GE 2011: Polling Day

After writing almost an essay last weekend about GE 2011, and coming back home this weekend to read what others have written, I am amazed at the great analysis youths are capable of. At the same time though, given my fatigue, I honestly couldn't read everything. I also came to a realisation how annoyingly long my own analysis was.

Everyone is talking about CHANGE these days, about TRANSFORMATION, about YOUTH effecting that CHANGE. But political apathy still thrives. People will usually become more concerned only when it directly affects their own livelihood, i.e. their jobs, their flats, their children.

Is it really about Singapore? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Time and time again, different parties have told citizens: "It is about YOU, not about US. Vote wisely for the party/people who can be YOUR voice." It is confusing. The centre of attention comes to the interests of citizens, but at the same time, the interest of the party or candidates underscores it.

I ask myself why I am interested. I guess, tons of people are excited about it, so I have decided to find out more.

I would simply like to pray today, that voters will vote wisely.

Romans 13:1-7 says,
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

1 Peter 2:13-17 says,
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,
14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.