Posts by Rob Stowell
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I think Groser sees the equations quite differently. And trade has little to do with it.
In terms of what we give up: I get the impression Groser and many in National don’t see any real problem with adopting US positions on IP. Surely these as reasonable claims and won’t do much harm. After all the US wants them, and adopts them itself, and many big companies like them – quite probably some of the biggest NZ companies.
Ditto with ISD resolution. Within a corporate capitalist mind-set, that’s more plus than minus. So they don’t see us as giving away much there. Maybe a few millions more to pharmac.
Moreover I reckon Groser is proud as punch to be a ‘player’ in the US geo-strategic ‘pivot to asia.’ Groser and Key may feel this has value that has little or nothing to do with trade benefits. It’s undoubtedly seen as important to the US and Obama.
And this (they may also calculate) surely does provide leverage.
They know TPPA IP and ISD provisions are not popular here though. So they need some movement on dairy and agriculture; something to crow about.
And they are counting on some leverage from threatening to scuttle the whole thing. NZ walking away would have a chilling effect on the negotiations. If the US truly sees this as a vital strategic move, they have the ability to twist arms like noone else, surely – and what’s a few million tonnes of milk powder between friends?
Which probably underestimates both the schlerotic and endlessly twisting nature of US power and politics, and the strength of the entrenched interests in Japanese, Canadian and US agriculture.
So far it doesn’t look like they have a strong hand, and it does look likely they will cave. But I reckon it’s a stronger hand than you make out – because, as has been said ad nauseum: it’s a mistake to see this as a free trade agreement. -
Yeah. When we fail to even acknowledge people being hurt by the choices we are making in economic policy yet endlessly worry about the economy being "hurt" there is definitely something askew.
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You can 'give a little' toward a legal challenge to the secrecy around the TPPA here :)
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Good turnout for the march in Chch yesterday (I'd pick closer to 2000 than the reported 1000). I feel as if the battle for public opinion is close to won. Polls indicate the TPPA gets an overwhelmingly negative response.
What's puzzling me is Labour. Opposing this seems a no-brainer. Yet it's like they hate to be popular. More comfortable with wishy-washy fence-sitting.
Does Little know something we all don't? Being sat on by the US? Or do they genuinely support the neoliberal corporatist agenda, either in the hope we'll be thrown some crumbs of dairy access or because at heart that's what they believe is best for NZ? -
Polity: Saudi sheep: Misappropriating…, in reply to BenWilson,
Key sounded like a broken record player trying it on over, and over, and over.
I'm not sure - I fear to a lot of people he sounded like someone patient but wearied at the tedious journalist who wouldn't let him explain things fully and frankly :(
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The PM is extraordinarily good at sticking to his talking points, and evading and misdirecting without quite lying. We know that: there are journalists who try to call him on it now, which is great. But the opposition largely remain captive to the narrative the govt choses.
And on the framing side: it seems we’ve largely swallowed without gagging the ACT party framing of government expenditure as ‘taxpayers’ money.’ It’s hard to fight tactical battles when you’ve already ceded your home ground. -
Will they dare call it Campbell Drive?
(not my line, thnx Pen :)) -
I'm 100% on board with the importance of words. The right (or wrong) metaphor can transform a whole debate.
The progressive left lost its mojo in the 80s - not just in NZ, worldwide. The terms of debate shifted completely and the framing was all neoliberal, all the time. Obvious and growing inequality and the GFC have tilted things back, but there's a long long way to go.
Gutted to miss this conference in Auckland - unless a small miracle occurs :) I hope we all get to hear about - and work on - any good ideas and initiatives. -
Speaker: The CERA transition that no one…, in reply to Lilith __,
Thanks Stephen - well said. My submission was long the same lines, but much less lovely and less temperate :)
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Not the city, and not the most dramatic, but here's a harbour one -