There is an inordinate amount of squealing going on at the moment by those who have held sway for the last nine years. Here an academic takes on the thinking behind curbing local government and makes an interesting but unsubstantiated claim;
But deep down in this vein of thinking are more insidious ideological preconceptions about who we are as a society and what the legitimate role of government ought to be. Most Kiwis, apart from those to the far right, would feel uncomfortable with such views.
In this respect most New Zealanders see themselves having more in common with the worldviews of European social democrats than with those of American neo-conservatives.
Actually Labour fancied themselves as the New Zealand version of the social democrats. Their grand vision was to cement themselves as such as the natural party of government. The electorate just threw them out because they behaved as such.
As immigrants from Europe my parents were decidedly different to their siblings. So were their forbears. Their values drove them out of Europe. As did the values of many who journeyed, of their own volition, to Australia and the States. The people the writer mixes with may be Scandinavian wannabes but I am not convinced "most New Zealanders" are.
Somewhere along the line we have forgotten the description of New Zealanders as embodying rugged individualism. But there is still a strong strain of it simmering.
....councils should play a broad and proactive role in responding to community objectives and promote social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeing.
Bollocks. The well-being of many ratepayers has been severely compromised by this very prescription. This is just code for greater and greater wealth redistribution by those who can't make a gainful living elsewhere.
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Alexander Meiklejohn. ((1872-1964), professor of philosophy and dean of Brown University) was one of the most notable proponents of the link between freedom of speech and democracy. He said, that the concept of democracy is that of self-government by the people. For such a system to work an informed electorate is necessary.
In order to be appropriately knowledgeable, there must be no constraints on the free flow of information and ideas. According to Meiklejohn, democracy will not be true to its essential ideal if those in power are able to manipulate the electorate by withholding information and stifling criticism.
My District Council (small in size) is a classic example of an undemocratic council, continually breaking the principles of the Local Government Act and true democracy. The electorate is informed ages after a decision is made and that is only when a little whisper has come from a staff member.
A “policy” at an in-committee meeting was recently made to block an individual’s emails because too many questions were being asked of the Chief Executive who was causing him stress.
The Mayor declared that this person to be a “Significant Hazard” under the Health & Safety Employment Act 1992 and the Chief Executive must be protected.
What the actions of this council tell me is that they have hired the wrong person as their CEO. When he can’t face the public and won’t answer questions it is obvious that he is not fit for the job with his fat salary of $175,681K.
Penn Jones Jr. the Texas truth-teller said, “True democracy is constant vigilance: not thinking the way you’re meant to think, and keeping your eyes wide open at all times.” Unfortunately not enough people are prepared to stand up and be counted.
Oops I missed the opening paragrahs of my post.........
Ali Memon’s statement is utter rubbish.
"The essence of local government is local democracy. Traditionally, we trust our institutions of electoral democracy because we presume that elected members will adequately represent the values and priorities of their communities."
He has no understanding of what democracy is.
I would be quite happy to see them confine their activities to fixing the streets and collecting the garbage etc.
Civil engineering not social is what they are there for. The sooner Rodney cleans them out the better.
Me thinks having achieved power Rodney will be pragmatic in holding on to its trappings. As they say "power corrupts.........."
Nothing against Rodney or any of them for that matter. But Ive observed to many politicians in my time to think him any different, but happy to be proven wrong.
Dirk
But i digress. How I see myself???
Goodlookin, generous, (to a fault)
kind to animals, but unsympathectic to societies broken-arses to whom we are constantly required to make excuses.
Dirk
"Who we are as a society ..."
Spoken like a true collectivist. How many times has that sort of rationale been invoked in order to impose the latest public hare-brained scheme, eh.
"we have forgotten the description of New Zealanders as embodying rugged individualism."
True, indeed. The much vaunted New Zealand individualism died decades ago in this country.
Over the past twenty or thirty years, we've become a nation of welfare-dependent people, who feel entitled to many things without lifting a finger.
There is no such thing as society.
And NZ is small enough that we don't need councils either. PLease explain why electing the fucking rubbish collectors or parking wardens is a good idea.
Right. You can't. Councils used to be called city corporations - and that's what they should be. Private corporations. Anything else is labourite scum.
And yes- freedom of speech is important. But it is at least last important that we have limits. We don't allow people to shout "fire" in a crowded theatre; we don't allow Al-Quaida to proselytize; we don't allow libel or slander: and we should not allow the advocates of socialism "free" speech either because they do more damage to NZ than all of the above combined.
Frankly, an terrorist bomb or 100 people killed in a stampede is much less damaging than the effects of 9 years of LABOUR.
The local council staff (South Wairarapa District Council)are barely fit to scrape bubble gum off the footpaths.
Anything that happens more technical than putting in a new park bench involves contractors and or consultants.
SWDC would be a great place for Rodney to get warmed up on- hell, they are considered a joke by other councils!
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