Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Interview about child poverty

Did an interview with Geoff Robinson on Morning Report today. I was asked to comment on the latest child poverty report released yesterday by CPAG. For some reason I was introduced as a researcher from a conservative right-wing think-tank called the Institute For Liberal Values (a contradiction in terms.) I haven't been in that role for years.

Anyway a local business couple came into my shop this morning saying I should be hiding. That people would be "ripping shreds off me" for suggesting that parents need to take more responsibility for those choices and actions which resulted in their children living in 'poverty'. They were tongue-in-cheek. But what a strange world we live in. Only governments are to blame for every ill that befalls us and only governments can resolve every ill that befalls us. It seems to be a mindset that many people and many media players can't get beyond. Perhaps it's because there is no story if individuals are at fault.

11 comments:

Mark Hubbard said...

One word Lindsay: Gramsci.

baxter said...

I heard you. I thought you were very good and presented clear logic which anyone of average intelligence except that interviewer would understand.

Maungakiekie said...

Lindsay, you say, 'Only governments are to blame for every ill that befalls us and only governments can resolve every ill that befalls us... seems to be a mindset that many people and many media players can't get beyond.'

I contend that that's because most people in New Zealand - usually without realising it - see the State as God: their Highest Authority, and the Source of All Things.

'Nature abhors a vacuum': when people cast off the God of their fathers, they don't end up with NO god, but a NEW god.

James said...

Instead of casting about for God figures man should pause and look inside himself...which is the wellspring for everything he can be...

Redbaiter said...

Any way you could provide any figures on sexual abuse among Maori and PI families? In particular pertaining to sexual abuse of young girls?

Lindsay Mitchell said...

Red, Send me an email.

FF said...

I have identified a scientific method of calculating the amount of child poverty in low decile areas.

The greater the number of satellite dishes in the street, the greater the child poverty.

Anonymous said...

Who gives a shit they're all bludgers!

Think anyone in the CPAG terrorist group pays taxes?
Hell no! Less than 10% of Kiwis pay tax - and we Lu for the food, lodging, healthcare, and education of everyone else!

If parents don't care enough about their kids and OAPs to look after 'em there's no point in the state paying for it.

Time to stop all welfare! Dpb to dole, WFF to Super, schools hospitals and the rest- JUST STOP!

James said...

FF....yes....the "SKY dish index" is a damming rebuttal to the "poverty in NZ" bullshit the left spouts. I was always amused at the sheer no. of dishes on the rooftops in Otara when driving through there...also the number of cars in the driveways was noted....poor people with cars?!

Bruce S said...

There is a simple reason why "governments are to blame for every ill that befalls us". Government departments have seen fit to invade and control the sanctity of family and community to such an extent that dysfunction can be the only (logical?) byproduct of their unabated meddling. To wit, government wrecked it, they can fix it!

Anonymous said...

poor people with cars?!

Of course. The 10% of productive Kiwis pay for their cars, houses, kids, food, healthcare, water, electricity, education, Sky, and on and on and on and on and on

and there is only one effective solution to this!