Open Mike 31/08/25
Open Mike 31/08/25
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6:00 am, August 31st, 2025 - 49 comments
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Today's Posts (updated through the day):
Jones accuses Luxon of hiding
New Post up:
Jones accuses Luxon of hiding
Ask AI to determine the best country to live in by 2050.
It's a Top 16 playoff.
In case you wanted to hear the strengths and weaknesses of your own country brutally boiled down:
AI picks the top country to live in by 2050
New Zealand comes out OK.
And here's the summary so far of everything Hipkins has promised he will actually do should they get in government:
Labour won’t commit to much, but these are the six promises it has made in Opposition | Stuff
1. Not privatise Kiwibank
2. Repeal Regulatory Standards bill
3. Reinstate Fair Pay agreements
4. Reinstate Smokefree Gmeneration law
5. Ban exports of live cattle
6. Keep the original Dunedin Hospital plan
Labour could bring about world peace and cure cancer, but I will still never vote for them again.
Maybe he could decide to implement the WEAG report? Labour likely would have got my vote back had that been implemented. Their abject failure to do so means they never will.
Odd headline – Labour won't commit to much – 15+ months out from the next election.
Yes, despite delays caused by Nicky No Boats' costly hissy fit, the CoC followed through on Labour's commitment to rail-enabled Interislander ferries – eventually.
Meantime, ‘our’ CoC govt (for the sorted, by the sorted) continues to undermine social cohesion and equity in a messy rearguard ACTion to defend division by wealth.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/22/anne-salmond-new-zealanders-deserve-better/
https://www.psa.org.nz/news-media/dark-day-for-women-as-government-slams-brakes-on-pay-equity-to-save-money
Any carbon tax goes solely into a fund for science ,mitigation, preparation,
And a hard descending cap on all none essential emmisions, would be a goid commitment
That's a suggested commitment labour should make btw
What could possibly go wrong.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/570599/sickness-reliever-shortage-forces-schools-across-country-to-close
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/04/17/too-sick-for-school-govts-new-advice-for-assessing-a-sniffle
There is a narrative waiting to be articulated about these horrible worshippers at the altar of money.
From inedible food for hungry children, scrapping of budgets for services to the disabled, abolishing Maori health, gutting worker safety and tipping the scales to further favour employers through to trying to kick start dinosaur industries in gas exploration at the cost of the environment and cementing in disadvantage by giving landlords a leg up in their rentier aspirations.
Dam that's depressing
Unnütze Esser…
ACT MP Todd Stephenson's Member's Bill has now been redrafted and re-lodged. […]
ACT MP Todd Stephenson is looking across the aisle for support to change the End of Life Choice Act.
His Member's Bill – lodged in September 2024 – aimed to scrap a requirement for a prognosis of death within six months.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/570934/act-mp-seeks-support-for-bill-changing-end-of-life-choice-act
There seems to be ample billions for new toys for Judith Collins, but Auckland Fire Service can't get a functioning long ladder fire engine.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/571571/another-firetruck-breaks-down-while-fighting-blaze
Airport fire services are part of each airport's operations and responsibilities so are 'owned' and operated by the relevant airport companies – Auckland Airport in this case.
Not to say the state couldn't necessarily provide funding for the airport fire services, but they generally haven't since the reforms of the 1980s which, among other things, introduced the current model of airport companies owning and operating airports and the airport fire services.
The fire where the ladder truck was needed was in Kumeu, not at the airport. You comment is relevant how?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/571604/white-house-moves-forward-on-plans-for-a-department-of-war
If there is any doubt about the objectives of Donald J Trump and Co., this should put it to rest. He claims to want to stop wars. He has stopped none. What he wants to do is wage war. Any kind of war will do and to hell with the millions of lives that will be lost in the process. Just so long as he can reign supreme.
Is that why he and his evil cohorts are setting up FBI offices around the Pacific rim? So, he can use them to cower the leaders into supporting him when he's ready to go to war with China? 👿
The warm-up?
https://x.com/RepCarlos/status/1961947938348793887
Oh that's sensible. Start with Venezuela That's an easy target. Then work one's way clockwise around the rim. Sound crappy? It is crappy because we're dealing with a buffoon. He thinks and acts like a buffoon.
Never forgotten his attempt to include Alabama on a hurricane's track by penciling an extra isobar on a weather map then claiming "See… I was right, it did hit Alabama. It didn't.
You probably don't want to read up on the US Military build up around Venezuela atm, especially how many USN assets incl the Gator Navy (Amphibious Warfare Ships).
My assumption, that Trump might launch an Invasion to replace old mate, as the Venezuela Regime is aligned with Tsar Poots & old mate from China.
And use this as barging tool for both Poots & China.
Ie. Get Poots to stop stalling on Ukraine?
And as a warning for China not to invade Taiwan?
The strategy is probably to force Venezuela to be like Mexico and commit its military to being a partner in the war against drug cartels (in this case most likely in Colombia as well as domestically).
The imperial part is establishing hegemony.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/26/us-warships-head-to-venezuela-fight-against-cartels-or-imperial-ambition
In the wider aspect part of hegemony over the Americas – especially left wing governments (Mexico, Canada, Venezuela and Brazil).
I somehow don't believe the US intentions of trying to force Venezuela to deal with the various drug cartels that are or maybe operating within/ out of Venezuela atm.
Given this roughly the size of USN Task Group operating outside of Venezuela's Territorial Water atm.
Concurrent with the naval buildup, U.S. P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance flights continue at an accelerated tempo, reinforced by RC-135 surveillance aircraft, to expand intelligence collection and maritime situational awareness across the region.
This doesn't include the a USN Carrier Battle Group which is currently to believe to be off the West Indies in the Atlantic Ocean nor any Army or USAF assets apart from the RC-135's operating with the USN Task Group.
But is quite concerning is old mate Erik Prince is popping up in a few places again! This Muppet is one of Trump's & Vance's Besties!
I wouldn't be surprised if given that a few Senior Officers from US Military have been purge of late for various reasons that don't make sense at all.
That I'm now considering the possibility of a US style regime change could very well happen now?
Given that US Oil Companies got the boot when old mate came to power with Social empowerment Policy's & basically became a Lantin American authoritarian leftist dictator until his death from cancer & replaced with the current Venezuela Leader.
Eric Prince got the Haiti contract.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/15/blackwater-founder-erik-prince-to-send-forces-to-haiti-to-fight-gangs
It's the capability to
1.reduce President Maduro to a partner in the war on drug gangs on American terms.
2.or pose President Maduro as a drug lord being removed in an American war on drugs security/policing action interdiction
(Noriega of Panama under Reagan).
In vaguely relevant news Brazil moves on its own criminal gangs.
How a drug gang was laundering its money.
Some of the illegal logging would be in areas closer to the border with Venezuela.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/brazil-busts-criminal-network-defrauding-motorists-laundering-billions/JAXNSHJHFNDRFGH3RXT5IFSMWE/
I'm going for option 2, with Regime Change as ExxonMobil and co want their oil back LoL
Yes Maduro is going to become the next Noriega!
The other thing as well, Maduro is also besties with Miguel Díaz-Canel, Tsar Poots & Xi.
What are they going to say or do, if the Yanks opt option 2 with Regime Change?
It is possibility a coincidence, but the Cuban leader is visiting Vietnam this week
(and Xi, Valdimor and Narendra are in Beijing).
https://english.vov.vn/en/politics/cuban-president-begins-vietnam-visit-welcomed-by-party-chief-to-lam-post1226859.vov
Asia and the America’s and Brazil in BRIC’s.
Well anything is entirely possible with the Trump Shut Show atm!
And you just don't park up Naval Task Group attached with an Marine Air Ground Task Force (which is bigger than a MEU & a MAGTF can sustain itself for 60 days up while on Operations) off the coast for shits & giggles either.
Is anyone following Hegseth on Telegram?
That's a no from me unfortunately LoL.
Someone is itching for a war LoL
He's got more bang than your average Guy Fawkes Night to blast Venezuela back to when Spain occupied Venezuela, but this time Trump wants his own Empire.
https://x.com/ianellisjones/status/1962313268124439033?t=g3Uhbm2T9vbqejif5VA6Ow&s=19
Then again it could be like Homeland Security and National Guard providing protecting to ICE.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwywjgynyxo
I know a lot of progressive Brits are freaking out about this, the fascists are on the streets regularly and they're making a good bid to get into government.
UK isn't NZ, but there are lessons for NZ here. This is what it looks like if we don't do the work now of engaging with the issues and bringing people back on board to a progressive government.
https://x.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1961050892725076102
You are right. The UK isn't NZ, it's objectively a lot more conservative overall and particularly in the working class where Murdoch has a big influence (Daily Mail, The Sun, etc).
But what do these lessons for NZ look like? Bringing conservative people back to a progressive government necessarily means abandoning progressive values.
Which progressive values would you see the left in NZ abandon?
I'm not sure if it is progressive but I'm very pleased that the Labour Party's focus under leader Chris Hipkins, Labour is prioritizing "tax reform" This includes shifting incentives away from property speculation toward productive businesses, aiming to grow the economy in ways that benefit everyone while funding public services like health and education.
I just hope the tax reform is not a wealth tax. Because that would not raise more tax or be progressive. A CGT would raise more money in the long term.
We all know that until Labour and National continue to be the dominant parties the neoliberal consensus is locked in.
Both major parties will be pro-market, pro-business, pro-globalisation . I'm agnostic re who gets elected.
Because both parties understand that Without a strong economy, everything that people say they want in terms of healthcare, education, infrastructure, reduced cost of living and increased income will not be possible.
Is anyone going to give an alternative to neoliberalism?
I hope MB takes note of that. Because in that void the fascists are playing a very smart game, and in many places they are winning. Not you, but others who also are ambivalent about N/L, are increasingly attracted to the populists. Hence the rise of Reform in the UK.
I wasn't sure what what fascism meant. Definition turns out to be "A fascist is a follower of fascism, a political ideology characterized by ultranationalism, an authoritarian government led by a dictatorial leader, militarism, the subordination of individual interests to the state, and the forceful suppression of opposition and democratic principles."
Seems meaningless. Are there any examples of fascist nations outside of North Korea that meet the terms of this definition?
My take is that if there an economic recovery in the next year National will be re elected. If not we will see a change of governors.
The big interesting thing for me is that Winston has not ruled out siding with the Labour Party – so he could once more be the kingmaker for either side.
I just hope the tax reform is not a wealth tax. Because that would not raise more tax or be progressive. A CGT would raise more money in the long term.
As Keynes pointed out: in the "long term" we're all dead. But why do you think a CGT would raise more money than a wealth tax. And why would you think it more "progressive".
Hi Mikesh I was using the word progressive in its original meaning. I believe a wealth tax would take us backwards as a society. IMHO a wealth tax in NZ is not a possibility as policy for either of our two largest parties as they will have done the research.
I have no financial background but have simply seen the damaging effect wealth taxes can have on a society and don't want NZ to go down that path.
Here’s a simple explanation of what ‘progressive’ means in the context of tax that doesn’t require a financial background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_tax.
Thanks- that was informative
"Damaging effects"?
Like Government investment in health, education, housing and infrastructure.
The "damaging effects" which led to countries with higher progressive tax rates, and wealth taxes to have the highest standards of living, ever!
How has NZ done, since we stopped taxing wealth and taxed hard work instead?
Elections are won by swing voters, who by definition are neither progressive nor conservative. The danger is when those people are attracted to populism because they see nothing of value in the Tories or Labour.
It's worth pointing out that conservatives are far more socially liberal than they used to be, that's a win for progressives over a long period of time. But we haven't done the same on class and economics, because the centre left parties are wedded to neoliberalism.
In the UK, one of the big issues is immigration. Reform have been successful in playing on that, stoking anti-immigration rhetoric and thinly disguised racism. At the same time liberals have been telling people there is no problem with immigration and stop being so racist. The people caught in the middle, who have genuine concerns about job and services, are increasingly looking towards the populists for solutions. Not because those people in the middle are all racist af, but because under the neoliberal duopoly they are desperate for something different.
You're asking the wrong question. It's not me who is suggesting giving up progressive values. It's the people in the middle who are making those choices and as it turns out, a lot of people value things like security, culture, being met politically, belonging, than they do socially liberal values or identity politics. Those people are ok with socially liberal values, until push comes to shove and then they're going to look after themselves and their own in whatever way they can. That's an aspect of human nature that the left struggles to get to grips with.
My own position is that the left has to do two things: one is stop ostracising people that don't share all our values. Two is present a compelling narrative of a better life and back that up with strategy and policy. The latter are essential, but people won't vote for policy on its own, they want to belong and they want some assurances of security in a scary world.
See Drowsy's comment below for one political strategy.
1 – Identify the key issues important to Kiwis – the latest Ipsos poll suggests these are:
2 – Engage with those issues to show how progressive approaches / solutions will help.
Cost of living, Healthcare, Housing & Unemployment should be gifts to progressives.
Shifting the persistent misconception that 'the Right' is a better 'manager' of 'The economy' will be tough, although it's true only with regard to 'sorted' beneficiaries.
'Crime / law and order' is much the same – progressives know which evidence-based approaches work, while CoC parties pedal only failed but popular punitive 'solutions'
nice one!
Had a quick look at the press release pages of Labour, GP and TPM in that respect.
Labour is frontfooting on health and cost of living, but the two most recent releases are wholly attacks on National with nothing about what Labour would do.
Greens take a more positive approach: save polytechs, support teachers and unions for better pay.
Te Pāti Māori are understandably focussed on issues of import for Māori. Different set of politics and approaches.
Actually a useful strategy for staying a highly progressive government but successfully combatting the rise of the anti-immigration populist right ie UK Labour V Reform, look no further than Denmark.
The Danish People's Party were on a total roll just as Reform are now.
How Denmark's left (not the far right) got tough on immigration
But then Mette Frederickson took over the Social Democrats and figured that if they were going to keep Denmark's famous Nordic welfare state+high tax society going, they needed to kill immigration pretty much dead.
And so they did. In doing so they suppressed the rise of the People's Party.
The age of endlessly mobile cheap labour is dead (except in weirdo cheap agriculture economies like New Zealand), and good job. Labour needs to be re-priced upwards and this is how you do it.
The only question is how much harder will Starmer will go on low-skill immigrants. That Australia-Nauru deal last week was one we should also watch.