No political drama, but no money politics either

Watching the high drama unfolding in the US presidential elections, we sometimes lament the lack of such action in Singapore.

The excitement and fulfillment of 'the democratic process'--having candidates with opposing viewpoints fervently debating issues that affect our everyday lives; being able to speak your own mind; being able to read competing newspapers with different takes; and, perhaps most importantly, of actually having a choice--is missing in Singapore. We do not enjoy such things.

However, there is one thing about American politics that we don't like: the whole campaign financing model, and how rich lobbies and corporations and individuals can have undue influence due to their deep pockets. In short, money politics. Many countries are bedevilled by this. Thankfully, as far as we know, Singapore is not.

Our dear prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, articulated this briliantly in a recent interview :
(the whole interview is worth reading)

"Political advertisements cost a lot of money, including production, buying airtime on TV or print advertisements.

Singapore politics will turn bad if political campaigning costs a lot of money.

From a narrow perspective, if political parties have to produce advertisements, the PAP will have an edge because we have the resources to do so.

However, from a broader, national perspective, it is not a good thing. This is because many people will be willing to donate money to parties that need money, but political donations are never unconditional.

You win the election and after you come into power, the donors will politely 'seek payment for debts'. What do you do for such debts of gratitude?

In developing countries, this often turns into a problem of corruption. In the United States, it is not called money politics, but campaign financing.

(John) McCain has adopted a clear stand on reforms on this problem, but he still has to campaign. He has no choice as the system is such that he has to raise funds for political advertisements.

I do not hope for Singapore to go this way."