Read it here I was the recipient of the top place in the first two “power” lists. I didn’t ask to be on the list, and I felt awkward being judged by the Press as the most powerful person in Christchurch. A reporter rang me the second time and asked what my goal for the next year was. My response … [Read more...]
At its heart, politics is a contest of ideas.
I read this article recently about politics (sorry forgotten the link) It’s about defining, debating, and bringing them to life. While credibility and leadership are important, what should be driving our votes, discussions, and concerns are the ideas themselves. Yes, politics needs politicians, … [Read more...]
Government reforms proposed for local government:
The government has signalled that it wishes to reform local government. In this article https://theconversation.com/a-major-overhaul-of-nzs-local-government-is-underway-will-it-really-fix-whats-broken-272424 it was reported: The proposal would abolish regional councils and replace … [Read more...]
The Face of Evil Behind Trump
I have a German relative who, as we discussed Trump for the umpteenth time, recommended that I read about the men behind Hitler. He said this would inform me on the sort of people behind Trump. The book read like a blueprint of the manifesto for the 2025 document driving those behind Trump. In my … [Read more...]
Trouble is Rates Caps are great politics – but hopeless policy
I often disagree with the style, and comments, of Wayne Brown but his response to the government about their proposed cap on rates whilst wearing this cap reading a book “Surrounded by idiots” says it all. In this article the ramification of the crazy motives of this government are laid out … [Read more...]
CCHL and CE’s Salaries
Let us consider a bit of history. CCHL was formed when councils were required under the neo-liberal reforms to place their trading assets into companies. Most councils had trading companies and many of them sold their assets to honey tongued visitors offering them good prices. Christchurch swam … [Read more...]
Where there is a will, there is a way – News from Scotland
Today, the SNP Scottish Government delivered a budget that gives voters in Scotland the best cost-of-living package in the UK - both protected and expanded. "It shows, once again, that when decisions are taken here in Scotland, we can choose fairness, compassion and investment, not cuts."The … [Read more...]
I am constantly challenged by others…
Garry thinks it’s time to build bridges between opposing ideas: I will now probably be stoned by some of my friends for saying this. Each week I read the article written by Oliver Hartwich in Newsroom. He has a deep knowledge of Europe, and he writes in depth about it. He works for the NZ … [Read more...]
Rate Caps – lets blame Local Government (again)
In an excellent article in the Press the summary of the very good CCC submission to the government on its proposed rates caps was in this article. The government proposal of linking rates increases to the CPI is just plain daft. The article wrote: The Government’s intention to use … [Read more...]
Everything you need to know about the bullshit around AI
I’m not sure whether I’m on my own but when Microsoft offer me yet another chance to add AI to my computer, I give it a big “delete”. I know that AI drives heaps of things I use but I have a deep suspicion that the mostly rich men who own the companies generating AI wouldn’t have an altruistic … [Read more...]