Catherine Lim: The truth, Sir, is more sobering: they are seeing these so-called achievements as no more than what is owing to them from leaders who have chosen to pay themselves handsomely to do their job. I agree with her on this point. This is the source of everything bad in our politics. The relationship between ruler and ruled has become a transaction. Leaders are just contractors whom we pay to do a good job. When theres a good job done, we think thats what they should be doing anyway since we pay them so well. And when anything bad happens, we become very unforgiving because we think they are not worth their pay. Also because we PAY them, theres little respect. I know one reason for high pay is to keep our politics clean. But I think it has come at the expense of trust and regard that people have for political leaders. Now which is more important? If the G wants to signal a different relationship which is not transactional, then one way is to change its OWN mindset about ministerial pay. Its the Gs Achilles Heel and does politics more harm than good. As for the argument that if we dont pay people well, they wont enter politics....I think this mindset has to change too - politics IS about sacrifice and public service. If good people dont want to sacrifice, and need money to lure them, maybe they shouldnt be in politics. Maybe they shouldnt be described as good, but merely talented.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 07:27:02 +0000
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