G’day & Kia ora!
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Writers from New Zealand’s progressive and leftwing blogs coming together to give you their views; their insights; and their analysis as to whats happening in our country.
The Roll-call thus far;
Allan Alach
Martyn ‘Bomber’ Bradbury
Sue Bradford (former Green MP)
Burnt out Teacher
Wayne Butson
Charles Chauvel (former Labour MP)
Efeso Collins
James Macbeth Dann
Life on Wheels with Latifa Daud (on disability issues)
Marama Davidson
Julie Fairey (Local City councillor)
Chris Flatt
Phoebe Fletcher
Morgan Godfery
Steve Grey
Aaron Hawkins
Dr Wayne Hope
Penny Hulse (Deputy Mayor of the Auckland)
Professor Jane Kelsey
Dianne Khan
The Jackal
The Liberal Agenda
Keith Locke (former Green MP)
Frank Macskasy
Matt McCarten
Selwyn Manning
Mika
John Minto
Stuart Nash (former Labour MP)
Lynn Prentice
Queen of Thorns
Gareth Renowden
James Ritchie
Matt Robson (former Alliance MP)
Tim Selwyn
David Slack
Harmeet Sooden
Coley Tangerina
Michael Timmins
Chris Trotter
Robert Winter
This is a major quantum leap in blogging in New Zealand!
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>>> click here to go to The Daily Blog! <<<
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Blogged stories on Frankly Speaking & The Daily Blog…
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2013 Job losses
An on-going talley of redundancies this year.
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Budget 2013: Child poverty, food in schools, and National’s response
National has a problem with any up-coming Food in Schools programme that we’ve totally missed…
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The GCSB law – vague or crystal clear?
On the GCSB reoport by Paul Neazor…
Every comment on Neazor’s report emanates from the GCSB itself.
At no point was there any commentary from Neazor himself, and nor is his report publicly available. The Dominion Post’s statement that “the Inspector-General is of the view…” is not supported by any facts or evidence that I can see.
Effectively, Neazor has been gagged.
Only John Key and GCSB Director Ian Fletcher are issuing statements – a politician and a spy boss hired by the same politician.
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Budget 2013: petrol taxes
So National is the “low tax” party, right?
Right?
*bzzzzt!*
Wrong answer!
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Budget 2013: Student debt, politicians, and “social contracts”
If National’s aim was to force New Zealanders to stay overseas and never return, it’s a fantastically clever plan. No one in their right mind would come back to New Zealand if they faced a risk of arrest.
Even conservative media have jumped into the fray with this anonymously written editorial in today’s (20 May) Dominion Post,
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Budget 2013: State Housing and the War on Poor
Social housing – as the name ‘social‘ implies – is where those on the lower socio-economic scale (ie, the poor) can create communities; offer mutual support; perhaps grow food for themselves in their backyards; and where children can put down roots and attend their local school on a steady, uninterupted basis.
The last thing we need now is those on low incomes (or vulnerable in other ways) being evicted from their state homes and forced into a life of transience – or trapped in high-cost rental accomodation, leaving little aside for food, medicines, clothing, etc.
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Budget 2013: Radio NZ and politicians
At a time when state sector workers have received little or no pay increases, perhaps one of the worst cases of worker exploitation is at Radio New Zealand.
This year, yet again, there was no provision in this Budget to give a pay rise to Radio NZ staff. Not one cent.
In fact, Radio NZ staff have not recieved a pay increase since 2009
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Budget 2013: Suffer the little children… to starve
With 275,000 children living in poverty, John Key and Bill English could not come up with any initiatives to combat this shameful problem…
…Key’s response was that feeding children was an important issue but was also “somewhat the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff“.
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Solid Energy – A solid drama of facts, fibs, and fall-guys
To allow a billion dollar SOE to crash and burn; run into the ground; and now facing bankruptcy suggests to me that Key, English, Ryall, Brownlee, Joyce, Collins could not run a corner Dairy without getting into financial trouble… Perhaps, as a test, those voters who are disbelieving should keep voting National?
Let’s see what other SOE will collapse on their watch, eh?
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Budget 2013: How NOT to deal with Student loan defaulters
In my parent’s home nation in Eastern Europe, during the era of the Soviet Bloc, the citizens of Poland, East Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovalia, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania, and Albania were denied the right to travel freely to the West. (Mainly because 90% would not have returned.)
In 2013, National announced plans to adopt similar extreme measures. Powers of hindrance and arrest are to be issued to our Border security. Travel will be curtailed for a few….
What else has our “democracy-loving” National government been up to?
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The NZ Taliban – quietly safeguarding our morals
A Whangarei couple who own a motel don’t want a lesbian couple sleeping together in the same room. The motelliers don’t want any hanky-pany going on… like sodomy. Sodomy? By a lesbian couple?! Hmmm, what’s wrong with that picture?
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John Key on Aaron Gilmore
What did Key say about Aaron Gilmore. (Warning: contain stomach turning comments.)
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Can we afford to have “a chat on food in schools”?
A recent UNICEF report placed New Zealand amongst the worst in developed countries for child wellbeing, ranking us 25th out of 34 developed countries. We are now behind Australia and Britain also for homicide rates, child health, and safety.
Is this something to be proud of?
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An Occupation to remind the Government…
Since the anti-asset sales march on 27 April , a new occupation has been set up at the foot of Wellington Cenotaph, at the intersection of Lambton Quay and Bowen St.
A much more low-key event than the occupation of Wellington’s Civic Square in January 2012, the occupiers number only a few, with two tents, and signage;
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But will he remember this helicopter flight in one year’s time?
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The Politics of Power and a Very Clear Choice – Part Wha
I’m struck senseless that so many National supporters believe that siding with the likes of JB Were, Woodward Partners, Milford Asset Management, First NZ Capital, Devon Funds Management, Forsyth Barr, Business NZ, Federated Farmers, et al, will somehow gain them some kind of ‘benefit’.
And where does New Zealand First fit in?
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Booze-ups, brain-fades, and bullying
The mask slips and the true face of National is revealed…
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Blogger lays complaint with Commerce Commission – *UP-DATE*
A response from the Commerce Commission on my complaint, that National ministers were attempting to manipulate the share price of Mighty River Power, by offering a short-term subsidy to Rio Tinto…
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Peter Mazany: We don’t Need No Edukashun!
From the NZ Herald, on 26 April, Peter Mazany makes his case for running a Charter School;
* no tertiary-level qualifications need,
* assembly line education for our children,
* and plenty of profit.
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Karl Du Fresne has a public baby waa-waa cry-session – part rua
If Ministers like Bennett, Ket, et al, – whose salaries are paid by taxpayers – do not have the courage of their convictions to appear on TV, radio, or other media to explain their policies – then they are not worthy of our electoral support nor attention. They are a waste of space.
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Weekend Media Review – The Nation, Q+A, Marae Invesigates, and… The X Factor?!
Current affairs tv on Sunday morning, 28 April, offered a bit of a grab-bag, for the viewer. From the sublime to the wretched…
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27 April in Wellington – A Protest Against State Asset Theft
NZ, Wellington, 27 April – On a crisp, summery day, citizens of Wellington (and some from further afield), began to assemble at Te Aro (“Pigeon”) Park, in Manners Street, to send (another) message to National ministers: Aotearoa is not for sale!
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Colin Craig confirms he likes cartoons – Christianity is in safe hands
In what can only be seen as an own-foot-shooting, futile, other-foot-firmly-planted-in-mouth exercise, Colin Craig today sicced his legal rottweilers onto the satirical blog, The Civilian.
But remember what Mr Craig called New Zealand women, last year?
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The Politics of Power and a Very Clear Choice – Part Tahi
Even National ministers reluctantly concede that the electricity sector cannot work in an unregulated “freemarket” model, and is unable to deliver the ‘golden fruits’ of de-regulation and so-called competition.
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Not so sensible justice
I foresee the growth of a potential great evil, which will place incredible pressures on our judicial system and perhaps even undermine it.
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National’s disdain for our credulity
Aside from the fact that we are a Nuclear Free Nation – enshrined in law – what other “weapons of mass destruction” is Key referring to; chemical weapons? Bacteriological weapons? Super-Duper Hyper-Atomic Disintergrating Death Rays?!?!
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National’s disdain for taking responsibility
When things go horribly wrong – whether by accident or negligence – we expect mishaps to be investigated. If a mishap is due to the latter – someone stuffed up - we demand that those responsible be held to account.
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National’s disdain for democracy and dissent
This is bad law-making.
This is anti-democratic.
This is naked authoritarianism.
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National’s disdain for the law
So if John Key gets his way, and the GCSB is allowed to spy on New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, what’s next? (Because in a few year’s time, the government will want more power for XYZ reasons. Governments are never content with the powers they are given.)
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Mining, Drilling, Arresting, Imprisoning – Simon Bridges
If National ministers go ahead with this draconian law, I suspect our jails may soon be filling up with protesters. The ‘martyring’ of protesters is nothing new in this country.
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Marriage Equality Bill passes! First weddings due soon!
Extending full marriage equality to consenting adults regardless of gender and sexual orientation was something that had to pass. No society can call itself civilised when it deprives some people a right enjoyed by others. Injustice cannot be allowed to prevail if we are all to live freely.
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Horizon Polling on Criminalising sea-going protests
As the proposed amendment to the Crown Minerals Bill – which will criminalise sea-going protests – nears enactment, Horizon Research this week conducted a brief poll on the issue.
The questions – and this blogger’s answers – were as follows…
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Karl Du Fresne has a public baby waa-waa cry-session
The right wing, it would be fair to say, dislike the media…
Kark Du Fresne’s recent outpouring of grievance in Fairfax Media’s ‘Manawatu Standard’ made it plain and obvious to the reader that he has a problem with Radio NZ.
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The GCSB – when plain english simply won’t do.
Is the law regarding the GCSB really as vague as John “I Forget What Day It Is” Key sez it is?
Or is it simply a matter of who watches the Watchmen?
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When is ‘Nanny State’ not a ‘Nanny State’?
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The Fletcher Affair – a warning for Labour
This affair should serve as a warning for the next in-coming Labour-Green government. National’s administration is a text-book case of how not to do things.
Every minister in the next Labour-Green government should be appointed a “minder” to ensure that they do things By The Book, and not to cut one single corner. Or at the very least, periodically re-read press reports and blogposts detailing every f**k-up by National over the last four years.
New Zealand is a small country. Secrets are notoriously difficult to keep. And even if the whole story behind the Fletcher-Dotcom-GCSB-TPPA thing has not been fully revealed – I think we’ve had a glimpse into the murky shadows of political perfidity to smell something rotten.
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Meanwhile, back on Planet Key… Key…
1. Treasury, IRD, tax cuts…
2. Rio Tinto, Meridian Energy, Bill English…
3. Rio Tinto, Meridian Energy, Fran O’Sullivan…
4. Mining, Drilling, Arresting, Imprisoning – Simon Bridges…
5. Solar power, water conservation, irrigation…
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Blogger lays complaint with Commerce Commission
As of 1 April 2013, this blogger has laid a complaint with the Commerce Commission regardingNational minister’s questionable dealings with Rio Tinto and proposed subsidies for electricity prices.
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What’ve you been smoking, Mr Roughan?
There’s nothing quite like a threat to the New Right economic theory to bring the apologists slip-sliding out of the wood-work.
Case in point: John Roughan’s column in the NZ Herald on 30 March. According to Mr Roughan, the ‘blame’ for the Meridian/Rio Tinto fiasco can be sheeted home to Milton Keynes and our post-War desire for full employment.
Whoda thunk it?
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Corporate Welfare under National
Think: Warner Bros. Think: corporate blackmail to shift ‘The Hobbit’ overseas. Think: National not wanting to risk the wrath of Peter Jackson and a thoroughly manipulated Public Opinion. Think: National looking at the 2011 election. Think: panic amongst National ministers and back-room Party strategists.
Now repeat for Rio Tinto.
How much will this cost us?
Why aren’t we getting the same deal in subsidised electricity?
And why are New Zealanders dying for want of government support?
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Easter Trading – A “victimless crime”?
Is illegal Easter Trading really a victimless crime? Is Oderings (and companies like it) really a champion of our democratic right to Shop Till We Drop?
Here are a few points to consider…
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Why a Four Year Parliamentary Term is not a Good Idea – Part Rua
On 7 February, Key called for the Parliamentary term to be increased from three to four years.
This blogger thoroughly rejects any notion to increase the Parliamentary term. As I wrote previously in The Daily Blog, there are compelling reasons to deny politicians an additional year in office.
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Mighty River Power, Members of Parliament, and Conflicts of Interest
Members of Parliament owning shares in SOEs they themselves have sold off. Is this a step closer to a corruption of our political system?
One minister has already admitted – on nationwide tv – that he’d be buying shares.
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Devoy as Race Relations Commissioner?!
I have a bad, bad feeling about this.
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The road to Youth Rates – Wrong way, Prime Minister, Wrong way!
It was during the 2008 general election that the issue of the growing wage disparity with our Aussie cuzzies became an issue. Curiously, it was the then-Opposition Leader, John Key, capitalist; multi-millionaire; and currency trader, who plredged to raise wages for New Zealanders.
So how has that pledged worked out?
And how does youth rates impact on raising New Zealanders’ wages?
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Brain fades and balls ups
Key and Banks’ criticisms at Shearer over his New York bank account may’ve back-fired badly on them. Especially with their own track records.
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John Key advocates theft by Banks?
When profits for New Zealand’s four largest banks are at a staggering $3.5 billion (for 2011/12) – an increase of 22% – then that must raise serious questions why Dear Leader is even considering making depositors pay for any potential future bailout.
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Two polls, two governments
Two polls out recently give completely different outcomes if an election had been held over the last week or so. Two polls, two outcomes, two governments. So which is more accurate?
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Two Tax Strikes against Dunne?
It’s fairly apparent to everyone except the most sycophantic National supporter that the ’09 and ’10 taxcuts left a gaping hole in the government’s revenue. Dunne’s pathetic attempts at raising additional taxes is simply a consequence of tax-cuts that were unaffordable three years ago – and remain unaffordable to this day.
I look forward to the business sector campaigning hard to scrap the “Paperboy/girl Tax”, as they did with the “Carpark” and “Talk” taxes.
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The unmitigated audacity of John Key and John Banks
It is one thing to stuff up; come clean; apologise; and not try to blame others.
It is entirely another matter when one continually blames others for his mistakes or has such problems recalling events that they become a laughing stock.
Perhaps Mr Key and Mr Banks should take a lesson from David Shearer’s book; own your mistakes; don’t blame others; and don’t make facile excuses.
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More dispatches from Planet Key
More double-talk, hypocrisy, and contradictions from Ministers Brownlee, Bennett, and Dunne – with a helpful dose of broken promises from Key. (In other words, more of the usual.)
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2013 – The Year of The Big Dry
In 2011, it was the Year of the Big Chill, as snow blanketed the entire country.
Two years later, as climate change impacts globally, New Zealand is no longer immune to extreme weather patters. In the Hutt Valley, just north of Wellington, the Hutt River’s levels are significantly lower than seen in a long time.
The following photos were taken on the Hutt River, from Avalon to Totara Park …
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Why a Four Year Parliamentary Term is not a Good Idea
It’s not the length of time that should matter to a government, but what they achieve with it. If the people approve, a good government will be returned with a decent majority. A good government should have nothing to fear from the electorate.
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Not keen on buying shares in state assets you already own?
Are you wanting to pre-register your dis-interest?
Get in quick, now, and we’ll guarantee all pre-registrants 25% extra of NO shares at all!
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National caught out over Solid Energy – changes story on coal prices, debt, and other matters
I think every New Zealander who is considering investing in Mighty River Power – and other SOE shares – should look very carefully at their books. The question has to be asked; have National Ministers done the same thing to other SOES as they have to Solid Energy?? Are they also heavily “geared” (borrowed against assets) and highly vulnerable to market downturns?
Are there “ticking fiscal bombs” in other SOEs, waiting to detonate in investors’ faces?
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A Clear Warning to Investors in SOEs…
The recent financial crisis and near-collapse of Solid Energy – one of the five, state owned enterprises planned for partial-privatisation – should serve as a warning for those investor-vultures circling to buy shares in any of the SOEs.
In fact, recent history regarding Air New Zealand, Kiwiwail, and (non-privatised) BNZ in 1991, are indicators that privatisation of state assets is not a guaranteed roadmap to wealth.
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National recycles waste product very well
From 1999 to 2011; two different National Finance Ministers; two similar results.
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Labour, Greens, NZ First, & Mana – A Bright Idea with electricity!
Post 2011 Election, has demonstrated that National has not changed it’s free-market stripes. Given an opportunity, they would hock off as much of the country as possible. For “the good of the nation”, you understand.
At the 2011 election, National were handed that opportunity, on a gold plate*, by a voting public who seemed to be distracted by smoking magic mushrooms. Whilst voters expressed disdain at National’s privatisation – they voted National regardless.
(Call me old fashioned, but I tend not to vote for things I disagree with. Just ask Marcus Lush.)
So, what happened?
And what are our options?
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Dear Leader Key blames everyone else for Solid Energy’s financial crisis (Part Rua)
National prides itself on being the party of ‘personal responsibility‘. It is no such thing. It is the party of personal advantage and not much more.
Thus far all we’ve had are evasiveness and pathetic attempts to blame others. We’re also seeing more of the same from our Prime Minister; bullshit.
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Census, Surveys, and Cellphones…
This year’s census has an interesting question – Question 17 – which may have a greater impact on the political sutuation in NZ than we realise.
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“National Party Corporate welfare vs real welfare”
“It’s fairly obvious what National thinks of New Zealanders who find themselves on the welfare safety net. Especially when those on welfare are there because of a global financial crisis brought on by unfettered, laissez-faire capitalism (aka naked greed) hitting a wall, and sending economies worldwide deep into recession. But never mind. National has an answer for such dire events…
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“One should judge a society by how it looks after the sick and vulnerable”
This blogger was invited to attend a forum held by NZORD (New Zealand Organisation for Rare Disorders). The Forum addressed issues and problems surrounding PHARMAC funding (or lack, thereof) for “orphan drugs” , for rare medical conditions such such as Pompe Disease.
Until now, many of the folk involved (John Forman, Allyson Locke, and others) were just names and media stories to me.
But on the evening of 27 February, when I met Allyson at Wellington Airport, and subsequently met John at Rydges Hotel in downtown Wellington – they became very real, engaging people. I was finally able to put people-to-names.
And then I heard and learnt their own stories.
What I found humbled me and made me realise that their stories and their problems with PHARMAC could be any New Zealander impacted by government policies.
These were our stories as well as theirs.
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Health and safety jobcuts? Haven’t we been down this road before?!
Sacking 135 trained, experienced health and safety inspectors?! Haven’t we been down this road before?
Why yes – indeed we have.
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Is this really the solution to our housing problem?
If this country wants to send another 500,000 New Zealanders to Australia, I can think of no better policy with which to achieve this enforced emigration than making them save more for their first home. National is practically screaming at our kids to “bugger off !”.
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Dear Leader Key blames everyone else for Solid Energy’s financial crisis
Never mind Solid Energy.
Personally, if I was John Key, I’d be asking serious questions on Labour’s role in the sinking of the Titanic. The Cuban Missile Crisis. And don’t forget the 2007/08 Global Financial Meltdown – that has Trevor Mallard’s fingerprints all over it, surely???
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319 million reasons not to part-privatise our power companies
Selling off three highly profitable SOEs – even in part – makes no financial sense at all. Especially with these half-yearly profits by Meridian, Genesis, and Mighty River Power.
And who is the former National Prime Minister who now admits that asset sales are a bad idea?
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And the Oscar for Union-Smashing and Manipulating Public Opinion goes to…
In Hollywood, the ‘little guy’ always wins out over the Bad Guy.
Something that Warner Bros, Dear Leader, and Peter Jackson seem to have forgotten when they played the public like a mindless mob, back in 2010…
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Charter Schools – contrary to ACT’s free market principles?
When the blogger, Imperator Fish asked in a blogpost headlined – ‘Did You Vote For Charter Schools?’ – he wasn’t just using a catchy title. He was raising a valid point.
Nowhere on the ACT website is Charter Schools mentioned in any of their policies.
Not. A. Word.
And how does subsiding private schools fit with ACT’s philosophy opposing spending taxpayers money on private enterprise?
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Nothing quite sez Rich Man’s Conference than this event (part rua)
More sillyness and weirdness from the ACT Party. Will in insurance pay out if ACT self-destructs in public? Or will no one care.
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That was Then, This is Now #18 (Solid Energy)
So how, precisely, did Solid Energy go from paying millions in dividends and a healthy profit in 2011 – to being $385 million in debt?
Did National gouge one of our cash-state-cows?
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It is 1984. It is ALWAYS 1984…
Yes, crime does exist. Meteorites falling out of the sky also exist. Lotto winners exist.
So what are your chances of experiencing all three?
The way the media constantly fixates on crime – you’d think it could happen to you tomorrow.
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Seven Sharp turns into Serious Shite?
With so much happening in this country over the last thirty years, one would think that this should be the Golden Age for investigative journaliasm and documentary-making.
Sadly, this is not the case.
And some Facebook commentators took an opportunity to add their views on this issue,
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Talkback Radio, Public Radio, and related matters…
Appearing on “The Daily Blog” on 1 March 2013.
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Dear Leader caught telling porkies (again)?! (part rua)
Caught out fabricating facts over the Skycity and TVNZ non-land-deal, Dear Leader Key is backing away faster than an Aston Marton at top speed.
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Nothing quite sez Rich Man’s Conference than this event
Having a bunch of poor folk turning up to a predominantly Rich White Men’s political party, to protest policies which have increased poverty and widened the income/wealth gap, is probably not a good look.
The question I always ask myself, though is, are they locking us out? Or are we locking them in?
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Dear Leader caught telling porkies (again)?!
Oh dear, it seems Mr Key has been caught out yet again…
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Three recent polls
Three recent polls; two different results; only one possible true* ‘snapshot’ of current Party support.
The evidence is clear as to what is happening to National – and there will be some very worried Party strategists because of it.
(* With the caveat that political polls are not necessarily accurate because they phone landlines only, and do not phone cellphones or door-knock.)
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What will cost National the Election?
There are three things that will cost National the election in 2014 (if not earlier).
The first is jobs…
The second is a stagnant economy…
And the third is?
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A tale of contrasts…
What can be said of a society where the State takes away $3. 73 (per week) from the poorest of the poor – whilst giving a $100,000 bonus to a highly paid executive after just nine months in a job?
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Priorities – according to the ‘gospel’ of Colin Craig (part rua)
Colin Craig – fibbing about who delivered his anti-marriage equality leaflets??
What would Jesus do?
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David Farrar stirs the bullshit pot
“Happily fomenting mischief since 2003″ reads Mr Farrar’s by-line on his Blog. He should consider adding, “… with just a dash of bullshit.”
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Amazing events this last month!!!
So what three amazing and unbelievable things happened this month?
Long-dead Kings, meteors, and?
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Public rally on 13 February, in Wellington!
Set against an overcast early evening sky, and a chilly southerly, several hundred Wellingtonians of all ages, races, political affiliations, and backgrounds came together at Frank Kitts Park, on Wellington’s waterfront to oppose the government’s agenda to privatise our state assets.
Several speakers addressed the crowd, and there were some new suggestions for political action against the National government.
Will Occupy Parliament be the next rallying cry?
Wellingtonians rally to send a message to the Beehive! (part tahi)
Wellingtonians rally to send a message to the Beehive! (part rua)
Wellingtonians rally to send a message to the Beehive! (part toru)
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Priorities – according to the ‘gospel’ of Colin Craig
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John Key – am I detecting a seismic shift in public attitude?
We seem to be witnessing a seismic shift in public opinion on Key and National. But more importantly, where only a year ago people were reluctant to voice their dissatisfaction or hostility in public – now that shyness is disappearing. People are pissed off and they know who to vent at
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To intervene or not to intervene, that is the question…
To intervene, or not to intervene, that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in this government’s mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous recessionary fortune,
Or to take arms against a global sea of economic troubles,
And by opposing end them? To be hands on, and interventionist…
Mainzeal. Why?
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WINZ, waste, and wonky numbers
Just imagine; 170,000 new builders, computer technicians, doctors, electricians, nurses, quantity-surveyors, scientists, teachers, vets, etc. Imagine the economic growth this country would have if National viewed an army of 170,000 unemployed as an asset waiting to be tapped – rather than discouraged.
I can imagine it.
National evidently can’t. Not with this example of bureacratic waste…
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John Key: four years and a fixed date for Parliament?
National wants the electoral cycle extended from 3 to 4 years.
That gives politicians (of all hues) increased power to enact their agendas.
So what do WE get out of it?
And if National wants more power – will they give us what WE want?
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National Party president complains of covert filming – oh the rich irony!
Oh dear, oh dear me. Karma is working overtime this year – and has National politicians and Party apparatchiks firmly in it’s sights.
National Party president Peter Goodfellow complains of having been the victim of “covert video surveillance”?!?!
Reallllly?
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The Prime Minister, Pastoral property, and Parata
Point 1: Who came out of today’s (5 February) events at Waitangi’s Te Tii Marae looking calm, stately, and with heightened mana?
Point 2: What dumb things did we, as a country, do today?
Point 3: She’s our very own Invisible Woman – just ask John Campbell over at TV3…
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Taking responsibility, National-style
“The National Party is built on age-tested principles that reflect what is best about New Zealand. We are a party of enterprise; a party of personal freedom and individual responsibility; a party of family; an inclusive party; a party of ambition.” – John Key, 27 May 2007
So let’s put it to the test, shall we? How well does National do Taking Responsibility?
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Bill English – do you remember Colin Morrison?
From the NZ Herald on 27 January, uttered by Bill English,
“…On top of that, Labour still hasn’t apologised for their wasteful policies the last time they got their hands on the economy.”
So, what are the facts?
And why is Bill English left with bloood on his hands?
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Whaleoil Goes Porno
Whaleoil – the Sultan of Sleaze – dives further into the gutter…
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Penny Bright Goes To Parliament
Penny Bright – activist, transparency-campaigner, mayoral candidate, and the bane of John Banks – Goes to Parliament! See what just one person can do…
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2013 – More redundancies…
John Key makes up job numbers as he goes along. Steven Joyce is in denial over a crisis in manufacturing and exporting. Hekia Parata is annointed as National’s “effective communicator”…
What could possibly go wrong?
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Did we just hear Steven Joyce sh*t all over his colleagues?!?!
“Steven Joyce revealed that Education Minister Hekia Parata, Finance Minister Bill English and former education minister Craig Foss approved the use of Novopay despite being told that it had bugs.”
Now that has to be the biggest Dropping Someone In It for quite a while!
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Judith Collins and the Bain of her ministerial career…
How many more reports does Judith Collins want on compensation for David Bain? A dozen? A hundred? Or just one, that says what she wants to hear.
This is why politicians should be kept well away from the justice system.
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The Absurdities of National’s policies – a continuing saga
National’s policies continue to harm the most vulnerable in our society – including those working hard trying to make a “go” of it and better themselves.
Their latest exercise in absurdity and sheer mongrel stupidity is setting up barriers for people to get off welfare!! You’d think National wanted to keep people on the dole?!?!
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Karma for Key?
Don’t you just love it when Parata opens her mouth and confirms Key’s opinion of her as a “smooth communicator”?! (Note sarcasm factor)
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NZ media; the Good, the Bad, and the Very, Very, Ugly
As our media adopts more of a “junk food” style, National sets it’s sights on dumbing down the last bastion of journalistic integrity in this country – Radio NZ.
Are we well on the way to become the “Idiocracy” of the South Pacific?
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“It’s fundamentally a fairness issue”- Peter Dunne
Revenue Minister Peter Dunne wants to crack down on errant people with outstanding student loans and sez,
“It’s fundamentally a fairness issue.”
I call bollocks to that, for one very simple reason.
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Children’s Health: not a high priority for Health Minister Tony Ryall
After the spectacular cock-ups by Education Minister, Hekia Parata, it seems that the Health sector is next in line for the “National Treatment”.
Tony Ryall has demanded that the Health Budget be cut by $30 million this financial year – and they’re going for our kids!
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John Key’s Report Card, 2008 – 2012
An assessment of National’s track record on various political, social, and economic issues and problems confronting our nation.
How did National perform in government in the last four years?
The categories are here – check them out yourself,
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Compassion
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Crime
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Employment/unemployment
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Environment
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Growth
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Incomes
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Migration
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – The social welfare safety net
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Trade
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Inequality & poverty
Johnny’s Report Card – National Standards Assessment – Sunrise, Sunset, and Outlooks
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Why the Remuneration Authority just doesn’t get it
When the Prime Minister, our very own Dear Leader, John Key was presented with the situation of rest home workers being paid an apalling figure of around $14.61 an hour, his response was,
“It’s one of those things we’d love to do if we had the cash… ”
Then Dear Leader was given a $7,790 increase salary increase.
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Why arming our Police is not such a flash idea
We have a problem in this country, but it is not with unarmed Police.
Our problem lies with the ubiquitous availability of dirt-cheap booze; a gutless National “government” that has kowtowed to the liquor industry; and an attitude in this country that alcohol abuse is someone elses’ problem.
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On the First Day of Christmas,
My country gave to me…
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National and the Cult of Buck-Passing
Hekia Parata could no longer answer to the public without appearing to be hopelessly ineffective in her own portfolio.
The untreated human effluent finally hit the fan when Ms Longstone became the “patsy”, falling on Parata’s sword as a political sacrificial ewe. Only about thirteen months into a five year contract, Ms Longstone is leaving New Zealand with her tail firmly between her legs.
So what’s going on?
And should Parata stay or go?
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John Key: liar, liar, pants on nuclear fire!!!
“Yeah, National is not going to be raising GST. National wants to cut taxes, not raise taxes…What I’m saying is if we do a half decent job as a government at growing our economy I’m confident that won’t be happening and that’s not on our agenda.” – John Key, 2010
Today (18 Dec) Gerry Brownlee announced an increase in excise tax on petrol by 9 cents a litre, over the next three years.
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Health Minister circumvents law to fulfill 2008 election bribe?
Q1: How did National fund it’s 2008 election promise to extend Herceptin treatment for breast cancer patients?
Q2: And why won’t Ryall use the same approach for seven Pompe Disease sufferers in New Zealand?
The answer to Q1 has been uncovered. (Sly little buggers these National ministers)
As for the answer to Q2…
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New Zealand’s OTHER secret shame – *Update*
Q: How do two government bodies circumvent the law?
A: Simply by using a Third Party ‘proxy’ to break the law on their behalf. Strange, but true, it seems…
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Putting the boot into boot camps
Any admission that National’s boot camp programme was failing young people and wasting time and taxpayer’s money, would also be a public admission that National had implemented a badly flawed policy.
And if boot camps was a flawed policy – what else has John Key implemented that was also poorly thought out and not delivering results?
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John Banks, ACT, and miscellaneous laws
One assumes that ACT’s “One law for all” policy applies equally, to all people living in this country.
Right?
Well… maybe not,
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Spitting the Dummy, John Key Style
When it comes to sheer, naked audacity – John Key has it by the Kenworth truck-load. And just it appears that Dear Leader has reached stratosopheric heights of effrontery – he goes one better.
A few days ago, Dear Leader lamented the very real possibility Winston Peters would choose to coalesce with Labour, rather than National, at the next election.
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New Zealand’s OTHER secret shame
Aside from our “100% Pure” and “Clean and Green” scam with which we’ve been deceiving inbound tourists, New Zealand has another dirty little secret.
This one kills people.
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TPPA: Doomsday scenarios, Critics, and flights of fancy
Don’t you just hate it when Doomsdayers make dumb comments like this…?
“No one wants to see prices go up or the internet collapse.”
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Petrobras withdraws – sanity prevails
National governments – they permit things to happen.
But never take responsibility.
I doubt John Key and Gerry Brownlee will be helping to clean up the next oil-fouled beach, somewhere on our coastline. That responsibility will go to others, who had no making in the decision to allow deep-sea drilling in our waters.
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John Tamihere – Back to the F*****g Future
Barely 48 hours back with the Labour Party and John Tamihere was playing the “Anti PC Tough Guy” again, on TV3…
Not very helpful, JT. The enemy is sitting on the Government benches – not the Opposition.
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TPPA: Business launches propaganda campaign
Fifty people today (3 December) put their names to an open letter to the Prime Minister, in support of TPPA negotiations. The letter was signed by former prime minister Jim Bolger and fortynine others.
Firstly, this blogger supports the right of freedom of expression for these 50 individuals to write to our Dear Leader.
Just as I have a freedom of expression to tear their letter apart and reveal it to be dangerous, naive BS, with little thought for our future or consequences.
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The TPPA: Citizen A vs Fran O’Sullivan
As the secret negotiations of the Trans Pacific Partnernership Agreement continues, right wing columnist Fran O’Sullivan takes a swipe at opponants of the TPPA. Compare O’Sullivan’s recent Herald opinion piece with that of Bomber Bradbury’s panel on Citizen A.
Judge for yourself who is more credible…
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Dispatches from Planet Key…
When Key reassures New Zealanders that,
“…it would “not a good look” if New Zealand made concessions that undermined the status of its drug-buying agency, Pharmac.”
Should we be worried?
After all, isn’t that charming, smiling PM, the nice Mr Key, also an Honourable Man?
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Peter Jackson’s “Precious”…
Will I go to see “The Hobbit”? I really don’t know.
But if I do, it won’t be the same as “Lord of the Rings”. Some of the ‘magic’ will have been lost in the power struggles involving the government, Jackson, Warner Bros, and Unions.
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WINZ Privacy for some – but not for others
Name the odd one out; Natasha Fuller, Jennifer Johnston, and Janet Grossman. Clue: all three received money from MSD/WINZ. But that’s as far as it goes…
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John Key’s “pinch of salt” style of telling the truth
Politicians know that the “100% Pure” is a marketing scam to bring tourists (and more importantly their cash) to New Zealand and can only succeed if the true nature of our degraded environment is kept secret.
The trouble now seems to be that Key and Groser are now expecting the public to buy in to their truth-bending ways.
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Terminal disease sufferer appeals to John Key – Update & more questions…
Allyson Locke and a handful of other New Zealanders are suffering from Pompe Disease – a terminal condition. Their only hope is an expensive drug – Myozyme – which they cannot afford.
This blogger supports Allyson and her fellow Pompe sufferers to plead for mercy from John Key.
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Aotearoa Not For Sale – Big signature-gathering push in Kilbirnie, Wellington
Aotearoa is Not For Sale (ANFS), Wellington branch, took part in a nationwide push to gather more signatures for the petition, calling for a referendum on state asset sales.
ANFS campaigners took to the streets of Kilbirnie, one of Wellington’s eastern-suburns, close to the airport.
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Exclusive: Provocateurs attempt to disrupt March for Palestine, in Wellington!
A Solidarity-with-Gaza protest march in Wellington today was briefly marred when two young men wearing Jewish Kippah/Yarmulke walked at the front of the procession, and had to be led away by a lone police constable for their own protection.
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When spin doctors go bad
When it comes to choosing whether to believe an environmental scientist whose purpose it is to seek the truth about human impacts on our land and waterways - or to believe a spin doctor like Mark Unsworth, who is paid to tell us whatever his employers want us to hear – who do you think we should believe?
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Silly Idea # 341,907,775 – increasing our population
ExportNZ and the NZIER have suggested a population of 15 million for New Zealand, by 2060 . Is this a viable proposition – or are they smoking something highly illegal in boardrooms across the country?
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John Key: When propaganda photo-ops go wrong…
From self-serving exploitation by a cynical multi-millionaire-cum-politician – to an embarressing example of National’s failure. This is a story of how one of National’s big photo-ops in 2007 has gone embarressingly pear-shaped – and why it happened.
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Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial Gathering
In the 21st Century, crimes motivated by hatred and ignorance still take place.
Agender NZ held a public Day of Remembrance Memorial Gathering for transgendered people who have been victimised, harmed, or killed because of violence against people of different gender identities or presentations.
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O is for Obama, H is for hypocrisy…
In what must rank as the most outrageous piece of hypocrisy seen for a long time – and it came from the mouth of US President Obama.
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National recycles Housing Policy and produces good manure!
Just how many times can National flip-flop on any of it’s policies?
How about twice?!
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New Zealand – A new direction
David Shearer gave his speech to the Labour Party conference today (18 Nov). This is the text of what he said…
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Key: “I’ve left NZ in a better shape than I found it”
One. Big. Tui. To. That.
More delusional utterances from Dear Leader.
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Palestine: justice denied for one, is justice denied for all
There can be no peace whilst Israel plays the role of the aggressor and imperialist coloniser. One thing history teaches us is that the human spirit is indomitable. And Palestinians have that spirit by the truckload…
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Aged Care: The Price of Compassion
Rest home care workers are amongst the lowest paid in the country. At around $14-$15 an hour, they are paid a pittance for the important work they do; caring for aged New Zealanders in the twilight of their lives.
Ryman Healthcare – one of the largest providers for aged care in New Zealand – announced a record $84 million profit, for the year ending 31 March 2012. This was an increase of 17% on the previous financial year.
So what’s going on?!
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Did this catch Dear Leader Key by surprise as well?
Today, 15 November, Kiwirail announced the sale of it’s Hillside Engineering dept in Dunedin. Did this catch Dear Leader by surprise as well?
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Bill English: When numbers don’t fit, or just jump around
It is ironic that at a time when National is cutting “back room” support staff to save money, that they are permitting taxpayer funding for a ‘Monty Pythonesque ‘ exercise in out-of-control form-filling. This has to be seen to be believed.
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Job Hunting, Bennett-style
Really, they must stop flouridating Parliament’s water… or dropping LSD in the water tanks. Whatever it is, it’s bad sh*t. From Paula Bennett inthe House today…
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John Key – more pledges, more broken promises?
As if John Key’s broken promises on environmental concerns and reneging on pledges expressing “National’s commitment to addressing global climate change“, was not enough, Dear Leader today made a new committment to New Zealanders.
Hands up who is going to take his word?
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Terminal disease sufferer appeals to John Key
Allyson Lock and six other New Zealanders suffer from a terminal condition called ‘Pompe Disease’. Without medication, Allyson and her fellow sufferers have little hope for survival.
Allyson has appealed o the Prime Minister to fund medication to save the lives of herself and six other New Zealanders facing a death sentence…
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John Key’s track record on raising wages
Since 2008 Key has repeated the same pledge every year; “raise wages, raise wages, raise…”. It has become a mantra for the Prime Minister.
But words are easy. What has been Key’s actual track record? How does Dear Leader’s words reconcile with his actions? What have been the results?
This blogger has investigated Key’s track-record and the following chapters reveal the difference between the rhetoric and reality…
2. The 90 Day Employment Trial Period
8. An End to Collective Agreements
10. A New Government’s Response
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Tax cuts and jobs – how are they working out so far, my fellow New Zealanders?
It is a common theme amongst the New Right and neo-liberal dogma that cutting taxes equates to more jobs. The idea is that with more money in people’s pockets; they spend more; consumption rises; industry has to produce more; and subsequently hires more staff.
That’s a lot of assumptions to make. How does the rhetoric compare to reality? You be the judge…
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Finally – mainstream media is catching up…
In an extraordinary development, TV3 launched a full scale criticism of National’s failure to meet it’s Budget Day promise, last year, to create 170,000 new jobs.
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As predicted: National abandons climate-change responsibilities
As predicted last week, National abandons climate-change responsibilities. But reading Tim Groser’s comments, you’d think we were still 100% Pure!
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“I was wrong about rising unemployment” – Blogger
I hate it when I’m wrong in my predictions…
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John “I can’t recall” Banks, on MMP…
Banks is worried that making changes to an electoral system, despite over-whelming support through public submissions, somehow threatens public “confidence in the electoral system “?!
That is a very noble sentiment.
So why don’t I believe it?
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Labour to win in 2014 – does the media know?
TV1/Colmar Brunton’s recent(4 November) poll yields some interesting results and points to a conclusion that the author of the article has missed. Perhaps the most telling aspect of this poll is Key’s personal rating.
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Heather Roy – head down the mine shaft?
So what was ex-ACT MP, Heather Roy’s, response to the gutting of the mines inspectorate and de-regulation of the early 1990s, which led to a Perfect Storm; the Pike River Mine disaster?
Her response, to put it mildly, was eye-opening and jaw-dropping.
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Bloomberg, Canute, and lapping waters at your feet
About 980 years ago, a King of England showed that sea waves retreat for no man or woman. His feet got wet.
It is a lesson worthwhile recalling and learning again, as the consequences of global climate change made themselves felt on the East Coast of the US.
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W.o.F “reforms” – coming to a crash in your suburb (Part Rua)
In one night, a Police checkpoint wrote of 25 cars for being unsafe and unbroadworthy. So how does this impact on Simon Bridges’ plans to liberalise the WoF system?
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Greg King, RIP
This blogger never met Mr King in person, but through his media appearances one got the feeling that he was a decent bloke, and one whose personality would have made him an iconic name in the years ahead.
My condolences go out to his family…
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Guest Author: MSD. WINZ. IT. OMG!
Guest Author Alan Benton details his experiences with a government department and details how the WINZ “Kiosk Caper” might have come about…
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Paula Bennett shows NZ how to take responsibility
How does Paula Bennet, Minister for Social Welfare compare when it comes to taking personal responsibility and meeting her obligations to the public?
Let’s put it to the test, shall we?
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National’s prioritises Education needs
In a repeat of National’s crazy cost-cutting and closure of critical social services in the late 1990s, Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the closure of two very special; much needed, schools – Christchurch’s McKenzie Residential School and Nelson’s Salisbury Residential School.
At the same time, another school is getting some very generous support from National…
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Dear Leader – takes one to know one…
Finland, Hungary, David Beckham…
Who else can National insult and denigrate?
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Charter Schools – John Key’s re-assurances
Three months ago, Dear Leader gave assurances that National would dump Charter Schools if they failed to “work”. He said,
“If they don’t work then the Government will close them down very quickly – if they do work then it will be great for the children involved.”
Who’s going to take his word on that?
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National ditches environmental policies
“And we should always measure a Government’s environmental rhetoric against its environmental record.” – John Key, 6 September 2008
So how has National performed over the last four years?
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NZ Truth – Cameron-style
The sleaziest blogger in New Zealand, Cameron Slater, taking up the reins of editing the sleaziest newspaper, ‘Truth‘ – appropriate. There must be some fundamental law of bio-physics which explains the process how such clumpings take place.
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Anti-asset sale Flash Occupation at Vodafone Building
Wellington’s Aotearoa is Not For Sale action group today mounted another in an on-going series of “flash occupations” – this time at Forsyth Barr, in the Vodafone Building in Lambton Quay, down-town Wellington.
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W.o.F “reforms” – coming to a crash in your suburb
Transport Minister, Simon Bridges, is proceeding full steam ahead with privatisation of the country’s Warrant of Fitness system. Strangely, this policy was never ‘flagged’ at last year’s election – but that has never stopped National from implementing potentially problematic policies by rat-cunning stealth.
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ETS – National continues to fart around
Key’s pledge that agriculture would enter the ETS in 2015 has been broken, and our Prime Minister further shown up as the untrustworthy, lying, manipulator that a growing number of critics are labelling him.
If there is one lesson that National has learnt from our recent history is that if you’re going to break promises – do it slowly so no one notices.
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Dirty Dealings with Solid Energy
As Solid Energy plans to cut 460 jobs, Australian company Bathurst is continuing to invest in drilling on the West Coast. Why is a private company engaged in an “an extensive drilling programme” when Solid Energy is sacking nearly 500 people?
And how is a certain “Smiling Assassin” connected with this?
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Just say “NO!” to political prostitutionism
Peter Dunne – what shall be his role – if any – in the new Labour-led government in 2014?
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Paula Bennett – massive *facepalm*
As Bennett laments,
“People buy 10 cooked chickens and then go and sell them in the carpark.
I can’t stop what individuals do. All I can do is try and put the right security around it.”
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Teapots and Tearooms – a tale of two tapes
How does one explain Key’s inexplicably contradictory responses on being unknowingly recorded on two separate occassions, only 110 days apart?
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First they came for Maori “radicals”…
… and I didn’t speak out, because I wasn’t maori or a “radical”.
Then they came for the alleged cyber-pirate from Germany, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a cyber-pirate or German…
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Jobs Summit: 2012
The EPMU (Engineer Printing Manufacturers Union) is not waiting around for John Key and National to get of their chuffs and act to create jobs.
They have called for a summit, to be held this Friday (12 October), in Auckland…
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Welfare ain’t broke – It’s the Jobs that ain’t there, John-boy!
Exporting jobs to places like China will not create jobs. We end up paying our own workers to rot on the unemployment scrapheap.
Welform “reforms” will not create jobs. Welfare is not “broke”, and is operating as it should, saving people from starving to death.
Youth rates will not create jobs. It simply shifts the few remaining deck chairs around ‘S.S. New Zealand’.
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Another bare-faced lie from the ACT Party
ACT should learn to be a bit bit honest with the facts rather than re-writing history, Orwellian-style, to suit some confused ideology.
But then again, this is John Banks’ Party. ’nuff said.
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The betrayal of our young people
In 2009 and 2010, National cut the taxes on New Zealand’s richest.
Last year, the Nats took away the tax credits for paper boys and girls.
Now they’re planning to cut wages for 16-19 year olds.
Is this the “Brighter Future” National promised us? Or is this an utter betrayal of everying Key pledged to this country?
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Muppets, Hobbits, and Scab ‘Unions’
The dispute between POAL and Maritime Workers has taken another nasty turn; the formation of a scab-union called “Portpro”.
It’s not the first time corporate interests have done this;
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“Spin me a brain exchange”, said Dear Leader!
Key and the Nats made a nice little ‘song-and-dance’ about the brain-drain to Australia. They pledged to voters that, once elected, would set about enacting policies to encourage New Zealanders to stay and help build our economy.
So, how did it work out?
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“Spin me a conspiracy”, said Dear Leader!
In politics, there are several ways to discredit your opponant or critic…
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Protest against Govt harrassment of the unemployed and solo-mums
5 October 2012, marked a National Day Of Action Against Welfare “Reforms” around the country against National’s ongoing harassment and demonisation of unemployed, solo-mothers (but never solo-dads), and others receiving welfare assistance.
The protest in Wellington was held outside the WINZ offices in Upper Willis St, on a cold, blustery day, and was attended by around 100 people.
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It’s official: Key’s mind is someone elses’ responsibilty
And now something from the political Twilight Zone of weirdness. Since when has the Prime Minister’s brain-fade been the responsibility of others?!
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Key: When I say ‘no’, I mean ‘no’. Maybe.
Key is once again off to meet with Warner Bros as well as other Hollywood execs. Every time Key consorts with Corporate Wide Boys, we end up paying, one way or another. So how much will it cost us this time, Dear Leader? What are you preparing to give away now?
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From Mini -True…
Mini-True reports crime down! Doubleplusgood! I love Dear Leader!
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Dear Leader, GCSB, and Kiwis in Wonderland (Part Rua)
Dear Leader’s memory seems to be suffering from John Banks Syndrome. Unfortunately, the Dotcom briefing in February was not the only time that Key’s memory has failed him…
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Parata preparing for another backdown? (Part Rua)
It seems that the mauling Parata got on Q+A (30 Sept) has left her wary of the media, judging by responses to invitations to interviews. Things are not going well for Parata, Key, and indeed this whole sad excuse for a “government”.
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Parata preparing for another backdown?
Wearing a Joker-like grin on TVNZ’s Q+A (30 September 2012) , National’s Education minister, Hekia Parata was interviewed by Shane Taurima on ‘National Standards’ and planned closures and forced amalgamations of several Christchurch schools.
She made some very curious remarks on National Standards and Christchurch school closures…
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Dear Leader, GCSB, and Kiwis in Wonderland
As the Dotcom-GCSB Affair drifts further into ‘The Twilight Zone‘ (or Wonderland), we learn the latest anouncement that Secretary of Cabinet, Rebecca Kitteridge, will be seconded to the GCSB to oversee a review of the Bureau.
Unfortunately, she won’t be asking the right questions.
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Neo-liberal Libertarian holds up Victorian England as “model for success”
There is no nation on Planet Earth that uses the Libertarian model… but one disciple of this wacko, ultra-individualist, quasi-religion points to our Past as a “model for success”.
Is this is what Libertarians would have in store for us?
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Guest Author: David Cunliffe on Scandinavian Economic Development
Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson, David Cunliffe, shares his vision of how New Zealand can follow in the footsteps of successful European nations like Finland and Sweden. His insights are a strong riposte to the neo-liberal doctrine of naked greed and selfishness that has brought our global economy to the brink…
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Spy VS Politician
Coming up: three questions about the GCSB-Dotcom affair… And which may have further implications for this scandal.
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John Key: Man of Many Principles
John Key, man of many, many principles (pick one at random); Winston Peters; Coalition deals, and a cautionary tale…
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The Benign Neglect of the Free Market
If National was any more “business friendly”, politicians would be literally climbing into bed and sleeping with business people. (No inferences made.)
So what’s this about business sector groups now whinging that past governments “ have all operated with benign neglect “?!
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A Dolphin’s Tale
To our great shame, one of the world’s most endangered species, the Maui’s Dolphin, now has less than 55 individuals left. The species is 54 deaths away from extinction.
And this was our reprehensible response to this crisis at a recent international Conference. Read and weep. Weep for ourselves, and weep for a species that is all by extinct – because of this government’s neglect.
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Uncle Sam, Over Here?
In terms of “dopey” ideas, this one earns the Gold Medal in the Olympics of Dumbness.
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Liberalising WoF rules – where have we heard this before?
National is considering liberalising WoF regulations for vehicles. Whilst this sounds good on the surface, to quote Han Solo, “I have a bad feeling about this”…
Rule # 1: everything has consequences.
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John Armstrong, bloggers, and the free market
The de-regulated free market is such a ‘wonderful thing’ – until it’s your arse that is bitten.
Painful eh, John?
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Paula Bennett: one strike and she’s out.
This blogger suggests a new amendment to the WINZ Charter – one that takes into account John Key’s pledge to create 170,000 new jobs. See how this could pan out…
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Is this what National voters had in mind?
Wouldn’t it be cheaper to have this guy as our Prime Minister instead?
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Diversion Strategem #5
How to divert the Television Generation public…
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These people are HEROES!!!
It is a shameful thing that we are witnessing here; young people having to protest at a lack of jobs – and having to protest against a government that is effectively waging an undeclared war on the unemployed.
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Class act, National – taking money of widows?!
Key and Bennett make big noises about jobseekers’ and other beneficiaries having obligations to find work. Where is the obligation of National to create an economy that would produce these new jobs?
And who is ultimately responsible for steadily growing vilification of the unemployed?
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That was Then, This is Now #16
Another of National’s “That was Then” promises made during last year’s election, as opposed to “This is Now” reality a year later. This issue: job creation.
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Poll shows gain for National’s ‘dog whistle’ politics
Bashing the unemployed, solo-mums (but never solo-dads) and other welfare beneficiaries and “standing up to greedy Mow-ries” is always a vote winner with low-information voters. Hence National’s current position in the latest Roy Morgan poll…
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Is John Key ‘losing the plot’?!
When the Leader of the pro-capitalist National Party starts talking about “nationalising elements such as water and wind” – whilst at the same time instigating a programme to partially privatise Genesis Energy, Mighty River Power, and Meridian – the question has to be asked; has John Key flipped his lid?!?!
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John Banks – escaping justice (Part Rua) [*Up-dated*]
Following on from the police decision on 26 July not to prosecute John Banks for submitting an allegedly fraudulent Electoral Return, containing incorrect details of donors; and following on from the Police files being released (except Banks’ own statement) this blogger has some questions, and a point to make to the Prime Minister…
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A lesson in Energy Economics
Coal. Oil. Gas, Uranium. Water. What do those five have in common?
And when did National re-nationalise oil and gas production in this country?! That is precisely what Dear Leader claimed on TVNZ’s Q+A on 16 September…
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That was Then, This is Now #15
Another of National’s “That was Then” promises in Opposition, as opposed to “This is Now” reality in government. This issue: food in shcools.
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Christchurch, choice, and charter schools
National loves choice. Except when it’s not convenient. Then it will act with all the ruthlessness of a mad Arab dictator or ex-Soviet Asiatic republic that never quite “got democracy“.
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Open Letter to the Prime Minister, by Hone Harawira
Kia ora John
I’m down at Turangawaewae for the water hui, and I just wanted to clear up a few things before I go in…
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National – the Party of free speech?! Yeah, right.
It seems that National is not a Party that brooks dissent or welcomes questioning of it’s policies. This is symptomatic of a Party that has lost trust in the public and fears people…
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National ramps up attack on unemployed and solo-mums (part rua)
It’s interesting that Paula Bennett rejected calls for further research to quantify the levels of child poverty in this country stating that, ” it’s not a priority to have another measure on it” – but feels it necessary to spend nearly a million dollars of our taxes on a study of “an actuarial valuation” on long-term costings of welfare…
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The Ridges are on tonight!!!
Excitement in our household!
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National ramps up attack on unemployed and solo-mums
As National’s policies fail to generate jobs or economic growth, they are ramping up their attacks on the unemployed and solo-mums….
… We are at war with our own government.
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As predictable as the rising sun
It appears that my prediction has come true and the latest Herald-Digipoll shows a slight “burp” in National’s poll rating.
Support for National has risen marginally by 0.4% – a barely discernible rise for the Party. Why is this good news for Labour-Greens?
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A FTA deal with Russia?! That’s a big “NYET” Comrade Key!
John Key is after a FTA with Russia?! THE Russia, run by oligarchs, mafia, ex-KGB, and which fixed last year’s elections?!?! Ok, so what’s wrong with that picture?
(Plus a little story from my parents’ homeland.)
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David Bain – the final call for justice
After David Bain’s re-trial and five Not Guilty verdicts, the issue of compensation arose. The government correctly sought an impartial adjudicator from outside the country, retired Canadian Supreme Court judge Ian Binnie, to rule on the issue…
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Child Poverty: Labour on track
Labour leader David Shearer has found his mojo and reacquainted himself with Labour’s heritage; caring for people at the bottom of the socio-economic heap, and not just the braying middle classes.
His announcement of a bold plan to feed every child in the bottom Decile 3 schools - 650 primary and intermediate schools – in our country, is gutsy…
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I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want…
NZ Herald readers respond to a poll as to what they prefer to watch on their tellies… and the result is surprising!
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National in trouble? Time to dog-whistle the Middle Class! (part #rua) [revised 12noon, 8 Sept]
National is at it’s most dangerous when it is cornered. Like an injured feral beast, it will lash out – as it is doing now, against Maori and the unemployed…
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National in trouble? Time to dog-whistle the Middle Class!
National is in deep trouble.
Very deep trouble.
A clusterf**k of bad stories; low growth; a growing flood of New Zealanders escaping to Australia; rising unemployment; an unpopular asset sales agenda that has turned into an unholy mess; and a recent slew of massive job redundancies has left National sinking in the polls.
I guess it’s time for… deflection!
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The real cause for Solid Energy mass redundancies?
Despite CEO, DonElder’s protestations to the contrary, this blogger has no doubt whatsoever that Solid Energy employers and the entire West Coast are paying dearly for National’s privatisation agenda.
There are some very dirty back room deals going on, and the wafting smell ain’t methane escaping from West Coast mines…
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John Key’s “Bright New Future”…
Neo-liberal policies on Market-driven job creation – not going too well is it, Dear Leader?
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From Parliament, 2011, to Greymouth, 2012
It seems an extraordinary situation that we have arrived in when New Zealanders have to take to the streets to protest. Not protesting to save our Conservation estates; nor our state assets from being flogged of; or in favour of gay rights; nor any other environmental, political, or civil rights issue – but merely to protect jobs in a community…
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A delay to asset sales – thank gods for Te Tiriti!
John Key has said that “no one owns water”. The inference being that water is collectively the property of all New Zealanders.
That’s a very socialist principle.
In which case, we should be asking him; does the same apply to state owned enterprises? Maori certainly want to know the answer to this question…
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Latest Roy Morgan Poll shows change of government!
The latest Roy Morgan poll, covering 13-26 August is out, and gives us a glimpse as to who will lead the next government in 2014…
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1 September: Aotearoa Not for Sale takes it to Porirua
Aotearoa is Not For Sale-Wellington (ANFS) took the fight to save our state assets to Porirua, where a marquee was set up at the Cobham Court market, under The Canopies…
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Selling state assets: it’s a crappy commercial decision – The Voice of Business
An under-reported recent story in the media revealed that 54% of small/medium sized businesses in New Zealand oppose the partial privatisation of state owned enterprises. This is precisely one of the strong arguments used by opponants of asset sales. Leftist political parties; community groups; other organisations; and even a certain well-known Prime Minister, have made precisely this point since National announced it’s privatisation agenda…
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Guest Author: Stop me if you’ve already heard this one
Time for a bit of in depth analysis of some of the key phrases in Bill English’s budget speech…
“It will help create new and sustainable jobs.”
… Ooops – Dammit! Sorry, my mistake. Wrong speech. That’s the budget speech from 2009. This is the one I meant..
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“Dopey is as dopey does”, according to Dear Leader
For a man who was raised in a state house; in a single-parent family; and who had all the benefits of a free tertiary education, John Key’s attitude towards those at the bottom of the socio-economic scale leaves a lot to be desired.
John Key is where he is because other taxpayers contributed to his housing, education, healthcare, and well-being.
He did not do it by himself…
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Drug Testing the Unemployed – National’s Epic Fail at Job Creation
A day after National announced it’s intentions to drug-test the unemployed, Solid Energy broke the news that it was planning to make up to 263 of it’s miners, contractors, and other staff, redundandant. Workers from Huntly East Mine and Spring Creek on the West Coast will lose their jobs.
This blogger has three questions for John Key and the National Party…
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Guest Author: Reactionary distractions hide NZ’s 9.1% unemployment
Damning new unemployment statistics released by Roy Morgan Research yesterday reveal that the true rate of unemployment in New Zealand is much greater than the official 6.9% claimed by the Government.
According to Roy Morgan’s figures, unemployment is sitting at 9.1%, with a further 9.6% under-employed and looking for work. That’s almost 20% of New Zealanders not achieving their productive potential and not contributing to the economy. ..
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EXCLUSIVE STORY: Anti-asset sale Flash Occupation at Clemenger BBDO offices!
Tuesday, 28 August: Aotearoa is Not For Sale organised another ‘Flash Occupation’ – this time targetting Clemenger BBDO in Kent Tce, Wellington.
At around 2pm, the small group of a dozen activists – some in corporate attire – met at Te Aro (Pigeon) Park, in Manners St. The group discussed tactics; reaffirmed a committment to non-violence; and practiced singing several anti-sale songs…
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A solution to John the Fibber…
Dear Leader sometimes has a problem differentiating between making a statement that is true – and one that is not quite so true…
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Tobacco Corporations are interested only in our “intulecktualul property rights” – agree/disagree?
Some (most?) folk will have seen an advert currently running on television, featuring the above image.
It is part of a campaign by tobacco companies to oppose plain packaging here in New Zealand. In Australia, recently, a million-dollar law suit brought by tobacco companies against the Australian government was fought on this specific issue.
The tobacco companies lost…
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Dear Leader – fibbing again?!
“By any measure, the National Government’s home insulation scheme launched in 2009 has been a success…
… We set up the scheme as a four-year programme to insulate 188,500 homes – but we are now doing an extra 40,000 thereby taking the total to around 230,000.”
Say whut?!
Who set up the home insulation scheme, Mr Key?
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The more things change…
While it takes umpteen bad news-stories to awaken the TV-addled brains of baby-boomers, we continue to waste lives and the locked-in potential of people trapped in poverty, unemployment, and a stagnant economy. Child poverty remains New Zealand’s dirty little secret, to the rest of the world…
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Haven’t we been down this track before?
In another act of futile penny-pinching, National has demanded that KiwiRail cut it’s budget by a whopping $200 million.
This will involve cutting rail workers -many of whom are responsible for rail track maintenance (remember 2002 and 2003, above?)…
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John Key – Practicing Deflection 101
As much as this blogger wholeheartedly supports the concept of legalised euthanasia – with safeguards similar to that in The Netherlands – I view Dear Leader’s comments on Newstalk ZB earlier this week with contempt and disdain…
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Asset Sales: all down?
As predicted, the Waitangi Tribunal has issued a report endorsing a delay to asset sales until the issue of water rights can be resolved. If, as Dear Leader John Key stated on 10 July, that National could decide to ignore the Tribunal’s findings (because they are non-binding), then the matter will head to the High Court.
Either way, the asset sale process has been stalled…
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Asset Sales: two down, three to go!
Oh dear, National seems to be in a spot of bother over it’s planned partial privatisation of five SOEs. At least one state owned enterprise, Solid Energy, appears now to be off the sales list. According to Finance Minister Bill English…
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Cigarettes – now THIS takes political courage!
In a radical move that can only be described as extraordinarily bold, Tasmania has begun to address the problem of tobacco addiction, head-on. No faffing about; no tip-toeing around.
Sorted.
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Cigarette plain-package – “unintended consequences”?
Yeah, “unintended consequences”.
Like cutting down tobacco use and saving lives?
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Dollars and common sense – raising the minimum wage.
Interestingly, if those on minimum wage ($13.50) had a 20% wage increase, as did the Top 150 Rich Listers – that would raise their hourly wage to $16.20 an hour.
Question: why is it ok for the Top 150 Rich Listers to increase their wealth by a staggering 20% (during a global recession, no less!) – but not ok for the lowest paid to have a better wage?
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Mischief making with Matthew Hooton?
Matthew Hooton is a right-wing blogger, political commentator, and National Party fellow-traveller. It turns out that Matthew Hooton is either a closet Winston Peters fan, or has been up to a subtle piece of mischief-making lately…
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Tracey Watkins on John Key – Surprised?!
It seems unbelievable. Tracy Watkins who, as one of Fairfax’s most experienced political journalists, viewed Key’s increasing polarising effect as something she “hadn’t really come across before” ?!?!
Where does Ms Watkins live – the dark side of the Moon?
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привет President Putin,
F*****g get real and release Pussy Riot!! Because, Mr President, as things stand right now, it looks like you and the entire Soviet Russian military-state complex is so shit-scared of three women that you feel the need to have them locked them away…
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What’s up with the Nats? (Part wha)
Firstly, if you’re a politician representing an actual electorate, and you promised to do something for your constituents (remember them – the folk who were nice enough to elect you into Parliament?) – then you damn well do it…
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What’s up with the Nats and ACT? (Part toru)
It would be fair to say that John Banks’ parliamentary career has been a disaster since before he even won the seat of Epsom. The Tea Pot fiasco was but a prologue to the man’s uncanny, magnetic ability to attract scandal, pratfalls, and sheer incompetance.
The donations scandal involving Sky City and Kim Dotcom was another insight into his ‘shifting sands of morality‘…
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What’s up with the Nats? (Part rua)
Not content with “offering” sterilisation to solo-mums (but never solo-dads) and their daughters, Paula Bennett’s views on poverty are so breathtakingly, woefully ignorant that this blogger has come to the conclusion that her tax-payer funded tertiary education was a complete waste of time and money…
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What’s up with the Nats? (Part tahi)
Key has always played the part of the arrogant, born-to-rule Tory well.
Despite trying to put across the meme that he has never forgotten his “working class/beneficiary” roots, his obvious disdain for those who are the most deprived and powerless in our community occassionally slips out, as when he derided the poor for being… well, poor…
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18 August – Aotearoa Not For Sale, Cuba Mall Gig
Just after mid-day – on a fine, sunny, wintry Saturday - a very public gig was opened by Richard, co-ordinator from Aoteara is Not for Sale (ANFS),who welcomed everyone. He explained the reason for today’s event; opposition to National’s plans to part-privatise or state owned enterprises will not be going away…
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Guest Author: Bennett’s child poverty shocker ignored by Stuff
Fairfax Media have yet again applied their eerie “1984″ technique of ignoring big news when it is likely to cost the National Party votes.
Yesterday’s outbursts in Parliament from “Social Development” Minister Paula Bennett, in which she made flippant remarks about child poverty, was leading the political news at other, more moderate media today, but there wasn’t a word about it from Gina Rinehart’s Fairfaxian double-thinkers at stuff.co.nz…
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Upper Hutt community concerns at increasing liquor stores
Upper Hutt is the latest in a series of communities to oppose the growth of liquor outlets and the related problems that they bring to surrounding neighbourhoods…
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John Banks: condition deteriorating
Checklist for the week…
- Electoral Commission recommendation: Reducing the Party threshold from 5% to 4% √
- Electoral Commission recommendation: Eliminating the one electorate seat party threshold √
- Consequence of Electoral Commission recommendations: Annoying the hell out of John Banks √
Yes, it’s been a good week.
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10 August: Unhealthy Health Cuts
Tony Ryall added,
“Despite tight financial times and what will be a zero Budget on 24 May, health will receive a big funding boost, which will come from savings within health and across the Government’s accounts.”
Well, we know how such assurances from National usually turn out. Quite badly for us, unfortunately.
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BREAKING NEWS: Anti-Sale protestors invade Bell Gully offices
Monday, 13 August: About a dozen anti-sales activitists from AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE – WELLINGTON met at mid-day outside the Old BNZ buildings, at the corner of Customhouse Quay/Willis St/Lambton Quay, with an intention to stage a Flash Occupation…
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- ARCHIVED –
Popular Blogposts
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Charter Schools – Another lie from John Banks!
2 August 2012
Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister, John Banks, today announced the framework for the New Zealand Model of Charter School – or, as they have euphemistically branded them, the Orwellian-sounding “Partnership Schools”, or pandering to culturally-sensitive niceties, “Kura Hourua” .
In effect, ACT and National will be using tax-payer’s money to fund private schools. Not since farming subsidies has National come up with such an odd way to throw our taxes at private companies and organisations…
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Doing ‘the business’ with John Key – Here’s How (Part # Rua)
28 April 2012
Despite numerous company name changes; newly registered companies; and a lengthy trail of shareholders, the one link that does stand out between Shanghai Pengxin and financial donations to the National Party is Terry Lee…
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Labour: the Economic Record 2000 – 2008
16 November 2011
There has been considerable commentary made by Labour’s critics and political opponents that Labour was an incompetant economic manager, during their nine year term in office. The reality, though, is somewhat different. There are many things that Labour did well and some not-so-well.
But the records speaks for itself…
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Greed is good?
28 August 2011
Prior to the introduction of “Rogernomics” in 1984 (and National’s addition from 1990 onward), education in this country had been free (or as close as possible to free) to nearly all New Zealanders. Education whether at Primary School or University was funded by the previous generation; our Mums & Dads; Grandmothers & Grand dads. The idea was terribly simple; education was a right, and not to be determined by ability to pay…
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Can we do it? Bloody oath we can!
3 August 2011
The shortage of state housing is a serious matter. This critical problem of decent, affordable housing is not helped by the fact that the Fourth National government (1996-1999) sold around 13,000 State Houses in the 1990s. These properties were supposedly made available to tenants – but actually went mostly to property speculators (who later sold them for tax-free capital gains)…
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No Asset Sales! Sign the petition!! Available here,
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= fs =
Experience demands that the rich are the only animal of his own kind that are not lazy enough not to prey on the poor.
[Post refers to Quote-Of-The-Week: "Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor." (Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826) - Admin.]
It’s not laziness that prevents the poor from preying on others but an actual moral standing which the rich don’t seem to have.
I like your posts, Frank. But New Zealand is still the name of our country – not Aotearoa New Zealand. Actually you won’t find Aotearoa mentioned in either the English or Maori versions of the Treaty of Waitangi. Only a name, Niu Tirani (or Nu Tirani). Just a little point between friends?
Actually the Key led government is making me sick; Rob mulddon would turn in his grave.
peter
Hi Peter,
I guess if Maori want to use the name “Niu Tirani”, I’d be comfortable with that as well. At present, the name collectively agreed-on seems to be “Aotearoa”, and I’m ok with following their preference.
As an aside… When the Russians were occupying my parents’ homeland, in Eastern Europe, they made learning Russian compulsory in our schools. As the Occupier with the biggest guns, they were able to do whatever they wanted in terms of promoting their culture.
It gave me a peculiar insight into how Maori might feel when we make changes to their names; mis-pronounce their words; relegate their language; etc.
Personally, I like the fact that, like Canada and other nations, we are bi-lingual (or tri-lingual, if you include ‘Sign’) and can make that a point of difference from the rest of the world…
Definately include NZ Sign Language, Maori and NZSL are actually the only official languages of New Zealand!
Oh the irony of left wing bloggers who constantly engage in censorship of opposing points of view moaning about one of their own being banned from appearing on State radio for a mindless and completely biased rant.
It is quite clear why he got ‘banned’. He basically stated as fact that the PM was blaming the Labour Party for the guy attempting to jump over the barrier at Parliament and that he made some sort of offensive gesture. These have both been denied by the PM. Hence there was no sense of balance in his little rant.
That was the Treaty Frank, not a Pakeha opinion. But Maori don’t have the right to change the name of our country, anyway, a majority of Kiwis do.
But that is immaterial when the fascists are at the door.
And now dissidents will be publicly reviled as being against the better interests of the country. I cut my political teeth on Muldoonism, – these are over- privileged wankers! I love it when they have a crack at me. The problem is we only have one daily newspaper now, and it is difficult to get your opinion published. They are reluctant to publish anti-Key statements. I’m not anti-semetic, but I can understand why some were abused if they operated like Key?
Gosman do you ever see beyond your own nose? Trying to justify Key is just unbelievable. You’re ok with banning people just because they disagree with your precious politicians? I bet you wouldn’t be so happy if it was someone you agreed with!
Do you believe everything politicians say?
Is the Labour caucus prepared to lose an election to get rid of Goff? If they are , then they don’t deserve to be in power in the future.
Hee hee hee if I was a politician I wouldn’t believe myself! LOL!
http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/57462.html HERE’S THE VIDEO url
Excellent! Thanks for that, Peter! I had heard that TV3 did a story on it – whereas TV1 News totally ignored the issue! (Our state broadcasters are getting absolutely hopeless!) I’d been meaning to find that TV3 xsegment but kept forgetting.
It’s an amazing piece of footage. It shows Key in the very uncomfortable position of having to explain himself – and you can tell that he’s covering up a lie. He’s lied and has been caught out; his facial expression, tone of speech, and body language gives him away.
I think that the Left have discovered a new meme for John Key: liar.
Great site Frank, just found it thru your link on Dompost comments today, i’ll have a good look around and read when i get home from work tonight, how right you are about the billboards, the tagging, moustaches, swastikas, and genatalia are far more offensive than the stickers being refered to, infact they blend in so well alot would prob not even notice
Cheers, Kevin. Enjoy!
I saw your spam on Stuff. I also noted the things you support include “Being nice to each other”.
So why are you so nasty about our Prime Minister? You hate him because he is rich? That’s not a very good reason. You seem quite irrational in your intense hatred for someone who has done a hell of a lot of good for our country.
Hi Tristan.
No, I don’t “hate” John Key.
But I dislike some of the things he has done, and things he is planning to do. Hence why I have criticised his policies.
You see, Tristan, we live in a democracy where one is permitted to criticise actions by our elected representatives. Unlike North Korea, where everyone must love their Dear Leader (or end up in a Labour Camp).
Have you ever lived in a One Party state, Tristan, where you were not allowed to criticise the party and/or leader of the country? I have. In the late 1970s I lived in an Eastern European country for about a year. I had to be very careful what I said, in public. Sometimes even in private situations, I had to be careful of who was around me, in case someone was an informer.
Would you like to live in a country like that, Tristan?
I would be interested to know what examples you can offer when you claim that John Key is “someone who has done a hell of a lot of good for our country”.
Thanks for sharing your great site Frank.
Also, Aotearoa New Zealand is quite commonly used nowadays. I’m not sure when it was first used, but many social justice groups, NGOs and other national organizations use it as an official part of their name. I like it. It indicates strong recognition of the country’s history and projects a sense togetherness. The less we sweep under the carpet the better we can deal with it and move forward.
Yup. Plus it kinda rolls of the tongue quite nicely; Aotearoanewzealand. Hmmmm, it could just about be a whole new naming, describing the First People and subsequent arrivals…
If we take the diversity of all cultures and revel in the best that each can offer, instead of fearing change, I think it might lift us out of the dark underbelly of this country. It may be the wellspring source for a whole new pride (as our American cuzzies take pride in their Star Spangled Banner; the French in their culture;the Japanese in theirs, etc…)
LOL! I loved it!
I think I’ll have a green balloon though I think we’ll be lucky to get that! I get what your saying Frank and I think only the rich will benefit from the sales.
I signed the SAVE OUR PORT petition Frank. Well done promoting it!
“I’m a product of the welfare state”
What a hypocrite.
The fault is on both sides. I was taught “Lead by Example”. Every generation has to relearn this. No one needs a salary of $200,000 or more. How can they call on others to suffer Austerity if they have not experienced it. “Lead by Example”. If a politician or civil servant feels that a job owes him $300,000 /yr he does not like the job, only the money, and should seek employment elsewhere. In every life some rain must fall, but money will not stop it raining.
just got into your blog Frank. some things to ponder on … thank you !
Welcome, Christine… I hope you don’t find it boring.
“People on a benefit have a lifestyle choice” – John Key
That’s news to me, a New Zealand citizen aged 31 years, unemployed and holding a B.Sc. in Geography and a Postgraduate Diploma of Science in Hazard Management. Would Mr Key mind living in my shoes for a week on $210 from W.I.N.Z. a week, applying for jobs every day, quite aware that if W.I.N.Z. find me a job before I find myself a job – I have to accept it or risk having my benefit cut.
Trust me, I did not ask to be made redundant for more than a year.
I work when the ends justifies the means, if I work so someone I don’t know gains more income than I do for doing their work and or society and or the environment is worse off because of that work the ends doesn’t justify the means, by not doing such work, I’m minimizing my carbon footprint and providing the opportunity for someone with a family to support the means to do so. Workers wages and conditions have not been condusive to me working for large companies since 1986, so I’ve been on strike since then. It’s not a lifestyle choice I simply do what’s right.
What a splendid blog site! The best I have ever encountered…by turns serious and humorous, it really does inform and entertain, and by golly it does you good. The John
Key Looks At feature is hilarious. Though with those eyes it hard to discern if he prefers
looking at drag queens or mince pies.
Satire in the Private Eye class. Congratulations to all concerned with the production of this
web site. I have signed up to follow, but not in The Dear Leader kind of way. Cheers.
What week to be away frank
Way to go Maya
Go get key.