Ok. I exploded. I don't know why I'm so "passionate" this issue. I exploded not because I am stressed, but I really disagree with what you said. Restraining myself wasn't a good idea after all.

Why should the singapore government be compared with celebrities? What is the main difference between the two?

Money from the public purse and private individuals' money

Celebrities can donate readily, because it's after all their money. Their earnings. It looks great on them anyway. There are some celebrities who are raising money. Note the difference.

Can governments donate as readily? It's taxpayers' money. It's your parents' money. Do you think people who are not well-off will be willing for singapore to donate millions and millions to aid Japan? Isn't money from the public purse primarily for the use of Singaporeans? Singapore has donated $500,000. You may dispute that is not enough, but should you even compare that with what celebrities are donating? What you see that other countries are donating, those money are mainly from charity organisations. US, Korea, ... have sent in supplies as well as rescue teams. Singapore flew in a rescue team as well. But in any case, there's still a difference between charity organisations and the government. Well, you can say that Singaporean celebrities are lousy, cos they are not donating millions and millions like korean celebrities. You can say singaporean organisations are lousy, they are not donating as much as other countries. But, please. Don't compare government and celebrities. They are not even comparable in the first place. Or, compare the fact that Korea just sent in a rescue team of 100, and flying in supplies of food, while Singapore is only donating $500,000. Or, the Chinese government has pledged 4.6million USD in donations. Indonesia to donate 2 million USD. Well, Singapore's contributions do look small now. We shall see if there are further efforts. But, in any case, why compare? Indonesia and Thailand said that they will provide as much help as possible to reciprocate Japan's help to them during the 2004 tsunami. US, as the richest country in the world, isn't it an obvious fact that their contributions are bound to be much greater? Or, it is expected of them?

Besides, do you even realise that charity organisations in other countries are definitely bigger in scale that those in Singapore?

Let's say Singapore government decides to donate 3 million USD to Japan now. Will people start complaining that that is too much? Ultimately, this is not, and should not be a donation competition. It's a political issue and it's definitely not as simplistic as you think it is.

Ok. I exploded. I don't know why I'm so "passionate" this issue. I exploded not because I am stressed, but I really disagree with what you said. Restraining myself wasn't a good idea after all.

Why should the singapore government be compared with celebrities? What is the main difference between the two?

Money from the public purse and private individuals' money

Celebrities can donate readily, because it's after all their money. Their earnings. It looks great on them anyway. There are some celebrities who are raising money. Note the difference.

Can governments donate as readily? It's taxpayers' money. It's your parents' money. Do you think people who are not well-off will be willing for singapore to donate millions and millions to aid Japan? Isn't money from the public purse primarily for the use of Singaporeans? Singapore has donated $500,000. You may dispute that is not enough, but should you even compare that with what celebrities are donating? What you see that other countries are donating, those money are mainly from charity organisations. US, Korea, ... have sent in supplies as well as rescue teams. Singapore flew in a rescue team as well. But in any case, there's still a difference between charity organisations and the government. Well, you can say that Singaporean celebrities are lousy, cos they are not donating millions and millions like korean celebrities. You can say singaporean organisations are lousy, they are not donating as much as other countries. But, please. Don't compare government and celebrities. They are not even comparable in the first place. Or, compare the fact that Korea just sent in a rescue team of 100, and flying in supplies of food, while Singapore is only donating $500,000. Or, the Chinese government has pledged 4.6million USD in donations. Indonesia to donate 2 million USD. Well, Singapore's contributions do look small now. We shall see if there are further efforts. But, in any case, why compare? Indonesia and Thailand said that they will provide as much help as possible to reciprocate Japan's help to them during the 2004 tsunami. US, as the richest country in the world, isn't it an obvious fact that their contributions are bound to be much greater? Or, it is expected of them?

Besides, do you even realise that charity organisations in other countries are definitely bigger in scale that those in Singapore?

Let's say Singapore government decides to donate 3 million USD to Japan now. Will people start complaining that that is too much? Ultimately, this is not, and should not be a donation competition. It's a political issue and it's definitely not as simplistic as you think it is.