How does Helen Clark survive....

[pritch]

unless Key's continually lying through his teeth about such matters,

Basically I assume all politicians to be lying all of the time.

There may be times when that is unjust, but most of the time it will be perfectly appropriate.

[Grahameeboy]

John key is rich (which is why a lot of kiwis dont like him, how dare he be). He doesnt need this job for the money. so why is he doing it?

helen clarke = worked in academia and politics all her life, PM is just part of her career progression

john key = whether you agree with his policies or not he wants to be PM to make a difference to the country

I agree..................

[What?]

Be careful arguing the Muldoon vs Lange economic debate. When Lange came to power in '84 there was about 6 weeks worth of cash reserve left in the NZ economy. Interest payments on overseas debt were made with Diplomatic Credit Cards. The Economic reforms undertaken by Labour in the '80s weren't done for fun, and if National had won that election, they would have been in the same boat. At the time Muldoon wouldn't have handled it as well as Lange/Douglas because his MO was borrow 'til you drop. No one was lending to NZ in '84. Manufacturing had been sustained on protective tariffs and subsidy, and primary produce had been protected to the extent that when they had to account for their own production and finance a lot of them (mostly sheep farmers) just sold up. NZ businesses weren't required to compete, just to exist to maintain positive economic indicators.

Indeed, Muldoon created the dire situation that existed in '84 wtih his policies of Borrow and Devalue. Not to mention disestablishing the National Provident Fund because he considered the principle to be socialist, therefore evil. Before Muldoon came to power, NZ had one of the highest standards of living in the world. By the time he was ousted, things had certainly changed! Rogernomics, though seriously flawed, was a painful, but necessary episode in our nation's recovery; a continuation of Muldoonism would have seen us poorer than <> well before the '87 elections, and we wouldn't have the luxury of sitting here now debating politics on the internet.

[kro]

Most of the CEO's for the companies I have worked for have received more than that, and have had 1/1000th of the responsibility she carries.

I don't particularly like the way she governs NZ, but considering that the private sector would pay her twice as much, and then some, for running a large corp, perhaps the money is fair.

[geoffm]

Most of the CEO's for the companies I have worked for have received more than that, and have had 1/1000th of the responsibility she carries.

I don't particularly like the way she governs NZ, but considering that the private sector would pay her twice as much, and then some, for running a large corp, perhaps the money is fair.

I doubt that the private sector would pay twice as much as she gets now. There is not much market for unionists and academics with no commercial experience, or in fact, no business experience at all. W\ith her skills at dodging responsibility for the actions of her stafd, she could run Telecom though...

[Wolf]

W\ith her skills at dodging responsibility for the actions of her stafd, she could run Telecom though...

We'd never know the difference - it'd be just like Theresa was back in the chair. Perfect substitution, they're both ugly trolls.

[MarkyMark]

Money saved by lowering politician's salaries would soon be lost in the inefficiency and corruption of the bribes they'd be that much more motivated to take. Pay 'em a packet, and we don't have to worry about them selling favours, small price to pay I reckon.

[Robert Taylor]

Shesh to that salary I say...well she has put the time and effort into working up the political ladder...its a shame shes not appreciated by the public while being at the top...

If we dislike her that much...who the hell votes for her?! must be someone around here.....

Well certainly not me, ever. Did you realise that she grew her ''husband'' in her hydroponics garden.....theres no way that the humourless calendar girl for perfect dentures would be able to score one by conventional means.

I see the dingos over the ditch have also just lost their marbles after 11 and a half years of very capable Government. I betcha the cost of living goes up enormously over there, just as it has here.

[Qkkid]

She looks gorgeous

[Mully]

Money saved by lowering politician's salaries would soon be lost in the inefficiency and corruption of the bribes they'd be that much more motivated to take. Pay 'em a packet, and we don't have to worry about them selling favours, small price to pay I reckon.

Like Phillip Field?

Oops, sorry.

[Sanx]

Like Phillip Field?

Oops, sorry.

Taito Phillip Field. Please give him his proper official title 'cos other wise you reduce his honour and respect. That fact that he's a corrupt self-serving prick and his 'title' means he's nothing more than the honourary chief of some village in Samoa is neither here nor there...

[Mully]

Taito Phillip Field. Please give him his proper official title 'cos other wise you reduce his honour and respect. That fact that he's a corrupt self-serving prick and his 'title' means he's nothing more than the honourary chief of some village in Samoa is neither here nor there...

Is that what Taito means?? I thought it was another word for Koha.

Incidentally, I think I heard on the radio this morning that he has 9 houses. I'm sure his constituants are happy.