Leaving Godzone

"Sometimes the lines between illusion, reality and self-deceit, are blurred." Broughton One of the most vexing questions to hit the headlines, is why are Kiwis turning their backs and leaving Godzone?  Not just the young seeking a few years overseas experience, but all age groups are raising two fingers and saying enough crap is enough crap.  We're out of here, and we ain't coming back!  On average, 600 a week are waving goodbye to a once admirable society.  One wonders if the land of milk and honey is past its use-by date?  Admittedly nobody starves and extreme poverty is largely self imposed, so what has gone so terribly wrong?  Is it global warming or are prostitutes overpriced?  Does a life of low pay and increasing working hours really matter?  After all, the "experts" tell us that the laid-back lifestyle is a drawcard for potential immigrants.  Does being jammed on the motorway into major cities every morning make a difference?  What about the free to air televison channels having more commercials than any other country in the world?  Obviously everybody needs a cup of coffee every 8 minutes of programming or we would all die from dehydration. The answer is simple.  Political arrogance, stupidity, an oversized and overpriced government is the major villain.  In a land of little more than four million (less than half the population of London), New Zealand has more laws and restrictions than there are sheep.  The number of bureaucrats are increasing and their intellectual level is about the same as mutton chops. Today's bureaucrats sell their souls for meaningless employment and a regular income.  They contribute nothing to the economy except loud bleating when accused of being bludgers.  But bleating is human nature. Politicians surround themselves with syncopates as a defence from the real world.  'Yes Minister, no Minister.  Anything you say, Minister.' When Mr Public complains about senseless legislation, (my 200 gig hard drive isn't big enough to record a third of it) an anonymous staffer writes a letter stating that official policy does not allow such contemplations.  Political conformity is demanded and must be financed by Mr Public because he is the one that allegedly benefits.  Blatant lies by politicians are effectively legal, but if Mr Public is economical with the truth in the same manner, prosecution is possible. Truth telling is not a legal defence in the current justice system.  The politician's assumption of mental superiority is obvious.  Reality is ignored because it doesn't suit their argument.  A Minister of the Crown is called The Right Honourable Mr Jackass.  Most of the time (99.999%) he is neither Right nor Honourable.  The overbearing title is designed to impress and gain respect the dumb-assed Mr Cap Doffing Public. However, Mr Public is neither blind nor stupid.  That's why he moves to greener pastures. Social engineering doesn't work.  Human nature hasn't changed since our tree swinging days. Any attempt to alter an ingrained lifestyle inevitably fails.  The only thing politicians can really change is the amount of money extracted from Mr Public.  The return on today's taxes and other insidious charges, are not worth 10% of Mr Public's steadily reducing income.  The average wage in Australia is more than 30% higher than Godzone.  One way tickets to Aussie are cheap.  Kiwis are adventurous, so why not?  Aussie's speak English, don't they? New Zealand's economy is shrinking.  Real unemployment is rising and there is an air of depression in the business community.  Senseless acts of crime are increasing and social misfits are becoming more obvious.  The streets are no longer safe and the politicised police are powerless to act.  They're too busy hiding behind bushes raising funds with speed cameras.  The excuse is that speed kills. (old age doesn't?) Considering there are about 3 million motor vehicles in Godzone, the death toll of 400 is very low.  Kiwis are leaving in droves because the initiatives and moral standards that colonised Godzone are now basically illegal.  Progress for the sake of political egos, is proving disastrous.  Truth to the politician is not only inconvenient, it is regarded as an impediment to their career prospects.  Let us pray there will be light at the end of the tunnel.  Naturally, despite a lifetime of ripoff taxes, Mr Public is still expected to fund the light.  But then again, Mr Public has always provided for himself and Mother Nature's parasites.