It seems that being dogmatic is no longer only for the left. If it ever was.

In the end, there were only a lonely few of us arguing against them...

Oh, Wagner-worthy theatre , David. Meanwhile, you could always cut a cheque to the IRD for any of that filthy blood money that landed in your pocket. How about it?

Craig, one of the advantages of having taxation is that it enables the state to act as an aggregator. Surely this is more efficient that your suggestion of individual-level funding of much-needed social programmes ? Also, your current position seems?

Craig, one of the advantages of having taxation is that it enables the state to act as an aggregator. Surely this is more efficient that your suggestion of individual-level funding of much-needed social programmes ?

Mikaere: My suggestion is that anyone who thinks that tax cuts are the work of?

I was also rather critical of parties making large spending promises that I couldn't for the life of me see being affordable

It is affordable to start funding private schools, however, apparently. How do you feel about that one?

It is affordable to start funding private schools, however, apparently. How do you feel about that one?

Every student moved from the public system to the private system saves the government/taxpayer money. Money that can be spent on other things.

:-)

thinks that tax cuts are the work of Satan

Didn't say it.

is quite happy to pocket them

You don't know that. As it happens, I pay more tax than I theoretically could.

paint himself as lone speaker of truth to power

Not what I said.

pretending that there wasn't?

Every student moved from the public system to the private system saves the government/taxpayer money. Money that can be spent on other things.

Well, only if the government's increase of private school funding of $35 million moves about $50 million worth of public school students over to private schools (they'll?

Every student moved from the public system to the private system saves the government/taxpayer money. Money that can be spent on other things.

And that's the bit which makes me laugh the most. This is in effect a tax on the middle class. Low earners can't afford private, the highest?

Low earners can't afford private, the highest bracket already pays and in order to "keep up" the angst driven middle earners go private as it becomes bettter subsidised.

Low earners gets screwed anyway, don't worry: when middle class kids move the private schools, it hurts a school's ability to fundraise,?

Every student moved from the public system to the private system saves the government/taxpayer money. Money that can be spent on other things.
:-)

To right, like subsidies for yacht's. I walked around some local marinas yesterday. Its a bloody disgrace. The yacht stock is looking shabby. Third world! If?

Yes, the same bogus principle according to which the public health system will work better if more people take up private health insurance. We know about that one – working a treat in the US for instance.

And Treasury of all organisations pooh-poohed tax subsidies for private healthcare.

More on?

My suggestion is that anyone who thinks that tax cuts are the work of Satan, yet is quite happy to pocket them, is a hypocrite.

If you got a tax cut, of course. My taxes went up (well, ACC levy, technically, but it looks the same from here.)

My suggestion is that anyone who thinks that tax cuts are the work of Satan, yet is quite happy to pocket them, is a hypocrite.

In which case, surely the converse applies: anyone who thinks taxation is slavery and gummint is evil should fuck off to Afghanistan or Somalia to?

Oh and while were at it lets all enjoy the drive in the morning to the school of our choice. You gotta love Auckland and the school run.

Disgustingly, Hamilton's rush hour is between 3.00pm and 4.00pm.

It's still a legislated requirement for primary schools to identify and provide for their gifted kids,?

Meanwhile, you could always cut a cheque to the IRD for any of that filthy blood money that landed in your pocket. How about it?

I gave my October tax cuts to charity, as did several acquaintances.

It's still a legislated requirement for primary schools to identify and provide for their gifted kids

We should only reward hard earned children, enough with these bludgers.

What ever gave you that idea? State School, like our National Anthem, Courts, NZDF, Parliment etc, are all Anglican with some allowances for difference.

Mikaere: My suggestion is that anyone who thinks that tax cuts are the work of Satan, yet is quite happy to pocket them, is a hypocrite.

Jesus Craig, where did you pick up *that* strawman? At the uncut toe nails of Ms. Rynd?

And at the risk of sounding like an idealistic hippy (oh well, what the heck, that's pretty much what I am...)

I want to live in a society where our sick are taken care of properly, where everyone has access to a decent education, where there are?

I gave my October tax cuts to charity, as did several acquaintances.

Gave? Or Give?

You know they're ongoing, right? =)

My kid started school this year. She's spoilt for choice, in zone for two and a Steiner primary school just over the hill.

We went mainstream. Seems ok. But I really like the Steiner one we can't afford.

So, contrary?

Assuming the government spends my money wisely

Tee hee.

Seriously, the schools in my neighborhood fairly reek of wisely spent money. And yet they're stil just not as good as the Steiner school which lives off the smell of an oily grass roots community support network, despite not receiving?

Oh and while were at it lets all enjoy the drive in the morning to the school of our choice. You gotta love Auckland and the school run.

Tell me about it. I live in the near vicinity (under 10 minutes' walk) of St Cuthberts and Dio, with sundry other?

But we have a government at the moment not for all New Zealanders, but of, and for, a particulary vengeful and spiteful minded "middle New Zealand" ...

Is the proportion of National MPs who attended (what are now) state-integrated schools wildly out of whack? By my count, 11 out of?

What ever gave you that idea? State School, like our National Anthem, Courts, NZDF, Parliment etc, are all Anglican with some allowances for difference.

I draw your attention to s77 of the Education Act 1964: in primary schools at least, "the teaching shall be entirely of a secular character."

(Hmmm...?

Gave? Or Give?
You know they're ongoing, right? =)

It's a fortnightly automatic payment so, yes, "give".

webweaker

Tee hee.

What kind of tax cut did you get, Dan? Mine was simply a deduction of the amount of tax paid. Do you adjust your wage based on the old tax brackets? That's going to require a bit of work I would think.

I saw how much more money was being?

a registered charity.

Which is of course, tax deductible.

I'm going to muddy my own point slightly by saying that I then set up an automatic payment back to my employer: a registered charity.

No you are not.Good on you..I hope you encouraged others at your workplace to try the same.Thank you for your efforts.:)

State School, like our National Anthem, Courts, NZDF, Parliment etc, are all Anglican with some allowances for difference

Not so. Section 77 of the Education Act is the successor from an 1890s act that was one of the four pieces of social legislation aimed at maintaining New Zealand as an?

I had an?

Can we say that, these remarkable and commendable efforts notwithstanding, the charge that people who were against tax cuts and yet don't voluntarily overpay are somewhat hypocritical, is supremely idiotic?

No no no Gio. That's not stupid.

I'd happily give back my tax cut.

But to be fair, I want?

Can we say that, these remarkable and commendable efforts notwithstanding, the charge that people who were against tax cuts and yet don't voluntarily overpay are somewhat hypocritical, is supremely idiotic?

Well, it's kinda weird anyway. Why peg what you consider to be the right amount of tax to pay on?

This was just what happened.

So that's my take: free education, ban faith based schools unless they promote equality of all faiths and none (so that's the Catholics out), ban charging for education.

Hear hear. I'll take this at black market prices RIGHT NOW, thanks.