Kim: Farewell, Earthlings

Well, let's be honest, he's not human.

Kim Jong-Il should have a eulogy with his achievements in starvation, torture, abuse, corruption, nepotism, cronyism, authoritarianism, torture, and so much more. DPRK media may be brainwashing the country into mourning, but there is no cause for any change of emotion. The Koreas will still be at war, and the oppressed people of the North will continue to be subjected to further abuse at the hands of the next dictator; the groomed heir who will make the third Kim in the dynasty. I don't know how people can put up with such a daft pseudo-monarchy. It's not a proper monarchy, there is no constitutional limits that outline the roles and responsibilities of this leader (that are taken seriously) unlike the British monarchy. It's simply a dictatorial family ripping off one of the most tortured countries in the world. Kim Jong-Il lived a life of luxury and excess, gorging on lobster, washed down with cognac, and then finished with cigars. A kid who grew into a family of such excess would never give it up to help people he has no connection to.

In the New Zealand Army, the lowest-ranked people are the first to eat at a meal, and the highest-ranked are the last to begin eating. While rank and authority commands respect for people at the top, they respect their soldiers by ensuring their welfare first. The army leads by persuasion, not coercion, and it is a failure to command by authority rather than respect.

If the DPRK wants to run such a militaristic state, they can take a leaf out of the New Zealand Army's book when it comes to feeding its people.

The title of this post was inspired by a quote from an article in The Economist, the photo depicts the late Mr Kim in 2005.

Shearing Labour Into Shape

My personal congratulations to David Shearer and Grant Robertson, for becoming leader and deputy leader respectively of the Labour Party. The challenge now is to turn a historic low into something more. Labour can do worse, the trick is for these two to dig their heels in and stop the party sliding back any further, then to get the party back on it's feet if they want to get more than 30% in the next election. Like Good Guy Greg, I aim to do constructive criticism, so here's some key points for them (and aspiring Labourites) to watch out for.

Business, Not Bureaucracy

Labour's caucus of union hacks and public sector bureaucrats is no qualification to run the country. Get some experience in the private sector to understand New Zealanders and New Zealand's economy. Most people work for a business, you would help that majority by having the same experience.

Crunch the Numbers

The world is far more concerned with economic responsibility than it has been in a long time, so a good image to project would be one of sound and stable fiscal policy and economic management. The high-spending Clark days are long gone, and Labour will appear competent and responsible by hinting it is ready to make hard decisions, but also to be innovative and creative with the economy. Losing a round of 'show me the money' again puts Labour straight into the toilet.

Social Heart, Economic Brain

This would help them be more centrist, balance social provision with money on the mind. Be careful how much things cost, and see if there is a way to maximize provision while minimizing costs. Hard to argue with that.

Watch the Image

Ensure Shearer has none of the qualities that the public finds fault with John Key. Remember that New Zealand usually votes a prime minister out when they are tired of their leader and they can remember the name of the closest competitor. Shearer needs to have a strong and positive image that is memorable in the minds of the public for good and positive reasons. The party cannot risk appearing economically incompetent or as weak leaders, either lead to political suicide. Unions and union connection are unhelpful, as the largely non-unionized workforce will have little sympathy for this cause. Like National has done well, connections to real New Zealanders working for private businesses and sending their children to public schools will help.

These are points for ALL of the Labour party and their supporters to note. Again, useful information, and worth using.

Deregulate All the Things!!

This meme is circulating Reddit at the moment, and was spotted by an ACT colleague of mine, since it was rude that someone stole my idea!!


The picture and caption refer to John Banks becoming Minister of Regulatory Reform, as the member for a party specifically interested in deregulation. Sir Roger Douglas will be proud, and so are we, getting the Public Finance Act amended to make changes outlined by Rodney Hide's Regulatory Standards Bill to ensure government spending is limited and more accountable. Banks as Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister for Small Business, Associate Minister of Education, and Associate Minister of Commerce; has put ACT's philosophies in crucial places, to ensure limited government and targeted assistance. The ACT philosophies of hand-ups not hand-outs, is well represented.

Winston's Crew

Everyone that voted Winston First just for a laugh, should stop laughing and start feeling guilty. We all know about Ol' Winnie and his pathetic political career, obsessed with the "baubles of office," hating Asians and other groups, rallying support from old people scared of change, denying acceptance of money from Owen Glen, playing childish games with the media, and stealing over $150000 from the taxpayer. But what about the cronies he's brought with him. Receiving 6.8% of all party votes, Winnie gets himself and seven mates in parliament to oppose anyone and everyone. An editorial in the New Zealand Herald by Kerry Woodham mentions that people were only interested in getting Winnie back in, not aware that MMP means he will get to squeeze in more losers.

1. Winston Raymond Peters, Pensioner, St Mary's Bay

This guy goes without saying really, a veteran of political shit-stirring in his 28 year career, a lawyer by profession despite having policies to write expedient laws for populist policy and breaking current laws (still waiting for the $158k Winnie), and losing his magical Tauranga seat to Bob Clarkson in 2005. He's led a populist-extremist party since 1993, getting decent support from fellow pensioners, racists, bigots, and the politically misled. He got back in parliament this year by capturing support from disillusioned Labour voters (especially after Goff suggested raising the minimum wage), and capturing media attention by claiming to know everything there was to know about the "tea pot tapes" with John Key and John Banks apparently discussing ACT leadership and Don Brash. Credit where credit is due, he is a fantastic media whore and shit-stirrer.

2. Tracey Martin, Power-Hungry Councillor, Rodney

Been a long time Winston supporter, stood in Rodney this year and garnered party votes from the oldies. What I know from Rodeny locals, is that she's well connected to old people organizations, allowing her to campaign to that demographic virtually free of competition, especially with Colin Craig (Conservative), Beth Houlbrooke (ACT), and Mark Mitchell (National) being more credible than Tracey.

3. Andrew Williams, Clown of Campbell's Bay

If you're from Auckland, you will already know this character too well. This is Mr Get-Pissed-And-Piss-Everywhere-In-Public, the old North Shore mayor who is such a friendly bloke, he decided to get wasted and send abusive text messages to important members of parliament, including the PM himself. Clearly has fantastic working relationships with key figures in government. Voters everywhere are asking who the hell got this dickhead into parliament, this is where people who voted NZF look into the mirror and feel guilty. 

4. Richard Prosser, Redneck, Waimakariri

Ban the burqa! Give bank tellers and convenience store owners guns! Compulsory military training! Party like its a Muldoonist dictatorship! WHEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! This the guy that's getting the article in the Herald today for being a right-wing bigot that the taxi federation has already called a 'redneck' for saying taxi drivers should be armed, which is obviously not popular with taxi drivers. His extreme conservative social views have caught attention before he's even got to parliament, and good thing too, they'll be extremely unpopular, and probably will not garner the full support of the party. What a team player.

5. Barbara Stewart, Teacher and Business Owner, Waikato

My research finds her to be quite baggage free and a competent politician. Her values include one law for all and cutting taxes. No complaints there!

6. Brendan Horan, Failed Weatherman, Bay of Plenty

Tim Hickey had to replace this guy when everyone saw how useless he was at reading an autocue and pointing to cloud icons on a map. Not sure if this guy has any political credibility. My digging returns nothing, for me to assume he is a personality and not a politican. Judging on personality and his résumé, this is not going to be very constructive, or competent.

7. Denis O'Rourke, Lawyer-Councillor, Port Hills

This guy has a decent record too, yet another councilor though. Denis used to be a more of the Labour Party, which is an unusual start for a Winston First man, then went on to the Christchurch City Council to look after CCO's and oppose asset sales. Though a lawyer by profession and a businessman himself, he could have done more in the Labour Party, a bigger unpopular opposition party.

8. Le-Aufa'amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor, Samoan South Aucklander, Manuakau East

Maybe she's unaware of the political stances her party has against her people, but her profile on the party website says she's determined to give everyone in Manukau East jobs and feels like the Labour Party has screwed the community over. Honorable, though she has little on her CV under 'list of acheivements' after unsuccessful campaigns for election in Maungakiekie and within the Auckland City Council.

A great line-up from New Zealand First. Can't wait to see the inevitable factions and disagreements that are bound to open up, especially if Winston doesn't whip his caucus sore. No doubt they will come up with outrageously funny remarks and comments over the next parliamentary term, and they will serve to make no progress be of no help to opposition parties such as Labour and the Greens. New Zealand First never promised to do anything constructive, jokes on everyone that voted for them for thinking they weill this term.

The Loudest One-Man Band

With ACT's future uncertain and an uneasy relationship between Epsom MP elect John Banks and the party closely watched, this is big news. Banks and Key have come to a confidence and supply agreement, with John Banks delivering great results for the party.

The agreement has impressed the party, with John Banks sticking to party principles and campaign promises such as school choices, limited government and spending, and monitoring our economic progress. His performance has been outstanding, and has been lauded by politico's everywhere as doing more with one seat than the five or more ACT has held previously.

Don Brash speaking at Corelli School, North Auckland

ACT may be a one-man caucus at present, but his effectiveness so far has been great, living up to his Epsom promise of being 'experienced and effective.' This will be a good public look that ACT is not as inept as the election critics would suggest, and if the pattern continues, will improve the image of ACT before the election. The relationship with the party, who do not see Banks as a devout ACT libertarian, will surely improve with this news. Party president Chris Simmons has already told the party that this is " testament to the hard work we have put in not only in the last week, or last month, but to the hard work we have all put in over many years." 

The most controversial feature in this agreement so far, is charter schools. ACT has long pushed for greater choice and freedom for parents and students in the education kids get. Don Brash released the ACT education policy at the independent Corelli School in Brown's Bay on Auckland's North Shore, where the focus was on "the money following the child" and offering schools the freedom in their business, and parents the choice in their child's education. Corelli was used, as it operates independently, with a focus on the performing arts, attracting bright students with potential in that field. 

Teacher unions are pissed off, as always. They point out we already have a successful and largely devolved education, which is true, but there is room for charter schools to emerge where there is demand for a different style of education. The main grievance is close to unions of course, that is the autonomy charter schools have in employment terms and conditions. They cite figures from the United States of charter schools failing, but the circumstances in the United States are far different, with independent and semi-independent schools in New Zealand already far outperforming their American counterparts.

John Key is happy with the deal. Unions will always be pissed off where freedom and choice drive policy. The real news in all of this is that John Banks is doing extremely well as a one man band in parliament, living up to ACT policies and ideas, and making great progress in coalition with National.




UPDATE: Close Up on TV One, at 7PM Tuesday 6th December, featured David Selfe from the Corelli School to support the idea of charter schools. He accused the PPTA (Post Primary Teacher's Association) of sticking their heads in the sand, and ignoring the idea that schools are already run like businesses, and it is denial to say this doesn't work.