'Tis The Season ...
Permission to be Jolly, Sir!
Last week, I was speaking to a doctor in a public health hospital.
She was wearing a brown Christmas seasoned shirt littered with pics of candy canes, elves, Xmas trees and mini Santas.
And it took me a few minutes into the conversation before the realisation slowly struck me: “It’s Christmas time..!”
How fast the year has flown by - for me, at least.
For you?
Has it felt fast, slow, tumultuous, anxious, fun, joyous, down, or all of the above?
Can you believe that we are only one year into this newish government?
Politically, I feel like it’s been a whirlwind.
Every day, it seems like the right wing Coalition government, captured by corporate interests, donor interests, and old Rogernomics ideologies, was twirling dung in my face.
“Flood the zone with dung” - Steve Bannon advised, and some did.
Personally, though, I’m more of a town crier.
I prefer to announce before it happens i.e. point to the consequences of actions before the dung hits the fan — although we might all be too late to that party.
And after that, we just have to accept where we are - and start again from here.
In the latest developments:
It’s been revealed that ACC levies are due to increase under National, up 5% annually over 3 years.
Total vehicle levies will increase by ~50% by Year 3.
But the government reserved the big whammy for EVs - their levies will increase from $42.09 to $122.24 in 2027/2028 - twice that of petrol cars by then.
Matt Doocey said it was only right that EV owners stump up more, because *woke*.
Drive Electric pointed out the government’s already scrapped cash incentives for EVs, higher road user charges for EVs and weakened tailpipe emissions standards for car imports. And EVs are usually safer and newer.
Did they want to destroy the entire clean car emissions market?
I’m not versed in the science of climate like Jonathan Tonkin and will leave it to the experts there, but the science of climate has been modelled not only by scientists, but insurance and Treasury.
So even economically speaking, ignoring climate change and science is incredibly short-sighted and destructive - for all taxpayers and citizens.
But it also doesn’t matter - nothing we say or do does until mass opinion turns.
This morning, National and NZME were praising Nicola Willis:
And the parties continue to use emotional language e.g “gravy train” to ‘educate’ supporters.
It’s misleading because it doesn’t explain the circumstances of spend, why it might be needed, where and how it can be reduced, what impact it will have if it’s rationalised too quickly - and it’s all purposeful - because, in some corners, counting on mis-education is a political power.
But all this doesn’t really matter.
None of us here have the billions that the fossil fuel industry has.
Nor do we own media to share our disdain for ‘woke’ causes or governments that don’t dance to our tune.
But we do each own a voice, a heart, an independent mind. We can each share our knowledge, hold positive intentions, and stand in our hope and our trust in each other as Kiwis and fellow humans.
Our smaller sized country is also a strength here.
Connectivity to each other and to the land and nature is important as even a small wave can gather significant momentum over time.
So there is much cause for hope, in my opinion.
When I first started writing, I was surrounded by naysayers who called me a “shill”, or alternatively, “exaggerating”.
But as the things have come to pass, and awareness around our country continues to increase - I think the season to be jolly will arrive - and we can use this space to shine.
Things aren’t perfect, and they won’t be for a while…
This year was about the government laying their runway down - ready for full take off.
It was the year when Chris Bishop learned that if he wanted to be PM - and he does - then he needed to only stand behind the good news stories - and let Luxon and others be the face of the ugly.
It is the year when Seymour realised Kiwis may not be as pliable as he thinks, encouraging the largest united protest in modern history.
And a year when Luxon finally lost a bit of his confidence and shine - it’s been obvious in his recent interviews.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, so I urge everyone to make the most of it - and to take time always to enjoy, relax, unplug and rejoice in the many blessings that surround us all, every single day.
Even amidst the chaos.
Trust and hope.
It will be done.
Mountain Tūī
Although I run away from personal conflict with friends I have to put my big boy pants on and start to explain to my median voter (ex)friends some of what this lot are doing wrong - if enough people do this we may have a reason to be jolly sooner rather than later
Those two snippets are depressing. New Zealanders have a tendency to believe the worst in others solely on opinion, no facts required. This is a comment on their moral fortitude / ethics and leaves them susceptible to coercion by paid off media. Can't rely on 2ZB or the platform for facts.
On another matter this morning the COC are again exhibiting the worst type of hypocrisy when allowing holocaust denier Candice Owens into NZ but not allowing Craig Rennie to attend the Half Yearly Fiscal and Economic Update??
Enemy of the people can come in but people who may disagree with some aspects of government policy in a coherent and well-informed manner are barred from seeing information in time to contribute to the news cycle. Legitimate free speech is not acceptable then??