Friday, January 28, 2005

The Casino Gamble -- Strategic Betting

I am Xenoboy. I am the Political Savant.

The Casino debate in Singapore indicates the lack of political
awareness in Singaporeans. There is naivete non parallel in the
opposition drummed up thus far. This naivete is a direct result of
the PAP's depoliticisation processes and the creation of a population
of "right and sterile" Singaporeans.

The opponents of the Casino are short-sighted. They fail to see the
political implications that arises when an erstwhile immoral policy
(as deemed by the Government) is reversed. The nay-sayers are
primarily religious or community groups. These groups are probably the
staunchest pro-PAP supporters come election time whether or not their
misgivings over the Casino are addressed eventually.

I am Xenoboy. I am the Political Savant.

The casino, good or bad, economically, socially or morally is
irrelevant to me. Lets put aside these useless convictions when we
politicise. No ruler is an angel. No politician gives without
earning.

The casino is an opportunity politically. The strategic weakness of
the PAP government is its constant justification of policy reversals
as dictated by stated economic concerns. Consider the political
implications of a FAILED casino project in a moral-social sense. Yes.
Some Singaporeans will be sacrificed when it fails in this manner, but
lets take these Singaporeans and make a political case out of these
sacrifices. When it fails, use the moral-social reasonings
politically.

The offering of "help" to the needy recently announced by the PAP
government is in part to pre-emptively ameliorate the preceding
potentiality. The failure is covered for before it occurs.

Strategic political thinking is required to prepare the fractures in
the ground. Opposition politicians listen and listen well. There is
a potential fracture with regard the Casino. Nurture the fracture and
doctor the spin to your political benefit. Make the odds better for
yourselves.

Work the ground.

I am Xenoboy. I am the Political Savant.

Quote of the Day

"It's like gambling somehow. You go out for a night of drinking and
you don't know where you're going to end up the next day. It could
work out good or it could be disastrous. It's like the throw of the
dice." --- Jim Morrison