The issue with the Labour Green announcement was the lack of sizzle, or for that matter sausage. The line being floated that it won’t ultimately work because NZers some how can’t understand it however is a bit silly and desperate.
This announcement has been surprisingly clumsy. Why the hell didn’t they agree on a basic policy platform and which electorates they would and wouldn’t stand in against each other? Those two things could now be the focus of media attention rather than the fact that their Memorandum of Understanding – the most colourless and visionless name ever – is as hollow as National’s Housing Policy.
The Greens and Labour need to look like a confident functioning Government in waiting, that’s the point of this, but it all seems a bit clumsy and rushed.
Once the social media campaign begins to link the TPPA to the warship visit, a showdown will be set and the Government’s only hope is that the legislation is voted in early and the sense of fury amongst the protest movement dissipates.
Unfortunately TV3 could appoint the second coming of Jesus Christ co-hosting with Lorde and it wouldn’t help them.
You can’t have a situation where the commercial players are immune from scrutiny while recreational fisher folk are getting punished and allowing the industry to police itself in this manner is a joke.
The reason we can’t talk about suicide is because we can’t stand to talk about the dark treacle of self hate and loneliness at the core of consumer culture. We don’t dare confront the hollowness of our existence on these far flung crags of rock for fear of what we will reveal about ourselves.
It is unacceptable that the power of the state be malformed into feudalism. It is unacceptable that public services be so underfunded that privatisation is seen as a solution. It is unacceptable to build surpluses on the backs of the poor and then borrow for billions in tax cuts.
That Bill English wasn’t even aware of what Bennett was announcing is an astounding blunder that only goes to highlight just how rushed and ill prepared the National Government really are right now.
Tonight’s Waatea 5th Estate will be a 45 minute special on the Budget to explore what it actually means to the people.