But, like most things. Its a mirage. There is no freedom of speech, no right of assemble, no freedom of the press, private land property is limited, you can't blame other religions nor talk bad about them, no gun rights, etc etc. Its a gop/libertarian paradise in many ways. The companies import brains and import cheap foreign labor to handle the hard work.
The kids are certainly world beaters up to college, then they fade away to the rat race that Singapore is. The culture there produces conformity, docility, and submission, the rebels get beaten down. They will never produce a Donald Trump or persons who standout in the world. For all the discomfort and hate in America, we happen to raise kids who go out and create interesting things and ideas.
I’m curious... While you were living there did you feel repressed? Did you feel like you were walking on eggshells and had to watch every move and everything you said or wrote?
Did you feel like all you got was state propaganda? Could you discuss whatever you wanted with your friends without feeling like someone was eavesdropping?