TOP Party one to watch in this election

[Aaron]

Firstly, not everyone qualifies for IETC - if you are on any kind of income tested benefit, you do not qualify, even if you are also working (part time/casual or whatever). That is currently my situation as for health reasons I can only work up to 15 hours a week. I am currently doing casual caregiving shifts as available, which is taxed at secondary tax rates. And yes, I am receiving financial assistance from WINZ, so do not qualify for IETC. My total income will be well under $40,000 (more likely to be closer to $30,000).

Secondly, do you seriously think saving $400 a year is of any significance right now? That is $7.69/week - won't even buy you a dozen eggs.

As for the phase 2 flat tax rate of 35% - how the hell do you think that is going to benefit anyone on a low income?

I am sorry, but this is probably the last party that I would vote for, in terms of how it would/would not benefit me as an individual. Even if I was not receiving a benefit, and was still working 30 hours a week, I do not see how I would possibly be any better off than I would be right now. But feel free to explain it to me if you think I am wrong.

As for your last statement - this "I will probably vote for them anyway as I do not like the alternatives" is precisely the issue this time round. People are making voting decisions based solely on getting Labour out of government. In other words, they are "settling" for a party they do not actually want to vote for. Which makes a total farce of our political system as far as I am concerned. Voting for "the best out of a ****ty bunch" is not a good reason for voting for a party - regardless of which party it might be.

At $30k you will be paying $4,270 no IETC under TOP $3,000 or $1,270.00 less, check my numbers if you like.

With the 35% flat tax although circular in nature the $16,500 UBI will more than cover it. Not sure how this works in with welfare, not my area of interest.

The question you are asking is the same as all the ACT voters "what is in it for me". Sadly the waste we see in govt overides the good things being done, so I guess it is reasonable to ask whats in it for me when you see the head of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples lavishing a $40,000 leaving party on himself. That is criminal yet no one will be held accountable.

$8billion losses brought on by an irresponsible RBNZ. No one accountable just "noise" says Adrian.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...PXNBXKV7QS7W4/

Personally rather than "what is in it for me" we should ask "what is best for NZ". There is no right answer but we can vote for the party we think has the best policy to answer question number two.

With everyone asking what's in it for me our politicians are pandering to selfish aholes and focus groups are setting policy. Not good in my opinion.

Obviously as I am a selfish ahole myself, if I were wealthier I suspect my political views might change.

[justakiwi]

Whatever. I have been transparent about my views of all the parties. I feel zero guilt for caring about my own well-being under any party. That does not mean I do not care about others (if you have read any of my posts here, you should know that is absolutely not the case). Nor does it mean I don't care about NZ as a whole. For your information, I am not a liberal. I sit pretty much in the middle.

So yeah, there most definitely is a consideration of "what's in it for me?" and I think it is a perfectly acceptable consideration.

Oh, and to answer your question "do you think people should just abstain?" - good question. The answer is no, as I have always voted, and will vote this time too. But unless something changes dramatically between now and the election, it will not be an easy or comfortable decision.

P.S. Their UBI plan has insufficient information currently - is it taxed? Does it apply to people on benefits or govt super? Does it automatically wipe out the advantage of the $15,000 non-taxable income? Too many unanswered questions, but as you said, its all a moot point anyway cause it 'aint gonna happen.

At $30k you will be paying $4,270 no IETC under TOP $3,000 or $1,270.00 less, check my numbers if you like.

With the 35% flat tax although circular in nature the $16,500 UBI will more than cover it. Not sure how this works in with welfare, not my area of interest.

The question you are asking is the same as all the ACT voters "what is in it for me". Sadly the waste we see in govt overides the good things being done, so I guess it is reasonable to ask whats in it for me when you see the head of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples lavishing a $40,000 leaving party on himself. That is criminal yet no one will be held accountable.

$8billion losses brought on by an irresponsible RBNZ. No one accountable just "noise" says Adrian.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...PXNBXKV7QS7W4/

Personally rather than "what is in it for me" we should ask "what is best for NZ". There is no right answer but we can vote for the party we think has the best policy to answer question number two.

With everyone asking what's in it for me our politicians are pandering to selfish aholes and focus groups are setting policy. Not good in my opinion.

Obviously as I am a selfish ahole myself, if I were wealthier I suspect my political views might change.

[Daytr]

Yeah I'm not sure why they went away from a CGT to a land tax. Many countries have land taxes but I don't think it's going to solve anything and just makes housing more expensive.

[nztx]

Here's your Land Tax bill for the year (whether you sold, bought land or otherwise)


Be like asking Turkeys to vote for Christmas to most


Considering many are struggling to pay bills with high COL & other increases, another impost
similar to Annualised rates in one hit is likely to go down really well out in greater KiwiLand


Yet another crazy Pie in the Sky Taxing Policy dribble from TOP most unlikely to go down well in many camps



Almost as dumb as Greens & TP Maori's stance on Wealth Tax especially given Tax & likely Wealth Tax exemption likely on Maori & other large Incorporation Assets/Results ..

[SBQ]

In regards to TOP's tax policy, you would think a self proclaimed 'economist' Gareth Morgan would know better about economics. But what does he care, he's made billions off selling TradeMe. Oh and his charitable organisation has done nothing... never hear a thing in the media release on it's achievements.

[Baa_Baa]

Wikipedia "The Opportunities Party is a radical centrist political party based in New Zealand. It was founded in 2016 by economist and philanthropist Gareth Morgan and is today led by Raf Manji.Wikipedia"

I think that the whole purpose, or strategy if you like, of TOP, given that they have zero chance of getting into government, is to win a ministerial seat and they have heavily weighted their ambitions on their leader Raf Mani who is going after Christchurch’s Ilam electorate.

Other than that, they're an outlier and have no policies that would resonate with the majority of the population imo, and are completely deficient on numerous other important policy matters.

A wasted vote.

[Logen Ninefingers]

What's the point of discussing all the things TOP will be implementing - when they don't have a hope in hell of getting any of it done?!
Even Winston knows to settle for himself as Minister of Foreign Affairs + a regional slush fund, he knows he can't start remaking tax laws.
'Phase 2 of their plan'....rofl, wake me up when they are over the 5% threshold....clear that and they may just get an associate minister position for Raf Manji if by some miracle they find themselves within cooee of being 'kingmaker'.

[justakiwi]

You could say the same for any of the minor parties. NZF, The Greens .... none of them are ever going to be in a position to actually implement their policies. Best they could hope for is to get one or two through as part of a coalition government, but you can bet your bottom dollar they will never get anything major through.

Besides which, the only purpose of discussing it, is because policy is what voters look to when making their voting decisions. There are slim pickings this time round. People are looking at parties they wouldn't have even bothered looking at in the past, just to see if "maybe" their policies have merit, and warrant a vote.

TOP's do not.

What's the point of discussing all the things TOP will be implementing - when they don't have a hope in hell of getting any of it done?!
Even Winston knows to settle for himself as Minister of Foreign Affairs + a regional slush fund, he knows he can't start remaking tax laws.
'Phase 2 of their plan'....rofl, wake me up when they are over the 5% threshold....clear that and they may just get an associate minister position for Raf Manji if by some miracle they find themselves within cooee of being 'kingmaker'.

[Logen Ninefingers]

You could say the same for any of the minor parties. NZF, The Greens .... none of them are ever going to be in a position to actually implement their policies. Best they could hope for is to get one or two through as part of a coalition government, but you can bet your bottom dollar they will never get anything major through.

Besides which, the only purpose of discussing it, is because policy is what voters look to when making their voting decisions. There are slim pickings this time round. People are looking at parties they wouldn't have even bothered looking at in the past, just to see if "maybe" their policies have merit, and warrant a vote.

TOP's do not.

Winston knows he won't be in a position to implement any meaningful policies, as I've already mentioned. He says a bunch of things that he knows will resonate with certain angry and befuddled voters, then when he gets over the threshold he settles down to enjoy the 'baubles of office'.

Anyone who actually believes that any of the minor parties will be in a position to implement a suite of policies that would reshape something as fundamental as the tax landscape is deluded.

[clearasmud]

Winston knows he won't be in a position to implement any meaningful policies, as I've already mentioned. He says a bunch of things that he knows will resonate with certain angry and befuddled voters, then when he gets over the threshold he settles down to enjoy the 'baubles of office'.

Anyone who actually believes that any of the minor parties will be in a position to implement a suite of policies that would reshape something as fundamental as the tax landscape is deluded.

Apparently NZF has some anti vaxxers candidates that will be happy on the opposition.