democratic participation

How not to handle a rebel

Written By: r0b - Date published: 8:30 am, February 16th, 2011 - 38 comments

The Maori Party handling of rebel MP Hone Harawira has been a complete mess.  The latest bizarre chapter in the story is the gagging of Harawira with “a complete media ban” to be “strictly observed by the Maori Party”.  I’m trying to recall any precedent for such an extreme gagging of free speech by a political party…

Not for sale – first flyers

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 12:00 pm, February 15th, 2011 - 45 comments

To avoid another three years of backhanders to the rich, falling wages, rising unemployment, and asset sales, we have nine months to chip away at National’s support. As in 2008, The Standard will be running a campaign offering flyers etc for your to print off and deliver around your neighbourhood. Privatisation is an obvious first target.

Tuku wades in again – same result?

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:34 pm, February 8th, 2011 - 16 comments

There are some interesting legal and constitutional parallels between the Maori party’s attempts to rid themselves of Hone Harawira and previous unsuccessful attempts in Tainui to have their Kauhanganui  chair dismissed for raising awkward questions about use of tribal finances.  Tukoroirangi Morgan was a key player in the Tainui ructions; now he has waded into […]

The politics of hysteria

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:44 am, December 27th, 2010 - 39 comments

Reading the Maps recently posted this analysis that takes swings at the extremes in the political debate.

In the twenty-first century we are continually being urged to register and express our emotions. The days of the stiff upper lip and suffering in silence have well and truly gone, as unctuous TV talk show hosts and ‘self-help’ books scream at us to ‘grow emotionally’ by blubbering our deepest secrets and confessing our most recalcitrant feelings to our partners, to our friends, and to perfect strangers.

Abomination becomes law

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 9:30 am, December 9th, 2010 - 45 comments

Paul Quinn’s appalling Electoral (Disqualification of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Act passed last night with the support of just two parties – ACT and National. We’ve talked about why this law is so bad in the past. The Attorney-General agreed it is an unjustified breach of our human rights. Why did ACT, the supposed ‘Liberal Party’ vote for it?

Welcome to the 21st Century!

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 9:11 am, December 3rd, 2010 - 14 comments

Sometimes I find it hard to believe how the leaders of this world fail to comprehend what appears so obvious to me. In the Information Age, how do they think secrecy is viable? What is happening with Wikileaks, or more appropriately, what is about to happen, appears to be playing out along the same lines as the rise and fall of Napster.

The Politics of Impartiality

Written By: Bill - Date published: 2:59 pm, November 23rd, 2010 - 41 comments

I’ve never been one for censuring cogent voices from the wilderness when they carry far enough on the wind to reach our ears because the wilderness can hold treasure troves of intelligent dissent. Today I came across a neat illustrative example of a ham fisted attempt to consign a voice from the left to the wilderness in the name of…well, it’s called fairness or some such.  Apparently.

Congratulations Kris

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 8:14 pm, November 20th, 2010 - 50 comments

With a majority of votes counted it’s clear that Kris Fa’afoi is going to be the next Labour MP for Mana. We’re sure Kris will show his mettle in standing up for the people of Porirua and Mana in Parliament. All the best Kris. Show those Nats what you’re made of.

Who’s disrespecting whom?

Written By: Zetetic - Date published: 7:42 pm, November 18th, 2010 - 38 comments

Mana locals rallied loudly against Key and Parata today. Key says “we treat them with respect even if they don’t treat us with respect”. Nah. McCarten talking to a guy who opposes him was respectful. Key could’ve shown respect by taking time to defend his record: wages down, no jobs, rising crime, service cuts. He didn’t. No respect.

US midterms – deflation the risk so be afraid

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:59 pm, November 3rd, 2010 - 23 comments

As predicted, the US midterms have not gone well for the Democrats, as they have lost control of the House of Representatives. But they retain a majority in the Senate, so some are predicting that the most likely outcome is a repeat of the gridlock of 1994, after a similar conservative revolt led by Rush […]

Democratising capital

Written By: Marty G - Date published: 10:18 am, October 30th, 2010 - 85 comments

After the Hobbit debacle, no-one can fail to understand the power that those who control capital exercise in a capitalist economy. The system is set up for them, hence the name, and their power is never stronger than during recessions. While capital is unaccountable, we cannot have true democracy and freedom. How can we democratise capital?

The failing polls..

Written By: lprent - Date published: 4:58 pm, October 16th, 2010 - 12 comments

An article in The Economist looks at the failing basis of polling techniques in the USA. It isn’t that much different to the circumstances here.

“The proportion of those called who end up taking part in a survey has fallen steadily, from 35% or so in the 1990s to 15% or less now, according to Mr Keeter. Reaching young people is especially difficult. Only old ladies answer the phone…”

EPA: Enabling poor accountability

Written By: Marty G - Date published: 9:22 am, October 4th, 2010 - 16 comments

When National announced it would create an ‘Environmental Protection Agency’ and a short-cut resource consent process for projects of ‘national significance’, the implications were clear. The new agency and process would be used to override local opposition. Sure enough, that’s what’s happening with Waterview.

Meanwhile, in some good news…

Written By: Bill - Date published: 7:40 am, September 28th, 2010 - 12 comments

While the Anglo – Saxon or English speaking left seems unable to shake  a deep malaise that began afflicting it some thirty years ago, the left in the Spanish speaking world is making some remarkable strides forward.