http://www.thepaepae.com/dean-letfus-do-your-homework/12491/

http://www.thepaepae.com/good-advice-google-the-salesmen-and-their-get-rich-quick-scheme/5592/

Watching media choking on their oatmeal is wonderful.

I think there will be much more to come.

So is National – by the same system. So those of us who cant stand Key and National suck it up and get on with it.

Winston is the only one in the house asking the tough questions. He’s providing leadership and example to the wallflowers and wilting violets in opposition.

One thing MMP unfortunately supports – is political expediency – but it would seem that the FPP system demonstrated enough of that commodity as well for decades?

He’s gottem all on the run. Its so much fun to watch.

Of course, old-timers, like everyone else, deserve representation. The question isn’t whether under constituent democracy they achieve representative power – rather it is perhaps an issue of how much power they yield. Curiously, I was back in New Zealand last month, and my brother coincidently explained to me about this legendary “Gold Card”. Suffice to say, the quality of the NZ government investments now could materially affect the future prosperity of ordinary New Zealanders for decades to come…

The fixation with Mr Peters probably stems from the electoral system. It is in essence impossible for one party to get over 50% of the popular vote, so small coalition parties are vital. National completely monstered the election, but only got 48%?

With the demise of the Association of Crooks and Thieves (ACT), National has basically no-one they can form a coalition with. Labour has the Greens, who will always pass the 5% threshold.

What of Winstone?

I doubt that either National or Labour would work as a coalition partner.

What a waste!

Rgds,
*p*

We have a system that, aside from hate speech, allows those seeking political office to rise up on their hind legs and *appeal for votes*. If they get them, well …

The baby boomer generation has distorted every system it’s come into contact with along the way — child benefit, education system, employment, health system, elderly care … what’s a Gold Card election bribe between friends?

What I find interesting is the fixation with Peters. The guy excites attention, even from people who should know better than be drawn in.

Thanks for your your comments, as always.

-P

Thank you for the kind words.

Poormastery should confess that he does imbibe in excessive quantities of alcohol – more than my fair share, if the truth be known. Alas, poormastery cannot claim to be a fully fledged alcoholic as yet. Today, I haven’t even supped my morning whiskey as yet. My job only requires me to be drunk on special occasions (such as at bonus time), rather than 24/7 all year round.

As I am sure you will agree, lacking the predominant qualification that any self respecting hack enjoys – only scribbling random rants while blind drunk – means that I am but an enthusiastic amateur in this blog business. I will, however, try to lift my drinking game, in the interests of improving my journalistic credentials.

Anyway, to return to the issue of dinosaur politicians, I am reminded of a documentary I saw ten years or so back about Northern Irish politicians.

Someone on the programme pointed out that the Northern Irish leaders (the Reverend and Right Dishonourable clown Ian Paisley, and the twin terrorists Jerry Adams and Martin “Minus Kneecaps” McGuinness) had been kicking around for 30 – 50 years.

Britain had at the time the Brown / Blair years, whilst Northern Ireland still had the same leaders as they had during the Harold Wilson / James Callaghan years.

Political time had stood still in Northern Ireland. Generations of politicians had come and gone everywhere else in the world, but the Northern Irish had the same guys having the same stupid conversation…

So it is with Winston. He had his time and his chances (and blew them). Enuff already!

Your Humble Reactionary Curmudgeon,
*p*

Thank you for your application to be part of the NZ Herald editorial writing team.

The panel was favourably impressed with your sample op-ed. It comes from just the Right perspective and would fit in nicely with our present slant, albeit perhaps a bit TOO clearly written.

Unfortunately, at present we have a full complement of reactionary curmudgeons at @NZHerald.

Vacancies do arise from time to time as staff rotate through a tour of duty at head office (as ministerial press secretaries etc.).

Rest assured, poormastery, your work has made an impression, and you will hear from us. In the meantime, please keep taking the herbal supplements, sleeping on the magnetic mattress liner and support other NZ Herald advertisers.

Tim