Video above.
These videos are also designed for those not versed in the detailed subject matter so excuse any repeats of Health NZ facts you are aware of from reading Mountain Tui for too long!
Recently, I read a Substack article which, on my brief skim, lamented the rise of critiquing people over policies in politics.
And I did appreciate the sentiment - but I pointed out to the author, who probably didn’t appreciate my comment - that if, for example, someone says “I don’t trust David Seymour,” or “Chris Luxon is out of touch,” or “Donald Trump is dishonest and admires Hitler” they may very well have already studied, reviewed, and assimilated their policies to produce that personal statement.
How many times can commentators or close political observers outline the policy points and rationale, which after a while, becomes reminscient of Groundhog Day?
Particularly, if the politicians in question are not following evidence based policy making and not working in service to the people?
Is character subsequently relevant?
Yes, today I am being flippant, and am probably losing subscribers as a result, but in my defence, I have a whole archive (140 articles) of serious, research laden, evidence based articles that are focused on facts - and was light on personalities.
And that’s because I’m fairly conservative by nature - and like to focus on facts and research.
Context matters.
I’ve never considered myself left wing (possibly because I am new to the political scene) but on many things, I’m a thinker. I think not only of what is, but also what can be, and how we can bring all people along if possible - all people who genuinely believe what they feel. I like to understand before I support.
And I’m not loyal to a party for its colour or personalities, but value competency, capabilities, passion, integrity and public service - the latter of which I can’t see an ounce of in our current Coalition grouping.
Unashamedly I wrote “I feel sorry for Chris Luxon” earlier in the year as I sought to try to find his angle to what I felt were policies that were clearly going to be antithetical-to-his-stated-goals in the outcomes.
To me, he was clearly not understanding things, but thought at the time he was less nefarious than others around him, and was simply mistaken.
Instead, I am mistaken - I no longer hold sympathy for a leader who is so willing to hurt those less fortunate than he is, and to pander to the wealthiest, despite claiming his values were the opposite of that.
And for almost a year now, I have tried to scramble in front of the government’s policy announcements - forecasting moves, pointing out why and how it will not work out, and why the actions will do more harm than any stated good.
But as the year rolls on, the government’s markers are clearer and more visible for all to see.
I find myself breathing a sigh of relief that I no longer have to work so hard to explain.
Or spend many painstaking hours and evenings to compile evidence that what is being presented by the right wing government is deceitful, very possibly corrupt, definitely ill-advised, and thoroughly harmful to NZ’s prosperity and well-being.
In “Land of the Bullies” I wrote: “Why A Pattern of Deception Could Be This Government's Downfall.”
And it appears now that the lies are catching up, that our checks and balances are still holding - even if Newstalk ZB, The Platform, and ACT work hard to shield their people.
The video above speaks for itself.
So does Ayesha Verrall’s clarity.
And the fire in her belly when faced with mis-truths and deception.
She cares.
And under this government, it becomes a sigh of relief.
Shane Reti’s style of deception became clear to me when I first watched his July press conference, with Christopher Luxon, about a health deficit that proved not to be real.
At the time, I headlined it as “2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget deficit that happened on his watch” - and pointed out the inconsistencies of the narrative.
Reti is apparently held in high esteem by many in his electorate and National Party supporters but he’s also proof that, as Abraham Lincoln said:
“You can fool part of the people some of the time, you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all of the time.”
Which is why our parents might have taught us “Honesty is the best policy” - even if it costs one a better paying job, more money, or temporary power and prestige.
Is your integrity not worth more, Minister Reti?
Talking about ‘out of touch,’ I’ve frequently reflected that it was the Council of Trade Unions who nailed Luxon to a tee - pre-election:
And it is also the former Executive Director of Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (a union) that brilliantly nailed Health Commissioner Lester Levy’s chequered past of financial surpluses turning into deficits - so prophetically too.
It’s ironic that one of the most anti-union and anti-worker governments we have seen in recent history was so accurately prophecised by those who knew who they were, before so many of us - the electorate - could fully appreciate.
This government’s fear of unions and being seen, is so entrenched, they are even vetting Board appointments related to health for union affiliation.
Another extraordinary becoming the ordinary.
Seeing is believing.
So - please, share what you see with those around you. Our small country benefits from word of mouth communication.
-Mountain Tui
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