Posts by John Morrison
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It is very interesting what is happening just now, but I have a theory regarding the unfocused anger.
It must be clear to all and sundry that kiwis, especially males, *HATE* being told what to do, and the govt is still suffering from the 'nanny state' tag, exemplified by the anti-smacking bill. On top of this they are now being lumbered with skyrocketing costs and interest payments which just adds to that latent anger.
No matter what the perceived perpetrator says to them, they simply don't listen until they have had a chance to give them the fingers or exact revenge.
Could the truckies protest be this act? Wouldn't that be ironical for Freidlander
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Jim Bolger was smart enough to understand that.
You know, I wrote that without even thinking of Bolger's famous quote. But yes, he did understand that
Sorry guys, but I cannot think of that quote - could you please pass it on? Ta
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OTOH, Russell, it's not hard to feel that folks are getting pretty damn sick of the slick, punchy and totally content free soundbite that Clark is very, very good at as well.
I find it amazing that Craig believes the PM speaks in such a way whereas I always thought she mostly answered honestly and concisely, with some spin thrown in occasionally. Must be different perspectives.
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Which, of course, doesn't include the enlightened folks like us, right John? Just those thick as pig-shit sheeple who don't think as we do.
I don't want to sound snobby or enlightened, but if you are fed a constant diet of political crap - brainfarts etc, from the MSM you would find it difficult to have any sense of worth of the political process. Having access to these blogs only widens the range of available opinion and generally go beyond this daily diet.
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I agree up to a point with Craig: brainfarts and other trivia seem to be enough news for the MSM just now, but in the case of the Herald as Scoop recently implored:
how about an outraged front page editorial upholding our democratic right to know what these contenders to government have in store for us
We seem to be fed this constant diet of trivia and ill-informed interpretation, thus I believe the voter can only react in a similar dumb-arsed way to politics.
David, I certainly remember
the unemployment, government debt, and disastrous economy under Bolger/Shipley
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My top 5 are:
1. Cullen fund as it will help to offset the cost of our Super
2. Support for the lower & middle class. Included here is not only WFF but also 20 free hours, apprenticeship, cheaper primary health and free screening, housing programs etc
3. Kiwisaver
4. The huge amount of $$ spent on infrastructure
5. The high regard NZ is held overseas esp. on govt-govt levelThis is a great record considering govt debt/GDP has decreased over the last 9 years. I cannot understand why it has been lost amongst the voters especially since Labour has been so united carrying out this program. Hell, National has shown more fractures in Opposition.Also Labour has presented policies for the future.
In these rough economic times it seems that voters cannot see past the trivial, eg. 'anti-smacking' and the 'nanny state'
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This has been a real good discussion.
My thoughts are similar to Matthew Poole's. Emergency services are no good to anyone if they are hurt doing their duty, and they have a just expectation of being able to go home that night.But the words from Leigh Kennaway, miles upthread, are still ringing in my head. We all look for someone else to blame or take the responsibility when things turn ugly. The present govt has set itself up to be such an easy scapegoat as well. It is a pity that most people cannot take responsibility for their actions and start to look inward for solutions, but I'm not naive enough to think that is going to happen any day soon.
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We've stopped the Listener, so in a way, I'm glad RB has given up on them as well because I won't miss his column. It is just a shame that it has come to this, but as they have just won a Qantas media award, they are unlikely to change direction in a hurry.
It just seems that the chardonnay socialists are being replaced everywhere by the savvy blanc blues.
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because if you don't have a closetful of masks that allow you to function, you're either a saint, a madman or a damn liar
is a fascinating statement. The people where we live, including ourselves, are really WYSIWYG. There may be hesitancy before they open up, but masks and BS are generally not part of any interaction. Is it a function of geography or what?
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A question: Given Cullen will leave irrespective of the election outcome, would it be seen as a disaster/panic or a good move if he relinquished the deputy PM/Fin. Minister before? After all, he has delivered tax cuts, and more besides, but I think he is not well regarded by the public.