Political Issue
Title: Did the US did the right thing by sending more troops to Iraq...
Article of reference and review:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6370847.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6370109.stm
Name: Ornan Wei
On 9 April 2003, Baghdad fell to US- led forces. Many Iraqis are trying to rebuild their country and are hoping for a democratic future. However, many parts of Iraq remain at war as a fierce insurgency continues. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government and foreign forces try quash it .
Between February and September 1988, Saddam Hussein ordered a massive displacement operation against the Kurdish population in northern Iraq. Eyewitness accounts and documents seized from Iraqi security organs during the post-1991 Gulf War uprising and information gathered by international human rights groups indicate that up to 182,000 people were killed. An estimated 5,000 civilians were killed in a single day. Evidence has shown 270 mass graves across Iraq which contain the remains of possibly tens of thousands of people.
I feel that Saddam Hussein was a cruel, inhuman ruler of Iraq. The Americans invaded Iraq to preserve the rights of the people. There are two factions in the United States, those who support the invasion of Iraqi and those who are against it. However, the faction which is against the invasion are growing in size and popularity with time. The problem is that the conditions in Iraq are not improving quick enough. The country does not seem to be progressing and instead looks like it has not changed for the better. Conditions are deteriorating as each day passes. The American troops are trying their best to tighten security and to stabilize the country. On almost every day, there is someone who loses his or her life. As the conflict continues, so did the sophistication of insurgent attacks grow. Car bombs and improvised explosive devices placed at roadsides took an increasing toll on American soldiers and civilians. Civilian casualties are on an upward trend.. The killings include torture and kidnapping.
I agree that George Bush has done the right thing by sending more troops into Iraq although the death toll increases. To maintain peace and stability in the country, he was willing to sacrifice his fellow countrymen to remove the enslavement of fear and death on the people of Iraq. If there is no actions done to stopped the regime of Saddam Hussein, I believe that there would be chaos and war in the middle East fueled by Saddam Hussein's ambitious actions. This would cause higher death tolls and may cause an economic downturn as Kuwait was being invaded and was being plundered of every kind of valuables, especially oil.
On the other hand, others may say that Mr. Bush actions are inappropriate. Many US soldiers have died during the war and the sacrifices and sufferings of these soldiers are enough. In addition, taxes and funds of the U.S are being used more on the war rather on the citizen's well being. Many people in the States feel taxes paid are not benefiting them. Some may ask how the US can keep up its commitments in Iraq at this level for very long. As such some may disagree that the US did the right thing by sending more troops to Iraq.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Societal Issue
Title: Budget 2007: Poised for the future
Name: Ornan Wei
Reference: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/cgi-bin/search/search_7days.pl?status=&search=GST&id=259308
Although, there is a rise in GST, the majority of Singaporeans will get back in various ways at least four years’ worth of the extra GST they will pay, with the poor and elderly receiving the most. The advantage of the rise in the GST provides the government with more funds to spend on social needs. In twenty years time, Singapore will be expecting to have 6.5million people living in the country. Hence, there is a need for future development plans for housing, recreation and transport. The disadvantage is that the top earners would have to pay more. Since, they earn a lot; they will not benefit much in the increase of GST. Instead they have to pay more for the goods they purchase.
In my opinion the rise in GST was a fair one. The poor and elderly will be able to have better lives as funds are used to support old folk homes and poor income family with young children will receive 90% subsidy for kindergarten fees and more money for childcare centers. In addition, government funds will used for social purposes. For examples, to build a stronger arm forces to protect our country, canter to the needy, etc. Middle-income earners are able to benefits from the reduction of road tax, rebates in utilities bill service and conservancy charges, rentals and maid levy. Since, top earners are able to support themselves well; an increase in GST will only affect them a little.
Those who feel frustrated about the amendments made do not worry. Singapore’s government will ensure that everyone’s well being will be taken care of.
Next I will touch on wage boost for lower-income group. This will boost the earning of about 438,000 people.
Parts of the additional income will go to the worker’s CPF accounts. This is meant to support them after they retire from work. I believed that most help will benefit older workers who are earning a monthly salary of one thousand dollars or less. They get workfare of up to $1200 a year, both in cash and into their CPF accounts. The CPF system is also being changed to help low-income workers. After the change, they will be paying less into their CPF accounts and give workers more cash to support themselves. This not only benefits them but also employers to hire such workers, increasing the number of people being employed. Hence, increasing foreign companies to invest in Singapore.
The government also reduces Singapore’s corporate tax from 20 to 18 percent to attract more global companies. The reduction will increase workers’ CPF savings except those over 35 years old and will make Singapore one of the most competitive locations in the world for small and medium size enterprises and start up for new business.
In conclusion, whether a not we benefit from the amendments made, we just have to abide to it. These changes are for the country’s future. Every decision made by the government goes through series of stringent test before it is being pass down.
Title: Budget 2007: Poised for the future
Name: Ornan Wei
Reference: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/cgi-bin/search/search_7days.pl?status=&search=GST&id=259308
Although, there is a rise in GST, the majority of Singaporeans will get back in various ways at least four years’ worth of the extra GST they will pay, with the poor and elderly receiving the most. The advantage of the rise in the GST provides the government with more funds to spend on social needs. In twenty years time, Singapore will be expecting to have 6.5million people living in the country. Hence, there is a need for future development plans for housing, recreation and transport. The disadvantage is that the top earners would have to pay more. Since, they earn a lot; they will not benefit much in the increase of GST. Instead they have to pay more for the goods they purchase.
In my opinion the rise in GST was a fair one. The poor and elderly will be able to have better lives as funds are used to support old folk homes and poor income family with young children will receive 90% subsidy for kindergarten fees and more money for childcare centers. In addition, government funds will used for social purposes. For examples, to build a stronger arm forces to protect our country, canter to the needy, etc. Middle-income earners are able to benefits from the reduction of road tax, rebates in utilities bill service and conservancy charges, rentals and maid levy. Since, top earners are able to support themselves well; an increase in GST will only affect them a little.
Those who feel frustrated about the amendments made do not worry. Singapore’s government will ensure that everyone’s well being will be taken care of.
Next I will touch on wage boost for lower-income group. This will boost the earning of about 438,000 people.
Parts of the additional income will go to the worker’s CPF accounts. This is meant to support them after they retire from work. I believed that most help will benefit older workers who are earning a monthly salary of one thousand dollars or less. They get workfare of up to $1200 a year, both in cash and into their CPF accounts. The CPF system is also being changed to help low-income workers. After the change, they will be paying less into their CPF accounts and give workers more cash to support themselves. This not only benefits them but also employers to hire such workers, increasing the number of people being employed. Hence, increasing foreign companies to invest in Singapore.
The government also reduces Singapore’s corporate tax from 20 to 18 percent to attract more global companies. The reduction will increase workers’ CPF savings except those over 35 years old and will make Singapore one of the most competitive locations in the world for small and medium size enterprises and start up for new business.
In conclusion, whether a not we benefit from the amendments made, we just have to abide to it. These changes are for the country’s future. Every decision made by the government goes through series of stringent test before it is being pass down.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)