> I've visited twice, read a lot, and conversed with a number of people who've lived there.
So did I before I lived there. Once you live there for a while (a year or more), you begin to understand that much of what you thought was true is merely a thin façade.
Still, compared to it's neighbours, it has come a long way. Mostly due to importing expertise and technology from the West.
>I admire how productive and peaceful Singapore is, with high living standards
It's not particularly productive. Singapore lives off the proceeds of its port and it's oil Bourse.It IS peaceful, I'll grant you that. When you have police with automatic weapons,ready to use, in plain view it tends to chill people out.
> a large degree of economic freedom/opportunity
A 'large degree'? Sounds very Singaporean. :)
>continuing effective investment in infrastructure and education
Debatable. Certainly that is the Govt. line, but like much in SGP, the reality is very different.
> From what I've read, its health-care system delivers results as well as any other highly-developed country, at much lower costs.
I know this is a BIG issue for USians, but most developed countries don't spend much time thinking about their health care system. It's taken for granted, because it is always there, and mostly works (with exceptions).
So did I before I lived there. Once you live there for a while (a year or more), you begin to understand that much of what you thought was true is merely a thin façade.
Still, compared to it's neighbours, it has come a long way. Mostly due to importing expertise and technology from the West.
>I admire how productive and peaceful Singapore is, with high living standards
It's not particularly productive. Singapore lives off the proceeds of its port and it's oil Bourse.It IS peaceful, I'll grant you that. When you have police with automatic weapons,ready to use, in plain view it tends to chill people out.
> a large degree of economic freedom/opportunity
A 'large degree'? Sounds very Singaporean. :)
>continuing effective investment in infrastructure and education
Debatable. Certainly that is the Govt. line, but like much in SGP, the reality is very different.
> From what I've read, its health-care system delivers results as well as any other highly-developed country, at much lower costs.
I know this is a BIG issue for USians, but most developed countries don't spend much time thinking about their health care system. It's taken for granted, because it is always there, and mostly works (with exceptions).