Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.
IT WAS EASY to miss amidst the information overload of Lockdown at Level 4. A curiously thin news story, published by Stuff on 15 April, concerning “a routine military exercise” in South Auckland.
April 20: Day 26 of living in lock-down…
Whatever you do for 420 today, stay safe in your bubble and may it be filled with pungent vapour.
In building the post Covid-19 world, we should reject all of these modes, but take the best from some of them. I think the three main themes need to be economic equity, a nation-building state and education.
April 18: Day 24 of living in lock-down…
I propose that for at least the next six months we should give all unemployed, sickness, invalid and sole parent beneficiaries a tax-free benefit equal to the net national superannuation rate for a single person – $425 a week with a tax on all other income of 39%. I will explain where I got this idea and how it will work a bit later.
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is organising New Zealand’s first on-line protest – complete with speakers, placards and even some chants – this Sunday at 7pm.
Pushed into the background by the relentless sad statistics and pandemic doomsday stories around the globe are some other stories in the Pacific that normally struggle to get an airing in mainstream media.
Amidst such speculation two things are certain to me – our Government is spending up a storm and capitalism will prevail. These two certainties suggest to me a number of implications which might guide us in where we might be in a year or two from now.
April 17: Day 23 of living in lock-down…