Island Life: Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a Brasher future.
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It may be a bit old or boring but I imagine Winston will return to rule his roost, because "Joe the plumber" is the "Kiwi Battler"
'Joe The Plumber' doesn't exist, and perhaps I'm a big ol' Pollyanna in drag but I also think the 'Kiwi Battler from Struggle Street' actually gets these are serious times for serious people. And Winston's cocktail of immigrant-trashing and privatising Kiwibank, but only letting real Kiwis buy shares, proves he's none of the above.
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I can't get no respect from a Nat.
I respect you heaps, David. I'll even call you in the morning. True.
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What seems to be the problem, Rik?
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Seriously, what are the odds that ACT stays in Parliament?
Short term, pretty good. Longer term? Not so sure. They're a declining nut-cult, dedicated to a bankrupt ideology, with a shrinking number of adherants. While the thought of Roger Douglas in Parliament thrils them, its not going to win them any more supporters in the long term. Which means that if Rodney ever fails to win Epsom, or decides to pack in parliament for a more enjoyable dance career,they'll be out, and left wailing on the fringes like the social crediters.
I've been thinking for some time that ACT and NZF are likely toast, in which case a left coalition is a distinct possibility still.
That's when there will be real anti-MMP tantrums from the Nats.
Yeah - the horror of government actualy having to have a majority. How unfair!
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By the way, if anyone really wants to look at some crazy white man action ("racist" is a little strong), watch Chris Trotter giving that uppity Maaari Party a good slap-down.
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Joe strikes me as more of an ACT guy. He doesn't seem to like taxes very much.
That "Joe" has a bach as well as the boat and I listen to those Joes complain that it's Labour's fault, and National (or Act) will save them,(as they order one more pint of beer while planning their next holiday) but there is some Joes that don't mind the taxes, we are many :)
'Joe The Plumber' doesn't exist,
..Rubbish.I know because I have one(of the some Joes :) I'm going back to "Bob the Builder"
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Pollution
It's all around
Sometimes up, sometimes down
Pollution
Are you coming to my town? -
Pollution
It's all around
Sometimes up, sometimes down
Pollution
Are you coming to my town?We're on different buses, pollution.
But we're both using petrol...BOMBS!
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For"); /*>*/ Josh]] :)
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Sorry, WRONG! Link
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Sofie: Is that the really really same Rik?
I wonder should the NZF return, they need not be anywhere but on the cross benches which would at least block the possibility of National forming a Govt. If they are not for National, they must be against them but not necessarily for Labour but not against them. I know what I mean! -
. I know what I mean!
And Winston knows what he means. It's those of us who have some grip, however tenuous, on objective reality who have problems.
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ACT will hold Epsom, and have at least three MPs (which means Roger).
I foresee two scenarios.
1. Labour manages to hold on, Roger cuts a lonely figure on the opposition backbench, a perverse reincarnation of Rob Muldoon c. 1985.
2. National win, Roger cuts a lonely figure on the government backbench, a perverse reincarnation of himself c. 1988.
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I actually have a strategy I would commend to Labour if, following the election, the Maori Party are set on supporting a National government.
Let them win confidence (even by abstaining if they haven't got the votes). Then produce and promote an alternative budget that will be much more attractive to Maori than National's watered down neo-liberalism. If they could attract just some of the Maori Party MPs to break ranks and vote against the budget, then the Key government's got an immediate crisis around not having supply.
Given Key's lack of experience in negotiating in an MMP parliament, this could lead to imminent collapse and an early election - with Labour brought back to sort things out.
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Let them win confidence (even by abstaining if they haven't got the votes). Then produce and promote an alternative budget that will be much more attractive to Maori than National's watered down neo-liberalism. If they could attract just some of the Maori Party MPs to break ranks and vote against the budget, then the Key government's got an immediate crisis around not having supply.
And then let Labour learn what it's like being called haters and wreckers for a change; the kind of people who are more interested in power than the country's good at a time of economic crisis.
Yes please.
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Sofie: Is that the really really same Rik?
Hah! I just know we have lentils for dinner again :) (that is the real Rick Mayall though)
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I actually have a strategy I would commend to Labour if, following the election, the Maori Party are set on supporting a National government.
Tariana Turia was on the 3.00 RNZ News saying the Maori Party is drafting a bill to entrench the Maori seats. Support for the bill (or enactment? not sure) would be a bottom line condition for their support of any party.
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And then let Labour learn what it's like being called haters and wreckers for a change; the kind of people who are more interested in power than the country's good at a time of economic crisis.
Yes please.
Craig's a starter for 10, lets do it!
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Short term, pretty good. Longer term? Not so sure. [Act] are a declining nut-cult, dedicated to a bankrupt ideology, with a shrinking number of adherants.
Maybe enviromentalists could stage a leveraged takeover of Act when the last green holdout against the glorious socialist revolution has been turfed from the Greens.
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Tariana Turia was on the 3.00 RNZ News saying the Maori Party is drafting a bill to entrench the Maori seats. Support for the bill (or enactment? not sure) would be a bottom line condition for their support of any party.
That's pretty significant electoral change (which I'm not necessarily against) that could plausibly be supported by less than 5% of the voter population yet it would be forced through to meet parliamentary majority?
I guess the only way out of that is Labour and National both having spine and saying "nope, sorry". Breath, I no hold. -
I guess the only way out of that is Labour and National both having spine and saying "nope, sorry". Breath, I no hold
I should add, I don't mind if either of them do support that, but please for the love of Jeebus don't do it just to make Govt.
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Given Key's lack of experience in negotiating in an MMP parliament, this could lead to imminent collapse and an early election - with Labour brought back to sort things out.
It wouldn't lead to an election; under current convention, the G-G will not dissolve parliament mid-term if there is a clear alternative government which holds the confidence of the House.
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That's pretty significant electoral change
It would really depend what entrenchment means. If they mean can only be repealed by a vote of 3/4 of the house (for example), do they have to have a 3/4 vote to get it?
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Kyle: that's the whole "can Parliament bind itself" question. And the conventional answer is no, it can't. All Acts are equal.
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Yeah. In which case, what are the Maori Party talking about?
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