The Election - who among us will vote National?

[slofox]

Would anyone really vote for a party just because of the ACC levy issue?

Well I wouldn't for a start. But I would vote AGAINST a party because of said issue.

[Spearfish]

Would anyone really vote for a party just because of the ACC levy issue?

No, I can't vote just on the ACC levy issue because I ride a 2 stroke so the ban the 2 stroke issue is up there high on the list considering the "mould your own sandals out of oatmeal" party is polling dangerously high.

[ellipsis]

No No No...
Economic policies are most important.
What they amount too is Labour spends our money whether we have it or not, to increase our reliance on them, whilst National spends our money whether we have it or not, to increase the wealth of their wealthy mates.

NZ is an irrelevance on the world stage.

...and most kiwis seem to have an over inflated sense of their worth or standing on the planet...too much self belief in the kiwi myth...8 gauge wire and the we can do it attitude.....bollocks..we deserve every bit of shafting we get...me included...we are a smug, unaware bunch of misfits at the good end of the planet...til we let that bit go, to...

[Banditbandit]

You're right, I just had a quick look myself, so here's the whole thing again, since people have such short memories:

Hi Smifffy

I'm not aware of any commitments that we've made regarding the
Motorcycle Safety Levy. We're currently working on our manifesto for the
coming election and I'm sure we will give a clear indication of how we
see this and other issues affecting motor cycle owners being addressed.

With regard to the MSAC, I've been keeping in regular contact with Brent
Hutchison, who is the BRONZ representative on the committee. I was also
a bit concerned about the late addition of the AA representative. I'd
suggest that if you want more info on what that group is up to, perhaps
you might like to get in touch with Brent?

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Chris

Sincerely
Smifffy

Yeah .. naaa .. that's a typical politican's "say-nothing" answer

[Morcs]

Privatise everything.

Those who can afford, get.
Those who cant, dont.

Rather than current situation where service for most things is pretty crap so that those who can afford, pay for those who cant as well as their own private.

This accounts for everything pretty much - health, education, transportation etc. etc.

[Banditbandit]

No No No...
Economic policies are most important.
What they amount too is Labour spends our money whether we have it or not, to increase our reliance on them, whilst National spends our money whether we have it or not, to increase the wealth of their wealthy mates.

: : :

[Smifffy]

Yeah .. naaa .. that's a typical politican's "say-nothing" answer

I know. Far, far, far removed from a 'promise' to remove the levy. But people will believe what they want to believe. People also heard Phil Goff 'promise' to remove the levy at the bikeoi. I took the time to search out the full vid clip of his speech, and no such promise was made. Sorry I don't have a link for that, and as I recall I did take a bit of searching out. I was specifically watching it for the promise, and would have quoted it in my mail to Hipkins if I'd found it - was the reason I was looking for it in the first place.

There are possibly many reasons to vote for them, but removal of the ACC levy isn't one of them, at this stage.

Hmm time to write Hipkins again for an update, perhaps.

[MSTRS:Me]

: : :

What? You doubt my financial/political acumen?

I know. Far, far, far removed from a 'promise' to remove the levy. But people will believe what they want to believe. People also heard Phil Goff 'promise' to remove the levy at the bikeoi. I took the time to search out the full vid clip of his speech, and no such promise was made. Sorry I don't have a link for that, and as I recall I did take a bit of searching out. I was specifically watching it for the promise, and would have quoted it in my mail to Hipkins if I'd found it - was the reason I was looking for it in the first place.

There are possibly many reasons to vote for them, but removal of the ACC levy isn't one of them, at this stage.

Hmm time to write Hipkins again for an update, perhaps.

He said, and I quote, "A Labour govt will reverse the changes made to ACC". That could mean almost anything, of course.
But, a number of us in HB were invited to a lunch with Goff, put on by Stuart Nash. At that lunch, we each had the opportunity to talk to Goff about our concerns, particularly around the bike/ACC issue. He stated categorically to our faces across the table, that he would remove the extra charges and return to the previous model.
At a later date, can't remember when/where, I heard him say that he 'was comfortable with the current ACC situation and would not be reversing anything'.
Like all pollies, he is a liar.

[Edbear]

What do you expect? They're just saying what they think you want to hear, that's how you win this game. If that's got little relation to the real world or workable schemes to improve it who's fault is that?

As long as the voting public believe a better lifestyle comes from anything other than hard work and sensible personal fiscal policy then politicians will continue to offer them bullshit rather than facts.

Now, now, why go and spoil it with facts..?

No No No...
Economic policies are most important.
What they amount too is Labour spends our money whether we have it or not, to increase our reliance on them, whilst National spends our money whether we have it or not, to increase the wealth of their wealthy mates.

NZ is an irrelevance on the world stage. No particular strategic importance to the so-called super powers, with a total population less than a quarter of most the world's major cities, no 'important' manufacturing, and totally reliant on what primary produce the world will buy from us and at what price.
Not to forget our other great 'export'...tourism. If the rest of the world has no money or isn't spending, they don't come here.

Same to you!

[Smifffy]

Let's see if the promise is real, shall we?

Hi Chris,

I know this is most likely a very busy time for you, and I have not written in a while, however I am keen to know how motorcycling issues have been incorporated into the manifesto that you have been working on since I last wrote. I have visited the ownyourfuture website, which the labour.org site indicated would be the preferred channel for policy releases. I wasn't able to find much specific policy there. For many of my motorcycling friends this will be a key issue in the coming election.

I have seen that Mr Hutchison has advised the motorcycling public that his services are no longer required by the advisory council, and this further lack of a representative who clearly communicated with motorcyclists vexes me even more.

I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me the policy regarding motorcycle registrations and ACC and I will happily share it with my motorcycling friends.

Good luck with your campaign.

Best regards

[sleemanj]

I'll probably be really unpopular for saying it (KB does tend to the right considerably!), but I am strongly leaning towards party vote Green this year.

Green are not THAT bad, they have become FAR more moderate (and sensible) recently under the new leadership. Gareth Hughes is one to watch I think, young up and comer so to speak.

Labour, who traditionally would garner my vote, just don't have any mojo since Helen and Michael left, there is no strong leadership, Goff, King, Cunliffe, give me a break. I would be interested to see Mallard take the reigns personally, once Goff gets the old heave-ho.

National, too far from my principles, even in their modern centrist clothes. Key is a good front man, sure he's a charlatan but he's a good one.

ACT, OMG, Don farkin Brash, are you farkin kidding me, seriously now, who's damned stupid idea was that!

Maori, ugh, no. Mana, oh HELL no.

[Smifffy]

For me so far, the Greens have spent too much time slagging off the other leaders and not doing enough of their own things. I can slag pollies off myself I don't need to vote for someone to do it for me. I do think that their release today about Aus banks strip-mining capital out of NZ was a good one.

I'll probably be really unpopular for saying it (KB does tend to the right considerably!), but I am strongly leaning towards party vote Green this year.

Green are not THAT bad, they have become FAR more moderate (and sensible) recently under the new leadership. Gareth Hughes is one to watch I think, young up and comer so to speak.

Labour, who traditionally would garner my vote, just don't have any mojo since Helen and Michael left, there is no strong leadership, Goff, King, Cunliffe, give me a break. I would be interested to see Mallard take the reigns personally, once Goff gets the old heave-ho.

National, too far from my principles, even in their modern centrist clothes. Key is a good front man, sure he's a charlatan but he's a good one.

ACT, OMG, Don farkin Brash, are you farkin kidding me, seriously now, who's damned stupid idea was that!

Maori, ugh, no. Mana, oh HELL no.

[Flip]

Once a tax like the ACC on bike rego goes on it never comes off, unless that is there is a conservative right wing goverment and the tax on every dollar I earn over $60,000 goes down.

My issue is that a vote for National is a vote for the BRT, which don't represent many of us here in the real world.

[Swoop]

I could not trust labour to do anything but "investigate" the levy & even then they would simply hire consultants to do that work.
As for removing the levy completely...

The greens will have you riding a one-horsepower transportation device which will be... a horse. You will have to buy your own saddle and will be paying an emissions tax on it as well.

[DR650gary]

My issue is that a vote for National is a vote for the BRT, which don't represent many of us here in the real world.

"Be Right There"? or Business Round Table. I'm not too good at acronyms.

If you work and earn a living, you are represented by the Business Round Table or your boss is.

It's a fact of life that what is good for your or your employers business will ultimately be good for your country.

Tax is a reality of life but when it becomes usurious, or is perceived to be, people will avoid/evade it or leave our country forever.

But you are right, as less of our population actually works for a living, the BRT may not represent many of us in the real world, because in this real world, New Zealand, the majority do not work or are not actually gainfully employed.

I see the few dollars that ACC is unjustly taking off me as a lot less onerous that the massive amount that Welfare is taking off me.

Cheers