They used to be ambitious for New Zealand – but that was before the election.
Now, Hamilton’s National MPs say that “New Zealand is now a second world country and can only expect second world care and facilities.”
That’s what Tim MacIndoe and David Bennett told the Midland’s Region of the NZ Nurses’ Organisation when they visited them in Novemebr 2009.
Ruth Dyson sought leave to table the NZNO Newsletter containing the two MPs comments in Parliament today and it looked like she was about to get it. The Leader of the House didn’t object, nor any of their front bench.
However, from the murky depths of the National back bench an objection finally did emerge – from David Bennett.
Seems they think they can say one thing in Wellington and something else in Hamilton.
Sue, unless something serious changes about the direction this economy is taking – both at a Governmental and private sector level – and we implement a vision to create a wealthy NZ willing to share its riches with all its citizens and communities, I’d have to agree say that the comments of Hamilton’s National MP’s are pretty realistic.
Otago DHB made life a lot harder for many at home elderly people recently because they needed to save a couple of million dollars from their bottom line. That’s definitely a second world situation.
The main point is though: they have few ideas for what to do about it (the country’s level of wealth) and even less around how to do it so of course they are simply fatalistic, behind closed doors. Labour is showing definite signs of innovation and inspiration which leaves NACT for dead.
So we’re the ones who pay from the mismanagement of a directionless and clueless tory government who’s sole focus is tax cuts for their rich mates? How wonderful.
Don’t forget about selling our country’s silverware and productive assets to those same indiduals for sweet FA
The tories never change but they can focus on two things at time.
loota hasnt visited California recently ,where many public offices are closed every second friday- to save money-. (The staff dont get paid )
In parts of the US thousands of teachers , police , firefighters ( who also supply emergency medical care like St John) have been laid off- to save money.
The definition of what is first world has shifted
Don’t forget about selling our country’s silverware and productive assets to those same indiduals for sweet FA
The tories never change but they can focus on two things at time.
Great comment Loota, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Ah yes…California (one of the world’s largest economies), having to pay its staffers in IOU’s instead of real money. Whooops.
Hey Loota- speaking of selling off our productive assets- did you see Vernon Small’s article on Stuff this morning? It is about Labour rethinking policy and included this:
“Mr Goff also signalled a rethink of the party’s policy on foreign investment, especially as it applied to farmland. He said direct investment was welcome, but not foreign control of strategic investments that could charge “monopoly rents”.
Labour would not take “extremist positions” but was looking at options to limit control. He pointed to existing restrictions on ownership of fish quota as one example where it had worked. One big concern was the possibility of dairy co-operative Fonterra eventually being foreign-controlled if enough dairy farms were bought by overseas interests.
Labour foreign investment spokesman David Parker said overseas ownership of farmland had always been controversial, but it needed extra scrutiny now.
“Land ownership is also the source of control of our major farming co-ops,” he said. “China has a clear global resources acquisition strategy. It is widely reported as systematically acquiring control of primary resources – especially minerals, but also land in Africa.”
Maybe there is hope?
Hi Jane, thanks for bringing that to my attention. Interesting, and yes I believe there is solid hope – particularly that Labour now appears to be considering and generating a lot of fresh, common sense view points.
And PG hints there is a lot more detail to come out, so this is not just a superficial refresh, it is something with a lot of substance behind it. Hopefully.
Now that I am on Stuff, people are being scathing about the bad organisation of the international business development/trade trip that the PM pulled out of to come back for the servicemens’ funeral.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/3662265/Trade-mission-to-Blunderland
Everyone realises that the term “second world” refers to the communist states, right?
Right?
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/third_world_countries.htm
Thomas: so the Hamilton National MPs consider NZ a communist state? So who’s currently in charge of this communist state?
Loota- what a debacle. I feel for Tim Groser- if anyone should have been able to come back to New Zealand it should have been him after of the death of his mother. John Key does not come out of this looking good.
Actually yes, Tim Groser basically took a bullet for JK.
John Key doing what he does best – make a good first impression. While the country is saddened by the loss of our servicemen he acts in empathy with that.
The detail of all the fallout from his decision afterwards – water off a ducks back.
I think we are getting familiar with the mode of operation here Jane.
I had NO idea Tim Groser’s mother died and he stayed. I have some time for Tim Groser, he seems a very capable and even handed man.
I just wnder, what is the answer to all our troubles, am doubtful as it stands that Labour or Nats can give us more than a variation on a theme. I suspect, but dont know, that the answer provides the kind of reform and outside the square thinking and innovation that doesn’t get parties elected. We are our own worst enemies, although having no trust in eithe rmain party doesn’t help.
To a certain extent all parties are captured by their inbuilt party mechanisms and also influential member groups. Real change is difficult to accomplish. People get set in their ways and we are surprised why the results always seem sort of same-ish and familiar.
Still very optimistic though, and not too cynical.
there was no need for Key to come back for the funeral. The defence minister was the appropriate person to attend the funeral but Key sensed a photo opportunity.
Dorothy…. that’s right. Three dead defence staff aren’t that important.
johnbt – yes it is nice to see John Key putting people ahead of his business and money friends. One time.
They can’t. Both are wedded to capitalism which requires infinite perpetual growth which is, quite simply, unsustainable.
I started out my economic studies several years ago with one basic question: What happens when the monetary supply stays constant under the present capitalist paradigm? The answer is rather simple – the capitalists end up with it all and the economy crashes (hello GFC).
We need to live within our own renewable resource base. We have no other option.
johnbt
Will the PM attend every worker death in their job from an organisation owned or administered by the Government?
These men were flying to an ANZAC Day ceremony, not into a war zone to save our souls from a foreign peril. Of course it is a tragedy, in fact, every workplace death in this country (over 100 each year) is a tragedy. The media seemed goulishly fixated with this incident (I have no problem with the Airforce honouring their own and fareweeling them as they see fit) and the PM fuelled that.
We are not at war with anyone (well, the SAS are, but that’s less than 100 of our countryfolk) and even if we were, today’s military are volunteers, career workers not self sacrificing heroes staving of the perils of facism nor are they conscripts. I do not accept their lives are more valuable than any other person.