More thoughts on the Labour-Greens Budget Responsibility Rules
The Labour-Green Budget Responsibility Rules announcement this week ought to dispel the notion that Labour and the Greens cannot work together.
advantage
Five ways Donald Trump is wrong about Islam
Donald Trump’s recently announced replacement policy in immigration is wrong. And this is why.
Slightly smug about MMP
2017 will be New Zealand’s eighth election under MMP, over 22 years. With very strong democratically elected governments appearing right across the world digging in for the long term, it’s useful to take a moment for MMP.
Forest and Bird takes it the Government in the Supreme Court
The Crown is seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal decision obtained by Forest and Bird which is preventing Conservation land in the Hawkes Bay from being used for the controversial Ruataniwha dam.
2017
The left is facing the possiblity of its fourth election loss in a row. What type of campaign should it run this year to win?
Is this the impossibility turning point?
There’s a wonderful fiction still propelling the world that the 21st century will bring an ever-expanding arc of freedom and prosperity to the vast majority of humanity but the reality seems to be anything but.
Bloomberg warns world of New Zealand’s toxic trusts
Bloomberg magazine has highlighted how foreign trusts are damaging New Zealand’s reputation and are being used for criminal activity.
Sad
Ad wonders how left wing Trump supporters are now feeling.
We need to talk about immigration
How does the left discuss the immigration debate so that it can counter the anti immigration sentiments fostered by the likes of Donald Trump, Theresa May and Malcolm Turnbull?
Good night, and good luck
Donald Trump’s attack on human rights is nothing new. American history has many examples of attacks on basic rights.
Maybe Trump is what the left needed
Donald Trump’s ascendancy to power presents the left with the chance of showing that progressive politics is a much better choice than the alternative.
The Lighthouse
The lighthouse is a piece of public art recently erected in downtown Auckland. It is to celebrate the institution of the State House and has been paid for by real estate barons.
Show me
It is time for Trump, English and Little to give us an idea on what their policies will do for employment and the rights of workers.
The CIA Director confirmation hearings
Mike Pompey is Donald Trump’s chosen head for the CIA. He is someone who believes in the mass collection of all metadata and combining it with all publicly available information. Are we going to see the unprecedented destruction of rights of privacy?
Changes in the United States
The implications for the world of Donald Trump’s forthcoming ascendancy to the office of President of the United States.
A word of thanks
Robert Guyton deserves many thanks for the series of posts he recently wrote for the Standard.
Positive
This is a difficult concept for the left to address in election year in New Zealand but it’s possible to be positive about 2017.
I have an idea
Advantage muses on the meaning of Christmas and how our response to it says a lot about who we are.
Keep it in the ground
In the last days of the Obama presidency the current President is taking steps to protect the Arctic from oil drilling.
The first Trump ripple
Donald Trump’s telephone call with the Taiwanese president has created a response which it seems clear he did not anticipate.
Weak Cities
Current governance structures for our cities that rely on corporate management are proving to be ineffective and are not delivering the sort of result our democracy needs.
What would happen if the EU fell apart?
The EU has had a difficult year and its future looks uncertain. What happens if it goes?
Barbecue season
Now that we are entering the post Key era the Barbecue season presents the perfect time for all good progressives to talk to everyone about the importance of politics.
Trump’s broad international challenges
Barak Obama is leaving Donald Trump a number of international crises to face. What will the Donald do and will he make America great again?
Earthquakes v Climate Change
Have the recent earthquakes and the likely political response altered the emphasis that will being given to addressing climate change?
Angela Merkel’s values
Angela Merkel has offered Donald Trump close cooperation on world issues, but with a rather important tag.
Kindness
It has been a terrible year. People should think about being kind to each other and looking after each other.
Democracy can be refined
Democracy is difficult. Government is far too complex and ordinary people have neither the time nor the inclination to spend time to understand it properly. So what are the alternatives?
Was Obama a good President?
How will history judge Barack Obama as president?
Donald Trump is good
Advantage suggests that there may be some good come out of the Trump campaign.
Nationalism or patriotism?
Winston Peters appeals to the former but is the latter now a more important concept?
David Cunliffe announces his retirement from politics
David Cunliffe has announced that he will not be standing for Parliament at the next election.
Follow the money
Phase 2 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act is due to come into force soon and will require lawyers, accountants and other professionals to verify the source of client funds. This will give the Government increased power to monitor capital flows. What will they discover?
Rigged
Maybe Donald Trump’s claims that the election results are going to be rigged deserve more consideration.
Peak Oil Demand
A decade ago peak oil, or the capping of supply was thought to be an imminent problem. Now it is looking more likely that demand will peak, and soon.
Key could still win and here’s why
Deep into its third term and despite its many transgressions National still remains relatively popular. What gives?