Snap election!

**Hitcher** · 17th September 2006, 13:51

Originally Posted by Colapop

Rob's Mob Rock!! Love him or hate him, at least he had the nuts to make a decision and stick with it.

That's a bit of an urban legend. Rob Muldoon was the most socialist Prime Minister New Zealand has ever had. If anything he lived in fear of uncertainty and making decisions. Everything was regulated -- from the exchange rate to butter sales (margarine could only be purchased with a doctor's prescription, ditto for new cars with an automatic transmission). You could only take a limited amount of money overseas when travelling. There was compulsory unionism and all of the palaver that went with that, such as the Minister of Labour negotiating pay rates for various collectives with the Federation of Labour. Remember such things as the wages and prices freeze as a way of controlling inflation? How about carless days as a way of dealing with the "oil shock" of 1975?

Not our golden age by any stretch.

I could go on...

**Colapop** · 17th September 2006, 13:55

... please do. From the little I knew of him as a politician and the way he treated me personally, I can safely say that I liked him.

I think there should be a Hitcher party! I'll bring some beers...

**Hitcher** · 17th September 2006, 14:15

Originally Posted by Colapop

... please do. From the little I knew of him as a politician and the way he treated me personally, I can safely say that I liked him.

I think there should be a Hitcher party! I'll bring some beers...

Col, don't you own a motorcycle? Why aren't you out riding it, or sitting next to it in Carterton with some sort of silly self-satisfied smirk on your dial? Have you seen the weather outside?

If you're going to the footie later, I'll forgive you for being indoors...

**Skyryder** · 17th September 2006, 14:27

Originally Posted by Goblin

Yeah I'm for real. Who gives a toss what people do in their private lives? I thought he was good for the country. I'm not old enough to remember Gentleman Jack or Holyoak tho.

Normally I'd agree but when Brash is bedding the Deputy Chairwoman of the Buisness Roundtable, a group that sees itself as a thinktank but is in reality a lobby group for buisness organisations then it should be seen for what it is. Brash has allowed himself to be compromised where legislation in agreement with Roundtable philosphy could be introduced into Parliment courtesy of the National Party when they gain the Treasury Benches.

Labour had every right to bring this affair to to the publics notice.

Skyryder

**Pixie** · 17th September 2006, 14:41

Originally Posted by Steam

I'm probably going to get some red reps for this but fuckit, I'm drunk;

Stupid hippy

**Hitcher** · 17th September 2006, 14:48

Originally Posted by Skyryder

Normally I'd agree but when Brash is bedding the Deputy Chairwoman of the Buisness Roundtable, a group that sees itself as a thinktank but is in reality a lobby group for buisness organisations then it should be seen for what it is. Brash has allowed himself to be compromised where legislation in agreement with Roundtable philosphy could be introduced into Parliment courtesy of the National Party when they gain the Treasury Benches.

Labour had every right to bring this affair to to the publics notice.

Skyryder

I can't understand the "outrage" about National's connections with the Business Roundtable, whether the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is allegedly boning the deputy chair of said ginger group or not. The Labour Party is and has been in bed with the trade union movement since its inception. Unions rark up their members to vote Labour at every election. They fund the Labour Party. Many Labour MPs (past and present) have been union organisers. Surely that's more sinister than Mr Brash's alleged sex life?

**rwh** · 17th September 2006, 14:56

Originally Posted by Steam

I'm probably going to get some red reps for this but fuckit, I'm drunk;

I'm not drunk, but I'm hoping red rep doesn't get dished out for political opinion (even though green seems fine; I'm not sure why).

Of those two, I'd pick Labour.

In coalition with Green.

And preferably, with Jeanette Fitzsimons for PM.

Oh, and someone with a bit of force for speaker; they need to be made to do some actual constructive debating for a change.

Richard

**Lou Girardin** · 17th September 2006, 16:38

I always thought the Business Roundtable were the givers, not the takers.

**kro** · 17th September 2006, 17:29

I don't mean to point out the obvious, but doesn't this "grass is greener on the other side" attitude toward the ruling party, always seem to be lingering?. National will be the holy grail till a handful of their members "f#$k up", then everyone goes "bring back Labour". This has been going on for years and years.

**oldrider** · 17th September 2006, 18:06

Originally Posted by kro

I don't mean to point out the obvious, but doesn't this "grass is greener on the other side" attitude toward the ruling party, always seem to be lingering?. National will be the holy grail till a handful of their members "f#$k up", then everyone goes "bring back Labour". This has been going on for years and years.

Politics is a constant circus of distraction, A and B putting on a show for the benefit of C and C does not represent the voters.

C represents the shady side of the equation, the vested interests lurking in the background.

Watch carefully as the current circus performers go through their respective acts, all the while the background movers and shakers are hatching out their respective little plots completely closed off from the gaze of the voters.

Draw attention to it and they cry out "conspiracy theorist" and denounce your claims vehemently and discredit you via their bum sucking media mates.

MMP has just increased the size of the circus and pushed your nose closer to the grindstone to pay for it.

What we need is "less" government, no circus and truly "accountable" politicians whose every move is transparent to the voting public.

We also need an informed and educated public but our eduction system ensures that the silent majority are educated idiots that clap and cheer their lame brained behaviour as if had a modicum of relevance to our needs.

If you think that this old fella is losing his marbles then sit back and watch what reveals it's self over the next few weeks then think again.

They can fool some of the people some of the time but they can't fool all of the people all of the time! Cheers John.

**Timber020** · 17th September 2006, 19:02

After Don Brash used dawn parade on anzac day to make a political speech, I would rather see the cast of NZ idol lead this country than that US ass sucker. If it was up to him we would probably have a real military presence in iraq.

National would be an option if it wasnt for that git.