So who the f**k am I supposed to vote for then?

[Badjelly]

If you truly understood the implications of what you claim to have witnessed you'd understand how important it is make sure a complacent populace doesn't fall victim to politiical agendas that limit personal freedoms, and you'd be providing a moderate supporting stance and calm counterpoint to the reactionaries.

James Deuce making sense! Whatever next?

Edit: though "moderate" and "calm" are strange words to see in one of his posts.

[Hitcher]

Oh FFS Hitcher, isn't that a bit hysterical for you? I've lived in something fecking close to a police state, and trust me, this is nothing like it. I take it you have not travelled much.

You've got me bang to rights. Never been anywhere, completely unqualified to comment on international affairs. I bow to your clearly superior knowledge and world view.

Duh. But will it be any better, is the 64 million dollar question. If National was a meaningful alternative and not "me-too-only-better-have-some-lollies" I would be first in the queue to vote for them.

If you re-read what I said, you'll see that what I said was the only way there will be meaningful change is with a change of government. Nowhere did I say if things would be "better" or not. Such a perspective is clearly subjective and, as noted above, my opinions are insubstantial and weak compared to your more superior and learned ones. Forgive me.

[Tank]

Another thing to remember - is that the Labour NEED the Greens A LOT. If Labour end up in power expect a HUGE number of Green people getting the top jobs.

If the 5 headed monster that Labour could possibly cobble together comes alive it will be the most left wing government we have ever had.

I believe it will be too far too the left - even for lefties. In this instance a National lead g'ment will be more in line with the leanings of a lot of existing Labour voters.

Unfortunately a lot of their base support don't read and understand this and vote RED because it saves their dole.

[Badjelly]

Labour have run the worst possible campaign by playing the man, not the ball, and pinning their hopes on "Trust". I mean, what the...

Labour have, for the most part, done what they said they would.

Do you think National will?

[Manxman]

Labour have, for the most part, done what they said they would.

...that's half the problem...

[Manxman]

Do you think National will?

I hope so.

[Badjelly]

Labour have, for the most part, done what they said they would.

...that's half the problem...

You can certainly disagree with what Labour have done, but I find it strange that people who supported them 1 or 2 elections back now hate them so vehemently--my brother-in-law, for instance.

[Manxman]

You can certainly disagree with what Labour have done, but I find it strange that people who supported them 1 or 2 elections back now hate them so vehemently--my brother-in-law, for instance.

Yep, can't disagree with that. It's called the nine year itch.

After a certain amount of time, the incumbent becomes arrogant and complacent, mis-reading the populace and losing sight of why they were elected in the first place.

Viz Michael Cullen's complete arrogance and condescension toward anyone who holds dissimilar views to his (and possibly the main reason why we haven't seen him this campaign).

Viz Helen Clark's first two head-to-head debates with John Key. Dismissive and arrogant. She's a slow learner and only softened up (significantly) in the last one this week. Err, Helen, we've got news for ya - it's waaaay to late.

Overtaxing for too long.
Overbureaucracy.
Nanny state (listening to complete bollox like Sue Bradford).

Oh, and not following through on some significant referendums, like tougher sentencing, fewer MPs, etc. Then she has the balls to talk about trust. I rest my case, m'lud.

PS, what about flip-flops? Domain of the National Party?? I don't think so. Not many people noticed that, two weeks ago, Helen Clark stated that the Maori seats were not to be entrenched (ie actually agreeing with National).

Suddenly, with one week of the campaign left, and obviously slow to realise the politically suicidal gaff she had made (but fortunately few media had picked up on, cos they were focussing on Key saying exactly the same) she changes her mind completely. U turn. 180 degrees...and states that they should be.

Labour are tired, have run out of good ideas, have taken the pish out of voters (shall we give them a tax break, shan't we? Yes, we will, but only when we're absolutely on our uppers [then National go and trump it anyway]).

Nah. Hell will freeze over before I vote Labour tomorrow.

[short-circuit]

Voters have two real choices this election: change the government or vote for a police state, I mean for the status quo.

If you're serious about changing the government, vote for your National electorate candidate and tick National for the party vote, unless you live in Epsom, when you should vote for Rodney Hide and tick National for your party vote.

To keep the status quo and/or ensure that the roman sandal brigade continues to give voice to pseudo-science and other flat earth matters, vote for anything other than the option described above to change the government.

The only way you will get any sort of meaningful change is to change the government.

Was your profile name supposed to be HitLer or HitCher?
You'd all for a "Change" to police state surely?

The reason we've had a three term governement is because of that damage done by your lot based on their "flat earth" thinking and failed ideology...3 steps forward, 4 steps back.

[Manxman]

Unfortunately a lot of their base support don't read and understand this and vote RED because it saves their dole.

Dead right. Labour has an acutely amazing knack of targeting their audience and keeping them sweet, whilst actually not doing them any favours in the long run, by actively encouraging them to go do something productive with their lives.

Case in point: look at that bus driver from Tauranga (voted the best in Australasia), who has no legs below the knee, no education, but still got off his chuff, went to tec and got a job driving buses. Positive attitude, no 'poor me' mentality.

An inspiration & top bloke.

[short-circuit]

People were saying this several years ago when National were in power. (except it was vote Labour for a real change)

to-and-fro to-and-fro decade after decade like a pack of lemmings.

Too true - I remember feeling physically sick listening to the hypocracy of Nanny Shipley and her fundamentalist moralising in the 90's (whilst slashing benefits, social services and wages). Wonder what effect these "changes" had on "crime" and the "economy"

[short-circuit]

all you auckland dicks should come to the election party it will be fun

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=81475

Why - so I could spend the night in the cooler?

[Manxman]

Too true - I remember feeling physically sick listening to the hypocracy of Nanny Shipley and her fundamentalist moralising in the 90's (whilst slashing benefits, social services and wages). Wonder what effect these "changes" had on "crime" and the "economy"

At least she had morals. Citizen Clark doesn't know whether she's martha or artha, which is considerably more worrying.

BTW her daughter was surprisingly tidy (had to get that in...)

Welcome back III. Missed your musings.

[short-circuit]

Er no, I don't believe he is being hysterical. Just look at the UK, who's Liarbour party is the source of any idea our lot ever had...now joint 1st place as the most surveilled country in the world with China, Russia and Malaysia, and that's before the national ID cards are implemented.

You have been warned.

Take a look at what happened during the Thatcher years if you want to acknowledge the real reason for that fool...

[short-circuit]

All are fair enough comments - but you know what they say about boiling frogs don't you?

We already have:
Massive politicisation of the upper echelons of the Police,
An independent public service is a thing of the past.
The EFA has "chilled" political speech in election year - and hey you have to register so the government knows who is criticising it.

Looking to the UK as our future:
They are trying to regulate free speech by bloggers,
ID cards are coming.
You can be arrested for protesting without a permit from the police.

Seriously, look at where we are going, appreciate your rights and defend them.

Yes quite right! The UK and even more so, the US are great examples of how right wing agendas work tirelessly to erode citizen's rights