November 8th - Now you know when not to vote Labour.

[RiderInBlack]

Quite correct. There are companies already prepared to close up shop here and depart for Oz.
Far too much bullshit paperwork and taxes here.

Which will still happen even if Nat get's in. Not fooled for a moment that there will be less "bullshit paperwork and taxes" when Nat get's in.

[Bullitt]

Pity we cant get accurate political billboards like this one

[davereid]

.....I also find it interesting that employers say wages cant go up until productivity does. Amazing how these same workers that ar'nt working hard enough here are so valued overseas....

Productivity is basically unrelated to how hard you work.

To be productive you need a few things, off the top of my head I think..

- You need access to cheap capital (cheaper than your foreign competitor at least)

- You need to minimise waste, or output wasted feeding parasites

- You need stable government that doesnt change the rules all the time, and is not corrupt.

- You need to be able to put your plans into action quickly, without waiting for un-necessary government involvement.

Lets look at two examples.

You and I are both gravediggers, in adjacent towns. There is a plentiful market for our trade, as we have lots of elderly residents.

But, my town has a low tax (rates), easy-to comply style of government. Your town has a high tax, high compliance government.

After a year, we have both worked very hard, digging a grave every single working day, and we both have $20k. I pay my rates, and you pay yours. I now have $19K, as my tax rate is the same as Singapore. You have $10k, as you are taxed in new Zealand.

After 3 years of hard work, I have $30k more in the bank than you. I also enjoy a lower interest rate than you, so I can borrow more money.

I borrow $100k, add it to my $30k and buy a JCB digger.

I can now dig 4 graves a day. So now I am more productive, but I don't work as hard. And I make more money.

You on the other hand will take years to get your digger. And when you do, you will need a permit to use it. Which will take 18 months to get.

And then, just after you get your digger, the government will invoke the "no tracked vehicles Act' without warning.

You could have chosen a wheeled digger, but you didn't see the change coming.

Now you are f*cked, so I offer you a pay rise and a digger, if you come to my town.

And your council offers to save you by putting a levy on your fuel, so it can save the world from Chinas emissions.

[RiderInBlack]

As an Ex Master Farrier, I've worked with Coal, and it is full of nasty crap gases. Old Farriers (Horse Shoers/Black Smiths ta ya non horsey buggers) ended up Fu*h lungs due ta Coal. Glad I was working with LPG. Why would any nutter want ta go back the the Industrial Age Pollution days using shitty coal?

[Wingnut]

Productivity is basically unrelated to how hard you work.

To be productive you need a few things, off the top of my head I think..

- You need access to cheap capital (cheaper than your foreign competitor at least)

- You need to minimise waste, or output wasted feeding parasites

- You need stable government that doesnt change the rules all the time, and is not corrupt.

- You need to be able to put your plans into action quickly, without waiting for un-necessary government involvement.

Lets look at two examples.

You and I are both gravediggers, in adjacent towns. There is a plentiful market for our trade, as we have lots of elderly residents.

But, my town has a low tax (rates), easy-to comply style of government. Your town has a high tax, high compliance government.

After a year, we have both worked very hard, digging a grave every single working day, and we both have $20k. I pay my rates, and you pay yours. I now have $19K, as my tax rate is the same as Singapore. You have $10k, as you are taxed in new Zealand.

After 3 years of hard work, I have $30k more in the bank than you. I also enjoy a lower interest rate than you, so I can borrow more money.

I borrow $100k, add it to my $30k and buy a JCB digger.

I can now dig 4 graves a day. So now I am more productive, but I don't work as hard. And I make more money.

You on the other hand will take years to get your digger. And when you do, you will need a permit to use it. Which will take 18 months to get.

And then, just after you get your digger, the government will invoke the "no tracked vehicles Act' without warning.

You could have chosen a wheeled digger, but you didn't see the change coming.

Now you are f*cked, so I offer you a pay rise and a digger, if you come to my town.

And your council offers to save you by putting a levy on your fuel, so it can save the world from Chinas emissions.

Surely if it was that simple - change would have to happen - or am I just ignorant?

[Swoop]

Why would any nutter want ta go back the the Industrial Age Pollution days using shitty coal?

You had better ask the Chinese that question. They are happy to use coal to run the power stations that are fuelling their economy.

They certainly do not care about their environment when it comes down to making a buck (or a Yen).
I bet they don't have the paperwork and resource management issues to contend with when applying for a new power station/building/city to be built, either.

[jrandom]

Y'know what? You're all right. None of the major political parties have anything of value to offer.

The faceless mindless masses will vote Mr Key and his lackeys into power, and everything will continue to flip-flop along much as it always has.

It is left to you to consider whether you should use the power of your vote to support a single-issue party that you can agree with.

Tick the leaf in 2008!

[jrandom]

The basic standard of living in the UK is quite unpleasant unless you like rooting and drinking as a way of life...

Ahem.

Well, I can't say I'd complain too loudly...

[The Pastor]

just vote for the bil and ben party, they put the party back in political party!

[Niterider]

Productivity is basically unrelated to how hard you work.

To be productive you need a few things, off the top of my head I think..

- You need access to cheap capital (cheaper than your foreign competitor at least)

- You need to minimise waste, or output wasted feeding parasites

- You need stable government that doesnt change the rules all the time, and is not corrupt.

- You need to be able to put your plans into action quickly, without waiting for un-necessary government involvement.

Lets look at two examples.

You and I are both gravediggers, in adjacent towns. There is a plentiful market for our trade, as we have lots of elderly residents.

But, my town has a low tax (rates), easy-to comply style of government. Your town has a high tax, high compliance government.

After a year, we have both worked very hard, digging a grave every single working day, and we both have $20k. I pay my rates, and you pay yours. I now have $19K, as my tax rate is the same as Singapore. You have $10k, as you are taxed in new Zealand.

After 3 years of hard work, I have $30k more in the bank than you. I also enjoy a lower interest rate than you, so I can borrow more money.

I borrow $100k, add it to my $30k and buy a JCB digger.

I can now dig 4 graves a day. So now I am more productive, but I don't work as hard. And I make more money.

You on the other hand will take years to get your digger. And when you do, you will need a permit to use it. Which will take 18 months to get.

And then, just after you get your digger, the government will invoke the "no tracked vehicles Act' without warning.

You could have chosen a wheeled digger, but you didn't see the change coming.

Now you are f*cked, so I offer you a pay rise and a digger, if you come to my town.

And your council offers to save you by putting a levy on your fuel, so it can save the world from Chinas emissions.

This is a masterpiece!
Dave, may I have copyright on it please? (If I make money from it I'll pay you royalties)

BTW, why don't you stand for Gubbermint, you have both my votes mate!! Just name your party! ....or are we both off to OZ?

[Clockwork]

You had better ask the Chinese that question. They are happy to use coal to run the power stations that are fuelling their economy.

They certainly do not care about their environment when it comes down to making a buck (or a Yen).
I bet they don't have the paperwork and resource management issues to contend with when applying for a new power station/building/city to be built, either.

Yup.... they've got poisoned babies too.

[RiderInBlack]

You had better ask the Chinese that question. They are happy to use coal to run the power stations that are fuelling their economy.

They certainly do not care about their environment when it comes down to making a buck (or a Yen).
I bet they don't have the paperwork and resource management issues to contend with when applying for a new power station/building/city to be built, either.

Which as much as it annoys us, is why we have. Just as well too, it that case.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Surely if it was that simple - change would have to happen - or am I just ignorant?

unfortunately it is nearly that simple, any one thats done economics would agree...

[Quasievil]

It is left to you to consider whether you should use the power of your vote to support a single-issue party that you can agree with.

Tick the leaf in 2008!

I clicked it and its very slow to respond, is that a sign of the party ?

[Winston001]

Productivity is basically unrelated to how hard you work.

To be productive you need a few things, off the top of my head I think..

- You need access to cheap capital (cheaper than your foreign competitor at least)

- You need to minimise waste, or output wasted feeding parasites

- You need stable government that doesnt change the rules all the time, and is not corrupt.

- You need to be able to put your plans into action quickly, without waiting for un-necessary government involvement........

Excellent post and what is frustrating is that this subject isn't discussed in schools or with any depth in our society.

Probably the Resource Management Act and now, the Emissions Trading Scheme are the laws which people see as barriers to industry.

I'm a greenie at heart but have real reservations about the way NZs carbon footprint is calculated. Never mind - the real issue is that to enjoy a high quality of life we have to accept restrictions on blatant abuse of our land and water.

So there has to be a balance between enough regulation to protect what we have, but not too much that it squashes anyone trying to develop business and employment.

Having said that, most of the RMA noise actually comes from developers who want to cut up land, sell it off, and take the profits. No production in that.