Jacinda Ardern

[rdytdy 5,341]

Our ‘well-being’ depends on the fiscal components of the Budget

by GP

 

The definition of well-being is the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. The definition of a budget is an estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time. Looking at both definitions one could deduce that the successful outcome of well-being depends very much on the fiscal components in the Budget.

This is precisely where the Left get themselves into trouble. On two fronts.
First, they prioritise well-being ahead of fiscal responsibility. 
Second, as is the habit with the Left, they dictate what they think is good for one’s well-being rather than listening to what the people say they need for their well-being.

Take a look at the Budget. No one can argue with the money given to mental health. Also funding for schools and hospitals is necessary. In reality, that is where the well-being part of the Budget started and finished. Apart from the $300 million fund to allow businesses to grow there is virtually nothing to incentivise business and therefore an increase in productivity which in turn adds to people’s well-being.

Encouraging people to stay on welfare is totally counterproductive. Putting $1 billion into Kiwirail is akin to funding a lost cause. It simply will not get a large number of trucks off the road. They will still be required to get goods to the rail and to the destination at the other end.

I doubt $150 per child will be sufficient to prevent schools from asking for voluntary funding. $81 million for Whanau Ora is questionable in that no matter how much money is thrown at Maori we never seem to see a significant turnaround in Maori statistics. This simply proves that a lot of well-being, in fact, comes from self-reliance.

As for being a brand new transformational concept that the world should sit up and take notice of it was a giant failure. Practically a joke. What was in it anyone could have thought up in five minutes. Given another five minutes we could have improved upon it immensely. There is precious little of that which ie really required to improve a person’s well-being. Where were the business incentives to work hard to increase productivity? Nowhere to be seen.

A Budget totally lacking in vision from a government that is incapable of having one.

[flockofewes2 216]

On ‎6‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 11:53 AM, rdytdy said:

Our ‘well-being’ depends on the fiscal components of the Budget

by GP

 

The definition of well-being is the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. The definition of a budget is an estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time. Looking at both definitions one could deduce that the successful outcome of well-being depends very much on the fiscal components in the Budget.

This is precisely where the Left get themselves into trouble. On two fronts.
First, they prioritise well-being ahead of fiscal responsibility. 
Second, as is the habit with the Left, they dictate what they think is good for one’s well-being rather than listening to what the people say they need for their well-being.

Take a look at the Budget. No one can argue with the money given to mental health. Also funding for schools and hospitals is necessary. In reality, that is where the well-being part of the Budget started and finished. Apart from the $300 million fund to allow businesses to grow there is virtually nothing to incentivise business and therefore an increase in productivity which in turn adds to people’s well-being.

Encouraging people to stay on welfare is totally counterproductive. Putting $1 billion into Kiwirail is akin to funding a lost cause. It simply will not get a large number of trucks off the road. They will still be required to get goods to the rail and to the destination at the other end.

I doubt $150 per child will be sufficient to prevent schools from asking for voluntary funding. $81 million for Whanau Ora is questionable in that no matter how much money is thrown at Maori we never seem to see a significant turnaround in Maori statistics. This simply proves that a lot of well-being, in fact, comes from self-reliance.

As for being a brand new transformational concept that the world should sit up and take notice of it was a giant failure. Practically a joke. What was in it anyone could have thought up in five minutes. Given another five minutes we could have improved upon it immensely. There is precious little of that which ie really required to improve a person’s well-being. Where were the business incentives to work hard to increase productivity? Nowhere to be seen.

A Budget totally lacking in vision from a government that is incapable of having one.

what exactly is 'fiscal responsibility' in your world?

 

Prior administration had one policy...borrow billions for future generations to pay off.

[rdytdy 5,341]

[rdytdy 5,341]

[rdytdy 5,341]

Reflections on the Budget: An attempt to buy happiness

by GP

 

Photoshopped image credit: Technomage

By Owen Jennings

The so-called “well being” budget, highly promoted and anticipated, has not gone down well. Those who were promised a lot were left unsatisfied.  Those who expected little were not surprised.  

Only someone steeped in PR and weak on substance could try and sell this budget as “transformational”.  The only thing that may have qualified as new is some additional measuring of social factors.  But the Coalition has already demonstrated their ability to discard targets and goal setting when it embarrasses them.

It is simply a typical tax and spend budget.  Nothing new.  Nothing even remotely likely to transform.  Even Labour sympathisers like Bryce Edwards insulted the offering.

The focus is heavily on spending.  Governments and ‘more spending’ go together like eggs and bacon.  There is an overwhelming desire to ‘do things’ for people.  The feel good factor is seductive and insatiable.  The people have a never-ending list of demands, the coffers are full and the prime minister is determined we will all experience improved well-being and happiness.

You could be forgiven for thinking that spending more money by the state is the pathway to greater real wealth and happiness for all.  Sadly, many believe it to be so.  ‘More’ is confused with ‘better’.  Too many Kiwis think that more money on health means better health outcomes.  More money spent on education means better education for kids.  Quality arguments are shouted down by quantity demands.  The state sees problems as requiring more money rather than better management. Sadly, only one political party in the house disagrees.

The state is generally inefficient in the services it delivers.  It hogs scarce resources at the expense of the private sector so overall performance suffers.

It would be easy to simply write the budget off as a PR stunt.  Call it smoke and mirrors.  Flimflam.  All sauce and no steak. 

However, there are a number of aspects to the direction taken by the Coalition in this budget that are of deep concern and should be deemed alarming

• There was little focus on those who innovate, take risks, invest in growth and those who work hard and pay over 40% of their earnings in total taxes.  They will have to pay more tax now and even more later as new taxes are conjured up and applied.  They don’t need nor ask for handouts – they need lower taxes, the removal of crippling compliance costs, open and competitive markets, low inflation, low interest rates, efficient infrastructure etc.  They don’t need some benevolent uncle with a sack of money buying electoral support or even winner picking with R and D assistance.

If you ignore the wealth creators as the Coalition is doing you are heading for disaster.

• The one major factor that would increase the wealth of the country and its people was ignored in the budget.  It is very possible the minister of finance does not understand it, let alone want to focus on it.

It is labour productivity.

Labour productivity is defined simply as output per unit of labour input.  Improving labour productivity contributes to a nation’s long-term, material standard of living.  It tells us how efficient we are, how well we are using resources.  It is the ultimate cornerstone of nation wealth building. 

The Coalition with some help from ‘new thinking’ in Treasury are shying away from measuring labour productivity, and replacing it with measures of wellbeing.  Wellbeing measures are more esoteric, more ephemeral and elastic.  Labour productivity, as a measure, is more exacting and demanding – it shows up years of poor economic management – so politicians do not like it.

Correcting poor labour productivity takes political guts and sometimes unpalatable measures. It requires ‘Roger Douglas’ like clear thinking and courage. Right now the country is stranded and going nowhere with its most vital of indices. No growth in labour productivity – it’s even started to decline as shown below.

Michael Reddell?

Other countries have a better understanding of the value of growing labour productivity. New Zealand’s growth has been dismal compared to many other countries.  No wonder we still “feel poor” when our political masters keep crowing about GDP growth.

GDP per hour worked
USD, constant prices, 2010 PPPs
1970	1990	2017
New Zealand	21.4	28.6	37.2
Netherlands	27.4	47.5	62.3
Belgium	25.0	46.7	64.6
France	21.7	43.3	59.5
Denmark	25.1	44.8	64.1
Germany	22.3	40.7	60.4
United States	31.1	42.1	63.3
Median of six	25.1	44.1	62.8
NZ as per cent of median	85.4	64.9	59.2
Source: OECD

The OECD estimated that New Zealand had the fourth lowest labour productivity growth of OECD countries between 1995 and 2014.

So, what to do to rectify this deteriorating situation?

Strangely, Prime Minister Ardern was told by a speech writer what to do, in part, to promote an improvement in labour productivity.  Whoever contributed this part of her speech to the throne was trying to get some valuable advice across. 

“A shift is required to create a more productive economy. This does not mean increasing productivity through more people working more hours to increase outputs, while eroding our natural and social assets. This means working smarter, with new technologies, reducing the export of raw commodities and adding more value in New Zealand”.

It is clear that they failed to convince her as she did almost nothing in the budget to achieve such a desirable outcome.  It is likely the PM does not understand the nature of the problem, its severity or how to deal with it.  Given her socialist proclivities, even if she did know what to do she would find the medicine unpalatable.

Among the more obvious policy areas needing urgent attention are corporate tax rates which are now out of line with our trading partners. NZ First have a reduction in their policy mix but they had other priorities in the budget.  Compliance costs, especially around building and construction, are savaging the business sector.  National failed to adequately address them and there is no stomach for reform in the Coalition. It’s set to get much worse with more unnecessary environmental regulation and damaging, increased energy costs.

Trying to boost rail while studiously avoiding road construction is simply head- in- the- sand, climate warrior pandering.  It weakens our ability to provide the income and wealth to handle genuine environmental problems.  The halting of the East/West Link in Auckland, and cancelling the Tauranga/Katikati upgrade and other urgent road work, means we are stifling our businesses, slowing growth in meaningful jobs and derailing improving labour productivity.  Deflecting taxes into cycle-ways used by 0.0001% of the community simply makes us poorer.

While explicit macro policy issues are absolutely critical, labour productivity improvements are achieved also in subtle areas.  Confidence and certainty are huge factors in business, the private sector, where the real useful gains can be made.  Captain’s calls are patently stupid.  Announcing out of the blue that gas and oil exploration is halted sends shivers through boardrooms, has investors holding back and CEOs reluctant to take any sort of risk.  Opportunities are lost.

Dishing out large dollops of hard earned tax money in the regions is actually a hindrance to systematic business development.  Finding your competitor has received some “free” money unsettles and confuses.  Subsidising R and D can have a similar effect.  It’s Band-Aids. Investment risks get postponed.  More uncertainty.  Added value opportunities disappear.

Clearly, the big drivers in labour productivity are the quality of the human capital and the uptake of new technology.  Our workforce is generally poorly educated and inadequately trained.  Our education system is stuck in mediocrity.  Teachers are undervalued because they refuse to allow performance pay.  Policy making educators insist on methods and subjects that contribute little to grasping the basics that equip a labour force.  Schools are turning out entitled, little cupcakes better instructed in diversity than duty and diligence.  Universities are run by doctrinaire socialists busy destroying free speech, excellence and open-mindedness.  A “bums-on-seats” payment approach produces useless courses and inadequately educated students.

The apprentice systems and vocational training efforts of recent years have been in tatters.  We have not yet developed a training and re-training culture that has companies focused on staff improvement.

Some of our biggest businesses that we rely on for exports, added value and job growth are controlled by their producers who, justifiably, focus on their own immediate well-being. Dairy, meat and forestry are examples of sectors where the boardrooms are in the hands of individuals looking strategically in the wrong direction.  Underperformance continues, allowing the Chinese and others from offshore to snap up bargains in the processing sector.  The added value opportunities and labour productivity gains follow the commodities offshore.

A budget that has the real wellbeing of its people at its core would have a totally different focus.  Dragging down and handicapping the achievers to help the less fortunate only makes everyone worse off.  It’s a rising tide that lifts all ships.  It is gains in labour productivity that makes a nation and its people wealthy.  Nobody in Wellington is listening.

[jack 431]

[rdytdy 5,341]

A slam dunk & still Ardern equivocates

by SB 

 

Credit: SonovaMin

The evidence is absolutely damning and a slam dunk, and still Ardern equivocates about it all. If she is this much of an equivocator over a case that is so open and shut it is scary to think what she would be like dealing with a really serious crisis.

The situation is clear cut yet it appears to be quite a conundrum for the prime minister, as Treasury Secretary Gabriel Makhlouf is after all one of the main architects of the Labour party’s “wellbeing” budget. Throwing him under a bus will feel like a betrayal of sorts, but why he was back at work yesterday as if everything was fine is beyond me.

The advice was found wanting, but the prime minister is reserving her judgment over what to do with Treasury Secretary Gabriel Makhlouf until the State Services Commission has finished an investigation into the handling of last week’s Budget “leak”.

Speaking with Stuff on Tuesday, Jacinda Ardern would not be drawn on whether Makhlouf’s head was on the chopping block, after it appeared he misinformed both her office and Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s office that Treasury had been the subject of a hack, when it hadn’t.

“I don’t want to make any rash judgments or statements, while the State Services Commission are still looking into what happened over the course of those few days,” Ardern said.

You have to ask what exactly it will take for Ardern to take action. Does she really think she can treat the situation the same way that she treated the sexual assault and underage drinking scandal at the Young Labour camp? Does she think if she stalls long enough it will all go away and the media will lose interest?

[…] Hughes later confirmed he was considering claims by National that Treasury and the Government were “sitting on a lie” for 36 hours before coming clean, but he did not go so far as to confirm it was the subject of an investigation.
The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) has since responded to media questions to confirm it advised Treasury from the outset that it was not dealing with a hack.

The GCSB’s advice came before Treasury referred a potential hack to police, advised the minister’s office there had been a hack, and released a public statement saying the information had been received – directly or indirectly – as the result of a hack.

[…] It’s understood spy agencies were unaware the public statement on Tuesday evening would contain the word “hack” – Treasury having not consulted the GCSB before delivering its comment to media – which sent the intelligence community into a spin at thought a critical Government department may have been the subject of an offshore hack.

National took the step on Sunday of writing to Hughes to formally request the terms of his investigation be extended to include both Labour and Treasury’s communications in the aftermath of the incident […]

[rdytdy 5,341]

World leaders gather for D-Day - but where was Ardern?

 

 

 

A service of commemoration was held in southern England to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, with a  notable absence.

Queen Elizabeth II, U.S. President Donald Trump, other leaders of the wartime Allies such as Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau — as well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel — joined some 300 World War II veterans at the seaside ceremony in Portsmouth Wednesday.

The service was held to mark 75 years since troops began to embark from Portsmouth on June 5, 1944, landing in Normandy the next morning.

The ceremony kicked off with the recollections of those who took part in the landings, broadcast from a giant screen, setting the tone for a ceremony meant to focus on veterans' sacrifices.

New Zealand’s Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy attended on behalf of the New Zealand Government, with no appearance from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern or Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Andrew Dickens asked why neither of them had gone to the event, when other world leaders – including Australia’s Scott Morrison – had attended.

Dickens noted that, as far as he could see, Ardern had not attended a D-Day events in New Zealand, which left him "surprised and horrified". 

"I want to find out what she thinks is so important on the 75th anniversary of D-Day that she should be in Marlborough talking about her budget and not at the National War Memorial. It seems like the call is getting worse." 

Callers in response agreed with his calls, with one saying that it was "appalling" that she was not there." 

 

[rdytdy 5,341]

Australian view on our budget cover:

Embarrassing cover shots we’d like to see

by GP

 

 

The botched Wellbeing Budget is infamous for many things, the most apparent being its lack of wellbeing for New Zealanders.

Considering it was titled the well-being budget, it seems ironically bereft of things likely to make us feel better, booting off with yet another fuel tax kick-in-the-guts.

Besides the fact it was leaked, (more holey than the Pope’s cheese grater) and was the laughing stock of parliament before it was even delivered – the most entertaining blunder was the use of a stock photograph on the cover. It turned out to be a mother and daughter who’d packed up and run away from New Zealand for a better future in Australia. Clearly, they could see more wellbeing across the Tasman.

The government couldn’t have found a less appropriate picture if they’d tried.

It’s given researchers at RR  Headquarters the inspiration to advise government on other potential budget document cover scenes.

The Leaky Budget

The Titanic was the grandest ship of its time and set sail amid splendid pomp and ceremony. With its individual watertight compartments, it was unsinkable until the unthinkable. Like budget 2019, many other captains knew of the icebergs in the area and that they could easily cause a leak, except for the captain of the most important ship of all.

Sunlive

The Family First Budget

We won’t get into the whole ‘who dunnit’ debate but we are pretty sure nobody has ever defended the jersey.

Once this jersey appears on the front cover of the Family First Budget, it should disappear from our society forever,  like leg warmers and stubbies.

Sunlive

Education Budget

A horde of angry teachers marching down the street does make for a striking photo. Featuring them on the front of our budget will ensure that Australia has to pay their salaries in the future.

Our own children can do their lessons by live streaming those very same teachers directly from Aussie classrooms into large, covered stadiums that would otherwise only be used to play rugby.

Sunlive

The Water Quality Policy

The Huka Falls is one of the most photographed geographical features in New Zealand.

It is also the scene of one of the more unusual misadventures, when cricket umpire Peter Plumley-Walker was unceremoniously disposed of after a session with a dominatrix went awry.

Now, we have dug a little deeper into this and have discovered that this river actually starts off squeaky clean, just above these falls.

Along its length, it is subject to numerous local and central government rules and regulations however it never really retains its original innocence.

Eventually, it leaves New Zealand and its murky trail can be seen heading into the Tasman Sea, in the general direction of Australia.

Sunlive

Sanitation Special, Travel Perks Package

You really need to be a sports’ star to enjoy domestic travel in New Zealand.

For those in regional parts of the country, the airport restrooms are probably all we can afford. Actually getting on one of those planes is beyond the wildest dreams of most.

Sunlive

Transport and Shipping Package

Let’s face it, the budget was not the most exciting news for the average person. It left a bit of a sinking feeling.

So, next time, let’s feature the Rena captain on the front cover, and send that ship safely on its way across the Tasman.

 

 

 

 

  

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Ardern should hang her head in shame

by GP

 

By John

Jacinda Ardern’s failure to attend D Day memorial services here or overseas speaks volumes about who we have leading the country. D Day is one of the most momentous days in history. In fact it changed the course of history. By completely ignoring it, she should hang her head in shame. Her flippant comment – “I can’t be everywhere at once” – is a disgrace to her and the office she holds. It is becoming very apparent that Jacinda only attends functions where she is the centre of attention, where the cameras are all trained on her. That of course, would not have been the case in Portsmouth or Normandy.

But wait a minute, she has been to France recently. Ah yes, but that was all about her.  A trip that will achieve little if anything, but there were photo ops galore. However, when it comes to representing our country to honour thousands of our very own countrymen who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, that’s not important. She just swats her non-attendance away by saying she can’t be everywhere at once.

YOAN VALAT/POOL PHOTO
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron discuss ways to prevent social media from spreading ideas.

Her ignorance of the importance of the day was exemplified by the Auckland War Memorial Museum only flying our flag. No Union Jack or Stars and Stripes. On enquiring of the Museum why this was so, I was told that the instructions of what flags to fly come from the government.  You begin to wonder if she even knew it was the 75th Anniversary of the landings. Naturally, there was a fair amount of public disquiet over this so, as has become the norm, we awaited the next public appearance of baby Neve. Sure enough, there she was launching the latest naval craft at Devonport. Not quite as far to go as England or France!

We sorely need a leader who acts like one and who knows how to prioritise things so that the most important get attended to. What we have is one self-centred individual with a juvenile attitude of ‘it’s all about me’.

 

[rdytdy 5,341]

Mike Hosking: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's snub of D-Day events is insulting

I avoided weighing into the D-Day commemorations saga because I was, in a way, hoping there might have been a pretty solid explanation as to why our Prime Minister didn't represent this country on the 75th anniversary of one of the most important days in history.

I had assumed, perhaps naively, there might be something fairly obvious, or reasonable, that we could accept as being a proper explanation. I also wanted to avoid a bit of a pile on - poor old Jacinda Ardern is under a lot of pressure these days for a lot of things that look increasingly ragged.

But when the explanation came it sadly, yet again, gave you the sense she is either fantastically out of touch, or really isn't all that invested in the job (or perhaps doesn't quite get the weight of the position).

"I can't be every where at once." That was it, and that is Ardern in a nutshell.

Stating the bleeding obvious, no she can't be everywhere at once, none of us can. But the places we are at, at any given time, is decided generally on a basis of importance: we prioritise.

Every parent has been through it a million times. We can't be everywhere our kids want us, our employers want us, our partners want us. This if life, so we work out what matters.

I would argue D-Day matters. And it matters more than what she decided mattered more, a meeting in Marlborough spruiking her Wellbeing Budget. In fact she might be the last one standing arguing that a meeting spruiking a Budget beats the commemoration of a significant day in history.

Which is why I raise this now - we need to have something better from her.

"I can't be everywhere" is a fob off.

Why was she allowed to fob it off so badly? Why is a one-liner, a glib top of the mind one-liner, allowed to pass from a Prime Minister as even remotely acceptable?

Why doesn't the media ask a few follow up questions? And more importantly in asking those follow up questions, aren't you fascinated to know just how something as significant as D-Day got dropped down a list of things to do, or places to be?

Not in Portsmouth, not in Wellington, why? The event has been in the calendar for 75 years, so short notice isn't a reason. Did someone in her office not think D-Day mattered?

Is she surrounded by millennials that have never heard of D-Day? Was there not a single person in her life that at some point alerted her to D-Day, its significance or wondered out loud, perhaps even in an alarming fashion, that maybe D-Day beats Marlborough?

Why, dare I ask, didn't she all by herself instinctively know that what she did that day was an extraordinary mistake, if not an insult?

Lest we forget how that day shaped this country, all allied countries and because of the bravery of those men, the world changed. If we don't have the humanity to mark that at the highest level, what was the point of the fight?

 

[rdytdy 5,341]

The Ardernian delusion

 

 

Too Right
A regular column by John Black
 

A fortnight ago our government took on an awesome responsibility: the wellbeing of 4.8 million souls. The ‘wellbeing’ budget, after suffering more leaks than a hedgehog’s raincoat, was unveiled to the world and immediately received breathless approval from progressive international media such as the Guardian. Back here, amongst the people who actually have to pay for the 3.8 billion dollars spent over four years (1.9 of it on ‘mental health’), support was more tepid. Many of us were simply confused. I for one had been labouring under the misapprehension that I was responsible for my own wellbeing.

That’s what my mum told me, anyway.

The trouble with the concept of ‘wellbeing’ is that we all have our own version of it. For me a plunge in the price of single malt scotch, a sudden outbreak of infectious female nymphomania and the entire Australian cricket team developing explosive diarrhoea on the eve of their next World Cup game would all improve my wellbeing immensely. For others it’s all about family, community and world peace.

The freaks.

However, here at the John Black Institute for Sensible Suggestions we have been working on some measures to improve national wellbeing which we think all New Zealanders can agree on. What’s more, unlike the budget they won’t cost you, my fellow taxpayers, one red cent.

Let’s start there. Taxes. No one likes them. The biggest boost to the nation’s wellbeing would be letting us keep more of our hard earned money. Much has been made of previous government budgets narrowly focussing on GDP. Economic growth (more money), critics say, doesn’t buy you happiness. While anyone who’s had the misfortune to watch a Kardashian reality TV show will know the truth of this, I wish those who served up this platitude weren’t so comfortably off themselves. To them I say ‘Let’s do an experiment. You give me a lot of money. Your money. I’ll see how happy it makes me. I’ll text you the results from Jamaica.’

Of course the current government is ideologically opposed to letting us keep and spend more of our own money. They are afraid we’ll only spend it on dumb stuff like expensive scotch and trips to Jamaica and not smart stuff like solar panels for our eco-scooters or gender-theory classes for our five year olds.

What they aren’t ideologically opposed to is women and babies, judging by the fuss made of Jacinda Ardern’s unremarkable ability to give issue. Experts tend to agree that the bonding of infants with their mothers (‘primary caregivers’ if you are trying to pretend mothering is gender neutral) is vital to future mental health. Here’s something that could help this: St Jacinda and the woke brigade could give the ‘you can have it all, ladies’ message a bit of a rest and acknowledge that for most women not on half a mil a year motherhood involves a choice between their career and their families and it’s Ok to choose your family. Staying home with the kids is good, noble and natural. There’s a reason you’re serving the drinks, ladies. Doesn’t mean you can’t be CEO of Fonterra once the kids are in school. Although why you would want to is beyond me.

While we are on gender, the high rate of (disproportionately male) suicide has been one of the reasons given for the massive increase in the mental health spend. Here’s something that could help male self-esteem and it doesn’t have a price tag. Every time I turn on the TV some male is being humiliated. Straight white guys are the buffoons of the modern age. Two current ads running on TV are prime examples.  The spectacularly unfunny Uber-Eats one with Rachel Hunter in a spa pool lording it over a cringing Dai Henwood and another (can’t remember the product) of a prize knob head showing his wife a large tattoo of her face he has had etched into his back, and being rewarded with a look of such utter testicle-retracting scorn that it would have most men considering the benefits of homosexuality.

Now I’m not saying that TV ads alone are sending men to their bathtubs with their toasters. But as a barometer of the status of men in our culture, it’s a worrying sign. Ease up on the male bashing and we might find men, particularly the fragile ones, not so bewitched by negativity.

Another major mental health concern is anxiety. The major worry of the age if you read the papers (I wouldn’t) is climate change. There is a rational argument that the climate is changing and will present us with challenges. There is an irrational argument that the climate is changing and therefore the world will end next Tuesday. The government is supported by a party that promotes the latter. The PM allowing a little more daylight between her government and the Greens’ brand of climate catastrophism might do our national anxiety levels a power of good. The exile of the entire Green party to the deepest jungles of Africa to experience the nature they love so much ‘red in tooth and claw’ would be even better, but I’m not hopeful.

In the end, the Jacinda delusion is that government action can make people happy. But she’s got it arse backwards. Happiness, if it’s achievable at all, comes from within and integral to it is a sense of achievement and esteem a culture can do a lot to support but a government just can’t help you with.

[rdytdy 5,341]

The most gaffe-prone government in the history of NZ politics

 

 

By John

That well-known phrase, ‘the lunatics are running the asylum’, becomes more applicable to this government by the day. It’s one howler after another. This must be the most gaffe-prone government in the history of New Zealand politics.

The problems emanate from the top where the leadership skills and acumen of the chief inmate, Jacinda Ardern, are totally lacking. They are desperately needed, as her ministers, with a couple of exceptions, are simply not up to the task. From the Labour youth camp debacle through to the Budget leak fiasco and failing to honour those who gave their lives in Normandy, it has been a shambolic eighteen months.

The so-called “well being” budget that the whole world was supposedly waiting for with bated breath was a let down of epic proportions. Apart from the support given to Mental Health, it was pretty much a joke. In fact, the joke was on Grant Robertson before he got to open his mouth, with the embarrassing leak exposed by the Opposition. Who to blame? The ridiculous pretence continues as everyone involved runs for cover, dumping on each other as they go.

It has become so lamentable that when things aren’t going well, we all now know to expect a feature article on the child. Neve is now wheeled out on such a regular basis one could be forgiven for suggesting it’s bordering on a form of child abuse. A couple of weeks ago she’d managed to poo all over her Mum and last week she was assisting in a boat launch at Devonport. Why the media think this is the type of gripping journalism that their readers are dying to read beggars belief. It can only be to divert attention from the poor performance of the mother.

Jacinda’s ship is fast running aground. It has been without a captain, rudderless and wallowing in turbulent waters for months. The rocks are getting ever closer, and if the senior citizen who put her there can’t see it then maybe it’s time he paid a visit to the nearest Specsavers. These people need to realise that ideology and spin, borrow and spend won’t cut it. Career politicians are not the answer. Nigel Farage is well aware of that and has attracted entrepreneurs and businesspeople to stand for his party.

This government has so far proved it has no answers to the so-called crises they were so vocal about when in opposition and failed to do any preparatory work to solve. As a result, they are like rabbits in headlights. Completely spooked. They can’t get houses built, they can’t get trees planted, but they are full of so-called well-being ideas, most of which centre on helping those who don’t want to work.

One can only hope that this is a one-term government, because the leaky boat Jacinda is captaining is giving me, for one, a decidedly sinking feeling.

[bloke 1,232]

What a load of shit Ted. The Muldoon Government was the worst by a country mile. He  destroyed this country, the useless socialist that he was. I bet you idolised him Ted. The a Labour Government which was the best private enterprise Government ever got us out of the straight jacket that piggy put us into.

Keep rubbishing Jacinda Ted, oh no I forgot,  keep cutting and pasting right wing crap. Jacinda is more popular than ever and Poor Old Simple Simon has been caught wanking again behind the bike stands. Crusher is coming for him.

[jack 431]

Where`s John Key?

 " WORLD LEADERS MARK 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF D_DAY LANDINGS "

https://www.google.co.nz/search?client=safari&hl=en-gb&tbm=isch&q=world+leader+group+photo+d'day+2014&chips=q:world+leader+group+photo+d+day+2014,online_chips:70th+anniversary&usg=AI4_-kR5eM1SNV1GNMNTgEX7jkq6zSZOAw&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_3oSPyN7iAhXKSH0KHaRYBvgQ4lYIMigJ&biw=1536&bih=755&dpr=1.25#imgrc=y63uAKRgFAyUwM:

[rdytdy 5,341]

Eat your heart out Jack   As shown above Ardern is a disgrace!! 

harapak)

 

New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, left, British Prime Minister David Cameron, centre, and Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, right, prepare to lay wreaths during a British D-Day commemoration ceremony at the Bayeux cemetery, northern France, Friday, June 6, 2014. (AP / Leon Neal)

[tripple alliance 1,026]

3 hours ago, bloke said:

What a load of shit Ted. The Muldoon Government was the worst by a country mile. He  destroyed this country, the useless socialist that he was. I bet you idolised him Ted. The a Labour Government which was the best private enterprise Government ever got us out of the straight jacket that piggy put us into.

Keep rubbishing Jacinda Ted, oh no I forgot,  keep cutting and pasting right wing crap. Jacinda is more popular than ever and Poor Old Simple Simon has been caught wanking again behind the bike stands. Crusher is coming for him.

Muldoon certainly made decisions that were unstainable , freezing the economy may have worked for him15 years earlier but times had moved on , ultimately money pressures were stronger than Muldoon . Much is made of his brash , domineering manor which caused those close to him to despise him but he did last 3 terms so it wasn't all bad. 

Now compare that to Taxcindas lot , NOT ONE of the policy's they promoted at the election has succeeded , the biggies , HOUSING , HOMELESS , HOSPITALS , EDUCATION , POLICE NUMBERS , MOTORWAY CONSTRUCTION CANCELLATIONS , TEACHERS ,  TREE carbon credits (disaster) , all failing and they have taken to pinching National ideas , extending support for young people who have been bought up by welfare , excellent but NOT a labour idea .  Throwing away gas in the nakke , no penalty for not turning up for job interviews , fathers not being named so encouraging welfare scamming , unemployment up , and much much more , Labour is surviving on Nationals excellent management , nothing more .

National promised a $20 a week tax break , by today that would be $40 a week of un inflationary income , what we have is costs rising and more and more welfare .

A Promising poll today which proves  people are quietly paying attention to issues , shock horror , voters don't want to legalise dope .  Voters are paying attention so Cindy is in trouble , it always pays to remember ,  school children don't vote .

Simon Bridges needs to go , if he goes and we get a fluent , personable leader then next time National will win  by a landslide .

SO ,  Muldoon , 3 terms , not so bad , Cindy 1 .  One term will confirm my contention that this Cindy lead government is the worst government EVER . ( daily they  prove my point )

[Kloppite 315]

Fark, I've just come across this thread.  Basically a nut job posting every anti-Jacinda piece that hits the media.  And what's worse, he's the type who rings talk-back radio - every week and rabbits on in his unforgettable monotone way. 

I reckon someone should warn the SIS - that's a dangerous combination.  Scooby as owner of this site are you compelled to let them know?

[Trump 2,741]

Ardern attained Govt even though about 66% of NZ voters didn’t want her Party. By others prostituting themselves purely for power, Ardern was able to form a “Coalition”, if that’s the right word. Containing a bunch of people who couldn’t run a corner convenience store, NZ has got what it deserved from its voters. I’d be very surprised if NZ’s Voters made the same mistake twice. Ardern has proved herself unworthy and unqualified to be PM of such a great country. Her Deputy is well known and needs no commentary - he will get his usual treatment at the next election but still find a way to tiptoe through the minority backdoor. How did it all get to this? NZ was cruising along after the strong and steady stewardship of Key and English, Voters wanted to continue with them but NZ’s stupid MMP prevented that. Reap what ye sow has never been more true than watching the current NZ rabble. Comparisons with Muldoon are irrelevant - how many PM’s ago was he around? In different times? The world is heading into a debt filled economic quagmire. Aren’t you glad you’ve got Jacinta and Winnie to keep things ticking along.....I’m not sure Bridges is the right alternative but it’s amazing how people perform differently when they have got the reins and are not hanging on to the tail !

[Ohokaman 5,839]

20 minutes ago, Trump said:

Ardern attained Govt even though about 66% of NZ voters didn’t want her Party. By others prostituting themselves purely for power, Ardern was able to form a “Coalition”, if that’s the right word. Containing a bunch of people who couldn’t run a corner convenience store, NZ has got what it deserved from its voters. I’d be very surprised if NZ’s Voters made the same mistake twice. Ardern has proved herself unworthy and unqualified to be PM of such a great country. Her Deputy is well known and needs no commentary - he will get his usual treatment at the next election but still find a way to tiptoe through the minority backdoor. How did it all get to this? NZ was cruising along after the strong and steady stewardship of Key and English, Voters wanted to continue with them but NZ’s stupid MMP prevented that. Reap what ye sow has never been more true than watching the current NZ rabble. Comparisons with Muldoon are irrelevant - how many PM’s ago was he around? In different times? The world is heading into a debt filled economic quagmire. Aren’t you glad you’ve got Jacinta and Winnie to keep things ticking along.....I’m not sure Bridges is the right alternative but it’s amazing how people perform differently when they have got the reins and are not hanging on to the tail !

You overestimate the nous of Kiwi voters there Trumpy. Most seem quite happy with a vacuous smiley face running the Country..look at the high percentage approving of her as PM...!? Nice baby pictures, photo shoots and platitudes rule dontcha know.... ??! Never mind the fuck ups galore along the way, the handouts will continue, Shane Jones and Co distributing largesse all over the shop to keep the votes flowing..

Meanwhile, Bridges just can't make any headway with voters...he is so far behind it's not funny. Only a matter of time before he goes. Problem is, I doubt Collins will improve things much either if she is the only option. Unless someone else comes from left field, or there is a Government collapse/snafu of epic proportions, the election result is a forgone conclusion.

And there is a Wedding to come remember.....wonder when that will be.......??

[rdytdy 5,341]

The problem is the mainly left leaning MSM fawning all over the PM providing puff pieces with little substance instead of holding her to account on her actual performance as PM. Their cheerleading and overt manipulation of presenting a positive image of her to the public is very similar from the press in Australia going into their recent election.

The Australia public were perceptive enough to see through the MSM over there. Let's hope the NZ public can do so here next year.    

[Ohokaman 5,839]

11 minutes ago, rdytdy said:

The problem is the mainly left leaning MSM fawning all over the PM providing puff pieces with little substance instead of holding her to account on her actual performance as PM. Their cheerleading and overt manipulation of presenting a positive image of her to the public is very similar from the press in Australia going into their recent election.

The Australia public were perceptive enough to see through the MSM over there. Let's hope the NZ public can do so here next year.    

Difference there Ted is that they had an option, right now here they don't.....at least one they like enough.

[rdytdy 5,341]

 

[jack 431]

21 hours ago, rdytdy said:

Eat your heart out Jack   As shown above Ardern is a disgrace!! 

harapak)

 

New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, left, British Prime Minister David Cameron, centre, and Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, right, prepare to lay wreaths during a British D-Day commemoration ceremony at the Bayeux cemetery, northern France, Friday, June 6, 2014. (AP / Leon Neal)

It`s The NZ Governor General Jerry Mateparae TED , Not HONE KEY ... As always , misleading everyone again!!

[Kloppite 315]

9 minutes ago, jack said:

It`s The NZ Governor General Jerry Mateparae TED , Not HONE KEY ... As always , misleading everyone again!!

C'mon Jack don't be silly  - the nutter doesn't check whether it's accurate - he just cuts and pastes all of this nonsense.  Why let facts get in the way of a good story!?