Uniquely Singaporean Economic Theorizing

Following my 2 previous posts on why money should be given to Singaporeans for consumption an interesting rebuttal took place.

The gist of that rebuttal over a period of 3 days basically stated that money in the hands of Singaporeans would basically end up flowing out of the country. Hence, money should be given to businesses instead.

Fast forward to today. We read of a hawker who is imploring the authorities to allow them to hire foreigners since the locals apparently consider such jobs way too far beneath their social status / work abilities & likes/dislikes.

Soooo ...... if money is given to businesses it stays in Singapore?

Let's count the ways:

1. Businesses look for lowest cost. Almost everything that a business buys these days, or just about anything in Singapore, is imported. Money flows out.

2. Businesses, again in the interest of lowering costs, are likely to try for foreign workers who command a lower salary with a lower amount of perks. And foreigners will spend more in Singapore then Singaporeans do? OK, I'll be fair and say 50/50 since they have to live here like Singaporeans do, eat here like Singaporeans do and purchase general living items like Singaporeans do. Though I expect that a lot of money gets repatriated back to their home countries - do we collect statistics on this? Perhaps its time to start. Net result. Same amount of money flows out of Singapore anyway no matter who it is given to.

Now if the Singapore government is able to make any darned car go beep while it is driving at no matter what speed, or any motor cycle no matter which part of a lane it is on I see no reason why money given to Singaporeans cannot be contained within our borders. Naturally it all ultimately flows out given that we import everything. Or does it?

Perhaps logic was never my strongest class in university.

Besides, the previously quoted report had funds MEANT exclusively to take Singaporean businesses OUTSIDE of Singapore. Does that mean money is staying in or coming in? I'm not sure. Its hard to understand English as it is used in politics is my opinion - if I'm allowed one.