Posts by Mike Graham
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Thanks Graeme - why didn't I think of looking on the interweb?!
The Caribbean has benefited hugely from his philanthropy
That may well be true, but it still strikes me as a bit odd that so much money can be put up for the winners of ONE game of 20/20 cricket, and at the same time comments made to the effect that his money is great for the game in the Caribbean.
I realise that he has put in a lot of other money into the game, but I don't believe that the money put up for this game is good for the game as a whole. Perhaps my anti-20/20 bias is showing.
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Why is is SIR Allen Stanford ? I thought that he was an american. Did he buy a title?
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@Kyle
If it was done over 3 years or something
That was part of my point (although probably not stated very well) - in 3 years there will be someone else legislating another change, so that the Fund Managers never really get to implement their long-term strategy, which goes against the principle of independence from the pollies.
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I guess that anything set up by a politician could be regarded as a "political plaything", but at the time it was set up there was reasonable agreement amongst financial commentators that something like the Cullen Fund was sorely needed, and that, if possible, it should be keep at arms length from the pollys.
So what do we have, in shades of the '75 election, the leader of the opposition proposing significant changes to the scheme, AND to Kiwisaver as well.
The main things that concern me, and most of these have been referred to in earlier comments, are:
1. 40% invested in a single, small, country seems way too much - dostortioin in the sharemarket and all that.
2. Venture Capital funds should only been a VERY small part of any super fund
3. Are we going to see changes every election time - in three years will we see the next leader of the opposition saying "Only 20% in NZ" - how then does the fund exit gracefully without distorting the market again?
4. Investing overseas is part of diversification - the object of the fund is to create a growing fund for the future, and the more diversified the less peaks and troughs.</rant over>
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The 30km Walk - in fact any "walking" race. They just look so stupid, and they should ALL be disqualified.
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@Russell
That would be cool. I can't join a discussion at Kiwiblog without receiving direct, personal abuse these days, and it would be nice if there was a place to go and discuss ideas with a different crowd.
I remember when the comments were introduced here (2 yrs ago next month) that Russell made the comment:
The Public Address Café and Forum: Yes, finally, comments - although yer standard blog comments is precisely what I'm seeking to avoid. You'll need to register to post, our preference is for people to register and post under real names, and we will be moderating for quality. I'm keen to expand the pool of people engaged in online discussion and I think an atmosphere of respect is vital to that aim.
That seemed to set the scene, and those of you who don't use your real names (and I understand the varied reasons for that) still respect the guidelines and the atmosphere here.
Slightly early, but Happy 2nd birthday PAS!
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MikeE - you also seem to conveniently forget about all the extra "user-pay" charges that households would be burdened with.
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Craig - I suspect that it isn't an "official" footpath - just a bit of grass beside Upland Rd along the Orakei reserve. The billboards go up there every election - but I will check with Council as it is a well used path.
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Seriously, the way those warty assemblages of 2x4 and posterboard spring up like mushrooms scares and offends me every election season.
I know that this was posted hours ago, but I agree! Driving home tonight I saw billboards for Richard Worth - he must be serious about winning Epsom back. Those particular billboards (and the others that will no doubt appear) block a grass footpath that is well used by joggers, dog-walkers and many others.
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re Garth George...
if you manage to read to the end of the article you get the clincher:However, of all the valid reasons given by Mr Key for us to elect a National government, this was the clincher: "The only time we've won the rugby World Cup we had a male Prime Minister."