Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Last Words

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  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to ,

    I think Craig got it right when he described The Greens leaders as impersonating competent adults.They seem to have painted a glossy picture.

    OK, Steve, I do get that nothing less than Russell Norman taking a live shit on a photo of John Key is going to satisfy some people. I’ve certainly heard various Labour proxies running the “a vote for the Greens is a vote for National” line with bugger all cut through.

    Back on planet Earth, I’m a lot more comfortable with the possibility of the Greens acting as a moderating influence on National than Labour hoping Winston and Hone are both in a good mood at any given moment.

    Despite the lowest turnout in decades, National gets enough votes to govern alone. This gives them a ‘mandate’, ‘political capital’ and ‘full-on boners’ and they’ll proceed to fuck the country for the next three years.

    FFS, James - so you're going to try using turn out to delegitimate any National-led government? Well, fine - if the turnout is more than 50% and National secures more than 49% of that, you will accept that Key is more legit than Len Brown?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Conrad Lake,

    Has Selwyn Manning done his look into electorates this election? I loved reading in 2008 and was hoping he'd repeat it this time but haven't seen it anywhere.

    CHCH • Since Apr 2009 • 10 posts Report

  • TracyMac, in reply to Ben McNicoll,

    I'm sure this is discussed further downthread, but why have such a bastardised system as PV when you might as well go the whole hog with STV and get a properly proportional result (if that's what you want)?

    And yes, the big parties hogging the seats is precisely reason I was never impressed with the system while living in Oz.

    Canberra, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 701 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to merc,

    Joyce knows that his highway is a ribbon of oil to carry bigger diesel trucks to carry the petrol from the offshore oil rig to go in the cars that pay the tax on the oil that pays for the police and the soldiers…you get what I mean.

    Again, my anti-Holiday Highway poster can be downloaded from my new blog and circulated. In the long run, someone needs to call it out for the Think Big 2.0 that it is.

    Personally I think if the Nats get back in as widely predicted, they’ll do so with a reduced majority. And if Banks and Dunne are given the heave-ho, any one of the Greens, NZF or the Maori Party could hold the balance of power. And that could potentially gridlock the Project for a New Aotearoan Century that threatens to be foist upon us. The real reasons why Shirtcliffe et al hate MMP is because it’s a de facto upper house in the absence of a real one.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Isaac Freeman,

    I've considered Labour carefully at every election since I turned eighteen, and been convinced to vote for them. I know a bunch of good people in the Labour Party, generally like their policies, and admire Helen Clark and Michael Cullen. But when it comes down to it, there's something about the culture of the Labour Party that bothers me.

    I find it mostly in the pervasive Labour attitude towards the Greens. I see a party with a distinct political tradition, extremely capable leadership and a commitment to decent, honorable politics. Labour people I speak to seem to see them only as the party that steals "Left" votes that rightfully belong to Labour.

    I take exception to the notion that my vote belongs to anybody but me.

    Christchurch • Since Feb 2007 • 134 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to TracyMac,

    The point of PV is to produce a distorted result which favours the major parties (as is the point of all the other systems including STV). If you want the number of MPs to be guaranteed* to reflect the number of votes, choose MMP.

    * Apart from thresholds and overhangs. But these pale into insignificance beyond the distortions you get with STV, which (given the stated 3-7 MP electorates) favours parties with local support and under-represents smaller parties with uniform votes across the country. Unless people vote tactically, or parties horse-trade their preferences to get their chosen support partners in. Etc.

    I'm voting for SM in the referendum, in the hope of balancing the numbers for each
    "alternative" out so that none gets enough support to create a bandwagon.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Kracklite, in reply to Sacha,

    Wonder if that’s more or less likely with a significant Greens vote?

    Hmm, a dilemma. If Labour is… I will not write “decimated” because it means one tenth of mutinying legionnaires are crucified…

    …um, if they suffer something bad tomorrow, there won’t be enough younger and newer MPs to rejuvenate what I think of as the Baby-Boomer Politburo (though Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko had the decency to be crippled with age before they got so solipsistic), but I can also imagine them saying afterwards, “Phew, that was close, we really need to cut out the dead wood… really, we do… OK guys? Guys? <crickets> OK, soon anyway… in time for the next election… nah.”

    I’ve been surprised at Goff’s improvement in performance over the last few months and my congratulations go to Brian Edwards. The knives might be out on Sunday, but he may well have saved his job as party leader, but I doubt that he can translate that into the will or authority to cut out the dead wood.

    Since everyone else is doing it:

    Definitely MMP, maybe STV as second choice or probably no second choice.

    Party vote Green, especially based on Meteria Turei’s performance and the party’s general performance and the fact that the environment is not simply treated as just a nice thing to have (despite some of their fringe still afraid of anything with genes or even neutrons). Kedgely’s departure has had a major part to play in that decision.

    You know, I’ve had half an iota of a slight fraction of an impulse to consider whether I might hypothetically permit the thought of voting ACT, purely based on the idea that their presence in parliament might be vastly entertaining, to begin drawing up non-binding proposals, exploring as a range of scenarios, the possibility of crossing my mind… but decided to forget it.

    Part of my reasoning for voting Green is, if they support Labour, they’ll be Banquo’s Ghost at least, reminding them of things they thought they could forget once they gained power. If, on the other hand, they come to some arrangement with National (such as abstention on confidence and supply – I can’t imagine formal coalition, because they know it would tear apart their base), they might be able to blunt the sharper edges of their policy.

    There is simply no way I can vote Labour. It’s the last three years AWOL as opposition and their support for too much illiberal legislation in that time and before. The fact that they have some good policies now only reminds me of Churchill’s quip that Americans will always do the right thing – when they have exhausted every other option. It’s a hollowed brand for me and even if they were willing to carry out their policies, as Danyl says above, I don’t feel they can do it competently, without compromise… or even at all (like their arts policy, which is full of “Yeah… later… nah.”).

    Electoral vote… problematic. I’m not as impressed as many are with Robertson – he’s just a particularly good party apparatchik IMO. Considering the strength of my disdain for the party as a whole (you can tell, can’t you?), it’s a “No.” Probably Shaw as a protest vote.

    Fingers crossing enough to provide diagrammatic illustrations of String Theory for a good Labour Party list in 2014, for Jones to be burned as a witch by crazed Destiny members for something like whistling on a Tuesday and Mallard to suffer some equally painful, ignominious and poetically just fate as well (perhaps he’ll have the wild inspiration to see if an out-of-control combine harvester can survive a head-on collision with a twatcock on a bike?).

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report

  • Isaac Freeman, in reply to Kracklite,

    Since everyone else is doing it:

    We are? Well, then...

    Greens
    Kennedy Graham
    MMP
    STV

    in that order.

    Christchurch • Since Feb 2007 • 134 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Fuck it, I have to decide at some point. Shearer+Green+MMP (2nd STV). What I liked about the Labour policy is Green policy too, and has been for some time. I'm not so much of an environmentalist, but when you stack environmentalism up as a counter to environmental plunder, you end up somewhere sane in between.

    I feel NZF's vulnerability and that them getting in would probably make for a more hobbled National party, but I just can't stomach Peters. I would not cry to see him in parliament, but I will not give him my support. If I am telling Epsom voters not to tactically vote Banks, to be consistent, I have to avoid doing the same thing myself.

    Mana seems like a close policy fit, but I want to wait and see what they actually advocate for a few years first. I fell for that one with ACT, way back when I thought liberalism meant more than the free market, and good on Brash for finally even mentioning the embarrassment of weed prohibition, right at the moment that ACT's entire voter base shows that was never the kind of thing they were about. Mana could be about social justice, or they could be about highly authoritarian ideas.

    ETA: I have split my vote this way 3 times now. 2002, 2005. Only last time did I double tick Labour.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • ScottY, in reply to Kyhwana,

    Sadly, I think it's illegal to do that. You can't try to get people to vote or even tell them NOT to vote! (For anyone!)

    I won't be doing either of those things. All we'll be doing is telling people that if they haven't voted yet we'd be happy to take them down to the polling booth. It's perfectly legal, and Labour does it every election.

    For some people, like the elderly or infirm, it's often the only way they can get out of the house to vote.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Joshua Arbury,

    Greens
    Ardern
    MMP
    STV

    Party vote was probably the toughest choice but dead keen to get Julie Genter at #13 on the Greens' list into parliament.

    Auckland • Since May 2009 • 237 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Isaac Freeman,

    Labour people I speak to seem to see them only as the party that steals “Left” votes that rightfully belong to Labour.

    And to be fair, I knew plenty of folks on the Nat side of the ledger who had the same attitude towards ACT – a raiding party of nasty little Vikings “cannibalising” (to use Tom’s charming phrase) the fertile women and sheep that belong to us.

    To paraphrase Neil Gaiman’s infamous smack down of fans with entitlement issues: The electors of this country are not your bitches. Deal with it.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • David Hood, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I’m voting for SM in the referendum, in the hope of balancing the numbers for each “alternative” out so that none gets enough support to create a bandwagon.

    I would have thought that with John Key's endorsement of SM, and the campaign for change, that SM will be the highest non-MMP option (though I could make a case for FPP or STV). I'm not expecting PV to get much love.

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Kracklite,

    There is simply no way I can vote Labour. It’s the last three years AWOL as opposition and their support for too much illiberal legislation in that time and before.

    Here lies the problem. Your little protest could mean we get National again. And your argument? that they didn't do what you wanted whilst in opposition. Well, let me remind you that National are so fucking arrogant that the opposition is as good as hogtied, neutered, ignored. A vote against Labour is as good as a vote for National and these people are dangerous.
    Give the bastards an inch and they will eat your children.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Isaac Freeman,

    I find it mostly in the pervasive Labour attitude towards the Greens. I see a party with a distinct political tradition, extremely capable leadership and a commitment to decent, honorable politics. Labour people I speak to seem to see them only as the party that steals "Left" votes that rightfully belong to Labour.

    That's such a good analysis, and that arrogance is why I will vote for individual MPs who represent my electorate well but will never again party vote Labour. I have in the past voted Labour, National and Green. This time I'm party vote Green, electorate Labour (Ruth Dyson) and MMP to keep extremists of any hue in check.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Paul Campbell,

    Yup that’s what I chose
    greens
    local Labour guy
    mmp
    stv

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report

  • merc, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    You make a point and I lightened up with a little giggle, thanks for that.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    A vote against Labour is as good as a vote for National

    Nonsense. My way or the highway huh?

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • JLM, in reply to webweaver,

    Craig, you have no idea how inordinately happy I felt when I read this. You rock!

    I did a happy, waving-hands-in-the-air dance too.

    Judy Martin's southern sl… • Since Apr 2007 • 241 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Hebe,

    Nonsense. My way or the highway huh?

    Not at all, if you want your vote to be a protest vote against National not Labour. I would vote for a stinking pile of poo if it would get rid of National, they are Cuthullull's little helpers.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • thegirlstefan, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    yup same for me:

    Greens for party
    Annette King (I live in Rongotai)
    MMP
    STV (2nd choice)

    It'll be interesting to see the data behind the upsurge in early votes, and also if the Green-initiated campaign to engage eligible voters who aren't enrolled works out

    Aotearoa • Since Oct 2011 • 42 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Isaac Freeman,

    +1 Isaac-
    what also bothers me about Labour Party organisation, is the general misogyny and overt racism found in (2) local organisations. Seems we going to have wait until
    the dinosaurs die off before other people can contribute (and I'm in my mid-60s for goodness' sake!)

    So, a Green party vote from me - first time I've ever done that-(other family have done so in the past.)

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to ,

    how do you vote against a political party? I would like to vote against National if I may.

    Vote Labour, vote early and vote often...
    Vote Labour Vote Labour Vote Labour Vote Labour Vote Labour Vote Labour Vote Labour Vote Labour and/or Greens.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Brent Jackson, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    A vote against Labour is as good as a vote for National ...

    You're either for us, or against us ...

    That's not the way MMP works.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 620 posts Report

  • Kracklite, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Your little protest could mean we get National again. And your argument? that they didn’t do what you wanted whilst in opposition.

    Correct. If a party does not represent me, then they do not earn, let alone own my vote.

    A vote against Labour is as good as a vote for National and these people are dangerous.

    Does “You’re either with us or against us” ring any bells? That not-so-latent authoritarianism and sense of entitlement can exist anywhere, painted red or blue.

    I would vote for a stinking pile of poo

    Be careful what you wish for.

    In any case, your attempt at blackmail makes sense only if Labour is the only opposition party under a FPP system, which is not the case.

    Brent: Snap.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report

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