Is John Key the man to lead NZ?

[Oscar]

+1 "cannot spread etc...". For all of our wonderous advancements we have gone backwards socially. I don't see that as a positive at all, not in any way shape or form.

Backwards?
How so?

[mashman]

Backwards?
How so?

We close and lock our doors to protect what's ours where we never used to for one. It all boils down to the lack of trust there is these days. That wasn't always the case, even in the city... and that trust is abused at all levels of society.

[Hinny]

We close and lock our doors to protect what's ours where we never used to for one. It all boils down to the lack of trust there is these days. That wasn't always the case, even in the city... and that trust is abused at all levels of society.

More disingenuous bullshit.
If you are seriously suggesting that the social policies advanced by previous Labour Govts., like those I outlined in my prior post, then, I would suggest, most people would regard you as being delusional.

I think the break down in trust and disregard for the law stemmed from the Springbok tour.
The regard for the law and law enforcement was dealt a severe blow from which, it seems, we have not recovered. We are now the second most incarcerated society on earth.

[mashman]

More disingenuous bullshit.
If you are seriously suggesting that the social policies advanced by previous Labour Govts., like those I outlined in my prior post, then, I would suggest, most people would regard you as being delusional.

I think the break down in trust and disregard for the law stemmed from the Springbok tour.
The regard for the law and law enforcement was dealt a severe blow from which, it seems, we have not recovered. We are now the second most incarcerated society on earth.

Settle pettle... Not sure I follow you there, almost looks like you forgot to finish your sentence? What am I supposed to have been seriously suggesting, given there was no mention of any political party and/or social policy? In the short time I've been on this rock I'm yet to see a social policy.

Disregard for the law stemmed from the Springbok tour??? Nono toucho with bargo polo

[The Everlasting]

No he's not. but there isn't anyone else,sadly.

[Robert Taylor]

I ride a bike with bald tyres, cable tied indicators/lights, old brakes, rusty chain, 3/4 frame bolts, forks preloaded with $3 in change and a fully dialed up rear shock of 80's origin.

And I have no problem with NZ roads.

Must be your riding.

The best youve ridden is the best you know.......

Let me know what roads you ride on and when so I can make sure Im not near the danger!!!!!

[rainman]

And you sir are a loser ..... what's more, next Saturday, it will be confirmed!

I suppose I asked for that with being a little cheeky and all, fair play.

But tell me this: Can you, hand on heart and totally devoid of any tribal voting allegiance, look me in the eye and tell me that selling our strategic and well-performing energy assets is the right thing to do for us, our kids and our nation?

Bonus points for thinking about the property rights aspect of this, and making sure that it is consistent with the rest of the views you hold. And a gold star for a straight answer..

[Brian d marge]

The best you've ridden is the best you know.......

The wifes sister ...but feel free to point me in the right direction of something better

Stephen

[oldrider]

I suppose I asked for that with being a little cheeky and all, fair play.

But tell me this: Can you, hand on heart and totally devoid of any tribal voting allegiance, look me in the eye and tell me that selling our strategic and well-performing energy assets is the right thing to do for us, our kids and our nation?

Bonus points for thinking about the property rights aspect of this, and making sure that it is consistent with the rest of the views you hold. And a gold star for a straight answer..

I was being facetious rainman I.E. I read it in the paper so it must be true!

To be perfectly honest though I will be glad when this election is done and dusted, the result will be more of the same regardless!

Every election that I can remember has had the same result for me personally .... % loss of freedom, % lower purchasing power % devaluation of savings, % (overall) higher taxation, % increase in government interference / influence in my personal life!

Now hand on heart:

I do not believe that the government should be involved in any business activities of any kind unless it is to introduce and establish it for the nation!

Ownership of any such asset is of no consequence, what is important to consumers is the goods and services that they provide!

Once established such a business should be sold off and the money received from the transaction should be returned to the government coffers for use in core government activities or reduction of government debt!

The size of government should be constantly monitored and reduced to the absolute minimum required for the governance of core activities.

Core activities:

Defence.
Police.
Justice.
Internal and international representation.
Introduction and cancellation of new or old currency according to the requirements of balancing the wealth of the nation.
Provide a monitoring service for international balance of payments for exportation or importation of wealth.

To enable this, Government should be minimised with maximum transparency, accountability and consequence! (positive and negative)

Politicians and political parties all have "aspects" of this on offer but all of them fashion their intentions and policies to their own requirements for personal and political advantage, rather than for those of the nation and it's inhabitants that they represent!

[blue rider]

Core activities:

Defence.
Police.
Justice.
Internal and international representation.
Introduction and cancellation of new or old currency according to the requirements of balancing the wealth of the nation.
Provide a monitoring service for international balance of payments for exportation or importation of wealth.

To enable this, Government should be minimised with maximum transparency, accountability and consequence! (positive and negative)

Politicians and political parties all have "aspects" of this on offer but all of them fashion their intentions and policies to their own requirements for personal and political advantage, rather than for those of the nation and it's inhabitants that they represent!

what about

Health Care
Education
Infrastructure

and if Government is not responsible for these, who should be and should they be in any way regulated so as to allow access to all citizens?

[Robert Taylor]

I was being facetious rainman I.E. I read it in the paper so it must be true!

To be perfectly honest though I will be glad when this election is done and dusted, the result will be more of the same regardless!

Every election that I can remember has had the same result for me personally .... % loss of freedom, % lower purchasing power % devaluation of savings, % (overall) higher taxation, % increase in government interference / influence in my personal life!

Now hand on heart:

I do not believe that the government should be involved in any business activities of any kind unless it is to introduce and establish it for the nation!

Ownership of any such asset is of no consequence, what is important to consumers is the goods and services that they provide!

Once established such a business should be sold off and the money received from the transaction should be returned to the government coffers for use in core government activities or reduction of government debt!

The size of government should be constantly monitored and reduced to the absolute minimum required for the governance of core activities.

Core activities:

Defence.
Police.
Justice.
Internal and international representation.
Introduction and cancellation of new or old currency according to the requirements of balancing the wealth of the nation.
Provide a monitoring service for international balance of payments for exportation or importation of wealth.

To enable this, Government should be minimised with maximum transparency, accountability and consequence! (positive and negative)

Politicians and political parties all have "aspects" of this on offer but all of them fashion their intentions and policies to their own requirements for personal and political advantage, rather than for those of the nation and it's inhabitants that they represent!

Good post and you have in effect highlighted something that all parties are abysmal at, we dont have a credible defence force in lacking an Air Strike capability, plus we are effectively freeloading off the Australians. Helen Clarks callous disbandment of the Air Strike Force was an act of treason.

[Robert Taylor]

The wifes sister ...but feel free to point me in the right direction of something better

Stephen

I guess I asked for that!

[avgas]

The best youve ridden is the best you know.......

Let me know what roads you ride on and when so I can make sure Im not near the danger!!!!!

I ridden/owned better. But right now the current bike is enough to keep me happy, the finances happy (= wife happy).

As for what roads. The NZ ones. And occasion off the NZ ones.
But if you want to stay away from the danger might be best to start driving. Something tells me no matter what happens you still won't acknowledge the fact that you could cause a crash all on your own.
(its ok to blame me for it, I won't laugh.....much)

[shrub]

Good post and you have in effect highlighted something that all parties are abysmal at, we dont have a credible defence force in lacking an Air Strike capability, plus we are effectively freeloading off the Australians. Helen Clarks callous disbandment of the Air Strike Force was an act of treason.

I did a stretch on 75 Squadron a long time ago, so I loved the Squawks with a passion, but they were nothing more than a bloody expensive PR tool. In modern warfare, especially anything we are likely to encounter, a cold war strike force is about as useful as a battleship. We need kick arse helicopters, upgraded tactical transport - the CJ27 Spartan is a good option, and maybe a few C160s.

If we really want air strike capability we need a carrier borne fleet, not a dozen Koren war vintage jets in the middle of nowhere.

[avgas]

I did a stretch on 75 Squadron a long time ago, so I loved the Squawks with a passion, but they were nothing more than a bloody expensive PR tool. In modern warfare, especially anything we are likely to encounter, a cold war strike force is about as useful as a battleship. We need kick arse helicopters, upgraded tactical transport - the CJ27 Spartan is a good option, and maybe a few C160s.

If we really want air strike capability we need a carrier borne fleet, not a dozen Koren war vintage jets in the middle of nowhere.

I would love for use to get a couple of predator drones. Surprisingly cheap.
Kick arse choppers are slowly getting there. Me ol' school mate is now flying the new stuff we just ordered.

Do we have any guns on those JCB's yet? Also why did we not order LAV-AD's? Its pretty unlikely that we will be attacked by something like a tank. More likely something airbourne.

While the squawks were a PR tool, I have to admit when I saw them go I saw more young guys give up on the Airforce.....and stay on the benefit.
It was the same for me when the scorps disappeared. I basically signed my release form that week and became a full time student.
We need PR toys to get people in. Shit I imagine stuff like the blackbirds didn't really pay their dues......but they got recruits through the doors.