Rats Leaving Ship

[Ben from Dover]

Just got my contract for a new job in Singapore delivered.

I came back to the UK about 10 months ago with a decent amount of savings which I was planning to use to buy a house and settle down with.

Having been back I have realized how much I hate the UK. The way that the economic crisis and now the political crisis has been handled has particularly demonstrated that to me.

It is impossible to work hard and provide yourself with a decent standard of living in this country so feck it I'm out of here.

Thanks a lot everyone for your views and opinions and good luck for what is coming. Most of you are smart enough to do well out of whatever happens.

[Menie]

Just got my contract for a new job in Singapore delivered.

I came back to the UK about 10 months ago with a decent amount of savings which I was planning to use to buy a house and settle down with.

Having been back I have realized how much I hate the UK. The way that the economic crisis and now the political crisis has been handled has particularly demonstrated that to me.

It is impossible to work hard and provide yourself with a decent standard of living in this country so feck it I'm out of here.

Thanks a lot everyone for your views and opinions and good luck for what is coming. Most of you are smart enough to do well out of whatever happens.

+1

[DeepLurker]

Just got my contract for a new job in Singapore delivered.

I came back to the UK about 10 months ago with a decent amount of savings which I was planning to use to buy a house and settle down with.

Having been back I have realized how much I hate the UK. The way that the economic crisis and now the political crisis has been handled has particularly demonstrated that to me.

It is impossible to work hard and provide yourself with a decent standard of living in this country so feck it I'm out of here.

Thanks a lot everyone for your views and opinions and good luck for what is coming. Most of you are smart enough to do well out of whatever happens.

Good luck with the new job and your new life in Singapore!

I'm pretty sure that they have the t'internet over there so you can still log on occasionally for a dose of doom & gloom

[Spongethrower]

What’s with all the ‘Emigration’ posts today?? This forum is flooded with them

[Guest Noodle]

Just got my contract for a new job in Singapore delivered.

I came back to the UK about 10 months ago with a decent amount of savings which I was planning to use to buy a house and settle down with.

Having been back I have realized how much I hate the UK. The way that the economic crisis and now the political crisis has been handled has particularly demonstrated that to me.

It is impossible to work hard and provide yourself with a decent standard of living in this country so feck it I'm out of here.

Thanks a lot everyone for your views and opinions and good luck for what is coming. Most of you are smart enough to do well out of whatever happens.

Ben, do pop in sometime.

I spent today with Thai farmer friends and a Thai mate visiting from Miami.

Lazy day down on the farm, under a tree, everyone eating Som Tam and rice.

We only remember the good times and recently I have for the first time been a wee bit honesick.

Concerted effort now to work here instead. The middle class Thai friends reckon get a decent job here no problem.

Hell, Sibbers did!

[HovelinHove]

Just got my contract for a new job in Singapore delivered.

I came back to the UK about 10 months ago with a decent amount of savings which I was planning to use to buy a house and settle down with.

Having been back I have realized how much I hate the UK. The way that the economic crisis and now the political crisis has been handled has particularly demonstrated that to me.

It is impossible to work hard and provide yourself with a decent standard of living in this country so feck it I'm out of here.

Thanks a lot everyone for your views and opinions and good luck for what is coming. Most of you are smart enough to do well out of whatever happens.

I've got my Canadian PR visa, a Kiwi wife...I have interviews in Montreal in 3 weeks time...I'm hoping I won't be that far behind you. I think that a progressive party should actually be campaigning to restrict the votes to people who are capable of understanding the issues...most people in this country are fu(kwits and they get what they deserve...I'm not sure where I'm going people are much brighter, but at least they're not so aggressive, house prices are reasonable, there isn't overcrowding and you're going to get a decent summer (I actually like cold crisp snowy weather, so I'm looking forward to the winters too...maybe not the week or two it's -20 though)

[The Ayatollah Buggeri]

I think that a progressive party should actually be campaigning to restrict the votes to people who are capable of understanding the issues...

Someone has already thought of that (see 'multiple vote' at the bottom).

[Ben from Dover]

Ben, do pop in sometime.

I spent today with Thai farmer friends and a Thai mate visiting from Miami.

Lazy day down on the farm, under a tree, everyone eating Som Tam and rice.

We only remember the good times and recently I have for the first time been a wee bit honesick.

Concerted effort now to work here instead. The middle class Thai friends reckon get a decent job here no problem.

Hell, Sibbers did!

Might take you up on that Mr P - I'll PM you my contact details once I'm set up out there.

[Ben from Dover]

Good luck with the new job and your new life in Singapore!

I'm pretty sure that they have the t'internet over there so you can still log on occasionally for a dose of doom & gloom

Thanks DeepLurker,

My new job sounds quite full on so hopefully I'll be able to stay off this forum and become a wonderfully positive person again.

[HovelinHove]

Someone has already thought of that (see 'multiple vote' at the bottom).

I like that system, I would have 4 votes, I also think that people who don't vote should have it taken away from them for the next election. I do think your average Sun/mirror reading moron should not have an equal say in deciding who runs the country as a person who takes time and effort to be fully appraised of all the key issues.

[Guest Noodle]

Might take you up on that Mr P - I'll PM you my contact details once I'm set up out there.

Jolly good show!

[The Ayatollah Buggeri]

I like that system, I would have 4 votes, I also think that people who don't vote should have it taken away from them for the next election. I do think your average Sun/mirror reading moron should not have an equal say in deciding who runs the country as a person who takes time and effort to be fully appraised of all the key issues.

Instead of having a minimum voting age, I would have a minimum voting contribution, set at the equivalent of three years' NI for a full-time, minimum wage worker. After you've accumulated that, you get a vote; the principle being that if you're mature enough to start work in time to accumulate your contributions before age 18, then you're mature enough to vote earlier. Thereafter, you retain the vote as long as your total tax and NI contributions exceed the amount of state benefits you've received. Once you have the equivalent of 20 years' contributions over and above any social security you've received, then you get to keep your vote permanently, regardless of what happens thereafter.

I'd also like to see anyone convicted of electoral fraud offences to lose their vote, permanently and irrevocably.

Edited May 11, 2010 by The Ayatollah Buggeri

[neil324]

Ben, do pop in sometime.

I spent today with Thai farmer friends and a Thai mate visiting from Miami.

Lazy day down on the farm, under a tree, everyone eating Som Tam and rice.

We only remember the good times and recently I have for the first time been a wee bit honesick.

Concerted effort now to work here instead. The middle class Thai friends reckon get a decent job here no problem.

Hell, Sibbers did!

Hi Parry

What sort of job you looking at in Thailand, you would need to have a base in Bangkok surely.

Homesick of the UK you mean, i'm about to give up all hope with whats going on now

[Bobajobbob]

I think that every ballot paper should have 10 multiple choice general knowledge questions on it. Each voter must answer the questions and his vote is counted proportionate to the number of questions he/she answered correctly.

First question

You accidentally drop your keys down a drain.

Did you lose them?

or

Did you loose them?

[Guest Noodle]

Hi Parry

What sort of job you looking at in Thailand, you would need to have a base in Bangkok surely.

Homesick of the UK you mean, i'm about to give up all hope with whats going on now

Probably Neil, but that's fine. Have it all sorted in Issan now, very nice and stable.

I was going to come back in July, but need to pull it together here.

Eastern Seaboard most likely, Bang Chang area, oil, pollution that sort of thing.

One Parry going cheap, cheap!

[pilchardthecat]

Someone has already thought of that (see 'multiple vote' at the bottom).

That is such a brilliant idea.

[Dave Spart]

That is such a brilliant idea.

The system advocated there is garbage - it was designed in the 1950's for God's sake when class discrimination was at its height.

Under the system I advocate ("Wisdemocracy") you are tested on your knowledge of the subject being proposed and nothing else.

How would you feel if your degree exams were scored using social engineering criterion?

[quine]

Just got my contract for a new job in Singapore delivered.

I came back to the UK about 10 months ago with a decent amount of savings which I was planning to use to buy a house and settle down with.

Having been back I have realized how much I hate the UK. The way that the economic crisis and now the political crisis has been handled has particularly demonstrated that to me.

It is impossible to work hard and provide yourself with a decent standard of living in this country so feck it I'm out of here.

Thanks a lot everyone for your views and opinions and good luck for what is coming. Most of you are smart enough to do well out of whatever happens.

We just arrived in Singapore 4 weeks ago! Big bubble here too, obviously, and same situation as UK with regards to people not being able to afford their own home.

[Injin]

The system advocated there is garbage - it was designed in the 1950's for God's sake when class discrimination was at its height.

Under the system I advocate ("Wisdemocracy") you are tested on your knowledge of the subject being proposed and nothing else.

How would you feel if your degree exams were scored using social engineering criterion?

hows about this - no taxation without representation?

That mean you wise guys can get in a room together, come to a decision and then pay for it yourselves.

Should be easy for you to earn the cash with those mekon sized foreheads of yours.

[Ben from Dover]

We just arrived in Singapore 4 weeks ago! Big bubble here too, obviously, and same situation as UK with regards to people not being able to afford their own home.

excellent - any tips would be appreciated.

I'm sure it has bubble tenancies like anywhere but at least it has a government that runs a surplus and has funds it has saved that it can use to stimulate the economy rather than british deficit financing.

I think, from the research I've done, it also has considerably more prospects for economic growth over the next few years. By leaving I am freeing myself from liability for the UK's debts.

Very happy to live somewhere that is in a bubble. Certainly beats living somewhere that has had a bubble that is now slowly deflating while simultaneously paying off high national debt.

[The Ayatollah Buggeri]

The system advocated there is garbage - it was designed in the 1950's for God's sake when class discrimination was at its height.

That's true: though what it does have in common with today's situation is that Shute was reacting to the aftermath of a period of rule by the left which left their detractors feeling angry and frustrated. Admittedly, he was a dogmatic, rightist libertarian: a similar rant can be found in his account of the Imperial Airship Programme in his autobiography, Slide Rule (the basic message of which is big government = bad news). But as an expression of the legacy of a clunking fist government, In the Wet still has something to tell us, IMO.

[theworknomad]

SIngapore...

1) A small country where you can conveniently travel the whole country in 3 hrs which some interpret it as boring & too small?

2) High density population of 4million (to be confirm as it ever increasing) meaning it a competitive environment.

3) One of the most expensive housing place in Asia.

4) Most expensive car price in the world. 1600litre toyota cost around SGD65000. SGD1=USD1.36 now.

5) VAT at 6 or 7% (to be confirm as i have been away for last 1 yr).

6) Increasing housing cost. (but inflation is everywhere now).

7) Expensive medical fees.

8) Limited sports/recreation options

9) Rule-bound and sometimes stifling

10) No change in climate which is hot and humid most of the time

[Dave Spart]

excellent - any tips would be appreciated.

I'm sure it has bubble tenancies like anywhere but at least it has a government that runs a surplus and has funds it has saved that it can use to stimulate the economy rather than british deficit financing.

I think, from the research I've done, it also has considerably more prospects for economic growth over the next few years. By leaving I am freeing myself from liability for the UK's debts.

Very happy to live somewhere that is in a bubble. Certainly beats living somewhere that has had a bubble that is now slowly deflating while simultaneously paying off high national debt.

If you're looking to rent try doing a deal directly with the landlord yourself instead of going through an agent.

You might find something through the Singapore Expats website.

Generally the newer the condo the more expensive. Some HDB's might suit but I never liked the idea. Mandarin Gardens on East Coast Parkway has a large expat community so you'd fit in quickly. Great pool, gym and parking too. There's also a good beach nearby if you can overlook the shipping fleet in the distance!

Singapore has become ridiculously expensive, it has to be said though. The facilities are world class but after a while I did notice a definite racial hierarchy almost to the point of being apartheid. Singaporean Chinese are top dogs, then Singaporean Malays, Singaporean Indians. Immigrant asians from nearby, such as Indonesians and Filipinos treated quite lowly. Mainland chinese and indians treated badly. I don't approve and discovering that took a lot of the shine off.

Avoid Geylang. Cavenagh Gardens near Istana is convenient for Orchard Road.

Just to show you how rich Singaporeans have become, one of the golf courses along East Coast Parkway has an annual subscription fee of £300,000. Some HDBs (Council flats) are being sold off for over S$1,000,000.

Edited May 11, 2010 by Dave Spart

[Dave Spart]

hows about this - no taxation without representation?

An age old principle. Agreed.

That mean you wise guys can get in a room together, come to a decision and then pay for it yourselves.

Should be easy for you to earn the cash with those mekon sized foreheads of yours.

Coming from you I'll take that as a compliment.

[Dave Spart]

excellent - any tips would be appreciated.

I'm sure it has bubble tenancies like anywhere but at least it has a government that runs a surplus and has funds it has saved that it can use to stimulate the economy rather than british deficit financing.

I think, from the research I've done, it also has considerably more prospects for economic growth over the next few years. By leaving I am freeing myself from liability for the UK's debts.

Very happy to live somewhere that is in a bubble. Certainly beats living somewhere that has had a bubble that is now slowly deflating while simultaneously paying off high national debt.

You should be aware that Singapore's economy is enormously vulnerable to boom and bust. When the financial crisis hit, GDP crashed 12%. Huge numbers of well educated Singaporeans were out of jobs for the first time and struggled to cope financially.

Lee Kwan Yew is undoubtedly a brilliant man - a first in Law at Cambridge - but he was a willing collaborator with the Japanese during the occupation and that should tell you something. His son Lee Hsien Loong is now Prime Minister. They would have you believe this is a complete coincidence but I'll leave you to be the judge of that. Perhaps if I tell you Lee's wife also just happens to be the chair of Singapore's Sovereign Wealth Fund you could be forgiven for feeling suspicious.

Money is what really counts in Singapore. Indonesia has been angered in the recent past by Singapore's willingness to receive absconders thieving hundreds of millions of dollars. Don't be taken in by the illusion of principles and integrity in Singapore, there are rivers of dirty money flowing through that country. Many of the millionaires there have made their money exploiting cheap labour working in appalling conditions in China. It can be shocking to see how utterly heartless some people can be in the pursuit of wealth and status.

PS I worked with an IT Manager in Liverpool once, she had previously lived in Singapore. She described it as Disneyland. I can now see what she means. What character there was from the colonial period is hard to find nowadays. Everything has an artifical, contrived feeling to it. Mind you she told me that five years ago. God knows what she'd have to say if she saw the city state now. The casinos in marina bay are soul destroying eye-saw.

Edited May 11, 2010 by Dave Spart