Cal Thomas: A society without entitlements

The Washington Examiner ^ | December 12, 2012 | Cal Thomas

[2ndDivisionVet]

SINGAPORE -- While the U.S. unemployment rate "dropped" to 7.7 percent last month -- a figure even the Washington Post acknowledged was due "in large part because the labor force fell by 350,000" -- here in this modern and prosperous city-state of slightly more than 5 million people, unemployment is practically nonexistent at 1.9 percent.

In part, this is due to a work ethic that seems to be in the genes here. But there is something else at work that should astound Washington politicians struggling with expensive "entitlement" programs and with those who receive them.

The Economist wrote about it in a 2010 article. What contributes to Singapore's prosperity and a vibrant economy that includes a stable currency and a rising stock market, it said, is this: "The state's attitude can be simply put: being poor here is your own fault. Citizens are obliged to save for the future, rely on their families and not expect any handouts from the government unless they hit rock bottom."

As a parent, this is my favorite part of the article: "The emphasis on family extends into old age: Retired parents can sue children who fail to support them. In government circles, 'welfare' remains a dirty word."

Things may be starting to change, at least in other parts of Asia...

[2ndDivisionVet]

We were too, prior to 1933.

[cicero2k]

Sounds like the American dream/exceptionalism is alive and well in this little corner of Asia.

[whitedog57]

Its the only way the US can survive is to get rid of or greatly reduce entitlements.

http://confoundedinterest.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/the-7-deadly-economic-sins-constraining-a-recovery-before-the-fiscal-abyss/

[muawiyah]

Eventually the demographic bulge disappears and you are awash in surplus taxes ~ don't spend them.

Also, conquer the threat of mechanization, automation, computerization, robotics and improved work methods and everybody will be rich, and nobody will need to worry about a job.

[Mr. Jeeves]

To me, Singaporeans combine Chinese conformism and British reserve with a child-like innocence about the nature of the world outside their island. There are always exceptions (like my ferociously competitive wife) but by and large I wouldn't compare them to American individualists at all. They are kind of a nation of followers who have benefitted greatly from Lee Kwan Yew's belief in free markets and international business, his firm refusal to tolerate official corruption (unique in Asia), and his willingness to create a one-party police state to keep a firm lid on potential racial and social tensions. He claims to this day that a Chinese country can only be ruled with an iron hand.

Newt Gingrich once said a successful nation needs "Either a strong common culture or a strong central government." Singapore chose the latter path, and it has worked out well for them. An absolutely great place to visit or work as a foreign expat - but maybe not the greatest place to be born and grow up, especially for those who are self-motivated. The gulf between the average Singaporean dwelling in a small HDB flat and the Indonesian tycoon with the $20 million dollar condo on Orchard Road is gigantic, and it isn't as easy for them to move up to a higher class as it (still, despite Obama) is in the USA.

[Travis McGee]

[BillM]

Singapore Income Tax System & Tax Rates

Investors turn to Singapore for establishing their operations for several reasons. The ease of setting up and operating businesses is a prime motivator. Another central determinant is Singapore’s tax regime – well-known for its attractive corporate and personal tax rates, tax relief measures, absence of capital gains tax, one-tier tax system, and extensive double tax treaties.

Persons, including corporations, partnerships, trustees and bodies of persons carrying on any trade, profession or business in Singapore are chargeable to tax on all profits (excluding profits arising from the sale of capital assets) arising in or derived from Singapore and certain foreign-sourced income from such trade, profession or business.

The purpose of this guide is to provide a general overview of Singapore’s tax system and tax rates. We also have a very useful online tax calculator that you can use to to estimate your Singapore taxes and to compare how they stack up against those in your home country.

More Including Rates...

[hopespringseternal]

Also, conquer the threat of mechanization, automation, computerization, robotics and improved work methods and everybody will be rich, and nobody will need to worry about a job.

Don't make a career out of what should be a temporary job. I worked on an assembly line -- for one summer. Successful people don't try to land a job-for-life with a pension, especially not doing something a robot can do.

Everyone can move on to something better, more challenging. In that aspect, unions are just another form of entitlement, locking people into the trough mentality where they just stand around waiting for the next feeding time rather than looking for a way to find that better thing.

They have pretty well doomed the auto industry to a perpetual government bailout cycle. They killed steel. Whether you have a college degree or not, whether you work in an office or a factory, the one thing you should never give up is your mobility to move to a better job. That is a cost no worker, company, or society can bear.

[thirst4truth]

Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

The one time I asked for government assistance, school lunches for my children, my mother in law said she was very disappointed in us asking for a government hand out, she never imagined one of her children would do that. We dropped that assistance that very day and have not looked back. We choose to look to God Almighty for all our needs, as "He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask or think!"

This may sound harsh but people or even countries get what their "god" gives them. Misery, corruption, hunger and lack.