Key’s Hollow Promise On Winston

John Key has stated that Winston Peters will not be a Minister in a National-lead government unless he can give a “credible explanation” for the discrepancies between his version of events surrounding the Owen Glen affair, and the letter from Owen Glen himself. Of course, this is just a hollow promise and hopefully the electorate will see it for that.

Firstly, one can never rule Winston Peters out, and there is always the possibility that he will hold the balance of power after the election. It is unlikely that the Greens and the Maori Party will support a National government, so if National is left without enough support to take the Treasury benches it is highly unlikely they will forgo the opportunity simply because Key made some half-hearted pledge not to work with Winston.

Secondly, Key has left himself an out. As long as Winston can provide a “credible” explanation, then there are no barriers to him joining a National Cabinet. Going by what passes as “credible” within the National Party these days, it shouldn’t be hard for Winston to meet this test.

Thirdly, ruling out working with Winston does not necessarily rule out working with New Zealand First.

Key is obviously trying to take some sort of moral high ground in this whole affair but, like anything that comes from his Crosby-Textor handbook, it is simply a façade to gain public confidence. Key might well be cutting of his nose to spite his face.   

 

Powered by Qumana

Kiwiblog And Cows

Kiwiblog has this rather entertaining post using cows to explain economic models:

SOCIALISM: You have 2 cows.You give one to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM: You have 2 cows. The State takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM: You have 2 cows, The State takes both and sells you some milk..

NAZISM: You have 2 cows. The State takes both and shoots you.

BUREAUCRATISM: You have 2 cows. The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away…

A FRENCH CORPORATION: You have two cows. You go on strike, organise a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.

Noting that capitalism is missing, I think the following should be included in the interests of fairness:

CAPITALISM: You own pretty much all of the cows. In an effort to avoid tax, one of them is taken to Wellington to shit all over the steps of Parliament.

 

 

Powered by Qumana