A TONGUE IN CHEEK OPINION
A TONGUE IN CHEEK OPINION – NOT IN ANY WAY TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!
By Neal Catley [Apolitical – Period!]
Trivia Question. Who became Prime Minister 152 years ago, declaring: “I have climbed to the top of the greasy pole?” Answer at the bottom of the page.
We all like to think that the two main political parties have a long term comprehensive workable plan. But, even in the absence of one we imagine one. We join random dots and miraculously see clarity in the political chaos. For now, everyone can project onto government and opposition alike whatever they like. The splodges and splashes create the impression of a plan. The big question is what happens if the inkblot does not match reality? Perhaps, one should politely ask the ex-Minister of Housing for answers and then run like the wind for the hills!
The Green Party [GP] Machine presently seems to be slowly and systematically moving ahead, with irregular and frequent bursts of annoyance cum sledging from New Zealand First. Notwithstanding that, the GP leader is an astute and well-read politician and together with an assured and enthusiastic team should be able to sail the GP Naval Whaler across the September election finishing line, albeit, trailing an unwanted NZF sea anchor, with green SMILEY ‘five to six percentage flags’ fluttering in light winds. Time will tell.
Sacked, Promoted, Shunted, Returned, Sacked, Promoted, Returned – appears to be the living life of a New Zealand First [NZF] politician.
On the face of it, it seems NZF is the political equivalent of a Rorschach inkblot test. That is, looking at 10 ambiguous inkblot images and saying what they see in the future. What one sees in their manifesto sprawl tells us more about ourselves than it does actually about what NZF is trying to do. No question their leader is an extremely intelligent and very experienced politician who is able to deftly duck and weave his way out of seemingly impossible situations. Make no mistake NZF are an ambitious and determined team led by a Titan muscular cabal and, as such, the ‘top drawer racehorse politician’ may well, despite denials, gallop alongside a different shade of political leader in September. On the other hand, it will be of no surprise to many should the current status quo remain.
There is also a risk that individual Party election campaigns will be dominated by big, shiny things that excite Party Senior Advisers and Joe and Josephine public. Also, there will be a lot of noise, and we will all hear in the noise what we want to hear. For instance, building big things, putting rockets into space, running the country by an algorithm. But running a country, rather than a campaign, is about a heck-of-a-lot more than that. There are boring, unsexy bits and bucket upon bucket loads of stuff that need to be addressed. And, fixing those unsexy bits and boring stuff without delay or silly excuses will surely define the way ahead and prosperity of our country.
LAUGH OUT LOUD AND OFTEN AS IT’S THE BEST-KNOWN LIFE
PRESERVING MEDICINE!
Answer: Benjamin Disraeli.