The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Budget's direction in narrowing income gap

In the recent Budget announcement, note the following measures to reduce income gap and create an inclusive society to alleviate the downsides of meritocracy:
1) WIS-WTS (Workfare) -- see HERE
2) GST vouchers for the poor
3) Comcare for the poor
4)investment in pre-school education (S$3billion)
-to give those from poor family a headstart to catch up with those from rich families...note statistic in earlier post about how every 6 out of 10 students from top schools here live in private property, i.e. rich, hence enjoy social capital which will likely tranlsate into better academic results and eventually better jobs, thus securing their position in the upper strata of society, leaving the poor trapped below.....this is one major problem of meritocracy....see HERE
5) progressive taxation
-rich taxed more...income tax, luxury housing, luxury cars

Sample Qn: 'Many developed countries are paying increasing attention to the needs of the disadvantaged.' How far is this true in Singapore? (2008)