But a peek beneath the surface will reveal that the attitude of superiority many Singapooreans tote about is not supported by the reality of how they live.

Let's get specific.
I'm going to compare Singapoor to Hong Kong and Japan.
Hong Kong because it is their rival in so many ways. Among other areas of competition, they both aspire to be Asia's financial and tourist destination.
And both are predominantly Chinese.
Then there is Japan. The first in Asia to reach par with the West. The leader and model for many others.

Singapoor loses to both in nearly every respect.
Infrastructure. Japan is better. Service. Japan light years ahead in its superiority.
Examples:
Take a taxi or public transit. They are not the same.
In Japan, the taxi's are pristine with self-opening and closing passenger doors. No. They are not cheap, but compared to London or New York - not excessive.


Transport to and from the airport to the centre of town. Many fast, clean, efficient options to choose from in Japan.

Take a train or bus and the experience is the same. In Japan, you have a ticket machine at even most bus stop. And the bus provides change - no questions, hassles or stares.

And if you're a first timer? Just ask how much the fare is to your destination and pay when you leave.
No fumbling or impatience to be endured.

Hotels. Yes. Tiny. But of the highest quality and with every essential device and service. And all with a smile.

And what about how the locals live? Like Hong Kong and Singapoor, the high rise apartment is the norm. In Japan, though, everything works. And service is impeccable. As with the hotels, homes are small - even tiny - by Western standards, but one soon realises they can be very comfortable.

And don't forget convenience. Japan is, handsdown, the most convenient country I've ever lived in. If you live near a major train station in a town of any size, you'll usually find every essential service - supermarkets, departments stores, banks, restaurants etc - within easy walking or bicycling distance.

And even if you don't live near such a station, transport to this central marketplace is usually easy.


How about Hong Kong?
Well - Hong Kong has different attributes and advantages.
Like New York, the people are more brusque, short and impolite. Things don't always work as they should. But the opportunities to do or become almost anything your talent and ambition will take you is the limit.

While there has been some deterioration --some will say-- since Hong Kong was taken over the by the Chinese, it remains the closest thing on planet earth to a truly laissez faire capitalism. The tax rate is only 15%. Flat tax.

Now - back to Singapoor and why I have chosen to call it poor.
Simply this. While they have sheepishly surrendered their freedom, their vaunted infrastructure is not as good as Japan. Their service and attitude are abysmal.
Call a taxi? There's a charge of 2.5 Sing $ extra. Take one from the airport and you'll pay up to 5 Sing dollars just for having taken it from the airport.
Public transport?
You'd better have the correct change if you're boarding a bus. The metro? To be fair is actually quite good. But somehow doesn't seem to be as conveniently located as in Japan.

So why do I say Singapooreans are POOR?
Because : 1. They have diminished freedom and 2. Stunted Opportunity. And 3. A lifestyle inferior to Indonesia.
Japan and Hong Kong are both freer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

Singapoor comes in at number 82!

While Hong Kong provides unparalleled freedom of opportunity, high taxes, regulations and a repressive political system mean the barriers to freedom and wealth are much higher than in Singapoor.

And even the casual visitor will observe that things in Japan work. Singapoor still suffers from the third world manners and mentality of its people. Lee Kwan Yew even admits as much in his autobiography.

But enough of the survey and statistics. Let's get down and dirty. How does a middle class Singapoorean's quality of life and lifestyle compare with its still third world neighbor Indonesia?

In Indonesia, the majority of the middle class are entrepreneurs who live in a wide house with at least one maid. Often they have two or more maids and a driver.  When they go out, they dine at world-class hotels like J.W. Marriot and Sheraton.

They shop in fine, upscale markets purchasing the best imported produce and goods. Their desserts are from exquisite European bakeries. And many of the mundane tasks are taken care of by their servants. No hassles or waiting in lines.

When they even go to the bank, they are given gold-star treatment. In short - they enjoy a very high quality, life supported by many top quality service providers.

Their fellow middle class Singapoorean labors long hours in a dreary office working for someone else - handing over vast sums of their earnings to the government.

They handle all the mundane tasks without help. Drive a small cramped car. They wait in long lines as a matter of fact.

And when it's time to take a meal out, the middle class Singapoorean often finds him or herself at a hawker centre - one of Singapoor's famous outdoor cafeteria-style eateries known for their bustling fast food at plastic tables at crowded street-side corners.


It is not Singapoor's accomplishments I deny. It is the fact that they have traded their freedom for what? And where is the opportunity or even the lifestyle other countries take for granted.

In the end what do they have, but an inflated view of themselves and their achievements that make them sad, laughable and SingaPOORean.