Bizarre attack from Cullen
Colin Espiner writes in The Press:
In an early sign the campaign could focus on personal attacks, Cullen lost no time in attacking Key, appearing to blame him for the worldwide collapse of his former bank, Merrill Lynch.
“Given his background and the fact that Merrill Lynch has just gone belly up, I would have thought New Zealanders should draw the conclusion that you wouldn’t put a man like that in charge of the New Zealand economy,” Cullen said.
My God that’s so lame. Where do you start.
- Umm Michael, John Key stopped working there around eight years ago.
- The recent losses are from bad investments primarily mortgages, and John was in charge of currency trading
- When John was there, his section of the business was highly profitable – that is why he made so much money. It is called being successful.
- Merrill Lynch has written down around $50 billion of investments. However they have not gone belly up – they have been purchased by the Bank of America for US$44 billion – a sum a bit larger than the turnover of the NZ Government.
It really is sad that all Labour has is personal attacks.
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Tags: John Key, Merrill Lynch, Michael Cullen, smears
September 16th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Cullen is bizarre,
Exactly how good a job has Cullen been doing in his most recent job?
As Minister of Finance for New Zealand, the country finds itself in a deep recession. So much for the economic management skills to lead New Zealand forward. More like the skills to lead New Zealand down the OECD ladder. In that objective it is mission accomplished.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:01 am
I’d like to know how much tax kullen offsets through LAQC’s.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:01 am
These allegations aren’t aimed at us, they’re aimed at the reef fish. It doesn’t matter if they’re believable or not: quantity not quality. They’ll continue to build it up until Liarbore releases its ‘neutron bomb’ which is probably evidence that Key or English leaked Brash’s emails.
Very often socialist propaganda centres around accusing the opposition of that which they are themselves guilty.
National needs to work out what they’ve got in the way of any substantive allegations and neutralise it early on. If they don’t they run a great risk of Liarbore releasing it late in the campaign and at the same time Liarbore will release something highly appealing to a large sector of reef fish. Liarbore could well be calculating that double-whammy will pip National at the post in exactly the same way the Student Loans did last election.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Besides that he is just a vain little bully with a penchant for facial treatments.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Well, I’ve got a three word response for Doctor Cullen: Fourth Labour Government.
And two more: Phantom surplus.
And eleven to close: While the Bank of New Zealand was on the brink of collapse.
Meanwhile, if John Key has Sith Lord powers that can throw the world’s largest economy into chaos just to bring down his former employer, why the hell are we having an election?
September 16th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Doctor caustic speaks about “rich pricks” while the Liarbore president pleads for funds from a billionaire on a luxury yacht?
The double standard is beyond belief. Talk about Captain Tug Boat.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:08 am
One reason Merrill Lynch ran into major difficulties that it over the last few years lots some very good people. These people were the people that were instrumental in keeping Merrill Lynch in its position as one of the foremost Investment Houses. Merrill Lynch and the worlds financial system’s loss was New Zealand gain when John Key came home.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I don’t believe Key and National are tough enough to withstand eight weeks of this. Mud sticks, and Labour will do absolutely anything and everything to destroy Key. It’s filthy, but it works. If Labour get back, which is actually far more likely than pundits are predicting, then it will be a Pyrrhic victory as a large number of taxpayers (rich pricks) will head to Aussie, leaving Cullen and his beneficiaries to cannabalise each other.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:14 am
National need to stay away from name calling and shit slinging – labour will gain more if they engage national in gutter politics and they know this and are preparing to bait key personally to do this.
The fact is labour have been fucked for months a la the panel beating firm in mt roskill.
Key and the nats need to stay on course and show nz through behaviour that they are leaders not followers.
Leaders in moral and ethical behaviour, leaders in terms of acting like winners – not sniffing and barking like losers.
Hulun and Mikhael are relying on past performance to forecast future returns at this election and they just dont realise they are past it and operating in a new environment.
The public think Key is a winner. The public are sick of jobs-worth PC bullies like Labour.
By the way Mikhael, HB is national country so f*ck off to somewhere people want you around.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Given Merrill Lynch’s situation I guess that is one less avenue of opportunity for Mike Williams to pursue in terms of future employment after the election.
Isn’t Merrill Lynch the kind of place Mike Williams would go door knocking to so that he could put his superior skills to use as “he was a good administrator and he was “articulate”.”?
September 16th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Man that guys is such a prick. i really wish he would just piss off to comunist china or somewhere like that. NZ would be a better place without him. This man has almost single handedly turned NZ politics into a shit slinging and name calling match.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:27 am
National needs to remember the vile now and store up the big stick for after 8 November.
They can then unleash the fury and swing the big stick in a scorched Earth policy, destroying all of Labour’s supporters in six months of sickeningly delightful payback.
National supporters would be so delighted they wouldn’t even notice that National in government on their own wouldn’t actually be introducing any new policy of substance.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Theres no jollying in the City today, everyone is genuinely worried about those most vulnerable.
Everyone except Mikhael who is laughing about the poor people who are most at risk.
Nice one Mikhael.
Shows who Mikhael is most concerned about, the workers or the laybore executive? you tell me.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:36 am
This is a very sad reflection on Cullen’s lack of understanding of business.
It’s also a sign that he hasn’t got any real mud to throw.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:45 am
1..but it’s not a ‘good look’…former employer goes belly-up..
2..see 1..
3..see 1..
4..it was sold in a fire-sale..for a fraction of its’ ‘book-value’..
..and if not bought by bank of america..
..would have gone the way of lehman bros..
(btw..dpf..are you feeling a tad uncomfortable..?
..at not passing on to your readers the warnings i have been alerting you to..?
..for the past 18 months..?
..and now..will you just continue sticking your head in the sand..?
..or will you ‘get real’ in your reporting on what will have a major impact on us all..?..)
do you feel no ‘new media’/moral responsibilities around that..?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 7:51 am
This is not silly from Cullen, he is targetting the less educated labour voters. These simple voters certainly take Cullens word.
Bizarrely, how national can let clark campaign on trust? Where is the national bulldog to tear labour a new one? National should be owning labour on trust. They need someone like William Hague (ex UK conservative leader) to advise. He was great at ridiculing Tony Blair.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Right – please excuse me DPF:
Philu.
1. Fuck off.
2. How dare you gloat at the exense of 26000 families who have been put into a dire situation.
3. You have no idea what you are talking about.
Anyone who agrees please ask DPF to tell this little wiener to rack off.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:54 am
‘but it’s no a ‘good look’…former employer goes belly-up’
Give me one good reason why its not a good look for John Key? Merrill Lynch has been brought down by the trillion dollar time bomb that was the sub prime morgages that were packaged up and sold on to other banks and hedge funds by traders that were far too gready for there own good. The currency division of Merrill Lynch was most likley still making money, it was the options, swaps, and hedges that brought it to it’s knees.
Merrill had multiple offers to buy it out but the CEO was holding out for more money thatnever came.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:55 am
What the Hell is Cullen going to do in eight weeks time?
Sell his house and move back to the UK. I think New Zealand should keep him. I’m sure TVNZ would give a job. Oh wait, that’s right, a change of government mean a change in how business is done.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Philu doesn’t care about Merrill Lynch. It is the embodiment of all he considers evil.
Just so long as KFC is still there eh Phil? Calories for votes!
September 16th, 2008 at 7:57 am
“It’s also a sign that he hasn’t got any real mud to throw.”
Wouldn’t be so sure about that.
Timing is everything.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:58 am
straws. like. drowning.clutching. a.man. at.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:58 am
The fact that cullen thinks he can capitalise on this misfortune to his own political benefit shows that he thinks new zealanders are stupid and driven by envy. Unfortunately he’s probably right. If he believes what he’s saying (of course he doesn’t) it would show someone so ignorant that they couldn’t be trusted with the economy. We also have the last nine years of declining productivity and the fact that the only ones better off are labour party policy analysts to back that theory up.
People are getting nervous here in london. Extremely hard working highly educated professionals who could be out of a job any day. People with families and huge mortgages (and sharply declining house values). Cullen of course can see the funny side.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:01 am
“..isn’t it looking less and less likely the voters will choose a former money-trader..and the most inexperienced applicant for the job..ever..?
..even more so as we enter the next phase of this unfolding/melting global economic system..
..a system which key has hung his hat on..
..selling himself/his ‘qualifications’ for that job..as a ‘master of the universe’ of that..
..what is clearly shown to be..
..a failed/rotten/exploitive con-job on the rest of us..
..run/fostered by eye-watering incomes/profits taken by the ‘players’..
..of which key is (proudly) one..
..and won’t the millions made by key be seen by many as ‘dirty money’..?
..and key as a manifestation of ‘the problem’..?
..and as such..
..hardly fit to be prime minister of new zealand..
..(key is our ‘sarah palin’..)
..phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 8:02 am
I think you might all be treating Cullen a little harshly.
To me it seems perfectly reasonable given Cullen’s disappointing grasp of basic economics and business that he honestly thinks that JK really has something to do with Merrill Lynch going belly up.
Once again the flinging of mud seems to say more about the flinger than the flingee
September 16th, 2008 at 8:04 am
LAYBORE AND KULLEN VIEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED LIFESTYLE FOR CAREER AND FAMILY AS CLASS TRAITORS.
I say – lets get rid of the true class traitors, the boomers in the Laybore executive who have raped NZ’s working classes for their own benefit.
The beneficiary leeches who play bloggers at the expense of elderly hip replacement candidates…eh..philu.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Well Philu, the country that Cullen is in charge of is in a recession..
Can’t say that does much for his reputation, when we’re about to go belly up, as you so kep saying. So which is it, Phil? You can’t have this one both ways, son.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:08 am
oh and of course our own oracle philu tried to tell us all along. philu please harness this gift and tell us what will happen next? Which investments should we flock to to help us out of this slump?
September 16th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Phil:\
‘master of the universe’ was a phrase attached to Lehman Traders.
You are a disgrace, do winz know what you do?
Labour are going down the gurgler – ha ha ha
Weak, weak, weak,
September 16th, 2008 at 8:11 am
“In an early sign the campaign could focus on personal attacks, ” [BEEEP] No I’m sorry thats wrong, the correct answer is “In an early sign that LABOURS campaign WILL focus on personal attacks.”
But heres a free movie tickets and thanks for playing.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:14 am
In a few weeks time Cullen will have his inept fingers off the levers and our (least) favourite HISTORY professor will be free to be an expert on…himself.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:17 am
notice one of kullens budies from history/economic history lecturing was roped into the press recently.
obviously he had no relevant comment to make.
much like mikhael do you think mikhael had outsourced much policy making papers to his mate?
September 16th, 2008 at 8:19 am
The reason we have this , as Phil would say, unfolding/melting global economic system.., is not due to the John Key’s of this world. Key is a conservative, and had he been a man of more influence in the mortgage field, we would not have seen the greed of the sub prime mortgage market and the use of Ninja loans by second and third tier lending institutions.
It is the prevalence of these sorts of lending arrangements, and their almost guaranteed failure that has caused the collapse of the property market in the US, Causing property values to fall so that even large, top tier banks and financial lending institutions have ended up with underwriting mortgages worth far more than the property they cover. Merrill Lynch is not all powerful and are as vulnerable to the actions of those less conservative in their dealings as anyone else.
If Cullen was any sort of economic expert, he would know this. The fact that he is spouting this bullshit is that he knows that a certain percentage of New Zealanders are ALWAYS going to be DUMB enough to accept this sort of rant as Gospel. Now if your long term political strategy is reliant on a percentage of New Zealanders to remain stupid enough to vote for you, what does that say about being ambitious for New Zealand?
September 16th, 2008 at 8:22 am
The last election campaign proved one thing when it comes to Cullen and that is that he is indeed a bully and like most of that ilk he cannot handle it when he is on the receiving end.
I hope that the National party people are coaching English in the ways to counter Cullen’s arrogant debating style, if you remember last time around John Key managed to get under the skin of Cullen each and every time they met, Cullen starts to go red in the face and looses his train of thought when confronted with cold hard proof of his many failures when it comes to the economy, he (Cullen) becomes more interested in attacking his opponent than debating the issues.
English needs to bring this nasty streak out of Cullen and let the people of NZ see what a twisted little cunt Cullen is.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:23 am
“1..but it’s not a ‘good look’…former employer goes belly-up..”
apart from the taxpayer you are fairly safe in that respect Phil?
September 16th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Cullen has a MA in History, so therefore he must be responsible for all those bad historical acts – Sweetwaters, Abbotsford, Tangiwai, Wahine, Sweetwaters…
Cullen = incompetent fool. After all isn’t he the one that sanction the RBNZ to do this ? http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/the-reserve-bank-s-42-billion-gamble-32630
September 16th, 2008 at 8:26 am
go national, labour are absolutely positively fucked, ha ha ha
September 16th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Wasn’t Cullen just telling us the other day that’ the worst is over’?
He appears to be ignorant of what is really going on in the world markets.
Can we trust this ignorant man?
Speaking of ignorant –
Phule I almost peed my pants at your comment yesterday that you are the normal one and everyone else here are the nutjobs.
Talk about out of touch with reality.
In YOUR reality your blog gets 2 million hits a month. *snigger*
In YOUR reality DPF bans you in a comment on that paranoid babble you call a blog *guffaw*
In the real world the Greens, who are without doubt the biggest nutters in NZ politics, want nothing to do with you.
You really couldn’t make this stuff up.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:32 am
to oecd rank 22 kiwi ( http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/09/bizarre_attack_from_cullen.html#comment-485649 )
Remember DPF’s comments here on Chris Trotter’s rantings? http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/09/hootons_beliefs.html
Let me remind you: “Like Matthew I doubt such people really exist in politics – these sociopathic individuals with twisted fantasies of violence and revenge. But Chris Trotter semes to genuinely believe they do. Presumably so do some others in the “left tribe”. How very sad for them.”
You, Mr Kiwi, are one of these assholes.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:34 am
To james_bioengineer.
Got something to lose there loser?
Cullen is still an IDIOT.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:37 am
If Cullen spent a little more time worrying about the economy and a little less time worry about John Key’s past life then maybe the New Zealand economy wouldn’t be in the deep recession it is in.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:37 am
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/09/bizarre_attack_from_cullen.html#comment-485691
Hold on, were you being sarcastic?
September 16th, 2008 at 8:38 am
What a grubby little man. He can think of nothing other than scoring cheap political points while his ‘Cullen Fund’ is taking multi-million dollar losses. And as the retirement hopes of thousands of ordinary New Zealanders plummet due to Cullen’s obsession with “saving”, Kiwis will be giving this outdated worm his marching orders – and not a day too soon!
September 16th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Payback is a bitch. Embrace it.
After nine long years of hard Labour something has got to give.
You didn’t fall for the “nothing will change regardless of who wins” line.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:44 am
now..let’s say the positions were reversed..
..and cullen had been a ‘master of the universe’ at belly-up merrill lynch..
..and that was all he had done..
..and he was now vying to take over the economic future/health of our country..
..d’ yareckon national/key would raise questions about his ability/qualifications to do the job..?
..especially as he would be the most inexperienced to ever stand for the job..?
..i do…
..so..railing at cullen for raising these questions..
..is just a manifestation of the dawning realisation that you are going to lose this one..
..(and it was all looking so good there..for a while..eh..?..)
..and still eight weeks to go..eh..?
..buckle yourselves in..eh..?
..it’s gonna be a rough coupla months..
..ending in the bitter taste of defeat..
..phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 8:44 am
If philu represents the forward face of Labour then …… (you add the rest)
September 16th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Interesting choice of headline:
Meltdown on Wall St – shades of October 1987
I guess Hels won’t be making the election about the economy?
September 16th, 2008 at 8:46 am
The eelction is about “trust” and we can trust Cullen. He will offer us a tax cut and then reneg. QED
September 16th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Has anyone asked the Stranded whether this is ‘negative’ or ‘dirty’ campaigning?
September 16th, 2008 at 8:52 am
phil, you really do prove yourself, time after time, to be an indefensible, parasitical moron.
God forbid McDonald’s ever goes under. We’d all have to blame you, I presume that is the only job you have ever had, after all, your literacy and intellect couldn’t really advance you much further up the food chain and now you are back at the bottom. Relying on handouts, knowing deep in your heart that you are shameless, undeserving and STEALING from the needy. What a scumbag.
That must really hurt? Being such a total loser that every other sucker has to pick up your tab?
My apologies to McDonald’s and all it’s employees. I acknowledge that your standards are far higher than phil could ever attain.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Philu. Can you perhaps advise us how long you think Cullen would last in the real world if he didnt have the bottomless pit of tax dollars to throw away?
“Treasury website reveal that in late 2006 officials valued the New Zealand’s rail system at $120 million, some $570 million less than the price the government paid for the business in July this year”
September 16th, 2008 at 9:03 am
“..Which investments should we flock to to help us out of this slump?..”
if i had no morals..but wanted to make big money in our upcoming bad times..
..i’d open a repo-company…
..(manolo probably already has one..to go with his booze-pushing/loansharking operations..
..loan and repo under the same roof..
..it makes sense..
..you ‘get them’ both coming and going…and in between..
..the perfect ‘exploitation-business’..)
for those with morals..and wanting to ‘help’..
..the ‘green’ industries are the new ones..
..parsimony/economy are going to become the new watchdogs…
..and we..as a country..will turn back into ourselves…
..and..untill a new means of propulsion is found..
..the days of global travel at a whim..and for our food..are drawing to a close..
..and our worship of new things..just for new things sake..will be looked back on as an abberation..
..’mean is the new green’..
..the production of good/healthy food for us to eat would be a ‘good’ way to do well..
..as the societal revulsion at the sugar/salt/fat-laden crap we are peddled as food..is also reaching a tipping point..)
..the twin tsunamis of economic/environmental change about to hit us..will change us in ways unimaginable..
…we have the dubious honour of living through a watershed time of change in/for humanity..
..as the chinese saying/curse goes..
“may you live in interesting times’..
..they are indeed going to be that..
..and..for the forseeable future..
phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 9:04 am
If John Key is responsible for Merrill Lynch’s demise then Michael Cullen and Helen Clark must have been responsible for the Lange Labour Government reforms of the 80′s
Except Helen and Cullen, still work for the Labour Government, and Johen Key left Merril Lynch 8 years ago.
Perhaps, one could say that it is because he is no longer there that they are in this situation.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Debating Cullen – im pretty sure when ya see this guy on shows like campbell live, he is staanding up while everyone else is sitting.
first thing id say is “have a seat mike”
gotta love the arrogance, overpays about 600mil for a train set and has a go at key!
September 16th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I’m sure if you asked the directors at Toll Holdings if they liked doing business with Cullen, they’d be effusive in their praise. Wouldn’t you be if you took New Zealand for 570 million!
Imagine how much worthwhile public expenditure will have to foregone for that.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Phul
Please answer this question, if you are right and the financial world is about to come crashing down who is going to pay for your “lifestyle” then?
September 16th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Cullen is right.
I don’t think for one minute that even Cullen believes what he is saying.
That leaves us with only one conclusion, he genuinely believes that Labour/left leaning supporters are stupid.
He knows that no National/right leaning person is going to believe him and change their vote just because Merryl Lynch had a fire sale.
So, who were his comments aimed at?
Die hard labour voters & other socialists. He is trying to make them feel “good” about their choices.
His comments were ridiculous in the extreme and could only be taken seriously by a moron.
Therefore he believes Labour voters are stupid people.
See……Cullen is right.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:24 am
“..# big bruv (1597) Vote: Add rating 1 Subtract rating 0 Says:
September 16th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Phul
Please answer this question, if you are right and the financial world is about to come crashing down who is going to pay for your “lifestyle” then?..”
i’m thinking about opening a polling company..
..that’s something we’ll need more of..
..(i wonder what the polling is..on polling-futures..?..)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 9:32 am
“..So, who were his comments aimed at?..”
um..!..are you really that politically naieve..?
..craig m..
..that you don’t know/cant see the answer to that question..?
..they were aimed at those people who decide every election..
..the undecideds sloshing around the centre..
..not the rigid doctrinaires like yourself..eh..?
..did you miss politics 101..?
oh..!..that’s right..!
..you are an actite..aren’t you..?
that explains that political naievete..
..eh..?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I can just see it now….”Phules Push Polls”…eh?
September 16th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Phul
I will ask again, who is going to finance your lifestyle when the world comes crashing down?
September 16th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I see Craig has already mentioned the BNZ scandal from the last govt – apt.
This desperation is reminiscent of blaming Hurricane Katrina on tax cuts.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:46 am
OK so Helen talks about Labour having ambition but silly old Dr.
MuppetCullen is still doing the “Rich Prick” thing. What a fool.September 16th, 2008 at 9:47 am
dunno bruv..maybe subsistance farming..?
food and shelter will become the new imperatives..
..and one thing is for sure..
..is that those who are currently ‘stretched’..mortgage repayments/leased vehicles/huge hire-purchase/credit card debt..
..(those one months income away from ‘sleeping rough’..)
..many.most of them are going to crash and burn/lose everyrhing..
..and many of those who have curled their upper lips at ‘benificiaries’..
..will find themselves in those ranks..
there is going to be much pain..
..and before you start..that is not ‘gloating’..
..that is just the new realities..
but..just carry on slagging me..eh..?
..if it distracts you from focussing on your upcoming pain./dislocation…
..phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Who, I suspect, aren’t quite as stupid as Cullen arrogantly presumes. Certainly a little better informed about the way the world economy actually works — or doesn’t, as the case may be.
As I said, if John Key is some Sith Lord of Machiavellian cunning and patience who can single-handedly throw the global economy into chaos, I’d sure want him in charge. Especially if he’s teaching people how to do those nifty psychic choke-holds.
Meanwhile, when is Cullen going to explain to us poor stupid plebs how he’s going to pay for all this new policy that we’re going to get out of an “empty kitty”? Enron Accounting, perhaps? Or, this time, is he just going to hide the costings so not even the Ombudsmen can make his release them for public scrutiny?
September 16th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Phul
No pain coming up for me, you however will be well and truly fucked by the 9th of November.
Start getting used to the idea that you ARE going to be working for the money you steal from the tax payer every week.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:58 am
stupid ppl make me feel sick
NZ will be doomed if labour wins again. heck NZ will be doomed if national doesn’t win by a landslide.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:59 am
bruv..don’t you get bored just saying the same thing..over and over again..
..and apologies for the previous answer..
..where by answering..i credited you with some basic comprehension/understanding skills..
..my bad..!
..i won’t make that mistake again..
..i’ll just go back to treating you like the thick-as-pigshit/gibbering nutbar you are..
..phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Philu if things get as bad as you predict, then there will be a huge change in our society. Who best to run a country where the economy has collapsed?
Option A. A party that believes in centralised planning, big social programs based on surpluses that have disappeared, or
Option B. A party that believes that the individual working to better themselves will rise through the crisis, where making and doing things that people are willing to pay or barter for, of their own free will, without state interference, will enable us to work through the problem?
September 16th, 2008 at 10:11 am
“..Who, I suspect, aren’t quite as stupid as Cullen arrogantly presumes..”
no..they aren’t quite as stupid as key/national arrogantly presumes..
..they don’t trust/believe key..
..and didya hear about that (just-released) phd thesis on the honesty of our political parties..?
..as in an audit of pre-election promises made..and kept or not kept..?
..and guess were the most lying/duplicitous bastard politicians in our history..?
..(breaking over 50% of their pre-election promises..?..)
..the 1996-99 national government..(!)
..and many/most of those same lying/duplicitous bastards..
..are the same ones now standing beside/behind key..
..saying to the voters..’trust us!”..
..and guess who was/has been the most honest at keeping pre-election promises..ever..?
..in our whole political history..?
..the labour-led 2005-2008 government..(87% compliance with promises made..)
that sorta brings it all/the ‘trust-choice’ into clearer focus..
..eh..?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 10:13 am
longbow
Well it can be doomed, I won’t really care as if Labour win again I’m leaving the country. Closing down the business and getting out of here. Oh, if Winston gets back in with Labour then I’m leaving the country for good. If this country is stupid enough to elect such corrupt people then the long term outlook is something similar to Zimbabwe.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:15 am
philu
Perhaps you would like to do a point by point narrative on the 1999, 2002 & 2005 pledge cards and point out which promises you think have been kept. Good stuff for a debate.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Burt,
Just make sure you vote National before you go please!
September 16th, 2008 at 10:17 am
lc..
..as large government-driven work-projects/govt support for those who have lost everything/ and the like..
..must be in place for us to hope to get through this..without descending into lawless anarchy..
(survivalist-futures are looking good..!..)
..i would go with a..
we have been doing/trying b for quite some time now..
..and it dosen’t appear to be working out..
..eh..?
..communalism..not individualism..is the way of the future..
..phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Phul
No answer then aye, oh well I suppose the abuse you hand out is to be expected given the panic that you must be suffering at the moment.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:19 am
burt..
..go to the source/thesis..
http://whoar.co.nz/2008/which-political-parties-lie-to-usthe-worst-was-the-1996-99-national-governmentwhich-kept-just-50-per-cent-of-its-pledges/
phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Has anyone asked the Stranded whether this is ‘negative’ or ‘dirty’ campaigning
Just give it the ‘Standard’ test, if it makes Labour look bad, then it is Dirty, if it makes National look bad then it is Negative.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Phul
What the hell do you mean “the source”
I have just had a look at your site, the thing that grabbed me as I scrolled down was that NOBODY had bothered to leave a comment, indeed the last person to make a comment was on the 11th.
Seems like a waste of your time Phul, you could and should be spending that time earning a living.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:40 am
“I’m leaving the country.”
Wonder who is going to pay the taxes when there is only Klark, Kullen and numerous drug addicted welfare beneficiaries left living here??
September 16th, 2008 at 10:46 am
bruv – isnt philu on the DPB? its hardly stealing money.
i agree, his views are misguided, downright strange infact.. i also detect a bit of bitterness in some posts
but still, thats a little harsh.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:47 am
you really are as thick as two short planks..eh..bruv..?
you can lead an idiot to information..
..but you can’t make them think..
..(as you clearly demonstrate..)
..phil(whoar.co.nz)
September 16th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Burt
It is a cathartic experience once you leave. Trust me.
Australia would never have been considered the paragon of political integrity in the past,
but they did something NZ needs to do. They have cleaned up their act to the point where it does not matter whether
you support ALP, the Libs or the Nats, because the changes to your lifestyle is minimal who ever leads.
If a politician screws up they are fired. (Three in the last week).
The Aussies I speak to (those who are even interested in politics) cannot believe the corruption in NZ politics. And trust me DPF might pussyfoot around the fact, but Clark and co is utterly corrupt.
But for the main Aussies are interested in bettering their circumstances and getting on with life. They call it the lucky country, because they can go on making their own luck with minimal social engineering by government.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Dime
No wonder you have “left”, you are turning into a bloody pinko.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I am starting to wonder who’s blog this is anyway? Philu obviously has no visitors on his sad little piece of blogcrap that he has to hog other peoples blogs and bore us all to death while also trying to lure hits by advertising his pathetic blog. Please, Please David……… ban the nasty little dole bludging oxygen thief.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:08 am
This thread is a waste of time – stop debating him and address the real issue eh folks?
September 16th, 2008 at 11:10 am
dave strings – exactly! thread jacking is a classic leftist tool! ya get banned for it at the standard though heh
bruv – ya get sucked in everytime. its clear he gets you angry.. which means.. you lose
September 16th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Dime
Please!..Phul is never going to make me angry, he is a born loser and I do not waste my time getting angry at losers.
September 16th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Bok
I’ve been and gone a few times, It’s not a scary thing to do. Last time I came back was for family reasons and that reason has now passed away. I agree it’s a cathartic experience – I’ll wait for the election result and if the country decides that corruption is desirable I’ll be gone. I have two passports so even if dear leader takes the Mugabe apporach and makes it almost impossible for people to leave – I’ll still be gone.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Good article at Slate on why Merrill Lynch didn’t go belly-up (the verdict – good leadership!). I’m sure there’s an innocent explanation for Cullen’s outburst though. Perhaps he just confused them with Lehman Brothers, he is getting on after all. Or perhaps Labour are so used to blaming everything that goes wrong on something that happened three governments ago that he blamed Key’s actions in 2001 as a reflex.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
philu:
From this I am assuming you do not believe that people can change their viewpoints or attitudes. From this should we conclude that you are still locked down by the same criminal tendencies that you confessed to in an earlier thread?
I suspect you would like the answer to be no. If so, why would you think other people are incapable of changing their ways?
If you do not think this possible, would you care to explain why anybody would place any trust in either the Greens or Labour? Or, in fact, why anybody should trust you?
These parties have both proven themselves to be untrustworthy and willing to accept anything in the name of political expediency and power. The Labour party in particular have proven themselves willing to steal from the public purse, adjust legislation to create advantages for themselves and to stifle the democratic process. With the support of the Greens they have foisted perhaps the most undemocratic legislation on this country and have worked hard to turn 9 years of potential economic growth into nothing. They have squandered what could have been a golden age for New Zealand.
It goes even further in that they have demonized religious minorities for political advantage, despite the basic truths of that groups’ political viewpoints.
So should anybody trust them?
NOTE: I have little knowledge of the government you are referring to. This was before I arrived in NZ and whilst I’ve read about it I did not experience it first hand.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I’ll just get in early for 8 November.
To Cullen: We won, you lost, eat that!
September 16th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Scary fact number 811.
Philu has the vote!
September 16th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Bok says on September 16th, 2008 at 10:51 am:
Judging by the results of the 2005 election, New Zealanders are interested in more Welfare and becoming dependent on the State.
What kind of sad ass nation chooses Welfare over Tax Cuts? That’s right, NEW ZEALAND
September 16th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
longbow says on September 16th, 2008 at 9:58 am:
NZ is doomed if ACT doesn’t win a sizable party vote and form a solid National/ACT government.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I’m in the same boat!
If NZ doesn’t get its A into G (or at least its head out of its arse) I’m off – for good!
September 16th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
philu,
“..eh..?
..communalism..not individualism..is the way of the future..”
I’d be interested in hearing your ideas about how communalism works in the context of how big would each communal group be in terms of population and secondly how do you maintain order and reach agreement within this communal framework?
September 17th, 2008 at 4:21 am
hehe the reason people are reluctant to get financially committed to small communities/cooperatives philu is because it is inevitable that some individuals won’t pull their weight. This drag is amplified the smaller the community so we like larger less interdependant communities so we can direct our efforts toward more productive mutually beneficial enterprises. philu it is YOU and people like you who provide the strongest disincentive to become entangled with these small groups. It’s obvious why you prefer communalism because you and people like you are always taking out more than they put in. You are behaving rationally according to your productive potential. However so are we by resisting ever getting entangled with you in a so-called cooperative. When I was a poor student with part time jobs on building sites as a labourer I was paying tax so that you could have a sleep-in. That’s a lesson that your blathering hasn’t made me forget.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Yeah, I used to go out with a girl who’s brother worked for a finance company part-owned by Lehman Brothers. I guess I’m partly to blame for the downturn as well, Dr. Cullen. Sorry, guys.