"Meridian will be the big prize for local investors, and Solid
Energy’s coal deposits and related technologies will make it the only
one that foreign investors will be rushing in to buy. For political
reasons, the Key government will therefore be selling Solid Energy last,
in order to minimise the furore over selling our precious natural
assets into foreign hands.
Finally… it is quite hard not to be depressed then by this asset
sales process, isn’t it? “It is,” Sheather says. “I’m assuming Mr Key
is a rational person.” The public don’t want the sales, he says, and
the financial sector can’t see the logic behind them.
What Sheather would like to see is a last minute offer of a
referendum on the subject, as a sign that Key has listened to the
public’s concerns, and has responded in kind. “If he does that, all will
be good. If he doesn’t, he needs his head read.”
Gordon Campbell quotes from the financial analysts to show just how dangerous the proposed asset sales are to our country.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
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11 comments:
Good article Robert.
On a slightly different note I've been trying to get some balance posted at SPIN2's funny little website, but to no avail. I think moderation must mean something different to a conservative. Like 'prohibition' perhaps? Anyway, here's an interesting piece from someone at the forefront of the push for innovation and exports:
http://idealog.co.nz/blog/2011/11/key-you-disgust-me
I think the weekend poll might just show that you may be able to 'moderate' discussion (as JK is wont to do via the police), but you might get a surprise what the electorate really thinks about not being able to partake in political discourse.
This is unfortunate, and very unfortunate that the previous left wing govt wasted a golden opportunity to make NZ a better place.
These issues don't eventuate over night, it is a combination of laziness and bossiness from the left that gave National the political capital to expend.
The Greens are (once again) talking more about Israel, imaginary pay inequality, and defending deadbeat teachers.
And people wonder why we are in the position we are in...........
SPIN2 - thta's pretty good, OS.
I'm finger-crossed for a surprise, that's for sure.
'Unfortunate', Shunda?
No, it's criminal and there's no excuse for it. The decision to surge ahead is National's alone and blame for it can't be sheeted to anyone other than them and those who pressure them to do it.
Your Labour-blame thingy is kinda worn thin on me.
RG - you are again missing Shunda's point.
It was Liarbours 2005 election bribes that pushed government spending beyond our means. Regrettably Key's Nats haven't had the intestinal fortitude to correct the government’s spending to income gap.
Just as any family that lives beyond its means there is a day of reckoning coming when they have to sell the house to pay for the spending.
Paranormal
Or get the top 10% who used the laws of the country (no tax on trading and speculation?) and the labour of the bottom 90% to get where they are, to pay a fair share in difficult times so the country can hold onto its assets. It is so stark and simple as to show your weak argument for what it is Paranormal.
There is no politics of envy, but politics of fairness for everyone in tough times. From the right it's politics of fear. They fear the poor and anyone who is enlightened enough not to embrace material greed as a philosophy.
Thank you, Anonymous. Ably skewered.
Anon at 9.31. Enjoy your blissful naivity. This is not about who is paying tax and who isn't. It's about responsible government not spending more than they earn.
As for poverty - there is no poverty in New Zealand. No financial lack of money poverty that is. There is however a poverty of human spirit - and you're a fine example of it.
You have bought into the politics of power through keeping the poor locked in poverty to maintain the status quo. Those most guilty of this are those on the left. "All animals are equal, just some are more equal than others" is exactly where the left, and presumably you sit in this.
Spare me your thoughts on the right and childlike whimperings about fairness.
By the way, instead of listening to soundbites you might like to school yourself up on just how our tax system works. There is tax on trading and speculation.
Paranormal
Hi Paranormal.
You are wrong in most of what you say.
I sicked in my mouth a little as I read it.
On the rest, well, I'll have to take your word for it.
Unless you could please scour the library for evidence and provide the ISBN numbers of any books supporting your assertions, and likewise listen to talkback and let me know which frequency will keep me informed of the truth. God dammit, I've got cramp in the arch of my foot. Regards, Knowable Natural.
They fear the poor and anyone who is enlightened enough not to embrace material greed as a philosophy.
Oh for crying out loud!
You really are a walking contradiction aren't you!
The left are flat out encouraging material greed and the "you deserve more" mantra, it's all about wide screen TV's and how wide you can afford.
"You deserve more" they cry "more unsustainable pie for you, you, and you" they cry.
The GINI index the left so ignorantly crow about can be nothing else in this country.
Get a clue and get a bloody grip on reality.
Knowable Natural - wrong, really? or is it I have just crossed your rosy/green hued worldview.
Have a look at "The Welfare State We're In" for a start.
Paranormal
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