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Bhagyashree Garekar
US Correspondent
Preparing for the polls
November 01, 2008 Saturday, 06:00 AM
Bhagyashree Garekar describes the pre-election mood.
In Washington THREE days away from choosing their next president, Americans are in a high state of excitement. In a crowded Washington subway, a young man on the phone claims he will be "severely depressed" if Senator Barack Obama loses. A woman across the aisle purses her lips and looks away. In roadside stalls, souvenir and gift shops, Halloween masks of both candidates are selling briskly (it's a puzzle to me whether the wearers think the grotesque rubber and plastic masks are a trick or a treat), as are Obama- and McCain-faced cookies (I thought of picking one, but couldn't decide which one in the end. And it later struck me that unlike a voter I could have had both). In this last wild weekend, closing the longest presidential race, the last-minute pitches are growing frantic. The opinion polls - as has happened in the last four out of five elections - are narrowing further. Passions are heating up. Such that even at this late stage people are second-guessing the choice of running mates. Should it have been Mrs Hillary Clinton after all for Mr Obama? Was Mrs Sarah Palin Mr John McCain's biggest mistake? Worries that there could be chaos on the Big Day are being voiced louder. Many say they are afraid their vote will somehow be lost or not counted. Mostly, these are Obama backers who fear that somehow their candidate will be thwarted in his tryst with destiny. At this point, according to a survey, at least eight in 10 Americans believe their country is on the wrong track. This measure of dissatisfaction also speaks of expectations from the next incumbent of the White House. But what can the next president really do? Voters have pretty definite ideas. An Associated Press-Yahoo! News survey taken at the beginning of the year showed a large majority of voters believes the president has considerable sway on economic issues such as inflation, interest rates, the federal deficit and taxes. About three-quarters believe the president has at least some influence over healthcare costs. Some 69 per cent think the president can cause a change in petrol prices. The voters were less certain about the president's ability to change how things really work in Washington - a major election promise made by both Senators Obama and McCain. Some 55 per cent thought that was possible; 44 per cent did not, no matter who's elected. The financial crisis is crowding out the long to-do list for the next president, shooting past priorities such as the ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, finding solutions to the high energy prices or providing affordable healthcare. All of which are critical to America's well being and will spring back on the agenda after the firefighting is over. Then, there is a measure of cynicism about big-mouth politicians. Former president Richard Nixon set a 1980 deadline for ending US dependence on foreign oil - a goal still unmet. Who can forget President George H W Bush's "Read my lips, no more taxes". He had to eat his words. Mr Bill Clinton gloriously pledged to end the era of big government; he prevailed but for a brief while. President George W. Bush promised to pay down the national debt by US$2 trillion, it has grown to about US$10 trillion. Still, hope has a long shelf life. If that were not the case, we would not be looking at predictions of a landslide in voter turnout. Read the full Saturday Special report in The Straits Times today. Tags: 2008, election, us 
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As the world prepares for a Democrat President, the first in 8 years...we watch and wait.
This will be the beginning of the first day of the world..for many of us.
His seems to be an unstoppable train.
I must admit I admire the americans who have the belief and the strength to do what ..is expected of them.
Like him or loathe him..this is inevitable..almost as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow.
god help us all...that it wont all end in tears...after ..that.
THE SUCCESS AND PEACE of Republic Of Singapore (ROS) is founded on the set of core values that each citizen is expected to connect with and apply in theirs day-to-day work and business. In particualr INTEGRITY and COURAGE , remind us Singaporeans that preserving an ethical workplace is critical to the country's long-term continous survival and sustainability and success.
At Republic Of Singapore, we are united by strong real values and a commitment to do the right thing. Our citizens standing as an ethical nation is a critical asset that we are all responsible for protecting.
To ensure and be assured that we Singaporeans continue to enjoy public trust and confidence, we have comply a list of "Singaporeans Dos" and "Singaporeans Don'ts " to guide ourselves in the conduct of our duties and responsibilities. This list is not all inclusive to take into account all situations taht may arise.
If any citizen is unsure of what to do ina particular situation, please, you are kindly invited, talk to your immediate Member of Parliment, head of Citizen Council Deapartment, Singaporeans Resource Enhancement department, or any senior management staff member in the Executive Office.
"Singaporean Dos"
1. Singaporean always be loyal to and have the best interest of the citizens at heart.
2.Singaporean conduct yourself with integrity and courage, and avoid any behaviour that would reflect adversely on the citizens.
3.Singaporean read, understand and comply with laws and regulations, and public policies and instructions governing the conduct of citizens.
4.Singaporean be alert to the possibility that unusual events or transactions could be indicators that something may be wrong.
5.Singaporean report suspicions of malpractices, unethical, illegal or improper conduct.
6.Singaporean handle citizens resources responsibly and protect then from loss, damage, misuse and theft. Singaporean use citizens resources as if you were paying for them yourself.
7.Singaporean use electronic communications technology responsibly, lawfully and professionally.
8.Singaporean protect the security of any confedential, proprietary or privileged information of the citizens.
9.Singaporean confine your relationship with foreign customers, overseas suppliers and other business partners to an official basis to avoid allegation of favouritism/terrorism.
10.Singaporean treat all peoples you have official dealings with equally and fairly without fear or favour.
11.Singaporean avoid any situation involving a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between your personal interest and performance of your official duties. Singaporean should at the ealiest opportunity declare any information that may result in actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
12.Singaporean cooperate fully with whoever is conducting internal checks, reviews and fraud/ misconduct investigations.
13.Singaporean proactively consult your Member of Parliment if in doubt of the propriety of anything you wish to do.
FROM SINGAPOREAN (for citizens of Republic of Singapore ONLY)
SUCCESS THAT IS NOT ACHIEVED ETHICALLY IS NO SUCCESS AT ALL.
THE SUCCESS AND PEACE of Republic Of Singapore (ROS) is founded on the set of core values that each citizen is expected to connect with and apply in theirs day-to-day work and business.
In particular INTEGRITY and COURAGE , remind us Singaporeans that preserving an ethical workplace is critical to the country's long-term continuous survival and sustainability and success.
At Republic Of Singapore, we are united by strong real values and a commitment to do the right thing. Our citizens standing as an ethical nation is a critical asset that we are all responsible for protecting.
To ensure and be assured that we Singaporeans continue to enjoy public trust and confidence, we have comply a list of "Singaporeans Dos" and "Singaporeans Don'ts " to guide ourselves in the conduct of our duties and responsibilities. This list is not all inclusive to take into account all situations that may arise.
If any citizen is unsure of what to do in a particular situation, please, you are kindly invited, talk to your immediate Member of Parliament, head of Citizen Council De apartment, Singaporeans Resource Enhancement department, or any senior management staff member in the Executive Office.
"Singaporean Don'ts"
1. Singaporean don't solicit or receive bribes, gratuities, gifts, hospitality, expensive entertainment, incentives and other offers of goods or services of value to the extent that decision making or actions affecting the citizens might be influenced or compromised.
2. Singaporean don't accept any reward for doing anything which is your duty to do so.
3. Singaporean don't intentionally submit inaccurate or untruthful information where there is reason to believe that they contain evidence of a violation of regulations or policies.
4. Singaporean don't disclose any confidential, proprietary or privileged information on the citizen to anyone within or outside The Republic Of Singapore without prior Parliament written approval. The obligation to observe confidentiality continues even after you have ceased citizenship with The Republic Of Singapore.
5. Singaporean don't use confidential, proprietary or privileged information of the citizens for personal gains.
6. Singaporean don't trade on or tip off other material, non-public information relating to the citizens and its business.
7. Singaporean don't discuss sensitive information anywhere that other foreigners, non-citizens may hear, such as at lunch, on public transportation, or in lifts. Citizens on-line forum acceptable.
8. Singaporean don't engage in outside employment or any activity outside of work that is detrimental to the citizens' interest or where such work/activity is competitive or in conflict with the citizens' interest. Singaporean should report your outside employment to your Member of Parliament. Singaporean lives in sunlight, never in 'moonlighting' for success.SUCCESS THAT IS NOT ACHIEVED ETHICALLY IS NO SUCCESS AT ALL.
9. Singaporean don't use the citizens' owned electronic communications technology to:-
>Post, store, transmit, download or distribute any threatening, obscene, maliciously false materials that may violate any citizens laws.
>>Send chain letters, personal broadcast messages or citizens copyrighted materials that are not authorised for reproduction.
10. Singaporean don't install privately owned or pirated software in the citizens' Information Technology infrastructure and systems.
11. Singaporean don't trust our citizens freedom and liberty to govern ourselves into any individual, organization, or third party agendas/terror plans. Singaporeans future is in Singaporeans hands alone.Singaporean Safety Culture Sustaining One Healthy and Wealthy Singapore for Citizens.
http://theinnozablog.blogspot.com
We live in the Republic Of Singapore in a way which is a Unique way , not because we have to but because WE WANT TO , AND WITH LOVE FOR ALL CITIZENS. ALL REAL POLITIC MUST BEGIN WITH LOVE, anything less than that ,you can inmagine ...........................