New Ideas & Other Stuff

MP’s and ministers have started their new jobs with a pay rise of between 3.8 & 4.8%. Many people feel that in the present economic climate this is not a good look. Almost every day there is another news item about yet another group of workers who are being made redundant or whose hours and work opportunities are being reduced. The new government clearly stated they would be a government of restraint and excess spending would be “reined in” So much for election promises it makes you wonder who the rules are for. Is it one rule for us and another rule for the public.
Prime Minister John Key's salary rises from $375,000 a year to $393,000. Not a lot you might say but all ministers and even back benches will get additional pay. The burning question is will these in our parliament earning more money do more work, be more motivated or any way do any thing to justify their additional remuneration. Consider the headlines that there would have been if all politicians had unanimously agreed to for go the salary increase as a show of good faith in the present economic conditions.

Statistics tell us that 77% of eligible people voted at this year’s general election. This means that 23% did not vote. It seems hard to understand that almost a quarter of voters do not see the relevance and significance of casting their vote. In this hi-tech age it would seem that getting the message to these people would be increasingly more effective. It is strange however that in 1989 only 11% did not vote. Is this to be an increasing trend in the future? If it is then we should all be very concerned as surly this is the very heart of our democratic system. With out an expensive and exhaustive inquiry into why almost a quarter of our people did not vote we can only speculate. Perhaps some aspiring Masters student could look at this for their thesis or as part of a political assignment.
Is this part of the declining values that seem to be across all sectors of our society? Has the search for the dollar become so all consuming that some people can not even take a few minutes out to cast a vote?

Well the election is over and New Zealand has elected a right wing government. The Act party a more extreme right wing party gained five seats and will become the major coalition partner. The negotiations with Act will begin on Monday and a government would seem to be able to be formed with out undue delay. With five MPs it will be probable that Act will see its role as keeping National to the right and away from a centrist approach. With Sir Roger Douglas as one of the five Act MP’s there could be a fiery time ahead. Act will want to push their polices, all tending to the extreme right. They will be also be wanting to ensure they are seen to be effective in order to maintain the momentum they have gained and help establish the Act party as a force in the New Zealand political scene. I believe we need to respect the decision that the people of New Zealand have made but ensure that we do not let the government stray to the extreme right which would result in a “Bright new Future“ for only a limited sector of our community.

Well the leaders are on the final whirl wind tour of the country. The policy has been disclosed, the debates are over and the impressions and perceptions have been left in the minds of the voters. This election is different because of the pending world wide financial crisis. Perhaps we should all consider this critical factor in the equation in make our vote.

For many people their decisions are made (Some have already voted). Some people will vote as they have always voted maybe even the same way as their parents voted. Others will vote on they basis of “money in their pocket” and perceived advantages that they may personally gain. There will no doubt be another group who will make their vote a form of protest, often based on a single issue which they feel strongly about. These feelings can be so intense that they may even vote to their own detriment. There are always those who also go to the polling booth and cast an invalid vote whether by accident, lacking the ability to follow instructions or deliberately.  

Hopefully their will also be a number of people that will carefully way up all that they have seen, heard and understood and then make their choice. A decision which will be free of biases, prejudices and self interest, making a decision which will be in the best interest of our communities, country and future generations.  

John Key keeps saying National will stimulate the economy and help New Zealand out of the recession. However all he keeps saying is fast broadband. There will no doubt be benefits for some of the business sector. But I suggest that the average man and women will see few if any real benefits from faster broadband. It should also be noted that with technologies ever rapid progress, major investments in broadband will not be a long term solution as at some stage the backbone will become dated and even perhaps redundant.
For most people the only benefit they will get is faster down loads for You Tube and videos and of course the down side will be a monthly bill from the ISP who is keen to make a return on the investments they have in the infrastructure.
The Labour party suggest bringing forward state assisted housing, insulating older homes and fast tracking transport infrastructure projects along with other ideas. Providing jobs and stimulating the economy. This is one of the most important elections there has ever been in our country. A new face and a change may not be the best long term solution for New Zealand. We need experience skill and the best possible people to help new Zealand work through the next three years and become the country that our children and grand children can call home.