There’s a cultural, political and economic difference between propertied Boomers and Pensioners
New Zealand’s cost of living crisis is exposing a generational divide that is too often ignored — not between young and old, but between those who own and those who do not.
When Survival Becomes the Weekly Shop
‘I don’t have lunch any more’: Food prices bite as pensioner left with 33 cents after weekly shop
When Owen Kinnane did his weekly supermarket shop on Tuesday, he could still see the bottom of the trolley. Yet the $102 bill left him with just 33 cents in his bank account.
The 70-year-old lives alone in a Christchurch rental. Kinnane said he had $225 a week after his rent was paid. That had to cover bills and food.
“I have been finding it very tough.”
Stuff
The Divide: Propertied Boomers vs Pensioners
There’s a huge cultural, political and economic difference between propertied Boomers and Pensioners.
The Political Power of Property Wealth
Propertied Boomers have leveraged their cradle to the grave subsidisation into a property portfolio and they vote with the venal self interest of a piranha.
National, ACT and NZF all benefit from the property pimps who donate heavily to ensure their interests are forever protected…
Property Power and Political Influence
Shadows cast on Auckland’s Sunfield development
One of Auckland’s largest new housing developments – the Sunfield community near Ardmore Airport in South Auckland, given the go-ahead under fast-track rules – has raised the ire of local politicians.
Developers Winton envisage nearly 4,000 homes, a town centre, retail and healthcare buildings, three retirement villages and approximately 26 hectares of parks and reserves and ecological areas. Regional development minister Shane Jones says it will deliver up to $3.2 billion to the economy and support more than 24,000 jobs over the 10- to 15-year building period.
But concerns have been raised that it sits on a flood plain, is located near an airport, and does not have the extensive transport, water and sewerage infrastructure needed to support it.
… Winton is a property pimp who donates to Chris Bishop. Abusing Fast Track powers to build housing for the poor on flood plains is as diabolical as it gets.
That’s the propertied Boomer electorate for you.
Pensioners Living on the Edge
Then we have pensioners, Boomers who didn’t use their cradle to the grave subsidisation to leverage into the property market and they are almost living on cat food level subsistence.
Why Pensioners Need Support — Not Blame
These Pensioners require our support and our aroha.
The Political Consequences of Neglect
If we don’t support their housing, increase Super and lift social participation through adult education they will be lost to Peter Williams on Reality Check Radio and Sean Plunkett on The Platform while voting for Winston.
Propertied Boomers are in it for themselves in a way that makes your average South American cartel blush, Pensioners however need our support and respect.
A Moral Failure We Can’t Ignore
We must not leave their dignity to rot!
It is as unconscionable that the old have to live in poverty the way 170,000 kids do in this country.
We need to battle poverty at both ends of the human life cycle.
