The decline and fall of Paula Bennett by Susan Grimsdell
One of the wonderful strengths of our political system is the peaceful transfer of power. We don’t get rid of a leader by killing him or her. Instead, the defeated candidate steps down, following long-established protocols, and often expresses respect and praise for the new person. Democracy rules There are no guns or armed insurgents ready to assassinate the outgoing politician. It’s unthinkable to even imagine such a thing. The procedure is based on respect for democracy and is carried out with courtesy. While watching it happen, we all get confirmation that… Read More
The letter of the law versus the spirit of the law by Susan Grimsdell
The NZ Herald reports a South Island mayor urging farmers who have claimed the government wage subsidy during the shutdown, to repay the money. Prices have held, there has been no actual loss. One farmer with a conscience has given back $177,000 he said he had claimed “just in case”. The letter of the law The policy states that money is available if the claimant experienced an actual or “predicted” loss of revenue of one third in any month over the 6-month period January to June compared with last year. This is… Read More
Will a Change of Mind Lead to a Change of Heart? by Susan Grimsdell
Who would ever have guessed that hard-core deeply conservative people would overnight change their view of the world? Covid-19 could well accomplish what decades of argument and reasoning and appeals to fairness have failed to do. People who have insisted that the market should rule, supply and demand are king, and let those who aren’t up to it fall by the wayside, have experienced an epiphany. Suddenly, yes indeed government must step in when people are in trouble, yes indeed government must give handouts when things go wrong. Handouts from the State… Read More
