Amputation. Do it slow or do it quick?

If your doctor tells you that your leg must be amputated, do you want to have it done quickly or to have it done slowly? As a sensible person, your first question would be: "Doctor, why must my leg be cut off?"

If your doctor happens to be the government, he will ignore your question and nstead tell you that to alleviate the pain of losing your leg, he will do it in stages, first cutting the skin, wait a while, then cut the muscle, wait a while longer and then cut through the bone. In between while waiting, presumably you will get used to hobbling along with a partially cut leg and so eventually get used to moving along without it.

This is the 'solution' proposed by the government for some stall holders of a few food centers who are facing huge (over two hundred percent in one case) increases in cleaning costs. The increases ostensibly is due to efforts to increase the income of cleaners. Well and good, but in order for such fee increases to be acceptable, the government needs to show in breakdown form, WHERE EXACTLY the fee increases are going.

Cleaners' welfare should not be used as a cover and opportunity to further pad the operators profit margins. As a patient, you have a right to know the reasons for a doctor's recommended procedure. For all we know, the doctor is being paid a commission from the company selling prosthetic legs and wheelchairs and there is a less drastic option than cutting off your leg!

Are we surprised by this 'solution' of staggering out the fee increases in stages? Nope. This is the same government that offers one time rebates for permanent increases in public transport costs. This is the same government that 'compromised' the destruction of a green space in Dairy Farm estate by reducing the condo development by two stories. (How does this save the green space?) This is the government whose solution to the building of an eldercare centre blocking the view and air circulation of Bishan residents is to plant trees to screen the building. (How does this improve air circulation? It's the building that is blocking air movement!)

One-off half measures to offset permanent cost increases and environmental degradation. The government might think that it has won by ramming through such 'fixes'. But each time they do it, they lose ever more of their credibility. I find it hard to believe that these otherwise seemingly sensible and capable people can spew out such complete illogical nonsense with a straight face without any hint of duplicity the moment they put on their government hats.