Nick Smith shows what he thinks of democracy

[scissorhands]

Welcome to the NWO bitches

[eelracing]

Funny politics in NZ, all we are seeing is a man who's puppet strings are becoming more visible by the day,

You talk sense sir...but those strings were visible the day he brought the bretheren to the table.

[Mully]

Oh, it's only Canterbury.

I thought it was somewhere that mattered. It's common knowledge that Canterbury can't be trusted with decisions - they're like the Nation's slow Southern cousin.

(that should do it)

[rainman]

Democracy is, quite frankly, overrated. In local government particularly, name recognition is more important than any aptitude or vision.

For shame Hitcher, I really did expect more from you.

So, two questions:
1. what's the better system that delivers candidates with aptitude and vision, and voters smart enough to make intelligent choices?
2. Do you really think the shenanigans in Cantebury are closer to this ideal, or further away?

Unfortunately the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) appears to have failed badly on both scores. That's why it is now to be run by Commissioners for a while.

A while? 3 1/2 farkin years!!! Do you really think there was no better option? Do you really think this won't just turn into an unsustainable water grab?

[SPman]

.....voting for JK I thought we were going to see a whole new era of politics in NZ,

well - you got what you wanted

[mashman]

Why are you all so surprised with the tactics being employed here... they did exactly the same thing with the ACC board not too long ago... and look what that's done...

[Skyryder]

That from someone who supports the party that introduced the Electroial finance act - pffft - oh its only a assault on our democracy if the 'right' do it.

Any political party who sacks a democratically council that is acting within the law is, to use your words ‘assaulting democracy.’ To make a comparison between this (sacking) and Labours Electoral Finance Bill indicates you complete lack of understanding of the democratic principles’ that are the foundation of our society.

Sadly, because this is associated with water issues, the true nature of this sacking has been sidelined. The division of those that approve of the governments sacking and those that do not is divided on ideology and economics.

Hide and Smith jumped on the criticism from the Mayors letter, and used this as an excuse to send in Creech to do a review of Ecan. Parker never had a mandate from his council for his criticism of Ecan and I am unaware that any other mayor did too although I may stand to be corrected on this. The entire Ecan council, with the exception of Pat Harrow who has irrigation interests, were opposed to Ecan being disbanded. It could be argued that they were just looking after their own interests but many of the councilors had water rights and irrigation interests along with Harrow.


This sacking was carried out for the benefit of very few people who have enormous financial power.

IT SHOULD FOR NO OTHER REASON SEND ALARM BELLS RINGING AS TO WHAT OTHER DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS THAT THIS GOVERNMENT WILL DESTROY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE ITS DICTATORIAL AMBITIONS


Skyryder

[bent12]

Fucking outrageous is what it is, do we have a democracy or not, a very clear choice

[puddytat]

The one with one of the biggest smiles, on his dial, will be a certain bloke with a surname very similar to a museli maker from Akl......
We tend to forget that weve only had democracy for a century or so & it seems to me that all around the world "they" are steadly & stealthily whittling away our rights, & grabbing resources. Its becoming a Capatalistic Dictatorship .

[pete376403]

Just like ACC, is canterbury water being set up for privatisation?

[mashman]

Just like ACC, is canterbury water being set up for privatisation?

Everything must go in order to look after the people (it is the way of the blue... Thatcher...). There are no categorisations that can explain what is happening at the moment, because we do not know the full extent of ANY situation these days. Life just goes on, we work, feather nests etc...

Fucking outrageous is what it is, do we have a democracy or not, a very clear choice

In all seriousness... no... but we could put it to a vote... poll time

[bent12]

mashman

No democracy! what the people of regional ChCh vote in is what they get, what does it matter they are in discord, months or years of discussion is preferable to dictatorship from Wellington

[cowpoos]

time for another march? No?

No...No its not....Ecan is a sham...full of idiots, pushing thier own barrows.

All of the local councils [9 of them] think Ecan is incompetent...

SO TELL me rainman....what barrow are you pushing....you seem to try and get on a the band wagon for half arsed causes??

[cowpoos]

It's a water grab, which we will regret. More small-minded short-term thinking from the Nacts.

Sorry...but after reading that....you have no idea whats going on down in Canterbury. Idiot.

[rainman]

Just like ACC, is canterbury water being set up for privatisation?

You mean like in Auckland? Check the agenda.

No...No its not....Ecan is a sham...full of idiots, pushing thier own barrows.

All of the local councils [9 of them] think Ecan is incompetent...

Could be, but they were elected, and there were many better options for fixing this than the anti-democratic approach chosen by National and Act. Kinda shows their values.

SO TELL me rainman....what barrow are you pushing....you seem to try and get on a the band wagon for half arsed causes??

Me? I'm not pushing any particular barrow. Just a concerned citizen, who values democracy and who cannot abide hypocrisy. Besides, this is hardly half-arsed - iit is a real assault on democracy, y'know, like that other issue that made some people and a certain newspaper get a bit warmed up a while back. Only more realer.

Sorry...but after reading that....you have no idea whats going on down in Canterbury. Idiot.

Granted I am not a Cantebury expert, but are you willing to bet that this action will result in better, more long-term sustainable, water allocation and use? Cleaner streams? Or just more of the same, handing out water rights to a bunch of Nat-friendly farmers who will happily expand dairy in Cantebury beyond any sensible level, and happily take the private gains while shifting all those unpleasant environmental costs to the public?