Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 11, 2016 5:10:20 GMT 12
Northland Age 11/10/16
DIVIDE AND RULE
Why are our major political parties so intent upon establishing apartheid in our country, and allowing our children to be brainwashed with a history that has been distorted and rewritten by those with vested interests? Why has democracy, the cornerstone of most civilised countries, been cast aside by our politicians in the name of `cultural sensitivity' to appease a race that exists in name only? It seems that democracy is no longer an acceptable philosophy, and has been replaced by a reversion to tribalism. It is plain to see that the Maori Party has our Prime Minister over a barrel.
Unfortunately it is not only the National Party kowtowing to invidious political correctness, but also the Labour Party and the Greens, leaving voters with the sorry option of replacing one bad apple with another. Or is this all a deliberate device, a giant red herring, designed to divert the populace's attention away from the disastrous financial state we are in because of reckless government borrowing? Our national debt is horrific, yet our opposition parties are strangely silent on this issue. Is that because they haven't got a clue on how to resolve it?
The easiest political solution is to create a diversion - the old ploy of divide and rule. After all, who is going to worry about such a mundane thing as our country's financial state when their country is being split on the basis of minuscule racial heritage? We must once again become one people, and demand that politicians face up to our economic woes. The alternative is a future of a nation in bankruptcy - and being controlled by those to whom we are indebted.
MITCH MORGAN
Kaipara
The Press 11/10/16
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR TAX
I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments of Selene Manning’s letter (Oct 8), that we should celebrate Ngai Tahu’s successes.
I also agree with her suggestion that, with respect to income tax, we should be looking at all registered charities.
Why, in New Zealand, do we allow charities to undertake commercial activities that are unrelated to their charitable purposes, yet we grant them exemption from income tax?
This was addressed in England, the source of much of our charity law and influence on our tax legislation, in the 1920s and you will not find such activity there.
If we were to do so, then Ngai Tahu, Sanitarium, Mission Estate, NAIT, Musgroves, Wilson Bulk Transport, Gloriavale, Pioneer Generation, the Wright Family Foundation and Tainui Group Holdings, to name but a few, would not have the benefit of a commercial advantage over their for-profit competitors by being able to accumulate cash at a faster rate due to not having to pay income tax.
The creation of a level playing field is essential, given we have a broad-base, low-rate, tax system.
DR MICHAEL GOUSMETT
Adjunct Fellow, University of Canterbury
The New Zealand Herald 11/10/16
RALSTON’S PERSONA
Bill Ralston may consider himself a witty and erudite observer of and commentator on the human condition, but when he compares those with contrary points of view to rabid racists as he did in his recent Listener article by likening Don Brash and Hobson’s Choice adherents to the Ku Klux Klan, he confirms his smugly arrogant public persona.
B J
Omokoroa.
DIVIDE AND RULE
Why are our major political parties so intent upon establishing apartheid in our country, and allowing our children to be brainwashed with a history that has been distorted and rewritten by those with vested interests? Why has democracy, the cornerstone of most civilised countries, been cast aside by our politicians in the name of `cultural sensitivity' to appease a race that exists in name only? It seems that democracy is no longer an acceptable philosophy, and has been replaced by a reversion to tribalism. It is plain to see that the Maori Party has our Prime Minister over a barrel.
Unfortunately it is not only the National Party kowtowing to invidious political correctness, but also the Labour Party and the Greens, leaving voters with the sorry option of replacing one bad apple with another. Or is this all a deliberate device, a giant red herring, designed to divert the populace's attention away from the disastrous financial state we are in because of reckless government borrowing? Our national debt is horrific, yet our opposition parties are strangely silent on this issue. Is that because they haven't got a clue on how to resolve it?
The easiest political solution is to create a diversion - the old ploy of divide and rule. After all, who is going to worry about such a mundane thing as our country's financial state when their country is being split on the basis of minuscule racial heritage? We must once again become one people, and demand that politicians face up to our economic woes. The alternative is a future of a nation in bankruptcy - and being controlled by those to whom we are indebted.
MITCH MORGAN
Kaipara
The Press 11/10/16
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR TAX
I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments of Selene Manning’s letter (Oct 8), that we should celebrate Ngai Tahu’s successes.
I also agree with her suggestion that, with respect to income tax, we should be looking at all registered charities.
Why, in New Zealand, do we allow charities to undertake commercial activities that are unrelated to their charitable purposes, yet we grant them exemption from income tax?
This was addressed in England, the source of much of our charity law and influence on our tax legislation, in the 1920s and you will not find such activity there.
If we were to do so, then Ngai Tahu, Sanitarium, Mission Estate, NAIT, Musgroves, Wilson Bulk Transport, Gloriavale, Pioneer Generation, the Wright Family Foundation and Tainui Group Holdings, to name but a few, would not have the benefit of a commercial advantage over their for-profit competitors by being able to accumulate cash at a faster rate due to not having to pay income tax.
The creation of a level playing field is essential, given we have a broad-base, low-rate, tax system.
DR MICHAEL GOUSMETT
Adjunct Fellow, University of Canterbury
The New Zealand Herald 11/10/16
RALSTON’S PERSONA
Bill Ralston may consider himself a witty and erudite observer of and commentator on the human condition, but when he compares those with contrary points of view to rabid racists as he did in his recent Listener article by likening Don Brash and Hobson’s Choice adherents to the Ku Klux Klan, he confirms his smugly arrogant public persona.
B J
Omokoroa.