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RE: 2025 Taskforce: A Good Starting Point

crumpler — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:56:46 GMT

Oh dear, I'm guessing you guys are avid fans of low-life despots such as Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Fixed News?

The United States is hearing an utter flood of what quite simply is utter crap, 'Socialism, it's like communism, it's scary, the left is coming to take your money away!'

There is a real cost to living in a civilised society. People such as Don Brash, Roger Douglas, Rodney Hide and cohorts are blissfuly unaware of this however.

If you love a no-holds-barred capitalist approach, just take a leaf out of the United States book of economic and domestic policy. Just watch out that you don't trip over the hundreds of thousands dying because they can't afford medical insurance, overlook the collapsing businesses on your way to wall street and smile and greet the inept 'Investment Bankers' (Mr. Key) that have plunged the globe into the worst economic crisis in decades.

Aside from their failing literacy & numeracy rates, huge 'Job Creating' businesses falling in on themselves, poor world ranking in health care and employment and being generally hated by the rest of the world, I'd say 'Right Wing' policy has done wonders for the place.

Seriously, quit using phrases such as 'Socialism' as scare-mongering tactics to drive your otherwise empty and wholly self centred point home. The most successful nations in the world fall under the banner of Progressive Socialism, or indeed Socialism itself (France for instance)

I run a business, and, I can say without a doubt that I have had utterly no trouble with the previous labour government, or the 'Left' kicking me down. In actual fact, thanks to new policies related to employment (3 month trials), large clients of mine are now able to take on a constant stream of low-earning 'trial' employees and use that in favor of paying market rates for contracted services then dismiss them without justification before a formal employment period starts.

You really need to understand that there is very little support for political side shows like the ACT party. That's why they have poor representation in the house, just like other small far left political side shows. And, were there any real support for Don Brash, he'd have been running the country instead of becoming a point of ridicule for the rest of NZ and a thorn in the side of the National Party.

RE: 2025 Taskforce: A Good Starting Point

Shooter — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:40:33 GMT

Key Condemns Kiwi Kids
Press Release by Hon Sir Roger Douglas, ACT New Zealand
Tuesday, December 1 2009

ACT New Zealand Economic Spokesman Sir Roger Douglas today accused Prime Minister John Key of condemning our children to mediocrity with his casual dismissal of the entire 2025 Taskforce Report.

"The Taskforce recommended measures to give parents freedom to choose the education that best suits their child's needs. Mr Key dismissed this out of hand – he doesn't understand that parents, not Government, know best what works for their child," Sir Roger said.

"Mr Key is clearly proud of an education system that sees 30 percent of Kiwi children leave school unable to read or write. Why else would he be so quick to dismiss recommendations that could improve education in New Zealand?

"The fact is that there is a mountain of evidence showing that in the right environment – such as the one proposed by the 2025 taskforce – we can turn this situation around.

"Both Mr Key and his Finance Minister Bill English are dangerously complacent about our children's futures. National pretends to care about average New Zealanders' welfare – but caring is about solving problems, not using ‘it's too radical' as an excuse to do nothing.

"ACT understands that we can't afford for 30 percent of our children to be permanently disadvantaged. National doesn't care. That's why ACT is prepared to make decisions that work rather than continue with the failing status quo," Sir Roger said.

RE: 2025 Taskforce: A Good Starting Point

Bob — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:53:45 GMT

I know heaps of socialist who appear on the outside as being socialists, but really they live a capitalist life. They pretend to be socialists in the public but behind the scenes and deep in their hearts they really are want the lifestyle of a capitalist. The problem is they really don't have what it takes to be strong and stand on their own two feet.

So what they do is destroy and try and breakdown the people with the money out of jealousy. Some of these socialists do in fact make it (usually from public money) and then they buy their houses in areas they really want their children to grow up in and buy nice cars etc etc. They know in themselves how hypocritical they are which makes them even more miserable!

RE: 2025 Taskforce: A Good Starting Point

Shooter — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:45:11 GMT

Wrong! Brash, although 'geeky'... makes sense. There is heaps of support for Brash out there. Our country has been run (and full of) left leaning, sandle wearing, tree hugging, socialists.

New Zealand needs to make radical change. I just wish the Nataional had the balls to do it.

Remember its the capitalists with a dream who create jobs for the socialist. Continue kicking the s*** out of them will only result in less jobs. Good luck.

RE: 2025 Taskforce: A Good Starting Point

crumpler — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:52:28 GMT

So, we're done with the disaster that was Rogernomics, we have barely survived through the unmitigated c***-up that was Ruthanasia and now the crack-pot party are standing firm behind what could only be termed Brashicide.

Basically, cut the number of people going to University by increasing costs, produce a less qualified work force that's willing to work for less to cover increasing medical and education costs for their families and enable the high-earning over-remunerated executives and business owners to cream even more? Sounds great! It'll certainly close the pay gap for the top 1% of the countries earners.

Seriously, people demonstrated in numbers during previous elections that they have utterly no interest in this idiot (Brash) having anything to do with the running of the country, economic or otherwise. Thanks for the input Don, but, if you wouldn't mind returning to anonymity with your secretary, we'd all be a darn lot happier.

2025 Taskforce: A Good Starting Point

Shooter — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:09:03 GMT

2025 Taskforce: A Good Starting Point

Press Release by Hon Sir Roger Douglas, ACT New Zealand
Monday November 30, 2009

The first report from the 2025 Taskforce grapples with the complex issues surrounding New Zealand’s economic decline, and goes some way to proposing ideas that may help solve them, ACT New Zealand Finance Spokesman Sir Roger Douglas said today.

"The report makes a number of very good recommendations. In particular, it advocates opening up the educational market to private competitors, which would deliver quality education, ensuring all children leave school able to read, write, and in a position to give back to society. It advocates for a divestment of business assets – which will lead to productivity gains in these enterprises. Changes around employment law and resource use are also positive," Sir Roger said.

"However, the report has some significant weaknesses. When it comes to health, superannuation, and welfare, it argues for reduced Government expenditure - yet it leaves the control of these areas in politicians’ hands. These politicians will inevitably succumb to temptations to bribe the electorate with unsustainable promises at election time.

"In addition, the Taskforce makes the valid point that effective marginal tax rates are too high, encouraging destructive behaviour. But at the same time, it argues for more targeted health and welfare expenditure – the exact kind of policies that would increase effective marginal tax rates, as these benefits would abate as individuals earned more income.

"There is also a real level of unfairness in their suggestions for superannuation. Lifting the age of superannuation entitlement will mean that some individuals – in particular, Maori and Pacific Islanders – will pay into the scheme their whole lives and receive lower payouts - if any - due to their shorter life expectancy. The cost today of benefits to those over 65 amount to 60 percent of all personal income tax – 33 percent for superannuation and 27 percent for health.

The only solution to the superannuation problem is to move away from the current system, and introduce individualised savings account so individuals - not politicians - determine when they should retire.

"In the long term, the political structures that the Taskforce leave in place would come to undermine their reforms. Superannuitants would be bribed, the healthcare system will suck up more money as people complain about the rationing of healthcare, and welfare time limits will be rejected as harsh. Only if we move from the current system, dominated by politicians and bureaucrats, to one where individuals are free to choose will we deliver the kind of environment that is needed to beat Australia," Sir Roger said.

ENDS

Where’s Your Backbone Mr Key?

Press Release by Hon Sir Roger Douglas, ACT New Zealand
Monday November 30, 2009

Prime Minister John Key’s willingness to dismiss the 2025 Taskforce’s report out-of-hand demonstrates a remarkable disregard for what is needed to catch Australia by 2025, Sir Roger Douglas said today.

“How spineless do you have to be to dismiss a report before it has even been released in order to try to stop the public debating these kinds of issues? John Key has a remarkable ability to dismiss expert advice when he believes it may conflict with his personal popularity,” Sir Roger said.

“John Key says that the key to lifting our prospects is gradual reform, not radical changes to current policy. That makes no sense - the last time we had productivity growth above Australia was during the 1984 – 1996 reform period, not during Clark and Cullen’s tinkering.

“It also makes no sense for a more fundamental reason: National is not gradually reducing the size of Government. Instead, Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP is increasing.

“Before commenting on the 2025 Taskforce report, ACT will actually read it first. At this stage, however, it needs to be stressed that the current system is not delivering good results.

“We have a superannuation system that takes choices away from individuals and therefore discriminates against ethnic groups – in particular Maori and Pacific Islanders - that die early, we have an education system that sees thirty percent of children leaving school unable to read or write, and we have a health system that rations healthcare leaving people to suffer on waiting lists. Apparently, Mr Key thinks this system is so great we shouldn’t even debate alternatives,” Sir Roger said.