Posts by JohnAmiria
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Now, I know some will put it down to grumpy Labour voters staying home, or the bandwagon effect, or whatever.
I'll throw a few more into the mix: polls which made it seem like it was a foregone conclusion, and...
But the two could be linked. I've long believed (off the top of my head) that when ppl feel 'their team' is going to lose they don't go out and vote. In that way they're absolved of feeling like 'a loser'. Illogical I know, but if they don't vote then they don't have to worry about being aligned with the losing team.
Which is why parties work hard to project them selves as winners prior to voting. In National's case the polls said they were going to win, and this was spun into 'winning handsomely' and viola! it happened.
This logic also works when deciding if/when to support a kiwi sports team. Unless they've got no hope of winning, in which case everyone gets behind them because the outcome doesn't matter.
Not sure if it applies to this tho':
Low Maori voter turnout -
Er... we'd start after the next scheduled election, right?
Right.
OR: we could backdate it to the last election, thereby putting Labour back in power for another 12 months.But seriously. I'm a big fan of a longer term. 3 years seems too short. Don't know if I'd go 5.
2] retaining Maori seats. Either lock 'em in or phase them out (over 20 years if necessary)
I'm hopeful National will sort this out this term, with the help of the Maori Party. If we're going to entrench the seats (and they weren't meant to be permanent when they were introduced - it was a mechanism to divert the Maori vote) then surely Maori shouldn't be allowed on the General Roll as well? Why do they get two choices? And if we're going to have a Pasifica seat (as has been suggested) will we have one for the Chinese?
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Since we're looking at reviewing the EFA, how about we go a step further and re-assess the whole system?
A bi-partisan commission to look at:
1] retaining MMP or switching to another proportional system (not a return to FPP). include a review of the 5% thresh-hold
2] retaining Maori seats. Either lock 'em in or phase them out (over 20 years if necessary)
3] increasing the term to 4 years, so the Govt can govern and not switch to election mode in Year 3
4] setting a fixed election date, with the official campaign season (vis a vis any EFA) starting 6 months prior. This would not negate a Govt calling a snap election.A great idea if I say so myself, the only thorn being the commission/consultation process. I'd like it all done in a year but fat chance of that happening.
<if you think this is threadjacking Russell you can hold it over til later in the discussion>
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Anyone else disappointed that it's been a whole twenty-four hours or so and the Apocalypse has not arrived? Perhaps tomorrow.
Love you and love your work, Craig, but you can be such a dick sometimes
Yeah, but I'm kinda with Craig on this one. It's all well and good to vent but crikey look at the time. When will it stop? Here's hoping it's a sunny day tomorrow and everyone get's up better rested than they have today.
In other news, JohnKey.co.nz still declares him to be "Leader of the Opposition" .... it's unacceptable that Key's website hasn't been updated. It's the interweb not a fax.
Really? Shall we put that in our Constitution? All parties must have a designated Admin person who will not get drunk celebrating their victory/loss and shall update all party websites within 60 minutes of the final result being known...
Yeah, right.
Before throwing stones maybe you should've checked out these sites first:
http://www.labour.org.nz/index.htm
Not exactly current, are they?
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so the nation can understand why National is throwing out it's promises and starting again
FWIW - I always suspected Labour would be doing the same if elected.
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(Yes there is the Maori Party, but they are either going to get into bed with the Nats and get a terminal STD, or oppose the Nats and be part of the alternative government next time round. The National - ACT - Maori love-in will be a crockery throwing contest long before Bill English's first budget).
I think the MP will give the Nat's confidence and supply and that will be it. And smiles and a "let's agree to work together on key issues".
Key said last night he told Turia they would have a 'dialogue' this week. Contrast that with his comments about Act and UF.He has enough seats, he doesn't need the MP, and there will be those within saying why compromise? Entrenching Maori seats is off the table, at best he may agree not to pursue removing them. With Turia and Sharples leaving by the next election, there are many in National/Act worried about how 'radical' the MP may become.
I'm guessing the MP will be 'involved' in Maori Affairs but it will be an open relationship with either side free to call it quits at any time.
Douglas says review the promises, Joyce says we'll keep them.
I suspect we'll have a mini-budget in December, just as Labour were planning. At which time it will be "OMG" and all bets are off and the books are opened (or certain pages to suit) so the nation can understand why National is throwing out it's promises and starting again.
This will be interesting given that Labour may also be selecting a new leader at around the same time. -
Awww, sorry - should I have added an LOL to my previous post? My point (and HuffPo's too, I suspect) was that the very people who spewed the most venom about Barrack (a terrorist Muslim who doesn't love America and doesn't have any executive experience) are now suddenly rushing to praise him as a patriot blessed by god and great for America.
Considering some of the teeth-gnashing going on here today I merely wondered (tongue-in-cheek) if sober heads would prevail eventually?
"The Left" should be happy, given the economy. If Key doesn't have it all 'fixed' in 3 years time there will be a massive swing back. Labour have dodged a bullet. Given his priority is get re-elected in 3 years (IMO) I doubt he's going to do too much damage until year 4.
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Vent my pretties, vent.
Get it out of your system because in a few days you will all be singing Key's praises. That's if the US election is anything to go by:
Many Of Obama's Harshest Critics Now Rushing To Praise Him...
Bachmann: Obama's Victory "A Tremendous Signal"...
Palin: "God Bless Barack Obama"...
Lieberman: Obama's A "Genuine Patriot"...
Bill Kristol Congratulates ObamaThose are the headlines from HuffPo right now.
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Well, I'd like to know what the point is, then: a 73 year old statesman doesn't come back to Parliament with the expectation to be a quiet backbencher.
Douglas came back to a party dead in the water. He came back to bring original supporters back into the fold. And he brought donors with him. Without Douglas Act would have gone the same way as United Future.
And no, I'm not an Act supporter.
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dropping thousands of civil servants onto the dole queue is not something the country needs at this juncture. Even if they're not strictly necessary, it's better that they're employed, paying taxes, and supporting their families.
When did Key say he was going to fire civil servants? He expressly said he would not be firing anyone, just that he would 'cap' the civil service at current levels. Any new staff placements would be filled from the existing ranks ie those staff not strictly necessary (as you put it).
BTW - if you agree they're not strictly necessary (as you put it) can you explain why they should be entitled to a $50+k benefit? Other unemployed have to struggle on much less.