This is disgraceful:
A visiting economist has accused Finance Minister Bill English of “bullying” and “menace” after a heated encounter in a TV studio.
London School of Economics Professor Robert Wade said Mr English made a stabbing motion with his finger towards his chest and berated him in between their separate appearances on TVNZ’s Q + A programme at the weekend. There was no physical contact.
Mr English disagreed with his remarks on inequality and capital gains tax and warned him “Don’t you say that again”, Prof Wade said.
“I was surprised by the sort of menace in his voice,” the academic said yesterday. “He was like a schoolmaster and he sort of jabbed his finger in the direction of my chest like a school master wagging the finger. I just thanked him for his kind advice and proceeded on out.” …
So, threatening gestures (like Key’s throat-slitting) rather than actual physical aggression (like Gerry Brownlee). But to a visiting academic? English is losing it.
A spokesman for Mr English said he rejected claims he was bullying or menacing.
Well he would, wouldn’t he.
“Professor Wade’s suggestions are nonsense. Mr English simply pointed out that he was wrong to say the Government was making policy for 1 to 2 per cent of the population and that those comments were offensive.
Professor Wade is not wrong at all. The Nat’s policies are benefiting the top 1 or 2%, and pretty much no one else. Here’s Bernard Hickey:
NZ shares a big problem with the US and Europe. Our household sectors are still heavily indebted and incomes in the middle and lower income groups are barely above where they were five or six years ago.
Figures this week show NZ’s real per capita GDP is still 1.3 per cent below 2007′s. Most of the gains in any economic recovery have gone to the top few per cent of the population
National’s major policy this term has been asset sales, which – guess what – benefited only a tiny few:
“National’s myth that it sold Mighty River Power to ordinary New Zealanders has been well and truly busted. John Key’s ‘mums and dad investors’ line was a con,” said Dr Norman.
“The truth is that 98 percent of New Zealanders bought no shares at all. Half the retail shares went to just 0.3 percent of the population, and a tiny group of just 400 wealthy individuals and organisations got 10 percent of the retail shares.
Here’s some other reading for Bill English:
NZ inequality at highest level
Economic growth still benefiting only a few
Inequality growing fastest in NZ – OECD
Tax cuts: High earners set to benefit most
Times tough but not for Nats’ friends
It shouldn’t be just the rich getting richer
and so on and so on.
This National government is about one thing – enriching the rich. But the truth sure does make them angry.
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