The growing gap between thr rich and poor. TV3's take on it last night.

I was ‘prompted by a FB friend to watch the TV3 programme last night on the ‘Growing gap between rich and poor in NZ.’ I must thank her for reminding us about this very moving and quite frankly, ‘brave’ programme.

The programme summed up a great deal of what I have believed for a long time and then went even further, adding to my feelings of frustration at the continuing erosion of economic power, not just of the poor but of the ‘struggling class.’ It blew away any claims that a ‘trickle down’ effect is best for those of us in the bottom 70%. I would go even further and say that on Auckland and some other bigger cities the struggling class and poor are an even bigger proportion of the population.

The concept of ‘trickle up’ is a powerful concept. Simply put, it is another way of returning increasing amounts of money and wealth to those at the top; friends of the government!

It was enlightening to see that many countries are now turning their back on the policies loosely labelled as ‘Neoliberalism.’  That New Zealand had its advocates (Douglas, Shipley and now Key) just shows us how tightly we are linked to those forces overseas. Indeed NL is a global phenomenon and it continues to hurt those at the bottom and far more than realized in the past.

The concept of a ‘consumerism’  driven society and business models that have as their central position that which is only profit driven cannot deliver what it has so proudly claimed throughput recent history. Indeed even so-called right wing politicians are pondering the efficacy of the ‘free market.’

Of course, those who have the most to gain by keeping to the present way we operate have the most to lose by any ground shift towards a more equal society, or at least one that does not have such glaring gaps. The same people control the media and the means by which we all ‘share in the cake.’ That a company like TV3 or its owners can put up a programme as seen on TV last night, does give me some hope that there are influential people out there, who do have a conscience. Now what we need are politicians who share that alternate view. Which of the three contenders for the Labour Party leadership would fit into this category? The answer to that will provide me with the knowledge I need to cast my vote in the current leadership journey.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

China, you are reading my blogs----great---please continue!

It is so good to see that China is starting to figure in the numbers reading my blogs. I can only hope that they are also downloading my book(s) and that they are passing my website with its link to my book on Kindle (ROSKILL by Neil Coleman). Perhaps they are using Tablets to read them. Either way, thank you for supporting me, China.
www.authorneilcoleman.com  Follow the link to the Kindle version of ROSKILL.

Obama, Cameron and Hollande say--'Yes we can.' You idiots!

Most people probably say---'No you mustn't!' What can the West and it's allies in the Gulf Region possibly gain from bombing the Syrian regime in an attempt to 'punish' the Assad Government? I do not agree that China and Russia are objecting for totally valid reason but they do have a point. All the proposed actions will do is add flames to an already dangerous situation. Young American/allies lives will be lost---for nothing other than a 'slap in the face' and a 'hand-up' to a group of 'rebels' who will eventually turn and 'beat up' on its neighbours and make a volatile region even more unsafe, to say nothing of the possibility of allowing yet another country to fall to fundamentalist of the very worst kind. That the West has helped in the spread of this movement cannot be ignored either.
Yes, we must make it clear that chemical weapons are a curse on humanity but please note:  conventional weapons have killed far more in the present debacle. Dead is dead in anyone's language.
The USA and its allies, plus China, Russia and the remainder of the world must put aside their own agendas and work with the UN to find a solution to the problems that keep feeding the rise of the 'extreme.' Unfortunately, the propensity of nations to look only to their own interests; and then only certain sectors within those countries that link beyond nationalism and connect 'globally; that is the true driving force for these terrible events.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

My choice keeps changing on me! Is it going to be Shane, David or Grant?

Since posting my last post and adding it to Facebook, I have had a few challenges re my thinking town my way. One aspect of aging for me is that I think I am prepared to reconsider my thoughts about issues of the day as more facts are illuminated. Sometimes, those ‘facts’ are those of others. Now apply this to the dilemma I face re the new leadership of the NZ Labour Party leadership.

On one hand we have David Cunliffe, an able and obviously intelligent man with a strong background in the Labour Party. Some label him as being from the Princess Street Branch, as if that is some sort of ‘strength’ or maybe ‘impediment.’ See what I mean---- it’s all about perception and when the numbers are crunched in an election; one loses votes and attracts, depending on the mass perception of the voting public. IN other words, one person cannot appeal to everyone. Swings and roundabouts I guess.

The next choice is re Grant Robertson, yet another intelligent and effective politician. He has the backing of none other than Titiwhai Harawira (not Hone). I am not so sure that such backing will help him! Don’t go assuming that David has the backing of the ‘Gay’ caucus. Nothing is that simple, given that Louisa Wall has thrown her weight in behind David. Grant is without doubt an excellent debater; absolutely capable of ‘taking it to John Key.’ Will he attract middle New Zealand? Will he lose those voters who cannot countenance a Gay PM? It should not be like this in a perfect world, but---you know the rest! He can most definitely do the job, but that small percentage of voters will not back him because of his sexuality could be enough to lose the election for Labour. I hope and wish that this would not be so.

Finally we have Shane Jones. Once again a small group of New Zealanders will remember the silly scandal re his using a credit card to view motel pawn. If every politician who had accessed a few ‘sites’ at home or elsewhere was ‘exposed’ there may not be a hell of a lot of them left in Parliament. Yeah, I know, you say indignantly, ‘that is not true!’ Yeah right. As the man said, ‘I am not going for the Pope’s position.’ I believe that Shane would be more than a match for John Key or anyone else in the National Party and he is very much in touch with the ‘man and woman on the street.’ He has wit, some may say too much. Once again, don’t assume that he has the backing of the Mari caucus on the Labour Party as we have seen some come out in favour of other candidates.

So where does this leave me--- why I am considering them all and will not divulge my choice until the last moment, Whatever that is, it is open to change as I believe that all three are very much in the run. I am not into putting any of them down; I am merely looking to see who is most likely to deliver Labour the victory it needs next year.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Labour Party leadership---Even I get to vote!

Imagine my delight when I received an email stating that I will be able to cast a vote re the leadership of the Labour Party. Hell, I hardly remember joining the said party. I vaguely remember receiving a visit from my old mate, Phil Goff a few months ago and signing up. My intention was to support Phil as he is an excellent MP to say nothing of the lost chance to lead the Party. He would have been a damned good PM!

OK, put aside history, although we seem never to learn from the lessons that keep repeating themselves and I shall focus on my upcoming decision. Do I follow the endorsements of the Harawira family whereby Titiwhai gave her blessings to Grant Robertson, or do I accept the recommendations of Hone, who gave the nod to Shane Jones? The very fact that they are not united must have raised a few eyebrows, given the attention the media has given to their ‘united’ actions in the past.

Then there is the plethora of opinion on Facebook, some of which is nothing more than ‘babble’ from souls who have an axe to grind and very little political savvy, but once again, who am I to derail such attempts to take part on some sort of collective decision influencing statements? After all, look overseas and try to understand how leaders of other countries end up in power. At least here, we can make fools of ourselves and take part in ‘opinionating’ and genuinely influencing who would be our leaders, without worrying who is looking over our shoulders.

We also have the Party Whips (I have always wondered about that term!) doing their best to keep a ‘level playing field,’ by controlling who and when questions are asked in Question Time in Parliament. Young Chris Hipkins is doing his utmost to make sure that none of the candidates has an advantage. The result of course is that by the time the actual vote is taken, we will have seen very little of how ‘they’ preform in Parliament, so it is going to be the ‘road show’ that gives us some more to go on when making our decisions as ‘Party Members.’ That 40% influence we get is indeed a new factor in the upcoming battle, so we must exercise our rights with attention to the issues and help deliver a candidate who will make a difference.

At this stage, I am neutral and will be garnering as much I formation as I can and try not to be influenced by stupid commentary that emanates from anyone in the future Opposition National Party or their like. I shall also steer clear of some of the rubbish coming from ‘members of my own Party.’ On the day, I shall make my decision and live with the results. Either way, Labour must unite behind the chosen leader or be consigned to another three years in the wilderness!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Cretins---what more can I say about the fools who tried to bring live scorpions into New Zealand?

New Zealand is a lucky country in that we do not have snakes, scorpions, really dangerous spiders, crocodiles and other 'nasties' that many countries have as their 'normal' inhabitants.Tourists can rest assured that they are not going to be harmed by our natural fauna and flora. Yes, there are a few spiders that are mildly annoying and the occasional (only 8 since records began in the 19th Century) fatal shark attack.
When a group of people tried to bring in live scorpions one can only say they are nothing less than traitors to New Zealand's good name. We are indeed lucky that our border control and other officials were able to intercept these creatures. I am of course talking about the scorpions but I guess the same label could be applied to the criminals who attempted the stupid act. I will be happy to read that they have received the maximum 5 years prison or (although I say--'and') NZ$100,000 fine. A clear message must be sent to the fools who did or would bring in 'threats to the New Zealand fauna and flora and hence our good name as a safe destination. I also wonder at the 'thinking' behind these acts of eco-terrorism!
www.authorneilcoleman.com
 

Syria-- a dilema that will not go away and one that can inflame a region.

The West along with a few Middle-eastern nations is about to launch a war on---well who? We all know that events in Syria are ripping apart that nation and the main victims are those who can least defend themselves. The incumbent murderer President is fighting for his very life and his opposition intent on bringing about his end. That is all that is clear.

When one looks at the ‘opposition,’ there are some disturbing factors. Firstly they are not inclusive and the concern is that once they gain power they will be merely puppets for other forces that are lurking on the side-lines. All Syrians will not be represented in any parliamentary body that emerges from the carnage. If the West is involved in setting up such a body, then one only has to look at past military interventions to see the sad results of such moves.

The West cannot impose a ‘western style’ democracy on nations that have no roots in such institutions. They will simply be inflaming an already divisive society. There is a distinct feeling that a ‘third party’ is waiting in the wings for the dust to settle; that organization has possibly been a ‘player’ already and it is not ‘home grown Syrian,’ nor does it have the best interests of Syria as its focus. I mean of course the very organization that is tearing Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan apart.

I am not being cynical when I make the claim that the above organization has a master plan that supersedes the wishes of the vast majority of the peoples of the countries I have listed. It is this group that is going to be the main winner in the event of a Western led ‘invasion or intervention in Syria. All they have to do is wait, watch and step in once the ‘dirty work’ has been achieved for them. That the USA, Britain, France and their lackeys do not see this is disturbing to say the least. Dare I say it that even little New Zealand can be drawn in as it has been so many times when the Lion roars.’

I do not necessarily support the stance taken by Russia and China re their opposition to any intervention, but their caution, based as it is on their own political ambitions in the area, should be a word of warning that unless there is clear evidence for a need to intervene and a plan that all agree to, post intervention, then the losers will only be those killed by such actions and of course the people of Syria. Will we never learn from history; recent history?!

www.authorneilcoleman.com