john key

Sickening

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 11:21 am, February 21st, 2011 - 74 comments

Key has blamed a soldier being killed in Afghanistan for the limo affair. This is just an attempt by Key to protect himself from criticism by hiding behind a soldier’s death. This is just sickening. The very worst kind of politics from a man who can’t take responsibility for his actions and is happy to take advantage of others’ tragedy.

Key out of touch on food & poverty

Written By: Marty G - Date published: 10:52 am, February 20th, 2011 - 67 comments

Hunger and malnutrition are stalking New Zealand families. Hundreds of thousands are just one shock – whether an illness, or a large bill – from not being able to afford basic food. This is not good enough in our land of plenty. Multi-millionaire John Key doesn’t empathise. To him poverty is a moral failing but he’s seriously out of touch.

Nats impose media ban on selves

Written By: Zetetic - Date published: 9:15 am, February 18th, 2011 - 11 comments

In a surprise move, John Key has announced the National Party is imposing a media ban on itself until the BMW limo affair dies down. “We got the idea from the Maori Party. Every time they open their mouths over Hone Harawira, things get worse. Shut their mouths and the issue goes away. Brilliant. There’s so much we can learn from our Maori friends”

What do you think Righty – a perfect score?

Written By: the sprout - Date published: 1:30 pm, February 17th, 2011 - 50 comments

Even the most optimistic lefty can’t deny that National are continuing to dominate the opinion polls. That must be quite a source of pride and confidence for the Right. But I wonder, is there anything that rightwing voters believe this National-led Government has done wrong? A couple of years ago I asked what rightwing voters thought […]

Lies make BMW story worse

Written By: Zetetic - Date published: 8:27 pm, February 16th, 2011 - 37 comments

Key says he didn’t know about the BMW purchase. Funny cause on Tuesday, English was taking responsibility: “we could go out and buy second-hand cars but one way or another cars need to be maintained”. The Nats try to blame Labour but the contract Labour signed says replacing the cars was optional without penalty.

John Key’s Memoirs

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 12:36 pm, February 14th, 2011 - 36 comments

“I’m leaving it until my book. I know the answer, but just wait until my book,” Mr Key said.

What?  I thought it was normal to leave office before you started writing and promoting your memoirs?  I’ve not heard of someone becoming prime-minister to promote book-sales before.

Uncivil behaviour at Big Gay Out

Written By: Marty G - Date published: 7:48 am, February 14th, 2011 - 24 comments

The contrast between Phil Goff and John Key at the Big Gay Out could not have been greater. Key swanned in late, told the crowd the best they could hope for from National was no regressive moves and refused to endorse civil unions. Goff and his posse re-affirmed Labour’s stance against discrimination and committed to progressive leadership.

John Key: Bored?

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 9:34 am, February 13th, 2011 - 28 comments

John Key, celebrity, has got PM on his CV. He’s met Obama and Peter Jackson, hung with Richie McCaw, the All Whites and David Letterman. And now sounds a bit bored with the gig. Is that what we need in someone who’s supposed to be leading the country to a brighter future?

Key: out of touch on tax cuts

Written By: Marty G - Date published: 10:45 am, February 10th, 2011 - 65 comments

Key proved he’s bereft of ideas in his speech on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he showed he’s out of touch. As you know, Key has voted himself $23,000 of tax cuts on his PM salary alone. Labour estimates another $24,000 on his investments – over $1000 a week. Key argues his tax cut is ‘only’ $15,000.

Key’s long-term unemployment record

Written By: Marty G - Date published: 3:32 pm, February 9th, 2011 - 38 comments

John Key has taken a swing at Kiwi workers who have lost their jobs thanks to the bankers’ recession and his economic mis-management. Key claims people are choosing to be long-term beneficiaries “even though work is available to them”. But the jobs aren’t there and that has caused long-term unemployment to explode under his watch.

As much as possible for the underclass

Written By: r0b - Date published: 10:30 am, February 9th, 2011 - 8 comments

The PM has obviously been stung by the surge of negative publicity generated by the TV3 piece on the residents of McGehan Close. The revival of this particular piece of exploitative hypocrisy risks tarnishing the sacred Key brand.  Can’t have that.  So Key is trying to convince us that the Nats have done “as much as possible” for the underclass…

25c slap in the face

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 6:38 am, February 8th, 2011 - 77 comments

So John Key thinks that a 1.9% increase in pay will cover 4% inflation, and that’s all minimum wage workers are going to get. That 25c/hour won’t add up to a litre of milk at the end of the day, let along a block of cheese at the end of the week. A person on minimum wage will now get $437.24/week after tax, whilst JK gave himself over $1000 extra per week in tax cut.

Waitangi up close

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 1:07 am, February 7th, 2011 - 37 comments

A personal perspective on the Waitangi celebrations. Where John Key went wrong, how Hone was out and proud, and the left’s reception. Also: an enjoyment of Maori burgers over kai moana this year.

Testing Key’s $33 billion line

Written By: Marty G - Date published: 11:54 am, February 4th, 2011 - 12 comments

One of John Key’s excuses for selling our SOEs is that we need the cash to buy $33 billion of new assets over the next 5 years. Sounds like a lot, eh? It turns out the Crown spent $42 billion on new assets* over the last 5 years without selling our SOEs and even with that $33 billion of new capital spending the deficit will be gone in 4 years … I wonder what Key’s next line will be.

Principles

Written By: r0b - Date published: 8:00 pm, February 2nd, 2011 - 45 comments

So John Key has flip flopped and decided to rule out working with Winston Peters again.  He’s trying to portray that as a principled decision, about running an “aspirational” government.  So why did he need to spend so many months working out what his principles are?  No, it’s a political decision.  Key thinks he can squeeze a little more milage out of flogging the dead horse that is Winston Peters.