Erection Time

"The politicians wear their hypocrisy with aplomb." Broughton

26/8/05: In about three weeks New Zealand will go to the polls. It's the classic example of democracy in action once every three years. The rest of the time it's a matter of do what we say or suffer a penalty that's designed to make us politicians more invincible.

'After all, we know what's good for our bank balance. We can't create funds of our own because we don't produce any saleable products. Therefore it's up to the people (mugs), to supply the funds. Naturally we steal more than we could ever spend on ourselves, so most generously we redistribute the money to sectors likely to vote for us.'

The ruling Labour Coalition Party have promised substantial handouts to a small sector of the community using the excuse that families deserve better treatment. Two weeks ago there wasn't enough money in the kitty for general tax deductions but miraculously they've discovered several billion hidden under the magic carpet of political convenience. Truly amazing considering the 67 cents a week previously promised to low income earners.

The opposition National Party has promised middle of the road tax cuts for all sectors and will raise the income limit before higher tax rates apply. This seems sensible and more practical considering that 33% of the population live below the breadline and are treated with contempt. However, a small gain for everybody will not appeal to the bulk of the population who mindlessly vote their back pockets. This demonstrates the greed of the consumer who foolishly lives on never ending credit. Nothing down and a dollar a week for 500 years, or until the dam inevitably bursts. Then what?

Numerous small parties begging for a few seats in parliament, are making huge promises they know they will never be in a position to meet. So why not promise the earth? Some people are silly enough to believe anything.

Future tax cuts are not political generosity. What the cuts mean is the less money extracted from the people, the less money there is available for redistribution. The money remains with the people, not the politicians. In effect, the promised cuts are bribing the people by saying they're not going to steal as much as before. A political play on words?

The causes sliding New Zealand backwards are not the multiple, soul-destroying taxes, but the mindless social engineering of recent years. History shows there has not been a single period that trying to change personal habits has ever worked. People will do what they've always done and to hell with the law.

Maori are seething because of the Foreshore and Seabed Act has destroyed their customary guardianship of the nation's beaches. They have looked after them for generations without cost and public access was rarely denied. Now the state has claimed ownership and problems are emerging. Naturally Maori have started their own political party because they want to control their own destiny, rather than have some faceless bureaucrat in Wellington laying down the law about how many shellfish can be gathered to feed the kids. Maori have always been strict conservationists but the Pakeha inspired money grabbing has tempted a minority. Human nature in action?

Police are unable to replace the number of officers leaving the force because new recruits are saying no to the career that expect them to raise funds hounding motorist for minor offences. They want to be crime fighters, not revenue collectors. Who can blame them? An example of a new law, is demanding money for following the beaten track in a traffic roundabout without signalling your intentions. Pray tell me, why signal when there's no other beaten track to follow? There's no real safety issue at such low speeds. More greed?

Then there's the Civil Union Bill which allows a form of marriage between unmarried
couples and various forms of homosexuals. This facet of human behaviour is not exactly new, so pray tell me just what is being achieved by making such relationships semi legal?

Banning smoking in bars has proved to be completely senseless. Illegal bars are opening and regular establishments closing. With the health statistic proving dubious, pray tell me how shifting smokers from A to B is going to make a difference when inherited genes cause most cancers? Well?

Over taxation is not New Zealand's biggest problem. The expanding bureaucracy and idiot social engineering is causing Kiwis to depart for greener pastures. Like politicians, people will always put themselves first. Last sensible person to leave Godzone, please turn out the lights.