Good grief! If ever there was a graphic illustration of naked elitist silver-spoon-in-the-mouth-ness, Bill English's declaration today that he sees nothing at all wrong with the super-rich paying no tax at all, it's this!
In an economic environment when we are all under pressure to make ends meet and pay our fair share toward recovery, English's arrogant disregard for the sacrifices made by those of us who are not super-rich is astonishingly heartless and shows how incredibly out of touch from the reality of most people's lives he is. I've no doubt Bill is merely saying what his Tory National Party mates say in private, but to see him display that pompous sense of entitlement publicly, is breathtaking.
I hope people note Bill's careless excuse-making for the very well off in our society and begin to join the dots formed by others in his party, especially his leader John Key who has made similar comments since becoming Prime Minister, and get the picture that accompanies this Government like a very, very expensive painting of the sort that we, the hoi polloi, never get to see.
21 comments:
We. Are. Doomed.
Well National is Jacqueline!
This is ugly stuff, in my opinion.
The Right-wing blogs I frequent have so far refused to discuss Bill's statements.
Ostriches all, so far. Still, one might break ranks :-)
I agree, and of course the blue blogs will refuse to discuss this - they are too busy wetting their pants over a silly email, and screaming about how "only the feckless and lazy" are struggling in this economy.
National were badly caught out by this CGT policy released by Labour and are now in mop-up mode. Makes them grumpy I suppose. Their asset-sales plans are not being accepted by the people of New Zealand and that's hurting them too.
Bills dippy-but-revealing statement today has barely caused a ripple yet but I think it will appal most people. Even some of the super-rich were on tv over the past few days saying they wanted to and should pay tax. Bill put his pampered foot right in it!
Your comments capture the situation perfectly.
So where did English make these alleged comments Robert? I can't find them anywhere...
It's quite mysterious isn't it Inv2!
The Duncan Garner asked the question and it aired on TV3 news after 6.
It's my great hope that the newspapers will have it featured tomorrow. If not, I'll be looking silly!
However, I watched the piece closely.
Garner asked specifically about the ethics of the claim that the super-rich and their non-payment of tax. There was a cut-in from the super-rich-lister who has been saying for the past few days, that he and his ilk should pay tax.
Tomorrow I guess.
It is a little tiresome spoon-feeding you and your head-in-the-sand mates at Keeping Stock Inv2. How about you do some investigating. After all, Bill's your man!
You, looking silly Robert? Surely not!
No; YOU do the investigating Sir. You're the one making the allegations.
Certainly Inv2.
Will report back tomorrow on Keeping Stock, where naturally, you'll be more than willing to discus the issue.
Off to bed for me now.
Seems as though you might have come up short - again - Robert. Your nemesis Ross at home paddock has taken the time to watch both the interview from The Nation and the 3News clip, and suggests that the latter might have been edited "creatively". Having seen neither, I can't comment. But it looks as though you met your match today.
You might like to revisit HP Inv2. Ross has found and viewed the English interview and though he can't bring himself to say anything about what I've said, or more particularly, what English said, he clearly recognises that I was pointing at something real. He spends his time in his response decrying TV3 instead. I was disappointed by his avoidance of the substantive issue, as I am of yours. It seems you and your followers just can't bear to look!
Nothing to see here!!
You must have written your 6.56am before seeing my last comment of last night Robert; I HAD visted HP, and indeed referred to Ross' comment. It wouldn't be the first time that Duncan Garner's anti-English bias showed through.
So, Inv2, English did say ... you know what - are we at least able to agree on that?
If so *patient sigh - what do you think of his statement?
At around 5:40:
Garner: The filty rich are getting away with murder under the current regime. Shouldn't they be paying more? It looks like you're priotecting them.
English: Well no; we agree that the rich should pay their way. When we became the government we found a tax system riddled with loopholes particularly because of the large gap between the top tax rate and..
Garner (interrupts): And the loophole remains Minister. Doesn't the loophole remain by not taxing the profits like Selwyn Pellett said yesterday - I know he's a Labour man but he said yesterday that of the $8m in shares he sold he didn't pay any tax on it. Surely, that's wrong.
English: We believe that we have taken the measures that are adequate measures to close the loopholes and this package would open up a whole lot of loopholes..
Garner (interrupts): The Selwyn Pellett issue; is it wrong that he didn't pay any tax on $8m worth of shares?
English: Well look; I presume that he followed the tax rules as they are laid down; it's not a matter whether he's right or wrong but...
Garner (interrupts again): Morally then does it appear wrong to most New Zealanders that he's not paying any tax on that transaction?
English: No; I don't believe that it does appear morally wrong. New Zealand wants to be a country that encourages entrepreneurs. If someone can start off with one shop or one van in their plumbing business and build that into a big business I don't think New Zealanders are envious about that in the way Labour hopes they would be.
http://www.3news.co.nz/CGT-doesnt-fit-current-economy---English/tabid/1356/articleID/218996/Default.aspx
There you go Robert; lovingly transcribed word-for-word as you could have done. Except that if you'd done the word-for-word, you would have blown your argument out of the water.
More than anything though, this illustrates the difference in our respective worldviews. My wife and I started a business less than 10 years ago from scratch. We now employ over 30 staff, and have a turnover of several million dollars annually. We pay our dues; PAYE on our own salaries and those of the staff, GST and company tax. We've built a business so that we can enjoy retirement without the state having to support us. If your lot got in, we'd face a hefty CGT bill upon the sale of the business, even with $250k exempt. Is that fair? After all, we're the ones who've taken the risks; we're the ones who invested in the start-up; we're the ones who have the sleepless nights when things don't go according to plan. Why should the state double-dip on CG tax when we have already paid taxes on our income and profits?
Watch the video Robert. I know that you have a bitter distatste for the MP for Clutha-Southland, but he did NOT say what you have accused him of.
And reflect on your arrogance in this. You tried to hijack the debate on at least two blogs, throwing your toys out of the cot when people wouldn't rise to your bait. There is only one place where you control the agenda, and that's here, at your place. I should be suggesting that you apologise to Bill English for misquoting him, but doing so at your blog would be the height of rudeness, so I'll let it go.
Sorry Robert; it might come as a shock, but the blogosphere does not revolve around you!
Thanks Inv2.
Here's the bit I'm talking about:
Garner (interrupts again): Morally then does it appear wrong to most New Zealanders that he's not paying any tax on that transaction?
English: No; I don't believe that it does appear morally wrong.
As to the CGT and it's effect on you, I was not even alluding to your situation, or the Capital gains Tax. I'm saying that English sees no problem with the super-rich not paying tax. I do.
His plea that National agrees "that the rich should pay their way. When we became the government we found a tax system riddled with loopholes particularly because of the large gap between the top tax rate and..
Garner (interrupts): And the loophole remains Minister. Doesn't the loophole remain by not taxing the profits like Selwyn Pellett said yesterday.."
adding "We believe that we have taken the measures that are adequate measures to close the loopholes"
says nothing Inv2, Do you believe that National has closed the loopholes that allow the super-rich to pay no tax? English could sell you a bridge over and over, couldn't he!
Garner cornered him and English couldn't help but reveal that he's sweet with the super-rich paying no tax.
Ross, over on HP, describes in detail how English is correct, that the super-rich should not have to pay tax. Do you believe (for the umpteenth time) that they shouldn't?
Take the full exchange Robert, instead of cherry-picking:
Garner (interrupts): The Selwyn Pellett issue; is it wrong that he didn't pay any tax on $8m worth of shares?
English: Well look; I presume that he followed the tax rules as they are laid down; it's not a matter whether he's right or wrong but...
Garner (interrupts again): Morally then does it appear wrong to most New Zealanders that he's not paying any tax on that transaction?
English: No; I don't believe that it does appear morally wrong. New Zealand wants to be a country that encourages entrepreneurs. If someone can start off with one shop or one van in their plumbing business and build that into a big business I don't think New Zealanders are envious about that in the way Labour hopes they would be.
Pardon me Robert, but your envy is showing. Meanwhile, I have better things to do with my day, so I'll bid you farewell until after the 6PM One News, which should be a must-watch.
Envious of people who don't have to pay tax Inv2?
Hell yes!
The impression I got from watching the English interview was one of amazement. We couldn't believe what we were hearing. That he seemed to support tax avoiders. But he was speaking to his constitutents, who supposedly are threatened by the CGT, he wasn't speaking to the general public. Conservatives just want to conserve the status quo.
If you believe that government doesn't have the right to interfere in your life, your ability to make what money you like, then it must be easy from then on to waive your duties as a citizen.
Just imagine the reaction if a Tobin Tax were suggested. Shares, bonds, currency transactions and derivatives.... is nothing sacred.
Thanks for your comment Jonesy - I was beginning to think I was a lone voice and that I'd misheard the whole thing. The clamouring hordes at Keeping Stock and Homepaddock couldn't look at it dispassionately at all!
You're summation sounds just right!
Post a Comment