Who will win the 2011 election?

[Banditbandit]

Yeah, he did. And in 1993 when his good buddy Roger Douglas launched Association of Citizens and Taxpayers along with his mate Derek Quigley I was at the launch function and paid my $20 and joined up. It seemed like SUCH a good idea on the outside, but I made the mistake of looking beyond the externalities and taking into account that just because I'm OK doesn't mean everyone else is and I'm actually better off if everyone else is too.

ACT actually stands for Association of Consumers and Taxpayers.

It's an important point as the party therefore represents positions within an economic structure - it does not represent citizens or human beings.

[shrub]

ACT actually stands for Association of Consumers and Taxpayers.

It's an important point as the party therefore represents positions within an economic structure - it does not represent citizens or human beings.

Correct. Interesting the choice of word - if you look at their core economic policies there is very little about production and export. Their 20 point strategy to catch Australia is all about cutting government expenditure and reducing regulation, privatising core services, reducing tarrifs on imports, building more houses, building more prisons and introducing rentacops and teaching parenting and life skills.

There is no mention about producing more higher value exports or even producing or exporting anything. I think imbecilic is too polite.

[Ocean1]

There is no mention about producing more higher value exports or even producing or exporting anything[/B].

Dude. Sit down.

No political party has ever, (nor have any ever specifically claimed to have) produced anything of marketable value whatsoever. Ever.

Have a drink.

[shrub]

Dude. Sit down.

No political party has ever, (nor have any ever specifically claimed to have) produced anything of marketable value whatsoever. Ever.

Have a drink.

I have and I will have another.

National, Labour and the Greens all list increasing exports as critical to our economic success, are Act simply unaware of the importance of generating income or do they think that selling assets, reducing services and cutting taxes is a better approach?

[Ocean1]

National, Labour and the Greens all list increasing exports as critical to our economic success

But none of them ever claimed to actually produced any.

And where value is concerned that's the ultimate evaluation tool: Can they deliver the actual goods?

And none of them ever have.

are Act simply unaware of the importance of generating income or do they think that selling assets, reducing services and cutting taxes is a better approach?

Can't be sure. Perhaps they're of the opinion that if you simply refrain from actively discouraging people from generating income then they mostly tend to do it without outside help or inteferance.

And, historically speaking if you're looking for political entities to contribute genuine measurable improvements in national productive activity that's about all you can expect.

[shrub]

But none of them ever claimed to actually produced any.

And where value is concerned that's the ultimate evaluation tool: Can they deliver the actual goods?

And none of them ever have.

The Greens have never been in government, but in the past both National and Labour have led NZ during periods where we exported more than we imported. The last labour government had a poor run in their last term and the current crop are at least as bad, but at least they recognise the importance of exports and have policies designed to facilitate them.

Can't be sure. Perhaps they're of the opinion that if you simply refrain from actively discouraging people from generating income then they mostly tend to do it without outside help or inteferance.

Surely hoping for the best is not as good as actually having a strategy to achieve an end? And many of their other policies will encourage imports, so why is importing more important than exporting?

We need a government with a vision for the future and aspirations of NZ as an economically strong country that earns more than it spends.

[Ocean1]

both National and Labour have led NZ during periods where we exported more than we imported. The last labour government had a poor run in their last term and the current crop are at least as bad, but at least they recognise the importance of exports and have policies designed to facilitate them.

None of which had as much positive effect as the combined negative ones they were even quicker to foist on us.

We need a government with a vision for the future and aspirations of NZ as an economically strong country that earns more than it spends.

Let's change that wording a tad. Every person I know that's been successfull in becoming and remaining wealthy spent less than they earned.

There is a difference.

[rainman]

We also need to stop being free-market purists and recognise that we are too small and too volatile to be able to enjoy a completely free exchange rate. There need to be controls, even if it pisses off some of our trading partners, and a band needs to be introduced. Pissing off our trading partners is easy - we make sure that what we sell is so bloody good that they are willing to accept our terms of trade.

A quality post, but apparently I have blinged you too much. Welcome back!

So you've been thinking .... didn't Richard Prebble (top Labour man) do that ... before he went over to ACT?

And there I was thinking he'd just banged his head or something...

We need a government with a vision for the future and aspirations of NZ as an economically strong country that earns more than it spends.

Ain't that the truth.

Know where we can find one?

[Quasievil]

We need a government with a vision for the future and aspirations of NZ as an economically strong country that earns more than it spends.

Where you saluting the NZ flag whilst listening to the national anthem when you wrote that load of dribble ?
just asking

[rainman]

Where you saluting the NZ flag whilst listening to the national anthem when you wrote that load of dribble ?
just asking

Interesting that your reflex is to cringe if someone starts being even a teensy bit aspirational. I think you have just made my point.

Unless of course you think we don't need a vision, shouldn't be economically strong, and can run indefinite deficits. In which case you've made my other point.

[Quasievil]

Interesting that your reflex is to cringe if someone starts being even a teensy bit aspirational. I think you have just made my point.

Unless of course you think we don't need a vision, shouldn't be economically strong, and can run indefinite deficits. In which case you've made my other point.

Im still waiting for his answers, not his vision we all got that, after being slammed earlier I was expecting a valid option with something to back it up with.
But I should know that this wont come from Shrub

[Banditbandit]

Im still waiting for his answers, not his vision we all got that, after being slammed earlier I was expecting a valid option with something to back it up with.
But I should know that this wont come from Shrub

Are you any better??? All I've seen from you is "that won't work .. that won't work .. that won't work" Oh and "Exterminate Somalis" ...

[Quasievil]

Are you any better??? All I've seen from you is "that won't work .. that won't work .. that won't work" Oh and "Exterminate Somalis" ...

yes, I said exterminate Somalis from NZ

[mashman]

Are you any better??? All I've seen from you is "that won't work .. that won't work .. that won't work" Oh and "Exterminate Somalis" ...

Be fair, there are no need for answers... the govt will provide

[MisterD]

Surely hoping for the best is not as good as actually having a strategy to achieve an end?

So can you actually point to a policy from any of the left wing parties (Green, Labour or National) to acheive greater exports?

Talking about it, is not the same as doing something about it...mouth - trousers and all that. Let's pick a successful exporting company....how about Rakon? If the Greens had their way, the'd shut down half of what they do because it "goes into smart bombs". Successful companies are usually successful in spite of govt policy, not because of it.