I have been really busy for the past couple of weeks, and unfortunately priorities have to made - not one of them being this blog.
I am not stopping blogging, it was just a short break.
And I will be back, cap in hand, plaque on wall later on this week.
Perhaps on state funding of elections.
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Monday, 16 April 2007
Civic Virtue
While I think it is perfectly healthy to a have skepticism about motives of various politicians, since their moves and actions govern our lives, the current atmosphere, by which I mean in the last 25 years, governments and politics has been viewed by New Zealander's with a certain cynicism.
Why is that people may ask, and why do we care? Simple. In Representative Democracies, the people pledge their support to a candidate (or slate of candidates within a party banner under MMP), who then cast their vote in order make decisions for the country. Representative democracy has a distinct advantage over direct democracy (which alot of people argue for), because of expediency, efficiency, and indifference. But for these advantages, people must occasionally see decisions that at the time the majority of the population may not agree with, but the people retain the right to de-elect political party slates if they choose to do so with, and given ample time and a period of reflection to reconsider.
Before the advent of MMP, New Zealand's parliamentary system was accurately described as an 'elected dictatorship' - the Muldoon quote of "having an idea while shaving in the morning, could have it [sic] drying in ink on the statute book by evening" being especially apt. And governments mostly prior to this era had not exercised powers in offense of the majority of the population. However, the Muldoon government and its successors up through until the advent of MMP used their executive's sovereignty to the fullest, pushing through projects such as the Clutha Dam, reforms such as deregulation and asset sales etc.
Because these policies were not identified, or even denied ("A Decent Society 1990" - Jim Bolger), people grew skeptical of politics and developed a certain cynicism towards government, which grew to the level of unhealthiness. Our democracy was at its weakest point during those turbulent years, because the elected representatives acted without consent on hidden agendas. MMP was portrayed as system which would limit the power of government, instutionalising a more conservative path to reform, and was brought in in 1996.
But people who had hoped that political agendas would become more visible were certainly not impressed by the 1996 coalition agreement between National and NZ First, and even more disillusioned when the Shipley government retained power even after the end of the coalition. National still ruled with its hangers on like it was a FPP government, buying its support with policies and perks.
In 1999, the era of rapid reform ended with the election of the Clark Labour government, and while the government may have underpromised and overdelivered, it has largely moved away from hidden economic agendas. But the skepticism of politicians still remains....
What can be done to rebuild and civic virtue in New Zealand?
1. There needs to be a happy medium between under and overpromising, and respectively over and under delivering.
2. Politicians and pressure groups should respect the right of individuals to express their opinion, and do their best to put out information correctly outlining their positions on controversial issues, and get rid of misinformation.
3. There ought to be a citizenship education course in schools teaching values in among others, the public good, personal responsibility, political enfranchisement - an education in society and government.
4. Political parties need to reach out beyond their current narrow confines, and remember why they were formed in the first place, what drove people to Labour or National. And the party faithful need to be a fully informed part of the process in governing their party's actions.
5. Politicians should avoid situations where they could be accused of impropriety if at all possible.
But most of all, enhance the process. All of you who read this blog would have at some stage, whether in your capacity as political activists, employee/employer, or individual, wittingly or unwittingly, will have come across simple apolitical people with problem - for example: bad teeth, combined with low incomes and high dentistry costs.
The activists need to take this issue forward: How can we alleviate this person's position. As a potential advocate, how can we influence the process of policy formation to help this person out.
The best solution for our sagging civic virtue for the apolitical to see their political parties and branches of government in action: perhaps in the earlier case of the person with bad teeth, a political activist proposing ways of fixing an unfair situation, which is then taken to the wider party as an idea, then a policy remit. With pressure and time, the idea becomes policy, and the dentristry work of the low income employee is paid by an extension of the current system of dentistry currently afforded to part-time workers and beneficiaries.
If our people can see that one individual can start a process, and we can achieve good change, then our problem of civic virtue will evapourate.
However, I must add one point. There are certain political parties who regard the public as quote "an obstacle to be overcome every three years", and tempt voters with phoney policies and feigned empathism, whilst hiding their most deeply held political held opinions from the public. The public don't want this dishonesty. Why shouldn't parties be open about what they want to do? The last thing New Zealand needs at the moment is a return to the politics of lies.
Why is that people may ask, and why do we care? Simple. In Representative Democracies, the people pledge their support to a candidate (or slate of candidates within a party banner under MMP), who then cast their vote in order make decisions for the country. Representative democracy has a distinct advantage over direct democracy (which alot of people argue for), because of expediency, efficiency, and indifference. But for these advantages, people must occasionally see decisions that at the time the majority of the population may not agree with, but the people retain the right to de-elect political party slates if they choose to do so with, and given ample time and a period of reflection to reconsider.
Before the advent of MMP, New Zealand's parliamentary system was accurately described as an 'elected dictatorship' - the Muldoon quote of "having an idea while shaving in the morning, could have it [sic] drying in ink on the statute book by evening" being especially apt. And governments mostly prior to this era had not exercised powers in offense of the majority of the population. However, the Muldoon government and its successors up through until the advent of MMP used their executive's sovereignty to the fullest, pushing through projects such as the Clutha Dam, reforms such as deregulation and asset sales etc.
Because these policies were not identified, or even denied ("A Decent Society 1990" - Jim Bolger), people grew skeptical of politics and developed a certain cynicism towards government, which grew to the level of unhealthiness. Our democracy was at its weakest point during those turbulent years, because the elected representatives acted without consent on hidden agendas. MMP was portrayed as system which would limit the power of government, instutionalising a more conservative path to reform, and was brought in in 1996.
But people who had hoped that political agendas would become more visible were certainly not impressed by the 1996 coalition agreement between National and NZ First, and even more disillusioned when the Shipley government retained power even after the end of the coalition. National still ruled with its hangers on like it was a FPP government, buying its support with policies and perks.
In 1999, the era of rapid reform ended with the election of the Clark Labour government, and while the government may have underpromised and overdelivered, it has largely moved away from hidden economic agendas. But the skepticism of politicians still remains....
What can be done to rebuild and civic virtue in New Zealand?
1. There needs to be a happy medium between under and overpromising, and respectively over and under delivering.
2. Politicians and pressure groups should respect the right of individuals to express their opinion, and do their best to put out information correctly outlining their positions on controversial issues, and get rid of misinformation.
3. There ought to be a citizenship education course in schools teaching values in among others, the public good, personal responsibility, political enfranchisement - an education in society and government.
4. Political parties need to reach out beyond their current narrow confines, and remember why they were formed in the first place, what drove people to Labour or National. And the party faithful need to be a fully informed part of the process in governing their party's actions.
5. Politicians should avoid situations where they could be accused of impropriety if at all possible.
But most of all, enhance the process. All of you who read this blog would have at some stage, whether in your capacity as political activists, employee/employer, or individual, wittingly or unwittingly, will have come across simple apolitical people with problem - for example: bad teeth, combined with low incomes and high dentistry costs.
The activists need to take this issue forward: How can we alleviate this person's position. As a potential advocate, how can we influence the process of policy formation to help this person out.
The best solution for our sagging civic virtue for the apolitical to see their political parties and branches of government in action: perhaps in the earlier case of the person with bad teeth, a political activist proposing ways of fixing an unfair situation, which is then taken to the wider party as an idea, then a policy remit. With pressure and time, the idea becomes policy, and the dentristry work of the low income employee is paid by an extension of the current system of dentistry currently afforded to part-time workers and beneficiaries.
If our people can see that one individual can start a process, and we can achieve good change, then our problem of civic virtue will evapourate.
However, I must add one point. There are certain political parties who regard the public as quote "an obstacle to be overcome every three years", and tempt voters with phoney policies and feigned empathism, whilst hiding their most deeply held political held opinions from the public. The public don't want this dishonesty. Why shouldn't parties be open about what they want to do? The last thing New Zealand needs at the moment is a return to the politics of lies.
Thursday, 12 April 2007
Saving for Retirement - Sorry, too busy paying off debt.
Retirement. It's not a concept people of my age frequently identify with, but over the next few years that may change, with the government introducing a subsidized super plan. People of my generation more frequently identify with debt, be that personal (credit card, overdraft, hire purchase), property mortgage, and for many: student loans. Why is this generation so indebted compared to its predecessors? Is it simply that we spend more money, or is there some other contributing factors? And, most importantly, how do we turn back the tide toward a culture of saving?
In my opinion, there are several explanations for our outrageous level of debt:
1/. Insufficent renumeration: Whether this is because of low productivity, or employer stinginess, New Zealand's real median wage has fallen far behind those paid in other OECD countries, especially Australia. This is one of the primary reasons why we have a brain drain, and a skills shortage in many sectors. In the 1950s and 60s, a whole family could exist on a median father's wage, comfortably paying off the mortgage, while the mother performed domestic duties, and yet now with both partners working, people on an average wage cannot afford to pay off a mortgage.
2/. Student debt: Students study for an tertiary education right, so they should pay for the priviledge.... However, this argument can be broken down, because it is in the interest of all New Zealander's to have better educated citizens. The government through the TEAC already invests significant resources in all students (50-66% of the cost of a university education), and yet because of the loan scheme, it does not reap the full benefit of its investment in students, because many leave to pursue debt repayment options overseas.
3/. An investment regime whereby most of NZ'ers savings outside of their own domiciles ends up in rental properties. This, along with DIY speculators has driven up the price in main centres over 50% in the last 5 years. This type of investment is not good for the economy as a whole, as it relies on imported debt to finance, making money for foreign-owned banks and investor groups, and robbing investors of their deserved returns, hence the drive to speculation.
4/. Fear - a fear that one day, a neo-liberal government could return to power in New Zealand, reintroducing policies such as means-tested pensions, and even eradication of pension entitlements except where it is a benefit for the deserving poor. So Kiwis have to build up their own investments in competition with each other, rather than in co-operation.
Posited Solutions:
1a/. Continue boosting the legal minimum wage and abolish youth rates. This would transfer more money to our youngest and most needy workers, and in the process making a job or career more attractive than a benefit. It would also allow these people to be less reliant on loans, and when in fact they were sought, would be paid off more quickly. It would also have a positive effect across the entire economy. Perhaps, also a compulsory tax-free contribution by employers of 1% of an employee's wage into the Kiwisaver scheme. The Working for Families Scheme should also be retained, as it is important that people continue to chose to have a family, as children are future workers and taxpayers.
2a/. By increasing funds to universities so that they can reduce student fees to a level whereby they become nominal, and it becomes possible again for students to work summer jobs in order to pay fees. Remove the means-testing of students that do not live at home for the student allowance. Universities should be viewed as an asset rather than a burden to the state, and funding their various programs should be their own choice, rather than by cutting costs, allowing for better planning and less wasted resources than the current approach.
3a/. Impose a capital gains tax on residential properties other than those owned or jointly owned by their occupants, including trusts and companies set up for the purposes of tax avoidance. New Zealand should become a nation of shareholders rather than landlords, as continued 'landlord'ism will return society to an era of a few "have lots", and a great many "have nones". For example, Australian private equity investors have just purchased, among other things, a controlling stake in Qantas.
4a/. Contribution to private equity groups which are prohibited from investing in residential properties is a cooperative form of investment. Middle-aged people must realise that continued property speculation is a mutually destructive battle in which all of their offspring will lose. Young people don't want to be reliant on handouts from their parents, and/or wait for proceeds from their estate.
They are a just a few ideas... Post more if you have them...
In my opinion, there are several explanations for our outrageous level of debt:
1/. Insufficent renumeration: Whether this is because of low productivity, or employer stinginess, New Zealand's real median wage has fallen far behind those paid in other OECD countries, especially Australia. This is one of the primary reasons why we have a brain drain, and a skills shortage in many sectors. In the 1950s and 60s, a whole family could exist on a median father's wage, comfortably paying off the mortgage, while the mother performed domestic duties, and yet now with both partners working, people on an average wage cannot afford to pay off a mortgage.
2/. Student debt: Students study for an tertiary education right, so they should pay for the priviledge.... However, this argument can be broken down, because it is in the interest of all New Zealander's to have better educated citizens. The government through the TEAC already invests significant resources in all students (50-66% of the cost of a university education), and yet because of the loan scheme, it does not reap the full benefit of its investment in students, because many leave to pursue debt repayment options overseas.
3/. An investment regime whereby most of NZ'ers savings outside of their own domiciles ends up in rental properties. This, along with DIY speculators has driven up the price in main centres over 50% in the last 5 years. This type of investment is not good for the economy as a whole, as it relies on imported debt to finance, making money for foreign-owned banks and investor groups, and robbing investors of their deserved returns, hence the drive to speculation.
4/. Fear - a fear that one day, a neo-liberal government could return to power in New Zealand, reintroducing policies such as means-tested pensions, and even eradication of pension entitlements except where it is a benefit for the deserving poor. So Kiwis have to build up their own investments in competition with each other, rather than in co-operation.
Posited Solutions:
1a/. Continue boosting the legal minimum wage and abolish youth rates. This would transfer more money to our youngest and most needy workers, and in the process making a job or career more attractive than a benefit. It would also allow these people to be less reliant on loans, and when in fact they were sought, would be paid off more quickly. It would also have a positive effect across the entire economy. Perhaps, also a compulsory tax-free contribution by employers of 1% of an employee's wage into the Kiwisaver scheme. The Working for Families Scheme should also be retained, as it is important that people continue to chose to have a family, as children are future workers and taxpayers.
2a/. By increasing funds to universities so that they can reduce student fees to a level whereby they become nominal, and it becomes possible again for students to work summer jobs in order to pay fees. Remove the means-testing of students that do not live at home for the student allowance. Universities should be viewed as an asset rather than a burden to the state, and funding their various programs should be their own choice, rather than by cutting costs, allowing for better planning and less wasted resources than the current approach.
3a/. Impose a capital gains tax on residential properties other than those owned or jointly owned by their occupants, including trusts and companies set up for the purposes of tax avoidance. New Zealand should become a nation of shareholders rather than landlords, as continued 'landlord'ism will return society to an era of a few "have lots", and a great many "have nones". For example, Australian private equity investors have just purchased, among other things, a controlling stake in Qantas.
4a/. Contribution to private equity groups which are prohibited from investing in residential properties is a cooperative form of investment. Middle-aged people must realise that continued property speculation is a mutually destructive battle in which all of their offspring will lose. Young people don't want to be reliant on handouts from their parents, and/or wait for proceeds from their estate.
They are a just a few ideas... Post more if you have them...
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
New TVNZ Promo Ad
Has anybody watched this?
http://tvnz.co.nz/ - we are one.
While it is visually please and culturally embracing, it doesn't actually convey much about TVNZ's programming future, i.e. the decision to go to digital. It is very sentimental, describing a journey of television from the past to now.
But is it what TVNZ should be advertising about, sure branding is important, but this type of advert is hardly likely to enamour viewers to stay at the TV instead of boiling the jug etc.
http://tvnz.co.nz/ - we are one.
While it is visually please and culturally embracing, it doesn't actually convey much about TVNZ's programming future, i.e. the decision to go to digital. It is very sentimental, describing a journey of television from the past to now.
But is it what TVNZ should be advertising about, sure branding is important, but this type of advert is hardly likely to enamour viewers to stay at the TV instead of boiling the jug etc.
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Suggestions and Comments.
Apart from the content itself, do people have suggestions on how this blog could be improved. I am open to design ideas for a while so that this hopefully can become an authority blog, like David Farrar, Just left and I see red.
Kiwis & "Carbon Miles"
As a country, New Zealand has made significant progress in political, social and economic, liberalisation in the last few decades, transforming us from a tired rural dominated and oriented society, to an economy more dependent on niche product and niche entertainment.
When foreign tourists comment on New Zealand, especially from Asia, Europe and North America, they have come to see the alpine and adventure attractions, not to count sheep. And we have done very well out of that. But this tourist market is at risk, along with much of our farm produce, due to the conveniently developed concept of "carbon miles", essentially meaning that buying New Zealand produce, and visiting here is bad for the planet, whereas voyages to destinations, and products created closer to home are more environmentally sound.
While it may be tempting to respond by stating that this is just a ruse covering "protectionism", we must remember who New Zealand's tourists are, either middle-aged couples essentially on a second honeymoon, young adventure and adrenaline seekers, or students on their overseas experience (whether that be prior to, after, or studying here). These people will not be persuaded to continue coming here by such a hackneyed argument. We need something better
We have been repeatedly described, by foreign observers, and even by own leaders, as a social laboratory. So in this tradition, our PM, Helen Clark and the Labour caucus have decided to make New Zealand "carbon neutral", in the hope that travellers to NZ and foreign buyers of our produce will be tempted in a further niching. But what will "carbon-neutral" mean, and how can we actually achieve it?
It will take a combination of both small and large steps to make New Zealand carbon neutral. Currently, our biggest sources of carbon emissions are animal effluent, coal-furnace power plants, and vehicle emissions.
Suggested solutions:
1/. A reduction in New Zealand's power usage. The scheme envisaged by the government and various local authorities of placing solar power units on roofs for water heating is a first step. An example of a carbon-neutral NZ would have to include people that were prepared to generate own entire power source. As minaturisation improves technology, the home will be able to use less power - compulsion of energy efficient lighting, double glazing, and interior housing and water cooler insulation.
2/. A carbon-tax rather than emissions trading. If an emissions regime comes into place, companies will be assigned arbitary limits under which emissions reductions are not required, and money paid by the worst polluters will not necessarily contribute to the further reduction of carbon. Taxes collected could be partially invested in a portfolio where technology companies therein were developing products that further reduced energy usage.
3/. Incentives for carbon-small options/Disincentives for carbon big options. Reduce vehicle ownership taxes on energy efficient cars such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Explorer; offer free public transportation for people under 18. Increase vehicle fees for SUV's and their gas-guzzling ilk, assist in re-establishing rail as a viable transportation.
4/. Big projects. We wont be able to stop climate change with half-measures. Our global problem is on a huge magnitude, and it requires a huge response. And not just in New Zealand either, for example, invest in a high-speed electrified rail network from Asia to Europe, so that less produce required transportation by ship/air and travelled smaller miles in doing so, and environmentally conscious people could travel by rail to Asia, and then on to New Zealand. Within New Zealand itself, development of an electrified high-speed rail-network between all cities.
5/. Projects like development of ethanol from corn and canola waste might be socially responsible and reduce dependency on Middle Eastern oil sources, but it is missing the point. We need to develop methods of energy usage and possibly storage that don't involve the combustion engine. If we are to source this energy from the domestic power grid, we must also take care that the energy from this grid is also created in a sustainable fashion.
6/. Nuclear power. While this is not an option within New Zealand, because of political conditions, and scale, in foreign countries, development of nuclear power may be a way to end excessive reliance on coal-fired power. But we must also remember that uranium itself is also a limited resource, and we must not simply trade one unsustainable source of power generation for another, not to mention all of the extra risks associated with nuclear power generation.
7/. Expand sustainable generation. This one is pretty self-explanatory, build more wind-powered plants, perhaps tidal current and wave turbines. Even limited further development of hydro-electric schemes may have to considered. And for what we are burning, perhaps we should be ridding the planet of our waste and rubbish before we burn virgin coal.
Your thoughts and replies are most welcome.
Parrot out.
When foreign tourists comment on New Zealand, especially from Asia, Europe and North America, they have come to see the alpine and adventure attractions, not to count sheep. And we have done very well out of that. But this tourist market is at risk, along with much of our farm produce, due to the conveniently developed concept of "carbon miles", essentially meaning that buying New Zealand produce, and visiting here is bad for the planet, whereas voyages to destinations, and products created closer to home are more environmentally sound.
While it may be tempting to respond by stating that this is just a ruse covering "protectionism", we must remember who New Zealand's tourists are, either middle-aged couples essentially on a second honeymoon, young adventure and adrenaline seekers, or students on their overseas experience (whether that be prior to, after, or studying here). These people will not be persuaded to continue coming here by such a hackneyed argument. We need something better
We have been repeatedly described, by foreign observers, and even by own leaders, as a social laboratory. So in this tradition, our PM, Helen Clark and the Labour caucus have decided to make New Zealand "carbon neutral", in the hope that travellers to NZ and foreign buyers of our produce will be tempted in a further niching. But what will "carbon-neutral" mean, and how can we actually achieve it?
It will take a combination of both small and large steps to make New Zealand carbon neutral. Currently, our biggest sources of carbon emissions are animal effluent, coal-furnace power plants, and vehicle emissions.
Suggested solutions:
1/. A reduction in New Zealand's power usage. The scheme envisaged by the government and various local authorities of placing solar power units on roofs for water heating is a first step. An example of a carbon-neutral NZ would have to include people that were prepared to generate own entire power source. As minaturisation improves technology, the home will be able to use less power - compulsion of energy efficient lighting, double glazing, and interior housing and water cooler insulation.
2/. A carbon-tax rather than emissions trading. If an emissions regime comes into place, companies will be assigned arbitary limits under which emissions reductions are not required, and money paid by the worst polluters will not necessarily contribute to the further reduction of carbon. Taxes collected could be partially invested in a portfolio where technology companies therein were developing products that further reduced energy usage.
3/. Incentives for carbon-small options/Disincentives for carbon big options. Reduce vehicle ownership taxes on energy efficient cars such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Explorer; offer free public transportation for people under 18. Increase vehicle fees for SUV's and their gas-guzzling ilk, assist in re-establishing rail as a viable transportation.
4/. Big projects. We wont be able to stop climate change with half-measures. Our global problem is on a huge magnitude, and it requires a huge response. And not just in New Zealand either, for example, invest in a high-speed electrified rail network from Asia to Europe, so that less produce required transportation by ship/air and travelled smaller miles in doing so, and environmentally conscious people could travel by rail to Asia, and then on to New Zealand. Within New Zealand itself, development of an electrified high-speed rail-network between all cities.
5/. Projects like development of ethanol from corn and canola waste might be socially responsible and reduce dependency on Middle Eastern oil sources, but it is missing the point. We need to develop methods of energy usage and possibly storage that don't involve the combustion engine. If we are to source this energy from the domestic power grid, we must also take care that the energy from this grid is also created in a sustainable fashion.
6/. Nuclear power. While this is not an option within New Zealand, because of political conditions, and scale, in foreign countries, development of nuclear power may be a way to end excessive reliance on coal-fired power. But we must also remember that uranium itself is also a limited resource, and we must not simply trade one unsustainable source of power generation for another, not to mention all of the extra risks associated with nuclear power generation.
7/. Expand sustainable generation. This one is pretty self-explanatory, build more wind-powered plants, perhaps tidal current and wave turbines. Even limited further development of hydro-electric schemes may have to considered. And for what we are burning, perhaps we should be ridding the planet of our waste and rubbish before we burn virgin coal.
Your thoughts and replies are most welcome.
Parrot out.
Welcome to my blog
Hi, welcome to my blog, Parrot on Politics.
This blog is a political blog, offering comment on mainly New Zealand politics, from a level-headed perspective. Occasionally it may delve into other newsworthy areas, and what I've been up to etc.
While I will not disclose my identity at this time, I am a 24 year old student at the University of Canterbury, just about to graduate with a BA in Political Science, and I am also studying a BCom in Accounting. This may help give people an idea of where I am coming from in my posts.
Your posts are more than welcome here, this is a public blog. But keep it legal, I will not hesistate to delete posts that are either offensive to persons or spam. But I'd prefer to not have to edit this if possible.
Be back with more soon, so stay tuned.
Parrot out.
This blog is a political blog, offering comment on mainly New Zealand politics, from a level-headed perspective. Occasionally it may delve into other newsworthy areas, and what I've been up to etc.
While I will not disclose my identity at this time, I am a 24 year old student at the University of Canterbury, just about to graduate with a BA in Political Science, and I am also studying a BCom in Accounting. This may help give people an idea of where I am coming from in my posts.
Your posts are more than welcome here, this is a public blog. But keep it legal, I will not hesistate to delete posts that are either offensive to persons or spam. But I'd prefer to not have to edit this if possible.
Be back with more soon, so stay tuned.
Parrot out.
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