Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Standing for National

Stephen Franks explains why he is standing for National. I couldn't resist commenting.
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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What do you reckon Lindsay: Stephen, Heather or Bernard?

Spoiled for choice :-)

8:38 PM
Anonymous said...

I don't agree with your "enthusiasm", Lindsay.

Stephen Franks is one of the very few MPs whose integrity stood above party politics.

Standing in Wellington Central where he belongs, for whichever party, is a truly honourable thing to do for a seat in our House of Representatives.

MMP is a disgrace. List seats were intended to be filled by outstanding citizens whose everyday lives took them beyond Electoral boundaries, but whose abilities were an essential contribution to a well-run Government.

New Zealand needs Stephen Franks in Government.

7:10 AM
Anonymous said...

Lindsay Mitchell is needed in Government, also.

7:11 AM
Lindsay Mitchell said...

Anon, "enthusiasm"? What are you talking about?

8:09 AM
Anonymous said...

The "enthusiasm" reference?

I read the comment that you couldn't resist posting on Stephen Franks' post "standing for National".

I had assumed that you rated Stephen Franks favourably, although perhaps not as much as I do.

I used "enthusiasm" in inverted commas as I interpreted your comments as decidedly luke warm, if not bordering on the disdainful.

3:49 PM
Lindsay Mitchell said...

I am lukewarm on National. Not Stephen. Although if he is going to criticise ACT, which he did, then I may respond. I like Stephen a lot but I'm not into personality politics. I'm into ideas.

5:37 PM
Anonymous said...

I have re-read Stephen's post several times, trying to reconcile your comments with what he had written, and looking for the personality politics to which you refer.
All I see is a man who is happy to be moving towards the light from a dark corner.
He is energised by this, and excited at the opportunity to use his skills in a way that he would wish.
And you, Lindsay?

6:13 AM
Lindsay Mitchell said...

Anon, It's a bit funny for someone hiding their identity to say I'm in a "dark corner".

The personality politics I referred to was Stephen's description of ACT now.

6:58 AM
Anonymous said...

What I see in politics is the incredible waste of resources. The voices of reason, such as Stephen's (and yours Lindsay) need to be heard, not just by ears, but by minds. Written tracts resonate with people of like minds who bother to read them, and then what?
Stephen is stepping up to a wider, and more critical, audience. He may get more spotlight time, or he may not (compare Allan Peachey). There was an element of truth in all of the other comments to Stephen's post "standing for National". Wanting to make a real difference has never been the hallmark for survival in politics.
It will not be easy.
For me, anonimity is not something to hide behind, but a reflection that I am nobody, Lindsay.
You, on the other hand are somebody.
Someone whose contributions to the debate are well researched, consistent with what you believe is better for society, and with the flexibility of someone who respects that they have two ears and one mouth for a reason. You are not dogmatic, as so many are. You have earned an audience. An audience that is too small. It may be in a dark corner, but not in a disparaging way. Your views have more value than you seem to realise.
My views are comments only, to be taken at face value, not given more weight, or less weight, because I am somebody. The words should express the message, for I am nobody.

8:00 AM
Anonymous said...

Stephen Franks? Well, I speak as a long standing former Labour Party employee, supporter, voter and sympathiser (but never member). It is people like Stephen Franks who have made me review and indeed change my view of NZ politics and society in recent years.
Civil unions, the mushrooming of the state (not just in welfare), the emphasis on criminals' rights and the evaporation of standards in our schools are all issues on which Franks and few others make any sense.
He seems to me to be coherent, rational and correct on most issues, a rare thing in a politician.
I never thought I would see the day but if Franks is selected by the National Party, I will probably vote for them.

3:41 AM

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