It seems that the key word in this day and age is money.

Not enough babies? Throw in some money.
Not enough talent? Let's increase the pay.
Caught littering? Pay your fine.

On the not-so-recent pay hike..If we were run like a company and our leader were the ceo, our people would be the shareholders or employees. That is an analogy often used by the best brains receiving top pay. Logically, that should mean that in any time of crisis, we should pack and go..leave for greener pastures, seek a better venture. And yet, They also mention the 'quitters', and the 'stayers'; the need for loyalty, compassion and comradeship. How such contradicting ideas of what my country means came about, I really don't know. Each idea was put forth by two different leaders, each in his landmark speech. And, if we were really merely a company with an annual profit to show for, the top dollars should go to the one who deserves it the most - regardless of whether he is Sporean. Shouldn't it? While there is a sure need for reasonable pay, whoever said that all who enter the ruling party will definitely be earning top dollars in their fields? Surely it will make more sense to compensate them for their loss in pay after having crossed over to politics, rather than peg the pay of all ministers to the top-earners of spore. Such a scheme only cheapens and demeans the meaning of public service, and serves only the purposes of those who thought it up.