Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: "Because we can"

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  • Angus Robertson, in reply to DexterX,

    The motherjones link is a hidden camera sting of Romney talking to a bunch of very wealthy donors where he is telling them what thay want to hear, like any politician does. Its a smear of the type normally used in the last few days of a campaign, when it can't be mitigated - by the time the election rolls round this will mean nothing.

    The only reason it has come out this week is that Obama's foreign policy needs a distraction now. The Libyan military intervention has been so unsuccessful that the people of Benghazi spent a day dragging the corpse of the US ambassodor around the streets.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    But I presume the minister and Ms Rebstock haven't thought it through like that. It would require more empathy than they typically display.

    It would also require them sourcing better advice. One member of the Welfare Working Group and the subsequent Work and Income oversight Board has only a 'rehabilitation' focus which is why their report talks exclusively about getting disabled beneficiaries "back to" work. The other members know the stereotypes, the same as the rest of us.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Sacha,

    Many people currently receiving the Invalid Benefit would welcome access to support to get some part-time work

    I think with sympathetic mentoring and better access to appropriate healthcare, a lot of people on health-related benefits would be less sick. Everybody wants sick and disabled people to achieve all they’re capable of, right? If the MSD could work with and for its clients, I think the outcomes would be better for everyone.

    Instead of “helping sickness beneficiaries into work” being a euphemism for “pointlessly threatening and harrassing beneficiaries to apply for work they can’t do and won’t get”.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Richard Llewellyn, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    Different perceptions of the same events I guess Angus (like a Kurosawa movie). I watched the Mother Jones video and thought it showed that (granted in the context of an election strategy run-down) Romney holds many millions of Americans in contempt for not being able to or not wanting to fulfil the American dream (which he rather absurdly and implausibly holds himself up as a self-made example of).

    As for Libya, I thought I had read somewhere that the people of Benghazi who were photographed with the Ambassador were actually those who had dragged him from the burning compound and who took him to hospital ......

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    The Libyan military intervention has been so unsuccessful that the people of Benghazi spent a day dragging the corpse of the US ambassodor around the streets.

    Exaggerate, much?
    Video shows Libyans trying to rescue US ambassador

    "There was not a single ambulance to carry him. Maybe he was handled the wrong way,” said Fahd al-Bakoush, a freelance videographer who shot the footage. “They took him to a private car."

    Of course, it suits the Romney cause to present the Lybians as ungrateful retches and that Obama is a Muslim supporter at the expense of Righteous Americans.
    ETA
    @ Richard Llewellyn… Snap.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Lilith __,

    Everybody wants sick and disabled people to achieve all they’re capable of, right?

    Our common expectations about that capability and its real impact are the underlying problem.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    It doesn't answer the moral question of why it's proper to threaten beneficiaries with financial sanctions for the good of their children, but not WFF recipients

    Which would still not answer the moral question of why it's proper to legally force the kids of people that "receive direct tax/payment assistance" into ECE but not my 4 year old*?
    I have a few "upstanding middle class" friends where one parent has chosen to stay at home with their kids until they hit school age - apparently they're saintly parents caring for the best interests of their child. The exact same family around the corner that receives a benefit and does the same thing are now filthy lawbreakers who must be punished.

    *who goes voluntarily but that's a very different thing. I receive no WFF credit or benefit beyond, ya know, civilization.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Richard Aston,

    Interesting the phrase "Nanny State" has not been resurfaced by the media - the degree of proposed intervention in families is surely deep enough to qualify .

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Sacha,

    Everybody wants sick and disabled people to achieve all they’re capable of, right?

    Our common expectations about that capability and its real impact are the underlying problem.

    Care to elaborate on what you mean, Sacha?

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Richard Aston,

    Interesting the phrase “Nanny State” has not been resurfaced by the media – the degree of proposed intervention in families is surely deep enough to qualify .

    "Nanny State" is an epithet only used when the Left is trying to help people.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Tim Michie,

    The irony being, of course, that the states where fewest people pay federal income tax are in the Republican South. 2008 Obama votes were concentrated in higher-income states.

    Who Votes in America infographic love.

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Lilith __,

    Too much for a short answer. Once I've set up my own blog perhaps. Or if some public agency wants to pay for my expertise - whichever comes first.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Sacha,

    Too much for a short answer. Once I’ve set up my own blog perhaps. Or if some public agency wants to pay for my expertise – whichever comes first.

    Will look fwd to reading. Hope for you it's option (b). :-)

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Lilith __,

    Ta. Not holding my breath.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Okay -- it looks like we have the third and final answer on the minister's statistics, thanks to Lindsay Mitchell:

    For the record, the Ministerial Q & A sheet says,

    "More than 161,000 people have received a benefit for at least half of the last 10 years and 139,000 have spent more than a decade on benefit since 1993."

    Happily the Herald has amended its story.

    I would also note that this statistic does not demonstrate benefit capture.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Richard Aston, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I would also note that this statistic does not demonstrate benefit capture.

    Whats that?

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • DexterX,

    Reecent events suggest Paula Benefit and Mitt Romney have been brain storming - lots of storm and not much brain.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    The only reason it has come out this week is that Obama's foreign policy needs a distraction now.

    I just don't think so - Mojo isn't in anyone's pocket.

    Mitt Romney is pretty much a perpetual political idiot - the only time he takes one foot out of his mouth is to put the other one in. He is not credible - I think he will be great as the impetus to get the democratic vote out. The fear that he could be the next President should be more than enough motivation.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • 81stcolumn,

    Mitt Romney is pretty much a perpetual political idiot...........The fear that he could be the next President should be more than enough motivation.

    Not trolling, but this does sound awfully like the rhetoric heard before Bush got re-elected.......

    Nawthshaw • Since Nov 2006 • 790 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to 81stcolumn,

    Not trolling, but this does sound awfully like the rhetoric heard before Bush got re-elected…….

    On the other hand, John Kerry was never in the very strong position Obama is at this stage of the race.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Steve Withers, in reply to Mark Graham,

    “Bullshit politicking” can work because everyone knows someone (or knows someone who knows someone) who is sitting around on the benefit having babies. I, personally, witnessed this over the past few years. The gang connections. The boy-racer cars. The low-level drug dealing. No one has a job. Quiet periods while various family members were in jail for petty offences. The fights….and though they may be the only family out of 300 in the area who behave that way…..everyone knew them (or knew of them). So while they might be less than 1% of the population, they feature larger than life in the gossip / rumour “life” of the neighbourhood….and become the ‘basket’ containing numerous activities they DIDN’T do….but people want someone to blame. That’s all you need for bs politics to gain traction: a good, emotionally satisfying anecdote will invalidate all rational statistical perspectives.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 312 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    The only reason it has come out this week is that Obama’s foreign policy needs a distraction now. The Libyan military intervention has been so unsuccessful that the people of Benghazi spent a day dragging the corpse of the US ambassodor around the streets.

    Hardly.

    A series of polls are finding Americans much more strongly on the side of their President than his challenger:

    Romney’s Libya comments landed with a thud: Reuters/Ipsos poll (Reuters/Ipsos)

    Romney’s Libya Response May Have Done Real Damage (Pew Research)

    Benghazi has been a disaster for Romney, not Obama.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    Gio and Hilary linked to this on Facebook: How the Public Massively Overestimates Benefit Fraud

    It's talking about England, but seems pretty relevant to this government's modus operandi. (And, uh, David Shearer's lately. Thanks a bunch, Shearer.)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Richard Aston,

    “Nanny State”

    I think this phrase should be subverted for use describing the braying of goats coming from the House of Parliament - watching Key wittering drunkenly on about Planet Key, goaded on by the rest of the lower fifth form bullies, was just embarrassing - can we have random breath testing in Parliament please...

    Watch and cringe...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hmK3mTPyRTs

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Steve Withers,

    but people want someone to blame. That’s all you need for bs politics to gain traction: a good, emotionally satisfying anecdote will invalidate all rational statistical perspectives.

    Once again, I'm reminded of the 12 Cookies joke that sprung up in the wake of the Great Recession. And it's the perfect counter-response to anyone who invokes "How Taxes Work".

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

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