There is an enormous difference between ACT and the Māori Party and the rest of the political spectrum, and that is, when ACT and the Māori Party say it, they mean it.
When National promise something, they tend to u-turn within 24 hours.
Labour promise nothing so they can’t be held accountable for anything.
The Greens do believe the things they promise but are unfortunately so incompetent they couldn’t get laid in a monkey brothel wearing banana costumes.
When ACT however say they will spend a billion on a new prison empire, amputate 5 Ministry’s, kill off the Human Rights Commission, slash billions from welfare and rewrite the Treaty and force it upon Māori – oh you best believe ACT WILL do that!
Equally, when John Tamihere says he will tax the rich and remove GST from food, you best believe he’s going to do it.
It’s funny that Stuff have suddenly realised David Seymour is an incredibly smart and clever Politician. Their gushing review of his epic take down of the feral antivax Freedom Radio reads like someone just coming out of their echo bunker.
As I have been arguing for a couple of years now, David is a politician of enormous quality and the Left have to stop ignoring him and take him seriously because beyond the brilliance are policies so extreme that if implemented would cause enormous societal unrest.
Seymour is dangerous because he’s a true believer.
I have argued this is the year ACT hit 15% – with performances like David’s, why would a right wing voter waste their vote on National?
Likewise, the cost of living crisis and the overtly cautious Labour policy response will win few friends from those doing it tough which is why the Māori Party policy to tax the rich and remove GST will resonate with far more voters than just Māori.
64% of beneficiaries are non-Māori and policy that makes their material well being better will appeal.
Both ACT and the Māori Party are polling higher than they ever have in their political history and that in of itself speaks to the Polarisation of NZ politics.
This election, the pressures built from the edges of the MMP spectrum will force the change, not the incrementalism of National and Labour.
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The difference between Seymour and Tamihere is that David’s version is do-able whereas John will just get a reality check from Treasury on day one.
Can’t you remember the 81 tour protests? If Seymour applies all his plans those protests will look like a holiday compared to the reaction that will follow his actions.
The biggest problem is that people think politicians can solve our problems, it is a case of holding your nose & vote hoping for the best (because most of us find that some policies stink from all parties) & being thankful that it is only 3 years till next time.
the difference between protesting against apartheid in South Africa vs protesting for apartheid in NZ is…?
the height of ignorance.
Exactly.
Bring it on!
Have all the tantrums you want.
The problem is that ACT supporters will vote. The people who need the Maaori party and its policies to pushback against neo-liberalism won’t. They are so disillusioned and disenfranchised from a system that has been taking a giant dump on them for 40 years they no longer see the point. No matter what party has been in power real change has not happened for them and the gap between the haves and have nots continues to widen.
Seymour is no benevolent dictator. He’ll tear down the government for his backers to step in and run the place. He talks equal opportunity, yet hypocritically, the tyranny of capital is central to his libertarian hegemony.
Like the town mayor in a western movie, he’ll corral his business cronies to support the ranch owner, hold the town hostage and force out all the small holders.
Whilst Tamihere is no James Stewart, he is prepared to draw his six guns to support the downtrodden and marginalized. He just needs a sidekick to pull the towns folk to his support. Swarbrick could fill that role if she could get all the small holders aligned and firing in the same direction.
Agreed, both want exactly what they say, and given half a chance, both would do it.
When some Waitangi Tribunal academic rewrites the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, again, that’s finds a new meaning no other creature on earth could possibly see, you bet TPM will seize upon that in a heartbeat too.
The big difference between the two however is one is race based, the other is not. And I’ll vote for any secular non race oriented party any day of any week because they are simply better for ALL people over race/religion parties, even if its a party with out there right wing philosophy like ACT! Because they smell the least!
What did ACT accomplish under the Key government?
The only thing I can remember was the Auckland amalgamation which has turned out to be a complete disaster. Another was charter schools. Now they are gone its possible to get into the Papatoetoe pool during the day.
What about the Winston First Party even the geriatric 80 year old is starting to say some sensible things ???
Seymour want’s to deal to the lower socio-economic sectors of NZ Society.
Just wondering about your 64% of beneficiaries are non Maori? Are you including pensioners as beneficiaries or is that other benes? I agree with JT, GST off food like in other countries. Some of us have banged on about it for 20 years. Its now becoming essential. Pity I cant support TPM’s other policies.
I’m an old skool leftie (i.e. not Jacindanomics let alone Hipkins’ jackboot on my throat during Covid), but I will now begrudgingly be voting ACT this year simply because it is the only political party in New Zealand that is advocating a modicum of common sense.
smh
Act 18-20%
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