The Rhetoric
“We are growing our economy, creating more jobs, and providing Singaporeans the skills and opportunities to look after themselves and their families.”
– PM Lee Hsien Loong, May 1, 2005The Reality
“…the spiraling numbers of applications for the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund to help needy children. The number needing help tripled from 3,735 in 2001 to 10,419 in 2003. According to CDC figures, those needing financial aid swelled from 14,300 to 22,500 in 2002, and 31,570 in 2003.”
– Straits Times, Jan 29, 2005