Here's a thought

[dpex]

I'd elect to pay the ACC levy rather then join the Greens.

The point in joining the Greens, HB, is to send a very solid message to the incumbents. You don't have to agree with anything the Greens say, except their clear stance on the ACC levy.

[dpex]

Or we could burn down an ACT office.

Rodney Roast? Hmmm, need a lot of mustard to cover the shitty taste.

[st00ji]

i was having thoughts along a slightly similar line the other day.

like maybe getting some friendly addresses in helensville (thats JKs electorate for those that dont know) and registering a couple of hundred thousand bikers as residents of helensville. then send him a letter about how we arent pleased with this ACC nonsense and will be making sure he doesnt win his seat ever again

[jed4czar]

The point in joining the Greens, HB, is to send a very solid message to the incumbents. You don't have to agree with anything the Greens say, except their clear stance on the ACC levy.

Alternatives are available - Although I am loath to advocate for any one party ...The one move that would fix Parliament in NZ would be to disqualify anyone who wanted to be an MP from becoming one! However, I digress, the progressives (Anderton party) also oppose it. See below for a reply to my email.

Dear Jed,

Thank you for your message regarding the proposal to increase the ACC levy payable by owners of motor bikes, in some cases by several hundred per cent.

I am opposed to this for two principal reasons:

The first is that it is not necessary. The ACC fund is not in a financial crisis as the current National led government claims. The scheme as originally constituted was a ‘pay as you go’ scheme i.e. the levies received in any one year meet the requirements for payments in that year. In fact the recent history of the scheme has been that the income more than meets the payment requirements. The same applies to, for example, national superannuation. In that case the identification of the effect of the ‘baby boom’ generation coming to retirement and creating a demand ‘bulge’ on the commitment to pay universal pensions at a reasonable level can be anticipated and planned for ( the so-called ‘Cullen’ fund). If the ACC funding was in crisis this could be handled in the same way, but it is not in crisis and no amount of insisting that it is on the part of the present Minister can make it so.

The problem arises because the current government insists that all of the future financial obligations of the fund must be funded in the present. That would make sense if the ACC was an insurance scheme – which it is not and was never intended to be. It makes even more sense if the government has a hidden agenda – which looks increasingly likely – to privatise the ACC or farm parts of it out to insurance companies. In those circumstances, a fully funded scheme in which the fund has been paid for by taxpayers would look a very attractive proposition to a private insurer, but it is one to which I am entirely opposed.

The second reason is that the ACC scheme was never intended to be a user pays scheme in which those who allegedly incur specific costs must, as a group, also meet those costs in full. The scheme is intended to draw upon the overall resources of the community to ensure that those who suffer an accident do not find themselves disadvantaged because they cannot afford treatment or rehabilitation, or meet the expenses associated with a lengthy court case. I note that Sir Owen Woodhouse, whose report led to the setting up of the scheme in 1973 has very recently said precisely that. Saying that motor cyclists must pay much more than presently because they are ‘responsible’ for their accidents not only breaches the principal behind the scheme, it also re-introduces the notion of fault into the scheme when it was set up in the first place to avoid it.

Please be assured that I will be opposing the proposed increased levy and that we in the Progressive Party are committed to restoring the scheme to its original basis when we return to government.

Warm regards,

Jim Anderton
MP for Wigram
Progressive Party Leader

[Kevnz]

We should all join BRONZ, if you haven't already. The amount of good they have done for us all in the last week is more than the Greens will ever do. Les for PM

[klingon]

Well, the Greens have been promoted to Official Good Bastards (TM)

Regardless of whether people want to join them in a general context, they've come through for bikers.

I reckon maybe the next Auckland flash mob could be a ride to a Green electorate office (do they have any), not to protest but to deliver some flowers or choccies or something.

Could be good press in that, shows we're not just a bunch of whingers.

What a marvellous idea!

The Auckland Green Party head office is on the city end of New North Road, just by that funny Dominion Road slip lane. Ivan Sowry (who is the Green Party ACC spokesman and wrote the letters being discussed here) works from the New North Road office.

I think it would be brilliant to deliver flowers or choccies there as a 'thanks for caring' gesture.

[BMWST?]

i ussually give my party vote to the greens...despite the image I think they have shown themselves to be a responsible,moderate,sensible political influence.I think they have shown how MMP can give real representation to smaller groups.They have used thier power wisely,unlike some other smaller parties.

[Skyryder]

Or we could burn down an ACT office.

November five seems a good time.



I think I'll go buy some Greggs Jelly.


Skyryder

[dpex]

What a marvellous idea!

The Auckland Green Party head office is on the city end of New North Road, just by that funny Dominion Road slip lane. Ivan Sowry (who is the Green Party ACC spokesman and wrote the letters being discussed here) works from the New North Road office.

I think it would be brilliant to deliver flowers or choccies there as a 'thanks for caring' gesture.

Listen up folks. We have a voting block of upwards of 400,000...actually its near 500,000, but let's not fess on numbers.

We all join the greens as an adipose to Key's lot. We then vote for the greens at the next elections, 400,000 of us would give them a lot of seats.

But after we join and BEFORE we vote, we get with the greens and make it clear that we are into green...we are, eh? I mean this land is paradise, and so let's keep it green. But we're not into the anti-smacking bill and other such childish policies the greens put forward just to garner favour with the bosses.

With 400,000 votes the greens could be the bosses, but under our terms....the voters.

Yes. we want a green land. Yes we want our traditions preserved. Yes we want Maori to participate but not at our exclusive expense. Yes we want the whales saved, the dolphins protected, the 1080 banned, but mostly we want the current bunch of Nazis to back off our case.

To do that we have to rattle them. To get there we have to first join a lobby group, then vote for them.

Go Green I say.

And if the Greens want to retain our support then they'd better get practical, or our support will silt and they will be back in political no-mans land.

Fist. Let's all join. Second. Lets talk with them. Third. Let's get our way...if on only this one subject. ACC bullshit.!

[dpex]

What a marvellous idea!

The Auckland Green Party head office is on the city end of New North Road, just by that funny Dominion Road slip lane. Ivan Sowry (who is the Green Party ACC spokesman and wrote the letters being discussed here) works from the New North Road office.

I think it would be brilliant to deliver flowers or choccies there as a 'thanks for caring' gesture.

Listen up folks. We have a voting block of upwards of 400,000...actually its near 500,000, but let's not fess on numbers.

We all join the greens as an adipose to Key's lot. We then vote for the greens at the next elections, 400,000 of us would give them a lot of seats.

But after we join and BEFORE we vote, we get with the greens and make it clear that we are into green...we are, eh? I mean this land is paradise, and so let's keep it green. But we're not into the anti-smacking bill and other such childish policies the greens put forward just to garner favour with the bosses.

With 400,000 votes the greens could be the bosses, but under our terms....the voters.

Yes. we want a green land. Yes we want our traditions preserved. Yes we want Maori to participate but not at our exclusive expense. Yes we want the whales saved, the dolphins protected, the 1080 banned, but mostly we want the current bunch of Nazis to back off our case.

To do that we have to rattle them. To get there we have to first join a lobby group, then vote for them.

Go Green I say.

And if the Greens want to retain our support then they'd better get practical, or our support will silt and they will be back in political no-mans land.

First. Let's all join. Second. Lets talk with them. Third. Let's get our way...if on only this one subject. ACC bullshit.!

You have to admit, democracy is the most childish way of running a country since communism. But democracy is all we have. So let's get democratic about this.

Basically it's 'Fuck you, Smith!' by voting green.

And let's face it. All he wants is his flash job back, next season.

We have these pratts by the balls if only we'd vote as a block.

[Ixion]

Don't actually have to join them . Just make Mr Key think that a significant number MIGHT.

Actually he'd probably be more worried about us joining the Anderton party. (who is also an Official Good Bastard, much as it tears my guts out to say it)

[Ixion]

Well, the Greens have been promoted to Official Good Bastards (TM)

Regardless of whether people want to join them in a general context, they've come through for bikers.

I reckon maybe the next Auckland flash mob could be a ride to a Green electorate office (do they have any), not to protest but to deliver some flowers or choccies or something.

Could be good press in that, shows we're not just a bunch of whingers.

I actually set up a thread for this flash ride , but for some reason put it in the SMC forum .

I'll make one in a main forum

[Teflon]

Listen up folks. We have a voting block of upwards of 400,000...actually its near 500,000, but let's not fess on numbers.

We all join the greens as an adipose to Key's lot. We then vote for the greens at the next elections, 400,000 of us would give them a lot of seats.

Will my cost of living go up if these fuckers have any power?

[FJRider]

Don't actually have to join them . Just make Mr Key think that a significant number MIGHT.

Actually he'd probably be more worried about us joining the Anderton party. (who is also an Official Good Bastard, much as it tears my guts out to say it)

That number of potential voters potentially changing their vote to another party, would worry him... or at least that number of potential voters NOT voting for him.

[Winston001]

Its an interesting idea which has merit.

Where did the 400,000 come from? I thought there were 98,000 registered bikes - and some people will own more than one.