Auf Wiedersehen (...and good riddance!)

Over chips and coffee tonight, instead of Oh-I’m-so-going-to-miss-you and on looking forward to a new life overseas, the conversation was on obscured politics in Singapore and how anal Singapore was, is and will be. I don’t know why I even bother giving this incident ‘airtime’ at 1 in the morning but here goes:

You see, Uncle M is about to embark on a new life in Western Europe in less than 48 hours and he’s not about to return in the next 2 decades, or so he has declared. It started off with how the Singapore press is controlled by the government and why can’t we have free press like the rest of the world? Then, it got on to how unfair it is for the government to announce the CPF reforms, as the question is: who can live till 80 years old, as well as why can’t the citizens withdraw from their CPF accounts as and when they liked since it’s their money after all. And then, it went on to how the ah-mah on the streets would not be able to afford basic medical care if she were to fall ill, albeit a fantastic healthcare system in place here, in contrast to the medical insurance contributed by every working resident in Deutschland who’ll get free medical services if he/ she ever falls ill. After which, it led on to the widening income gap between the haves and have-nots in Singapore and that the government is not doing anything about it. And then, about how chicken our government is for not admitting upfront that we actually sold weapons to Myanmar. And…oh man, I can’t even remember all the banter.

The last straw was when it got personal after I commented that since he’s not even going to be here for the next 20 years, why bother and that was when Uncle M went “…I like to discuss such things, not like some people who only like to talk cock...” (quote and unquote) Seriously, I’m offended, not only because it was an uncalled for insult on my intelligence, it was also a call on what friendship is. I was thinking afterwards if this is Uncle M’s notion of friendship, then thanks, but no thanks!

Dear Uncle M, don’t you find your debate rhetorical? Why do you keep justifying that “there’s nothing here in Singapore” (quote and unquote) a zillion times? Haven’t you already decided that this is so not the place for you and that you’re also absolutely raving about how things are going to be perfect for you out there? Then, why do I even sense a hint of uncertainty when you tried to justify that Singapore is totally an anal place to be in and things out there in the world are less ill? Why do I even sense that when you say there’s nothing here but there is? You know what, Uncle M? There is absolutely nothing wrong in placing a high value on what you believe in – the things out there in the world – but is it necessary to degrade the country which has born and bred you?

I’m no patriot either, Uncle M, but I don’t think things are as bad as you think they are, unless you know to a certain extent, that you’re discrediting something, something that is true. I’m not denying that things can be better here, but this is as good as it gets, isn’t it? Or would you rather our public transport come to a standstill for two days because of a fall-out over wages or that 20% of the working population is supporting the rest who may be able-bodied but not physically working? I can’t believe I’m saying this but I am: “What’s your problem?!” If you are having cold feet about moving, don’t take it out on me because I’m behind you all the way. But for now, you can drink yourself to your grave while you’re in Brewery Kingdom, for all I care! *Pissed Off*