Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Communism by capitulation

One expects that sometimes in life, as in politics, some compromise is called for. Right from childhood we are consciously or sub-consciously negotiating outcomes. If we are unable to do this we are in for a fairly solitary ride. But the advice I most adhere to, especially when it comes to raising children, is the somewhat hackneyed 'don't sweat the small stuff'. But hold your ground on what really matters to you.

Right now in New Zealand Working For Families is not the small stuff. John Key clearly didn't think it was in 2004;

Mr Key predicted the new system would have "huge behavioural outcomes" and he was concerned that employers would find workers refusing to do overtime or weekend work.

The effect of the Budget had been to push the disincentive far into middle New Zealand, he said.

"They've got the vast majority of people now trapped in a one-size-fits-all. We all pay one rate - it's communism by stealth.

"It didn't work very well for Eastern Europe and it won't work very well for New Zealand."


Four years later;

Key says he acknowledges that Working for Families payments are an important part of the income for many families.

"These are families with mums and dads who are working long hours, trying to get by on a modest wage in the absence of tax cuts under this Labour Government. We don't want to make life more difficult for them."


Communism by capitulation perhaps.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Key's latest change of heart on WFF is a disgrace.

Undeniably there is little difference between socialist Labour and the National Party.

Anonymous said...

Keep pushing this one Lindsay. WFF was one of the worst (read most socialist) pieces of legislation put out by Labour (and I won't even start on the discriminatory manner in which the IRD is implementing it). Key's uptake of this policy is the last nail in his coffin for even his hardened supporters surely. There is absolutely no difference between him and Labour.

Personally, I think the antidote to all this communism is Libertarianz, that's the party I will be voting for, but am happy to get behind anyone putting this issue out to the public.

The interesting thing is, one of my farming clients called in over the weekend - he said he would not be voting National now after watching Key's inability to take a principled stand against Peter's on Agenda, Sunday morning. Flip flop John. In his lust to strip himself of all principle, I don't think Key understands he has made himself the emperor with no clothes, that the electorate sees it, and come the election, I hope he has completely lost his support base, because he doesn't deserve to be in a position where he will carry on the wholesale plunder we now have of other peoples' money, to build the Lefts violent, second hander society.

Mark Hubbard

Anonymous said...

I think the antidote to all this communism is Libertarianz, that's the party I will be voting for,... one of my farming clients called in over the weekend - he said he would not be voting National

Oh dear, once again two people who don't understand their own socialist, Labour appointed, Maorimandered electoral system because they attended socialist, Labour-controlled schools.

electorate vote National.

party vote ACT.

Anything else is a vote for Labour.

Anonymous said...

Dear Condescending

Party Vote Libertarianz.

Any other vote is unprincipled, if your goal is freedom from the yoke of State.

Mark Hubbard

Anonymous said...

Libz is a vote for the continuation of Labour Socialism.,....wasted vote.....nothing gained.