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When people talk about the rugby world cup as if it will buoy the spirits of voters across the country regardless of whether the all blacks win or lose, I find myself asking why. For a start the whole thing is going to throw infrastructure…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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Key says he didn't know about the BMW purchase. Funny cause on Tuesday, English was taking responsibility: "we could go out and buy second-hand cars but one way or another cars need to be maintained". The Nats try to blame Labour but the contract Labour…
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Under Labour, when there was effectively full employment, there were still 1,700 people who had been continuously on the dole for over 4 years. I was prepared to accept most of these were 'bludgers'. Turns out I was too cynical. Paula Bennett found only 658…
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As you know, National has been trying to justify selling off our assets and cutting our public services to pay for tax cuts for the rich by saying that debt is at dangerous levels and we risk a credit downgrade. Numerous commentators have shown that's…
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Because it's failed ideology prevents it from leading job creation, National came up with 'Community Max'. Pointless make work schemes have flourished. At the end, more participants are back on the dole than would have been if they had never left. A waste of time…
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The Maori Party handling of rebel MP Hone Harawira has been a complete mess. Harawira and the Party leadership have been fighting a public war for the heart and soul of the party, a struggle which the Party now portrays as Harawira's "incidents of ill…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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Last week, Key says Kiwis "have to tighten their belts, we have to do the same". More job cuts for public servants. This week, buying 34 $200,000 limos for him and his mates to replace 3 year old ones. How many teachers would that employ?…
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When the regimes of Eastern Europe crumbled, it wasn't surprising that no democratic alternatives to Soviet ‘one man’ management systems had been developed by the people prior to the collapse of the regimes. So there were no examples of democratic management or instances of democratically…
activism capitalism class war community democracy Deep stuff democratic participation equality International political alternatives political education Politics socialism unemployment workers' rights
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Here's our first flyer. NO PRIVATISATION flyer for a4 Below is the front page, the back page outlines the case against privatisation. So, as with the hugely successful Campaign Hub 2008, the idea is that you and us print off the flyers from the pdfs…
activism democratic participation election 2011 privatisation
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It seems odd at first, blocking our closest friend's leader from speaking in our Parliament, but the Greens were right to look at the higher principle. The debating chamber is where our sovereign assembly meets, it is not a place for foreigners to come, at…
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Key has failed on the economy, failed on closing the gaps with Australia, failed on creating jobs, failed on reducing crime, failed on reducing beneficiary numbers, and failed on keeping various (no increase to GST!) election promises. Now we have confirmation of the failure of…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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Look at the international media these days and what do we see? Oil prices rising - petrol is the most expensive it has ever been at this time of year suggesting it may break all-time records again when it rises to its normal yearly high-point…
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The Oz Job Expo was in Auckland this weekend, and 6000 people turned up and were willing to pay $15 to look for the job they couldn't find in New Zealand. With much lower unemployment in Australia, job adverts way up since 2008 instead of…
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“I’m leaving it until my book. I know the answer, but just wait until my book,” Mr Key said. What? I thought it was normal to leave office before you started writing and promoting your memoirs? I've not heard of someone becoming prime-minister to promote…
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John Key was very keen for former Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak stay in charge because of the 'dangerous' alternatives. It turns out these ideas come out of the American far-right. While its easy to laugh at Glenn Beck's crazy conspiracy theories or the hypocrisy of…
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Another piece of union-bashing has been quietly implemented, this one directed at Actors' Equity (the union that took on the film and TV industry over its failure to negotiate a minimum agreement). In the past when people from overseas wished to work in New Zealand…
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John Key at the Big Day Out: "[Key] reminded the crowd that National had promised not to roll back any gay-rights policies and the Government had stuck to that promise. He also asked the crowd to consider voting for National this election." Wow. Ambitious for…
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Economic inequality is damaging to the fabric of society. If this is news to you, then you need to catch up on a book called The Spirit Level (here is a good place to start). It's a simple and compelling message, and it seems to…
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John Key last week claimed that: “We are combating rising prices through strong monetary policy while also building a strong economy that can deliver faster rising incomes.” I've already gone on about the dodginess of John Key's "faster rising incomes", but the monetary policy part…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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There's a somewhat fact-free article today on the possible challenge of a new "centre-right" party in Epsom. Whilst an interesting possible development, there's no substance as to who's behind the party or any credentials. The most we get is that John Banks has heard a…
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Given that Lprent has outed this news in comments, thought we should start a new thread and move the comments here: I wound up in Auckland hospital with a heart attack yesterday morning. Survived due to Lyn’s quick actions. Thanks from all of us to…
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Today's Herald contains the first unequivocal defence of National's plan to sell our assets to pay for tax cuts for the rich. It's disappointing to say the least - confused, piecemeal, and unconvincing. Ironically, it's written by some guy, Damien Grant, from some insolvency company…
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There are some ugly things going on in England at the moment: Cameron's scapegoating will have a chilling, toxic impact Blaming Islamists and multiculturalism for the backlash from US and British wars risks fuelling violence on the streets In parts of Britain, Muslims are effectively…
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I've been away on work this week, so didn't get to hear John Key's opening address to parliament. I read that Labour thought it dull, and could see the content was lacking any new ideas. Privatisation, public sector cuts - so 90s; and stealing some…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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Once upon a time New Zealand was the most prosperous country in the world, living on the sheep's back. But that was when its population was only two million. The fruits of a raw commodity export sector now have to be spread over more than…