Alternate reality alert
December 5th, 2008 at 10:05 am by David FarrarMacDoctor highlights a visit to an alternate reality by Phil Goff”
There is an old adage that if you are going to lie, then you are more likely to get away with it the more outrageous and barefaced the lie. I’m not sure if that is true, but Phil Goff certainly believes this. On the same day that the “hole” in the ACC accounts mushroomed to a staggering $2.5 billion, Phil “I want to be a real boy” Goff made this statement:
Labour leader Phil Goff said Treasury’s briefing highlighted that National had inherited a healthy set of books and it should not be squandered.
I’m impressed, Phil. Machiavelli himself couldn’t have told such a whopper. I particularly enjoyed the suggestion that National might squander the money that you have so carefully built up. Very ballsy of you, I must say.
Unfortunately, I think you might find that that nice Mr Key is just lacing up his hobnail boots…
Can someone let me know in what dimension the following is considered a healthy set of books:
- A decade of deficits projected
- Debt to increase by over $30 billion from 20% of GDP to 30% of GDP
- Inflation at 5%
- Unemployment projected to hit 6%
- A recession
- Billions of dollars needed to bailout ACC
At the first question time, some Govt backbenchers should ask questions to Mr English on whether he agrees Mr Goff has left him “a healthy set of books”.
UPDATE: The crown accounts out today show the Government’s surplus has plunged by $5 billion from a $1.5 surplus to a $3.5 billion deficit. More of Phil’s healthy set of books! The plunge is primarily due to unrealised losses on investments, but they will have flow on effects to income and lead to increased debt.
Related posts:
- Crown accounts to 31 March 2009
- Nowhere in the world are people so over-taxed
- The scare campaign begins
- Labour’s final accounts
December 5th, 2008 at 10:16 am
This election was all about trust? The silence from Ruth Dyson and Michael Cullen is deafening!!!
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Actually DPF, I could probably find a quote from you somewhere here that Cullen left the books in good order.
Why is it the only criteria the labour govt used to determine the quality of the books is the current debt level? Sure , that is one factor, but they also spent a lot of money on ridiculous items such as the choo choos.
It is untenable that cullen paid some billion dollars on trains in a year he knew that the books were about to be decimated.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Prison is too good for that clever little shit Cullen.
A nasty, vainglorious toady.
He should be brought before Parliament to account for his recklessness.
Then tarred and feathered as a warning to Gormless Goff.
Failed at History, and Failed at Economics (Theory and Practical).
Which is why teachers rarely produce anything, or create vibrant business’s.
They are short of useless outside of the classroom, or lecture hall.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 10:37 am
The New Zealand economy is stuffed. Enough said.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Similar “healthy” statistics were left by East Germany’s communist leaders after the fall of the Berlin wall.
Goff is lying through his teeth, although the guilty party is the calamitous duo Clark and Cullen. Those two should own up, but of course the socialists are too coward to do that.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Methinks there is a certain synergy between Phil the Goof and Phil the Greek ….. both are clearly going gaga
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 10:54 am
“There is an old adage that if you are going to lie, then you are more likely to get away with it the more outrageous and barefaced the lie.”
Throughout history, the left’s primary strategy has always been propaganda. Whenever any leftists says anything, its most likely the opposite is the truth. Gooff demonstrates the accuracy of that with the outrageous claim that “National had inherited a healthy set of books and it should not be squandered.” Leftism is an exercise in concealing truth, and any “success” that they might manage always in the end, boils down to how long they were able to get away with their lies.
When they control the media, as they do so successfully in NZ, its always too long. Now we must prepare to pay the price for almost ten years of a coalition of lying left government and lying left media.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 11:02 am
The Standard is deafeningly quiet so far this morning.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 11:14 am
DPF, surely the MSM need to get Gormless Goff to state in verifiable facts the actual Robust Nature of the inherited Economy.
A sort of Spreadsheet Highlight, (Exec Edition). Just to prove his point.
Once National accept the bonus numbers, we then have an excellent measure with which to critique the New Government Performance.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I think a hospital pass from Labour was widely predicted and now it’s true. Very pleased that Key is in to deal with it, very disgusted with friends who voted Labour “just because”.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Phil Froth is just doing what he does the best, froth. The amazing thing about this ACC fiasco is that there are still those who believe these morons walk on water, sad really, swimming in shit would be appropriate.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 11:37 am
When are you lot going to get over that fact you WON .
And dont have Labour to kick around anymore
I must be hard from all the bleating thats going on
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Goff has just waved goodbye to any chance of being the next PM with his bare-faced lies over the jast few days.
Can’t wait for Pariment to sit again – should be fun to watch labour try and run and hide from this scandel.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I found far more interesting Treasury’s recommendations on taxation and spending, which English all but batted back as an ideological burp. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
George Orwell’s Brave New World is the classical textbook for government lies and obfuscation.
Vote:Phil Goof is desperately trying to rewrite history to give the impression that National inherited a rosy set of accounts and then sent the country into a year of recession.
The facts are that we have already had a year of recession under Labour and that National have been yet again come to government and been given a hospital pass with a set of doctored books.
There needs to be grand plan to make the Socialists forever unelectable. So far so good with the multi-party coalition but the real challenge is to change the mindset of the people who have been afraid to incur the wrath and intemperance of the Clarkists. The whispers of state servants need to become whistles to blow up the buried bodies and booby traps left behind by the retreating enemy.
Can we free the minds of the people? Can they realise that the unnecessary rules and regulations that have so restricted us for a decade can be swept away? Give the people the vision of what the future could hold under National as the economy is rescued over the next three years and bring in a decade of growth so that by 2020 planeloads of Aussies are emigrating here.
December 5th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Anyone know if we have a law of impeachment in Godzone (or Aotearoa if you prefer)? If so we could impeach the whole Labour caucus. Worked for Nixon.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Mike12: Goof will be too old to get a chance as next Labour PM in 2035 when their vote may have recovered from this fiasco.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
A Decade of deficits? Awesome! Just the groundwork you need to continue attributing all of society’s ills to the last Labour government for years to come.
Even after consistently saying over the past few years that for Labour to blame the country’s ills on the acts of the previous National government is a ridiculous cop-out.
I guess in politics you really can have your cake and eat it too, if you’re a smooth enough talker?
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Goff’s pronouncements are not intended to stand any scrutiny. He knows that the lame MSM won’t ask probing questions and that much of the general public don’t think beyond Saturday’s lotto draw.
Ratbiter – I have some suggestions as to what you might like to do with your cake… but I fear demerits.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Nothing that would advance the discussion, presumably?
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
“The Standard is deafeningly quiet so far this morning.”
They are all over here disguised as the three stooges. Ratsarse, AGony and LlewLlewbelle.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
The Standard is considering advertising. http://www.thestandard.org.nz/ad-men/#comment-108869
Vote:So soon after Labour’s ejection from the 9th floor…pure coincidence of course
December 5th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
If National don’t shred the previous vandals, then they won’t get in again.
Keeping quiet and smiling a lot was good for the election.
Just like we have seen with the Obamessiah, the true colours have got to come through.
I want to see RED, lots of it all over the floor. And done in such a way that whenever those cretins Klark and Kullen go into a Restaurant or similar that people feel moved to hiss and boo! Just like in Variety Hall when the villain arrives on Stage.
For that is what they are. Cheap crooked Villains. And by the way Sunshine boy we want our 158k back you effin Thief!!
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
From todays figures on the books
The separate Government Superannuation Fund and ACC also recorded losses of $1b and $400m respectively as a result of revaluations of liabilities.
However once unrealised investment losses are stripped out the operating balance it comes in at $898m in surplus – $117m better than forecast.
SURPLUS!!
better than forecast !!
Cancel the mini budget, labour left the books in SURPLUS
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
PIA, just had a look. So funny that they are on their financial arse.
Think that they should have advertising, files, cake, arrowed uniforms, vaseline, knives, cocaine, tin utensils, pet budgies. The list is endless!!!
I am so happy!!
Sanctimonious Fuckwits, with no noble cause
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Glut: they are very short tempered about it too. Put the boot in and watch the fun !
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Maybe Goff meant the books were in good order compared to Zimbabwe.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Hands up all those who are celebrating the absence of that supercilious smug scumbag from the news media; that dreadful Doctor Michael Cullen.
Vote:I am loving it.
December 5th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
How about National pass a new law
Vote:For every $100 million (and thats being extremely generous) the previous government failed to disclose they lose 1 MP in the current parliament
December 5th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Nay-sayers would accuse him of callously exploiting a technicality in order to rob the taxpayer, and renege on a pre-election promise. They might even claim that anyone in the Private Sector might be facing jail-time for their crimes. But MWT applauds the selfless manner in which, Michael, ‘The Hero of Helengrad’ Cullen was clearly prepared to burn every stick, every crop, shoot every last horse, sheep and chicken rather than let them fall into enemy hands.
Lee – http://monkeyswithtypewriter.blogspot.com/
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
National, needs to urgently tighten up what is required under the Public Finance Act so that is very clear what is required. I am not a lawyer but just reading from the Herald it would appear there is a prima facie case against Cullen and possibly Street as well as some individuals at Treasury.
Risks must be included if they are of “reasonable certainty”, going to have an impact of $10 million or more in a year, and if they are under “active consideration” by the Minister of Finance and responsible ministers (such as being subject to a written report).
Maybe annual reporting should be required and not just a report a couple of months out from the election. The penalties particularly the monetary penalties have to be substantially increased. It might sound nice to increase the jail penalties but it is highly unlikely that would ever be imposed.
It is outrageous that Rodney it being prosecuted under a law that was passed against the wishes of the majority of the public designed specifically to win the next election. This law is soon to be repealed. No one would seriously think that ACT gained many votes because Rodney wore the jacket with the ACT label on it.
I believe that there is a high likelihood that not complying with the Public Finance Act affected the outcome of the election. I have just heard on the news briefly that there is more undisclosed debt. The total now exceeds 3 billion dollars. If the public had of been aware of the true state of the economy it is likely National would have gained more votes and may have been able to govern alone. Some might say that it is good that ACT is there to make sure we get a change of policy not just government. That may be true but it is not relevant.
Normally if it a crime is suspected the main criteria to decide whether to prosecute is if there is a prima facie case. That is if there a high likelihood of a conviction. In this case the bar should be lower. If there is a reasonable chance of conviction, say fifty-fifty there should a prosecution. The public have a right to know if individuals including Ministers of the Crown broke the law in circumstances that would have likely affected the outcome of this election.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
emmess, I’d settle for a permanent Corruption Commission with broad ToR and scope to imprison and/or impose fines (eg cash and/or decimating state pension entitlements etc)
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
You two make a pretty couple.
Why stop there? Why not criminalize the whole Labour Party? Simple. Give us something to write home to Bob Mugabe about…
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I missed getting the italics off after the quote from the Herald below.
Risks must be included if they are of “reasonable certainty”, going to have an impact of $10 million or more in a year, and if they are under “active consideration” by the Minister of Finance and responsible ministers (such as being subject to a written report).
The rest is my comment
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
After this feeble attempt at spin Goff should join the spokesman for Treaty Negotiations and the former leader in the backbenches too. The problem for Labour is that he is now the best they have left, by far.
Just read Treasury’s briefing document, and it seems to me all Cullen achieved was to use high taxation to transfer NZ’s overseas debt from the public to the private sector, as people either resorted to debt to get by or got sucked in by the housing bubble. Labour’s legacy leaves the average of us pretty much in the clag privately, as well as a dreadful outlook in the public accounts. No wonder the exodus has been high, and is likely to continue.
Treasury advocates productivity improvement – just highlighting where Labour did nothing helpful, I suppose. So what’s new?
And it advocates trade and links with other countries. Another stuck record? At least without Clark (and her background and attitudes) we are now likely to stand a chance of being seen as better than “very good friends” with the US. Was it just a coincidence how pleased how so many of the world’s leaders seemed to be to see JK as PM?
But Treasury seems long on solutions for water quality and carbon trading but short on solutions for the really serious issues of lifting the average Kiwi’s income relative to the rest of the world anytime in my remaining lifetime. It so lacks spirit and imagination as to what to do about our situation that it even talks about the Government needing to consider cutting my pension by the time I get to receive it! WTF? With lowering interest rates? That’s fighting talk!
If Treasury is that lost for a constructive way forward that there is a big focus is on better early childhood education, it seems to me Mr Whitehead and co. should be joining Cullen in a less influential role.
For heaven’s sake, we are a tiny player in the world. We don’t have to use the dreary old approaches so we don’t upset our trading partners. Surely we have learned by now, after all these years, that they don’t give a stuff about us and are not about to open the door to huge volumes of agricultural exports from us?
Look what Singapore and Ireland, for example, have achieved. They have attracted serious investment with incentives, and roared away from us economically.
Thank goodness we have John Key and his team there to take some action. It’s going to be a hell of a test for their imagination and determination, though.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Boy… I’ve not so much as even visited the Standard.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Ratbiter – criminal actions should be subject to the criminal justice system. Is that too difficult to understand, or is it just a little unpalatable now that your lot can’t use the machinery of state to stay ‘above’ the law?
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
getstaffed – true.
It’s just that most of the time, when people here say something is “criminal”, more often it means “stuff I don’t like” rather than anything that is actually illegal, so I tend to take allegations or insinuations or cries of criminality with a fairly generous grain of salt!
And please don’t call them “my lot”. I have voted for Labour in the past but I am not a member of Labour or any other political party.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Phil is in Disney Land
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
biter, the Labour party criminalised itself by well…committing crimes. The difference is now they can’t pressure the authorities not to prosecute
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Well if that happens well & good (and fascinating it would be), but I suspect it won’t.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I can’t imagine the stranded will do too well out of advertising. Who would be interested in say cut price offers from “Castro Cruises” or “Kim’s Cuisine Instant Rice”.
Still those monumental best sellers “Trust Me to Lie” by Helen Clark and “Financial Management” by Michael Cullen may be bought up by customers looking for a good laugh.
“Boy… I’ve not so much as even visited the Standard.”
Guess you have never masturbated (can’t use the other word or demerits will follow) either LlewLlewBelle?
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
“Crimes, yeah. God-damned, criminal crimes. I just can’t put my finger on what they were.”
AS I said…
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Jeez. What’s your problem JohnBoy?
You want to call me a wanker but you’re scared of a few demerits? Because I disagree with some people around here now & then?
Sonny, I got exactly the government I voted for, go make your idiotic assumptions somewhere else.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Mind your blood pressure LlewLlewBelle.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
My blood pressure is fine thank you.
But once again – what’s your problem? Other than the urge to be an immature prat?
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Johnboy have you entered some extreme fuckwit competition and not let the rest of us in it because good news, you’re winning.
With sneering little snide inuendo based comments like your yours one can only assume you’re employed writting press releases for Phil Goff.
If you’d ever actually met Llew you might have some claim to having the slighest fucking idea what you’re talking about, but you haven’t and you don’t.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I starting to think that Labour scuttled their own election campaign by making the election about trust. They knew the public perception was that they were self serving, they knew people only trusted them to look after the Labour party and their own jobs. This latest ACC debacle proves they were bold faced liars about the state of the economy and the validity of their policies. Labour didn’t want to win this election, they wanted to see a National govt take the flack for sorting their mess out thinking they can swan into power 2011 or 2014.
That might have worked in the days when a compliant MSM pretty much let it all slide, but blogs and more persistent information dissemination mediums get the truth out to a lot of people over time. Pulling a stunt like blaming a govt that was elected to fix a problem as being responsible for the medicine might have worked in the 50′s. It almost worked in with the 90′s and Labour muppets probably think they can do it again with a call of the failed policies of the 2009-14 sometime in 2016.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I guess school is finished for him. Bloody holidays.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Sorry Murray I did not realise I was picking on one of your buddys. You biting wit has chastised me severely. I will never again try to take the micky out of tossers like LlewLlewBelle or your self unless I have met you first. (Just pretend I have said this 100 times to show my true repentance).
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
This ACC debacle while apparently operating under the Fiscal Responsibility Act is outrageous. If this is the standard of the law and the compliance with the law, the example set by parliament, then we need to be seriously thinking about the loose canon lawless state of our parliamentary branch of the executive. We need to curtail their powers to serve the people first.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
ps: keep hitting the bad karma to show how pathetic you are.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
you wouldn’t recognise it Boy. But I bow to your superior experience of masturbation.
I’ll wear the demerits – you’re a fucking immature wanker.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Thats your idea of taking the micky is it?
And you deride my wit. Interesting… tell me about your mudder hmm.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I reckon also.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
llew
I might have a read of Trotters blog with that thought in mind, he would made some story about doing heroic things for long term benefits as being a central strength of the labour movement. If I come back saying I love ACC and Labour then Trotter is a better spin master than I give him credit for.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
“Johnboy have you entered some extreme fuckwit competition and not let the rest of us in it because good news, you’re winning.”
Bugger me days, it takes something special to make me give Murray a thumbs-up. But Johnboy is just such a special thing.
Vote:(I’ll have to say a few extra “Hail Helens” tonight to get it out of my system…)
December 5th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Obviously some here have me pegged as some Labour stooge, but the only time I visited Trotter’s blog I felt the irresistable urge to tell him what he wrote was bilge (in somewhat differing words). I doubt he’ll change your mind.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
“I’ll wear the demerits – you’re a fucking immature wanker.”
I wish I had debating skill such as yours LlewLlewBelle.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
“(I’ll have to say a few extra “Hail Helens” tonight to get it out of my system…)”
Fair enough Ratsarse whatever God turns you on. Don’t let your other buddy dave c find out though he will most likely burn you at the stake.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Look up “debate” it doesn’t mean hurling insults. I was insulting you in return for you insulting me. I have nothing to debate with you, since you don’t appear to have any puirpose in coming here than to call me a wanker.
Suck it up. No one likes a whiner.
llewLlewBelle – fucking gold! You should write for TV.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Mind that blood pressure LlewlewBelle. You are hitting the wrong keys now that you are shaking with anger.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Actually, I’m off now for the weekend. Bye John Boy.
[/smirk]
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Bye LlewLlewBelle.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I see what you mean about your debating skills. Pretty shit really.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Johnboy at 12.03pm
Not many are aware but we do have a remedy Its called misfeasance in public office. And there is a long long list of charges that each of the Socialists should be facing.
They should be glad that we have dispensed with hanging drawing and quartering as some of us would delight in practising the ancient forms of retribution and then burying their 4 quarters in the 4 furthest corners of the country as a lesson to those who would repeat their crimes
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Ratbiter: “Why not criminalize the whole Labour Party?”
Their past Cabinet from Prime Minister Helen down, as Servants of the Crown, have breached the Crimes Act 1961, but police have failed to follow up on these allegations, and thus are themselves in breach of the Crimes Act 1961, – sections dealing with Bribery and Corruption
In line at present for the same breaches are Hon Dr Michael Cullen, Hon Maryan Street, Hon David Parker and Treasury.
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Frank
OK, I agree on all the Labourites, but why Treasury?
Vote:December 5th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Thanks guys you have missed your true calling , really enjoy your comments and “debating” skills.
Vote:December 7th, 2008 at 2:40 am
John Boy is a reader of my blog and commenter as well so I’m sure he is a top bloke!
Now we are in Govt I am sure we will not all get along…. esp if National start waving those limp wrists again! 
Vote: