The gouging starts...

[slofox]

1. Rents for properties outside of the CBD in Chch are climbing..."due to market demand - the landlords aren't screwing businesses, oh no!" according to the CEO of one property firm. Sure bro...

2. Petrol prices rise "as a result of the earthquake in Chch". No doubt because all the oil wells in Cathedral Square are out of production...

3. Mr English says "all government spending is now under review". (= "we are going to take more and give less - oh and all election promises are no longer binding").

Now no doubt one could argue in favour of these moves but I am feeling old and cynical today, grumpy old bastard that I am and I just reckon the greedies are emerging from under their rocks..

Frankly, I fear we're financially fucked...(please note the alliteration, Mr Hitcher :devil2:)

[mashman]

Yup, money money money... the govt is offering handouts, up the price of everything and we'll just have to accept it :).

I can suggest a simple way for NZ to move forwards... but the greedy's won't like that because it'd be focussed too much towards everyone in the country being treated as people and not valued by their $ return... some may even scream Socialism, but that only shows how they think :)...

in the event we are having problems, please ensure your lifejacket is securely fastened and that you have your oxygen mask on, lean forwards, put your head between your legs, or in a bucket of sand if you can prefer, and prepare for pain the likes of which you've never felt before...

... as you were :shifty:

[Winston001]

1. Rents for properties outside of the CBD in Chch are climbing..."due to market demand - the landlords aren't screwing businesses, oh no!" according to the CEO of one property firm. Sure bro...

Distasteful as it may be, no surprise that rents have jumped to take advantage of an opportunity. I don't like it either but wouldn't you be foolish as a property owner not to accept a higher rent if all other properties were also increasing?


2. Petrol prices rise "as a result of the earthquake in Chch". No doubt because all the oil wells in Cathedral Square are out of production...That is a direct result of the price of oil touching US$100/barrel. Nothing to do with earthquakes.


3. Mr English says "all government spending is now under review". (= "we are going to take more and give less - oh and all election promises are no longer binding"

Not exactly a surprise either. The government spends money which comes from you and I. Now they are having to allow for a humongous damage bill plus decreased taxation income because of the loss of Canterbury economic activity.

[Scuba_Steve]

Yea I heard on the radio the Govts trying to find what they can jack the tax up on to "cover the cost"

well time for the classic emergency advise
"Shouldn't we all lie on the floor or put paper bags over our heads?"
"If you like."
"Will it help?"
"Not at all."

[sidecar bob]

Earthquake or no earthquake, its a simple case of supply & demand.
Landlords would be very silly if they didnt recognise that, or should they just let people occupy their buildings because they feel sorry for them.
Sympathy wont pay the mortgage.

[slofox]

That is a direct result of the price of oil touching US$100/barrel. Nothing to do with earthquakes.

This was a quote from an oil Co. person - heard on radio NZ late last night...


Like I said Winston, one can argue in favour of these moves, just as you have done. However, I remain cynical and curmudgeonly. Just one of those days.

[superman]

How about introduce one more tax bracket for say those above $140,000 and make it 40%. Easy. No doubt though they are all the people that can pull the strings with the government and would have the power to stop it just because they make more money.

[F5 Dave]

Because those people will move to Auss & I think you'll find that the amount of money you would collect from people who make more than 140k (the amount above) would be a lot less than just cranking up say chewing gum tax a tiny amount. 'Course it's the rich man's fault. Lets stick it to The Man.:rolleyes:

[Dave Lobster]

How about introduce one more tax bracket for say those above $140,000 and make it 40%. Easy. No doubt though they are all the people that can pull the strings with the government and would have the power to stop it just because they make more money.

Nothing like pushing the high earners abroad..

[Smifffy]

How about introduce one more tax bracket for say those above $140,000 and make it 40%. Easy. No doubt though they are all the people that can pull the strings with the government and would have the power to stop it just because they make more money.

How about capping the DPB payment at 2 kids?

:weird:

I don't see the point in targetting any sector of society to pay for this, we are all going to have to pay, except of course for those that head off overseas anyway.

[avgas]

Because those people will move to Auss & I think you'll find that the amount of money you would collect from people who make more than 140k (the amount above) would be a lot less than just cranking up say chewing gum tax a tiny amount. 'Course it's the rich man's fault. Lets stick it to The Man.:rolleyes:
lol my thoughts exactly.
Yeah thats what NZ needs. Less reason for people to earn more money.

I did have to laugh that years ago when there was talk of increased ACC, I submitted a letter to govt saying "Hey just ramp up GST to 15% instead, no one will care..."

Govt did both.
We got spit roasted.

I think there should be a increased tax on paper. Forcing people to conserve more by using less paper. Could make billions of that tax.

[avgas]

How about capping the DPB payment at 2 kids?
Or a flat fee regardless how many kids you have.......

[superman]

17.5% GST?... :devil2:

Soo uhh... how much did they say the country would make if they did some conservation land mining? :wait:

[Banditbandit]

This is capitalism at at rawest .. and the "free market" that everyone thought was a good idea ...

feels like a good time to say "Told you so ..."

[superman]

This is capitalism at at rawest .. and the "free market" that everyone thought was a good idea ...

feels like a good time to say "Told you so ..."

Key was talking the other day and we have a huge earthquake/natural disaster fund. Is this just to try and top it back up as quick as possible and then keep the higher whatever they do because they'll get more to spend on the country/themselves

[Smifffy]

Key was talking the other day and we have a huge earthquake/natural disaster fund. Is this just to try and top it back up as quick as possible and then keep the higher whatever they do because they'll get more to spend on the country/themselves

Did you listen to what he actually said, or the out of context 2 second soundbite that sells newstime advertising?

[superman]

Did you listen to what he actually said, or the out of context 2 second soundbite that sells newstime advertising?

:o wooooopsies

[admenk]

Maybe if they just bought cheaper ministerial BMWs ?

Sorry, of course, that would be leading by example and we wouldn't want that:rolleyes:

I don't think anyone will mind doing their bit to help to pay for this disaster, the problem comes when it's all sorted, but our Govt (of whatever party) are still using it as an excuse to take our money

[bogan]

Like I said Winston, one can argue in favour of these moves, just as you have done. However, I remain cynical and curmudgeonly. Just one of those days.

begs the question, if you were to come back to this thread on a happy day, would you then start arguing with yourself?

Also, I can see the rational behind 2 and 3, but raising rent cos of natural disaster property damage, that's pretty low. Just cos you can, doesn't justify it.

[mashman]

So Kiwis really do look after each other in times of need :blink: It's business, not personal.

[Elysium]

Don't see why landlords should be raising rents. I mean most should have insurance to cover these properties.

[neels]

So Kiwis really do look after each other in times of need :blink: It's business, not personal.
Not everyone.

We have a flat for rent, and as expected we have had a few calls in the last couple of days. It surprised me that some peoples first suggestion was that we could up the rent, it seems a bit wrong to me to make life even more miserable for someone that's just become homeless.

The hard part at the moment is finding someone interested in inspecting the place to see if it's safe to occupy, figured it's a good thing to do before someone moves in, and I'm sure there would be a lots of interest and finger pointing if a wall fell over in an aftershock and crushed someone.

[mashman]

Not everyone.

We have a flat for rent, and as expected we have had a few calls in the last couple of days. It surprised me that some peoples first suggestion was that we could up the rent, it seems a bit wrong to me to make life even more miserable for someone that's just become homeless.

The hard part at the moment is finding someone interested in inspecting the place to see if it's safe to occupy, figured it's a good thing to do before someone moves in, and I'm sure there would be a lots of interest and finger pointing if a wall fell over in an aftershock and crushed someone.

Light, i can see some light :rofl:... on ya neels... shame others don't have that kind of attitude.

aye, that'd bit pretty hard to bare... hope you get someone soon :niceone:

[F5 Dave]

This is capitalism at at rawest .. and the "free market" that everyone thought was a good idea ...

feels like a good time to say "Told you so ..."
Yeah communism has proven to be a far more robust model.


. . . .until it implodes when reality eventually catches up.

[Grumph]

You're not alone with your rental property problem - a friend of mine has a house empty out of town but won't rent it because he can't get it inspected.

On the way into town last week i saw a lot of "for lease" signs on Buchanans Rd - small and medium size businesses which had folded - bet the owners of those properties have been on their knees offering thanks....

For the benefit of those not in ChCh - the west and North are again relatively unscathed...not totally but pretty well...so the CBD businesses which can shift are looking in those areas. Large empty properties are pretty scarce so supply & demand is ruling...

[jasonu]

How about capping the DPB payment at 2 kids?...

And while they are at it, round up anyone who has been on the dole for more than six months and is physically able to work, send them to Chch and call the dole payment wages for helping with the clean up. Free tent and food included. Some of them might even learn the value of a hard days work.

[Scuba_Steve]

And while they are at it, round up anyone who has been on the dole for more than six months and is physically able to work, send them to Chch and call the dole payment wages for helping with the clean up. Free tent and food included. Some of them might even learn the value of a hard days work.

not a bad idea :niceone:

[Usarka]

. I don't like it either but wouldn't you be foolish as a property owner not to accept a higher rent if all other properties were also increasing?

About as foolish as giving away some money/food/graft etc as an act of charity.

Parasitic scum.

[Banditbandit]

Yeah communism has proven to be a far more robust model.


. . . .until it implodes when reality eventually catches up.

I was not arguing for communism at all ... the examples we have of that are worse than anything our capitalist democracies have ...

But the rampant capitalism of the 1980s has turned many New Zealanders into greedy people ...

I object to peopple profiting from the misfortune of others ..as many landlords in Chch are now doing ...

[F5 Dave]

Fair call, but I'd suggest that human nature is largely consistent irrespective of political climate.