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A man enters a bar in Wellington and orders a drink.
The bar has a robot bartender
The robot serves him a perfectly prepared cocktail, and then asks him,
“What’s your IQ?”
The man replies “150″ and the robot proceeds to make conversation about global warming factors, quantum physics and spirituality, bio-mimicry, environmental interconnectedness, string theory, nanotechnology, and sexual proclivities.
The customer is very impressed and thinks, “This is really cool.”
He decides to test the robot.
He walks out of the bar, turns around, and comes back in for another drink. Again, the robot serves him the perfectly prepared drink and asks him, “What’s your IQ” The man responds, “About 100.”
Immediately the robot starts talking, but this time about league,
Holden racing, the new BIG Mc, tattoos, Nicky Watson and women in general.
Really impressed, the man leaves the bar and decides to give the robot one more test.
He heads out and returns, the robot serves him and asks, “What’s your IQ?” The man replies, “Err, 50, I think.”
And the robot says … really slowly ….
“So……………ya gonna vote for Helen again?”
I understand that said minister has been the recipient of quite a her jibes about his extra-marital activities. He was at the forefront of pillaring Don Brash for the very same behaviour so should expect to be given grief.
We have a critical situation in this country. Politicians are regarded with so much contempt (quite rightly) that recruitment of quality decision makers is almost non-existent. WE need to attract the brightest most intelligent and go-getting people into politics – we all know lots of them. But getting anyone with any sense to engage with politics is almost impossible.
Perhaps we need to offer 60 or 90 politicians a really good salary and conditions so that selection would be like a global executive search. Somehow we need to attract quality normal people back to politics but I can’t see exactly how to do it. But if we would fill up the parties with sensible people perhaps a lot of our problems would be solved.
I can’t help thinking that in the medium to long-term Kiwisaver is likely to result in a voting shift towards National.
Elections are decided by a relatively small portion of the population, who at a rough guess are mainly “middle New Zealanders” earning around the average wage. I suspect that as these people begin to accumulate money in their Kiwisaver account, and see that a fairly large portion of their personal wealth and future financial security is exposed to the stock market and general business health, that this may see them start to favour more of a “pro-business” view.
Labour’s ethos is heavily flavoured with sentiments along the lines of “business is greedy and nasty and just out to enslave the lower and middle classes” – and lots of those lower and middle classes buy that rubbish without a lot of critical thinking. But if you’ve got a six figures worth of shares held in your personal account you might be a but more sceptical of Labour’s message and prefer a pro-busines party.
Maybe Cullen has introduced a (sensible) scheme that long-term will nibble away at Labour’s voting constituency.
Eugenics. Apparently New Zealand helped fight a world war over it once.
The University of Otago’s Human Genome Research Project has recommended that all newborn babies should be genetically tested in order to, amongst other things, aid government departments in planning. Golly!
If we set a precedent that certain types of life can be excluded, what stops us going down a slippery slope? Witnessing human nature in our history, I would suggest not much. It will start with babies with muscular dystrophy (of which I have two good friend – both in their late twenties very intelligent and productive kiwis – one is doing a PhD and the other works for a high-profile govt ministry), babies with cystic fibrosis (my cousin who is 25, and an Architect, has CF) and then we’ll discover there is a fat gene. ‘Fat’ babies with be aborted. What happens if we find an acne gene? What will happen is we find a ‘gay’ gene. You can probably guess. What happens if we decide we don’t like Jews anymore?
kevin, i agree. leadership should be something to aspire to, but several decades of self-serving behaviour by politicians has made it a no go zone for anyone possessing the critical attributes of skill and integrity.
Mallard [the Duck] v Henare [who didn't duck]
Okay – so no one here has stated the obvious yet – but does two persons acting like children but as adults smack each other constitute an infringement of the anti-smacking law these people themselves enacted or did their own incompetence not ensure a clause that covers this
– or was Mallard’s actions ‘preventative” or ‘corrective’?
Mallard was evidently displaying gross hypocrisy for his actions in relation to Don Brash, but the two them display further hypocrisy in relation to the laws they pass.
The resignation of the sole remaining child cancer specialist at Wellington Hospital has plunged its service into fresh crisis.
Anne Mitchell, who parents say was under extreme pressure from working alone since her colleague Liz Hesketh left in July, resigned yesterday and will finish at the end of January.
Her resignation comes just three weeks after the hospital’s paediatric oncology service – which provides care for child cancer victims throughout the southern half of the North Island – was thrown a lifeline, with Capital and Coast Health deciding it would approach its Canterbury counterpart seeking an alliance to share child cancer services.
Parents of child cancer patients are furious at Capital and Coast, saying officials appear unwilling to commit to providing a crucial health service.
Catherine Ternent, whose son Sean, 7, is battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma, said she was devastated to learn of Dr Mitchell’s resignation. She blamed the DHB for trying to run down a life-saving service.
“It’s just unbelievable and inconceivable that Wellington, the capital city, could not help treat child cancer patients. We’ve been fighting and fighting and we’ll just have to continue fighting.”
Mrs Ternent said Dr Mitchell had been Sean’s doctor since he became sick last July and had been readmitted to hospital again this month.
“We don’t blame Anne, she is absolutely wonderful and has worked unbelievably hard as the only oncologist. She’s been carrying a huge workload and pressure for far too long but she has always been there for the children.”
This is an example of why capped fees for GP’s must be addressed. I know that Dr Mitchell is not a GP, but we are experiencing a nationwide shortage of GP’s. Older GP’s are retiring while younger Docs are not coming forward to replace them, after all, why would you set yourself up in a business where the Government tells you what you can charge, regardless of the costs incurred?
This puts the current crop of GP’s under more pressure. Already there are a number of areas where one cannot even get onto the books for a local GP, and some are travelling outrageous distances to see one.
So I ask the question, especially to Phil, Sonic, Roger Nome, Tane et al…
What point is there in having lower doctors fees when there is no doctor to see you?
I would rather pay more to see a doctor, especially if it is accompanied by Tax cuts.
Mallard has to be demoted for this. The Prime Minister is complicit in this behaviour – she has tacitly supported and encouraged the bovver boy for ages. Once she said “I wish I could use a Taser on Mallard”. But that’s just words – she did nothing, and now he is assaulting people.
Time for some action. If Mallard is not punished for this disgraceful and hypocritical behaviour, then the PM is tainted by assocition. So much for anti-smacking, so much for non-violence, so much for the standards Labour has set in the house.
And actually, demoting Mallard would be useful for the PM, as it would help her to bring through new talent in the Cabinet reshuffle.
David-Benson Pope – gone
Taito Philip Field – gone
Trevor Mallard – about to go
Anybody else see a pattern? Better be careful what you use your political capital for ….
Once again Nanny and Aunty know best. I am now to have my superannuation investested in PC stocks that are not necessarily going to benefit me while the polies have unlimited funds washing around the world making them rich beneficiaries in their old age with no thought of where their money comes from.Hypocrites! And for all their PC crap and no-smack, non-violent society a labour low life ,as they all are, will still resort to a good old street scrap to solve a problem of their own making because they don’t have the intellect to change. Born and bred underclass. Cullen is a classic despite his private education at Christs College and academic achievements he is still an inbred street scrapper with the inflexible mind of an untrained dog.
We just have to adjust our mindset. The African countries I deal with all have corrupt governments but they are open about it and people get on with their lives with that knowledge. In NZ we just need to do the same, accept that government is corrupt, and move on.
Which makes me think that we are probably at the beginning of the end of westminster based democracy in this world. In 50 years when whites are no longer a majority here government will be a hodgepodge of everything.
I watched part of the Debates yesterday and thought I would comment on the presentattion of some of the speakers I saw. These are not ranked in any way or necessarily in the order they spoke.
Rodney Hide – Impressive. He was fluent and spoke without apparent reference to notes. Spoke on the Anti Terrorism Bill and obviously knew his subject as his argument was convincing.
Mark Gosche – Spoke fluently with only occasional reference to notes but a pity he played `the man’ (the National Party in general rather than individuals) rather than the bill he was speaking on.
Tim Groser – Another speaker who did not need notes. Seemed to know his subjects well (I saw him twice) and was convincing.
Ron Mark – Seemed to stumble his way through with constant reference to his notes. Nowhere near as good as he appears at Question Time.. I would have thought the Terrorism Bill would have been right up his alley.
Wayne Mapp – Talked a lot of waffle – he lost me.
Diane Yates – Reasonably fluent but I had no idea what she was speaking about. No wonder she dipped out in the council elections no one would know what she stood for.
There was another lady from Labour. I missed her name and I did not recognise her. Her appearance was `dowdy’ and she looked like she would have been more at home addressing the local womens institute. Stumbled through her speach reading from her notes.
Most of that didnt make sense, but you may remember the slight fuss that has been kicked up when it was revealed the superannuation was investing in Boeing, who make nuclear weapons and cluster bombs, and Wal-Mart, who has been black listed by the Norwegian Government Pension Fund for Human rights and labour rights violations…
Also isnt that fact that John Key left the finance sector to work for National a few years ago a sign that there a people willing to work for reasons other than JUST money? Not that the moneys bad at all, but he took a big pay cut.
Also isnt that fact that John Key left the finance sector to work for National a few years ago a sign that there a people willing to work for reasons other than JUST money? Not that the moneys bad at all, but he took a big pay cut.
Oh well it looks like Trevor “The Duck” Mallard can kiss good bye the last remnant of hope that he might one day lead the Labour Party.
Trev should be deeply thankful that the worst the Nats let loose on him is Tau’s tongue.
If they really wanted do treat him like Labour treated Brash, they would be intercepting personal emails and arranging unsolicited “architectural inspections”of the residence of his new consort.
But if its getting too hot in the kitchen he could always do a “Maharey”. There’s every chance with his qualifications he could be promoted to a highly paid position in the social sciences specialising in “Anger Management”.
Just read that Rick Giles (NZB3) is being held in a US Jail for the past month for staying 4 days more than his visa allowed, get this – while trying to leave teh bloody country.
- fail to see why the ‘leftwing blogs would be screaming’ over a post about a cocktail serving robot that thinks you have to be dumb to vote Helen… I mean if that’s the best the right can do in terms of anti-left humour, it ain’t exactly something to worry about
- incisive political humour would point out the ridiculousness of a politican or their politics, that joke could be applied to any politican the teller chooses and would be just as funny – in fact, it a fair bet that the original version was about GW Bush.
What does every one make of this fact that the SFO boss was not even consulted on the fact that his own agency was being disenfranchised.!!!!!!
ALL I KNOW IS THAT THE SFO IS A CRITICAL INDEPENDENT BODY WITH SPECIAL POWERS THAT NEED TO BE PRESERVED FOR SERIOUS FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY.
I WOULD VENTURE TO SUGGEST THAT HELENGRAD IS CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING AND WANTS THE THREAT NEUTRALISED BY SFO’S POWER COMING BACK INTO THE GOVT CONTROLLABLE ZONE OF THE POLICE.
Castafiore, i share your concerns. who knows what nasty little secrets the government may be trying to hide there.
i’m also becoming more concerned at how politically directed our police and judiciary seem to becoming. think of s59 and the EBF. these laws will turn 100′s of thousands of ordinary kiwis into law breakers whereupon the government will be at liberty to apply discretion or apply the letter of the law, which ever suits is political purposes. is this the beginning of a police state?
There is a competition for the best in the world
brad Pitt goes in and come out 5 minutes later as the best actor
Britney spears goes in and emerges 5 minutes later as the best singer
The Monster thing from muppets goes in for the ugliest person award
Five hours later he emerges
His only comment
Who the hell is Helen Clark?
That doesn’t reflect well on either party, although one could argue that Mallard had it coming after his comments in the house directed at Brash.
Balls, slightlyrighty. I don’t give a shit if the man is the biggest prick in Christendom (and if Mallard doesn’t qualify, he’s certainly on the shortlist), 1) don’t get down on his level, and 2) the dirt hasn’t settled on his father’s grave. How about some common human decency?
I’d also note Henare is widely-tipped to be Maori Affairs Minister in the next National-lead government, and he’s just going to have to show he has his head around the cultural differences between the National Party and Winston First. Not really an impressive audition, IMO, and quite sad when I’ve heard he’s worked incredibly hard to win over people in the party who initially dismissed him as a waka jumping opportunist.
As part of my bail conditions, i had to listen to Parliament last night (no seriously, I had insomnia). Having worked there in the past and seen how politicians operate, I think pollies lose points by scoring points.
They want to jump on every success (I heard Willy Apiata’s name mentioned twice yesterday) without doing anything, the speeches seem by rote and lack anything like an inspiring vision. They aren’t leaders. They are followers – of public opinion, of their misguided leaders, of what the latest buzz in the media is. They’re interested in their profile.
I’d like to hear a politician say – “this is my vision for NZ, this is how it’s going to work, and if it’s shown I’m talking shit I’ll resign” rather than the false promises and other crap we get at the mo.
But that’s a bit like asking Santa for Pamela Anderson…
Reporter: “She [The Prime Minister] won’t be happy with this latest situation”
Anchor: “Well, she needs to say more publicly than she has so far if people are going to believe that. Trevor Mallard is a dirty, dirty, dirty politician, and she should have reined him in before this. It is largely Helen Clark’s fault that he still behaves the way he does, I would have thought.”
Trevor Mallard is under enormous pressure at the moment. Apart from his marriage breaking down, and facing serious heat in his portfolios, he’s also trying to manage a new girlfriend. Helen Clark clearly hasn’t been happy with his ministerial performance over the past year, which was probably due to Trevor’s complex personal life. It isn’t easy juggling a mistress and a wife, as well as several high profile ministerial portfolios.
It is totally unfair of Tau to pick on Trevor when Trevor is under so much stress. Just because Trevor did the same to Don Brash last year isn’t sufficient reason for Tau to do the same to Trevor.
Tau deserved to get punched out for winding Trevor up. I’m a bit shocked that Trevor even felt he had to apologise. Trevor should have assaulted Gerry and Nick as well. Just to teach the Nats a lesson.
CR; Face it- Trevor had it coming.
I’m not defending Tau, but people that live in “Glass Houses” shouldn’t throw stones and Trevor has never been particularly noted as one that extends ‘common human decency’ to others.
The fact is, that if one of Trev’s constituents in Wainuiomata, were to throw a punch out side the “local” he could well end up in the cells with an assault charge.
Looks like an interesting new “variable” will have to be factored in to next weeks cabinet reshuffle.
Helen must be feeling more and more like the headteacher at a playcentre these days. What with organising sessions, marking report cards and now the extra-curricular and domestic situations of her pupils.
NOw having to break up scraps in the corridors – ‘Leave it, Trevor! It’s not worf it!!’
Rumor has it Mallard has a glass jaw. Wouldn’t hold my breath for a win from the fighter in the red corner.
Seriously though, while Tau’s comments may be a below the belt, Mallard’s reaction, remembering his mudslinging, are unjustifiable. Chickens coming home to roost, say I.
As for the apology, can you just imagine it? Uncle Cullen walking the errant child Trevor down the hall to apologise. Priceless.
As always with a bully, you have to look not just at the behaviour, but the environment which has allowed it to thrive. Labour have dragged parliment into the mire – and boy will they ever be remembered for it.
Only wimps and old men should be so provoked. Then no violence would come from it. Trying it on with a prop forward of the parliaments own team is begging for it. Tau’s a masochist.
1) Mallard as the next polly on “Dancing with the Stars”. His dancing partner helps him with his anger issues and WWeekly runs the story that they are ‘just friends’. He gushes about dancing turning his life around.
2) Fight for life special – ‘Trev vs Tau’ pulls in highest rating yet. Winston “the Don” Peters in front row cheers both to smash up the other. Helen secretly watches from the Beehive cheering on Tau.
3) Mallard bumped from list – returns as highest polling constituent MP and becomes patron of the Wainui league club; and wins repec’ for bringing back the biff.
One thing I really don’t get (well I know the stated reason of course) is how those with loans are the only ones to get punished to combat inflation.
Example – first we get hit with higher butter and milk prices way above the rate of inflation, then we get punished for that naughtiness with higer interest rates! When house prices led the inflation charge we homeowners were lambasted (another whole story) so how about lambasting the bloody farmers now! Fucking joke
It makes no sense – petrol goes up, dairy goes up, govt charges go up and the homeowner (with a loan) gets punished. If anything interest rates should go down to compensate.
IDEA – Instead of controlling inflation by taking money out of the system through increased interest rates how about take the money out of the system by requiring everyone to go down the post office each Friday and handover say $50 to the govt. Simple and fair. And would expose the system for what it is.
The struggling person with a loan just gets hit left right and centre. I suspect the economy (non-farming) will shit itself next year.
Regular Kiwiblog readers will be aware of my bargain basement level regard for Trevor Mallard, which makes it all the more important not to sink to his level. Don’t you think?
I might be a silly, naive old whoopsie but I actually expect a little better from my team – and I certainly don’t want to hear Mongrel Mallard held up as any kind of baseline for acceptable conduct in the House, thank you kindly.
I don’t think that anyone would hold this incident up as a “baseline for acceptable conduct in the House”. It’s more of an amusing footnote to Mallard’s dismal career coming to it’s natural and pathetic end.
I want to know where Sue Bradford is in all of this – if you can’t smack a child why is it ok to lay one on Tau Henare? Maybe this is an example of that wonderful “police discretion” we are suposed to put such faith in.
Margaret Wilson is retiring this election after an initially very promising, but finally very mediocre political career that had nothing going for it other than a long-standing friendship with Helen Clark.
Margaret Wilson works a lot harder than Judith Tizard, but then again, so does yoghurt work harder than Judith. Yet Margaret has been spectacular in being utterly ineffectual in Parliament in the last eight years.
If Margaret really wanted to make a contribution to political life in New Zealand, she could release the footage of Trevor giving Tau the biff.
Kurdish villagers subjected to deadly air strikes. Barbaric, inhumane, incred… no wait… ah, the protagonist wasn’t the nasty USA so it’s ok. Sorry nothing to see here, move along.
Well, Mallard is the designated attack dog. This is just a logical extension of the cancerous, corrosive, affair allegation, chinless scarf wearing H-Fee, SFO politics that Labour have engaged in for years. They abuse people’s mental health, make homophobic innuendos and basically behave in the most appalling way possible if they think they can get some political advantage out of it.
So the responsibility for this is pretty clear – it lies with the Prime Minister who has not just tolerated, but promoted these strategies.
The question then, is will Mallard get a demotion or a medal?
Kurdish villagers subjected to deadly air strikes. Barbaric, inhumane, incred… no wait… ah, the protagonist wasn’t the nasty USA so it’s ok. Sorry nothing to see here, move along.
mate it is stil the US’ fault! they could have stopped Turkey and didnt! bastards!!
slightyrighty – yeah, your’e right Dr Mitchell is not a GP, that’s where you’re argument that if we let GP fees float we would have a children’s cancer specialist in Wellington falls flat on its face.
You should have listened to the DHB COO on morning report this morning – Wellington only needs a small children’s cancer unit – it usually has two specialists – it had three until last year when two left, replacement efforts were ongoign, nowe DR Mitchell has left… they will we replaced and in the meantime kids will get the treatment they need in Christhcurch or Auckland.
Two factors in play here:
one you’ve got a very small unit, its always going to be subecjt to statistical clustering around resignations, and that’s a long running problem with the unit that they are going to ease by making a collaborative arrangement with Christchurch.
two, New Zealand is simply not as wealthy as some other countries, it is hard for us to keep up with wage levels elsewhere – what’s your solution to that? How does the public health system (the only system that ordianry people are ever going to be able to afford for expensive treatmetns like this) pay enough to attract doctors?
National has no answer – all they can say is tax cuts… tax cuts won’t pay for better medical wages.
Krazykiwi
- don’t be a dick, I think you’ll find left-wing sentiment is generally with the Kurds and their right to self-determination (guaranteed by the UN charter)
Mallard got what he deserves. What impression does this leave the Government which made such a political issue out of the anti-smacking legislation, it was a whipped vote. Now Mallard thinks he can win his arguments by giving the biff. Did Don Brash behave this way towards Mallard when Mallard threw the public spotlight on Dr Brash’s marriage. And then Mallard uses the cowardly excuse of the recent death of his behavior to explain stress. If he cannot handle stress then he needs to retire to the backbenches and get over it.
sam, thanks for the advice. i’ve tried to keep that in mind while i looked (in vain) on some leftie blogs for their signs of their righteous indignation at the attack. haven’t found any. still looking.
How exactly did Mallard ‘Get what he deserved”. What does one ‘deserve when their father dies? IP – good on you for ignoring that wee fact, all over here and The standard – showing some real integrity aren’t ya?
Krazykiwi – go outside and read a book mate – just because it’s not on a blog or two, does that mean no-one cares? There’s more to the world than the internet, my pasty friend. You’ve got to admit though, whether it’s on Left blogs or not, Sam was right and you’re a tool.
Fighterpilott: Believe it or not most people have their father die in their life time. Thats no excuse to start a fight mate, esspecially not in parliment. Mallard simply got a taste of his own medicine and i have absolutely no sympathy for him. Brash didnt start a fight and in my opinion what Mallard said was much worse then what happened yeasterday. And he voted yes on the anti-smaking bill, what a loser.
Bwakile: “scramble scramble brain yet to engage?” Please try harder.
Nick C: One handbag and an apology – you must be from a right preppy school to consider that a ‘fight’. I don’t think he’s after sympathy, and I wasn’t trying to get any for him – “getting what you deserve” doesn’t apply to deaths in the family. That point can’t be too hard to understand.
The whole party voted, as a party, on the ‘anti-smacking’ bill, it wasn’t just him, champ.
Good point Nat Girl. Once may be explainable as a mistake. Twice is thuggery.
But it’s the reeking hypocrisy that gets me the most. How can he object to receiving a taste of his own medicine in the chamber? Or is it just like the pledge card rort – one rule for Labour, another for everybody else ?
Don’t worry, once the EFB bill is passed, the principle of one rule for Labour and another for everybody else will be enshrined in law. And if Trevor Mallard does this again, our criticism of his thuggish actions will be heavily regulated.
FighterPilott, more advice and more thanks. my point was, and remains, that any aggression by the USA invariably invokes the wrath of the left who come out spitting and ranting… while other aggressors get pretty much left to their business. why is that?
Mallard wasn’t goaded about the death in his family. He was taunted about him having an affair and splitting up with his wife. I’ve said time and time again that it was unfair of Tau to tease Mallard when Mallard is under so much stress.
Goodness, it’s hard enough for Trevor having to deal with a mistress and a wife, as well as cabinet portfolios in a total mess. Trevor’s under a particular amount of pressure, having to find a new house, and knowing that Phil’s pipped him to the post for the next labour leadership.
I’ve said before that it doesn’t matter that Trevor is the dirtiest labour MP in history, or that he’s flung more mud than anybody else. Making a joke about anybody’s mistress isn’t funny. I applaud Trevor for whacking Tau, and think Trevor should have thumped other National MPs as well.
Winding somebody up when they’re going through so much personal hardship–even if it is completely self-inflicted in Trevor’s case–just isn’t sporting.
Trevor should take another holiday to Valencia. He needs a break.
krazykiwi – its just not something everyone feels need to comment on, its an internaitonal issue that NZ can’t impact, and everyone agrees as far as I can see that the Kurds in Turkey have a legitimate case or self-rule but that doesn’t excuse any attacks on civlians, and that a Turkish intervention into Northern Iraq would be a disaster for all.
I note DPF hasn’t made a comment either.
If you really want a left-wing site’s views, try antiwar.com… I see that Bush is now considering attacking the PKK himself so the Turks won’t feel the need to… there’s a recipe for success from a strategic genius. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22636940-663,00.html
Sam, you absolute prat! Yeah, it’s ok if the children are treated in Christchurch or Auckland. Just get them to uplift them and their families as far away from their home and support base as possible, eh? You have all the empathy of a gnat and twice the charisma! How bout if you tried looking at that child in the eyes and telling him to relocate to Christchurch cause Wellington is too small to have an effective unit. Hey, its only the capital city of New Zealand after all. Check out this blog from yesterday to see how well our system is working in the Capital:
Your argument is bollocks as well. Neither of your two “factors” would come in to play if we had a decent health system in the first place. This Labour government has spent more on Health than ever before and where is it going – to more and more administrators. No wonder Wellington cannot attract one – let alone two – new specialists, the money used to pay them has been swallowed up by employing more people to find out why there are no oncologists in Wellington. In 2000, annual spend on health was 6.146 billion. The past financial period, this government spent 10.327 billion (source: NZ Treasury report, Government Financial repots for Year Ending June 07 http://www.treasury.govt.nz/financialstatements/year/jun07/cfsyjun07.pdf). What is happening to this money? Where is it going because it is certainly not going to the people that need it.
Having had a couple of relatives treated in the last two years (one of which died, the other being 14yo) for cancer, I’m in a position to comment pretty well on the subject.
And whats this about NZ not being wealthy enough to afford such specialists? We’ve just had another massive surplus.
Wake up, Sam. Your constant bleating of how this Labour government is so maligned when all it works is wonder, is monotonous, half sighted and, even worse, bigoted.
The insinuation that African governments are more corrupt simply because they are black sickens me, in addition to the insinuation that government run by anyone but blacks would be more corrupt than government run by caucasians.
Not only is this racist, it also implies that corruption is culturally acceptable in some regions – bwakile – if you go and ask that question to the general population of African countries “if corruption is acceptable” – the answer will be as resoundingly “No” as it is here.
Corruption in African countries is fostered by a lack of democratic institutions and lack of critical oversight and judicial infrastructure. The legacy of colonialism, the Cold War, and globalisation has placed negative incentives to move toward more democratic forms of governance – the West – as the guardians and advocates of democracy should be promoting more positive incentives.
However, there remains much corruption in the West – even in New Zealand – the recent real estate scam involving lawyers and property developers involving $40 million is proof of this.
PP
I wasnt being a racialist. I have many black African friends and an African daughter. I was merely pointing out that democracy is a very thin veneer for human nature. People in Africa understand that to become a politician is the easiest way to make money. You go to Africa and ask your question because I know that the answer will be a shrug of the shoulders and the person getting back to work to feed his family. I prefer to look at human nature rather than skin colour.
In NZ I see our standard of democracy being undermined through the human nature of our politicians. I couldnt care what phillip Fields skin colour is but I care a lot that he used his position to gain advantage.
KrazyKiwi – one small thing that probably grates is the US constantly referring to itself as the ‘leader of teh free worls’ and all that other jingoistic rhetoric, when in fact they’re a hypocritical bunch who aren’t very fre, let alone leaders, when it comes to issues around human rights! Turkey has never made such a claim, so no-one’s able to point out their hpyocracy (my gosh that word’s come up a lot today). That’s not to say I support them, nor teh US saying “we’ll kill them for you”…
Brownie – personal experiences aren’t the best measure of a countries’ health system – some will have fantastic service, others let down. Also lost a family member to cancer, and she had treatment I can only describe as fantactic – that doesn’t mean the health system is perfect, nor do some bad experienced meant it’s a disaster. A government must use some objectivity.
Sam’s point that there are only two resident specialists is valid – if there were four, 50% of them resigning would leave two. With to, you’ll get hit hard by a single resignation – there goes 50% of your specialist staff. There is nothing wrong with that statement, so spare us the hysterics please.
Don’t use that word bigoted unless you can back it up, Brownie, because you’ve got nothing in there to back it up, apart from said hysterics.
Fighterpilot Mallard deserves the bad publicity he is getting. But I stand by my remark it is cowardly to use the death of a parent or someone else close, to explain bad behavior. Been there, done that and I have regretted it.
“Corruption in African countries is fostered by a lack of democratic institutions and lack of critical oversight and judicial infrastructure. The legacy of colonialism, the Cold War, and globalisation has placed negative incentives to move toward more democratic forms of governance – the West – as the guardians and advocates of democracy should be promoting more positive incentives.”
PP have just re read this and frankly it is the biggest load of crap I have seen for a long time.
Helen certainly is a wonderful guardian of democracy
I dont know whose policy you are parrotting but you are well named.
Tim, please give me a link quoting Mallard claiming the incident was caused by the stress of losing his father. I have looked and while the media has cited it as a reason he hasn’t said it once.
I’ve got this wee one for you: “Mr Mallard has so far refused to comment on the issue. ”
I agree with you FP that a government must have objectivity. They must be objective enough to recognise when their performance is not up to speed as well.
As for personal experince, if this is not the best barometer of a “public” system (note the word, its meaning and by definition its need to be openly scrutinised) , then what is. It must be the best and only way to measure the system as it is a sytem designed and run for us with our (the taxpayers) money. If we don’t find it to be well managed and providing the service level that soceity demands then it is absolutly open to inspection and critique.
I was using the example of having been through a process within the health system to highlight the fact I have an idea of the needs and wants of patients. While I am not the absolute arbiter of whats good for all, this experience does afford me an opinion that is informed. We too experienced great care under dedicated staff (who incidentaly, over the extended period we were with them spoke of the lack of funding, resources, support etc) however this is not what I was talking about. I was highlighting the fact the there is a degredation of service in the Capital. Once again, I ask you to click the link to the gent who’s wife recieved “treatment” a couple of days ago at Wellington Hospital as an example of a system that is under extreme pressure, is not performing and is wildly out of sync with public expectation.
As for your last paragraph I don’t disagree with your logic re: the statement on th specialists leaving In fact I don’t remeber actually arguing that point in the first point so your defense of Sam is pointless and irrelevant.
Lastly the word “bigoted”. If you look up the word in the dictionary, you will find that the word fits Sams entry and previous posts most aptly, pal. Just look them up and you will find some of the most ardent bigotry on display. His constant refusal to accept anyone else’s interpretation is the very definition of the word.
Besides, who are you to tell me how to use language? Your spelling ain’t so flash, I’d suggest you start using a spellcheck.
and its not for me to judge whether its ‘ok’ for people to have to move for cancer treatment, that’s something the professionals know more about – and guess what they say – ‘well, we’ve had some statistical clustering of resignations which small units are prone too by their nature but we’ll have the unit up and running again in six months’ – listen to morning report.
I’m sorry for your losses but I won’t let them be a sheild for your positions: they don’t make you an expert on allocation of health resources or limitations on health resources.. and after all those losses happened while this unit was functioning.
there a few on here that see a bit of biff as one way of resolving a ding dong.
I actually agree. There is nothing wrong with a bit of biff between grown men. After all, it is the psychological ‘hurt’ that goes with being hit that actually does more damage than the physical black eye etc.
And psychological hurt gets dealt all day every day by all sorts. Lets make that a crime if there is any consistency. Fits well with the PC lot too.
The politicians dont hesitate to hurt people from the safety of their lowest court on the land with their terrible lies etc. Recall Winston Peters laying into all sorts of normal folk with lies and innuendo. Scum.
So, biff is a way of resolving matters between men (dunno about women, I dont think they would understand) as it has been since man first appeared on the planet.
But Mallard and Labour – 100% hypocrisy = 0% credibility.
I’m not using any loss as a sheild, Sam and how dare you say that I am. Have you no shame at all? Try debating the issue and NOT the person, eh?
Why don’t you look out of the ministry for a second and have a look at the DHB’s. For example, that in the CDHB, there are now two administrators to every one health professional, is appalling. That there are people waiting months and months for surgery and yet have been struck off waiting lists is appalling.
I never pretended to be an expert (and said as such), merely having an informed opinion. And for you to turn this into a personal attack….. unbelievable. If this is the way you you generally argue your case then I suggest you go and flat with Trevor M, I think you two have a lot of similarities of style and he may in fact be looking for a new flatmate shortly.
Unfortunately ,
I have had the misfortune to have a child with an tumour
As I live In Nelson, had to get treatment in Ch Ch which had to be said was first rate .
The local Health board paid for flights to and from Chch, and measured against the horror of dealing with that illness ,locating to Ch Ch was not an issue.
Every bodies personal experiences are different, I know
But the Public health system that we have been accessing, has been pretty bloody good. And i have no complaints
“However, there remains much corruption in the West – even in New Zealand – the recent real estate scam involving lawyers and property developers involving $40 million is proof of this.”
PP This is NOT corruption but crime
Corruption is stealing $800k of our money to buy an election and then passing legislation to make it all OK.
If the definition of being seen as party partisan is to be a bigot, the next dictionary will say – bigot 1 or 2 or 3. or 4 a poster on kiwiblog or 5. someone who does not agree with …
Brownie, I can’t put this any more simply – you can’t use personal experiences with which to pass judgement on the performance of a health system. You mentoin another post on kiwiblog. That’s great. I’m sure if you looked around you could find plenty of people relating their experiences as to how well the system worked for them – that doesn’t mean the system is great, nor do some poor individual experiences mean the system is fundamentally flawed.
Sam hasn’t shown an intolerance of your ideas, nor has he demonstrated unreasonable beliefs – he argues his case so while you don’t agree, you can’t say they are unreasonalbe without showing a degree of bigotry yourself. Oh yeah, you tell him to atack the issue and not the person, while going after my spelling – Bravo, chump.
Then what is the baseline for a public system, FP, other than the experinces of those for whom it is designed? The fact that there would be plenty of people around to relate thier poor experience is entirely indicative.
As for the bigotry issue, I’m not implying that it is just my ideas that Sam seemingly refuses to acknowledge. He has garnered a lot of abuse (yeah, some of it fairly sharp and not particularly deserved) on this blog and others. Further to this, I was responding to his insensitivity with reference to the child with cancer and an apparent lack of understanding of such a situation. Having been through the process yourself, would you and your family like to be uplifted and told to go elswhere for treatment?
And who started the personal attacks, FP after you were the one to tell me how I should post my blogs and what words to use? The use of the word is entirely justified by definition. And then Sam starts telling me that I am using an emotive situation to purport my arguments? It’s not only wrong, it’s bloody insulting.
As to your other point Brownie, I don’t think subjective measures are the way to judge a system – you asked what to use if personal eperience isn’t the best barometer.
I want to pay zero taxes, have a health system in which everyone gets perfect personal treatment in the comfort of their own home, while we all get given an economical hybrid car or the world’s best public transport service to use, 10 weeks’ paid annual leave, three years’ parental leave and a subsidised OE.
Seeing as I’m not getting this personally, according to your logic, I should be critiquing the government. Perhaps tangible measures of performance are likely to be more suitable…
You also never addressed Sam’s real point – the opposition want to cut taxes – how’s that going to help?
The baseline is the publics collective experience of the health system not individual snapshots (which might be good for most and yet still bad for a significant minority or any other variation).
People will regard, reference to one’s own personal experience of something as indicative of the way for others to see the health or any other system as emotional, because it is NOT rerasonable.
And anyone who knows anything about posting on blogs knows that anyone who is in a minority on a blog will get attacked – to say, this is some evidence against anyone this happens to, is nonsense. It’s certainly not evidence of some bigotry not to agree with the ideas of others. It’s actually called having one’s own.
Anyone expressing left-wing ideas on this blog is generally subjected to abuse. Some state their ideas more strongly, or convincingly, and generally get more abuse for their effort – it’s what is expected though. That doesn’t mean it’s bigotry – there’s nothing wrong with a healthy debate s’long as people attempt to keep it civilised (to the extent one would expect on the internet) and back up their arguments – I can’t see how he’s acted as a bigot- getting abuse doesn’t make someone wrong, you know.
“I’m sorry for your losses but I won’t let them be a sheild for your positions: they don’t make you an expert on allocation of health resources or limitations on health resources.. and after all those losses happened while this unit was functioning.”
- this is a fair enough statement and basically what I said – I used myself as a similar example, saying that my experience doesn’t make me an expert – that’s not a personal attack, or I’d be pretty pissed off at myself…
I suggested you don’t called someone bigoted without cause – feel free to if you want, but it doesn’t look to good. If I threw around baseless accusations people would ignore me or abuse back pretty fast, and no-one would pay any attention to what I say. You only tried to justify calling him that after I mentioned it, so I’m going to stand by that…
UK Average Cost: £210,578
Detached: £323,332
Semi-detached: £189,617
Terraced: £168,134
Flat: £196,505
It’s $354,000 in London
In USA the average sales price in September 2007 dropping 4.2% from a year earlier to $211,700 (£103,000).
That would mean houses in the USA are worth way less than in New Zealand – our average is about NZ$350,000 (our dollar buys 75 cents US) -even though they have higher incomes.
It would seem then that our currency os overvalued because of inflows of short term money after our higher interest rates and also the speculation on residential property because of the high domestic tax on interest income is resulting in rising domestic property values.
Yet nothing is done about this. Is this because the government and oppositiion are both too bigoted to listen? Or is this because, Nationa’s supporters include a lot of landlords and farmers don’t mind the high dollar as it helps push up the worth of their farm in foreign money (for when they retire)? Now what’s Labour’s excuse, do they have any?
Sams reasoning that we can’t afford to have the specialists there (despite another massive surplus) as well as his offhand comment that the patients will just have to travel from now on (despite the fact we live in an apparently First World country that has increased it’s spending on health by almost 4 billion over the last 7 years) are the points that I was contending with – not the taxes. If Sams reasoning is flawed IMHO, that leaves his whole point open to criticism. It should not be unreasonable to assume a certain level of care is maintained, especially one that recieved over $10b in public money last financial year.
You still haven’t given me a different/better system for judging performance other than public opinion and experience. I appreciate what you are saying re: 0 taxes, perfect transport etc. Sure, that would be great!
However I don’t think it is too much for us to expect a kid with cancer in Wellington to be able to be treated there. If the fact that the last specialist oncologist felt she had to leave due to stress and overwork, in the full knowledge that it would leave Capital Health without such a specialist, is not an indictment on a system that is unsatisfactory and under pressure, then there are real problems at the government and managerial levels in our health system.
SPC, are you saying that the many people out there who are dissatified with the current system are not reasonable? Are you saying that because a person may have experience of the system precludes them from commenting on the basis that any bad experience may colour their view? That is not democracy, SPC.
If you want to construct a strawman to debate with brownie – debate with it. Just don’t expect me to.
And pleae note democracy itself only reflects the collective, not the subjective. No matter how many individuals have personal experiences of wanting another government elected – they remain stuck with the one the majority chose.
Fighterpillot – people who are left wing (actually probably more like socialist/collective leaning) to the extent of trying to run my life should be abused.
They are abusing me when they try to interfere. When they tell me that I am a criminal for smacking my kid, then I regard that as abuse.
Now – as for cutting taxes – no problem. Its like the local council – they could easily cut costs – by heaps. They could start by stopping all expenditure on anything other than sewerge, water (incluing waster water) planning and roads. There is really no basis for thinking that we HAVE TO HAVE a library, or sponsored orchestra, subsidised buses, mown parks, animal care, civil defence, gardens, theatres, environental health,organic centes, etc, etc, etc. Yes, theyre all very nice to have, but why should the rate payers be paying for a library when quite frankly they are redundant – I can find everything that I want on the internet. Absolutely not arguement for the ratepayer to support any sporting code or arts activity or similar.
Yes – I know they are all ver nice, but there is no basis to expect ALL rate payers to pay.
Here in Hamilton I have to pay in my rates for town buses that are organised by Environment waikato – and both city council and EW subsidze them. I’d need to get a bloody taxy across the country side to ever catch one.
Its this sort of action that needs to be taken to concentrate the ratepayers minds onto what they really want.
Same for government. here are half a dozen government departments that need to go. The public service can be cut back to what it was before 1999. Are you aware of how much its costing the IRD to administer Working for Families ??? its costing zillions. Just do what the germans do – cut taxes for families – you dont need a complicated system to run it. You get a tax rate based on number of children – its not taken from you and then given back when you apply for it later.
big·ot·ed /ˈbɪgətɪd/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[big-uh-tid] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective utterly intolerant of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.
Fair call on the getting over oneself. I’ll try as well. Perhaps bigoted was a little strong.
barry identify an area without facilities provided by their council and I will show you an area whcih has low property values because of it. People move to areas with good community facilites etc.
And why have they not filled the vancancy when the Hon. Pete Hodgson is on record as having said that this country puts out 40% more qualified doctors than six years ago? Could it be that the funds are not there to pay them?
I just got that children can go south to CHC at the moment, but replacements are being sought – so it seems there is the money, but it’s a highly competitive market. If someone has just left, unless their income was allocated elsewhere then there will be funding for the position so it’s not about the money – it’s (a guess here) a specialist position and a difficult one to fill at that. There’s nothing offhanded in that! Here’s hoping the vacancies can be filled ASAP.
The problem with basing anything on perceptions is that it takes one bad case to wipe out the good work of hundreds. As an example, how many stories about the heroic things social workers do in NZ are told, as contrasted to the few horror stiores? And what is the common perception of CYF, yet when you look into it, the work they do is nothing short of heroic in many (if not most) cases.
As for a measure – operations, respnse times, percentage of finances on operational versus managerial spending, and so on – I guess that doesn’t sound good – it’s pretty much tuning people into numbers, but at the highest level, a Government or Minister can’t spend their time assessing each individual case – that’s simply micro-managing at it’s worst. They therefore must base it on other measures as mentioned (once again, those are guesses, but I don’t imagine everyone gets a survey with which the govt scores the Health system). It’s the DHBs and managerial staff at the hospital/clinic level that must take responsibility for individual cases – if the capital is a problem then every case will be unsatisfactory and these results will flow up to the higher levels. What I’m saying is that all we hear is the bad stories, and not the good – so we can’t know what the overall state of the Health system is, and we certainly can’t base it upon our personal experiences.
This problem in Wellington-it doesn’t mean the whole system is flawed.
Most graduates are in Oz within a few years of graduating. We get a lot from the UK because they have been training more than they need.
The question is (how to keep more here and the answer is debt writeoff if they stay and debt writeoff if they come back) why our doctors who become specialists in Oz don’t want to come back – it’s not just a matter of higher pay in Oz but the problem of not wanting to work in a system where they are under work pressure because of a shortage of staff. Once we show a committment to retaining staff via debt writeoff maybe that will change.
Yup Barry, you have pretty much summed it up. A ‘socialist/collective’ leaning person will say that these services are of benefit to society as a whole, and that it is the job of society as a whole to provide them.
You can pick any specific thing, and say it’s no use to you, but others will have a different view.
Say I install a septic tank at my house – so why am I paying rates for this seweage service you think is so important?? I can walk to work, so you can pay for your own roads too… You can see where this is going.
In short, everything you seem to not want to pay for is what most people will want, but perhaps wish they didn’t have to pay for – most people accept it. I don’t use many governmental services, but given my views, I don’t begrudge them being provided to those that need them. Tax me more, if it’s for a good cause!
I 100% agree with you (hey, this bi-partisan suit looks good!) however whats wrong with expected a certain service level to be maintined. Why do we always hear these stories of woe? Surely one needs to agree that we could do better.
If we put the question “do you think the health system is better today than 7 years ago” out to the blogging community – even to the wider public, what do you think the results would be?
If the system is not taking adequate care of those that we value the most – our children – then that is a crying shame for a country that used to pride itself on its health service.
SPC – are you finding house prices a bit high of late? want to know a way to get them down?
Those areas where they want these services will set up their own voluntary system – just like we are seeing with gated communities. There is a new area in Chch where they dont want buses and they are taking the council on over it.
Rates are getting crazy. My wife has an inherited batch on the coast around Awakino. It is used for about 5 weeks every year. Floor size is about 15 square metres. Own septic tank. No library, no parks, no street lights, in fact bugger all.
Annual rates $2200. We are going to get the water disconnected and put a tank in. Then we will look at a self contained electrical system (probably batteries with an inverter – fixed power charges are several hundred each year)
Rates – over $2200 pa.
We could stay at the bloddy hilton for a couple of weeks for the money it costs
Apropos of nothing that has gone before on this thread…
What the hell is it with Labo(u)r governments and the police?! It used to be that it was right wing governments who used the willing coppers as tools to smash (sometimes literally) unions etc.
Now we’ve come full circle and left wing governments tickle the bellies of mewling corrupt police forces with laws like those just introduced in NSW that will allow the police to spy on citizens for five days without any form of warrant. And when they do get a warrant it’ll last 90 days instead of the present 21.
Perhaps the most chilling part of this is the comment of NSW’s Attorney General:
Yesterday the Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, referred to the use of isotopes.
“Apparently, with the technology now, you can have isotopes sprayed on the person of someone and, under this legislation, you’re able to have that authorised for tracking purposes,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
No, this isn’t some Tom Cruise movie. This is just across the ditch from NZ. Anyone want to take a wager on how long it will be before Labour in NZ try the same sort of thing?
The scary thing is, I wouldn’t take a wager against National (or any other party in power) resisting the temptation. Less likely, perhaps, but by no means impossible.
Everyone has their own way of increasing the value of their property.
For most it’s having community services, for some it’s not having buses because this keeps the “other people out and their children in”, for some it’s locating it by a beach.
The only problem with ones property doubling in value in 3 years is the rates bill that follows. I’ll have to live with it.
Fighterpilot it was put forward as a reason Mallard is under so much stress. Mallard could have least made a statement saying he is not using that as an excuse for his behavior. As I said using the death of close relatives is a coward’s way out, Mallard could have cleared that up but has not.
So he is a coward if he mentions it AND a coward if he does not?
The reality of the matter. is he is not sure why he went off, and probably is unable to say whether it played any part in why he did. If he was not wanting to make excuses for what he did, the most reasonable thing to do, is not to mention it.
What amazes me is that the Prime Minister is still trying to suggest that Tau Henare is somehow also at fault ! Weird.
And the speaker says she can’t do anything because it it outside her jurisdiction. But I thought her jurisdiction was all of the grounds of parliament ?
And will the priveleges committee do anything, or will it just confirm that it is a toothless tool of the government of the day ?
There are now many places in NZ with older type houses on the coast. These were built by mostly now retired people as holiday homes. But sadly a lot of elderly are been forced out by huge rate increases as seaside property is a hot saler at the moment. Many local councils treat these people as no more then cash cows as the land is now worth heaps. As I’m a dairy farmer I can tell you that our local council is rubbing their hands and counting on a windfall of extra cash this year as dairy land is highly sort after due to a higher payout. So when the Liarbore government says no tax increases, please don’t ever ever believe the bastards.
By all accounts then, if Kiwis can’t afford rates because of the ironic rising value of their properties, don’t you think it is fair to see foreigners buying up what Kiwi’s can’t afford.
Aren’t the projections from that scenario just obvious.
Whether I think it is fair or not doesn’t really matter hinamanu , I don’t make the rules, this government does. You are quite correct about the projections being obvious it’s happening now. I quess many of us are doomed to be second class citizens in our own country. Their are no easy answers but councils have to be regined in as some are looking at rates increases over 10% a per year, year after year and this government is more then happy to stand by and let it happen.
I guess it boils down to how much the people will take. Until ordinary kiwis finally tell officials, whether local or national, to go fuck themselves, things will only get worst. Kiwis must one day find the courage to challenge the government not to meakly bend over and take it up the arse.
Rates don’t necessarily go up when your house value goes up. They will effectively increase only if your house/land value increases faster than the average values in your immediate area. This is because all of the re-valuations are conducted by the Council about the same time, and rates benchmarked against them.
However, a real issue for pensioners is that the increase in rates every year can be above inflation, and their property values increase generally as the areas they live in become more valuable.
Pensioners are often asset rich, but cash poor. Suddenly, they need to sell their house to afford the rates…
Re the resignation of the last Wellington Dr who specialised in treatment of child cancer: I -ahem- interviewed a Health Department Official and helped them out with their spreadsheet analysis of the situation – Another Dr gone – you do the math.
you dont need a complicated system to run it. You get a tax rate based on number of children – its not taken from you and then given back when you apply for it later.
ah but barry, “s/he who has the gold makes the rules”. by ensuring maximum sums of money are siphoned out of NZers pockets the Govt is positioned to dish it out where THEY need it most. It has nothing to do with actual need at all. But it has everything to do with maintaining their grip on POWER – that lovely word that politicians of all colours go to sleep chanting quietly.
If my valuation goes up 100% and that of the area is averaging 50-66% depending on the type of property – my rates will go up. I thought of objecting, but … na … .
One just has to see it as not real wealth – because one still must live somewhere.
It’s not that tough on the oldies – they can easily borrow against their house and or downsize into a town house etc.
That said I do favour ending GST on rates (and power and food so people can more easily afford the necessities). Put up GST on the discretionary stuff to 20% to cover the cost of this.
rex, re isotopes sprayed OMG that is very scary!! Coming soon to a free society near you: sprayed trackable isotopes, streetside retinal scanners, networked CCTV facial recognitian systems. perhaps it’ll install cameras in my house now… avoid the legislated rush.
SPC: barry identify an area without facilities provided by their council and I will show you an area whcih has low property values because of it. People move to areas with good community facilites etc.
Up Mountain View drive in the Waitakeres? That whole area pays for a large number of council services when they do not even have streetlights. And yet property values are fairly decent.
“The insinuation that African governments are more corrupt simply because they are black sickens me, in addition to the insinuation that government run by anyone but blacks would be more corrupt than government run by caucasians.”
On the face of this argument I understand your rascist concerns, but,
consider Sth Africa and Zimbabwe. Both nations trasferred to black control and horrendously managed.
Naturally, Zimbabwe is simply scrap metal.
In Sth Africa’s case white politicians needed to be retained to organise business and oversee procedures. Whites understand economics which is a reality to any thriving nation.
For some strange reason though that simply is not the case here
National’s finance spokesman Bill English said huge growth in government spending had created significant inflationary pressure, which Dr Cullen was denying.
He said Dr Cullen’s stance appeared to be laying the ground for an “election year lolly scramble” that would further fuel inflation.
National was heeding Dr Bollard’s warning, but Mr English would not commit the party to a fiscally neutral spending programme.
Now English is the new Cullen. The burdens of being the one in waiting to be the new Mr Responsible. The host who says when, just as the party is warming up.
He’s right and the answer lies in cutting tax levels on all interest income (either by allowing deduction of CPI OR by establishing a low flat rate of tax on interest income at say 20%) and turning tax cuts into dividends and transferring them into long term savings accounts – with NO tax on interest income. The money becomes ours, it grows and it’s not inflationary in the short term.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:00 am
Here’s fun! A bit of bovver in the House.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Cant someone put us out of our misery?
October 25th, 2007 at 8:05 am
That doesn’t reflect well on either party, although one could argue that Mallard had it coming after his comments in the house directed at Brash.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Subject: IQ Test JUST FOR EVERYONE
A man enters a bar in Wellington and orders a drink.
The bar has a robot bartender
The robot serves him a perfectly prepared cocktail, and then asks him,
“What’s your IQ?”
The man replies “150″ and the robot proceeds to make conversation about global warming factors, quantum physics and spirituality, bio-mimicry, environmental interconnectedness, string theory, nanotechnology, and sexual proclivities.
The customer is very impressed and thinks, “This is really cool.”
He decides to test the robot.
He walks out of the bar, turns around, and comes back in for another drink. Again, the robot serves him the perfectly prepared drink and asks him, “What’s your IQ” The man responds, “About 100.”
Immediately the robot starts talking, but this time about league,
Holden racing, the new BIG Mc, tattoos, Nicky Watson and women in general.
Really impressed, the man leaves the bar and decides to give the robot one more test.
He heads out and returns, the robot serves him and asks, “What’s your IQ?” The man replies, “Err, 50, I think.”
And the robot says … really slowly ….
“So……………ya gonna vote for Helen again?”
October 25th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Ah… the duck fights back!
I understand that said minister has been the recipient of quite a her jibes about his extra-marital activities. He was at the forefront of pillaring Don Brash for the very same behaviour so should expect to be given grief.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:09 am
eeek, quite a few jibes
October 25th, 2007 at 8:13 am
We have a critical situation in this country. Politicians are regarded with so much contempt (quite rightly) that recruitment of quality decision makers is almost non-existent. WE need to attract the brightest most intelligent and go-getting people into politics – we all know lots of them. But getting anyone with any sense to engage with politics is almost impossible.
Perhaps we need to offer 60 or 90 politicians a really good salary and conditions so that selection would be like a global executive search. Somehow we need to attract quality normal people back to politics but I can’t see exactly how to do it. But if we would fill up the parties with sensible people perhaps a lot of our problems would be solved.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:15 am
I can’t help thinking that in the medium to long-term Kiwisaver is likely to result in a voting shift towards National.
Elections are decided by a relatively small portion of the population, who at a rough guess are mainly “middle New Zealanders” earning around the average wage. I suspect that as these people begin to accumulate money in their Kiwisaver account, and see that a fairly large portion of their personal wealth and future financial security is exposed to the stock market and general business health, that this may see them start to favour more of a “pro-business” view.
Labour’s ethos is heavily flavoured with sentiments along the lines of “business is greedy and nasty and just out to enslave the lower and middle classes” – and lots of those lower and middle classes buy that rubbish without a lot of critical thinking. But if you’ve got a six figures worth of shares held in your personal account you might be a but more sceptical of Labour’s message and prefer a pro-busines party.
Maybe Cullen has introduced a (sensible) scheme that long-term will nibble away at Labour’s voting constituency.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Eugenics. Apparently New Zealand helped fight a world war over it once.
The University of Otago’s Human Genome Research Project has recommended that all newborn babies should be genetically tested in order to, amongst other things, aid government departments in planning. Golly!
If we set a precedent that certain types of life can be excluded, what stops us going down a slippery slope? Witnessing human nature in our history, I would suggest not much. It will start with babies with muscular dystrophy (of which I have two good friend – both in their late twenties very intelligent and productive kiwis – one is doing a PhD and the other works for a high-profile govt ministry), babies with cystic fibrosis (my cousin who is 25, and an Architect, has CF) and then we’ll discover there is a fat gene. ‘Fat’ babies with be aborted. What happens if we find an acne gene? What will happen is we find a ‘gay’ gene. You can probably guess. What happens if we decide we don’t like Jews anymore?
October 25th, 2007 at 8:24 am
kevin, i agree. leadership should be something to aspire to, but several decades of self-serving behaviour by politicians has made it a no go zone for anyone possessing the critical attributes of skill and integrity.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Mallard [the Duck] v Henare [who didn't duck]
Okay – so no one here has stated the obvious yet – but does two persons acting like children but as adults smack each other constitute an infringement of the anti-smacking law these people themselves enacted or did their own incompetence not ensure a clause that covers this
– or was Mallard’s actions ‘preventative” or ‘corrective’?
Mallard was evidently displaying gross hypocrisy for his actions in relation to Don Brash, but the two them display further hypocrisy in relation to the laws they pass.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Barry
As it appears Kiwiblog is down for the day, post that little tale of robots on all the leftwing blogs today. That will get them screaming
October 25th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Poor D4J,, he can’t have any fun
October 25th, 2007 at 8:48 am
From todays dominion….
The resignation of the sole remaining child cancer specialist at Wellington Hospital has plunged its service into fresh crisis.
Anne Mitchell, who parents say was under extreme pressure from working alone since her colleague Liz Hesketh left in July, resigned yesterday and will finish at the end of January.
Her resignation comes just three weeks after the hospital’s paediatric oncology service – which provides care for child cancer victims throughout the southern half of the North Island – was thrown a lifeline, with Capital and Coast Health deciding it would approach its Canterbury counterpart seeking an alliance to share child cancer services.
Parents of child cancer patients are furious at Capital and Coast, saying officials appear unwilling to commit to providing a crucial health service.
Catherine Ternent, whose son Sean, 7, is battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma, said she was devastated to learn of Dr Mitchell’s resignation. She blamed the DHB for trying to run down a life-saving service.
“It’s just unbelievable and inconceivable that Wellington, the capital city, could not help treat child cancer patients. We’ve been fighting and fighting and we’ll just have to continue fighting.”
Mrs Ternent said Dr Mitchell had been Sean’s doctor since he became sick last July and had been readmitted to hospital again this month.
“We don’t blame Anne, she is absolutely wonderful and has worked unbelievably hard as the only oncologist. She’s been carrying a huge workload and pressure for far too long but she has always been there for the children.”
This is an example of why capped fees for GP’s must be addressed. I know that Dr Mitchell is not a GP, but we are experiencing a nationwide shortage of GP’s. Older GP’s are retiring while younger Docs are not coming forward to replace them, after all, why would you set yourself up in a business where the Government tells you what you can charge, regardless of the costs incurred?
This puts the current crop of GP’s under more pressure. Already there are a number of areas where one cannot even get onto the books for a local GP, and some are travelling outrageous distances to see one.
So I ask the question, especially to Phil, Sonic, Roger Nome, Tane et al…
What point is there in having lower doctors fees when there is no doctor to see you?
I would rather pay more to see a doctor, especially if it is accompanied by Tax cuts.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Mallard has to be demoted for this. The Prime Minister is complicit in this behaviour – she has tacitly supported and encouraged the bovver boy for ages. Once she said “I wish I could use a Taser on Mallard”. But that’s just words – she did nothing, and now he is assaulting people.
Time for some action. If Mallard is not punished for this disgraceful and hypocritical behaviour, then the PM is tainted by assocition. So much for anti-smacking, so much for non-violence, so much for the standards Labour has set in the house.
And actually, demoting Mallard would be useful for the PM, as it would help her to bring through new talent in the Cabinet reshuffle.
David-Benson Pope – gone
Taito Philip Field – gone
Trevor Mallard – about to go
Anybody else see a pattern? Better be careful what you use your political capital for ….
October 25th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Mallard should be the first charged under the new nanny Smacking Law
October 25th, 2007 at 8:59 am
There is a prima facie case of assault against a Labour Minister. So you can be gauranteed that the police won’t prosecute.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:06 am
all your own work barry..?
it is common practice to enclose others’ writings in “..eh..?
just so nobody thinks you are claiming them as your own..
we wouldn’t want that..eh..?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
October 25th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Kevin:”WE need to attract the brightest most intelligent and go-getting people into politics”.
OK. Do that and put them into the corrupt atmosphere of government? Nothing gained.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Once again Nanny and Aunty know best. I am now to have my superannuation investested in PC stocks that are not necessarily going to benefit me while the polies have unlimited funds washing around the world making them rich beneficiaries in their old age with no thought of where their money comes from.Hypocrites! And for all their PC crap and no-smack, non-violent society a labour low life ,as they all are, will still resort to a good old street scrap to solve a problem of their own making because they don’t have the intellect to change. Born and bred underclass. Cullen is a classic despite his private education at Christs College and academic achievements he is still an inbred street scrapper with the inflexible mind of an untrained dog.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Yes chickens home to roost in terms of Mallard coping some personal abuse (although I am still not particularly keen on going down to that level).
All a bit stormish in tea cup from my point of view and does not cover either person in glory.
Apology and a handshake appropriate and hopefully that is where the matter rests once the media have had their say.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:22 am
We just have to adjust our mindset. The African countries I deal with all have corrupt governments but they are open about it and people get on with their lives with that knowledge. In NZ we just need to do the same, accept that government is corrupt, and move on.
Which makes me think that we are probably at the beginning of the end of westminster based democracy in this world. In 50 years when whites are no longer a majority here government will be a hodgepodge of everything.
The bar has been lowered.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:25 am
I watched part of the Debates yesterday and thought I would comment on the presentattion of some of the speakers I saw. These are not ranked in any way or necessarily in the order they spoke.
Rodney Hide – Impressive. He was fluent and spoke without apparent reference to notes. Spoke on the Anti Terrorism Bill and obviously knew his subject as his argument was convincing.
Mark Gosche – Spoke fluently with only occasional reference to notes but a pity he played `the man’ (the National Party in general rather than individuals) rather than the bill he was speaking on.
Tim Groser – Another speaker who did not need notes. Seemed to know his subjects well (I saw him twice) and was convincing.
Ron Mark – Seemed to stumble his way through with constant reference to his notes. Nowhere near as good as he appears at Question Time.. I would have thought the Terrorism Bill would have been right up his alley.
Wayne Mapp – Talked a lot of waffle – he lost me.
Diane Yates – Reasonably fluent but I had no idea what she was speaking about. No wonder she dipped out in the council elections no one would know what she stood for.
There was another lady from Labour. I missed her name and I did not recognise her. Her appearance was `dowdy’ and she looked like she would have been more at home addressing the local womens institute. Stumbled through her speach reading from her notes.
I wonder what others think.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Most of that didnt make sense, but you may remember the slight fuss that has been kicked up when it was revealed the superannuation was investing in Boeing, who make nuclear weapons and cluster bombs, and Wal-Mart, who has been black listed by the Norwegian Government Pension Fund for Human rights and labour rights violations…
October 25th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Also isnt that fact that John Key left the finance sector to work for National a few years ago a sign that there a people willing to work for reasons other than JUST money? Not that the moneys bad at all, but he took a big pay cut.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Sorry what mal said didnt make sense.
Also isnt that fact that John Key left the finance sector to work for National a few years ago a sign that there a people willing to work for reasons other than JUST money? Not that the moneys bad at all, but he took a big pay cut.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Mal – well said
October 25th, 2007 at 10:08 am
PDM
Perhaps you were fooled by the socialist hyperbole into thinking the unkempt and “dowdy” woman was from Labour. It wasn’t.
It was Sue Bradford
October 25th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Brownie
It definitely wasn’t Sue Bradford – I know what she looks like.
This person spoke from a position about where Liane Dalzell sits at question time – definitely Labour – may have been Lynne Pillay but I am guessing.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Oh well it looks like Trevor “The Duck” Mallard can kiss good bye the last remnant of hope that he might one day lead the Labour Party.
Trev should be deeply thankful that the worst the Nats let loose on him is Tau’s tongue.
If they really wanted do treat him like Labour treated Brash, they would be intercepting personal emails and arranging unsolicited “architectural inspections”of the residence of his new consort.
But if its getting too hot in the kitchen he could always do a “Maharey”. There’s every chance with his qualifications he could be promoted to a highly paid position in the social sciences specialising in “Anger Management”.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Just read that Rick Giles (NZB3) is being held in a US Jail for the past month for staying 4 days more than his visa allowed, get this – while trying to leave teh bloody country.
More info is here:
http://www.solopassion.com/node/3510#comment-41568
If you know any one in the media please let them know about this.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Was trying (and obviously failing) to be cheeky.
Ann Hartley, perhaps then?
Check out: http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/C2F3E00D-565D-4596-BCF4-54077D6F7A5A/60132/2007_08_07.pdf
for the parliamentary seating plan
October 25th, 2007 at 10:41 am
razorlight
- fail to see why the ‘leftwing blogs would be screaming’ over a post about a cocktail serving robot that thinks you have to be dumb to vote Helen… I mean if that’s the best the right can do in terms of anti-left humour, it ain’t exactly something to worry about
- incisive political humour would point out the ridiculousness of a politican or their politics, that joke could be applied to any politican the teller chooses and would be just as funny – in fact, it a fair bet that the original version was about GW Bush.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:46 am
BE VERY AWARE !!
This whole SFO business has a very sinister ring to it.
Have a read of this today.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10471936
What does every one make of this fact that the SFO boss was not even consulted on the fact that his own agency was being disenfranchised.!!!!!!
ALL I KNOW IS THAT THE SFO IS A CRITICAL INDEPENDENT BODY WITH SPECIAL POWERS THAT NEED TO BE PRESERVED FOR SERIOUS FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY.
I WOULD VENTURE TO SUGGEST THAT HELENGRAD IS CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING AND WANTS THE THREAT NEUTRALISED BY SFO’S POWER COMING BACK INTO THE GOVT CONTROLLABLE ZONE OF THE POLICE.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Fantastic analysis of a joke, Sam.
My my, you’re a towering intellect.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Castafiore, i share your concerns. who knows what nasty little secrets the government may be trying to hide there.
i’m also becoming more concerned at how politically directed our police and judiciary seem to becoming. think of s59 and the EBF. these laws will turn 100′s of thousands of ordinary kiwis into law breakers whereupon the government will be at liberty to apply discretion or apply the letter of the law, which ever suits is political purposes. is this the beginning of a police state?
October 25th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Heres a joke my son came home from school with
There is a competition for the best in the world
brad Pitt goes in and come out 5 minutes later as the best actor
Britney spears goes in and emerges 5 minutes later as the best singer
The Monster thing from muppets goes in for the ugliest person award
Five hours later he emerges
His only comment
Who the hell is Helen Clark?
October 25th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Balls, slightlyrighty. I don’t give a shit if the man is the biggest prick in Christendom (and if Mallard doesn’t qualify, he’s certainly on the shortlist), 1) don’t get down on his level, and 2) the dirt hasn’t settled on his father’s grave. How about some common human decency?
I’d also note Henare is widely-tipped to be Maori Affairs Minister in the next National-lead government, and he’s just going to have to show he has his head around the cultural differences between the National Party and Winston First. Not really an impressive audition, IMO, and quite sad when I’ve heard he’s worked incredibly hard to win over people in the party who initially dismissed him as a waka jumping opportunist.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:16 am
As part of my bail conditions, i had to listen to Parliament last night (no seriously, I had insomnia). Having worked there in the past and seen how politicians operate, I think pollies lose points by scoring points.
They want to jump on every success (I heard Willy Apiata’s name mentioned twice yesterday) without doing anything, the speeches seem by rote and lack anything like an inspiring vision. They aren’t leaders. They are followers – of public opinion, of their misguided leaders, of what the latest buzz in the media is. They’re interested in their profile.
I’d like to hear a politician say – “this is my vision for NZ, this is how it’s going to work, and if it’s shown I’m talking shit I’ll resign” rather than the false promises and other crap we get at the mo.
But that’s a bit like asking Santa for Pamela Anderson…
October 25th, 2007 at 11:17 am
I suggest going to the following link and choosing “View Video” to see what TV One Breakfast has to say about Trevor Mallard.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4249325a10.html
A choice quote:
Reporter: “She [The Prime Minister] won’t be happy with this latest situation”
Anchor: “Well, she needs to say more publicly than she has so far if people are going to believe that. Trevor Mallard is a dirty, dirty, dirty politician, and she should have reined him in before this. It is largely Helen Clark’s fault that he still behaves the way he does, I would have thought.”
October 25th, 2007 at 11:18 am
OK, maybe not Pammy…maybe Jennifer Garner. There’s a topic – Pam versus Jen in a jelly wrestling celebrity death match…
October 25th, 2007 at 11:19 am
I think Tau should hang his head in shame.
Trevor Mallard is under enormous pressure at the moment. Apart from his marriage breaking down, and facing serious heat in his portfolios, he’s also trying to manage a new girlfriend. Helen Clark clearly hasn’t been happy with his ministerial performance over the past year, which was probably due to Trevor’s complex personal life. It isn’t easy juggling a mistress and a wife, as well as several high profile ministerial portfolios.
It is totally unfair of Tau to pick on Trevor when Trevor is under so much stress. Just because Trevor did the same to Don Brash last year isn’t sufficient reason for Tau to do the same to Trevor.
Tau deserved to get punched out for winding Trevor up. I’m a bit shocked that Trevor even felt he had to apologise. Trevor should have assaulted Gerry and Nick as well. Just to teach the Nats a lesson.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:23 am
CR; Face it- Trevor had it coming.
I’m not defending Tau, but people that live in “Glass Houses” shouldn’t throw stones and Trevor has never been particularly noted as one that extends ‘common human decency’ to others.
The fact is, that if one of Trev’s constituents in Wainuiomata, were to throw a punch out side the “local” he could well end up in the cells with an assault charge.
Looks like an interesting new “variable” will have to be factored in to next weeks cabinet reshuffle.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Reserve Bank warns about tax cuts being inflationary:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10471823
Anything to stop us getting our hands on our own money.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Jen – every time.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Helen must be feeling more and more like the headteacher at a playcentre these days. What with organising sessions, marking report cards and now the extra-curricular and domestic situations of her pupils.
NOw having to break up scraps in the corridors – ‘Leave it, Trevor! It’s not worf it!!’
Rodney could take ‘em both.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Rumor has it Mallard has a glass jaw. Wouldn’t hold my breath for a win from the fighter in the red corner.
Seriously though, while Tau’s comments may be a below the belt, Mallard’s reaction, remembering his mudslinging, are unjustifiable. Chickens coming home to roost, say I.
As for the apology, can you just imagine it? Uncle Cullen walking the errant child Trevor down the hall to apologise. Priceless.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:35 am
As always with a bully, you have to look not just at the behaviour, but the environment which has allowed it to thrive. Labour have dragged parliment into the mire – and boy will they ever be remembered for it.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Only wimps and old men should be so provoked. Then no violence would come from it. Trying it on with a prop forward of the parliaments own team is begging for it. Tau’s a masochist.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Pick the odds on the following scenarios:
1) Mallard as the next polly on “Dancing with the Stars”. His dancing partner helps him with his anger issues and WWeekly runs the story that they are ‘just friends’. He gushes about dancing turning his life around.
2) Fight for life special – ‘Trev vs Tau’ pulls in highest rating yet. Winston “the Don” Peters in front row cheers both to smash up the other. Helen secretly watches from the Beehive cheering on Tau.
3) Mallard bumped from list – returns as highest polling constituent MP and becomes patron of the Wainui league club; and wins repec’ for bringing back the biff.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Keith Locke follows Insolent Prick’s delight ironic example …
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0710/S00449.htm
October 25th, 2007 at 11:38 am
ManukauMummy -
One thing I really don’t get (well I know the stated reason of course) is how those with loans are the only ones to get punished to combat inflation.
Example – first we get hit with higher butter and milk prices way above the rate of inflation, then we get punished for that naughtiness with higer interest rates! When house prices led the inflation charge we homeowners were lambasted (another whole story) so how about lambasting the bloody farmers now! Fucking joke
It makes no sense – petrol goes up, dairy goes up, govt charges go up and the homeowner (with a loan) gets punished. If anything interest rates should go down to compensate.
IDEA – Instead of controlling inflation by taking money out of the system through increased interest rates how about take the money out of the system by requiring everyone to go down the post office each Friday and handover say $50 to the govt. Simple and fair. And would expose the system for what it is.
The struggling person with a loan just gets hit left right and centre. I suspect the economy (non-farming) will shit itself next year.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Apparently Mastercard is working on a new ad:
Dinner at Bellamy’s for new girlfriend: $78.50
Having to hand over house in Wainui and half of Parliamentary super when wife finds out: $336,192
Getting smacked out by Tau Henare: PRICELESS
October 25th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Reg:
Regular Kiwiblog readers will be aware of my bargain basement level regard for Trevor Mallard, which makes it all the more important not to sink to his level. Don’t you think?
I might be a silly, naive old whoopsie but I actually expect a little better from my team – and I certainly don’t want to hear Mongrel Mallard held up as any kind of baseline for acceptable conduct in the House, thank you kindly.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Craig,
I don’t think that anyone would hold this incident up as a “baseline for acceptable conduct in the House”. It’s more of an amusing footnote to Mallard’s dismal career coming to it’s natural and pathetic end.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Buggerlugs that is very utopian of you!
I want to know where Sue Bradford is in all of this – if you can’t smack a child why is it ok to lay one on Tau Henare? Maybe this is an example of that wonderful “police discretion” we are suposed to put such faith in.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Do you think the Speaker will take action? Or the privileges committee? Or the Prime Minister? Or is it green light for more punch ups?
What about Heather Simpson v Rodney Hide? Who would you put your money on?
October 25th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
when did this Mallard thing happen?
what did Tau say to upset him? did he knock him the fuck out after Mallard took a swing?
imagine getting a free swing at mallard! id pay serious money for that!
October 25th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Margaret Wilson is retiring this election after an initially very promising, but finally very mediocre political career that had nothing going for it other than a long-standing friendship with Helen Clark.
Margaret Wilson works a lot harder than Judith Tizard, but then again, so does yoghurt work harder than Judith. Yet Margaret has been spectacular in being utterly ineffectual in Parliament in the last eight years.
If Margaret really wanted to make a contribution to political life in New Zealand, she could release the footage of Trevor giving Tau the biff.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Kurdish villagers subjected to deadly air strikes. Barbaric, inhumane, incred… no wait… ah, the protagonist wasn’t the nasty USA so it’s ok. Sorry nothing to see here, move along.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Well, Mallard is the designated attack dog. This is just a logical extension of the cancerous, corrosive, affair allegation, chinless scarf wearing H-Fee, SFO politics that Labour have engaged in for years. They abuse people’s mental health, make homophobic innuendos and basically behave in the most appalling way possible if they think they can get some political advantage out of it.
So the responsibility for this is pretty clear – it lies with the Prime Minister who has not just tolerated, but promoted these strategies.
The question then, is will Mallard get a demotion or a medal?
October 25th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Kurdish villagers subjected to deadly air strikes. Barbaric, inhumane, incred… no wait… ah, the protagonist wasn’t the nasty USA so it’s ok. Sorry nothing to see here, move along.
mate it is stil the US’ fault! they could have stopped Turkey and didnt! bastards!!
October 25th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
sorry, was channelling a leftist
October 25th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
slightyrighty – yeah, your’e right Dr Mitchell is not a GP, that’s where you’re argument that if we let GP fees float we would have a children’s cancer specialist in Wellington falls flat on its face.
You should have listened to the DHB COO on morning report this morning – Wellington only needs a small children’s cancer unit – it usually has two specialists – it had three until last year when two left, replacement efforts were ongoign, nowe DR Mitchell has left… they will we replaced and in the meantime kids will get the treatment they need in Christhcurch or Auckland.
Two factors in play here:
one you’ve got a very small unit, its always going to be subecjt to statistical clustering around resignations, and that’s a long running problem with the unit that they are going to ease by making a collaborative arrangement with Christchurch.
two, New Zealand is simply not as wealthy as some other countries, it is hard for us to keep up with wage levels elsewhere – what’s your solution to that? How does the public health system (the only system that ordianry people are ever going to be able to afford for expensive treatmetns like this) pay enough to attract doctors?
National has no answer – all they can say is tax cuts… tax cuts won’t pay for better medical wages.
Krazykiwi
- don’t be a dick, I think you’ll find left-wing sentiment is generally with the Kurds and their right to self-determination (guaranteed by the UN charter)
October 25th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Mallard got what he deserves. What impression does this leave the Government which made such a political issue out of the anti-smacking legislation, it was a whipped vote. Now Mallard thinks he can win his arguments by giving the biff. Did Don Brash behave this way towards Mallard when Mallard threw the public spotlight on Dr Brash’s marriage. And then Mallard uses the cowardly excuse of the recent death of his behavior to explain stress. If he cannot handle stress then he needs to retire to the backbenches and get over it.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
sam, thanks for the advice. i’ve tried to keep that in mind while i looked (in vain) on some leftie blogs for their signs of their righteous indignation at the attack. haven’t found any. still looking.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Tim,
How exactly did Mallard ‘Get what he deserved”. What does one ‘deserve when their father dies? IP – good on you for ignoring that wee fact, all over here and The standard – showing some real integrity aren’t ya?
Krazykiwi – go outside and read a book mate – just because it’s not on a blog or two, does that mean no-one cares? There’s more to the world than the internet, my pasty friend. You’ve got to admit though, whether it’s on Left blogs or not, Sam was right and you’re a tool.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Fighterpilott: Believe it or not most people have their father die in their life time. Thats no excuse to start a fight mate, esspecially not in parliment. Mallard simply got a taste of his own medicine and i have absolutely no sympathy for him. Brash didnt start a fight and in my opinion what Mallard said was much worse then what happened yeasterday. And he voted yes on the anti-smaking bill, what a loser.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Fighterpilott
“scramble scramble left under attack”
October 25th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
This is the second time the Duck has assaulted an opposition MP – the first one was Bob Clarkson.
If I assaulted a work colleague I would be dismissed. Klark must get rid of Trevor now.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Bwakile: “scramble scramble brain yet to engage?” Please try harder.
Nick C: One handbag and an apology – you must be from a right preppy school to consider that a ‘fight’. I don’t think he’s after sympathy, and I wasn’t trying to get any for him – “getting what you deserve” doesn’t apply to deaths in the family. That point can’t be too hard to understand.
The whole party voted, as a party, on the ‘anti-smacking’ bill, it wasn’t just him, champ.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Good point Nat Girl. Once may be explainable as a mistake. Twice is thuggery.
But it’s the reeking hypocrisy that gets me the most. How can he object to receiving a taste of his own medicine in the chamber? Or is it just like the pledge card rort – one rule for Labour, another for everybody else ?
Don’t worry, once the EFB bill is passed, the principle of one rule for Labour and another for everybody else will be enshrined in law. And if Trevor Mallard does this again, our criticism of his thuggish actions will be heavily regulated.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
FighterPilott, more advice and more thanks. my point was, and remains, that any aggression by the USA invariably invokes the wrath of the left who come out spitting and ranting… while other aggressors get pretty much left to their business. why is that?
October 25th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
FighterPilott:
Mallard wasn’t goaded about the death in his family. He was taunted about him having an affair and splitting up with his wife. I’ve said time and time again that it was unfair of Tau to tease Mallard when Mallard is under so much stress.
Goodness, it’s hard enough for Trevor having to deal with a mistress and a wife, as well as cabinet portfolios in a total mess. Trevor’s under a particular amount of pressure, having to find a new house, and knowing that Phil’s pipped him to the post for the next labour leadership.
I’ve said before that it doesn’t matter that Trevor is the dirtiest labour MP in history, or that he’s flung more mud than anybody else. Making a joke about anybody’s mistress isn’t funny. I applaud Trevor for whacking Tau, and think Trevor should have thumped other National MPs as well.
Winding somebody up when they’re going through so much personal hardship–even if it is completely self-inflicted in Trevor’s case–just isn’t sporting.
Trevor should take another holiday to Valencia. He needs a break.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
krazykiwi – its just not something everyone feels need to comment on, its an internaitonal issue that NZ can’t impact, and everyone agrees as far as I can see that the Kurds in Turkey have a legitimate case or self-rule but that doesn’t excuse any attacks on civlians, and that a Turkish intervention into Northern Iraq would be a disaster for all.
I note DPF hasn’t made a comment either.
If you really want a left-wing site’s views, try antiwar.com… I see that Bush is now considering attacking the PKK himself so the Turks won’t feel the need to… there’s a recipe for success from a strategic genius. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22636940-663,00.html
October 25th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Sam, you absolute prat! Yeah, it’s ok if the children are treated in Christchurch or Auckland. Just get them to uplift them and their families as far away from their home and support base as possible, eh? You have all the empathy of a gnat and twice the charisma! How bout if you tried looking at that child in the eyes and telling him to relocate to Christchurch cause Wellington is too small to have an effective unit. Hey, its only the capital city of New Zealand after all. Check out this blog from yesterday to see how well our system is working in the Capital:
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2007/10/general_debate_24_october_2007.html#comment-357299
Your argument is bollocks as well. Neither of your two “factors” would come in to play if we had a decent health system in the first place. This Labour government has spent more on Health than ever before and where is it going – to more and more administrators. No wonder Wellington cannot attract one – let alone two – new specialists, the money used to pay them has been swallowed up by employing more people to find out why there are no oncologists in Wellington. In 2000, annual spend on health was 6.146 billion. The past financial period, this government spent 10.327 billion (source: NZ Treasury report, Government Financial repots for Year Ending June 07 http://www.treasury.govt.nz/financialstatements/year/jun07/cfsyjun07.pdf). What is happening to this money? Where is it going because it is certainly not going to the people that need it.
Having had a couple of relatives treated in the last two years (one of which died, the other being 14yo) for cancer, I’m in a position to comment pretty well on the subject.
And whats this about NZ not being wealthy enough to afford such specialists? We’ve just had another massive surplus.
Wake up, Sam. Your constant bleating of how this Labour government is so maligned when all it works is wonder, is monotonous, half sighted and, even worse, bigoted.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
The insinuation that African governments are more corrupt simply because they are black sickens me, in addition to the insinuation that government run by anyone but blacks would be more corrupt than government run by caucasians.
Not only is this racist, it also implies that corruption is culturally acceptable in some regions – bwakile – if you go and ask that question to the general population of African countries “if corruption is acceptable” – the answer will be as resoundingly “No” as it is here.
Corruption in African countries is fostered by a lack of democratic institutions and lack of critical oversight and judicial infrastructure. The legacy of colonialism, the Cold War, and globalisation has placed negative incentives to move toward more democratic forms of governance – the West – as the guardians and advocates of democracy should be promoting more positive incentives.
However, there remains much corruption in the West – even in New Zealand – the recent real estate scam involving lawyers and property developers involving $40 million is proof of this.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
PP
I wasnt being a racialist. I have many black African friends and an African daughter. I was merely pointing out that democracy is a very thin veneer for human nature. People in Africa understand that to become a politician is the easiest way to make money. You go to Africa and ask your question because I know that the answer will be a shrug of the shoulders and the person getting back to work to feed his family. I prefer to look at human nature rather than skin colour.
In NZ I see our standard of democracy being undermined through the human nature of our politicians. I couldnt care what phillip Fields skin colour is but I care a lot that he used his position to gain advantage.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
KrazyKiwi – one small thing that probably grates is the US constantly referring to itself as the ‘leader of teh free worls’ and all that other jingoistic rhetoric, when in fact they’re a hypocritical bunch who aren’t very fre, let alone leaders, when it comes to issues around human rights! Turkey has never made such a claim, so no-one’s able to point out their hpyocracy (my gosh that word’s come up a lot today). That’s not to say I support them, nor teh US saying “we’ll kill them for you”…
Brownie – personal experiences aren’t the best measure of a countries’ health system – some will have fantastic service, others let down. Also lost a family member to cancer, and she had treatment I can only describe as fantactic – that doesn’t mean the health system is perfect, nor do some bad experienced meant it’s a disaster. A government must use some objectivity.
Sam’s point that there are only two resident specialists is valid – if there were four, 50% of them resigning would leave two. With to, you’ll get hit hard by a single resignation – there goes 50% of your specialist staff. There is nothing wrong with that statement, so spare us the hysterics please.
Don’t use that word bigoted unless you can back it up, Brownie, because you’ve got nothing in there to back it up, apart from said hysterics.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Fighterpilot Mallard deserves the bad publicity he is getting. But I stand by my remark it is cowardly to use the death of a parent or someone else close, to explain bad behavior. Been there, done that and I have regretted it.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
“Corruption in African countries is fostered by a lack of democratic institutions and lack of critical oversight and judicial infrastructure. The legacy of colonialism, the Cold War, and globalisation has placed negative incentives to move toward more democratic forms of governance – the West – as the guardians and advocates of democracy should be promoting more positive incentives.”
PP have just re read this and frankly it is the biggest load of crap I have seen for a long time.
Helen certainly is a wonderful guardian of democracy
I dont know whose policy you are parrotting but you are well named.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Tim, please give me a link quoting Mallard claiming the incident was caused by the stress of losing his father. I have looked and while the media has cited it as a reason he hasn’t said it once.
I’ve got this wee one for you: “Mr Mallard has so far refused to comment on the issue. ”
You got anything to back up your ‘disgust’?
October 25th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I agree with you FP that a government must have objectivity. They must be objective enough to recognise when their performance is not up to speed as well.
As for personal experince, if this is not the best barometer of a “public” system (note the word, its meaning and by definition its need to be openly scrutinised) , then what is. It must be the best and only way to measure the system as it is a sytem designed and run for us with our (the taxpayers) money. If we don’t find it to be well managed and providing the service level that soceity demands then it is absolutly open to inspection and critique.
I was using the example of having been through a process within the health system to highlight the fact I have an idea of the needs and wants of patients. While I am not the absolute arbiter of whats good for all, this experience does afford me an opinion that is informed. We too experienced great care under dedicated staff (who incidentaly, over the extended period we were with them spoke of the lack of funding, resources, support etc) however this is not what I was talking about. I was highlighting the fact the there is a degredation of service in the Capital. Once again, I ask you to click the link to the gent who’s wife recieved “treatment” a couple of days ago at Wellington Hospital as an example of a system that is under extreme pressure, is not performing and is wildly out of sync with public expectation.
As for your last paragraph I don’t disagree with your logic re: the statement on th specialists leaving In fact I don’t remeber actually arguing that point in the first point so your defense of Sam is pointless and irrelevant.
Lastly the word “bigoted”. If you look up the word in the dictionary, you will find that the word fits Sams entry and previous posts most aptly, pal. Just look them up and you will find some of the most ardent bigotry on display. His constant refusal to accept anyone else’s interpretation is the very definition of the word.
Besides, who are you to tell me how to use language? Your spelling ain’t so flash, I’d suggest you start using a spellcheck.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
brownie – less than 2% of health spending goes to funding the Ministry, it was 1.82% last eyar, down from 1.85%, the target is 1.65%… http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Debates/QOA/e/9/9/48HansQ_20071024_00000335-5-Health-Ministry-Confidence-in-Quality.htm
Heck of a job, Brownie.
and its not for me to judge whether its ‘ok’ for people to have to move for cancer treatment, that’s something the professionals know more about – and guess what they say – ‘well, we’ve had some statistical clustering of resignations which small units are prone too by their nature but we’ll have the unit up and running again in six months’ – listen to morning report.
I’m sorry for your losses but I won’t let them be a sheild for your positions: they don’t make you an expert on allocation of health resources or limitations on health resources.. and after all those losses happened while this unit was functioning.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
there a few on here that see a bit of biff as one way of resolving a ding dong.
I actually agree. There is nothing wrong with a bit of biff between grown men. After all, it is the psychological ‘hurt’ that goes with being hit that actually does more damage than the physical black eye etc.
And psychological hurt gets dealt all day every day by all sorts. Lets make that a crime if there is any consistency. Fits well with the PC lot too.
The politicians dont hesitate to hurt people from the safety of their lowest court on the land with their terrible lies etc. Recall Winston Peters laying into all sorts of normal folk with lies and innuendo. Scum.
So, biff is a way of resolving matters between men (dunno about women, I dont think they would understand) as it has been since man first appeared on the planet.
But Mallard and Labour – 100% hypocrisy = 0% credibility.
some 2c
October 25th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Brownie
I have found the `dowdy’ one. Jill Pettis – she asked a question earlier today in Question Time.
re Mallard – why don’t he and his new lady come clean and say `we are now together’. This would end all of the drama.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
mallard has a new lady??? id love to see a picture hahaha
October 25th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I’m not using any loss as a sheild, Sam and how dare you say that I am. Have you no shame at all? Try debating the issue and NOT the person, eh?
Why don’t you look out of the ministry for a second and have a look at the DHB’s. For example, that in the CDHB, there are now two administrators to every one health professional, is appalling. That there are people waiting months and months for surgery and yet have been struck off waiting lists is appalling.
I never pretended to be an expert (and said as such), merely having an informed opinion. And for you to turn this into a personal attack….. unbelievable. If this is the way you you generally argue your case then I suggest you go and flat with Trevor M, I think you two have a lot of similarities of style and he may in fact be looking for a new flatmate shortly.
Heck of a job, Sam
October 25th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Unfortunately ,
I have had the misfortune to have a child with an tumour
As I live In Nelson, had to get treatment in Ch Ch which had to be said was first rate .
The local Health board paid for flights to and from Chch, and measured against the horror of dealing with that illness ,locating to Ch Ch was not an issue.
Every bodies personal experiences are different, I know
But the Public health system that we have been accessing, has been pretty bloody good. And i have no complaints
October 25th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
“However, there remains much corruption in the West – even in New Zealand – the recent real estate scam involving lawyers and property developers involving $40 million is proof of this.”
PP This is NOT corruption but crime
Corruption is stealing $800k of our money to buy an election and then passing legislation to make it all OK.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Well done on the sleuthing, pdm.
A bit of honesty from Mallard would be a refreshing change, I agree.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
TVNZ.co.nz has video up with Tau Henare talking about last night’s tussle.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/video_popup_windows_skin/1415440
It’s robust.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Didn’t quite get that – did he say “robust”?
October 25th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
If the definition of being seen as party partisan is to be a bigot, the next dictionary will say – bigot 1 or 2 or 3. or 4 a poster on kiwiblog or 5. someone who does not agree with …
October 25th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Brownie, I can’t put this any more simply – you can’t use personal experiences with which to pass judgement on the performance of a health system. You mentoin another post on kiwiblog. That’s great. I’m sure if you looked around you could find plenty of people relating their experiences as to how well the system worked for them – that doesn’t mean the system is great, nor do some poor individual experiences mean the system is fundamentally flawed.
Sam hasn’t shown an intolerance of your ideas, nor has he demonstrated unreasonable beliefs – he argues his case so while you don’t agree, you can’t say they are unreasonalbe without showing a degree of bigotry yourself. Oh yeah, you tell him to atack the issue and not the person, while going after my spelling – Bravo, chump.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
It reminds one so much of the new parliamentary dance team Tau and Trevor. They just have to sort out who is leading …
October 25th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Then what is the baseline for a public system, FP, other than the experinces of those for whom it is designed? The fact that there would be plenty of people around to relate thier poor experience is entirely indicative.
As for the bigotry issue, I’m not implying that it is just my ideas that Sam seemingly refuses to acknowledge. He has garnered a lot of abuse (yeah, some of it fairly sharp and not particularly deserved) on this blog and others. Further to this, I was responding to his insensitivity with reference to the child with cancer and an apparent lack of understanding of such a situation. Having been through the process yourself, would you and your family like to be uplifted and told to go elswhere for treatment?
And who started the personal attacks, FP after you were the one to tell me how I should post my blogs and what words to use? The use of the word is entirely justified by definition. And then Sam starts telling me that I am using an emotive situation to purport my arguments? It’s not only wrong, it’s bloody insulting.
Get over yourselves……….. chump.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
As to your other point Brownie, I don’t think subjective measures are the way to judge a system – you asked what to use if personal eperience isn’t the best barometer.
I want to pay zero taxes, have a health system in which everyone gets perfect personal treatment in the comfort of their own home, while we all get given an economical hybrid car or the world’s best public transport service to use, 10 weeks’ paid annual leave, three years’ parental leave and a subsidised OE.
Seeing as I’m not getting this personally, according to your logic, I should be critiquing the government. Perhaps tangible measures of performance are likely to be more suitable…
You also never addressed Sam’s real point – the opposition want to cut taxes – how’s that going to help?
October 25th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
The baseline is the publics collective experience of the health system not individual snapshots (which might be good for most and yet still bad for a significant minority or any other variation).
People will regard, reference to one’s own personal experience of something as indicative of the way for others to see the health or any other system as emotional, because it is NOT rerasonable.
And anyone who knows anything about posting on blogs knows that anyone who is in a minority on a blog will get attacked – to say, this is some evidence against anyone this happens to, is nonsense. It’s certainly not evidence of some bigotry not to agree with the ideas of others. It’s actually called having one’s own.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Anyone expressing left-wing ideas on this blog is generally subjected to abuse. Some state their ideas more strongly, or convincingly, and generally get more abuse for their effort – it’s what is expected though. That doesn’t mean it’s bigotry – there’s nothing wrong with a healthy debate s’long as people attempt to keep it civilised (to the extent one would expect on the internet) and back up their arguments – I can’t see how he’s acted as a bigot- getting abuse doesn’t make someone wrong, you know.
“I’m sorry for your losses but I won’t let them be a sheild for your positions: they don’t make you an expert on allocation of health resources or limitations on health resources.. and after all those losses happened while this unit was functioning.”
- this is a fair enough statement and basically what I said – I used myself as a similar example, saying that my experience doesn’t make me an expert – that’s not a personal attack, or I’d be pretty pissed off at myself…
I suggested you don’t called someone bigoted without cause – feel free to if you want, but it doesn’t look to good. If I threw around baseless accusations people would ignore me or abuse back pretty fast, and no-one would pay any attention to what I say. You only tried to justify calling him that after I mentioned it, so I’m going to stand by that…
So, get over myself..I’ll work on it :p
October 25th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
On house prices.
UK Average Cost: £210,578
Detached: £323,332
Semi-detached: £189,617
Terraced: £168,134
Flat: £196,505
It’s $354,000 in London
In USA the average sales price in September 2007 dropping 4.2% from a year earlier to $211,700 (£103,000).
That would mean houses in the USA are worth way less than in New Zealand – our average is about NZ$350,000 (our dollar buys 75 cents US) -even though they have higher incomes.
It would seem then that our currency os overvalued because of inflows of short term money after our higher interest rates and also the speculation on residential property because of the high domestic tax on interest income is resulting in rising domestic property values.
Yet nothing is done about this. Is this because the government and oppositiion are both too bigoted to listen? Or is this because, Nationa’s supporters include a lot of landlords and farmers don’t mind the high dollar as it helps push up the worth of their farm in foreign money (for when they retire)? Now what’s Labour’s excuse, do they have any?
October 25th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
It’s 354,000 pounds in London.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Sams reasoning that we can’t afford to have the specialists there (despite another massive surplus) as well as his offhand comment that the patients will just have to travel from now on (despite the fact we live in an apparently First World country that has increased it’s spending on health by almost 4 billion over the last 7 years) are the points that I was contending with – not the taxes. If Sams reasoning is flawed IMHO, that leaves his whole point open to criticism. It should not be unreasonable to assume a certain level of care is maintained, especially one that recieved over $10b in public money last financial year.
You still haven’t given me a different/better system for judging performance other than public opinion and experience. I appreciate what you are saying re: 0 taxes, perfect transport etc. Sure, that would be great!
However I don’t think it is too much for us to expect a kid with cancer in Wellington to be able to be treated there. If the fact that the last specialist oncologist felt she had to leave due to stress and overwork, in the full knowledge that it would leave Capital Health without such a specialist, is not an indictment on a system that is unsatisfactory and under pressure, then there are real problems at the government and managerial levels in our health system.
SPC, are you saying that the many people out there who are dissatified with the current system are not reasonable? Are you saying that because a person may have experience of the system precludes them from commenting on the basis that any bad experience may colour their view? That is not democracy, SPC.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
If you want to construct a strawman to debate with brownie – debate with it. Just don’t expect me to.
And pleae note democracy itself only reflects the collective, not the subjective. No matter how many individuals have personal experiences of wanting another government elected – they remain stuck with the one the majority chose.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Fighterpillot – people who are left wing (actually probably more like socialist/collective leaning) to the extent of trying to run my life should be abused.
They are abusing me when they try to interfere. When they tell me that I am a criminal for smacking my kid, then I regard that as abuse.
Now – as for cutting taxes – no problem. Its like the local council – they could easily cut costs – by heaps. They could start by stopping all expenditure on anything other than sewerge, water (incluing waster water) planning and roads. There is really no basis for thinking that we HAVE TO HAVE a library, or sponsored orchestra, subsidised buses, mown parks, animal care, civil defence, gardens, theatres, environental health,organic centes, etc, etc, etc. Yes, theyre all very nice to have, but why should the rate payers be paying for a library when quite frankly they are redundant – I can find everything that I want on the internet. Absolutely not arguement for the ratepayer to support any sporting code or arts activity or similar.
Yes – I know they are all ver nice, but there is no basis to expect ALL rate payers to pay.
Here in Hamilton I have to pay in my rates for town buses that are organised by Environment waikato – and both city council and EW subsidze them. I’d need to get a bloody taxy across the country side to ever catch one.
Its this sort of action that needs to be taken to concentrate the ratepayers minds onto what they really want.
Same for government. here are half a dozen government departments that need to go. The public service can be cut back to what it was before 1999. Are you aware of how much its costing the IRD to administer Working for Families ??? its costing zillions. Just do what the germans do – cut taxes for families – you dont need a complicated system to run it. You get a tax rate based on number of children – its not taken from you and then given back when you apply for it later.
simple
October 25th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
And when the “last” specialist resigned she did so with months of notice – there were already efforts to replace the earlier two.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
big·ot·ed /ˈbɪgətɪd/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[big-uh-tid] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective utterly intolerant of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.
Fair call on the getting over oneself. I’ll try as well. Perhaps bigoted was a little strong.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
barry identify an area without facilities provided by their council and I will show you an area whcih has low property values because of it. People move to areas with good community facilites etc.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
And why have they not filled the vancancy when the Hon. Pete Hodgson is on record as having said that this country puts out 40% more qualified doctors than six years ago? Could it be that the funds are not there to pay them?
October 25th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I just got that children can go south to CHC at the moment, but replacements are being sought – so it seems there is the money, but it’s a highly competitive market. If someone has just left, unless their income was allocated elsewhere then there will be funding for the position so it’s not about the money – it’s (a guess here) a specialist position and a difficult one to fill at that. There’s nothing offhanded in that! Here’s hoping the vacancies can be filled ASAP.
The problem with basing anything on perceptions is that it takes one bad case to wipe out the good work of hundreds. As an example, how many stories about the heroic things social workers do in NZ are told, as contrasted to the few horror stiores? And what is the common perception of CYF, yet when you look into it, the work they do is nothing short of heroic in many (if not most) cases.
As for a measure – operations, respnse times, percentage of finances on operational versus managerial spending, and so on – I guess that doesn’t sound good – it’s pretty much tuning people into numbers, but at the highest level, a Government or Minister can’t spend their time assessing each individual case – that’s simply micro-managing at it’s worst. They therefore must base it on other measures as mentioned (once again, those are guesses, but I don’t imagine everyone gets a survey with which the govt scores the Health system). It’s the DHBs and managerial staff at the hospital/clinic level that must take responsibility for individual cases – if the capital is a problem then every case will be unsatisfactory and these results will flow up to the higher levels. What I’m saying is that all we hear is the bad stories, and not the good – so we can’t know what the overall state of the Health system is, and we certainly can’t base it upon our personal experiences.
This problem in Wellington-it doesn’t mean the whole system is flawed.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Most graduates are in Oz within a few years of graduating. We get a lot from the UK because they have been training more than they need.
The question is (how to keep more here and the answer is debt writeoff if they stay and debt writeoff if they come back) why our doctors who become specialists in Oz don’t want to come back – it’s not just a matter of higher pay in Oz but the problem of not wanting to work in a system where they are under work pressure because of a shortage of staff. Once we show a committment to retaining staff via debt writeoff maybe that will change.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Fuel to the fire.
Check it out, FP.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4250338a11.html
October 25th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Midland Health is more likely to find care from Kiwi doctors for them in Oz than Canterbury.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Yup Barry, you have pretty much summed it up. A ‘socialist/collective’ leaning person will say that these services are of benefit to society as a whole, and that it is the job of society as a whole to provide them.
You can pick any specific thing, and say it’s no use to you, but others will have a different view.
Say I install a septic tank at my house – so why am I paying rates for this seweage service you think is so important?? I can walk to work, so you can pay for your own roads too… You can see where this is going.
In short, everything you seem to not want to pay for is what most people will want, but perhaps wish they didn’t have to pay for – most people accept it. I don’t use many governmental services, but given my views, I don’t begrudge them being provided to those that need them. Tax me more, if it’s for a good cause!
October 25th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I 100% agree with you (hey, this bi-partisan suit looks good!) however whats wrong with expected a certain service level to be maintined. Why do we always hear these stories of woe? Surely one needs to agree that we could do better.
If we put the question “do you think the health system is better today than 7 years ago” out to the blogging community – even to the wider public, what do you think the results would be?
If the system is not taking adequate care of those that we value the most – our children – then that is a crying shame for a country that used to pride itself on its health service.
October 25th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
SPC – are you finding house prices a bit high of late? want to know a way to get them down?
Those areas where they want these services will set up their own voluntary system – just like we are seeing with gated communities. There is a new area in Chch where they dont want buses and they are taking the council on over it.
Rates are getting crazy. My wife has an inherited batch on the coast around Awakino. It is used for about 5 weeks every year. Floor size is about 15 square metres. Own septic tank. No library, no parks, no street lights, in fact bugger all.
Annual rates $2200. We are going to get the water disconnected and put a tank in. Then we will look at a self contained electrical system (probably batteries with an inverter – fixed power charges are several hundred each year)
Rates – over $2200 pa.
We could stay at the bloddy hilton for a couple of weeks for the money it costs
October 25th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Apropos of nothing that has gone before on this thread…
What the hell is it with Labo(u)r governments and the police?! It used to be that it was right wing governments who used the willing coppers as tools to smash (sometimes literally) unions etc.
Now we’ve come full circle and left wing governments tickle the bellies of mewling corrupt police forces with laws like those just introduced in NSW that will allow the police to spy on citizens for five days without any form of warrant. And when they do get a warrant it’ll last 90 days instead of the present 21.
Perhaps the most chilling part of this is the comment of NSW’s Attorney General:
No, this isn’t some Tom Cruise movie. This is just across the ditch from NZ. Anyone want to take a wager on how long it will be before Labour in NZ try the same sort of thing?
The scary thing is, I wouldn’t take a wager against National (or any other party in power) resisting the temptation. Less likely, perhaps, but by no means impossible.
October 25th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
barry
Everyone has their own way of increasing the value of their property.
For most it’s having community services, for some it’s not having buses because this keeps the “other people out and their children in”, for some it’s locating it by a beach.
The only problem with ones property doubling in value in 3 years is the rates bill that follows. I’ll have to live with it.
October 25th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Fighterpilot it was put forward as a reason Mallard is under so much stress. Mallard could have least made a statement saying he is not using that as an excuse for his behavior. As I said using the death of close relatives is a coward’s way out, Mallard could have cleared that up but has not.
October 25th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
So he is a coward if he mentions it AND a coward if he does not?
The reality of the matter. is he is not sure why he went off, and probably is unable to say whether it played any part in why he did. If he was not wanting to make excuses for what he did, the most reasonable thing to do, is not to mention it.
October 25th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
‘Good on yer Tau, the truth will come out about that bastard – Don’
October 25th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
What amazes me is that the Prime Minister is still trying to suggest that Tau Henare is somehow also at fault ! Weird.
And the speaker says she can’t do anything because it it outside her jurisdiction. But I thought her jurisdiction was all of the grounds of parliament ?
And will the priveleges committee do anything, or will it just confirm that it is a toothless tool of the government of the day ?
October 25th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
“The only problem with ones property doubling in value in 3 years is the rates bill that follows. I’ll have to live with it.”
Never being a property owner I’m a little vague abouyt this, but are you saying when your property value goes up your rates go up ??
October 25th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
You have got it in one hinamanu.
There are now many places in NZ with older type houses on the coast. These were built by mostly now retired people as holiday homes. But sadly a lot of elderly are been forced out by huge rate increases as seaside property is a hot saler at the moment. Many local councils treat these people as no more then cash cows as the land is now worth heaps. As I’m a dairy farmer I can tell you that our local council is rubbing their hands and counting on a windfall of extra cash this year as dairy land is highly sort after due to a higher payout. So when the Liarbore government says no tax increases, please don’t ever ever believe the bastards.
October 25th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
‘You have got it in one hinamanu. ‘
By all accounts then, if Kiwis can’t afford rates because of the ironic rising value of their properties, don’t you think it is fair to see foreigners buying up what Kiwi’s can’t afford.
Aren’t the projections from that scenario just obvious.
In fact, very, very frightening.
October 25th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Whether I think it is fair or not doesn’t really matter hinamanu , I don’t make the rules, this government does. You are quite correct about the projections being obvious it’s happening now. I quess many of us are doomed to be second class citizens in our own country. Their are no easy answers but councils have to be regined in as some are looking at rates increases over 10% a per year, year after year and this government is more then happy to stand by and let it happen.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
when a council forbade grannies from sharing home baking at their weekly meetings and no one said any thing what are we to expect but more
facism.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I guess it boils down to how much the people will take. Until ordinary kiwis finally tell officials, whether local or national, to go fuck themselves, things will only get worst. Kiwis must one day find the courage to challenge the government not to meakly bend over and take it up the arse.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Guess we see the govts real agenda of legalising homosexuality
politicians are anal.
On that note, can’t believe I didn’t get a bollocking for my anti political gay bashing on here,,
though I did say I got nothing against social gays
But if I was a political gay I wouldn’t have liked my horrible, terrible,
uncouth comments one little bit,,
no I wouldn’t.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Rates don’t necessarily go up when your house value goes up. They will effectively increase only if your house/land value increases faster than the average values in your immediate area. This is because all of the re-valuations are conducted by the Council about the same time, and rates benchmarked against them.
However, a real issue for pensioners is that the increase in rates every year can be above inflation, and their property values increase generally as the areas they live in become more valuable.
Pensioners are often asset rich, but cash poor. Suddenly, they need to sell their house to afford the rates…
October 25th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Re the resignation of the last Wellington Dr who specialised in treatment of child cancer: I -ahem- interviewed a Health Department Official and helped them out with their spreadsheet analysis of the situation – Another Dr gone – you do the math.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
“Pensioners are often asset rich, but cash poor. Suddenly, they need to sell their house to afford the rates…”
… to buy a house in an affordable area until that too becomes a valuable area, and so the vicious cycle constricts like a python,,
Heyy,, it happened to Ponsonby, maybe even Fairfield, and the sad thugs won’t have their own street to lord over any more,,
Sounds like a social lesson there,,,,,,
October 25th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
SSB.. you’re blessed with such a delicate turn of phrase !
October 25th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Bary said:
ah but barry, “s/he who has the gold makes the rules”. by ensuring maximum sums of money are siphoned out of NZers pockets the Govt is positioned to dish it out where THEY need it most. It has nothing to do with actual need at all. But it has everything to do with maintaining their grip on POWER – that lovely word that politicians of all colours go to sleep chanting quietly.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
hinamanu and zen tiger
If my valuation goes up 100% and that of the area is averaging 50-66% depending on the type of property – my rates will go up. I thought of objecting, but … na … .
One just has to see it as not real wealth – because one still must live somewhere.
It’s not that tough on the oldies – they can easily borrow against their house and or downsize into a town house etc.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
That said I do favour ending GST on rates (and power and food so people can more easily afford the necessities). Put up GST on the discretionary stuff to 20% to cover the cost of this.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
“Put up GST on the discretionary stuff to 20% to cover the cost of this.”
GST is obsolete and the first party that says so wins,,, everything!
October 25th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
I want crims to pay 20% GST on their wide screen TV’s etc.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
And of course all those who do cash jobs – but who are not real crims because they only streal of IRD and leave the tax burden higher on others.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
“steal off us”
October 25th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
rex, re isotopes sprayed OMG that is very scary!! Coming soon to a free society near you: sprayed trackable isotopes, streetside retinal scanners, networked CCTV facial recognitian systems. perhaps it’ll install cameras in my house now… avoid the legislated rush.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
“I want crims to pay 20% GST on their wide screen TV’s etc.”
govt is scrapping wide screens as inefficient power guzzlers so that argument is obsolete.
So is GST
October 25th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Or crims and those not declaring their income (cash jobs) buying new cars etc GST free (the only tax on the income they now pay). It should be 20%.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Shit. So all those flat screen TVs in the prisons will be surplus to requirements. Does Corrections purchasing department have a TradeMe alias?
October 25th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
TUI AD to hunters
Ducks can’t defend themselves,, yeah right.
October 26th, 2007 at 9:26 am
SPC: barry identify an area without facilities provided by their council and I will show you an area whcih has low property values because of it. People move to areas with good community facilites etc.
Up Mountain View drive in the Waitakeres? That whole area pays for a large number of council services when they do not even have streetlights. And yet property values are fairly decent.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:03 am
How amusing.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10472220
Cullen seems to be hinting that tax cuts within the election year’s budget will not be inflationary.
And National turns around and … oh it’s just too funny. Roll on the Election Year Lolly Scramble as Labour purchases their second election in a row!
October 26th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Time to dig out the 100′s of quotes where he vehemently claimed otherwise.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
“The insinuation that African governments are more corrupt simply because they are black sickens me, in addition to the insinuation that government run by anyone but blacks would be more corrupt than government run by caucasians.”
On the face of this argument I understand your rascist concerns, but,
consider Sth Africa and Zimbabwe. Both nations trasferred to black control and horrendously managed.
Naturally, Zimbabwe is simply scrap metal.
In Sth Africa’s case white politicians needed to be retained to organise business and oversee procedures. Whites understand economics which is a reality to any thriving nation.
For some strange reason though that simply is not the case here
Go figure.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Now it’s National warning everyone of the consequences of tax cuts (rising interest rates and an overvalued dollar).
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10472220
National’s finance spokesman Bill English said huge growth in government spending had created significant inflationary pressure, which Dr Cullen was denying.
He said Dr Cullen’s stance appeared to be laying the ground for an “election year lolly scramble” that would further fuel inflation.
National was heeding Dr Bollard’s warning, but Mr English would not commit the party to a fiscally neutral spending programme.
Now English is the new Cullen. The burdens of being the one in waiting to be the new Mr Responsible. The host who says when, just as the party is warming up.
He’s right and the answer lies in cutting tax levels on all interest income (either by allowing deduction of CPI OR by establishing a low flat rate of tax on interest income at say 20%) and turning tax cuts into dividends and transferring them into long term savings accounts – with NO tax on interest income. The money becomes ours, it grows and it’s not inflationary in the short term.
October 27th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Man dies from being tasered:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071025.wtaser1026/BNStory/National/home