I’ve visited Singapore a few times in recent years and been impressed with its 
  wealth and modernity. I was also quite aware of its world-leading programs in 
  mathematics education and naturally noted that one of the candidates for 
  president was Tony Tan, who has a Ph.D. in applied mathematics. Tan won the 
  very close election and joined the government of Prime Minister Lee Hsien 
  Loong, who also has a degree in mathematics.

Whoa ho, hold on there nigga. Is you seriously holding up Singapore, of all countries, as a shining example of flawless governance, to be emulated by other nations?

The same Singapore that Amnesty International says has the highest per capita capital punishment rate in the world? The same place that hangs people for drug possession? 133rd out of 175 in Reporters Without Borders "press freedom" index? The country where a quarter of the population is migrant workers, for whom, conviently, labor laws don't apply?

Man, you're right! Sign me up for some Singapore-style government! Sounds great!