Our government takes pains to stress the separation of powers, but in reality there are far too few truly effective checks and balances on Parliament and the Cabinet. In a one-party democracy, even one whose government gets most other things right, that is cause for concern.

We’re told that the PAP’s leadership renewal brings “new faces” and “fresh blood”. Is this really good for Singapore’s political future? Is it fair play for new candidates? Or is it more of the same?

The bottom line is regardless of the 2.2 revolutions sparked by the internet, we all need a few leaders to look up to. Egypt is no real exception.

Forget the idea that a multi-party system is needed to bring in fresh ideas and alternate viewpoints. The PAP remains in power because it delivers.

By telling Singaporeans that there will, regardless of how the opposition performs in the elections, be nine opposition MPs in the next Parliament, the People’s Action Party (PAP) has effectively rendered elections meaningless.

The biggest problem with democracy is that we trust it, and think we are justified in doing so.

Democracy is the power of the people. That seems like a no-brainer. If the officials we elect fail to listen to our will, who else is there to safeguard and advance our interests? And yet what one hears from the ground may not always be the right thing to follow.