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capitalism

Categories under capitalism

Rates, debt, growth and PPP

Written By: - Date published: 9:38 am, October 8th, 2019 - 33 comments

Stuff had an interesting piece looking at rates, taxes and local infrastructure “Rates are much lower than you think, and they’re responsible for miserable growth in cities”. They just missed out one crucial factor. The way that PPP debates often block infrastructure. Interesting that got missed..

The Government’s Economic Development Plan

Written By: - Date published: 7:35 am, September 30th, 2019 - 15 comments

Last week the government launched its Economic Development Plan, arguably late but with lots of useful initiatives.

Fairy tales of eternal economic growth

Written By: - Date published: 8:13 am, September 24th, 2019 - 67 comments

Greta Thunberg has spoken at the UN Climate Change summit and has warned the world that it is stealing the dreams and hopes of young people through its failure to address climate change.

Kill us now, or choose life.

Written By: - Date published: 7:13 am, August 23rd, 2019 - 27 comments

The Amazon burns. The Arctic is on fire. We won’t be able to eat or breath our electric cars, but we still have time to choose a different path.

Fonterra failure and Government failure

Written By: - Date published: 7:38 am, August 19th, 2019 - 95 comments

Fonterra is dragging New Zealand down, faster and faster.  What is this Government going to do?

Slowing economy?

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, August 14th, 2019 - 39 comments

In May this year the New Zealand Treasury was projecting growth accelerating from 2.4% to 3% in 2019-20 while the Reserve Bank has pessimistically cut interest rates to 1%. Both can’t be right.

Should the Government spend massively more?

Written By: - Date published: 3:18 pm, August 8th, 2019 - 58 comments

With yesterday’s announcement by the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates by 1%, some are suggesting that the government should embark on a massive public works spree to stimulate the economy while increasing national debt at low interest rates.  But Kiwisaver reform may be more effective.

The strait of Hormuz

Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, July 20th, 2019 - 49 comments

With the seizing of an oil tanker by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz today as a presumably tit-for-tat escalation for British seizing an Iranian ship, and the U.S. Navy harassing their coastline, we are in for a senseless and dangerous political escalation.

ANZ worried that it may be required to hold sufficient reserves

Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, July 3rd, 2019 - 105 comments

ANZ is complaining that the Reserve Bank wants it to hold additional capital in case of a run on the banks.

What happened to Hisco?

Written By: - Date published: 9:18 am, June 23rd, 2019 - 75 comments

Stuff has published details of a sweetheart deal where David Hisco bought the ANZ owned property they were living in for a greatly reduced price. But was this good investigative work or a leak from within ANZ?

National is pinning 2020 success on someone who is not in Parliament

Written By: - Date published: 10:24 am, June 22nd, 2019 - 135 comments

An expensive advertising campaign suggesting that Christopher Luxon could be the next Prime Minister after the 2020 election has appeared.

Bankers gonna bank

Written By: - Date published: 8:09 am, June 18th, 2019 - 117 comments

The former head of ANZ and the current owner of John Key’s Omaha property, David Hisco, has left the employment of the Bank in somewhat newsworthy circumstances.

The Coming Global Economic Slowdown and New Zealand

Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, June 3rd, 2019 - 49 comments

With the United States – China trade war well underway, the sick chaos of Brexit is shrinking the U.K. economy and slowing much of Europe’s economy, and smaller economies such as that of Mexico in the crosshairs through further politically manufactured trade disputes, the second half of this year looks for New Zealand nowhere near as rosy as the first half.

Labour to relax fiscal responsibility rules

Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, May 24th, 2019 - 72 comments

Grant Robertson has announced there will be a relaxing of the fiscal responsibility rules, although not until after the next election.

US China trade talks and New Zealand

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, May 12th, 2019 - 91 comments

Donald Trump’s trade war with China is way, way bad for New Zealand.

CGT Dumped

Written By: - Date published: 2:08 pm, April 17th, 2019 - 244 comments

The Government has announced that there will be no Capital Gains Tax. It’s a shame, but it’s good politics.

This Is Who We Really Are

Written By: - Date published: 1:05 pm, April 5th, 2019 - 146 comments

As we prepare for ANZAC Day, the Kapiti RSA has been viciously attacked for wanting to show solidarity with NZ’s Muslim community. Maggie writes about what that means and suggests who we really are.

Life and Death in Aotearoa – Debating Euthanasia

Written By: - Date published: 9:48 am, April 3rd, 2019 - 210 comments

David Seymour’s Private Member’s Bill on euthanasia is back for debate in Parliament. Maggie looks at one of the great social issues of our time.

Rooting Out Racism

Written By: - Date published: 12:12 pm, March 30th, 2019 - 296 comments

TS regular Maggie with an excellent analysis of the challenges facing men in a society in transition and what that means for the fight against racism.

The Repentant Right

Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, March 27th, 2019 - 121 comments

The former leader of various NZ neo Nazi groups reckons the kiwi far right are being driven underground. TRP argues they will instead look for another home.

Bad: The Michael Jackson Hysteria

Written By: - Date published: 9:32 pm, March 7th, 2019 - 187 comments

Radio stations around the world are banning the music of Michael Jackson. What have his records done wrong?

The Gun Club 2

Written By: - Date published: 10:15 am, March 2nd, 2019 - 84 comments

Christchurch police have been ordered to carry guns until a wanted man is arrested. Is this a dry run for the permanent arming of our cops?

Why New Zealand needs a capital gains tax

Written By: - Date published: 9:16 am, February 27th, 2019 - 249 comments

Expert comment suggests that a capital gains tax will redress inequality, improve the economy and make housing more affordable.

It’s the kiwi way

Written By: - Date published: 8:41 am, February 22nd, 2019 - 74 comments

National is engaging in hysterical levels of hyperbole in its response to the Tax Working Group’s reform package.

The Independent Group Grows

Written By: - Date published: 9:06 am, February 21st, 2019 - 25 comments

In the UK, 3 Conservative MP’s have now aligned themselves with the 8 dissenting Labour MP’s in the ‘Independent Group’. What does this mean for both parties and how will it affect Brexit?

Lock ’em Up!?

Written By: - Date published: 12:33 pm, February 18th, 2019 - 15 comments

Unionist and former MP Darien Fenton takes issue with a major weakness in our law. That’s the ability of guilty bosses to just ignore the rulings of the Employment Court. Can’t pay? Won’t pay!

Pike River mine evidence went missing

Written By: - Date published: 7:52 am, February 18th, 2019 - 74 comments

It has been alleged that a potentially vital piece of evidence in the Pike River mine fatality that may show the cause of the explosion may have gone missing.

Westpac becomes accredited living wage employer

Written By: - Date published: 9:41 am, February 1st, 2019 - 33 comments

Westpac Bank has agreed to become an accredited living wage employer which means that its contractors as well as its staff are to be paid a living wage.

Fair Pay Agreements

Written By: - Date published: 9:23 am, January 31st, 2019 - 36 comments

The Working Group on Wage Bargaining reform has reported back. Good news for the working poor, bad news for the filthy rich.

Does the West Coast Regional Council Exist?

Written By: - Date published: 3:14 pm, January 29th, 2019 - 48 comments

Does the West Coast Regional Council actually exist? Te Reo Putake’s submission on the Zero Carbon Bill says the science is unproven.

Trump’s Worst Day

Written By: - Date published: 12:08 pm, January 26th, 2019 - 141 comments

The Trump shutdown is over, as the doofus President waves the white flag. And in Florida, his trusted advisor Roger Stone is led away in handcuffs to face charges of lying to the Mueller enquiry. Good times, people, good times!