Lizzie Marvelly: National catches ugly political virus
They lowered the bar of decency to fakery sometime ago.Hey if trump can do it..... Some of their attack dogs are on here as well, its obvious.
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Lizzie Marvelly: National catches ugly political virus
They lowered the bar of decency to fakery sometime ago.Hey if trump can do it..... Some of their attack dogs are on here as well, its obvious.
Bit of a worry that Bridges sounds out ScoMo how to win elections ....esp if by some miracle he becomes PM
Where’s Simon this week?
Apparently overseas
The tide is actually flowing his way.
https://www.interest.co.nz/property/...latest-qv-data
What a great election hammer to beat Jacinda with.
That's if he knows how.
Simon has stated that no member of the National Party has been charged by the SFO over donations to the Party.
If that is the case it seems likely that if you donate money to National there is a fair chance you may end up in court. :)
westerly
A fish rots from the head down.
Four people charged by Serious Fraud Office over donations to National Party electorate bank account
Jonu you know JT doesn't worry too much about facts
I imagine he has more belief in trickle down economics than Jacinda so will not be offering any policies to fix what he probably does not see as a problem. Neither party is proposing to fix the problem by doing away with inflation targeting by the central bank or reducing the target to zero. A guaranteed gain of at least 2% tax free, more as all the inflation is in asset prices.
What would a Simon Bridges candle smell like?
Some light relief. Steve Braunias watch out.:D
The only right call https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/po...388q6bEAlI1rs0
Good news for Simon Bridges: his big tax idea is already happening
"Next up, perhaps: Simon Bridges will announce that nobody should be imprisoned just for enjoying a slushie."
yep misinformer deluxe, cant trust him
That article is ridiculous. Those charts are both nonsense. The difference between 48000 and 70,000 is 22000. - Always. The tax on that portion of income is $6,600 for everybody, no matter how much over 70k he or she earns.
Hard to know why you would post that link to such an inaccurate piece. Either you didn't read it or, more likely, you couldn't understand it.
No one else can understand simons maths either, in fact our finance minister corrected his rubbish.If you can bother to read it.
This is exactly what he said:
"People on the average wage shouldn't be paying almost 33 per cent in the dollar. Tax relief is one part of how your family can get ahead."
Anyone who understands our tax rates will know what that means.
Except for those who choose to play around with words.
I agree he is a player who cant be trusted. Suggest he will be dumped soon if the rest of the party have any sense.The SFO trail will lead to him imo.Last straw for the party?
Excellent article from Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the political donations scandals
"Footnote One. The surreal ‘pot calling kettle black’ aspects of the NZF donations scandal has been underlined by the media-generated rumpus over two journalists being photographed in a public place by someone in New Zealand First ! Egad. On RNZ this morning, Bridges expressed his disquiet at this photograph ending up (allegedly with the collusion of NZF) on a blog closely tied to Whale Oil. Really? Readers of the Dirty Politics allegations about the systematic leaks previously to that blogger by senior National MPs can only be amazed at the hypocrisy."
The calculations made in the article are based on incomes of $53000 or $64650 per year. Tax on either of those incomes at no point reaches 33 cents in the dollar.
Bridges is incorrect in his statement which seems to be a common occurrence in National Party announcements.
The article is neither ridiculous or nonsense.
westerly
If the Committee for Ideology and Discipline are no longer filling Ximons rice bowl because of austerity measures will he abandon his kow towing to the leaders of the one party state?
Boop boop de do
Marilyn
I am not a fan Ximon Bridges but last nights item about him by Jessica Much McKay on One network news was a tawdry smear.
Boop boop de do
Marilyn
Hes self nailing his own coffin with his complete disregard of the lockdown, his selfjustifying and sense of entitlement are his undoing. His lame excuse "my internet is dodgy" lol.
At some point soon his party will have to act but who to replace him with?
Nonsense JT. Bridges is effectively running parliament in the absence of the Speaker. It should be of no surprise that he finds it easier to be in Wellington for the days the Select Committee meets and other work that would need to be done around the fringes. I doubt he drives between Tauranga and Wellington for the fun of it or out of eagerness to provide you with ammunition.
Who knows maybe he has a squeeze down there. Driving a 1000km because his internet is dodgy is straight faced lying.Wanna be leader acting like he is LOL
Joshuatree. On reflection you may want to remove the first sentence from your post.
Please give it some thought.
Boop boop de do
Marilyn
Wouldn't a psychiatrist have a great time perusing these threads!
;)
So why is he lying? Whats he up to that he cant be honest about. Take the squeeze throw in any way you want, seriously or not up to you.. You're fine about him constantly throwing dirt and insinuation around about the Govt though in a trumpian style, you know say it enough and it must be true. At this point in time when we can get out of this , early or fail.Divided doesnt support a quicker resolution to covid 19. If he waited until this crises was all but dealt to, but no ,he cant and his sniping away reveals all he cares about and its not NZ. But hey thats just politics ehh.
I think you need to widen your perspective just a tad there JT. Bridges is between a rock and a hard place here. He needs to scrutinise the government in his position of Committee Chair but also doesn't want to be seen to be undermining the government in a time of crisis. We saw this in his measured and restrained comments on David Clark, and even went as far as to acknowledge they didn't grill him when they had the opportunity. Bridges said he understood Ardern's reasoning for leaving Clark in place in the interim.
Your tawdry earlier comments don't reflect well on you. As to Bridges' internet connection...imagine the cockup of trying to chair the Committee hearings with a time lag or intermittent freezes. Much better to go to parliament where you would assume they have one of the best connections in the country.
I think the Cartoon in todays herald says it all
MP's testing the lockdown
Clark "Im an idiot I didnt stay in my bubble"
Bridges" Im an important idiot ive got two bubbles"
And he skirted the direct questions this morning about his internet connection, fibre btw, so lying is ok because he is an important person ehh.
But it became clear to me that its the press gallery based in Welly that is his main reason for driving 1,000km away from family reguarly, theres his squeeze.
Given the gravity of the situations and the supposedly vital positions that both Clark and Bridges are supposed to be fulfilling, I'm surprised that both don't base themselves full-time in Wellington, where the action is and where decisions are being taken, for the duration. I'm reckon that if it was for a junket somewhere there'd be no problem in taking leave of family and electorate for 4 weeks.
This letter to the NZ herald today says it all
Pressing business
On radio on Wed morning, Simon Bridge's answers to questions about the necessity and legality of his travel between Tauranga and Wellington revealed his innate insecurity and arrogance.
He excused his inability to work from home like the rest of the country on the inadequacy of his Tauranga internet connection and his need to be "at Parliament"-presumably to feel in charge.
His several references to the presence of the Press Gallery" may reflect his unacknowledged suspicion that his image is their creation, while his sweeping claim that there is "nothing in the Statute books" to say the Leader of the Opposition cannot travel, suggests that he feels this title gives him the freedom to do as he pleases.
Jeanette Grant, Mt Eden nz herald.co.nz
It appears you have found a kindred spirit JT. Must be reassuring.
As much as you dislike it, Bridges is in charge of the parliament at the moment. A very serious and important position which no doubt is made considerably easier to manage by physically being in Wellington. As per any human, he also has personal responsibilities to his young family.
I find it interesting that your tirade against Bridges stepped up after David Clark dropped himself in it. The two aren't comparable.
No, you're quite right. Clark comes from a long line of hopeless Dunedin MPS - following in the footsteps of David Benson-Pope, Clare Curran and the amazing Brian MacDonell. The latter having sat in parliament for over 20 years, and never contributing a single thing.
Not sure how Labour manage to pick their candidates down south, and even more confused why the locals always vote in labour MPs - who have never done anything for the place. In comparison - Bridges is certainly an achiever.
Classic morally bankrupt Labour Party behaviour - try to deflect the festering sore of a problem (in this case, yet another pathetic minister with heightened sense of entitlement*) by attacking an unrelated situation.
So much for following his dear leader Cindy’s ‘be kind’ and ‘we are going to be accountable’ now clearly obviously PR BS.
* Imagine what these bunch of Labour ministers are going to be like if they last more than one term!
Sheesh even Biden is staying home , but not simon his press gallery addiction is way more important.Napolean syndrome?
Leading by example is Joe Biden hopefully the next president of the USA, pop re 360 million
"Far from taking a triumphant victory lap that might have greatly amplified his message, Biden remains largely confined to his home in Wilmington, Delaware, addressing voters on television and over internet livestreams, and receiving frequent briefings from policy experts on the pervasive disease and its economic toll."
Biden vs Trump: The US election is here, and transformed
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pol...te-in-lockdown
Labourite Phil Goff has poor internet & needs to travel everyday to work - 2 bubbles.
Hmmm - what is his squeeze, JT?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12326483
Two strikes against Simon over his handling of the Covid-19 situation. Time for him to gracefully exit.
Go, for heaven’s sake, leave the leadership position so we do not spend another 3 years under this abomination of a government.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...ectid=12327102
The drums for change are beating.
Simon simply has to go. He is as ineffective an Opposition leader as David Cuniffe & Andrew Little were.
If there is no change in leadership by June, Labour with all its failed policies and bunch of incompetent nincompoop ministers will be back to dig NZ deeper into an economic mire for another 3 years.
Couldn't agree more. Bridges will never be P.M. In spite of that he could certainly fill a ministerial role in the next govt. He's clever and experienced, but doesn't have that rare skill to oppose without whining. Key had it in truckloads. Jacinda has it. Simon is a whiner and his voice amplifies it. Demote him National - or hand the election to Labour on a plate.
I agree with Bob Jones that Labour will lose support before the coming election. He sees a change of Govt. I have no doubt that our economy is in for a hiding and Labour, rightly or wrongly, will take a hammering, so it should be a shoe-in for National. but for Allah's sake Nats - sort out your leadership or stay in opposition.
There you go, simon has kept digging, as expected,aah well sa la vie; he will eventually find a bottom thats firm; wait theres some one with him holy hell i think its unbalanced!:eek2::D:cool:
Quote Originally Posted by Balance View Post
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political...ational-leader
Todd Muller has the numbers?
Yes. If they make him leader asap he might not win the election but he could get the vote up enough to at least save their list members. Then again he might just win. The economy is about to get a kick in the guts, along with high job loss numbers, and that can make a week, a day, or an hour in politics a long time. "
You are all dreaming. Who is Todd Muller
westerly
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star...E2%80%99s-call
As Bob Jones observed, Cindy’s star power will not save Labour when the winter of discontent hits NZ.
Just needs a better Opposition Leader to take the fight to an economic incompetent government.
So Bridges has outed Muller and Kaye in all but name in attempt to blunt their behind the scenes number building. Hes going to go down fighting no surprises there,its always been about him not his party. Next poll shortly ,if similar will make MP's votes easier esp the list ones. Ive heard Muller speak a few times and he came across really well as an MP, as a leader, well it looks like a big throw of the dice that they have to take. Bennet the former beneficiary who thrived bashing beneficiaries and is on a list wont be missed either.
Bridges definitely needs to go, however....the media keeps talking about the 'devastating' poll number for National of 30%, but keep in mind the party currently running the country only got 36% in the actually election.
30% is hardly bad news after 2 months of basically no air time, compared to the incumbent, with an extremely unpopular front man. Put Nikki Kaye up and I suspect it would be pretty close.
A party with just 30% could still possibly end up as the senior Party in a coalition government. Thankfully gone are the days that a Party with less than 50% of the vote could end up with a landslide majority and push through the most unpopular parts of its manifesto.
This gets raised time to time even though it is very old news. IIRC interest free student loans had been in place for several years when the policy you refer to was introduced. The rationale being there was no reason beneficiaries undertaking tertiary education should be treated differently to any other student. In all cases the expectation was that the education would lead to a decent paying job, and even if it didn't repayments were not required until income increased. Same as all students.
That did and does seem very fair to me. I followed it a bit at the time because a friend did a degree and post grad diploma under the scheme, all while her two children were at college. Finished up with a transferable degree and no loans because fees and more were paid by the government and the benefit provided income. Then this person headed off overseas and has been there ever since. Only one example of course.
ETA In the example there were cashies involved to my personal knowledge (the work was done for me) but of course it is always possible the income was fully declared to WINZ and IRD. If you believe that ...
This is part of why MMP govts are preferable:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/300...ublic-holidays
Let's hope we never have single party governments again. The last one was based on trust and to their credit they did a fairly good job being moderate. Though it would be unwise to rely on that without having a leader who can be trusted in the same way.
Todd whoever got the numbers he reckons
Caucus meeting brought forward to Friday.
At least Todd will get the China seal of approval
Hopefully Ximons successor will be more wary of China offering to fill his rice bowl. History has shown cosying up to one party party states has often resulted in situations which are not necessarily to the advantage of the person doing the cosying.
Boop boop de do
Marilyn
https://www.sharetrader.co.nz/showth...l=1#post816651
Potential leader ? Not so sure. Have not had good reports from a few I know who work(ed?) at AIR.
Reminds me of Jonathon Coleman tied the DHB's up in toxic knots and teflon talked around the waiting lists and health issues and screwed down funding and leaky building issues.He left when Labour won and immediately got head hunted by private sector imo. Unliked but successful in saving expenditure. Todd gives National a chance in the following election bridges is poison atpit.
Nothing of substance, politics for politics sake, avoiding answers;Bolger did it better and im sure theres a guy behind Muller (who got breathless) operating the arms with hands in sleeves. He better get better quickly and come up with some actual policy to boot. Unlike amy adams who knows she is taking one for the team imo this guy is no better then Bridges and really is cannon fodder for Luxon to step into the breech post a landslide loss at the election.
Q&A TVNZ episode 25th May
It was pretty underwhelming... the slight lag and Jack Tame talking over him didn't help. Much poorer performance than his speech on Friday.
Was disappointed to see him and Nikki Kaye getting sucked into the identity politics today... media never happy until every imaginable permutation of sex, race, age, hair colour, etc. represented. TM needs to channel a bit of Jordan Peterson.
Otherwise its 4 months of "Dead Man Walking" a vey unenviable dismal journey for National MP's.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12335056
Todd Muller’s howler of a day.
Good stuff - he needs to be bloodied and have his feet put to the fire.
The truth is the truth - nothing to fear.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainmen...led-every-time
Yup - turn the heat up. 👍
No, please keep the empty suit in there. I think he intends to deliver on his plan to have the extradionary talent Ardern a second term. :)
He's a zinger factory and this election will be quite funny to see play out.
Yep,handed the election to labour on platter. And created a rift in National destroying their proud strength ,unity.. its thought that leaks that embarrassed Bridges may have come from Muller and cronies ( but i havnt seen verification ) and that now embittered Bridges and followers are doing the same back.
Todd Muller calls idea he had been campaigning for National's top seat 'a great conspiracy'
Note Muller hand movements are better but still not authentic, like campbell's for example. Not trustworthy is the projection.
On The AM show they've worked out 23% of Nationals caucus have had business experience (more lawyers then anything) and Mullers experience at fonderra when it was run into debt under Theo Sperring who handpicked him.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1172153213118957&id=330304317 303855&sfnsn=mo&d=n&vh=e
More ina similar vein from the NZ Herald
"So I have no beef with Muller beating the small business drum. After all, the more people who know just how important us small business owners are to our economy, the better.
But please, Muller, don't gild the lily. Your corporate experience, while likely very useful for balancing the egos of your caucus colleagues, doesn't make you any kind of small business guru. To claim otherwise is dishonest and disrespectful."
Ben Kepes: Todd Muller lacks identity with small business
I didn´t see the AM Show. How did the 23% compare to Labour´s caucus´business experience ?
I thought some of you might find this as amusing as I did - from a column by Jane Clifton - ex Listener now writing at BusinessDeskAs news broke on Tuesday that our border was more of a Maginot Line than an iron curtain, the Opposition was almost too stunned to pounce. Just weeks ago, former National leader Simon Bridges’ cavilling about PPE, tracing and the like met with mass-peltings of disdain as tin-eared and verging on unpatriotic. Now, his vanquisher, Todd Muller, was obliged to switch out of his Lofty Man of Destiny mode and into the full Simonised rant. To be fair, he did this so scarily well in Wednesday’s Parliament, that even the stone-faced Gerry Brownlee vaulted to his feet to lead an ovation. National’s irascible campaign manager, Brownlee is not nicknamed Mount Difficulty just because he likes an occasional pinot. He also knows a political scree slope when he sees his opponents embarked on one.
Lofty Man of Destiny
Paywalled Link.
https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/j...d-incompetence
Business exp after being in politics is a bit different. Dame Jenny has that but wouldn't want her anywhere near a business or country again.