Labour considering Unconditional Basic Income
As with capital gains tax, the political left is kicking off a very important discussion for NZ.
Could National lose Whangarei?
National are nervous about losing the safe electorate seat of Whangarei. Something tells me that the NATs will be fighting back hard come 2017.
Family First on the important issues of the day
Don’t conservative cranks have anything better to do with their time?
Rachel Maddow on Donald Trump’s campaign strategy
Rachel Maddow sets out a timeline suggesting that Donald Trump has engaged in calculated escalation of violent rhetoric and action which is causing damage to the US society and how this marks a new low for the Republican Party.
Open mike 14/03/2016
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Caption competition
Go, technology, inequality, the future of work
Miscellaneous Sunday morning meanderings on technology, inequality and the future of work.
Quantitative easing for the masses
It seems that “serious economists” are discussing something called “helicopter money”. Would it fly in NZ?
Open mike 13/03/2016
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Trump Chicago rally cancelled amid protests
Seems like not everyone in America is going to roll over for Trump.
Who is ultimately responsible for NZ’s massive dairy farm debt?
People talk of excessive borrowing in the dairy sector. Of course, the real problem is that of excessive lending.
David Walker – Dick Of The Year
Long serving diplomat and New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator for the Trans Pacific Partnership, David Walker, was yesterday presented with the 2016 Dick Of The Year award.
Wee Todd Barclay may have a wee problem
Clutha Southland National MP’s employee dispute has escalated with a police inquiry into the possible secret recording of a staff member being conducted.
Norman on the economy
Russel Norman was right in 2014 when he said that the Nats were daft to gamble on oil and bulk milk production, and he’s right again now to draw attention to the failures. We need a green economy!
Open mike 12/03/2016
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Daily Review 11/03/2016
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Leggett does a runner
Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett says he will announce his decision about running for Mayor of Wellington at a launch later this month. It sounds like he has already made up his mind about what he is running for; the real question is what is he running from?
The Gun Club
In the wake of the shooting of four police officers in Kawerau, it’s time NZ had a cold, hard look at our gun culture. We need an inquiry that addresses both legal and illegal gun ownership. But there’s a related matter that also needs looking at …
Iain Lees-Galloway on the end of zero hour contracts
Iain Lees-Galloway’s speech celebrating the end of zero hour contracts with a special thanks to the Unite Union, the Council of Trade Unions, the Greens and New Zealand First, Marama Fox, even Peter Dunne, and even Michael Woodhouse.
Economic anger and political madness
History clearly shows us that when people are economically stressed they turn to extreme action and extreme leaders. Economist Jared Bernstein argues that the Trump ascendancy is another example of this.
Open mike 11/03/2016
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Daily Review 10/03/2016
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RB snaps awake, jolts markets
Simon Louisson on the Reserve Bank’s surprise announcement to reduce the official cash rate by 25 points.
TPP to criminalise ordinary viewers
A lot of people out there couldn’t give a stuff about the TPP because they don’t see it affecting them. This might change their minds.
Intergenerational theft
The Guardian has an excellent piece on “the 30-year economic betrayal dragging down Generation Y’s income”.
Nats think “pretty legal” is good enough…
… but the courts may beg to differ.
Open mike 10/03/2016
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“The greatest polling error in primary history”
Bernie Sanders has just won the Michigan Democratic primary. Polling guru Nate Silver of 38degrees said that given that Sanders was behind by an average of 21.3% in all polls leading up to the vote, if Sanders won Michigan it would count among “the greatest polling errors in primary history.” It was – why is interesting.
Daily Review 09/03/2016
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New report on GCSB spying powers
A Government-ordered review of NZ’s spy agencies has just been released. Key wants Labour’s support for increased power to spy on Kiwis.
Health law expert on the TPP
We won’t be able to say that we weren’t warned.
Imperator Fish: John needs this too
Imperator Fish argues for a change in the New Zealand flag, sort of.
Health Ministry lost the plot and heads should roll
The Health Ministry committed to spending $18m that they didn’t have on upgrading their own offices, and tried to claw the money back from the underfunded DHBs trying to deliver health care to NZ. And that seems to be just fine with Minister Coleman.
Government plans RMA power grab
The Government is planning to allow the relevant Minister to change District Plans by regulation or to allow National Policy Statements to change district plans and to prevent submissions being received unless evidence contained is provided by a professional adviser with expertise.
Open mike 09/03/2016
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Daily Review 08/03/2016
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