Post by Kiwi Frontline on Nov 15, 2016 11:55:48 GMT 12
Hawkes Bay Today 15/11/16
FALSE DEMOCRACY
In his Gettysburg address, Lincoln spoke of government of the people, by the people and for the people, and the West has come to accept those eloquent words as a striking description, if not definition, of democracy.
New Zealanders would believe almost to a man that we have democracy here. But our "democracy" extends only to one man, one vote every three years, selecting from a soporific collection of oddballs, layabouts, manics and professional politicians.
And even our version of one man, one vote leaves something to be desired. It seems we have government of the people, but not by the people nor for the people. A well-known example of that is the 2009 referendum on parental corporal punishment. 87+ per cent of us voters answered "No" to the question, "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" But that 87+ per cent were ignored, because our elected representatives and, perhaps more crucially, their lobbyists know best.
Now, fearful that the Australian people will not share the pathetically correct position of their elected "representatives", Australian politicians have vetoed the promised referendum on homosexual marriage. How democratic is that? Down here we need a Donald Trump of our own to drain the swamps.
L L
Benneydale
NZ Herald 15/11/16 (Short & Sweet section)
ON AUCKLAND'S SLOGAN
So Ateed has chosen the literal English rendition of Tamaki Makaurau — "the place desired by many" — as its new slogan for Auckland. In other words, Ateed has spent half a million dollars on a basic translation. I would have done the same for a mid-to-low range bottle of pinot and a back rub.
B A
Western Springs Rd.
Sunlive / Weekend Sun 11/11/16
ENCOURAGING RACISM
Re: ‘Maori do need race-based policies' (The Weekend Sun, November 4). M Leabourn argues in favour of continued race-based policies for Maori. Does he want to encourage more racism and separatism? Then to be fair there should also be separate policies for Pacific people, Asians and Indians etc.
He states that “our current policies do not work for Maori”. I amend that to “some Maori”. I agree Maori culture is unique, so is the culture of all races who make up the NZ population. M Leabourn should dig a little deeper to find out about the numerous “special policies” that already exist for Maori in our legislation. Maori already currently have a say in decision making with the Maori Party in coalition with the Government.
R B
Papamoa
FALSE DEMOCRACY
In his Gettysburg address, Lincoln spoke of government of the people, by the people and for the people, and the West has come to accept those eloquent words as a striking description, if not definition, of democracy.
New Zealanders would believe almost to a man that we have democracy here. But our "democracy" extends only to one man, one vote every three years, selecting from a soporific collection of oddballs, layabouts, manics and professional politicians.
And even our version of one man, one vote leaves something to be desired. It seems we have government of the people, but not by the people nor for the people. A well-known example of that is the 2009 referendum on parental corporal punishment. 87+ per cent of us voters answered "No" to the question, "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" But that 87+ per cent were ignored, because our elected representatives and, perhaps more crucially, their lobbyists know best.
Now, fearful that the Australian people will not share the pathetically correct position of their elected "representatives", Australian politicians have vetoed the promised referendum on homosexual marriage. How democratic is that? Down here we need a Donald Trump of our own to drain the swamps.
L L
Benneydale
NZ Herald 15/11/16 (Short & Sweet section)
ON AUCKLAND'S SLOGAN
So Ateed has chosen the literal English rendition of Tamaki Makaurau — "the place desired by many" — as its new slogan for Auckland. In other words, Ateed has spent half a million dollars on a basic translation. I would have done the same for a mid-to-low range bottle of pinot and a back rub.
B A
Western Springs Rd.
Sunlive / Weekend Sun 11/11/16
ENCOURAGING RACISM
Re: ‘Maori do need race-based policies' (The Weekend Sun, November 4). M Leabourn argues in favour of continued race-based policies for Maori. Does he want to encourage more racism and separatism? Then to be fair there should also be separate policies for Pacific people, Asians and Indians etc.
He states that “our current policies do not work for Maori”. I amend that to “some Maori”. I agree Maori culture is unique, so is the culture of all races who make up the NZ population. M Leabourn should dig a little deeper to find out about the numerous “special policies” that already exist for Maori in our legislation. Maori already currently have a say in decision making with the Maori Party in coalition with the Government.
R B
Papamoa