Key wants,smells,tastes power - he's dangerous...
These polls are just what they are- polls. But they have to be a "wake up" call for Labour. Key is in a honeymoon period. This guy is not stupid like Brash. He's serious and extremely dangerous - he wants, smells, tastes and is after power!
He does not oppose Labour's policies, such as Kiwisaver, anti-nuclear, environmental in general, in privatisation - not in their first term. But let me tell you that they intend to bring in Employment law that will make the ECA seem like kindergarten rules - employees will be like servants during the first six months of new employment. Any gains that unions have made in the last three terms will be stymied by new law.
Expert: Polls no honeymoon period
Massey University political marketing expert says move towards National and its leader John Key cannot be written off as honeymoon period
28 May 2007
A political marketing expert says Labour has good reason to be worried about its sharp slip in the polls.
In Saturday's Herald-DigiPoll 50.9 percent of decided voters support National. Last night's One News/Colmar-Brunton survey gave National 56 percent support and Labour 31 percent.
National leader John Key says the polls show New Zealanders are tired of Labour's direction. But he says polls are ultimately a snap shot of a horse race that has not finished and there is plenty of work to do yet. Mr Key says there is no room for complacency or arrogance.
Prime Minister Helen Clark says it is simply mid-term blues, which Labour has had before, and as recently as when Don Brash was appointed National leader. She says Mr Key is in a honeymoon period and she is not depressed about the polls.
Massey University political marketing expert Dr Claire Robinson says the move towards National and its leader John Key cannot be written off as his honeymoon period. She says new research has shown the earlier people make up their minds, the better news it is for National.
"We can predict that National support will rise if voters make their decision early. We can also see that minor party support tends to decline, the sooner voters make up their mind."
Dr Robinson says the shift in voter thinking is significant because once people have put in the effort to decide who they will vote for, they do not tend to think about it much again until the election campaign. She says when the election campaign comes along they take another look at their choice.
"As long as National stays doing things right, there will not be much need for people to reflect on their decision and change their mind. But National still has an opportunity to go belly-up like it did in 2005."
Dr Robinson says Labour still has an opportunity to drag itself up in the election campaign, but it will have to come up with something new.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Electors not pollsters decide the future of governments...
John Key and the National Party are soaring to great heights in the latest opinion polls, it has been claimed. Is that right? Just where are they soaring to? Electors not pollsters decide the future of governments in parliamentary democracies.
Electors have rejected the National party in the last three elections. So what went wrong there? Was it purely because of the leaders the National Party had at the time? Bill English and Don Brash? Granted that John Key is light years from Don Brash as a leader; but Brash brought National very close in the last election result, after Bill English, the new Finance spokesman in the current Key shadow government, was mutilated in the elections previously.
Before you all get carried away and get yourselves measured for blue suits next year, let me remind you that it is actually all about perceptions, and...policies.
The Labour led Government is in the process of governing New Zealand in the best possible manner according to its philosophies, not tryng to get itself elected after three terms in opposition.
Apart from all its rejected New Right policies, all National has going is obsessive tax reductions. Labour has been building and creating an economy and a fair society - and it will continue building on that in the future. Forget all the trite comments about social engineering from right wing critics - just what the hell is social engineering anyway? Social evolution has been occurring for ever and occurs throughout western societies. There are reasons for social change and evolution will never be halted by Christian fundamentalist factions who believe social minorities have no human rights at all. As they say, politics has no place in religion, and vice versa!
Until later! Enjoy the honeymoon, Johnboy.
Electors have rejected the National party in the last three elections. So what went wrong there? Was it purely because of the leaders the National Party had at the time? Bill English and Don Brash? Granted that John Key is light years from Don Brash as a leader; but Brash brought National very close in the last election result, after Bill English, the new Finance spokesman in the current Key shadow government, was mutilated in the elections previously.
Before you all get carried away and get yourselves measured for blue suits next year, let me remind you that it is actually all about perceptions, and...policies.
The Labour led Government is in the process of governing New Zealand in the best possible manner according to its philosophies, not tryng to get itself elected after three terms in opposition.
Apart from all its rejected New Right policies, all National has going is obsessive tax reductions. Labour has been building and creating an economy and a fair society - and it will continue building on that in the future. Forget all the trite comments about social engineering from right wing critics - just what the hell is social engineering anyway? Social evolution has been occurring for ever and occurs throughout western societies. There are reasons for social change and evolution will never be halted by Christian fundamentalist factions who believe social minorities have no human rights at all. As they say, politics has no place in religion, and vice versa!
Until later! Enjoy the honeymoon, Johnboy.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The 2007 Budget - the aftermath - the political comments...
The 2007 budget - the aftermath the political comments...
Michael Cullen and John Key:
Key: it is a money-go round budget
Michael Cullen is defending compulsory employer KiwiSaver contributions; Nats leader says Dr Cullen has failed as Finance Minister
17 May 2007
The Finance Minister is defending his decision to introduce compulsory employer contributions to the KiwiSaver scheme.
Under the budget Michael Cullen has unveiled this afternoon, employees will get a tax credit of up to $20 a week. There will also be compulsory matching employer contributions from April next year.
Dr Cullen says the rate of employer contributions will increase by one percent each year until they reach four percent. He denies employers will feel resentful, saying the costs to them are quite small and many were moving to thinking about providing employer contributions anyway.
National leader John Key is labelling it the "money go round budget", pointing out that while business is getting a billion dollars in tax cuts it is losing another two billion elsewhere. He says instead of a tax cut, Aucklanders are getting a tax increase in the form of a petrol tax to pay for rail electrification. He says it is also clear workers will not get a pay increase for years, because of the compulsory employer contributions to KiwiSaver. Mr Key says he has received advice that 50 percent of workers will not take the KiwiSaver scheme up, because they cannot afford to.
Big business is also unimpressed. Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr says while a reduction in corporate tax from 33 to 30 percent is welcomed, it is not going to stop Kiwis heading across the Tasman for better wages. He says the tax reduction is a baby step.
Mr Kerr says there is nothing in the budget to contribute to productivity. With a growth rate of 2.5 percent predicted over the next four years compared with Australia's four percent, Mr Kerr says the income gap between the two countries is set to widen.
The National leader says Dr Cullen has failed as Finance Minister. Mr Key shouted across Parliament that he now no longer cares who presents next year's budget for the Government.
"I do not not know whether it will be Michael Cullen show reads Budget 2008 and I do not care. Because I know who will read Budget 2009 and it is going to be Bill English. And is going to be a lot better budget than that."
His criticism has been dismissed by Prime Minister Helen Clark, who labelled Mr Key a lightweight and said his budget response speech "makes a bird bath look deep".
Michael Cullen and John Key:
Key: it is a money-go round budget
Michael Cullen is defending compulsory employer KiwiSaver contributions; Nats leader says Dr Cullen has failed as Finance Minister
17 May 2007
The Finance Minister is defending his decision to introduce compulsory employer contributions to the KiwiSaver scheme.
Under the budget Michael Cullen has unveiled this afternoon, employees will get a tax credit of up to $20 a week. There will also be compulsory matching employer contributions from April next year.
Dr Cullen says the rate of employer contributions will increase by one percent each year until they reach four percent. He denies employers will feel resentful, saying the costs to them are quite small and many were moving to thinking about providing employer contributions anyway.
National leader John Key is labelling it the "money go round budget", pointing out that while business is getting a billion dollars in tax cuts it is losing another two billion elsewhere. He says instead of a tax cut, Aucklanders are getting a tax increase in the form of a petrol tax to pay for rail electrification. He says it is also clear workers will not get a pay increase for years, because of the compulsory employer contributions to KiwiSaver. Mr Key says he has received advice that 50 percent of workers will not take the KiwiSaver scheme up, because they cannot afford to.
Big business is also unimpressed. Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr says while a reduction in corporate tax from 33 to 30 percent is welcomed, it is not going to stop Kiwis heading across the Tasman for better wages. He says the tax reduction is a baby step.
Mr Kerr says there is nothing in the budget to contribute to productivity. With a growth rate of 2.5 percent predicted over the next four years compared with Australia's four percent, Mr Kerr says the income gap between the two countries is set to widen.
The National leader says Dr Cullen has failed as Finance Minister. Mr Key shouted across Parliament that he now no longer cares who presents next year's budget for the Government.
"I do not not know whether it will be Michael Cullen show reads Budget 2008 and I do not care. Because I know who will read Budget 2009 and it is going to be Bill English. And is going to be a lot better budget than that."
His criticism has been dismissed by Prime Minister Helen Clark, who labelled Mr Key a lightweight and said his budget response speech "makes a bird bath look deep".
Monday, May 14, 2007
Employment figures at record low since Labour has been in office...
The Govt. is ecstatic about its employment record - figures have dropped to 26,000 down from 161,000 at its peak.
Assoc. Employment Minister Ruth Dyson claims a generation of New Zealanders who have no knowledge of unemployment. This has to be a positive thing. It means there may not be any inclination for the unemployed to seek a benefit rather than toughing it out finding a job.
The Government claims it has nipped unemployment in the bud. It must build on that. Work and Income should return to having job bulletins in its offices for unemployed people to casually inspect. In fact employment should be returned to a Labour Department responsibility. Income should then be returned to a new Income Support responsibility. The Work and Income Department should be split and disbanded. It is a National Party created social monstrosity designed to subject unfortunate New Zealanders to its authoritarian style of welfare management.
Associate Employment Minister Ruth Dyson says New Zealand is nearing a point of having a generation who will not know about unemployment. She says since Labour has been in office, the number of people on the unemployment benefit has dropped from 161,000 to just over 26,000.That is certainly great news for the country.
She says the cycle of unemployment has finally been broken with those fresh out of school, heading into proper training, apprenticeships and jobs, instead of onto the dole. The Government's new apprenticeship scheme is certainly successful.
Ms Dyson says despite an aging population, the total number of beneficiaries has dropped 35 percent in the last seven years.
The Government needs to discover why so many other people are on sickness or invalid benefits. They need to encourage employers to take on physically and intellectually handicapped people who are capable of working into their workforces on minimum wages at least.
Assoc. Employment Minister Ruth Dyson claims a generation of New Zealanders who have no knowledge of unemployment. This has to be a positive thing. It means there may not be any inclination for the unemployed to seek a benefit rather than toughing it out finding a job.
The Government claims it has nipped unemployment in the bud. It must build on that. Work and Income should return to having job bulletins in its offices for unemployed people to casually inspect. In fact employment should be returned to a Labour Department responsibility. Income should then be returned to a new Income Support responsibility. The Work and Income Department should be split and disbanded. It is a National Party created social monstrosity designed to subject unfortunate New Zealanders to its authoritarian style of welfare management.
Associate Employment Minister Ruth Dyson says New Zealand is nearing a point of having a generation who will not know about unemployment. She says since Labour has been in office, the number of people on the unemployment benefit has dropped from 161,000 to just over 26,000.That is certainly great news for the country.
She says the cycle of unemployment has finally been broken with those fresh out of school, heading into proper training, apprenticeships and jobs, instead of onto the dole. The Government's new apprenticeship scheme is certainly successful.
Ms Dyson says despite an aging population, the total number of beneficiaries has dropped 35 percent in the last seven years.
The Government needs to discover why so many other people are on sickness or invalid benefits. They need to encourage employers to take on physically and intellectually handicapped people who are capable of working into their workforces on minimum wages at least.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Labour doesn't govern by popularity polls - John Key honeymoon will soon be over...
National has announced it has dropped its opposition to the Kyoto protocol and will cut climate change emissions by 50% by 2050. Well I hope it keeps its word. Apart from the fact it probably won't be in government much of that period now that we have a well established MMP electoral system, many of us won't be alive in 2050. Rhetoric, John, rhetoric! With countries like Australia and the US who didn't support the Kyoto protocol initially, now having to support policies to cut climate change emissions.
So National finally has a leader who has overtaken an overworked Labour prime minister, Helen Clark, in the polls. She should have been struggling for quite a while now, considering the flack the government has taken on a variety of fronts.The only real poll comes on election day, and this government, led by New Zealand's best prime minister in decades,doesn't govern by popularity polls.
Just how many times will Key and National get away with their backflipping on the Kyoto protocol, Kiwisaver, income- related State Housing rents, and most likely, student loans. The Government has to deal with the anti-smacking debate, interest rates, the high dollar and now, with tax cuts because Australia has done so in its election budget. I have confidence in Michael Cullen's econonomic management and his reasons why a small tax cut will do little to help Kiwi workers. The Working for Family policy is working its way through the economy now and will help most families more than some small tax cuts. I say small because that is all National has given in the past and would be able to give in the future if NZ voters were stupid enough to vote them into power.
The National Party cannot position itself in the middle of the political spectrum in New Zealand politics because it is still a strongly right wing party. John Key simply does not have a credible vehicle to drive to electoral victory. Look at the people he is surrounded by - all previously badly defeated New Right economic, social and industrial relations apologists. All I can say to John Key is to make the most of his little political honeymoon because future polls will be questioning his credibility. It will take the pressure off Helen Clark a little, and let her concentrate on working for the New Zealand people, not the little gnomes and gnomelets who have prospered since market economics became established in Newe Zealand.
So National finally has a leader who has overtaken an overworked Labour prime minister, Helen Clark, in the polls. She should have been struggling for quite a while now, considering the flack the government has taken on a variety of fronts.The only real poll comes on election day, and this government, led by New Zealand's best prime minister in decades,doesn't govern by popularity polls.
Just how many times will Key and National get away with their backflipping on the Kyoto protocol, Kiwisaver, income- related State Housing rents, and most likely, student loans. The Government has to deal with the anti-smacking debate, interest rates, the high dollar and now, with tax cuts because Australia has done so in its election budget. I have confidence in Michael Cullen's econonomic management and his reasons why a small tax cut will do little to help Kiwi workers. The Working for Family policy is working its way through the economy now and will help most families more than some small tax cuts. I say small because that is all National has given in the past and would be able to give in the future if NZ voters were stupid enough to vote them into power.
The National Party cannot position itself in the middle of the political spectrum in New Zealand politics because it is still a strongly right wing party. John Key simply does not have a credible vehicle to drive to electoral victory. Look at the people he is surrounded by - all previously badly defeated New Right economic, social and industrial relations apologists. All I can say to John Key is to make the most of his little political honeymoon because future polls will be questioning his credibility. It will take the pressure off Helen Clark a little, and let her concentrate on working for the New Zealand people, not the little gnomes and gnomelets who have prospered since market economics became established in Newe Zealand.
National has announced it has dropped its opposition to the Kyoto protocol and will cut climate change emissions by 50% by 2050. Well I hope it keeps its word. Apart from the fact it probably won't be in government much of that period now that we have a well established MMP electoral system, many of us won't be alive in 2050. Rhetoric, John, rhetoric! With countries like Australia and the US who didn't support the Kyoto protocol initially, now having to support policies to cut climate change emissions.
So National finally has a leader who has overtaken an overworked Labour prime minister, Helen Clark, in the polls. She should have been struggling for quite a while now, considering the flack the government has taken on a variety of fronts.The only real poll comes on election day, and this government, led by New Zealand's best prime minister in decades,doesn't govern by popularity polls.
Just how many times will Key and National get away with their backflipping on the Kyoto protocol, Kiwisaver, income- related State Housing rents, and most likely, student loans. The Government has to deal with the anti-smacking debate, interest rates, the high dollar and now, with tax cuts because Australia has done so in its election budget. I have confidence in Michael Cullen's econonomic management and his reasons why a small tax cut will do little to help Kiwi workers. The Working for Family policy is working its way through the economy now and will help most families more than some small tax cuts. I say small because that is all National has given in the past and would be able to give in the future if NZ voters were stupid enough to vote them into power.
The National Party cannot position itself in the middle of the political spectrum in New Zealand politics because it is still a strongly right wing party. John Key simply does not have a credible vehicle to drive to electoral victory. Look at the people he is surrounded by - all previously badly defeated New Right economic, social and industrial relations apologists. All I can say to John Key is to make the most of his little political honeymoon because future polls will be questioning his credibility. It will take the pressure off Helen Clark a little, and let her concentrate on working for the New Zealand people, not the little gnomes and gnomelets who have prospered since market economics became established in Newe Zealand.
So National finally has a leader who has overtaken an overworked Labour prime minister, Helen Clark, in the polls. She should have been struggling for quite a while now, considering the flack the government has taken on a variety of fronts.The only real poll comes on election day, and this government, led by New Zealand's best prime minister in decades,doesn't govern by popularity polls.
Just how many times will Key and National get away with their backflipping on the Kyoto protocol, Kiwisaver, income- related State Housing rents, and most likely, student loans. The Government has to deal with the anti-smacking debate, interest rates, the high dollar and now, with tax cuts because Australia has done so in its election budget. I have confidence in Michael Cullen's econonomic management and his reasons why a small tax cut will do little to help Kiwi workers. The Working for Family policy is working its way through the economy now and will help most families more than some small tax cuts. I say small because that is all National has given in the past and would be able to give in the future if NZ voters were stupid enough to vote them into power.
The National Party cannot position itself in the middle of the political spectrum in New Zealand politics because it is still a strongly right wing party. John Key simply does not have a credible vehicle to drive to electoral victory. Look at the people he is surrounded by - all previously badly defeated New Right economic, social and industrial relations apologists. All I can say to John Key is to make the most of his little political honeymoon because future polls will be questioning his credibility. It will take the pressure off Helen Clark a little, and let her concentrate on working for the New Zealand people, not the little gnomes and gnomelets who have prospered since market economics became established in Newe Zealand.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Bob Jones just a crass, bigotted, biased, foolish old pensioner...
Bob Jones is a crass, bigotted, foolish old pensioner...
I don't accept the legitimacy of knighthoods for people like Bob Jones,Roger Brierley or Roger Douglas. - they only received their titles for making money and their service to capitalism and the market - not New Zealand society or the average Kiwi in the street. As a consequence their titles shouldn't be used.
Bob Jones is just a crass, bigotted, biased , foolish old pensioner who has never made a positive contribution to New Zealand society, except when he lives overseas. Just a wheeler, dealer devotee to the god of mammon and the free market.
I remember the reports years ago of him assaulting a traffic cop because he didn't appreciate being given a ticket by an idiotic traffic cop. Yeah right! And on state television we watched the aftermath of Bob Jones assaulting a television reporter because he interfered with Bob Jones'privacy. Jones hit him in the face and gave him a bloody nose.
The man was obviously out of control like some interbred pitbull, protected by his millions, which he will use to try and intimidate anybody that he, Jones, thinks is threatening him.
He always publicly insulted or put down those he disagreed with personally, or politically, or those lesser mortals that this Naenae College educated, punch drunk, third rated boxer considered. Such an example was his election campaign to bring about the downfall of the Robert Muldoon( another undeserved knighthood)National Government, not because he really supported the Labour Party.
I don't accept the legitimacy of knighthoods for people like Bob Jones,Roger Brierley or Roger Douglas. - they only received their titles for making money and their service to capitalism and the market - not New Zealand society or the average Kiwi in the street. As a consequence their titles shouldn't be used.
Bob Jones is just a crass, bigotted, biased , foolish old pensioner who has never made a positive contribution to New Zealand society, except when he lives overseas. Just a wheeler, dealer devotee to the god of mammon and the free market.
I remember the reports years ago of him assaulting a traffic cop because he didn't appreciate being given a ticket by an idiotic traffic cop. Yeah right! And on state television we watched the aftermath of Bob Jones assaulting a television reporter because he interfered with Bob Jones'privacy. Jones hit him in the face and gave him a bloody nose.
The man was obviously out of control like some interbred pitbull, protected by his millions, which he will use to try and intimidate anybody that he, Jones, thinks is threatening him.
He always publicly insulted or put down those he disagreed with personally, or politically, or those lesser mortals that this Naenae College educated, punch drunk, third rated boxer considered. Such an example was his election campaign to bring about the downfall of the Robert Muldoon( another undeserved knighthood)National Government, not because he really supported the Labour Party.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Tariana Turia, Maori Party co-leader is condemned for her inane comments that...
Tariana Turia,Maori Party co-leader is condemned for her inane comments that the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs were not criminal. How bloody stupid! Gangs are there for one reason only - for criminal purposes and when somebody joins a gang they become criminals by association. They can join a youth club if they want to feel wanted!
Turia is always making a fool of herself because of her continual 'foot in mouth' comments. She has now been branded as an apologist for the gangs. Her comments were made after the fatal drive-by shooting in Wanganui which resulted in the death of a young child in her family home. The war of words since has brought strong rebukes across the political divide.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor furiously criticised her when she compared gangs with the police; although criminologist Greg Newbold said not everybody joining a gang embarked on a criminal career. Really? Most gang prospects have to prove themselves to earn their gang patches. What by helping old ladies across the street? Don't be bloody naive and stupid.
I support the Prime Minister Helen Clark's comments that while Mrs Turia was trying to defuse the situation, her comments were way out of line.I quote the PM." The gangs are criminal organisations. That's what distinguishes them from other, normal,legal organisations. Gangs cause a tremendous amount of misery in the community and I don't think its appropriate for anybody to be making excuses for them." Here, here!
She also said that it was an appalling analogy to compare gangs with police. Mr O'connor also said it was totally unacceptable, silly and irresponsible for somebody purporting to represent the interests of Maori, to ignore the fact that the biggest victims of Maori gangs are other Maori.
Maori Affairs Minister,Parekura Horomia said gangs practised criminal activity and must be "exited' from Maori culture. National MP, Chester Borrows, who is planning a bill to ban gang patches in Wanganui City, also condemned Mrs Turia's inane comments.
Turia is always making a fool of herself because of her continual 'foot in mouth' comments. She has now been branded as an apologist for the gangs. Her comments were made after the fatal drive-by shooting in Wanganui which resulted in the death of a young child in her family home. The war of words since has brought strong rebukes across the political divide.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor furiously criticised her when she compared gangs with the police; although criminologist Greg Newbold said not everybody joining a gang embarked on a criminal career. Really? Most gang prospects have to prove themselves to earn their gang patches. What by helping old ladies across the street? Don't be bloody naive and stupid.
I support the Prime Minister Helen Clark's comments that while Mrs Turia was trying to defuse the situation, her comments were way out of line.I quote the PM." The gangs are criminal organisations. That's what distinguishes them from other, normal,legal organisations. Gangs cause a tremendous amount of misery in the community and I don't think its appropriate for anybody to be making excuses for them." Here, here!
She also said that it was an appalling analogy to compare gangs with police. Mr O'connor also said it was totally unacceptable, silly and irresponsible for somebody purporting to represent the interests of Maori, to ignore the fact that the biggest victims of Maori gangs are other Maori.
Maori Affairs Minister,Parekura Horomia said gangs practised criminal activity and must be "exited' from Maori culture. National MP, Chester Borrows, who is planning a bill to ban gang patches in Wanganui City, also condemned Mrs Turia's inane comments.
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