It kills me to think NZ could go down the US pathway in privatisation. Americans who couldn't afford to pay the exorbitant costs don't go to hospital. They just die. Goodness knows what could happen when you add pharmaceuticals into the mix.
Unfortunately this is what happens when competing interests of left and right kick the can down the road rather than risk unpopular decisions like coughing up to fix broken infrastructure.
NZders need to kick complacency to the curb. Look at what's happening in America. A 78 year old felon is who the former NZ PM John Key WANTS to win...WTAF. LET'S GET WITH IT before it's too late.
I have been chatting to some doctors and their hands are very tied. Chat more on that tomorrow and have a great night KueenM - it's sad for sure, but this is who we voted in (as a whole)
The thought of NZ becoming a mini USA in it's social systems of Health, Education, Prisons etc is absolutely abhorrent; it has no concern for the overall welfare of all citizens and is a naked grab for riches by and for a few. The Coalition we we were calling a Coalition of Chaos is anything but. Their ambitions are as clear as day. The majority need to be woken up to see what is unfolding before their eyes. Don't wake up soon enough, they're not gonna like what they see.
It is like a slow moving car crash. It really is turning it into the haves and have nots. PPP really is like buying a house on your credit card and deciding to pay it off over 20 years. That said this has the feeling of a set play, some organisation is in the wings ready to make a play for this type of windfall. Much like Mr Gibbs with his predatory approach to taking telecom private. Question is who?
Yes what became clear to me yesterday was how strategic they have been, how precisely methodical while most on the left (including me) have been asleep. I only wish more people would hear the messages that would turn this around.
Im a forever socialist and it pains me that our last Labour govt with a comfortable majority didnt take that opportunity to bury neoliberalism in Aotearoa. This CoC are doing exactly the reverse and at the pace of a desperate one term govt. For my whole working life Ive paid forward into a public health system and at 69yrs old have yet to enter a hospital. Im sure I will and its been deliberately run down, Ive been conned and Im very angry. Its time for mass protests to bring down this CoC before they destroy our Aotearoa
I agree. I think Jacinda was conciliatory and tried to be "kind" but that's just a weakness to the CoC. I remember researching about "entrenchment" and how Labour/Jacinda used significant political capital to try to protect our water assets. [She failed]
In retrospect, I know now why she did it. But I have also been sad that they didn't know - but in many ways, how could they?
That said, I agree Labour could have been bolder but I'm betting they had advisors on all sides telling them the realities of the world and economics and I can - even if a shake head way - understand where she came from.
Privatizing health and schools. Assets bought and paid for by tax payers. How easy it is for the sycophants and dupes of deep pocketed millionaires, called politicians, to let public assets run down to the point of asset write off. So easy to invite slavering US private health pick up the pieces and the underlying real estate and to sweeten the deal, passing Go, they can collect the cashed up assets of ACC. Think Luxon's pals at AIG USA.
Time for those with young families to think about joining a private health insurance scheme and putting the kids names down for a private school
It is indeed time MT! It was always their plan and now we know for sure. The slogan for this coalition government could be “where hope goes to die”. Hope won’t get us anywhere, action is needed. Count me in!
It’s huge. Tui, you say you should have seen it coming - - you did. You were the first in with that Naom Chomski quote about how you starve something of funds, run it down till folks are fed up, then privatise it as a ‘solution’. Water, health, education, social housing,
Mass protests, yes. But this is also too serious to fail. You’re too young to remember ❤ that 36 million people marched fruitlessly in 2003 against the Iraq war. Decisions and Agendas pushed by single minded people with billions in backing, who don’t give a sh-t about wellbeing are not going to even blink at mass protests. Marching against the election of Trump won’t work either.
I know I’m not alone in having pondered this for years: there was a point during John Key’s reign when I heard that some ‘great and good’ were considering forming an alternative government. And this is worse.
What is the total repertoire of powerful action that can be brought? How can this thing actually be shifted, given the highly funded machinery that is sitting behind it?
This ‘off the top of my head’ list will be greatly improved by others, but my sense would include:
- Writing (or meet up if possible) prominent MPs and certainly the party leaders of Labour, Greens and Te Pati Maori, reminding them of Starmer’s statement, ‘Country first, party second’. They MUST unite NOW around a joint mission, preparing simultaneously to fight the next election together (creating headlines in any event), but meanwhile to collaborate in the strongest Opposition fight ever mounted politically, and in the clearest terms, tell the nation why it is so important, and what is at risk. To get on the public speaking trail in community halls, and fundraise for full page adverts in the Herald.
- Writing to the editors of any independent media we have left: not least encouraging Newsroom to quit being flaccid, and rather to occupy a hugely needed niche and say far, far more. Tell RNZ to keep it up, But also range abroad to the Guardian, Washington Post, with requests please to undertake investigative features on this critical and deadly situation here.
- (Find a way to) engage with credible people of intelligence and mana and ask them what, honestly, we need to do. Anne Salmond, Geoffrey Palmer – yes, thank you so much for the excellent writing, but now what?
Are there any National MPs who might cross the floor for conscience reasons? (I don’t know them enough). Writing to the hardened bastards of the front line is pointless, though I wonder what formerly quite decent Nat MPs there may be, for whom this departure is also shocking? Not waka-jumping, which can’t be done, I think.
Stopping there, but my sense is that every resource of resourcefulness needs to be tapped for this one. What else can be brought in? The Unions?
A thing to add to this is the culpability of the Labour “opposition” in maintaining silence on these issues. As a minimum they need to be pointing out they will be reversing these decisions.
A clear unambiguous statement of intent to reverse by Labour would generate strategic risk for, and uncertainty amongst, potential private investors. This would help limit who would pursue perceived opportunities - especially in the short term.
That absence of an unambiguous statement by Labour that they would reverse these decisions and policy choices shows their continued failure to be anything other than a “lite neoliberal” party.
After all they were very keen to make captains calls to rule out CGT as an option. They need to be equally vocal in opposing privatisation of what should be core social services funded by the state.
They need to step up right now. And they need to be crystal clear. And not silent.
(Additionally they should also be directly spelling out alternatives. But let’s start with the minimum they should be doing to be true to their espoused values - clearly stating they would reverse direction)
You are so right, but Hipkins is mister cautious and probably won’t go there in case it annoys a focus group or some median voter. I worry that he goes to the UK for ideas where there new government is essentially carrying on with austerity…
Fear you are also correct. There is nothing to find in the UK. And if there is it’s after the trainwreck of austerity politics. Be great if that can be avoided. However, if that is truely where inspiration is being sort then we are probably in doomed to ongoing nothingness reflecting the past 30 years (or so). Twiddling while Rome burns springs to mind…
He’s right but for now they have buried the Independent Electoral Review report now. And years ago when Labour tried to make changes to donor transparency, National and ACT accused Labour of trying to “screw the scrum”
👍🏾💯👏🏾 Somehow I missed this post 🫢 but completely agree that all & every option available, including mass protests, are called for. Odds are we won't stop these particular 🤬🤬🤬's, although it is amusing that a Labour govt policy to ban the items that permit the Costello reduced tax products to be used came into effect 1 Oct 😉, and some other legal & journalistic actions have caused changes & delays to SOME things, but our aim is to educate & activate the public who don't tune in normally, plus all Opposition members. Not to mention making whatever useful media we have left aware that they need to be much more aggressive in exposing things like this at every opportunity.
I understand those criticising Labour et al for not speaking up, but once again I say, they ARE speaking up but "the media" in the main is not giving them adequate coverage. 🤷🏾♀️
Couldn't agree more with everything you say - as usual. Thank you Cindy!
The Casey Costello case was almost amusing - if it wasn't so real.
Media - shakes head. We are sorely short of genuine investigative journalism. Even Guyon Espinor, who has been doing fantastic work on the Costello case consistently fails to mention HTP is banned in the EU & Australia because it is a deceptive product and poisonous in substance.
The private health system is more 'productive', ie profitable, because they cherry pick the easy cases, and leave those messy unprofitable chronic conditions for the public system. I bet private 'public' hospitals will do the same.
It kills me to think NZ could go down the US pathway in privatisation. Americans who couldn't afford to pay the exorbitant costs don't go to hospital. They just die. Goodness knows what could happen when you add pharmaceuticals into the mix.
Unfortunately this is what happens when competing interests of left and right kick the can down the road rather than risk unpopular decisions like coughing up to fix broken infrastructure.
NZders need to kick complacency to the curb. Look at what's happening in America. A 78 year old felon is who the former NZ PM John Key WANTS to win...WTAF. LET'S GET WITH IT before it's too late.
I have been chatting to some doctors and their hands are very tied. Chat more on that tomorrow and have a great night KueenM - it's sad for sure, but this is who we voted in (as a whole)
I don't believe this is what the majority of NZrs voted for. Health may be the tipping point issue.
If the lies persist they can still win - and there is a lot of misinformation that persists
The thought of NZ becoming a mini USA in it's social systems of Health, Education, Prisons etc is absolutely abhorrent; it has no concern for the overall welfare of all citizens and is a naked grab for riches by and for a few. The Coalition we we were calling a Coalition of Chaos is anything but. Their ambitions are as clear as day. The majority need to be woken up to see what is unfolding before their eyes. Don't wake up soon enough, they're not gonna like what they see.
Yep, 💯 percent. We are literally watching this ideological shit unfold. Eyes wide open. Question is. What can we do about it?
There has to be national protests about this or it will mean Kiwis are really meek sheep....
It is like a slow moving car crash. It really is turning it into the haves and have nots. PPP really is like buying a house on your credit card and deciding to pay it off over 20 years. That said this has the feeling of a set play, some organisation is in the wings ready to make a play for this type of windfall. Much like Mr Gibbs with his predatory approach to taking telecom private. Question is who?
Yes what became clear to me yesterday was how strategic they have been, how precisely methodical while most on the left (including me) have been asleep. I only wish more people would hear the messages that would turn this around.
PS Luxon's been liquidating assets, usually IBs are involved in structuring deals and offerings
I weep
It makes me feel ill with concern.
Im a forever socialist and it pains me that our last Labour govt with a comfortable majority didnt take that opportunity to bury neoliberalism in Aotearoa. This CoC are doing exactly the reverse and at the pace of a desperate one term govt. For my whole working life Ive paid forward into a public health system and at 69yrs old have yet to enter a hospital. Im sure I will and its been deliberately run down, Ive been conned and Im very angry. Its time for mass protests to bring down this CoC before they destroy our Aotearoa
I agree. I think Jacinda was conciliatory and tried to be "kind" but that's just a weakness to the CoC. I remember researching about "entrenchment" and how Labour/Jacinda used significant political capital to try to protect our water assets. [She failed]
In retrospect, I know now why she did it. But I have also been sad that they didn't know - but in many ways, how could they?
That said, I agree Labour could have been bolder but I'm betting they had advisors on all sides telling them the realities of the world and economics and I can - even if a shake head way - understand where she came from.
Mass protests is the correct response.
Privatizing health and schools. Assets bought and paid for by tax payers. How easy it is for the sycophants and dupes of deep pocketed millionaires, called politicians, to let public assets run down to the point of asset write off. So easy to invite slavering US private health pick up the pieces and the underlying real estate and to sweeten the deal, passing Go, they can collect the cashed up assets of ACC. Think Luxon's pals at AIG USA.
Time for those with young families to think about joining a private health insurance scheme and putting the kids names down for a private school
That's precisely what they want. Me over we.
It is indeed time MT! It was always their plan and now we know for sure. The slogan for this coalition government could be “where hope goes to die”. Hope won’t get us anywhere, action is needed. Count me in!
It’s huge. Tui, you say you should have seen it coming - - you did. You were the first in with that Naom Chomski quote about how you starve something of funds, run it down till folks are fed up, then privatise it as a ‘solution’. Water, health, education, social housing,
Mass protests, yes. But this is also too serious to fail. You’re too young to remember ❤ that 36 million people marched fruitlessly in 2003 against the Iraq war. Decisions and Agendas pushed by single minded people with billions in backing, who don’t give a sh-t about wellbeing are not going to even blink at mass protests. Marching against the election of Trump won’t work either.
I know I’m not alone in having pondered this for years: there was a point during John Key’s reign when I heard that some ‘great and good’ were considering forming an alternative government. And this is worse.
What is the total repertoire of powerful action that can be brought? How can this thing actually be shifted, given the highly funded machinery that is sitting behind it?
This ‘off the top of my head’ list will be greatly improved by others, but my sense would include:
- Writing (or meet up if possible) prominent MPs and certainly the party leaders of Labour, Greens and Te Pati Maori, reminding them of Starmer’s statement, ‘Country first, party second’. They MUST unite NOW around a joint mission, preparing simultaneously to fight the next election together (creating headlines in any event), but meanwhile to collaborate in the strongest Opposition fight ever mounted politically, and in the clearest terms, tell the nation why it is so important, and what is at risk. To get on the public speaking trail in community halls, and fundraise for full page adverts in the Herald.
- Writing to the editors of any independent media we have left: not least encouraging Newsroom to quit being flaccid, and rather to occupy a hugely needed niche and say far, far more. Tell RNZ to keep it up, But also range abroad to the Guardian, Washington Post, with requests please to undertake investigative features on this critical and deadly situation here.
- (Find a way to) engage with credible people of intelligence and mana and ask them what, honestly, we need to do. Anne Salmond, Geoffrey Palmer – yes, thank you so much for the excellent writing, but now what?
Are there any National MPs who might cross the floor for conscience reasons? (I don’t know them enough). Writing to the hardened bastards of the front line is pointless, though I wonder what formerly quite decent Nat MPs there may be, for whom this departure is also shocking? Not waka-jumping, which can’t be done, I think.
Stopping there, but my sense is that every resource of resourcefulness needs to be tapped for this one. What else can be brought in? The Unions?
Susie - I will DM you now
Susie - Let me take this away. Much affection and friendship - thank you for your comment 🙏🙏
PS - - - I mean yes to mass protests: AND also the most powerful additional activism possible, at all levels and in all sectors . . .
I will update you as things develop.
Yep - it's perfect.
Excellent summary Tui.
A thing to add to this is the culpability of the Labour “opposition” in maintaining silence on these issues. As a minimum they need to be pointing out they will be reversing these decisions.
A clear unambiguous statement of intent to reverse by Labour would generate strategic risk for, and uncertainty amongst, potential private investors. This would help limit who would pursue perceived opportunities - especially in the short term.
That absence of an unambiguous statement by Labour that they would reverse these decisions and policy choices shows their continued failure to be anything other than a “lite neoliberal” party.
After all they were very keen to make captains calls to rule out CGT as an option. They need to be equally vocal in opposing privatisation of what should be core social services funded by the state.
They need to step up right now. And they need to be crystal clear. And not silent.
(Additionally they should also be directly spelling out alternatives. But let’s start with the minimum they should be doing to be true to their espoused values - clearly stating they would reverse direction)
You are so right, but Hipkins is mister cautious and probably won’t go there in case it annoys a focus group or some median voter. I worry that he goes to the UK for ideas where there new government is essentially carrying on with austerity…
Fear you are also correct. There is nothing to find in the UK. And if there is it’s after the trainwreck of austerity politics. Be great if that can be avoided. However, if that is truely where inspiration is being sort then we are probably in doomed to ongoing nothingness reflecting the past 30 years (or so). Twiddling while Rome burns springs to mind…
Sad day, many have said this will happen. Now, many of us, if this goes ahead, will suffer the consequences
Thankyou for words and suggestions for action.
From Twitter
https://x.com/mumisthebest2/status/1844676281700597943?s=46&t=mIN_gFjOKXG6SBCGFqneVA
He’s right but for now they have buried the Independent Electoral Review report now. And years ago when Labour tried to make changes to donor transparency, National and ACT accused Labour of trying to “screw the scrum”
👍🏾💯👏🏾 Somehow I missed this post 🫢 but completely agree that all & every option available, including mass protests, are called for. Odds are we won't stop these particular 🤬🤬🤬's, although it is amusing that a Labour govt policy to ban the items that permit the Costello reduced tax products to be used came into effect 1 Oct 😉, and some other legal & journalistic actions have caused changes & delays to SOME things, but our aim is to educate & activate the public who don't tune in normally, plus all Opposition members. Not to mention making whatever useful media we have left aware that they need to be much more aggressive in exposing things like this at every opportunity.
I understand those criticising Labour et al for not speaking up, but once again I say, they ARE speaking up but "the media" in the main is not giving them adequate coverage. 🤷🏾♀️
Couldn't agree more with everything you say - as usual. Thank you Cindy!
The Casey Costello case was almost amusing - if it wasn't so real.
Media - shakes head. We are sorely short of genuine investigative journalism. Even Guyon Espinor, who has been doing fantastic work on the Costello case consistently fails to mention HTP is banned in the EU & Australia because it is a deceptive product and poisonous in substance.
The private health system is more 'productive', ie profitable, because they cherry pick the easy cases, and leave those messy unprofitable chronic conditions for the public system. I bet private 'public' hospitals will do the same.