The polls are open in Singapore for their general election.  And it is shaping up as the most interesting one in many, many years.  Since 2006 political opposition has grown significantly, and young people are turning away from the tired pap of PAP.

For those interested, Singapore Election Watch is one of the best places to keep an eye on how the opposition fares.  And I have always like Yawning Bread.  Indeed, Au Waipang, author of Yawning Bread has a good analysis of the various opposition parties and personalities, and gives us this general view:

In essence, the choice before voters is that between a small world and a bigger one.

The larger party, the PAP, offers a small world. It promises more of the known — present policies and directions, the known way of doing things. There is the comfort of the familiar, even if it’s that of familiar abuse, though George Yeo, fighting desperately for re-election in Aljunied GRC, has suggested that going forward, the PAP will be a softer, more amenable party (Note, however, that no other PAP leader has endorsed the same hope). It also offers precinct-level carrots, appealing to self-interest and materialistic desire.

The smaller parties offer a bigger world. Like embarking on any adventure, it can feel scary. But they speak of the longer term, of systemic risk and the possibility of systemic failure. They speak of rethinking old models, of re-considering the present obsession with putting more and more money into the national piggy-bank (a.k.a national reserves). They appeal to the bigger sense of self, asking voters to look beyond personal gain to the lives of others, particularly those less fortunate than ourselves.

That is what your vote will be about: Between little “me” and a higher, bigger, braver and more noble “us” .

I think this is just right, which should come as no surprise, given my history with the PAP.  I do hope Singaporeans share Au's view and vote "big," for the "braver more noble" Singapore.  That would go a long way in refuting the faux-Confucian Legalism of the Lee clan. 

Here's a taste of the opposition, Lee Li Lian of the Worker's Party: