Vote 08

[kokonutwoman]

National's tax policy a double whammy
By EMILY WATT - The Dominion Post | Friday, 10 October 2008


Anatu Ryall pays 4 per cent of his part-time wage into KiwiSaver, saving money to buy a home for his partner and four-month-old baby.

National's policy, announced on Wednesday, to slash KiwiSaver to finance tax cuts would leave him $26.70 a week worse off in April 2011 than he would be under Labour.

"It definitely makes my head think Labour," he said.

Mr Ryall, 20, is a student and earns $30,000 a year working in a cinema. Under KiwiSaver, people can use their savings after five years to buy their first home.

Under current policy, by 2011 these payments will be matched by his employer and the Government (up to $20 a week).

If National cut the payments to 2 per cent, he would receive $20 less a week in employer and government subsidies.

National's tax cut policy, which would give top earners $62 more a week, would also leave him worse off - by $6.70 a week.

He said the fact he would lose $26 a week while John Key, as prime minister, would be $160 richer a week seemed unfair.

"The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, don't they?"

His father, John Ryall, national secretary of the Service and Food Workers Union, said the union had encouraged workers to join KiwiSaver as a way to save for their retirement.

"Now it's like a rug's been pulled out from underneath our feet."

Comments posted on The Dominion Post's Vote '08 election website were mixed.

One described National's plan as fantastic news. "I can't afford the 4 per cent minimum but I can manage 2 per cent."


Anderton wants dental care in public health system
| Thursday, 09 October 2008 KIRK HARGREAVES/The Press

Making visits to the dentist more affordable would be a priority for Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton if he helps form the next government, he said today.

Mr Anderton said dental care needed to be brought into the health system so cheaper dental visits could be phased in.

His party preferred a straight subsidy for a visit but there were other options, such as increased use of state-funded dental therapists and community dental facilities and, potentially, an insurance scheme.

The predictability of demand for dental care lent itself to an insurance scheme, he said.

"New Zealanders could pay in, with the government providing subsidies according to your ability to pay, and the insurance provider setting rules about eligibility and coverage. ACC is already well equipped to do this," Mr Anderton said.

The actual model could be worked out in conjunction with the sector.

Mr Anderton is the only Progressive MP in Parliament.

He is a cabinet minister in formal coalition with Labour.

- NZPA

[Lux]

Well the first article is no surprise considering its coming from National, good to know Don Key is already gathering luxurious feathers for his own nest...ugh.

The second article makes a lot of sense since dental care is practically unfordable to the average Kiwi, I hate having to go to the dentist, its one of those things you put off to the last excruciating minute because you know its going to hurt your pocket just as much as your mouth is hurting.

[misilon]

helen clark is right behind national latest I read ,..tap tap!! get outa the way JK ur blocking helen's sun dork!!!!!

too much you helen clark

[herodotus]

TOO RIGHT MISI!

[Lux]

Did anyone watch any of the opening addresses from the various parties,

I quite like Bill Anderton and Progressive party policies.

What about those new world order nutters not only do they want a single world leader they want you Joe Public to send them $1000 to legitamise their party...hei aha!

The family first? Party not sure if I have the name right came over a bit too negative for my liking.

The legalise cannabis party were too stoned to mention anything else but dope...LoL

Social credit is still around haven't noticed anything about them for years...

[Lux]

Is John Key a closet cross dresser? ...something about him... he's just so clean cut it's scary and the lisp doesn't help!

[herodotus]

what about that friiging alien glidon ringspammer... he still saying that natoinal is polling enough for 63 seats and will govern alone. about time he got the boot from tv1 too. those creeps there have had it too cushy for too long

[misilon]

have you guys been reading TMs General forum

"mouldoons mokopuna" those deadly little lefties in there are ,...........deadly

[herodotus]

natty dreads getting a thrashing over there but they have big cocaine reserves cause they wont lie down. wait till the free dope runs out then its all over for them.

[toerag]

Oct 12, 2008 17:43:41 GMT 12 Lux said:

Is John Key a closet cross dresser? ...something about him... he's just so clean cut it's scary and the lisp doesn't help!

oooo you mean but you funny

[herodotus]

I is a mean motorscooter and a bad go getter...hehehehehe

[maire]

Oct 12, 2008 17:43:41 GMT 12 Lux said:

Is John Key a closet cross dresser? ...something about him... he's just so clean cut it's scary and the lisp doesn't help!

Makes you wonder Lux .. there was a thread in Op re him being gay. ;D
Until yesterday I had only heard him ranting, but heard the National ad on tv and noticed the lisp.

[maire]

Forgot to mention Jim Andertons idea on dentists ... a darn good idea. They are exhorbitantly expensive.

[herodotus]

oooooh noorteee nortayyyy

[herodotus]

who is watching tv1 right now....that john keys is a very rude man

[toerag]

I had imagine him as a blivering idiot but he seems to be holding his own for now kind of sort of you know what I mean sort of lol

[herodotus]

I lol'd too!

[toerag]

Well that debate was interesting. Unfortunately for Keys he lost my vote. Although he had good responses they were delivered in such a manner that I wouldn't and couldn't trust him - better the devil you know I say

[herodotus]

A VOTE FOR KEYS IS a vote for the failed policies of the past and yesterdays men like roger douglas and wodney hide

[toerag]

hey buddy you wouldn't be a lefty

[kokonutwoman]

Geeze Louise, don't be nosey

[kokonutwoman]

Wrong man - but right party
By MARTIN KAY - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 16 October 2008

A million viewers may have tuned in to the first televised leaders' debate of the election, but it did not assure John Key instant recognition as he hit the streets of his home town the next day.

"Excuse me, Mr English," said a man as he approached the National leader on a walkabout in Christchurch yesterday.

"Hi, John Key," Mr Key replied, no doubt keen to set the record straight in case his deputy, Bill English, got any ideas.

"I want to ask you about your zero tolerance for crime policy," the man said, adding that he thought locking more people in jail would only expose them to gangs and lead them into a life of even more crime.

This was serious stuff, and Mr Key was willing to engage, especially when the man said he was worried because his children were straying from the straight and narrow and he feared for their future.

Mr Key was in his element, saying that though National might be planning a tough line on habitual crooks - including no parole for the worst repeat violent offenders - it also had policies that would give troubled children a fresh start, including education and literacy and numeracy initiatives.

This sparked the man's interest. "Will they get that in jail?" he asked, though it was not clear if he was talking about present inmates or his young children.

Mind you, he did know a bit more about crime than Mr Key.

"I've been reading and writing all my life and I've been in jail longer than you've been in Parliament," he said.

"Oh well, it's good to have you out," said Mr Key, before he and the man - who was off to the police station to report in - parted with a laugh.

He may not be voting National, but at least now he knows the leader's name.


National releases Pacific affairs policy
NZPA | Thursday, 16 October 2008

The National Party says it will strengthen the Government's relationships with Pacific Island nations if it wins the election.

Its Pacific Affairs policy was released yesterday by spokeswoman Judith Collins.

"We will work with Pacific Island churches and NGOs (non-government organisations) to promote the growth, ingenuity and vitality of voluntary groups in the Pacific community," Ms Collins said.

"National will maintain the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs as part of its plan to promote Pacific culture.

"We understand the importance of boosting political diplomacy in the South Pacific and ensuring the Pacific has a sound aid package."

Ms Collins said Pacific Island people living in New Zealand would benefit from National's tax cuts and education policies.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Winnie Laban said the one-page policy seemed to be an afterthought.

"I know National is not known for their substantive policy but it would have been good to see some detail about the specific policies they have developed for our Pacific New Zealanders," she said.

"It seems they don't have any."

Agree Winnie, Collins you silly woman, everyone benefits from tax cuts and education policies Collins just included the brown thingy - idiot!

[herodotus]

tax cuts might bring short term relief to someone who absolutely needs to buy something to one up his neighbour but in the long run the degradation of health education and general welfare is a blight on our society. Taxes make sure we all do for each other the things we cant do for ourselves. The tax cutters are appealling to the selfish and the infantile. Not the long term sustainability of our communities and social infrastructure.

[toerag]

Well koko and H,

Whats the matter with that - tax cuts. Yeah I might be selfish but if my pay pack is going to be slightly thicker I'm in for it. I might go back to uni in 2012 just to get the universal student allowance too. I've paid enough bluddy taxes and it's now time for payback.

As for the politicians going after the brown and youth votes why not if it's going to mean increase participation. It's unfortunate we have gutter politics but hey NZ has always followed international trends. Isn't it said that NZ is the most well researched country? And yet we don't take any notices of the results because we still follow the trend and make the same stuff ups.

The way global economics is going, it's all about the here and now I'm gonna take what I can get.

The current state of global environment - multinationals have stuffed up our environment and are slow to change so I say buggar the multinats. Again it's all about the here and now and yes I'm selfish because it's all about me and mine.

[Lux]

Oct 15, 2008 7:30:37 GMT 12 toerag said:

Well that debate was interesting. Unfortunately for Keys he lost my vote. Although he had good responses they were delivered in such a manner that I wouldn't and couldn't trust him - better the devil you know I say

Ugh smarmy little basket isn't he, I didn't think he won the debate perhaps just more natty dreadful supporters are willing to waste their money on ph polls than labourites, who are busy out earning a living rather than scheming up ways to do people out of there hard earned cash. Something about 'rip' roaring investments and liquidation...Mercedes, Jaguars and Mansions intact!

I really do think Helen had control in that one, but perhaps that wasn't a good look, jokey could be one of those pathetic weak pansy boys that natty dreadful women like to mollycoddle ;D so he may have got the sympathy vote...I got to say too I didn't watch much of the debate due to feeling nauseous - something to do with the view I think ;D

Breakfast TV1, more nausea, yesterday morning - was an eye opener ...can't think of the fellows name who relays the morning news on one, but he mentioned about Jokey winning the debate and went on to say something about the two MEN fighting it out...oooohhhh LOW!