tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post8152253115391213414..comments2024-03-04T16:39:30.609+13:00Comments on Lindsay Mitchell: Helen Clark likens government to toothpasteLindsay Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437693272797130833noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-78956357823481761602014-04-14T10:14:57.125+12:002014-04-14T10:14:57.125+12:00With govt 55% of the economy (including infrastruc...With govt 55% of the economy (including infrastructure development, roads, ACC ETC) and margial govt take at Muldoonist 75% the government is everyone's lives. Just because Key doesn't call NZ communist any more doesn't mean he was wrong when he did - or that anything has changed Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-1414989908928429572014-04-13T21:58:52.004+12:002014-04-13T21:58:52.004+12:00@Kiwiwit - "New Zealand would be a far better...@Kiwiwit - "New Zealand would be a far better place if there wasn't so much focus on politics and people got on with their lives instead of **expecting the government to solve every problem**.<br /><br />Absolutely. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-60661752269707525962014-04-13T21:14:56.407+12:002014-04-13T21:14:56.407+12:00You are right when you say "the world I inhab...You are right when you say "the world I inhabit is constantly considering politics: policy and players". Actually I think this is a peculiarly New Zealand phenomenon and few other countries devote as much of their national attention to the (often petty) politics that we do. New Zealand would be a far better place if there wasn't so much focus on politics and people got on with their lives instead of expecting the government to solve every problem.Kiwiwithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10507667837257013301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-81402792223242706202014-04-13T19:02:29.462+12:002014-04-13T19:02:29.462+12:00Jigsaw's comment just reinforces Clark's p...Jigsaw's comment just reinforces Clark's point; politics is about personalities not policies. <br /><br />Key promised before the 2008 election he would give NZ Helen's policies with a prettier face. He delivered on that promise 100%. <br /><br />Describe one concrete substantial way NZ would<br />have been different had Helen won. My guess is the Maori flag wouldn't fly from the harbour bridge. <br /><br />Read "incredible luck" to find a batch of<br />Policies that would change NZ forever and that Key won't touch with a barge poll. <br /><br />In terms of policies not personalities Labour is in<br />Government and Hellen is almost still<br />PM - almost because Hellen would have fired incompetents like Parata and Collins. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19962237.post-73012162640985132752014-04-13T16:02:10.259+12:002014-04-13T16:02:10.259+12:00There always was a superior edge to her manner. I ...There always was a superior edge to her manner. I recall in the final stages of the 2008 election campaign when it was obvious from her face that she had suddenly realised what most other people had known for some weeks-that she<br />was going to lose. The other picture of her that have in my mind is of her striding through the Mystery Creek field days with her staff. The crowd were completely silent as she passed then went back to what they were doing-no hostility just absolute indifference. She looked uncomfortable as I think she mostly did in public.Jigsawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13906156865367357834noreply@blogger.com