National Day Rally: why I refuse to be reached by REACH
REACH wants public feedback on PM Lee’s National Day Rally speech on its e-Townhall webchat.
As far as I’m concerned this is nothing more than a public relations exercise.
As though public feedback will make any difference when policies have already been set.
Like Budget Debate in Parliament. MPs can argue and debate till the cows come home but they can’t change anything once policies have been decided by the PM and his cabinet.
At best Budget Debate gives ministers the opportunity to clarify and justify their policies. And I often observe that the sharper the criticism, the more defensive and, at times, condescending the ministers become.
My scepticism is shared by many I know.
At the end of the day, REACH ticks off a task done and the feedback goes down a black hole.
That’s why I refuse to be reached by REACH.