Try COE-style bidding for productivity boost

The Straits Times; Published on Dec 07, 2012
FOREIGN LABOUR
Try COE-style bidding for productivity boost
THE current system of a fixed percentage quota with an algorithm of escalating tax levies does not promote competition and the efficient use of scarce manpower ("Forum gathers public views on next year's Budget"; last Friday).

Talking point the vote: 'IS YOUR CPF ENOUGH?'

Appalled by clinic's charges

The Straits Times; Published on Dec 04, 2012
Appalled by clinic's charges
RECENTLY, I fell and suffered a small cut at the arch of my foot. The wound was promptly dressed, but there was still some bleeding the next day.

[Aug2010]: It's final - SMA's medical fee guidelines anti-competitive

It's final - SMA's medical fee guidelines anti-competitive
By Claire Huang | Posted: 19 August 2010 1323 hrs
 http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1075966/1/.html
SINGAPORE: The tussle between the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) and Competition Commission of Singapore on guidelines on doctors' fees has finally ended.
After an 18-month review, the Commission concluded that the Guidelines On Fees set by the SMA are anti-competitive.

No true democracy with US Electoral College system

The Straits Times, Published on Nov 06, 2012
No true democracy with US Electoral College system
TODAY'S presidential election in the United States raises the question of whether the country is really a democracy with the Electoral College system.
Does every vote count?

Regulating tightly 'not always feasible'

News: The Straits Times - 8 October 2012
Regulating tightly 'not always feasible'
by Elgin Toh
THE desire to regulate banks more tightly in the aftermath of the global financial crisis is understandable but not always practicable, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said last night.

Facebook comment confirms "deep fault lines" in S'pore society: K Shanmugam

Facebook comment confirms "deep fault lines" in S'pore society: K Shanmugam
Updated 06:11 PM Oct 08, 2012
SINGAPORE - Ex-NTUC staff Amy Cheong's Facebook comments have confirmed that there are "deep fault lines" based on race/religion in Singapore society, said Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam today.

AGC seeks legal costs against resident in Hougang by-election case

AGC seeks legal costs against resident in Hougang by-election case
by Kimberly Spykerman Updated 10:11 PM Oct 08, 2012
SINGAPORE - The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) is seeking legal costs against Vellama Marie Muthu, the Hougang resident who sought to have the High Court declare that the Prime Minister does not have "unfettered discretion" over whether and when to call a by-election.
The AGC is represented by Senior Counsel David Cheong, while Madam Vellama is represented by Mr M Ravi.

Whose future is it anyway?

Whose future is it anyway? [alt link (original)]
By BRYAN R. LAWRENCE
The Washington Post
To fix Medicare and Social Security, look to Singapore
NEW YORK — Singapore's paternalistic government is unappealing to many Americans — media restrictions, one-party rule, harsh penalties for gum-chewing.
But Singapore's retirement system is a model of honesty and transparency compared with U.S. Medicare and Social Security.

Carrot Olympics, Singapore re-writes record for most money paid per medal.

Singapore tops world in Olympic gold medal cash payout
By Elizabeth Soh | Fit To Post Sports – Sun, Aug 5, 2012 7:46 PM SGT
Feng's bronze medal will earn her S$250,000 under the MAP scheme. (Reuters photo)
If there's a medal for the highest cash payout for winning an Olympic gold, Singapore would top the charts.
According to a story by broadcaster CNBC, it said Italy was the most generous with a S$225,000 (USD 182,400) payout for gold, followed by Russia with S$167,000.
France rounded up the top 3 with an S$80,000 payout.
In contrast, US gold medal winners only pocket $31,000 for gold, S$18,000 for silver and S$12,000 for bronze.

Cycling without rules - or protection - in Singapore

The Straits Times; Published on Aug 01, 2012
Cycling without rules - or protection - in Singapore 
THE column ("True kings of the road"; July 15) may reinforce the stereotype of unruly cyclist who obeys no road rules.

HOLDING EXTERNAL AUDITORS ACCOUNTABLE (2 letters)

The Straits Times; Published on Jul 23, 2012
HOLDING EXTERNAL AUDITORS ACCOUNTABLE
Action will be taken if...
MR YEOW Hwee Ming asked if external auditors are taken to task in investigations into fraud or financial malfeasance ('Fraud: Hold external auditors accountable'; last Thursday).

Without discretion, can there be equity, justice in law?

Without discretion, can there be equity, justice in law?
Updated 08:44 AM Jun 27, 2012
From Dudley Au
I refer to the letter "Shore up judicial discretion in sentencing" (June 19). There are two considerations in evaluating the exercise of discretion. One is equity.

Shore up judicial discretion in sentencing

Shore up judicial discretion in sentencing
04:45 AM Jun 19, 2012; From Winston Chew Choon Teck
I support Member of Parliament Hri Kumar Nair's call, "Judges should have more flexibility: MP" (June 16), although the issue of sentencing is a complex one, involving various considerations.
While our judges have discretion in sentencing, this is circumscribed by existing precedents, guidelines and legal principles. A judge who fails to observe these would be in dereliction of his duties, with consequences to his career.

Judges should have more flexibility: MP

Judges should have more flexibility: MP
Allow option of suspending driving licences of those who get others to take the rap for traffic offences, says Hri Kumar; Updated 04:45 AM Jun 16, 2012
by Teo Xuanwei
SINGAPORE - Admitting he was "surprised" by the S$1,000 fine imposed on well-known plastic surgeon Woffles Wu, Member of Parliament Hri Kumar Nair has argued for "more flexibility in sentencing so that the punishment truly fits the crime".

USD/Euro 'Rating downgrade - beginning of the end, hyperinflation next'

USD/Euro 'Rating downgrade - beginning of the end, hyperinflation next' [alt link]

- comments?

[CPF Min Sum] Govt can't have it both ways

The Straits Times, Published on Jun 23, 2012
CALIBRATING INFLATION FOR CPF MINIMUM SUM
Govt can't have it both ways 
IT IS difficult to understand how the Ministry of Manpower's reply ('Increase doesn't fully reflect total inflation'; June 15) addresses the point made by Mr Young Pak Nang ('CPF Minimum Sum should reflect 'true' inflation'; June 8).

[CPF] Increase doesn't fully reflect total inflation

The Straits Times, Published on Jun 15, 2012
CPF MINIMUM SUM
Increase doesn't fully reflect total inflation
MR YOUNG Pak Nang inquired about the use of the headline consumer price index inflation rate to adjust the Central Provident Fund Minimum Sum ('CPF Minimum Sum should reflect 'true' inflation'; last Friday).
As he noted, increases in imputed housing rentals on owner-occupied homes and certificate of entitlement prices for private cars contributed to higher-than-normal headline consumer price index inflation last year.
For the majority of retirees, these are not items that would lead to increased cash expenditures.

CPF Minimum Sum should reflect 'true' inflation

The Straits Times, Published on Jun 8, 2012
 CPF Minimum Sum should reflect 'true' inflation
 THE report ('CPF Minimum Sum to be raised'; May 31) stated that the Government has decided to raise the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Minimum Sum from $131,000 to $139,000 from July, instead of $143,000.

Victim wins civil suit against Ionescu

Victim wins civil suit against Ionescu
Mr Bong has sought more than $630k in damages. The default judgment was given to Ionescu, but the amount of damages to be paid will be decided later. -TNP
Sat, Aug 21, 2010; The New Paper
A VICTIM allegedly knocked down by Romanian Silviu Ionescu has won the first civil suit filed against the former diplomat.
The High Court, in a default judgment on Aug 12, ruled that Ionescu pay Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, for damages, said court papers.

[Video] Mr Horsey goes to see its dentist...

[Video] Mr Horsey goes to see its dentist...

Singapore's growth expected to slow in next decade

Singapore's growth expected to slow in next decade
08 June 2012 2246 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE: Singapore's economy will experience growth slower than in the last 10 years.
This, against the backdrop of a more developed economy, internal resources constraints and fierce competition from the region.

Ruben Wang's 5 min summary on the Eurozone Financial crisis- what do U think?

The Eurozone crisis in 5 minutes: By A Singaporean Cynic, dated approx late May2012
The following is a salvaged cache version (previously posted at personal [blog] but now unavailable, see reasons @ bottom).

Blind Men and the Elephant – A Picture of Relativism and Tolerance

[YouTube]

Blind Men and the Elephant – A Picture of Relativism and Tolerance
The Blind Men and the Elephant is a famous Indian fable that tells the story of six blind sojourners that come across different parts of an elephant in their life journeys. In turn, each blind man creates his own version of reality from that limited experience and perspective. In philosophy departments throughout the world, the Blind Men and the Elephant has become the poster child for moral relativism and religious tolerance.
Blind Men and the Elephant – A Poem by John Godfrey Saxe
Here is John Godfrey Saxe’s (1816-1887) version of Blind Men and the Elephant: 

Is religion a mental illness?

The following essay titled 'Is Religion a Mental Illness' was written by crimsontactics (22Feb2012)  and is re-posted here for record purposes only. Kindly click [here] to the forum where it is discussed and discuss it there, Tks.

 Is religion a mental illness?

Firstly, just a short disclaimer. I'm not trying to insult or degrade any specific racial or religious group or religion as a whole. Just as it's their rights to believe in and promote their chosen divine entitles or beliefs, I feel that it's my rights to be able to believe in my own opinions and to at least share my views. I'm Catholic btw, although I'm starting to doubt my own faith.

Free legal clinic not linked to by-election

The Straits Times; Published on May 15, 2012
Free legal clinic not linked to by-election

Use interest rates to control inflation

The Straits Times; Published on Apr 14, 2012
Use interest rates to control inflation 
LIKE Hong Kong, Singapore has been battling high inflation and rising real estate prices with limited success ('Singdollar tipped to rise further'; Thursday).

Megachurch goers 'less likely to exercise moral influence publicly': Survey

Megachurch goers 'less likely to exercise moral influence publicly': Survey
ISEAS study examined attitudes on various issues among Christians who attend different types of churches
Updated 02:49 PM Apr 17, 2012; by Syed Amir Hussain
SINGAPORE - A survey of church-going Protestants by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) has found that those who attend megachurches were, among other things, "less likely to view the moral character of public policy in Singapore with concern" compared to other church goers. They are also less likely to publicly support "intervening in public policy matters" in comparison.

Perpetual securities not the same as perpetual bonds

The Straits Times; Published on Apr 16, 2012
Perpetual securities not the same as perpetual bonds
THERE are major differences between perpetual capital securities and perpetual bonds, and these terms should not be used interchangeably ('Genting S'pore reaches out to retail investors', last Tuesday; and 'Genting may be a sure bet but know risks of perpetual bonds', last Wednesday).

'Customers who still prefer ATM cards can visit any branch to replace their debit cards.'

The Straits Times; Published on Apr 14, 2012
Bank's reply
'Customers who still prefer ATM cards can visit any branch to replace their debit cards.'
MS OOI HUEY TYNG, Senior Vice-President & Head, Unsecured Lending & Cards, Consumer Banking Group (Singapore), DBS Bank: 'We thank Mr Chia Chee Keong ('DBS debit card'; Monday) for his feedback.

Finance Ministry can borrow S$170b more

Finance Ministry can borrow S$170b more
by CHANNEL NEWSASIA
04:46 AM Apr 10, 2012
Parliament has authorised the Ministry of Finance to borrow a further S$170 billion, raising the ceiling for issuing government securities to S$490 billion.

KH 30, 60, 100 n othrs.

Vellama d/o Marie Muthu v Attorney-General [2012] SGHC 74

Vellama d/o Marie Muthu v Attorney-General [2012] SGHC 74
High Court — Originating Summons No 196 of 2012
Philip Pillai J 30 March 2012; 3 April 2012
Administrative Law — Judicial Review — Leave Application under O 53 of the Rules of Court; 09 April 2012; Philip Pillai J:

There should be a rule prohibiting banks from issuing cards that customers do not nee

The Straits Times; Published on Apr 9, 2012
DBS debit card
'There should be a rule prohibiting banks from issuing cards that customers do not need.'
MR CHIA CHEE KEONG: 'After the recent ATM security breach, DBS Bank sent me a new ATM debit card instead of an ordinary ATM card, claiming the former had more security features. The terms and conditions seemed to imply that the bank had the right to impose charges in the future. I do not need a debit card but was forced to use it because the bank required my original card to be replaced.

PAP has to engage a lot more, says Tharman

PAP has to engage a lot more, says Tharman
04:46 AM Apr 05, 2012
by Tan Weizhen
SINGAPORE - The People's Action Party (PAP) in the past had been too "in-your-face" and had taken its incumbency "for granted", Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said yesterday. And while the PAP will evolve, it is also a question of how Singaporeans evolve in their political thinking.
Mr Tharman made this point during a question-and-answer session at the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum - attended by about 200 undergraduates - held at the National University of Singapore.

67 questions, 5 Bills when Parliament sits on Monday

67 questions, 5 Bills when Parliament sits on Monday
04:45 AM Apr 06, 2012
SINGAPORE - Parliament will sit on Monday to debate issues on housing, public transport and education, as well as five Bills.

Peektures archive

[BBC2 website][YouTube: Americans pissed off at big government (01Nov10)]

Foreign worker levies to increase, says MOM

Foreign worker levies to increase, says MOM
By Saifulbahri Ismail, S Ramesh | Posted: 21 February 2011 1654 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is sending a strong signal to businesses to invest in productivity changes and reduce their reliance on low-skilled foreign workers.

My point: Maid levy

The Straits Times; Published on Mar 21, 2012
My point: Maid levy
'Only women are eligible to claim tax relief. This is unfair and discriminates against divorced fathers.'
MR ALEX BAY: 'I am divorced and my children live with me. In my situation, a maid is an essential help as we do not have any other family member living with us. But when I checked with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, I was told only women are eligible to claim tax relief for the maid levy. This is unfair and discriminates against divorced fathers like me. The Government should review the eligibility of this relief to be fair to all working parents who are caring for their children.'

Bank shouldn't be so blase about releasing personal details

The Straits Times; Published on Mar 21, 2012
Bank shouldn't be so blase about releasing personal details
MY MOTHER received a call last week from an agent claiming to represent insurer Aviva who told her that DBS Bank had furnished Aviva with her personal details such as her account and identity card numbers and address.

Inflation data

[Source]

Protect CPF savings from inflation

The Straits Times; Published on Mar 8, 2012
Protect CPF savings from inflation
TO ENSURE the adequacy of retirement funds, Central Provident Fund (CPF) members should consider their 'real' returns on CPF savings, after subtracting inflation, which reduces future purchasing power ('CPF Life: Wouldn't the monthly payout be eroded by inflation?' by Mr Christopher Teng; yesterday).
The Minimum Sum is adjusted for inflation, yet the Ordinary Account (OA) and Special Account (SA) 'nominal' interest rates are not; and neither, it seems, are the CPF Life payouts, which thus create significant exposure to inflation.

CPF Life: 'Wouldn't the monthly payout be eroded by inflation?'

The Straits Times; Published on Mar 7, 2012
My point
CPF Life: 'Wouldn't the monthly payout be eroded by inflation?'
MR CHRISTOPHER TENG: 'It is good that the CPF Life scheme has been simplified ('CPF Life plans to be simplified from 4 to 2'; yesterday).

CPF Life scheme to be simplified from 4 to 2 options

The Straits Times; Published on Mar 5, 2012
THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, CPF
CPF Life scheme to be simplified from 4 to 2 options
By Tessa Wong
The CPF Life annuity scheme, which provides retirees with a lifelong monthly payout, will be simplified to make it easier for Central Provident Fund (CPF) members to choose what scheme they want.

July 13, 2005: Mrs Goh: I've full trust in NKF and its CEO

Source: [link]

STI Home > Singapore > Story > Print
>> Back to the article

July 13, 2005: 
Mrs Goh: I've full trust in NKF and its CEO THE NKF's patron, Mrs Goh Chok Tong, told reporters at the close of the case that she had complete trust in the organisation and its chief executive, Mr T.T. Durai.
She had come to court on both days of the hearing and sat on the NKF side. Yesterday, she was there for part of the morning and again in the afternoon.

MediShield premiums could rise, Health Minister says

MediShield premiums could rise, Health Minister says
Updated 02:29 PM Mar 07, 2012
SINGAPORE - Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said MediShield premiums are due for an increase soon.
Mr Gan, speaking in Parliament at the Committee of Supply debates today, said the premiums "need to be adequate to sustain MediShield members' claims and to fund future liabilities under the scheme".

New ways to raise revenue needed, says DPM Tharman

New ways to raise revenue needed, says DPM Tharman
04:46 AM Mar 02, 2012
by Neo Chai Chin
SINGAPORE - As the Government ramps up healthcare spending, keeps up social mobility and gives a leg-up to society's lowest wage earners, it will also need to find new ways of raising revenue after 2016, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam yesterday as he wrapped up the three-day Budget debate.
Even as he affirmed a judicious spending approach to avoid a heavy tax burden on middle-income earners, he rolled out examples to illustrate how the Government has addressed inequality, while promising to look into suggestions raised by Members of Parliament.

Rogue lawyer's victims recover 60% of losses

Rogue lawyer's victims recover 60% of losses
Source: Straits Times; Date: 06 Mar 2012; Author: K C Vijayan

Ex-CNB, SCDF chiefs' cases addressed in Parliament

Ex-CNB, SCDF chiefs' cases addressed in Parliament
14 February 2012 1541 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE: Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has stressed that any wrongdoing by public service officers will be dealt with, even if it "causes embarrassment to the government".

Foo Mee Ha, Picts

Some picts:

Moving is a family decision

Business @ AsiaOne
Moving is a family decision
Grace Ng on moving around the world her family while working overseas.
Grace Ng; Wed, Sep 10, 2008; The Straits Times; By Grace Ng
While many of the Singaporeans posted overseas are male, a growing number of female executives are jetting off too.
Ms Foo Mee Har, 42, who is currently the global head of priority clients at Standard Chartered Bank, is one prime example.

[YouTube]: Workers' Party Expels Yaw Shin Leong

[source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHal1akRbqo]

Excluding housing cost distorts capturing actual inflation rate

The Straits Times, Published on Feb 15, 2012
Excluding housing cost distorts capturing actual inflation rate
I COULD not agree more with Mr Adam Le Mesurier that as a country, we should include the cost of housing in arriving at our cost of inflation ('CPI, inflation and the elephant in the room'; Monday).
Singapore appears to be the rare country that excludes housing in the 'basket of goods' used to determine inflationary cost.

CPI, inflation and the elephant in the room

The Straits Times, Published on Feb 13, 2012
HOUSING COSTS
CPI, inflation and the elephant in the room
THE Ministry of Trade and Industry's reply ('Consumer price index: MTI rebuts ST commentary'; last Thursday) to Mr Aaron Low's commentary ('The dollars and sense of inflation'; Feb 1) prompts an important broader debate about how to measure 'real' inflation in Singapore.

Consumer price index: MTI rebuts ST commentary

The Straits Times, Published on Feb 9, 2012
Consumer price index: MTI rebuts ST commentary
MR AARON Low ('The dollars and sense of inflation'; Feb 1) implied that the recent consumer price index (CPI) report, with its new indicator, did not provide a full picture of the impact of price increases on the low-income group. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) would like to clarify four points.
First, he had assumed that housing rents paid by the low-income group for subsidised housing were excluded from the recently released indicator - 'CPI less imputed rentals on owner-occupied accommodation'. On the contrary, housing rents are in fact captured in the new indicator under the component 'rented accommodation'.

The dollars and sense of inflation

The dollars and sense of inflation
Source: The Straits Times© Singapore Press Holdings Limited.
Author: Aaron Low; 01Feb2012
IF THE latest report card on inflation in Singapore could be summed up in one word, it would simply be this: confusing.

Patient reminded to use call bell if he needed help

The Straits Times; Published on Feb 8, 2012
Patient reminded to use call bell if he needed help
WE EMPATHISE with the condition of Ms Ivy Teo's father and the stress it creates for the family.
Her father has a history of multiple strokes. He was admitted to a ward with a designated 'high fall-risk' cubicle following an acute stroke.
There, our nurses keep vigil and provide frequent assistance to patients when they wish to move around, and render aid promptly whenever alarm devices such as the call bell are activated.
During his stay, Mr Teo had consistently demonstrated the ability to call for nurses' assistance via the call bell at his bedside.

Patient falls after wife's request goes unheeded

[pict source]

The Straits Times; Published on Feb 8, 2012
Patient falls after wife's request goes unheeded
MY 74-YEAR-OLD father was admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital after suffering an acute stroke last October. While he needed help to walk to the toilet, he could sit and eat by himself. However, he was placed in a 'high fall-risk' cubicle.

Cheaper, Better, Faster - MrBrown Show Production

[link]

Cheaper, Better, Faster - MrBrown Show Production
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYJX-v4FdCs

Greece, creditors struggle to avoid costly default

Greece, creditors struggle to avoid costly default
01:45 PM Jan 18, 2012
ATHENS - Greece goes head to head with its creditors today in a renewed attempt to break a deadlock in negotiations to slash the country's debt and stave off default.
International private sector creditors represented by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) are set to meet the government in the afternoon. Talks broke down on Friday over the interest rate Greece will offer on new bonds and a plan to enforce investor losses.

Bus hubs currently the priority and good progress made: Josephine Teo

Bus hubs currently the priority and good progress made: Josephine Teo
04:45 AM Jan 18, 2012
by Sumita Sreedharan
SINGAPORE - Bus speeds have decreased slightly because of an increase in ridership, Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo revealed in Parliament yesterday.

Subject: HYPERINFLATION IN ZIMBABWE..

Subject: HYPERINFLATION IN ZIMBABWE.. [pls click for source URL]
In this world, everybody is rushing and chasing for the money.... Some people fighting and killing each others just because of money... In Zimbabwe , all the peoples having a lot of money but they're poor.... WHY ??

500 million note, just printed in May 2008.....everybody can have it....maybe just nice for 1 breakfast/lunch (equal to about USD 2)

[TDY]: KY Gan: Ministerial Salaries NOT a matter of conscience.

KY Gan: Ministerial Salaries NOT a matter of conscience.
==========
 Whip to be in place for ministerial salaries debate
04:47 AM Jan 12, 2012
by Neo Chai Chin
SINGAPORE - The whip will be in place when Parliament debates a new formula for ministerial salaries on Monday, said Government Whip Gan Kim Yong in response to a query from Today.
"There is no intention to lift the whip. We would only do so if the subject is a matter of conscience," he wrote in an emailed reply yesterday.

Multi-property owner speaks up

The Straits Times, Published on Jan 5, 2012
Multi-property owner speaks up
I AM put off by the latest round of cooling measures ('Property curbs could hurt economy: Redas'; Dec 28).
I am a Singaporean and own three private properties. I studied hard. I work hard. I employ Singaporeans and contribute to the economy. I pay annual taxes that amount to what some earn in a year.

Property curbs could hurt economy: Redas

The Straits Times, Published on Dec 28, 2011
Property curbs could hurt economy: Redas
Volumes, prices will be hit, but economists say dose of medicine needed
By Esther Teo, PROPERTY REPORTER & Cheryl Lim

Greece: Clinch bailout or face euro exit

Greece: Clinch bailout or face euro exit
12:18 AM Jan 04, 2012
ATHENS - Greece will have to leave the euro zone if it fails to clinch a deal on a second, €130 billion (S$217.8 billion) bailout with its international lenders, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.
It was an unusually public stark warning from the embattled country, aimed at shoring up domestic support for tough measures and possibly also at the lenders themselves.

Pariahs and prophets

Pariahs and prophets
Republican Ron Paul has emerged as a teller of important truths - and US needs a fearless crank to do so
04:46 AM Jan 03, 2012
by Ross Douthat
In 1984, after serving three terms in the House of Representatives, Ron Paul (picture) was defeated by Phil Gramm in the Texas Republican Senate primary. Paul left Congress, and a few years later he left the Republican Party entirely to run for President on the Libertarian line. In the 1988 election, after a campaign that Texas Monthly compared to something "out of Robert Altman's movie Nashville", he took home just 0.47 per cent of the popular vote.