Posts by martinb

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  • Hard News: Democracy Night,

    As someone who's grandfather suffered terrible asthma brought on by damp housing, and who has lived in dry well heated housing through much colder winters overseas-

    I think heck yes good housing is important and can save significantly on healthcare costs.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night,

    I've often thought Labour should have released a receipt:

    Thank you for your support of your country.

    For every $10 of taxes you got....

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night,

    Awaiting Jacinda's "Rivers of Buses" speech...

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Agree. I think despite the media saying there was a rout, that the left should be buoyed by actually being granted some air time and space to articulate their thoughts. And show their good qualities and those their opponents lack.

    Despite this being the highest party vote under MMP, the left/right blocks (shall we measure them by pro/anti asset sale stance this time around) are not far apart at all.

    I remember though the Nats smirking at Goff in parliament over some failure to understand accounting terms over costs or profit or some such thing, and thinking he better be on top of this come election day. Whoever had the job of briefing him and planning that strategy failed big time. When you are up against a guy who made his name in the finance industry you need to be crystal clear and show your competency with the numbers, to minimise that advantage.

    It may perhaps have made a difference, or merely have been balanced out by National's arrogance with the tea tapes and the cops.

    That being said I thought Goff was fantastic in that last TV3 debate and would rather have him as PM than Key 8 days in the week. Perhaps the thought that he could hand it all back soon if it didn't work made him more relaxed!

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night,

    From Russell’s reply: sorry to be lazy and not so googling .

    So do the unions have special rights within the internal party structure, voting for lists and so on, or is it that their members tend to be the ones who put their money where their mouth is and join the party?

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to HenryB,

    I shudder at the thought that Darien Fenton can make it to 18 on the Labour list

    Lot of Darien Fenton dislike here!

    Apart from one comment pulled off her facebook and beaten up into an election issue why? Her comments on TV and Red Alert are always thoughtful and I understand her to be hard working, and from people who know her better than me, a nice woman.

    Not having a high list place in a tight electorate takes away the "vote one and get two" line that can be used. Perhaps Sepuloni and Lees-Galloway backed themselves?

    Agreed though, fingers crossed on Carmel.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to Sacha,

    Or they live on Waiheke, which will never ever be connected by rail to the city. It’s one of the only electorates that doesn’t really have much to gain.

    As someone who used to get a bus from Britomart to the top of town in the morning anyone who was able to commute in on the ferry and then quick train to Ponsonby or K Rd would be advantaged. They can't all work on Waiheke.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night,

    Yeh Josh, but where does Kaye stand on returning cricket to Eden Park number 2 and test cricket in general to Auckland?

    I think these should be equally important issues to village greens supporters

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night, in reply to Joshua Arbury,

    woulda been nice!

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

  • Hard News: Democracy Night,

    I thought we were in favour of organised labour over disorganised Labour?

    Any way: this is why I like unions

    this is why I dislike weakening unions

    Are we really up for a race to the bottom? And if we were as the TVNZ article suggests what on earth would it really achieve??

    Apart from one silly comment I’ve always found Darien Fenton to be a good shadow minister for labour. Why the dislike of her? Is it more than one ill judged comment on facebook during Whaleoil scrutiny?

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report

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