Tax raises never popular, but right thing to do for sound stewardship of S'pore's finances: Lawrence Wong

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Note the idea that unpopular policies by the state should be subjected to open debate by the public so that the public can be convinced it is the right decision, esp those that are hard to swallow like the GST hikes.

Open debate allows the relevant stakeholders to come in to air their concerns and alternative options and for the state to come in to address them and explain why alternatives are not viable...This would avoid a draconian, authoritarian stance where we are just forced to accept whatever's decided by the state...some very logical rebuttals offered by the minister in response to the alternatives suggested....

Qn: 1. How far, in your society, should unpopular views be open to discussion? (Cam. 2013)