Les just rolled over

**Skyryder** · 10th December 2009, 22:57

The political reality is that politicians make the laws and Smith always said that the ACC levies were going to rise. Whether we believe in the justification is not the issue. Most of us know that the figures Smith used were bullshit and for his purposes. A rise was inevitable. Accepting this reality is not the same as accepting the rise. The two are different. Smith has already come out and blamed us for the increased car levies. Others on here have noted this and raised some concerns about it. Politicians do not make ‘sound bites’ without an ulterior motive but I suspect that Smith’s comments may have been a slip of the tongue and he inadvertently let the cat out of the bag. Villify us and then proceed to other victims. But I digress

All Smith has done is made a tactical retreat after gaining a limited objective. He has more ideas on ACC. The biker community needs to reassess it’s commitment and if so how to proceed from here.

When ever I get myself in a ‘bun fight’ I ask myself two questions. Am I right and Can I win?. I think most of us would agree too the first, in that the rises are not as necessary as Smith has stated. The second will not happen under National. Perhaps a bit more honesty on Smith’s part, and not these political games he has been plying with us, would have helped his cause to a greater degree, but no, Smith could not resist using us as a political football and that is exactly what he has done and his remarks on the cage price rise is further indication that he has more in store for us. So for those of you who think this is over think again. I have posted my doubts on the bikers long term commitment of this issue and the statements by the Ulysses President suggest that it does not.

I think the biker community needs to find this out before proceeding further.

Skyryder

**StoneY** · 11th December 2009, 00:13

Originally Posted by Hopeful Biker

Fuck me.. You are a stuck up cunt aint ya? Next time, How about you go and take the role of Media Communications.. See how you do it?

No, he aint

I for one actualy agree with him (this time)

I turned down 3 radio intervies tonight as Les was 'dealing with it'

Fucked if I agreed to this increase'

I AM NOT FUCKIN HAPPY

**slofox** · 11th December 2009, 05:08

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

... it was about the principles of ACC why and how it was setup by Sir Owen Woodhouse

This, I agree with. This battle is still live - in fact is just beginning.

Frankly, I doubt we can ever win it with National in power. It'll take a change of government to do it - unless the Nats get really scared of public reaction to the fundamental changes they are making to ACC. Which is where we can have some influence. There is plenty of political opposition out there as well if we want to tap into that.

**Hawk** · 11th December 2009, 06:15

I don't think Les did roll over remember the War ends 2011 after the election. Les (and us) has just won a battle in that war. the govt did back down some on want was originally quoted as the increase. At very least we should thank him and others for being the front person.

Les, regroup and circle those wagons as we still have a year and half to go

**avgas** · 11th December 2009, 06:18

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

never was about the money... it was about the principles of ACC why and how it was setup by Sir Owen Woodhouse

Sound familiar.....

**avgas** · 11th December 2009, 06:21

The Ulysses guy......anyone else notice the smile?

**Pussy** · 11th December 2009, 06:22

Originally Posted by avgas

The Ulysses guy......anyone else notice the smile?

I noticed the brown nose......

**avgas** · 11th December 2009, 06:24

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Public perception is easily swayed.

Especially if THEY have to pay for our mistakes.
Good luck in getting car drivers support now that they have been told THEY have to pay more due to US not wanting to.
It was a very good power play on Nix part. Cunny Funt

**avgas** · 11th December 2009, 06:28

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Next target is the stratification according to CC rating, its just plain stupid. I mean on this thinking shouldn't vehicles with 7 seats pay more because when they crash the cost is higher, SUV's are dangerous too etc etc Attack that next will piss off large chunks of the community if they think extra raises are coming their way.

I would not recommend this - in a country with an aging population and resurgence of 'born-again' bikers.
Also the comparo between bikes and cars will lose us support - we need car drivers to feel angry about the increases as well, and workers. On our own we would get fucked faster than "tunnellers-being-watched-by-OSH"

**Usarka** · 11th December 2009, 06:29

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

I mean on this thinking shouldn't vehicles with 7 seats pay more because when they crash the cost is higher, SUV's are dangerous too etc etc

No ACC's logic is that SUV's would be fine. If you crash one you're normally ok - if you take out a biker it's his fault for riding a vulnerable vehicle.

**Pussy** · 11th December 2009, 06:29

Originally Posted by avgas

The Ulysses guy......anyone else notice the smile?

To say that I am disappointed in Peter Mac would be an understatement.

**davereid** · 11th December 2009, 06:55

Originally Posted by StoneY

Fucked if I agreed to this increase' I AM NOT FUCKIN HAPPY

Nor am I. I wont be happy until all motorists pay the same, and ideally the ERC component is funded from income tax.

But this has to grow beyond being a "biker" battle, or as Ix correctly points out it will be seen by Joe Public as us bleating about the cost of our toys.

The fight has to continue, but we have to be supporting others, not leading the charge.