The best you can hope for, after the Local Government elections
Now that the local government elections have been completed what is the best that local communities can expect of their elected representatives?
advantage
The main risk to New Zealand according to John Key
John Key is pretty good at providing media commentary on what problems New Zealand faces. But is he any good at addressing those problems?
Clinton, Trump, Greeks and ideals
In a democracy what is better? A cold calculated pragmatic response or advocating for ideals that all citizens should strive, sacrifice and die for?
Our most effective Prime Minister
Ad ranks post second world war according to criteria which produces some interesting result.
Do elections matter?
Despite politics the world keeps turning. So why is it important and why should everyone vote?
India’s general strike
The world’s biggest general strike ever occurred this month in India.
Big Oil in plain packaging
Big Tobacco was hit this week in New Zealand after Parliament passed laws requiring smokes to be sold in plain packaging. The science about the health threats posed by smoking is settled, as is the science over climate change. When can we expect laws being passed against the oil companies?
Racism Resurgent
A Trump win in America would cause a resurgence of the most racist toxic views imaginable, not only in America but elsewhere.
Women wearing clothes
In France and Italy there have been recent examples of men telling women what they can and cannot wear.
European Union v Apple and the US
And in Europe the EU has taken steps against Apple for rampant tax evasion and an EU-US free trade deal appears to be dead.
Why I hate UBER
Uber is great for the consumer but terrible for its contractors.
Things other than States
What are the New Zealand institutions other than the State who can achieve good for New Zealanders?
Between what we want and what we need
New Zealand is slowly losing faith with this Government and this is why.
A UK Labour Split
The options for UK Labour appear to be limited. Split or die or do both.
Left Militant
With wars breaking out at an alarming rate and democracy going backwards in much of the world what should a leftie foreign policy be?
The great slowdown
Eight years after the Global Financial Crisis the major western economies are stagnant. Is this the new norm?
Foreskin’s lament
The Waikato Chief’s mad Monday shows that Rugby’s attitude to women are still mired in the past and a threat to New Zealand’s interests, as well as an affront to all women.
Stopping the sale of agricultural land and agri-business
Australia’s national interest test applied to attempts by foreign interests to buy Australian agriland and agribusinesses is deliberately vague. New Zealand could take lessons.
We need to talk about Islam
A post in which Ad responds to TRP’s recent post suggesting that all religion should be banned by suggesting that religious tolerance is a necessary feature of a liberal democracy.
If I were John Key
What should John Key do to reassert momentum for National?
How to collapse liberal society
Liberal society is in reverse in many parts of the world. What do we do to arrest this?
More bold intervention needed
National Labour and the Greens are all proposing to intervene in the market to do something about the housing crisis. What other policy areas are there where the parties can agree on active state intervention?
What I would like from the Labour Party Conference
Some thoughts on what this weekend’s centennial Labour Party conference might achieve.
Is Democracy peaking?
Has traditional democracy’s power peaked and will it be replaced by a social media generated consciousness?
The good ones get it
A recent interview with Barack Obama displayed an understanding of the problems offered by globalisation but also understands the complex relationship between trade, elites, workers, and redistribution.
The hills are alive …
Does Brexit present us with the opportunity to create a better world?
Should I stay or should I go?
Brexit or bremain whatever happens today the United Kingdom will never be the same.
GPS
GPS may offer the perfect way to enforce a fuel tax but how do we feel about the Government knowing where we are and where we are heading every minute of the day?
Can We Support Phil Goff for Auckland Mayor?
Every year, Auckland is more of New Zealand. More of its real estate risk, more of its social problems, more of its productivity […]
Why American Foreign Policy still matters
So what should the next President of the United States focus on? Military power or economic domination or international institutions?
Daily Review 02/06/2016
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Is the petro world in decline?
There are various suggestions that the metro industry’s domination of the world may be in decline.
Strategic Arse Elbow
Today at about the same time the Government will turn the first sod of the city rail link and then announce more urban sprawl for Auckland. This is the most massive policy and programme contradiction in a lifetime.
Time to wake up to the Electricity Authority
The Electricity Authority is planning hearings on proposals that will mean that Rio Tinto will save money on electricity charges but people living in Auckland and Northland will pay more. Time to make your voices heard.
Europe 1 Dunedin 0
In Europe different communities and countries have managed to rely solely on renewable electricity sources, but in Dunedin some locals are fighting a community’s attempt to become sustainable.
Economic Leadership
The Reserve Bank is doing more for New Zealand than the National Government.