My favourite sign at last weekend's TPPA rally,
"I for one, welcome the new corporate overlords."
Any government considering this agreement is nothing more than a joke.
Geraldine Pene
Invercargill
(Letter to the Editor, The Southland Times)
9 comments:
It is an interesting subject but history tends to always prove those who say "don't worry we are looking after your best interests' wrong.
One of the worlds strongest economies that flies under the radar is Canada. The dairy farmers over there are protected under a quota system and the only downside is people pay a bit mote for their milk. However by keeping the value and returns high for the farmers they can spend a lot more on environmental and sustainable practices. Its an interesting comparison with NZ where we have the narrow focus market knows best thinking. Canada is about growth and wealth for the long term and are happy to use other means rather than the short term thinking that so often leaves us floundering. The dairy industry is the great example of how not to do business for so many. One year a milk flood and the next slaughtering cows to make ends meet. The stress this puts on people is immense and the reason is simply bad planning and advice from those who get paid millions to get it right.
Is it worth having young families losing their jobs and farmers committing suicide so we can all buy out milk for 20 cents a litre less. The free marketers would have you believe so but like so much it is bullshit.
The other interesting point is the Canadian workforce is one of the most unionised in the world. Minimum pay levels are higher than the US, poverty is less, crime is less. They do pay more for some things but is it better to have that choice or should we drive down wages under the constant pretext that costs are less so wages should be as well.
The TPP will be good for some but it is not the golden goose they are trying to sell us.
From what I have read far bigger forces will never let it happen for reasons far removed from dairy. Car making giants such as Mexico and Japan have a lot more to lose from free borders and Canada while happily sending us pork as we have no tariffs still wants tariffs of 200% to protect their farmers and good on them
You know far more than me about all this, Philip. Could you please contact Groser and bring him up to speed, cheers!
To many on the other side needling away because they can see whats in it for them. However the simple lesson everyone should consider is what corporate entity has done anything for the masses? Its all about profit margins and bigger management salaries and there will be plenty of those opportunities for those who are quick enough.
The Times had the photo that tells a thousand words this week with English turning the first sod on the briquette plant. Wasn't it going to be wonderful for the Southland economy? Same goes for the TPP. Trust Bill because he got it so right three years ago didn't he?
I was on the spot when English turned that sod. I was way-laid by Don Elder who sought to allay my "fears" about the briquette plant, by spouting bullsh*t, which is what it all turned out to be. English is neck-deep in it. I feel sorry for the Maori of the area who were promised so much.
Philip, I don't know much about Canada's environmental and sustainable practices as regards their dairy industry, but the obscene amount of environmental damage caused by their tar sands oil extraction would completetely negate it.
I think Canada is like every country in the world where oil has been found. They also have the pipelines from Alaska running down to the US. Our appetite for oil has seen much of the world torn apart and we are lucky most of the middle east is far from prying eyes.
Mt point was more about how a government can assist in having a lot more stable environment than ours where we lurch from boom to bust in two short years. That gives everyone the excuse to stop doing things as we are seeing with the new H&S legislation where farmers can cry wolf and ask for it to be put back until their returns are healthier. If a govt works to level out the highs and lows those excuses disappear. That also leads to a much more sustainable business environment.
The hands off approach does so much damage and the latest if the poor quality house repairs in CHCH. When the questions get asked those in charge look dazed. Surely the market dictates they think forgetting that sometimes others see opportunities rather than think long term.
Philip Canada economic practice with their farmers sounds a lot like what NZ practiced before Rogernomics and Ruth Richardson got their hands on the NZ economy. back then NZ was notable for low crime and high employment ...unlke today! Did you hear Don Brash (a disciple of neo liberalism )and how we practice our economic today on Q and A this morning ...quite sicking why does he get so much air time I ask with his loony thinking !!
Don Brash has to agree with the market lead economy as he buys his wives from Asia on the free market
Hmm Philip ..I presume that was a typo error ahh "wives" :) :) Surely hes not that keen in having several wives ,.... could give him at his age not much peace :)
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