Vote for Change?

Election fever!

And with an average of 20,000-strong rally crowd at almost every opposition  party's rally, I couldn't help but wonder if this were the impetus for the incumbent singing a, well, somewhat different song.  To many netizens, some (re)actions are too little, too late.

Me?  For one, I most definitely am put off by the superficial dangling of an S$80 million 'carrot'.  For another, I'm sure I am not the only one who was appalled by the 'vote wisely...or live and repent' threat by a highly revered public figure who has brought this little red dot to where we are thus far.  Every day, I would tell myself that I've had it with the human squeeze on the train or the near impossibility of owning my own apartment or car.  I have daily grouses of how the absence of a feeder bus service leaves me stranded at the bus stop every morning, how quickly the money in my wallet depletes or how meagre my salary is (believe me, it is!) despite being highly educated with a Master Degree, no less!

However, a rationale mind beckons for me to assess the bigger picture.  It is true some issues raised at the rallies of the opposition parties resonates with me, and possibly many, many fellow Singaporeans, and these are issues that are very, very real.  However, beyond having fun watching them calling each other names, using smear tactics and questioning the individual's integrity or sexual orientation, I couldn't help but wonder how many potential candidates actually want to serve the people and to be their voice.

Between absent-in-action and dubious agenda, which is the lesser evil?  Between personal grievances and national affairs, which is more important?

Will I vote for change?  Yes.  But I remind myself to vote wisely too.  Or maybe, I should practise drawing tortoises now...