Light blogging

I don’t have internet access at home, and it cost money to travel to university, where I do have acess. As a result there will be few if any blog posts until the start of the second trimester (July 10)

Polling update

Recently the results of a new NZ-Herald DigiPoll came in. They show Labours back up at 40.1% and National down slightly to 48.2%. This is a more realistic poll than many previous polls. one of the factors behind this is probably the fact that labour for the first time this year have gone through several weeks without any bad news about them dominating the healines. The death in the Muilaga family when a power contracter turned of the electricity to her life suport machine (sending a negative message about privatisation, although the company involved, mecury energy was state owned) and the expulsion of our high-commsioner to Fiji (showing Clark on the world stage as a leader condemming the coup) would have helped Clark. This is probably the start of a long slow Labour comeback throughout the year as people forget about anti-smacking bill and are still waiting for National to release policy. One shouldn’t look too much in the Greens being at 4% (below the 5% threshold) as they will recover. The other key point (besides Labour’s comeback) is national is still at 48%. If National continues to poll at 48% into next year, Labour can not win.

Wedge politics

Recently the Australian government anounced a serries of tough measures to deal with child abuse in aboriginal communities. Child abuse is a serious problem in aboriginal communitites. While it is good to see action being taken, given that Australia is only months wawy from an election, and the political advantage Howard can gain from the issue (made to look like a strong leader willing to help people, ability to split the ALP, categorise opponenets as making excuses for child abuse) it looks like its wedge politics being played. Colin James has speculated that Helen Clark might try a similar wedge politics strategy here to win in 2008. It’s an interesting thought, but it is difficult to see any issue that can be used this way.

A petition to sign

Calling for the release of Alan johnston, a BBC journalist kidnapped in Gaza by a group called the “Army of Islam”. Sign here.

More “pro-choice” hypocrisy

A month ago I blogged about how “pro-choice” supporters of legalised abortion are, so much so they (in some cases) force doctors to preform abortions against their will. Now, in South Africa, a nurse has lost her job due to her refusal to preform abortions.

School zones

In 2008 New Zealanders will have no shortage of reasons to vote Labour out. Another good reason is an issue that many voters care about- education. Labour doesn’t like giving you much choice about how you spend your money, how you discipline your child, and now what school you send your child to. Island bay School has plenty of room to expand and take in more pupils, but Labour has decided to reduce its school zone, because there are empty classrooms at another nearby school. This means that in some cases a child may not be able to attend Island bay School with their brother or sister. Another reason to vote Labour out.

Labour’s broken promise

Just before the 2005 election, Labour promised that if re-elected, they would provide you with 20 hours free childcare. They also drew up examples to show how poeple would be better off with Labour. Of course what they did not include in their examples was the truth. This is their definition of free is such that parents need to enrol for a minimum of 7 hours per day, get 6 hours “free” and pay heaps for the 7th hour to cover the cost of the free 6 hours. Can you get any more dishonest? I hope all New Zealanders get to read this post as it shows how much trust they should put in Labour- close to none.

Hamastan is born

This is old news now, but Hamas have taken over the gaza strip. Unless there is a reconcilliation between Hamas and Fatah, which is unlikely, gaza and the West Bank are effectively two seperate entities. I won’t be suprised if the new hamastan becomes a failed state humanitarian catastrophe. Although this may be seen as a blow for the peace process, it can help it. Isreal can conclude a seperate peace with the remnants of the palestinian authority. With large amounts of aid, and peace, progree can be made in improving palestinain living standards. hamas will be powerless to stop this happening. With the gaza strip already surrounded by a Isreali security fence, it is almost a giant prison. Once this deal is made it will be isolated and increasingly irrelevant. However, it shouldn’t be ignored as it will be a prime recruiting ground for Islamic extremists.

The religon of peace

Anyone who beleives, despite September 11 and all terorist attacks since then, that Islam is a religon of peace needs to visit this website. And look here if you believe a number of myths about Islam. I also sugest you read these quotes from the Quran (unless your a muslim and might get ideas). If you are a muslim, you can get a guide from here about what Muhammed did, and also he is suppose to be an example to you (Quran Sura 33:21)The religon of peace website tells us a large number of facts about Islam including:
Islamic terrorists have carried out 8 664 deadly attacks since September 11 2001.
In the last 35 years more than 5 millon people have been killed in the name of allah.
In Iraq only 225 civilians have been killed by US soldiers, but 16 795 were murdered by islamic fundamentalists.

Vote Labour if you want to pay more taxes

Trevor Mallard has just suggested that there should be tax cuts in the 2008 budget. It wouldn’t suprise me if there is, as Labour would probably have learnt a few lessons fron 2005.
new zealanders would have to be very stupid not to see how hollow any tax cut promises from Labour are though. Labours record in office is to put up a large number of taxes, and has consistently refused to reduce them. Further, given Dr Cullens cancelling of the ‘chewing gum” tax cuts in the last budget, Labour can not be trusted to keep election promises. further, during the last 5 years, total direct taxation increased by an astonishing 54%. Taxation per capita (govt tax revenue divided by population) has increased from $9 449.93 in 2001 to $12 690.09 in 2006. If Labour promises or gives tax cuts in 2008 a good slogan for a Tui bilboard would be “Labour wants to cut taxes: yeah right”.