The Power Crisis

"Politicians are blind.  Turn the lights out.  Then maybe they'll see."   Broughton Warning bells are ringing.  Chaos is nigh!  The New Zealand Labour Socialist Government is getting stuck into private enterprise.  Down with initiative and profit margins.  Up with political control of everything.  We are the government and you will do exactly what you are told.....or else.  So there! About twenty years ago the Labour Government privatised most basic infrastructure state run services.  Out the door went the telephone system, along with power generation and distribution.  Telecom was formed with public ownership by an American company.  Power distribution was split into 22 regional publically owned companies with a virtual monopoly in their particular areas. Several months ago Telecom was informed that it must open its internet monopoly to other ISP organisations.  This was already happening and didn't need government interference. Telecom's share price lost three billion dollars overnight.  Last week the Auckland power line company Vector, was told by the Commerce Commission, the regulatory arm of government, that it would only be allowed a 7.35% profit margin.  (Ps.  I have an online call account with my bank paying 7.5% with interest compounding monthly.)  Vector's board considered the matter and immediately cancelled $400 million in line infrastructure updates, along with another $200 million on hold until matters were clarified.  Considering Auckland has a history of power blackouts due to lack of infrastructure investment..... not a good idea for the public who pays through the nose for the frequent power failures. What basic services are the government going to get stuck into next.....food, sewerage, fresh water, rubbish disposal?  The list is endless.  What about the other power distribution companies...... are they next on the wish list?  How about the power generation companies, some of which the state is the biggest shareholder?  Are they going to be restricted? While it is true to say the massive increases in power and local council rates are forcing many from their homes: commonsense says it doesn't pay to over regulate private enterprise, because they will simply take their money and expertise elsewhere.  No one is going to risk investment in a business that pays less than a basic savings account. Negotiation is the answer.  Simple, let's sit around the table and work out a compromise that keeps everybody happy.  For the Commerce Commission and government, who are both self interest monopolies, to dictate to private enterprise, stinks of communist tendencies.  Even Comrade Prime Minister agrees that negotiation is the logical answer.  Has she at last realised that the voters pay her salary? The current Labour Coalition Government has a history of repressive legislation, consequently it would appear that they have lost the vision of acceptable practicality.  No country can survive such political mindlessness.  History shows that when the straw that finally breaks the camel's back arrives, so does chaos and mayhem.  As an aside, one wonders whether commonsense, honesty and decency will be outlawed to appease current political egos?