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Economic and baby blues will probably dominate this year's National Day Rally on Sunday, say MPs and political analysts.
They expect Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to describe the impact on Singaporeans of the economic slowdown and what will be done to help them cope, especially the poor.
They also anticipate a new package of procreation policies to add impetus to the 20-year struggle to boost the birth rate.
Other issues they see PM Lee tackling are: why the introduction of more Electronic Road Pricing gantries and higher ERP charges; and possible changes to the political system to meet people's desire for more opposition voices in Parliament.
However, the most pressing concern is the economy's health. It has taken a turn for the worse as the global economy is stricken by high food and fuel prices and the fallout from the US housing crisis.
So, what people want to hear from PM Lee is how badly the economy has been hit and how Singapore will survive the slowdown, said MP Halimah Yacob.
'Also, people want some assurance that something is being done to manage the situation although they also understand that the problems are due to external forces like the sub-prime crisis in the US,' she added.
Their worry has become more urgent since the Government lowered this year's growth forecast this week to 4-5 per cent, from 4-6 per cent.
The Rally, PM Lee's fifth, is traditionally seen as the most important political speech of the year that seeks to highlight the state of the nation. It would serve as a good platform for him to set out what will be done economically to help Singaporeans, said Professor Bilveer Singh from the National University of Singapore.
Dr Kenneth Paul Tan from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy agreed: 'He will attempt to reassure Singaporeans that no matter what happens, the Government will do its best to ensure the least-advantaged will not be deprived of at least a reasonable standard of living.'
Singaporeans have been hit hard by inflation that has risen to 7.5 per cent, a 26-year high. MP Zaqy Mohamad does not rule out the announcement of short-term measures to help people cope with the hard times.
MP Inderjit Singh hopes PM Lee will explain the need for more ERP gantries and higher ERP rates at a time when people are burdened by higher living costs.
'It's also an emotional issue. The general feedback I've received is that the Government could have been more compassionate in the light of the current situation.'
Last month, ERP rates went up by as much as $2 and more gantries were added, which Chinatown businesses are blaming for their slower sales.
Recent news reports on promoting procreation have convinced Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong 'the ground is being prepared for significant new initiatives'.
Greater child care subsidies to paternity leave are on the cards, they predict, to raise the fertility rate beyond 1.29.
One 'wild card' topic that could pop up is a tweaking of the political system. Said law lecturer Eugene Tan: 'I don't expect major announcements...although we can expect hints of how the Government intends to meet Singaporeans' desire for alternative voices in Parliament.'
For instance, the Government may expand the Non-Constituency MP scheme, which lets the highest-scoring losers in a General Election enter Parliament.
Currently, there is only the Workers' Party's Sylvia Lim.
With the Olympics now on in Beijing, political watchers such as Dr Tan and Mr Eugene Tan also expect the Prime Minister to laud the efforts of China-born athletes such as Tao Li and Li Jiawei.
'It will provide a nice backdrop for PM Lee to drive home the point that we need foreign talent and the positives that come from a population being constantly topped up,' said Mr Tan.
