the bastion of authority

When one speak of the United States, the impression on those around him is always great. The great America, supreme ruler of our world today. Unchallenged at the summit, she reaches down to push off those climbing up the mountain of authority. Far down she has to reach, for even those nearest to the top are not near at all. America, the land of stars and stripes, unsurpassable and divine. They alone hold the key to the gates of history.

Both respected and worshipped, America maintains a large degree of influence throughout the known world. On earth, there is none that are capable of truely challenging them. In space, they own every portion known to mankind. They rule all undentifiable matter through their undefined quantities of ducats. They are the world's richest and they have the world's richests. Their limitless industries crowd every corner of the world, drawing the currencies to them. At the center of the world, they do whatever they please. They have the cash. The world looks up to them at the summit while they look down below. Untouchable, they master all of authority. In God's name, they capitalise on their authority. With God behind them, they ravage all lands as they see fit. They make the laws. They make the rules. They command and reign over earth. They are America.

The United Nations was created so that every nations had a share in our world. Given the power and authority to act against agressive nations, they were to keep the peace. But alas, it was America whose voice was essential for the creation of this supposedly peace keeping force. A world body created to make decisions for the world. Is this a dream? Or a lie? Is the UN more powerful than the US? Surely, America has to bend to the world's authority. It is evident that America has not attacked any country for selfish amibition for fear of the collective union and resistance of the countries of the UN. What of Iraq? Is America crusading against terrorism for the sake of the world? Or is it to do with selfish ambition?

Surely, the UN can end all nonsense from America if they wish to. They are the world's body. Surely, their word weighs more than anything else? Then why does America owe $1 billion to the UN? A sum worth peanuts to the world's biggest industry. The UN blocks the will of America and America cuts off its share of paying. It is a big blow to the UN. $1 billion is a lot to the UN. It needs the cash to run. Worst still, Japan wishes to pull out of paying too! If America is not paying, why should they? Can the world's body do nothing to punish America? Their intent is obvious. Yet a nation of America's stature can afford to make claims and make the world repeat that claim.

Is the world unfair? It is always unfair. The recent Israeli attack on Lebanon shook public opinion. For two soldiers, Israel overturns everything that is standing. People have lost loved ones and their entire life. Are the attacks justified? (I myself would prefer the use of a better word than justify, for I disagree to the need for justifying any war. But let us settle for justify now, in its most general meaning.) America does not care if the war is successfully justified or not. Its claim that Hizbolla started the conflict would suffice for the faithful dogs of America. It should suffice for the rest of the world as well. After all, who dares to comdemn Israel and then condemn America for supporting the terrible attacks. Whoever does, runs the risk of angering America and losing its friendship, how ever deep. Iran obviously does not need to care as the friendship was long forsaken. But what of Syria and other Islamic countries who at the start fiercely disparaged Israel's offensive. Why is it that they have not raised a strong voice to resist the American "justification by presence"?

America reigns supreme over all the earth. They maneuvre through the expanse as if all were their own. They hold the globe upon their palms. All the soil and all the waters are theirs. Their people hold places of great influence in every land. Their navy are ever-present in every sea. The authority of the universe lies not on any hand but theirs. The future becomes what they say. They are the gateway to the heathen gods, rulers of the realm, Poseiden of the oceans and the bastion of the world's authority.

Johnston

a rebuke of politics

I write this in response to the increasing speckles of protesters who mock the Singaporean "right-wing" democracy. For years foreigners have looked upon our great democracy and laughed at our "right-wing" politics. They have mocked our leader as a dictator. Now inspiring youths have formed their ideas of a Singapore being run by true democracy. They choose to be ignorant of our past glories and our present success. The orderly society that never falters in its growth depends strongly on its political structure of intense rigidity. They claim that true democracy will make everything much better than it is. But what can anyone hope of democracy if its leading users are such poor examples. I speak of the nations of America and Australia.

The Singaporean government rewards the efforts of its citizens. All work is paid off. Earn a living yourself and strive to the fullest and you can only hope to advance your living standards. Everything you do has a consequence. The system Singapore works by allows all who push for the better life to gain the better life. America does not provide this comfort to its people. The poor stay poor no matter how hard they try. Once in a while, one lucky poor man turns rich and the media exaggerates his advance in life, making the world believe this is so of every poor American. I tell you this is not true. There are many living barely livable lives. Yes, there are those who do turn rich. What of the millions more who do the same work but suffer unprotected under the hands of their oppressive bosses. The US government does nothing to defend these slaves as they only hope to please the upper class. They need the support of the rich. In America, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Singapore is such that everyone reaps the benefits of their labour and everyone can improve their standard of life as long as they try.

Australia, on the other hand, is an apalling example of which I fear to use but I have no choice. In Australia, the support comes from the poor. The poor are not poor without reason. They demand welfare from the government and are thus given it. One year, down the road they realise life could be better with more and they demand more. The Australia government almosts seems happy to oblige any whim coming from these sloths. When things are not given to them, they just need to wait a few more weeks. More slackers join them due to this awesome lazy life where one works none and lives well. They add voice to those who were there to start with. The numbers increase by each word I speak. They have competence to work, but they need not use it. All that is needed for them to accomplish is to lay back and claim government handouts from suffering tax payers. I wonder if these people have any shame or conscience of what they are doing. There is no poor man in Australia. However, this comes at the cost of their honour.

It can all be summarized into this short paragraph. The poor man of America works hard but stays poor. The poor man of Australia sloths all day and collects huge sums from the government. The poor man of Singapore works hard for his own money. He earns a better living than the poor man of America and lives a more honourable life than the poor man of Australia. The democracy of America grants its rich people benefits at the expense of its poor. The democracy of Australia grants its poor people benefits at the expense of its rich.

The "right-wing" democracy of Singapore grants no one benefits at the expense of no one, benefits are only gained after hard work and laziness only results in further loss.

Every action has its consequence. The good is repaid with good. Thus, all bad are repaid with bad. Perhaps many would cry out at the harshness of the Singapore system. But isn't it all neccessary? If we look at the brilliant society Singapore has nutured. Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates. All crimes are dealt with punishment. Punishment acts both as a deterrent for non-offenders and as a lesson to offenders, lest they repeat their foolishness. An extremity? The result is a society nearly unblemished. It is safe to walk the streets of Singapore. There is no reason to fear that you may be attacked or raped. If you are then never fear, you can always meet the offender again within hours due to the high efficiency of the Singapore police.

I do not know of the American system, but having lived in Australia, I can relate of its horrors. Criminals have roamed the country for months and even years, all the while evading capture. Caught offenders have been known to beat up the police and run away. The police seem to feel no urgency in capturing law breakers. Many of the police themselves aren't too holy. Youths can steal, riot, rape and kill. If they are caught, they only need to put on a grieving facade and declare their deep repentence and they will be freed! At most they would experience the droning voice of a counseller, a punishment reserved for Singaporean youths who do not do their homework! That's meant to be murder for crying out loud. No one is afraid of breaking the law in Australia. Democracy is the cause and root of all this ridiculousness. Potential criminals after all have a vote. Let the Australian government hear their voice and lessen jail sentences so that these bandits can run amock all over the country in whatever manner pleases them. The result of the Australia true democracy. How lovely would that be in Singapore. The Singaporean government are doing their job.

Do you want pure democracy? This is only one tiny aspect of the destruction caused by these unwholesome democracies. Is this the beautiful picture that was once painted? Claims of the wonders of democracy are as ridiculous as claims for the wonders of communism. There is no difference.

Johnston