Clark and Cullen on Debt
August 5th, 2008 at 4:24 pm by David FarrarI have managed to obtain from a helpful staffer the full collection of quotes from Helen Clark and Michael Cullen on debt. Now remember they have been saying that going from gross debt being 20% of GDP to 22% of GDP is absolute lunacy and madness. So how does this measure up with their past statements. First Dr Cullen:
“The previous government had established a 30 percent of GDP target when the Fiscal Responsibility Act was passed in 1994, and had reduced it to 25 percent in 1999. When we came into office that year we made the judgement that the Crown finances and the state of the economy could not sustain that lower target, so we restored it to 30 percent of GDP.” – Michael Cullen 18 May, 2004, Speech to Chen Palmer & Partners Business and Government Seminar
So National had a target of 25%, and Labour increased it to 30%. yet now they are saying 22% is lunacy and madness.
And now Miss Clark:
All these quotes are from 1994, when debt was in excess of 50% of GDP!!”
“I am pleased that economic growth has produced enough tax revenue to declare a surplus and repay debt. But I am appalled at the rate at which debt repayment is occurring at the expense of families, and schools and other essential social and public services.” - Helen Clark (July 1994) Speech Auckland Labour Regional Conference
“The Government is putting an undue emphasis on debt repayment at the expense of our failing services and infrastructure in New Zealand,” - Helen Clark (June 1994) Opening address to the Massey University Winter Lecture Series.
“We agree that we should be aiming to ensure that the ratio of debt to GDP in New Zealand is not out of line with other smaller industrialised countries. But Labour does not accept that having the smallest debt to GDP ratio in the OECD is an important goal. Nor do we believe that reducing our debt quickly should take precedence over improving the living standard,” - Helen Clark (July 1994) Speech to Northern South Island Labour Regional Conference.
“At Budget time our net public debt was equivalent to 42 per cent of GDP – down from 48 per cent a year earlier… Given those figures, it is hard to believe that the international credit rating agencies with which the Government is so besotted can have any real concern at our current level of debt,” - Helen Clark (June 1994) Waikato Labour Regional Conference.
“The Government is obsessed with debt reduction over all other needs for spending,” - Helen Clark (July 1994) Speech to Wellington Labour Regional Conference.
So when gross debt was over 50% of GDP, Clark time and time again attacked reducing that level of debt, and specifically advocated investing money into infrastructure instead.
I trust we will hear no more hysteria from Helen or Michael on a gross debt setting of 22% of GDP!
Related posts:
- Cullen breaks his own debt target
- Cullen talks depression not recession
- The House today
- I’d forgotten how bad Clark could be
August 5th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
DPF “trusts” that “we will hear no more hysteria” about debt. If politics were based on reason, yes, but there are based on emotion, so we will hear a lot of it. Nice to have the quotes though.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Oh Joy Its called being hoist by your own petard And it couldnt haeppn to 2 more worthier arseholes
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
By any measure, we are overtaxed.
Hence, properly designed tax cuts will increase revenue.
The economy is not a zero sum game.
Why doesn’t national come out fighting on this one.
Look at Ireland.
We are taxing entrepreneurs out of existence. And at both local and national level. When did anyone even bother trying to build a timber processing plant in NZ?
Lower taxes means more revenue which means more of the services we need from government – especially those which promote production.
But we are currently happy to fund a bunch of zealots. As in:
http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/zealots.htm
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
National needs to get clever and use such quotes in their advertising. Maybe Labour can authorize the statements and pay for half, since they also promote Labour policy? (Or ex policy as the case may be) A bit like the rule about neighbours sharing the cost of the fence.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
The difference is that ALL NZ debt is now much higher.
Previously the Govt was the main borrower and the public not so much.
That has now changed , as government debt has come down , and Labour has had much stronger growth during the last 8 years than National did. (… gee I wonder if the Govt reducing their debt had something to do with it).
What would national do in the run up to the next election , if they became the next government, would they turn off the borrowing for infrastructure..
oh no It would be ramp up the debt again , for more tax cuts and more infrastructure ( think big projects)
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
National was obssessed with debt reduction. And rightly so.
Great quotes.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
GHW – So what! Or are you suggesting government take responsibility for private debt, if so please take responsibility for my mortgage – now, thank you Dr Cullen posing as a Ghost.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
ghostwhowalks2
Did you stop to think that if the govt were not taxing people at the rate they are today to reduce the countries debt and pay cash for infrastructure development that individuals might have more money in their pockets and thus be in a better position to reduce their own debt?
The govt are rich and the people are poor. One way to look at this is that in the last 9 years the govt has over taxed hard working individuals disabling them from clearing their own debt, or driving them further into debt, so that the Labour-led govt can crow about reducing it’s own debt and pay cash for long term infrastructure.
Look past the talking points ghostwhowalks2, the talking points are spin – spin is almost always BS designed to hide some reality that is unacceptable.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Labour has had much stronger growth during the last 8 years than National did. (… gee I wonder if the booming world economy and New Zealands place as an exporter of commodities has anything to do with it).
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Kimble
No, only bad things happening to the economy are beyond the control of the Labour-led govt. The Labour-led govt’s astute management created the good times. Govt spending is also not inflationary – Dr. Cullen told us that so – nah nah to you!
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
The country has to repay any debt. The interest and principal mostly go out of the economy.
Japan has a very high level of government debt ( plus massive infrastructure spending , extravagant some would say. )
ps Japans figure is 78%
But the Japanese public has enormous private savings.
This means the total countrys debt is very low.
NZ public doesnt have much private savings , certainly not enough to to pay for the borrowing, which means its money borrowed from overseas. Which means high Kiwi dollar AND high interest rates.
Nationals ‘think big’ projects will increase both interest rates and the kiwi dollar.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Ye gads, could someone flick Ghostie the Nobel Prize for Stating the Bleeding Obvious. I don’t think he’s quite up for the one awarded for achievement in economic sciences though….
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Burt, why doesnt National campaign on slashing government spending?
Why all the lies.
If the public vote for their real policy , so be it.
But no its a keep all labours big spending, except for the two secret areas.
What are they afraid of , labour going to steal the two secret areas of government cuts !!
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
True. They have had their income it taxed relentlessly by a socialist governemt who believes that all income is theirs by right, and with what’s left the hapless Kiwi’s spend it on some of the highest mortgage rates in the OECD.
Our economy is a basket case. I blame the history teacher. 1000 lines Dr Sullen:
Vote:“I must not screw the economy any more”
“I must not screw the economy any more”
“I must not screw the economy any more”
:
“I must not screw the economy any more”
August 5th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
If anyone wants any evidence that DPF is anything but a national party stooge who will simply parrot the party line with the token disagreement to maintain credibility.
What National is offering is the classic electioneering bribe funded by a large increase in borrowing. Any independent centre right small government commentator would be crying anathema.
So to cover up the blatent hypocrisy, DPF trots out the old “fund infrastructure” canard. But as a multibillion dollar diverse enterprise the New Zealand government has infrastructure expenditure EVERY year. Ie funding infrastructure is an ongoing expense, year on year, not something we do one year and then reap the profits. Now if National could point to a special, unique project they indeed to fund and demonstrate that it would raise NZ’s infrastructure budget beyond the normal baseline, they would have a point. But their “infrastructure” project seems to be tax cuts for the wealthy.
Its worth pointing out that during our time of low inflation it has been entirely on the back of self-imposed discipline of retiring debt. Its very likely that if National goes on a borrowing blow-out inflation will increase – thats economics 101.
More importantly if the government is heading aggressively into the bonds market again interest rates and mortagage payments will shoot up with absolute certainity.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
TV3 has more recordings of Lockwood Smith saying the things he really believes( not the lies being told by Key and English)
Why cant they say , Working for familes , GONE IN 6 MONTHS
Why do they have to lie !!
Why the pretence that they keep Labours core policies.
And wasnt Helen lucky in having both increasing spending and reducing debt.
Vote:She should get a job on Wall ST
August 5th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
NPOG:
First, get a dictionary and find out what ‘canard’ means. Since you’re either too thick or lazy, I’ll do it for you — “a false or unfounded report or story”. But the only canard (which is literally French for ‘duck’) I see around here is you. Could you actually stop trotting out the Labour hack duck-speak and non sequiturs, and put up something resembling a coherent argument for those of use who don’t speak fluent gibberish?
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Would the Canard be Key and English saying ‘ I dont remember saying that’
Didnt work for Brash either
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
BTW, Ghostie is continuing to make shit up. Here’s the shocking revelations from TV3 (http://www.3news.co.nz/News/LockwoodSmithsecretlyrecordedsuggestsNationalhashiddenagenda/tabid/209/articleID/65763/cat/87/Default.aspx):
Absa-fucking-loutely scandalous. Sorry, GhostWhoLies, but while you and Duncan Garner may think this (and I quote) “suggest[s] National has a hidden agenda”, I’d call it a grasp on political reality. Not surprised that’s rather confusing on Ghost World, where reality is a tiresome impediment to talking crap.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
This is indeed a very very big nugget. Get the guy who dug that up a medal.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Ghost
Glad to see that you are so keen on our politicians telling the truth and more importantly keen on them not lying, given that I assume you have decided not to vote for or support Clark and Labour this year because of the following out and out lies;
1 “I signed the painting”
2 “I had no idea the car was being driven at 180km per hour”
3 “All Mr Field is guilty of is trying to help people”
4 “Of course I would not support an ban on smacking, it is against human nature”
5 “Trevor was simply protecting a womans honour”
6 “I have full confidence in Mr Benson Pope”
7 “Nothing happened in a Los Angles toilet block”
8 “Nobody is moved from the unemployment benefit to a sickness benefit to make the figures look good”
9 “Of course Mr Glen did not receive an honour because of his donation to the Labour party”
10 “Of Course Mr Glen was not offered a seat at the cabinet table”
Is that list long enough for you Ghost, or is it simply another case of Labour Good, National Bad?
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
“Could you actually stop trotting out the Labour hack duck-speak and non sequiturs, and put up something resembling a coherent argument for those of use who don’t speak fluent gibberish?”
For you Craig.
Government borrow more money = more money pumped into circulation = inflation
inflation = higher interest rates
Government borrow more money = increased demand in loans market = increased interest rates
higher interests rates = more money in monthly mortage repayments.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Sorry C(f)R
“Once we have gained the confidence of the people”
Thats after the votes are counted.
The idea of the National party in Labour drag to get elected is hilarious.
Someone should tell them their five oclock shadow gives them away
Then afterwards they will ‘get the confidence’ of the people. How !
Just by saying Blah blah blah , like some amateur karaoke hour at the local pub
Or even Bob ( 150 brethren) Clarkson had to lie to a court to prevent his election being overturned.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
The more secret recordings emerge, the less damage it will do to National.
I know that sounds strange GWW, but the vast majority of Kiwis are fair-minded, and don’t like the thought of Labour Party stooges pretending to be National Party delegates, siddling up to MP’s with recording device loaded and ready, and asking loaded questions. Didn’t you notice in the transcript of the English tape – the guy had to ask English at least twice “But are you going to sell Kiwibank?” I’m surprised English fell for it, but c’est la vie. And the Smith tape that Duncan Garner so breathlessly salivated over tonight contained nothing startling. Even Garner had to admit in his commentary that “It could mean that National might have a secret agenda” – hardly hard evidence eh. But the again GWW, you’re so blinkered in your thinking that nothing I say would make a difference.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
This is, again, an attempt by the MSM to bring some numerical judiciousness to the stuff ups of the major parties.
Expect National trivia to be blown out of proportion and Labour corruption to be given an easy pass in the name of ‘balance’
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
NPOG
If you don’t like what DPF writes then you can always fuck off.
This site (unlike the tax payer funded and Labour party staffed Standard) is one that gives the reader all the facts, it might have a slight lean to the right but you could never accuse it of being a political broadcast for the Nat’s, for a start DPF allows people like me to post negative comments about the National party, any negative comments about dear corrupt leader are deleted at the Standard.
So please, take your sorry socialist arse back to your low life pals at the tax payer funded Standard.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
“This site (unlike the tax payer funded and Labour party staffed Standard) is one that gives the reader all the facts”
Indeed and one of the facts is that borrowing to fund tax cuts (ooops I meant “infrastructure”….) will see inflation and interest rates shoot up.
Economics 101
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Tax payer funded Kiwiblog as confirmed by DPF
“I have managed to obtain from a helpful staffer the full collection of quotes …”
Thats taxpayer funded helpfull staffer , or more likely all the state funded researchers worked night and day to provide juicy lines for DPF , and not for the first time
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
FFS, our net Core Crown Debt is $1.9 billion or 1% of GDP. We can do whatever we like about borrowing without concern because we would run out of resources to spend it on infrastructure long before we ran out of dosh.
If the Nats are only going to spend an additional $700 odd million pa then they should be kicked in the arse for lack of vision. They better have the private sector lined up and a bond market or something lined up to spend many times that to get this place going again.
JC
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Ghost and NPOG
Why is it that when Labour borrow money it is acceptable but when the Nat’s mention that they are going to do the same it is wrong?
If you can explain that honestly (that usually rules you out) then I might agree with you.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
JC is right , the amounts are so pitiful, but like any junky once they start they cant stop.
The weird part is that overall more jobs will be lost in government departments than created in Keys THINK BIG bonanaza.
Oh yes a few roads will be smoother and 2 mins will be saved on your journey
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
What the fuck is wrong with job losses in govt departments?
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Chost, “working for familys, GONE IN SIX MONTHS”. My God chost I bet you were wetting yourself when you typed that, socialist moron. I hope working for familys is gone in six weeks, commie bullshit that it is. Why National would want to continue with this crap is beyond me, they are deeply pissing me off. I would rather have the money left in my pocket then send it off to some shiny arse in Wellington only to have it sent back to me in WFF, what a time wasting, money eating fucking circus. It’s time the Nats grew some balls and told the screeching socialists to go and get fucked.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
>The more secret recordings emerge, the less damage it will do to National.
These people are scum. I keep thinking there must be some minimum level of decency beneath which they won’t sink in their attempt to win another term in office. But I keep being proved wrong. We’ve seen the Labour/NZ First Government:
1. Accept bribes in return for government favours. For consideration for diplomatic appointments, for government payments to rich racehorse owners, and for immigration residency papers.
2. Operate secret trusts which avoid income tax and disclosure laws.
3. Accuse critics of being pedophiles.
4. Write legislation to silence criticism, then modify that legislation in order to specifically allow them to receive money from Owen Glenn.
5. Use homosexuality as a smear.
6. Indulge in anti-Asian racism, and anti-immigrant racism.
7. Assault Opposition MPs.
8. Assault protesters with a megaphone.
9. Lie about assaulting protesters with a megaphone, even tho they were caught doing so on film.
And now…
10. Sneak around a Party conference recording free and frank discussions about policy options in order to allow Cullen to selectively quote a few words and give his snearing self an opportunity for a soundbite.
These are sort of dirty corrupt tricks you expect in countries like Venezuela and Putin’s Russia.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
When your party leader lied on his enrolment form in order to boot out a sitting national MP, why wouldnt he lie about their real policies.
The apple has been polished so much its turning into a pumpkin
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Come on Ghost….I am waiting for your explanation
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
NPOG “Indeed and one of the facts is that borrowing to fund tax cuts (ooops I meant “infrastructure”….) will see inflation and interest rates shoot up.”
Labour have been paying down government debt for several years. During this time interest rates have been going up and inflation through the roof. This would appear to be the opposite effect than you propose.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
And, once more, I’m still waiting for Pete Hodgson to actually lay complaints with the Registrar of Electors and the Companies Office. Since, I assume, you actually have any evidence that John Key made at least one false statutory declaration?
But I keep forgetting, on Ghost World psychosis isn’t so much a mental illness as a way of life.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Big bruv , just try calling telecom, or Vodafone right now.
Job losses lead to shit service.
National left the public service in a shambles.
How many high schools did they build in their nine years , or prisons, or hospitals..
or how many private bank branches have closed since Kiwibank got going !!
NONE
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
ghostwhowalks2
So this is exactly what Labour don’t currently want then, to increase govt borrowing, significantly reduce taxes and allow the public to become wealthy. WHY ? Because if people are wealthy they won’t vote for additional welfare.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
ghostwhowalks2
Back in 1998 it was nowhere near as bad….
Oh, and how many schools did “Swinging fist” Mallard close ghost? Come on – cut the distractions. Labour have been caught with their hands on their glands and they look pathetic. You look pathetic defending them.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Ranapia , he has admitted he put down his hobby farm in the Helensville electorate as his home address.
he now claims that he was told it was OK, and that well known election spending expert the Clerk of the House said it was legal.
Not that they would actually ask the Chief Electoral officer since they knew the answer they would get.
And maybe Hodgson is waiting for a more oppotune time for some documents to find their way into journalists hands
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Burt, thats because of the job losses at these companies
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Burt, hows all the candles you bought on the advice of the convicted stair pusher gerry brownlee . You know that he claimed the lights are going out.
Well I went out and bought a heat pump when I heard that as I wanted a warmer house
Oh lets not forget that convicted witness tamperer Nick Smith, cutting down on your carbon footprint on his advice are you
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
ghostwhowalks
The wettest July on record in NZ was good luck for Labour and their abysmal management of our power generation infrastructure. Brownlee might have been talking candles but Labour were stock piling coal…. Who’s the muppet – the one who advised people to take precautions or the secret “no nothing to see here we just like big piles of coal” Labour party?
Guess the Labour govt have had a lucky run and just imagine how life would be if July was the driest on record in NZ?
Keep it up GWW, the last 8 years have been lucky economy wise as well, first sign of difficulty and “BANG!” we are in recession. So much for good management eh!
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
GhostWhoLies – I don’t normally swear, but I’m prepared to make an exception for you. You are a f*ucking liar. Still, it can’t be long until DPF bans you again, and what will it be – two months next time? If you are a poster boy for Labour, no wonder people are deserting the LP in droves.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Ghost
Can you please answer my question, how come it is OK for Labour to borrow money but not the Nat’s?
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Tutut Inventory2
The NZ Herald summed up Gerry ‘brownshirt’ Brownlee thus in 2003
GERRY BROWNLEE
Aged 47, Ilam MP. Shadow leader of the House, spokesman on energy, local government, state-owned enterprises. Former technical drawing teacher.
Claim to fame: convicted of assault in a private prosecution after tossing out a protester from a 1999 election meeting.
Pluses: scallywag, fighter, real presence, especially in the House.
Minuses: no finesse, no ministerial experience, little support in caucus, unknown by public.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3350939
And as for Nick Smith
I think too often the media have simply said that this is case about Nick Smith being restrained or being convicted for revealing details of a family court case. Well he was really convicted of putting improper pressure on one of the litigants and of trying to influence the judges and of undermining public confidence in the system and that was the heart of this case. And in particular he was convicted of phoning up the caregiver in the case and it was found that he told her he said – why why did you steal the child and the reason I’m calling you is because parliament is the highest court in the land and that’s a fact and everyone’s answerable to MPs
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/archive/2004/20040404i
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
It’s no surprise lefties organised themselves to steal into a private conference, manipulate their targets into making innocuous statements and release them in a timed manner, to their assiduously cultivated compliant carefully-selected media, knowing they’d be blown out of proportion.
It’s no surprise lefties simultaneously mount their newspeak and lies on other media forums like this one, where they know people come. They don’t bother on other blogs where they know there’s less potential to hook a reef fish.
It’s no surprise Hulun’s polling about people’s attitudes to her handling of Peters.
Lefties are propaganda freaks. That’s all they’re good at and all they know. They lie like Goebbels, they scheme and obfuscate and it’s all to paint a picture to the reef fish, bugger the facts.
In the end though it’s results that count and the track record of the 5th Liarbore govt is leaving a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth and they know that since they’re poll-driven fruitcakes. So they resort to propaganda since it’s all they’re good at and all they know.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
If you want proof of that then compare the state of the economy when the 4th Liarbore govt left office and the 4th National govt took over. Now look at the likely state of the economy when the 5th Liarbore govt leaves office and the 5th National govt takes over.
Notice a trend? Lefties can’t run economies and in peacetime, what the hell else is a govt there to do? Lefties however can and do lie, obfuscate and manipulate very well indeed. NZ has still to overcome the damaging effects of the social engineering that Lange began and Hulun continues. Lefties are so good at propaganda that some people haven’t even noticed it yet.
When it comes to hard results however, where lies don’t count and which can’t be hidden, what’s the lefty track record? Fucking nowhere.
Reason #9825417.23 as to why lefties are scum.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I have no problem with the National Government funding capital projects from debt. The important factor here is the next Government starts rolling out tax cuts. That includes actual rate cuts as well as the already signaled threshold adjustments. Getting rid of the stupid rebates and having a tax free threshold would be a good amendment to the tax system as well.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I can see why a lazy tired govt would concentrate on reducing debt. It’s a bloody easy thing to do if you have a surplus. It readies you for more borrowing when you finally need to act and it’s popular day to day – the “debt bad – cash good” message is easy to sell to low paid workers and beneficiaries.
Well… Not this Labour govt. If this Labour govt were prepared to borrow to finance major infrastructure projects rather than fund them out of current over taxation revenue then it would not criticise it’s opposition when the opposition said it was going to do that. Unless the Labour party are completely hollow and popularism is their only objective, the Labour party have no option but to enter the election with all policy carrots (bribes, incentives, winning ideas – call them WTF you like) funded on higher taxation.
Good luck Labour, you have already cut taxes, future tax cuts are enacted in law, you say you won’t cut govt spending and you say you won’t increase borrowing, we are in a recession… It’s quite a corner chasing the opinion polls has painted Labour into.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Oh that is soooo true. The Labour Party that my grandfather belonged to, voted for and loved is long gone. It has been replaced by a bunch of domineering socialist engineers who are masters of lying propaganda to the extent that the ‘average’ Labour voter is totally blinded to the reality of what’s happening on Labours watch.
NZ is fast becoming an economic basket case, a place of global irrelevance while the bevy of public tit-sucking academics and agenda-driven socialists oversees our slow motion train wreck.
We get what we deserve. If the average Kiwi is so stupid so as to [again!] fall victim to Labour’s propaganda then I’ll take my tax payments to another country.
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
The attention to detail here is all very interesting.
The stark facts are that Labour face a massive challenge to get elected again. Not opinion, but statistical fact.
How many times has any party been returned a fourth time?
All they can hope to do is slightly erode the National Majority in the House.
Against a background of high food and fuel costs, plummeting house prices, unregulated Finance House Failures, etc.
And the highest Interest costs in the OECD, forcing mortgage costs, and rental costs to be the highest as well. So for every demographic there is deep pain, and concern. Then the lying, and hypocrisy just piss people off.
And with a Leader that thinks she can stick her nose into everything. Like her interview post the Chris Kahui Case.
Judge, Jury, and Executioner!
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Burt said at 8.49pm:
Totally agree with you, Cullen’s economic management has been disastrous for New Zealand. Labour really are the worst people to be put in charge of the economic direction of the economy. The first signs of financial trouble and the economy nose dives.
Cullen’s economic management skills can be summed up thus:
POOF!, and the magic is gone.
Vote:August 6th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Well, lets see.
Cullen: Recession unlikely
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?objectid=10499232
>>Wrong
Cullen: Finance Minister Michael Cullen believed it (recession) would be short-lived.
Tuesday August 05, 2008
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10525361
>>Track record doesn’t bode well for that prediction does it.
European Central Bank: Global credit crunch is ‘far from finished’
Tuesday August 05, 2008
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10525366
>>No-one in the global community seems to think so either.
Who do you believe?
Liarbore or the European Central Bank.
Vote:August 6th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Check out the BBC’s wonderful assessment of Cullen’s economic mangement skills:
New Zealand ‘enters recession’ or New Zealand goes poo poo
Whose’s feeling PROUD about New Zealand right now?
Vote:August 6th, 2008 at 5:01 am
Nice shot of the motorway.
Vote:August 6th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Well, lets see.
Cullen: Recession unlikely
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?objectid=10499232
>>Wrong
Cullen: Finance Minister Michael Cullen believed it (recession) would be short-lived.
Tuesday August 05, 2008
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10525361
>>Track record doesn’t bode well for that prediction does it.
European Bank: Global credit crunch is ‘far from finished’
Tuesday August 05, 2008
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10525366
>>No-one in the global community seems to think so either.
Who do you believe? Liarbore?
EDIT: You couldnt possibly kill the earlier post could you if you spot these? Both seem to have gone into mod for some reason? Cheers
Vote:August 6th, 2008 at 6:18 am
There is so much fun to be had in holding the Great and Good to account.
Don’t you just love it when the Hierarchy have convenient memory lapses.
Evil to the core, is what this administration has shown itself to be, and from round one.
I understand that being Gay isn’t a requirement for
supporting the Labour Party. It just seems to help a lot on the elevator to higher positions!
Vote:August 6th, 2008 at 7:13 am
“I understand that being Gay isn’t a requirement for supporting the Labour Party. It just seems to help a lot on the elevator to higher positions!”
Apparently, looking at the evidence Lipper, if you’re not gay it will also really really help if you’re completely incompetent (e.g. Hodgeson, Tizard) and/or just plain nasty (e.g. Cullen, Cosgrove, DPB). Apparently people who are both competent and relatively nice will simply languish despite their ability (e.g. Dalziel).
Vote:August 6th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Sexual persuasion shouldnt be a topic for political bashing/discussion however Russell Browns obvious anti-islamic pro-gay diatribe opens the topic.
Why do the left consider gay bashing bad but muslim bashing good?
Anyone know?
Vote:August 6th, 2008 at 11:34 am
My dear old Dad who is in his eighties has finally seen the light and said he will not vote Labour this year(if he makes it).
He grew up through the Labour troubles of the Wellington waterfront, and has been a strongly vocal advocate of workers rights and helping people, which he long saw the Labour party as the natural party to support.
No More.
He told me the world has gone queer(pardon the pun) in New Zealand when he can’t have smoke in the RSA anymore but he can get married to his best mate.
I think the older generation have a huge problem with the social engineering thrust upon this country in a very short time.
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