Endorsements

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1. bill brown 1

   7 November 2008 at 2:00 pm

   Labour – Because I think they have the best mix of pragmatic economic policy and progressive social policy. And because I like Helen Clark.
2. Lampie 2

   7 November 2008 at 2:07 pm

   Labour – Proof is in the pudding.

   It is a time for change, a change to not go back to the failed right projects of the past
3. yl 3

   7 November 2008 at 2:11 pm

   Bill brown
   November 7, 2008 at 2:00 pm

   Labour – Because I think they have the best mix of pragmatic economic policy and progressive social policy. And because I like Helen Clark.

   this is it in a nut shell for me, well done Bill Brown, i couldnt agree more
4. Bill 4

   7 November 2008 at 2:13 pm

   You guys can’t endorse along those lines!

   Vote Green?

   But you are Labour Party stoogies. I know this ’cause I keep reading it. You fool no-one with your feeble attempts at misdirection.

   [lprent: Yeah, well, some people never seem to read our About. Instead some from the right (and left) prefer to believe those well known bullshite artists in the sewer blogs on the right. Perhaps they can’t read…]
5. higherstandard 5

   7 November 2008 at 2:14 pm

   Congratulations to those of you who managed to say who and what you were voting for not whom and what you’re voting against which we all have a tendency to do too much at times.
6. Bill 6

   7 November 2008 at 2:18 pm

   Here’s a suggestion Irish. I’ll give my electorate vote to the Alliance (there are no WP candidates here) and you can give yours to the thinner spread WP. That way both are one closer to the 0.5% they need.
7. IrishBill 7

   7 November 2008 at 2:23 pm

   Bill, deal.
8. cha 8

   7 November 2008 at 2:26 pm

   In 1975 Muldoon scuttled the third Labour governments superannuation scheme, fast forward to 2008, Key all but scuttles the fourth Labour governments superannuation scheme.
   Another deliberate act of economic vandalism.
   Thats why I’ll be two ticks Labour,

   captcha, jaded poly
9. bobo 9

   7 November 2008 at 2:27 pm

   Next gen Labour – because they took the nasty surprises out of politics which was inherent in the 80, n 90s starting with their pledge card.
10. milo 10

    7 November 2008 at 2:32 pm

    National: because having a wealthy country in the most remote place on earth is a fundamentally absurd proposition. To succeed, we need to work twice as hard and be twice as efficient as European nations. We do need Labour sometimes (even often), to reinforce our distinctive attitudes, safety net and civil society; but right now we need six years concentrating on productivity and incentive. Also, after the last three years, I don’t trust Labour.
11. Sophie 11

    7 November 2008 at 2:33 pm

    Labour have always given us progressive social policy and National have always undone it. But, as my grandfather always said “empty bellies always put Labour in and full bellies always vote them out”. I am hoping that the electorate is not so fickle this time!
12. bobo 12

    7 November 2008 at 2:36 pm

    Nicely put Sophie hehe , not sure where David Lange comes in that saying though 🙂
13. Steve Withers 13

    7 November 2008 at 2:51 pm

    Greens for the party vote and Labour for the local vote (McCracken – L over Coleman – N).

    Maybe we will see a Labour overhang….and really put the cat amongst the pigeons.
14. G 14

    7 November 2008 at 2:52 pm

    Steven Pierson: Marxist.
    Tane: Marxist
    all_your_base: Socialist
    Dancer: Socialist
    Irishbill: Marxist
    Iprent: Socialist

    G: ACT — because Socialism & Marxism are evil doctrines that have ultimately crippled every country that has adopted it; because they stifle the individual, strangle the economy and attack private property rights at every turn. I don’t like Rodney much, but I do credit Roger for saving our country from bankruptcy after the Muldoon disaster. ACT are the best of a bad bunch.

    [lprent: G: an idiot!]
15. G 15

    7 November 2008 at 2:56 pm

    [G: Iprent: Dumbass!]

    [lprent: Ummm… banned permanently. Socialist I can take. However I think you just took your individualistic religion a step too far. I’m afraid that directly attacking me in moderator mode sets a precedent that I don’t like, especially when framed as a moderator format ]
16. Evidence-Based Practice 16

    7 November 2008 at 2:57 pm

    There’s a huge thunder and lightening storm over Wellington and parliament just now. I wonder if it means anything?
17. Policy Parrot 17

    7 November 2008 at 2:59 pm

    Labour – for reasons I have more fully outlined on NewZblog, but I’ll add an abridged version here.

    Arguably, those of a Labour persuasion all share three fundamental beliefs.

    1. That a society is more than simply the sum of its parts, that there is such a thing as a synergy created which is above and beyond that sum of effort of all individuals.

    2. The measure of any community, society, or nation is that of how its treats it members most in need, and that such assistance be given without pre-condition.

    3. Freedom for mankind consists more than simply from tyranny, but also freedom from poverty, injustice, persecution, and about both one and all’s opportunity to conduct meaningful and just lives.

    Under a potential National-led administration, many of the freedoms which we take for granted may be under threat. Why? Their caucus, is a mix of traditional conservatism and neoliberal ideology. They are also becoming captive by fundamentalist Christians. All three of which find at least two of the above values repugnant.

    a. Traditional conservative ideology calls for precondition on the alleviation of poverty, i.e. to be the deserving poor. Their preference is for charity to conduct the social functions of society, whereby a myriad of other moral and political conditions/agendas/corruptions can be added.

    b. Neoliberals favour low flat income taxes, and shifting of the burden to a higher sales tax. All government business outside its emergency functions is to be either, sold off, or contracted out, putting the burden on the consumer of those services by instituting near universal user-pays.

    c. In battling for their self-styled cause, to be the vanguard of mankind’s salvation, fundamentalist Christians are becoming increasingly political. Unfortunately their brand is more often about “us’ and “them’, overly focused on the sins of the flesh, versus those of the soul.

    Someone said to me recently, with regard to “creative accounting’, that I would need to change my conscience to adapt to the world. In reply, I said, “I in fact, believe the opposite. Should we not instead change the world to comply with our conscience?’. The birth of, and provocation caused by, progressive ideas in the political sphere are responsible for much of the freedoms enjoyed by democratic societies, including ours, today. But to concede to defeat to the forces of caution is to abandon the cause that so many have both, fought, and died for. It is our historic duty to continue onward, as it is the journey, not the destination, in which we will forever live our lives.

    National, and its allies, United Future and ACT, represent the forces of divisive individualism, and votes of caution. The more votes they get, the less free we will be, and the choices we make, will become more conflicted.
18. insider 18

    7 November 2008 at 2:59 pm

    I find it interesting how the harder left as demonstrated by G are backing the Greens. I do hope the Khandallah mums thinking of voting for them will pause and reflect on that before voting for what they think are harmless envirnomentalists.

    I think that is one reason the Greens will only ever be a fringish party whose support will fluctuate significantly between elections, because they have a lot of soft support that will disappear when they see the radical politics emerge from behind fluffy eco front.
19. Bill 19

    7 November 2008 at 2:59 pm

    G.

    Do I take it you think (probably a misnomer) that Green voters are Marxists and labour voters socialists?

    Wow. The disconnects ( between your pairings as well as your world view with respect to reality)are too vast for me to comment on.
20. william 20

    7 November 2008 at 3:03 pm

    With (insincere) apologies the the lead endorsers:

    National – with a good Act influence. I want a more right-wing National-led government. National’s economic, health, education and environment policies are better than Labour’s and these are issues that matter most to me. The Greens and Labour will keep NZ moving in the wrong direction.

    I also hope we have a strong Act influence in the next government. While National have sound views they are at times held back by their timidness and their continued adherence to PC bullshit. That said, on every major policy area National’s policies are fairer and more socially and environmentally sustainable than any other party?s.

    National’s record and instincts mean they will continue to look after all New Zealanders … not like Labour who want to drag us all down to the same level. .

    While I don’t like everything National do, I like most of it, most of the time. And I believe they can handle the bumpy economic situation, that they are a strong, cohesive team, and that they will look out for all New Zealanders and that matters to me.

    For me it is also a question of observation about relative competence in government. Over the last 40 years, I’ve seen Labour screwup over and over again through a hopeless sense of what works in government. In the same time, National has made mistakes (and admitted them), but an order of magnitude much less. The changes that National introduces work, persist and make things better and more productive for the whole society, including business.

    The current round of Labour politicians looks as hopelessly incompetent about the role of government as ever, and the National politicians have been more competent than usual. I also like that National is focussed on building policies for the future, and they will get to work correcting Labour’s previous round of policy screwups.

    I look forward to a brighter future for all of us
21. Vanilla Eis 21

    7 November 2008 at 3:03 pm

    I’m with Tane – Greens and Robertson (it helps that he’s my neighbour, and so damn nice!).

    Milo: thanks for the balanced assessment. Good to hear that there are thinking people voting for the right, rather than just those that spout drivel like G.
22. Ben R 22

    7 November 2008 at 3:10 pm

    “1. That a society is more than simply the sum of its parts, that there is such a thing as a synergy created which is above and beyond that sum of effort of all individuals.

    2. The measure of any community, society, or nation is that of how its treats it members most in need, and that such assistance be given without pre-condition.

    3. Freedom for mankind consists more than simply from tyranny, but also freedom from poverty, injustice, persecution, and about both one and all’s opportunity to conduct meaningful and just lives.

    They are also becoming captive by fundamentalist Christians. All three of which find at least two of the above values repugnant.”

    Which ones? I thought Christians were particularly concerned about the plight of the poor & tend to give more to charity than non-Christians?

    In any case, I think you’re being a little paranoid suggesting National are captive to Christian fundamentalists.
23. forgetaboutthelastone 23

    7 November 2008 at 3:10 pm

    last poll’s out boyz and girlz! enjoy:

    Roy Morgan poll
24. randal 24

    7 November 2008 at 3:12 pm

    my mind is red but my heart is green
    so
    two ticks for red
25. Ianmac 25

    7 November 2008 at 3:15 pm

    Two ticks for Labour. In the Kaikoura Electorate Mr King GNat must win. Wanted to also give my Party vote to Green but am bit scared of not helping Labour. “Please Sir. May I have 2 party votes?”
26. insider 26

    7 November 2008 at 3:19 pm

    Does anyone really think Act is at 4%? RM may have got it right last time but that seems a bit high. Same goes for NZF
27. iheartmjs 27

    7 November 2008 at 3:59 pm

    I’m with Randal, and my blood is red!

    G is (was- may his alias RIP) world-class dumbass.
    captcha: returns flames
28. sean 28

    7 November 2008 at 4:15 pm

    It cracks me up how you guys think you are voting for some greater good, when 9 years of socialist policies has created an even larger gap between rich and poor.

    Then add in the crumbling health system and failing education system, and 10 years of deficits and your “greater good” looks like sheer incompetence, especially given the economic conditions the world has seen in the last decade.

    Meanwhile, I’ve just been asked to work for a software company in Europe, which will take my income up to 145k plus benefits (including trips to Europe every year). Pretty decent for a 28 year old computer geek. I’m going to be grabbing a couple of new investment properties next year so I can spend my tax on something decent instead of the greedy bludgers that this Labour government has created.
29. Jarvis Pink 29

    7 November 2008 at 4:28 pm

    “Wanted to also give my Party vote to Green but am bit scared of not helping Labour.”

    Ianmac – A party vote for the Greens increases the likelihood of a Labour led government with a strong Greens presence. No need to be scared.

    capcha “Imposition 50”: is this something we’re voting for alongside candidates and parties?
30. bill brown 30

    7 November 2008 at 4:34 pm

    Just walked past a bunch of guys with beer in hand in front of a whiteboard drawing pie charts explaining that L + G > N + A

    I think the overriding premise was “that’s all that matters”

    I feel much better for seeing that and wanted to share, thank you.
31. Billy 31

    7 November 2008 at 4:35 pm

    I hope everyone has an enjoyable day tomorrow.

    Thanks to all you Standardistas. I have truly enjoyed coming here over the last year.

    But I do hope you’re all crying into your brown ale tomorrow night. I am not confident but have invested in a big fat Romeo Y Julieta just in case.
32. Matthew Pilott 32

    7 November 2008 at 4:39 pm

    Mmm sean our education system is an unprecedented disaster. Last I heard it couldn’t turn out IT graduates that could command $100k+ salaries in Europe.

    (logical arguments, now maybe you’d have a point there)

    No prizes for guessing where my vote goes. I hope I remember to get it in – it’s going to be a busy day!
33. Matthew Pilott 33

    7 November 2008 at 4:41 pm

    “I am not confident but have invested in a big fat Romeo Y Julieta just in case.”

    Was it a churchill? I did the same, though just the regular.
34. Tane 34

    7 November 2008 at 4:45 pm

    Billy, I’ve got $950 riding on Helen Clark remaining PM ($200 at odds of $4.75 at Centrebet). Should be a few cigars if I pull that one off. Here’s hopin’…
35. gingercrush 35

    7 November 2008 at 4:48 pm

    The best thing to happen this election, is to vote for the party you genuinely believe in. If you feel more left than Labour choose Green. If you are mere left go with Labour. If mere right go with National, hard right go with Act. If centrist well I guess you could go with United Future or New Zealand First unfortunately those votes may be wasted.

    I consider myself to the right but not hard right. Thus National.

    Christchurch Central. Voting National on the party vote and will somewhat reluctantly vote for Nicki Wagner on the electorate vote. I don’t like her or Labour’s Burns but I prefer her and National policies over Labour and him so have to go with Wagner.
36. Ben R 36

    7 November 2008 at 5:06 pm

    “Tane
    November 7, 2008 at 4:45 pm
    Billy, I’ve got $950 riding on Helen Clark remaining PM ($200 at odds of $4.75 at Centrebet). Should be a few cigars if I pull that one off. Here’s hopin’ ”

    Those sound like good odds to me. Is the TAB offering odds (I can’t check online, but might swing by a TAB later)?
37. Matthew Pilott 37

    7 November 2008 at 5:11 pm

    BenR – TAB doesn’t take election bets. I don’t think they’re allowed to do so. You’ll need to try centrebet but the odds were well down last I checked.
38. Billy 38

    7 November 2008 at 5:16 pm

    Was it a churchill?

    Why, yes. Just the thing for reinforcing stereotypes of righties.
39. Ben R 39

    7 November 2008 at 5:26 pm

    “BenR – TAB doesn’t take election bets. I don’t think they’re allowed to do so. You’ll need to try centrebet but the odds were well down last I checked.”

    Cheers MP, I just placed $100 on Clark to be PM at $5.50. That’s not necessarily the outcome I want, but those odds are just too good to ignore.
40. djp 40

    7 November 2008 at 5:31 pm

    Libertarianz, so you can live the way you want and so can I
41. J Mex 41

    7 November 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Centrebet is a interesting gauge. Helen as PM is at her longest odds of the campaign ($5.50). Same with iPredict at around $4.88.

    McCain finished around $6.00 odds which is ominous for Clark.

    I think that Centrebet will shut off betting early tomorrow, but iPredict should stay open right until the government is formed. There could be some big swings on a number of stocks tomorrow!…

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