Posts by Gareth Ward
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It's interesting that other people seem to be spotting Helen Clark in fine fettle. They live by their research, those people, and I wonder if she's seen something that makes her think it's all on again.
I wonder if it's just that National have now laid the cards on the table and she's realised they're pretty similar to the hand she beat in 2005? (That analogy seems strained but meh...) It's got to be somewhat motivating to realise you've done it 3 times before.
And Craig I'd also like to see a robust discussion about $200million for allowances vs $200million for universities. Only because I'm quite unsure of the arguments either way...
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Quick note on the Key ad: a poll of my flat showed that the general first thought was "but if he's in the passenger seat, who's driving?". Subtext Fail.
And was it just me or is he not wearing a seatbelt? Wife thought he might be but I couldn't see one.
SURELY he is - no seatbelt in a party political broadcast is madness! -
The policy would cost $210 million a year once it is fully implemented.
The threshold for receiving an allowance will rise from $45,743 now to $50,318 on January 1 2009.
It will then rise to $70,000 in 2010, $100,000 in 2011 and be abolished in 2012.
I guess $210m a year come 2012 isn't an outrageous amount of money but it does seem an odd time to announce it.
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And in possible "buy the vote, damn the deficit" news, Labour pledges universal student allowances according to the Herald's harbinger of new-to-come ticker-tape.
Will be interesting to see details and affordability...
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Apologies if it was posted elsewhere, but Salon's take on Mrs Palin's own "palling around with terrorists" was certainly interesting:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/10/palin_chryson/Rather hyperbolic headline, sure, and should partly be put down to the bragging of the secessionists but interesting that they aren't quite as removed from her as she'd have you think...
Normally, I wouldn't give a rats, but is interesting in light of the tenuous Ayers connection she keeps trying to make.
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Meanwhile your (and others) preciousness is obscuring rather than aiding the discussion.
As is your overly emotive, negatively-loaded comments like "John Key's rich mates"...
NZInstitute and the NZX have just put out this interesting document. I see a few flaws in a number of the proposals (and particularly on how/when you ween the economy from the measures), but it's focus on making any response to the global financial (and increasingly economic) "crisis" set us up for future growth is an interesting one:
http://www.nzinstitute.org/Images/uploads/Swan_Dive_or_Belly_Flop_-_A_Strategy_Draft_for_the_Economic_Crisis.pdf -
Yamis - you put in 4%, the employer will only have to put in 2%. That's the most they will be required to (and lets be honest, most employers are going to stop right there).
And there already is a 2+2% scheme in place (2% from you, 2% from your employer)! It's currently due to be removed in March 2010 but for National to claim that their move is making it affordable is absurd. If they'd extended and promoted that existing option until 2012 or so then they'd have had the same affect.
But oh no, they have to water it down even more permanently.So so angry over that and the R&D tax credit. Was optimistic for a "new National" that understood modern economies and the need for long-term support over short-term opportunism. Guess not huh!
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Do I get a prize?
Four more years of WPs confusingly righteous indignation?
And a toaster oven. -
Bloody hell. Of all the "bloated govt spending" in all the country, National decides to waterdown/remove two of the better Labour economic policies of the last decade.
Note to anyone - we REALLY REALLY need a strong local capital market created by savings and we REALLY REALLY need to incentivise R&D for innovation. Finally some steps in that direction until they are the first things cut back.
Right, that's torn it, what's Winnie's policy platform then?
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BTW, folks, am I the only person who thinks both National and Labour need to borrow David Cameron's spine
While I don't believe he's gone as far as Mr Cameron, Mr Key has at least acknowledged the change in economic cricumstances and is claiming they've dialled back the tax cut package (although apparently the guidelines for the average earner are still similar??).
Some will argue it's semantic expectation setting but it's good to see he's at least got it top of mind. Interesting to see the full revenue impacts of their tax package and costing of promises - does anyone know if tomorrow's tax announcement will actually go as far as a full budget deficit forecast based on plans? Probably not I guess...