Island Life by David Slack

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Island Life: Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a Brasher future.

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  • Craig Ranapia,

    It may be a bit old or boring but I imagine Winston will return to rule his roost, because "Joe the plumber" is the "Kiwi Battler"

    'Joe The Plumber' doesn't exist, and perhaps I'm a big ol' Pollyanna in drag but I also think the 'Kiwi Battler from Struggle Street' actually gets these are serious times for serious people. And Winston's cocktail of immigrant-trashing and privatising Kiwibank, but only letting real Kiwis buy shares, proves he's none of the above.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I can't get no respect from a Nat.

    I respect you heaps, David. I'll even call you in the morning. True.

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

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Idiot Savant,

    Seriously, what are the odds that ACT stays in Parliament?

    Short term, pretty good. Longer term? Not so sure. They're a declining nut-cult, dedicated to a bankrupt ideology, with a shrinking number of adherants. While the thought of Roger Douglas in Parliament thrils them, its not going to win them any more supporters in the long term. Which means that if Rodney ever fails to win Epsom, or decides to pack in parliament for a more enjoyable dance career,they'll be out, and left wailing on the fringes like the social crediters.

    I've been thinking for some time that ACT and NZF are likely toast, in which case a left coalition is a distinct possibility still.

    That's when there will be real anti-MMP tantrums from the Nats.

    Yeah - the horror of government actualy having to have a majority. How unfair!

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    By the way, if anyone really wants to look at some crazy white man action ("racist" is a little strong), watch Chris Trotter giving that uppity Maaari Party a good slap-down.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Joe strikes me as more of an ACT guy. He doesn't seem to like taxes very much.

    That "Joe" has a bach as well as the boat and I listen to those Joes complain that it's Labour's fault, and National (or Act) will save them,(as they order one more pint of beer while planning their next holiday) but there is some Joes that don't mind the taxes, we are many :)

    'Joe The Plumber' doesn't exist,

    ..Rubbish.I know because I have one(of the some Joes :) I'm going back to "Bob the Builder"

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Pollution
    It's all around
    Sometimes up, sometimes down
    Pollution
    Are you coming to my town?

    another reminder

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Josh Addison,

    Pollution
    It's all around
    Sometimes up, sometimes down
    Pollution
    Are you coming to my town?

    We're on different buses, pollution.
    But we're both using petrol...

    BOMBS!

    Onehunga, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    For"); /*>*/ Josh]] :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Sorry, WRONG! Link

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Ian MacKay,

    Sofie: Is that the really really same Rik?
    I wonder should the NZF return, they need not be anywhere but on the cross benches which would at least block the possibility of National forming a Govt. If they are not for National, they must be against them but not necessarily for Labour but not against them. I know what I mean!

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    . I know what I mean!

    And Winston knows what he means. It's those of us who have some grip, however tenuous, on objective reality who have problems.

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

  • Paul Williams,

    ACT will hold Epsom, and have at least three MPs (which means Roger).

    I foresee two scenarios.

    1. Labour manages to hold on, Roger cuts a lonely figure on the opposition backbench, a perverse reincarnation of Rob Muldoon c. 1985.

    2. National win, Roger cuts a lonely figure on the government backbench, a perverse reincarnation of himself c. 1988.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I actually have a strategy I would commend to Labour if, following the election, the Maori Party are set on supporting a National government.

    Let them win confidence (even by abstaining if they haven't got the votes). Then produce and promote an alternative budget that will be much more attractive to Maori than National's watered down neo-liberalism. If they could attract just some of the Maori Party MPs to break ranks and vote against the budget, then the Key government's got an immediate crisis around not having supply.

    Given Key's lack of experience in negotiating in an MMP parliament, this could lead to imminent collapse and an early election - with Labour brought back to sort things out.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Let them win confidence (even by abstaining if they haven't got the votes). Then produce and promote an alternative budget that will be much more attractive to Maori than National's watered down neo-liberalism. If they could attract just some of the Maori Party MPs to break ranks and vote against the budget, then the Key government's got an immediate crisis around not having supply.

    And then let Labour learn what it's like being called haters and wreckers for a change; the kind of people who are more interested in power than the country's good at a time of economic crisis.

    Yes please.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Sofie: Is that the really really same Rik?

    Hah! I just know we have lentils for dinner again :) (that is the real Rick Mayall though)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • David Slack,

    I actually have a strategy I would commend to Labour if, following the election, the Maori Party are set on supporting a National government.

    Tariana Turia was on the 3.00 RNZ News saying the Maori Party is drafting a bill to entrench the Maori seats. Support for the bill (or enactment? not sure) would be a bottom line condition for their support of any party.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    And then let Labour learn what it's like being called haters and wreckers for a change; the kind of people who are more interested in power than the country's good at a time of economic crisis.

    Yes please.

    Craig's a starter for 10, lets do it!

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Angus Robertson,

    Short term, pretty good. Longer term? Not so sure. [Act] are a declining nut-cult, dedicated to a bankrupt ideology, with a shrinking number of adherants.

    Maybe enviromentalists could stage a leveraged takeover of Act when the last green holdout against the glorious socialist revolution has been turfed from the Greens.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    Tariana Turia was on the 3.00 RNZ News saying the Maori Party is drafting a bill to entrench the Maori seats. Support for the bill (or enactment? not sure) would be a bottom line condition for their support of any party.

    That's pretty significant electoral change (which I'm not necessarily against) that could plausibly be supported by less than 5% of the voter population yet it would be forced through to meet parliamentary majority?
    I guess the only way out of that is Labour and National both having spine and saying "nope, sorry". Breath, I no hold.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    I guess the only way out of that is Labour and National both having spine and saying "nope, sorry". Breath, I no hold

    I should add, I don't mind if either of them do support that, but please for the love of Jeebus don't do it just to make Govt.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Idiot Savant,

    Given Key's lack of experience in negotiating in an MMP parliament, this could lead to imminent collapse and an early election - with Labour brought back to sort things out.

    It wouldn't lead to an election; under current convention, the G-G will not dissolve parliament mid-term if there is a clear alternative government which holds the confidence of the House.

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    That's pretty significant electoral change

    It would really depend what entrenchment means. If they mean can only be repealed by a vote of 3/4 of the house (for example), do they have to have a 3/4 vote to get it?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Kyle: that's the whole "can Parliament bind itself" question. And the conventional answer is no, it can't. All Acts are equal.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Yeah. In which case, what are the Maori Party talking about?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

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