When I read articles like this and this, I am glad that I am a Singaporean woman, not subject to the mortal dangers of religious mania and prejudice. I say religious mania and prejudice, that is to say, the religion and its teachings had been taken all out of context. This is not to say that Singaporeans are superior to the other nationalities (that is fodder for another day), no, not at all. I too have my grouses, one namely being the hypocrisy of the government. I do not appreciate the air of martyrdom air put on for “serving the people”. You are paid a salary (a very VERY handsome one I might say) to do so, so quit the whole “we did the right thing, we wanted to serve the people” righteousness. You are serving your greed and your money gods, not the people. I might have respected you more if you had come right out and admitted so. “Yes I have what it takes to lead and I should be paid accordingly.”

But I digress.

I am glad that I am Singaporean because I am not persecuted with my life when it comes to religious choice. I don’t lose my freedom and my voice for men who misinterpret the Koran or the Bible for their own purposes. I am grateful for the comprehensive health care and the ever ready A&E services that is available here. I am grateful I don’t get mugged on the streets in broad daylight. I am grateful for the many libraries with good selections of books and multimedia materials. I am grateful that I can wear sleeveless tops in this weather and not be forced to wear long sleeved tops, long pants and cover my hair and face. I am glad that my daughters will not be forced into such barbaric traditions. I am glad I can walk safely into a sex shop and buy a vibrator and not be dealt an “honor killing“. I am glad I am not sentenced with 200 lashes of the whip for being raped.

I am grateful that while I am not free to choose who gets to be in the elite team, I do get to choose in every other manner. I am numb to whatever taxi hikes, ERPS and whatever. Why whine about the things you can’t change? Much better to make sure you are in a position to ensure that you maintain your lifestyle no matter how they pull hikes on you right?

At most, you can always migrate to whichever country of your choice. When you return, you would even be lauded as a “stayer”

“Stayers” include Singaporeans who are overseas, but feel for Singapore. They will come back when needed, because their hearts are here. The Singapore nation is not just those of us living here, but also the thousands of loyal Singaporeans who live around the world.

There you are. Covered.