Actually, people should vote for the member of the coalition that would take a potential government in the direction they want. For some people who want a Labour-led coalition, that will be Labour. For others it will be the Greens. For some it will be the Progressives, even. And for some it may just be New Zealand First.

And for those on the Maori roll, it could well be the Maori Party

Big Bro- the MSM have avoided in-depth analysis of ANY party. They’re not interested if it doesn’t involve shifts of allegiance. One suspects they view politics more like a soap opera than an actual contest for where to take our country for the next few years.

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No one claims that that the state of the economy will not influence what we’d do next term. And just like us, the other parties have programmes larger than they can afford. The main difference is what our relative priorities are. Even if we have to move at 10% of the pace we’d like, this is still better than heading in the opposite direction.

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Be careful what you wish for Frog.

The first question they will ask is “how can you afford this”, the answer must be “to raise taxes”.
I am sure that the voters need to know that Sue B plans to substantially raise the dole and DPB benefits.

I am sure they public need to know just how badly our economy will be hammered if we ever embrace the Greens version of the ETS.

You guys might even be asked to cost a policy or two.

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Bring on the blow torch I say. I would love the MSM to take a serious look at the Greens and their policies instead of the myopic name calling that they (and you BB) engage in. Bring it on I say!!!!

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Valis

The people might know that the Greens are going to go with Labour but that is years away from “knowing what they are likely to get”

For some reason the MSM have always avoided any in depth analysis of the Greens, one can only hope that their rise in the polls will see the blow torch applied and the many myth’s behind the Greens are exposed.

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National formed a govt in 1996 with 33.8%, Labour in 1999 with 38.7. Yes, they were the largest party, but coalitions are what matter in MMP. That is the entire point. You’re still thinking FFP. Overseas there have been stable governments where the largest party is not in govt. What matters is what majority is formed. This is also why the Greens feel it is important to state a preference before the election, so that people know what they are likely to get.

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Helen Clark is probably trying to maximise the labour vote. It is all very well for Labour to form a government with only 35% support, but I doubt the electorate would stand for it, particularly given the mood for change that people keep talking about.

So the environmentalists should not take too much of Labour’s vote…

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frog,

Is it that scary that tangata whenua are recognised?</blockquote

No not al all, in fact all factions should celebrate their status.

What is scary is that your interpretation of recognition bestows priviledge and benefits to one sector of the population. Based on past grievences and guilt trips. Will the Greens publish a plan on how all treaty claims can be settled and the Maori seats actually be abolished?

One question you may be able to answer is this

If Maori sovereignty was to be realised and incorporated in a seperatist parliament. Would you see the abolition of the Maori seats in this current “others” parliament?

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Frog

“Would that be a road too far? Is it that scary that tangata whenua are recognised?”

What is scary is the desire of the Greens to inflict their guilty conscious on the rest of us.

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oww, toad that hurt

It the left Cobble together a coalition it will be the death Nell for MMP in this country
and there would be another election in under 18 months

I kind of hope it happens

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I’m a born New Zealander = I am Tangata Whenua. That’s not scary, oh but wait, then we don’t have race as a criteria to be a ‘real’ kiwi and we don’t have racist seats.

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Samiam – and what if the Maori seats were given just the equivalent protection under the law, where it required a 75% majority to kill them rather than a simple majority? Would that be a road too far? Is it that scary that tangata whenua are recognised?

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Only to have the brown party hold everyone to ransom to entrench rights for one class of New Zealanders over another…

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