No renewables for National

36 comments on “No renewables for National ”

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1. tsmithfield 1

   4 September 2011 at 7:04 pm

   As the old adage goes, why change a winning team?

   Anyway, National is likely to fetch quite deeply into its list on the basis of current polling, so there is plenty of “ammunition” if renewal is required on the front bench at any stage.
   • Mac1 1.1

     4 September 2011 at 7:10 pm

     tsmithfield, you don’t answer the serious challenges in the post- where is the balance in the ethnic, cultural, age and gender diversity in the so-called national National party list? The winning team of 2008 was not representative of New Zealand – nor is this ‘team’.
     • Mutante 1.1.1

       4 September 2011 at 11:34 pm

       I’m all for forming a committee of public safety myself. I’m over debating with fuckwitted RWNJs. Considering the damage they’ve done they just need a good punishing. I bet they wouldn’t like Operation 8 style terror raids if it were their doors getting booted in at four in the morning. Fuck these people.
   • felix 1.2

     4 September 2011 at 7:19 pm

     I’m glad you feel adequately represented by the Nat list.

     You wouldn’t happen to be straight, white, >middle class, >middle age, and male by any chance would you?
     • Ari 1.2.1

       4 September 2011 at 10:16 pm

       To be fair, the National List arguably doesn’t really represent the middle class either.
       • felix 1.2.1.1

         4 September 2011 at 10:26 pm

         Hence the “>”
2. Monty 2

   4 September 2011 at 7:11 pm

   Big difference is that the Nats will get new blood introduced because they are polling so bloody strongly. When the Nats get 53% there will be quite a bit of new blood. Besides the Nats are in the first of a three or four term government, while labour have guys like Trev, phil, Annette who we are all sick of and need to retire for the good of the labour party.
   • felix 2.1

     4 September 2011 at 7:23 pm

     You taking the piss? Half of this lot were in government over a decade ago.
   • Draco T Bastard 2.2

     4 September 2011 at 7:55 pm

     We all got sick of the current lot of Nats last century.
     • Fermionic Interference 2.2.1

       4 September 2011 at 8:52 pm

       Unfortunately there seem to be a large number of people who’ve forgotten what that was like after a decade of prosperity. . .
       it seems that forgetfulness mixed with naivete is the best description of many NZ voters.
   • Bunji 2.3

     4 September 2011 at 10:37 pm

     You have to get to 57 on the list to get their 4th new face. They really have to get >48% if they want any new blood…
   • mik e 2.4

     5 September 2011 at 10:03 pm

     They don’t have a party like Act to retire to. Where all the miserable has beens can wag smile and waves tale
3. Luva 3

   4 September 2011 at 7:16 pm

   This is quite possibly the most popular government in history. Why would they want to change a team that the public supports. Joe Average is probably still a term, maybe more, from getting tired of these faces.

   Unlike labour in ’05, ’08 and ’11 when they were either in a shit fight to win, or have no chance like now; the nats have a team that they know the public will vote for in huge numbers.

   I agree they should look for new blood to take on the 2014/17 elections when this team will be looking well past it. I hope they start that search the day after this winning line up has got over their election celebrations and hangovers.
   • aotearoean 3.1

     4 September 2011 at 7:27 pm

     Wingnut alert.

     Why put up a team truly representative of NZ when you can put up a bunch of ole white rich boys and rely on Crosby Textor spin to get by?
     • Luva 3.1.1

       4 September 2011 at 7:31 pm

       Put up a team the electorate will vote for.

       It doesn’t matter what colour or sex they are because it’s the multi culture/gender electorate that will pass judgment on the makeup of nationals line up.
       • McFlock 3.1.1.1

         4 September 2011 at 7:46 pm

         Or high poll results (accurate or otherwise) have led to a certain conceit, which will not be endearing to the electorate.
       • Ari 3.1.1.2

         4 September 2011 at 10:21 pm

         There are a surfeit of people who could competently do an MP’s job. National has plenty of options to pick from, and they can find popular people that agree with them in a number of demographics. Why should it be okay just because they happen to be ahead at the moment? Are you implying you’d reconsider whenever National next starts trailing in the polls? Your argument is bizarre.

         Ultimately, it would actually make national more popular to follow this advice- but they won’t, because they don’t really believe that all New Zealanders are equal- just that the rich ones deserve to be so, and that there is a natural upper class.
4. Willie Maley 4

   4 September 2011 at 7:29 pm

   Wow the RWNJs are out super quick on this.
   Luva, you must be dreaming if you think this lot are a multi term government. Please tell me where you see a future for NZ if they are re-elected?
   Because I can’t see one.
5. Anne 5

   4 September 2011 at 7:35 pm

   This is quite possibly the most popular government in history.

   Ahhh yes. And when the penny finally drops, and the chickens come home to roost, and the emperor is finally seen to have no clothes, just think how far they they are going to fall!!! Oh, the fun we shall have… no-holds-barred!
6. gobsmacked 6

   4 September 2011 at 8:22 pm

   When Key took over from Brash, he shifted the party list to the “centre” – at least on the surface. That was the spin, and it was successful.

   But it turns out that was really just a collection of tokens – there was no underlying ideological shift at all.

   If you look at these candidates in more detail, it’s clear that there will be almost no “liberal” Nats in Parliament, post-election. (And even that’s setting the bar very low for “liberal” – e.g. Katherine Rich or Simon Power.)

   Winnable electorate seats have already gone to social conservatives, and the list backs that up. The God squad have done better than anybody vaguely “liberal”. In fact, on social/conscience issues, this lot could have a centre of gravity somewhere to the right of Don Brash and Rodney Hide!

   The focus will be on easily identifiable factors (gender, race etc). But it’s the opinions of the candidates that really matters … and that won’t get much attention, sadly.

   New Zealand is heading for the most right-wing government since 1993. Even without ACT.
   • ropata 6.1

     4 September 2011 at 9:32 pm

     Within National there are a few of the old guard of conservatives who actually hold to real conservative values of maintaining social institutions and oppose radical economic reforms. Sadly these principled beings are diminishing in number. Conservatism used to mean caution, the status quo, and good governance. I think previous governments erred in lowering the drinking age, in allowing the proliferation of casino gambling and neighbourhood booze shops, and allowing floods of cheap imports.

     J.Honkey is the Labour-lite, loveable buffoon. Identity politics while important have overshadowed the more fundamental issues of social dislocation and economic disenfranshisement of large swathes of the population, and I’m sure J.Honkey would love to use other issues as a distraction from his plans to exploit a trusting and hopeful populace, and line his mates’ pockets by liquidating strategic public assets.

     Social conservatism is the veneer to distract from creeping economic neoliberalism.
     • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1

       5 September 2011 at 3:00 am

       J.Honkey is the Labour-lite, loveable buffoon.

       No he’s not – that’s just the mask he puts on to sell National to NZ. There’s a reason, after all, why he got the nickname of Smiling Assassin. In reality he’s hard-core a RWNJ with a huge authoritarian streak.

       …from creeping economic dictatorship.

       FIFY.
7. toad 7

   4 September 2011 at 8:33 pm

   FFS, Tolley, one of the most incompetent Ministers ever, gets promoted. I would have expected on performance she would have been dropped to the low 20s and outside potential Cabinet material. What the hell are they playing at?

   Meanwhile, Amy Adams, who does have political talent, languishes. WTF?
   • Drakula 7.1

     4 September 2011 at 9:04 pm

     Well that’s great Toad ; if they are going to promote the most incompetent they may lose.

     I say let them fall over themselves!!!!

     As for the left I think tht’s it’s sad that the Alliance fell apart, I don’t know what state Anderton is in but can’t an alliance be resurrected?
   • HC 7.2

     4 September 2011 at 11:52 pm

     Seein Parata very incompetently, superficially and generally presenting their mining and resources plans on ‘The Nation’ this morning, you may add her to that list as well. Brian Fallow (Herald columnist) judged her strategy that to be comparable to that of an “earth worm”, if I remember correctly.

     Then do not forget ‘180 degree Paula – the Pudding loving Benefit Bandit’, who a few months ago resolutely opposed payment cards for beneficiaries, but swiftly fell into line after Don Key’s recent policy announcement at National’s conference, then we have yet another incompetent, overstressed “turn-coat” member that fits well into this list.

     Tau Henare is grumpy having been dropped down the list, which is also good for ensuring “unity” in their ranks, I presume.

     Things may start looking up with this line up.
   • tc 7.3

     5 September 2011 at 7:15 am

     It’s got nothing to with competence or political skill, it’s the ability to follow the orders handed down and parrot the CT spin lines you’re given in support of the agenda. Ayatollah excels here.
   • mik e 7.4

     5 September 2011 at 9:58 pm

     Tolley would be the ideal candidate for no 3 on acts list I’m surprised that Tau Henare hasn’t been shoulder tapped they are still looking for a token Maori
8. randal 8

   4 September 2011 at 9:07 pm

   The thing about national is that there seems to be an unlimited supply of vain, pompous, long winded bores ready to fill every vacancy. So it would be very nearly impossible to tell if they had actually replaced anyone or not.
9. Afewknowthetruth 9

   4 September 2011 at 9:24 pm

   National are working on behalf of transnational corporations. Their agenda is to lock societies into perpetual debt slavery and be totally dependent on global corporations for all their needs -energy, water, food, clothing etc.

   National is just a club of opportunists, and they are succeeding beyond the money-lenders wildest dreams: they have created not only the worst financial mess in NZ history, but have also created a society of ‘dumb-arses’ who vote for ever more punishment by the ‘slave-masters’.

   On top of all that, the transnational corporations are orchestrating a complete meltdown of the global environment in their quest for profits at any cost to humanity and the environment.

   To imagine there is any hope for society is to be utterly deluded.

   When it all crashes (almost certainly later this year but definitely before 2015) those who are the least caught up in the madness should fare the best.
   • Bored 9.1

     5 September 2011 at 7:53 am

     First part of prognosis correct, part two (collapse) probably way off: have you not noted that capitalism is just about impossible to extinguish because it relies upon some of the strongest human traits: greed and selfishness, and willingness to do something for oneself at somebody elses expense.

     I suggest collapse will be gradual, painful and extremely drawn out. Bumpy as well. When the system cant deliver basics to the masses death will come as a whimper: can you see Kiwis taking to the streets like Arabs?
10. Irascible 10

    4 September 2011 at 9:59 pm

    This list is like the selectors for professional sporting teams…. recycling the same old few with increased spin to compensate for the lack of talent available for the money invested.
    • tc 10.1

      5 September 2011 at 7:17 am

      And coached by the same old boy faces…..sound familiar?
11. HC 11

    4 September 2011 at 11:33 pm

    “Who needs renewables?”

    This is simply “recycling” National Party style.

    They have no ideas, no plans, no new blood, no suitable or capable candidates and hence they simply recycle that what they are known for. By doing this they can claim to be “green” as well, because lacking ideas and sufficient political expertise, they have lots of green behind their ears.

    This is about the only “recycling” and ecological direction National can and will take. So they must hold their list up high as a shining example.

    It is really exciting to see Madam Paula Benefit Bandit shift up to position 14 on the list now. That indicates that “social welfare” will be a major line of attack that they are planning. Given her propensity to stuff up, have no answers, no solutions and occasionally make a fool of herself, this will be a very nice patch in their line open to successful political attack.

    All the political opponents need to do is see the chance and aim for it.
12. Afewknowthetruth 12

    5 September 2011 at 9:56 am

    Bored.

    Yes, collapse has been drawn out and bumpy. It commenced in the US around 1970 but the fraudulent creation of money, the 9/11 scam, a few wars to stimulate the weapons manufacturing sector and manipulation of the markets held things together till the end of 2007. Since then TARP and QE etc. have made no real difference in terms of propping things up and the slide has been accelerating.

    It’s much the same in Europe. Collapse commenced around 1970. Oil and gas extraction peaked around 2000; a bit of frudulent money creation and manipulation held things together till the end of 2007, and since then there has been an accelerating decline.

    The global peak in oil extraction around 2006 means there must be a worldwide contraction which will accelerate. But it won’t be like the 9/11 demolition job; it will be more like gradual shaking to pieces of Christchurch.

    ‘can you see Kiwis taking to the streets like Arabs?’

    No I can’t, not until their television screens go blank and they cannot watch rugby. Then they will probably be marching in the streets demanding television be re-established. Most Kiwis have had it too good for too long and don’t know what suffering is. They WILL find out within the next four years.

    Having said that, I am meeting increasing numbers of people who have already ‘stopped spending’ because they are being squeezed.

    I believe that once the RWC farce is over TSWHTF, especially now that so many people in high places are saying ‘there’s nothing we can do’ (other than keep looting the till).

    The elites prefer a series of managed crises to one stupendous fall because they can make more profit out of a series of managed crises. However, there will come a point where they will start to lose control. We will then see overt fascism raise its ugly head.
13. ianmac 13

    5 September 2011 at 10:47 am

    What happened to those two great ex All Blacks that were being groomed for office?
    • Mac1 13.1

      6 September 2011 at 6:07 pm

      They weren’t women, able to boost Nationals’ gender deprived list?

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