Comments on: The Colony’s 2010-11 Budget

By: Observer

Observer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:29:24 +0000

Sadly Dr LeCarre’s claims are for the most part demonstrably false. Specifically:
1. Mostly true, although Singapore is close (and in my experience superior).
2. False even on the face of it – for instance, Singapore is lower. More importantly, Hemlock’s post explains what most people know already: HKG’s apparently low tax rates are a sham.
3. Dr LeCarre clearly has never used the internet in places like Korea, etc.
4. HKG is good in this respect, but probably not the best. For instance, compare the murder/violent crime rates in HKG with those of Switzerland or Singapore – and that is even before considering that a lot of triad/local organized crime never makes it into the official statistics on HKG.
5. Only true until one takes on a local interest group/connected person or seeks something that might upset Beijing…
6. True on the face of it, but clearly not so if one digs deeper: Hare-brained URA and infrastructure projects, rigged land auctions, dodgy securities regulations, government sanctioned private sector cartels, etc. clearly DO interfer with people’s lives.
7. Patently false. Most comparable consumer goods are significantly cheaper in other markets (e.g., electronics in US, luxury goods in Europe, most food products almost anywhere in Asia as well as in North America).

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:00:14 +0000

From the official enquiry on the “Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust”:

‘Patients were routinely neglected or left “sobbing and humiliated” by staff at an NHS trust where at least 400 deaths have been linked to appalling care.’

I very much doubt that HK hospitals are as bad as the NHS in the UK. If so, we’re in deep shit.

By: smog

smog — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:55:16 +0000

They’re pretty much on a par with the UK’s. I haven’t been in any other “western” country’s hospitals so that’s all I can judge them against.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:34:47 +0000

No, Hong Kong’s hospitals are good for Asia, but shit compared to the West.

By: Vile

Vile — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:14:51 +0000

We certainly have the most police and the safest streets, but the two do not not necessarily go hand-in-hand. Particularly when the police are on the streets (and blocking them).

By: Dr Doctor (Honorary)

Dr Doctor (Honorary) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:30:36 +0000

Well, well LeCarre, I always thought that your fiction contained half-truths of the highest order. So, with 50% in mind, I’ll score you three and a half out of seven: I’ll give you your #1, #4 and #5; with #3 shared by Singapore.

By: Dr LeCarre

Dr LeCarre — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:08:34 +0000

Isolmoliu..how right you are.

Sadly the brave Hemlock of old is now a reactionary disiniformaton and propaganda merchant for the Enron of Asia/MI6/the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the US State Department.

Take your pick.

The truth is that Hong Kong people:

1. Have the best hospitals and the shortest waiting lists in the world.

2. The lowest Taxation.

3. The best and cheapest Public Transport and Internet Access.

4. The most Police and the Safest Streets.

5. The best Access to Justice through the Tribunals.

6. The least interference into their lives by Government agencies.

7. The most affordable Consumer Goods.

And so on and so forth.

He likes to stir it up but when you follow the money, it all falls into place.

By: 2010 Hong Kong Budget - Page 5 - Hong Kong GeoExpat

2010 Hong Kong Budget - Page 5 - Hong Kong GeoExpat — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:18:45 +0000

[...] Hemlock has a summary already. [...]

By: isomoliu

isomoliu — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:02:33 +0000

Hemlock’s accepting sponsors! What’s next???

By: longtimenosee

longtimenosee — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:06:36 +0000

Agreed.
Once you are paid up home owner, life in HK can be grand.
It’s almost an optional tax in that sense…
Put the rest in stocks (for example), and enjoy tax free dividends.
Lovely.