Singapore, an island nation is literally, the "Land of the Lion." Handed over from 150 years of British colonial rule in the late 1950's, Lee Quan Yew has manned the ship of state beyond a Malaysian liason to Singapore's own independence for over 40 years. It is by every measure a behemouth of growth and modernity on the emerging world stage. Singapore has a 50 year growth plan which includes "reclaiming" land from the sea and mass reservior projects to provide a water resource for its growing population. It is a shining star of a determined single vision. Like-minded individuals revel in the rapid growth that security and strict social standards achieve. Chewing gum is not tolerated. Littering of any kind is not tolerated. Drug use of
any kind is punishible by death without recourse. There are
no social safety nets, save the family. Indian Hindus, Malay Muslims and Chinese with jobs, live in balanced harmony in subsidized privately-owned housing of quality standard which closely reflects the percentage of each race within each housing block. Even the subways are ordered...with directed places to stand while waiting to board the trains and certain ways to exit. Certain seats are reserved for elderly, the infirm, pregnant women and women with children. I was astonished as two young girls jumped up to give me a seat(I know I'm not 3 of the 4!!) We admired Singapore's cleanliness and order...a wonderful place to visit.....but....
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