GUEST BLOG: Bryan Bruce – What are this Government’s budget priorities?
I will reserve my comments on Nicola Willis’ Budget until it is released, however last weeks statement from her makes it clear the economy is in recession and that unemployment is on the rise.
Those two facts tell you a lot more people in our country will be struggling to make ends meet and that’s why even right-wing economists and the IMF have to trying to get Willis to undertstand that tax cuts are not a good idea at this time.
But she listening?
No.
Why?
Hubris.
She stated prior to the election that she would quit as Minister of Finance if she didn’t bring in tax cuts. So regardless of changes in our economy since then, she’s going to stick by what she said.
So …where will the money come from to pay for her cuts?
Answer – by making life even more difficult for the young, the sick and the disabled.
Eg removing free buses for under 12’s and the youth travel concessions to get to school and tertiary institutions, removal of free prescriptions and not paying for laptops that help kids with speech difficulties to communicate.
As author Victor Hugo (Les Misérables) observed “The paradise of the rich is made out of the hell of the poor”
Bryan Bruce is one of New Zealand’s most important and respected documentary makers.
Succinct and 100 % correct as always Bryan. Willis should resign for giving tax cuts. She was warned by Grant Robertson of the outcome on the economy should tax cuts go ahead.
What is most disgusting is the amount of people who have lost their jobs to cater for Willis’s ill conceived tax cuts.
Hubris of Nicola Wills or doesn’t? Government that has not revised itself to match the increasingly modern millenium while still being stuck in the 20th century. It was a new idea at the time, great in its early days, but any little alterations once elite people had found how to drive it, have been resisted. Once we didn’t have to hand-crank and found our way to the showrooms of the political machine – she was beaut thanks.
Hubris – (in Greek tragedy) excessive pride towards or defiance of the gods, leading to nemesis. Q. Where are gods when you need them? A.The Gods are in the Ramtops, imbibing with Terry Pratchett.)
Words for hubris from Oxford Languages – arrogance
conceit conceitedness haughtiness pride
vanity self-importance self-conceit
pomposity superciliousness feeling of superiority
hauteur uppitiness big-headedness
Appreciating N. Willis and the rest of the Robbing Hood Gang –
Elizabeth Barrett Brown’s words to aspire to, you clowns; we could love you, but not yet!
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right…
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/115062-how-do-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways
Lol. Good one GW. But the flip side of Barrett Brown’s words, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” , I just see Seymour reciting . Urggg !
Well the priority is not honesty. Luxon’s rationale for passing/repealing whatever under urgency was “they had campaigned so strongly” on what they have actioned (in the first 100 days) Did they campaign hard on repealing the smoke free legislation? That’s still no excuse by the way, but I don’t recall that getting a lot of coverage.
Lux- on was asked during the tv election debates would he sell assets and he said ‘NO’ will this be another lie, or will he try and blame the lame coalition who might have to leave NZ after the carnage on our country.