Who will win the 2011 election?

[SPman]

Nothing to do with the NZ elections (or does it?), but this comment on the Oakland OWS Police Riot caught my fancy....

We will see more, much more of this. You can smell the fear in the boardrooms (and in their bought-and-paid-for extensions, the government offices) around the world, as our mighty statesfolk flail at the global economic meltdown their own policies have unleashed -- with no other answer than to keep imposing "austerity" measures, one after another, destroying the societies they've feasted upon for so long. And has there even been such a gaggle of fourth-rate poltroons, of shallow, witless, gormless goobers as the leaders of the "developed" world these days? Sarkozy, Cameron, Merkel, Berlusconi, Obama ....? It's like the last tribal council on Easter Island. All they have left are lies, delusions -- and brutality.

[imdying]

I thought we were selling assets to reduce public debt. But now we're putting it into schools? Or in to KiwiBank? Or maybe somewhere else?

National, Labour, doesn't really matter who we vote in, they'll fuck it up. I'm only voting so I have a right to bitch about the result; I expect to get screwed either way.

[puddytat]

Nothing to do with the NZ elections (or does it?), but this comment on the Oakland OWS Police Riot caught my fancy....

Aint that the truth.


I was just reading that the assets planned for sale have returned on average over the last 5 years........17-22%
So selling that so you can borrow at 4-5% is good logic?

[shrub]

I thought we were selling assets to reduce public debt. But now we're putting it into schools? Or in to KiwiBank? Or maybe somewhere else?.

You forget that National are a party of astute and successful businesspeople and entrepreneurs like Jerry Brownlee and Bill English, so don't question their expertise. Selling a high yield asset that is almost certainly going to become extremely valuable in the near future to pay for an asset that increases operating costs (like a school) when you're running at a deficit is just plain good business sense - it must be or National wouldn't be doing it.

If you get confused and begin to doubt just listen to Wayne down at the pub. He has a grouse Holden ute and a smokin hot missus, so ya gotta take a guy like that seriously.

[Indiana_Jones]

Vote for everyone!

-Indy

[imdying]

You forget that National are a party of astute and successful businesspeople and entrepreneurs like Jerry Brownlee and Bill English, so don't question their expertise.

The problem is, Labour have nothing better to offer.

[Swoop]

The problem is, Labour have nothing better to offer.

Apart from being able to retire later in life?

[Ocean1]

Apart from being able to retire later in life?

Yeah. If they're going to fuck with that they need to tell me now.

So I can cash up all my assets and blow whatever cash I can't hide before I get there.

'Cause I'll be fucked if I'll sit still for a bunch of poor pricks retiring on pensions I'm not "entitled" to.

[shrub]

The problem is, Labour have nothing better to offer.

Agreed, but at least people don't have the bizarre idea that Labour pollies are switched on people who understand business and are experienced and successful businesspeople in their own right whereas (at least if you read the threads on KB) there is this common perception that National MPs are such visionary leaders.

But I would rather a career politician who has devoted their life to mastering politics running my country than someone who is a bloody clever builder or accountant in the same way I would rather I had someone who has spent their lives working in medicine cutting me up than someone who was an oustanding architect and took up medicine because it was a challenge. That's one of the reasons I like the list system of MMP - you don't just get people in government who are smooth and convincing baby kissers; you also get people who know all about law, economics, diplomacy etc.

Going back to my motorcycle analogies, if you staffed a bike shop the way a FPP government was, everyone would be a salesman whereas I'd rather the guy out the back was hired because he was a mechanical genius than because he remembered my name and how I liked my coffee.

[mashman]

Apart from being able to retire later in life?

starting in 2020 and stretched over a 12 year period ... I reckon the Nats will raise the retirement age way before 2020... I really don't see why this is an election issue for so many. Sounds more like a media beat up because there's nothing else to pick on

[imdying]

But I would rather a career politician who has devoted their life to mastering politics running my country

I would prefer that too, but the big two only offer us career trough snouters. I don't blame them for that though, those same politicians also know how to get elected (and thus their party).

FPTP and MMP are basically a different means to the same ends. Does let the plebs think they're getting a say though which is always nice.

[Swoop]

So.
We have established several things:
1: National will be the next government.
2: Labour will get a new leader after this election.
3: Winnie will have to get his Gold Card out, to ride the bus back home after the election.

[oldrider]

If you get confused and begin to doubt just listen to Wayne down at the pub. He has a grouse Holden ute and a smokin hot missus, so ya gotta take a guy like that seriously.

What? ... I thought his name was "shrub" and he hangs out on KB! (Sorry, couldn't resist that, no malice intended!)

[shrub]

What? ... I thought his name was "shrub" and he hangs out on KB! (Sorry, couldn't resist that, no malice intended!)

Nah mate, I've got a $500.00 Nissan Bluebird. Bought it 5 years ago and it's cost me tyres, oil and a new battery in that time. Best car ever built.

[Banditbandit]

Nah mate, I've got a $500.00 Nissan Bluebird. Bought it 5 years ago and it's cost me tyres, oil and a new battery in that time. Best car ever built.

And the smokin' hot missus??? Pix if possible ..