Politicians--Why We Hold Them In Such Low Regard

Over-egging the Pudding

The Labour Party has announced some new initiatives about the internet.  If it is elected to government, Nanny will provide internet access to all human souls in the country.  It will become part of a government guarantee.  How do we know this?  Because Labour is promising to do the very same. 

Citizens will have their access to the internet guaranteed . . .

What will that mean?  Don't know really.  Hints are contained later in the grand policy announcement:

Accessing the internet is now an essential part of modern life. Labour will explore means of increasing public internet access –such as through libraries and Wi-Fi hotspots – to ensure all Kiwis can go online when they need to.

Wait a minute.  Exploring means of  increasing access to the internet is not a guarantee of access.

Leopards and Their Spots

Remember the Hawkes Bay Health Board

Karl Du Fresne is a journalist who has seen many winters.  He has a long memory.  He recently wrote the following piece on new Labour leader, David Cunliffe: 

NEW Labour Leader David Cunliffe is getting good notices, even from those at the opposite end of the political spectrum, such as former ACT leader Rodney Hide. But I'm withholding judgment. I decided I disliked Mr Cunliffe when, as health minister in the Clark government, he sacked the democratically elected Hawke's Bay District Health Board, describing them as "a nasty little nest of self-perpetuating provincial elites".

He struck me then as a politician who liked to throw his weight around just because he could.  Nothing since then has changed my view of him.