ABSOLUTE POWER - The Helen Clark Years.

[YellowDog]

As my signature says, Helen and company will still be in power after this years election!

Apart from the media there will be a few surprises as to who helps put her back there again too! John.

As a newby to NZ politics, I have been amazed by the trivia of it all and the entire political system.

I think HC is a good speaker though some of the government policies do defy belief.

As someone with no NZ policial allegiance and an almost independent observer, I have not met anyone with a good thing to say about HC and her party.

I suspect that her manufacturing industry of manufacturing Labour party voters will give her party a lot of support.

I will however be suprised if it is enough. It sounds like it is time for HC to 'Pass the Ball'.

[Pex Adams]

Sir Roger Douglas always believed in the Real Labour Policies.

If he returns as finance minister, will we have to start talking about Rogernomics again??

Actually has anyone asked Fatjim about who his finance minister is going to be?

I had some personal thoughts about being the food and beverage minister:spudbooge:

[BiK3RChiK]

Did you see on the news last night that she is back up in the polls?

[RantyDave]

Does this not contribute to the socialist reform?

Dunno if this is on-topic or not, but something I noticed about the Hawke's Bay DHB fiasco:

So, David Cunliffe comes in as the new minister for health. A month or so later he finds himself kicking the DHB up the arse so hard his boot gets stuck. It appears, to me, that they've been handing their mates contracts for millions of dollars without the first concern about whether or not they are the right dudes for the gig - much of local government is run like this, but right now that's not my point.

The question that comes to mind is: so WTF was Annette King doing for all those years? The words "fuck" and "all" come to mind. Socialist or no we clearly need some reforms, the government seem to have forgotten who they work for ... and we seem to have forgotten to tell them.

Dave

[Skyryder]

I'd rather pull my teeth out with rusty pliers than read anything by Ian Wishart...

Bling on the way


Skyyrder

[MSTRS:Me]

Dunno if this is on-topic or not, but something I noticed about the Hawke's Bay DHB fiasco:

So, David Cunliffe comes in as the new minister for health. A month or so later he finds himself kicking the DHB up the arse so hard his boot gets stuck. It appears, to me, that they've been handing their mates contracts for millions of dollars without the first concern about whether or not they are the right dudes for the gig - much of local government is run like this, but right now that's not my point.

The question that comes to mind is: so WTF was Annette King doing for all those years? The words "fuck" and "all" come to mind. Socialist or no we clearly need some reforms, the government seem to have forgotten who they work for ... and we seem to have forgotten to tell them.

Dave

Actually a distortion of what was going on....
Annette King appointed Peter Hauseman to a position on that board. Hauseman is a friend of King's husband and the 2 of them have a tie up with a company providing services to the DHB. The value of this business is some $50M, and the contracts were never put out to tender. A 'lowly' secretary? blew the whistle regarding this conflict of interest and was railroaded for her troubles. The (elected) board supported her and have suffered a similar fate. The only skeleton in this board's closet (that the public is aware of) is one of the members is Peter Dunkerley, a pharmacist in Hastings, whose shop has been promoted for having prescriptions filled.
The whole situation stinks of nepotism/cronyism at the govt level. The Labour govt. The same one that brought us the Election Gagging Bill. The same one that supported Philip Field in his dodgy practices, until the evidence was so public that they could no longer sweep it under the carpet. The same one that brought you Trevor Mallard, David Benson-Pope. The same one that is led by one of the most amoral women of our times...Paintergate, Convoygate, the Peter Doone affair...to mention just a few.
How much evidence does one need to have their eyes opened?

[RantyDave]

Annette King appointed Peter Hauseman to a position on that board. Hauseman is a friend of King's husband and the 2 of them have a tie up with a company providing services to the DHB. The value of this business is some $50M, and the contracts were never put out to tender.

Ahhh! So "fuck all" is absolutely not what she's been doing for a few years. David Cunliffe must be very unpopular in some circles of the Labour party - I like him more and more

Dave

[Swoop]

Why was I not surprised this morning, with her comments on the Chinese protestors being beaten and killed over the Tibetan issue?

The bitch has cuddled up with the communist leadership to such an extent...
I wish the Dali Lama would return here. Klerke is definately scared of being seen with him because her Chinese masters would be upset.

[Finn]

Why was I not surprised this morning, with her comments on the Chinese protestors being beaten and killed over the Tibetan issue?

I’m passionately in favour of a free trade agreement with China. But I’m even more passionately in favour of free speech and the right to protest. Now let us look at the different responses from Australia and NZ:

“We urge the Chinese Government to allow peaceful expression of dissent. We call on Chinese authorities to act with restraint and to deal with protesters peacefully.”

- Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith

“The Government is concerned at the reports of violence and is trying to obtain more accurate information. It calls on all sides to exercise restraint.”

- Prime Minister Helen Clark

Yeah those damn protesters need to be more restrained as they get shot.

Every time she opens her mouth, I feel sick to my stomach.

[Swoop]

Every time she opens her mouth, I feel sick to my stomach.

That reminds me. I have a dentist's appointment.

[Finn]

That reminds me. I have a dentist's appointment.

Assuming HC even has a dentist, I pity the poor sod. Mind you being a vet, they should be used to the nasties. I wonder if they hog tie her during procedures. Dunno, but I'd sure be tempted to just let the anesthetic keep going...

[MSTRS:Me]

Ahhh! So "fuck all" is absolutely not what she's been doing for a few years. David Cunliffe must be very unpopular in some circles of the Labour party - I like him more and more

Dave

I can't figure out Cunliffe's purpose. Not to over-ride the 'old boy network. Not to ensure open, honest dealings by the board. It would seem that it was a desperate attempt to silence the elected board members, who know where all the dirt originates. The (revised) report on the situation is due out today...revised because Cunliffe didn't like what the first draft was saying. No integrity there...

[ManDownUnder]

How much evidence does one need to have their eyes opened?

In NZ???? The average kiwi looks straight past all that in their rush to see how many baubles Cullen "suddenly finds" due to a Treasury oversight just before election day.

He wasn't keeping that from us in a blatent attempt to maximise the positive effects in an election year though - oh no... he's going to blame treasury for their inability to report things accurately, get it right first time, and if re-elected, Labour will possibly consider the option of forming a committee to begin discussions on the level of tax relief "ordinary New Zealanders" should enjoy in the third year of their next term of office.

Winston Peters ugly smiling mug will make an appearance too... of that you can be certain.

[koba]

Yeah man, you waz gunna. But it waz too much effort aye? Probly waz gunna do a lotta fings.. but couldn't be f*cked....

Yep, I've been made stupid and lazy by the labour government that have actually done quite well.
No actually I just dont want to get in a politcal argument.
I like bikes. I had a great weekend.
I'm online to get photos to show my brother.

[Finn]

Yep, I've been made stupid and lazy by the labour government that have actually done quite well.

"well" if you're a beneficiary or artist, but I would like to hear from you were you "think" they have done well. It'll be a great laugh.

Edit: Oh goodie, Mr D is here. He'll have something to say...