Right-wing economists are telling us what kind of society we can have. We should decide what kind of society we want, and tell the economists to figure our how to achieve it.
Bryan, I'm also disturbed by the damage, actually evilness of 'student loans'. Education should be a human right in NZ, like other countries where education is free, benefiting the whole country not a commodity. The wealthy can pay for their kids. We have a situation where it's the children and grandchildren, of the 'mother of all budgets' or intergenerational poverty who are worst affected. No jobs, so had to go overseas. There are evidently 80,000 Kiwis overseas labelled as student loan defaulters! Made to feel like criminals...A system that should never ever have been set up in the first place. The 'business of student loans' has priority not education or our young. 80,000 fellow kiwis can't be wrong!!
It's why I vote Green. The charter puts Te Tiriti at the top with the four principles of environmental wisdom, social responsibility, appropriate decision-making and non-violence as the foundation of all policy.
Just thinking…If we could get a young game designer to design a computer game to illustrate the morals or lack of and the benefits or lack of in various approaches to running a society (it would need to be a clever and appealing game) perhaps it would be a good way to encourage belief in our ability as a society to change the motivations. We need people to see then believe we have a viable alternative. Thank you as always Bryan.
A lot of those (in power) who got on to the ladder were quick to pull the ladder up behind them - think Jonkey and Paula Benefit in the last National government
Yes. We are now in the time of the grandchildren of the market. Two generations of inculcated selfishness.
Played out this week. In cafe child making horrendous noise, under 5, could not hear conversation with my friend, asked mother to quiet her child. Her responsibility to socialise her offspring. She had no idea about the social contract and attacked me. She even went so far as saying the child was only 2 years old. As if this child could not learn given considered and repeated instruction. She failed to understand children do the greatest amount of learning from 1-7.
We have a big job ahead of us, the selfishness is so deep. Society is so ME.
2 weeks go we attended our middle daughter's graduation from AUT , a group behind us had a 2 or 3 yr old with them that talked/made noises through the whole event and not once did it's mother say sush or similar , my wife pointed out to me as were leaving that we have a generation that seem to let their children behave as they wish...
it's a bit of a worry, neither my wife or myself would have let one of our children carry on like that and spoil the experience for those around us. My parents would never have stood for that I can tell you.
Yes Peter, my brothers and I would never ever been enabled to behave like that. In fact, we were so well-behaved Mum and Dad would receive thanks from restaurant staff. If I had children that same would apply. That is respect, care and kindness to others.
Seeing, judging and acting from one's own bubble is the embodiment of ME. Tolerance, acceptance and the embracing of differences are the foundations for WE.
Aotearoa has no collective core, no WE on which to focus. Forty years of neoliberal (and now libertarian) ideology, mass immigration, and the rights of the individual have combined to blow apart any unifying ideal.
And importantly, talk of some ideal WE prior to the 80s needs a wilful blindness to the Anglo-dominance, forced conformity and state abuse of the non-compliant.
The history of these South Pacific islands is littered with examples of one dominant group exploiting another; prior to and throughout the last 200 years of white supremacy colonisation.
Utopia does not exist. But perhaps the vision of a multi-cultural society built on principles embodied in a Maori worldview (rather than the current non-Maori) could be a starting point.
It needs to be all of us together. Neo liberalism is greed based & so is virtually the opposite of that. The damage it's done both here & in other countries must be healed.
That's likely to take a long time but the sooner we start, the better. What's desperately needed is a system which is fair to everyone, not one which discriminates against those on a low income & makes things far harder than they need to be.
It wasn't always like this. It does not have to be like this.
And I too will be once again voting Green - with luck, they won't all have been chucked out of parliament for speaking the truth....
I am sure some economist has drawn up a model of the predicted tax collected from a Residential Capital Gains Tax vs a Residential Land Tax . It would be interesting to see the difference if such taxes had been taken over the previous 10 years .
This would need to include the administration costs of both .
Anyone know if such an observation has been done ?
Brilliant Bryan. Sure suicide is not ‘ caused ‘ by neoliberalism , but Neoliberalism sure the hell exasperates it . “Looking back, it seems to me it was no accident that three years after the introduction of neoliberal economics into our country the rate at which young people were killing themselves was soaring, because our society was in a state of flux.” Is right on the nail. In a state of flux? Or people felt less valued ?? I believe it’s the latter as is seen in blatant form in our present Coalition … I’m not splitting hairs but by my 64 years of observation, work in the education, corporate and social sectors in my life, the impact is extreme.
I wish we could get your posts and documentaries back on main stream media, or reach more swaying voters . I really see you as the voice of conscience and very much appreciate you dedication to pursuing your path.
The Australians worked out how to have an equitable Capital Gains Tax......as well as a tax-fee threshold of A$18,200.00, GST of 10% - with exemptions on fresh food and Government agency charges such as Council Rates - why cannot this country?
I would vote Red, if there were a Red party in this country. It is the only political ideology that really works for all. And it will take a revolution.
This is such an important read, Bryan. The soaring mental health statistics and those heartbreaking suicide rates are an indictment on the decline of community. So many of them are struggling to see a world in which they will have a decent job, own a home, and live in caring, supportive communities. On top of that they are seeing a world that gives power to extremely wealthy, that believes in exploitation of people and environment, a world that does nothing when they see genocide happening. And we wonder why they lose hope. The fight for a return to the values of “community” is essential if they are to survive and flourish going forward.
As a nursing lecturer, I’ve used your documentaries in my Public Health classes to show students how neoliberal reforms weakened our health system. They could see how this set the stage for today’s overstretched social services—and how, if nothing changes, we risk sliding further into health service privatisation, with all the social erosion, poverty, and preventable deaths that follow.
I can remember after the 80s crash an interview on the radio & the do called expert telling people you don't need to buy a house just rent one it will be fine I was appalled by that statement as there has never been security in renting. Also after the crash people were encouraged to invest in houses not businesses so adding fire to the flames.
Bryan, I'm also disturbed by the damage, actually evilness of 'student loans'. Education should be a human right in NZ, like other countries where education is free, benefiting the whole country not a commodity. The wealthy can pay for their kids. We have a situation where it's the children and grandchildren, of the 'mother of all budgets' or intergenerational poverty who are worst affected. No jobs, so had to go overseas. There are evidently 80,000 Kiwis overseas labelled as student loan defaulters! Made to feel like criminals...A system that should never ever have been set up in the first place. The 'business of student loans' has priority not education or our young. 80,000 fellow kiwis can't be wrong!!
It's why I vote Green. The charter puts Te Tiriti at the top with the four principles of environmental wisdom, social responsibility, appropriate decision-making and non-violence as the foundation of all policy.
Voting Green .. 👍
Voting Green 👍
Green vote 🗳
Just thinking…If we could get a young game designer to design a computer game to illustrate the morals or lack of and the benefits or lack of in various approaches to running a society (it would need to be a clever and appealing game) perhaps it would be a good way to encourage belief in our ability as a society to change the motivations. We need people to see then believe we have a viable alternative. Thank you as always Bryan.
That's a great idea, like some of the amazing graphic novels on social justice, climate change, racism etc...
Exactly Bryan.
Ganesh Nana has written at length on the need for change and the post below sets out a base for an alternative social contract:
https://open.substack.com/pub/ganeshnana/p/whats-the-deal?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2nzl7
I agree the Greens have the right attitude, even if as Chloe recognises, they may have been a bit zealous in the past.
I see the Opportunities Party is looking for a new leader if somebody is looking for a slightly more central platform.
A lot of those (in power) who got on to the ladder were quick to pull the ladder up behind them - think Jonkey and Paula Benefit in the last National government
Paula benefit made me bloody angry , a dreadful person.
Yes. We are now in the time of the grandchildren of the market. Two generations of inculcated selfishness.
Played out this week. In cafe child making horrendous noise, under 5, could not hear conversation with my friend, asked mother to quiet her child. Her responsibility to socialise her offspring. She had no idea about the social contract and attacked me. She even went so far as saying the child was only 2 years old. As if this child could not learn given considered and repeated instruction. She failed to understand children do the greatest amount of learning from 1-7.
We have a big job ahead of us, the selfishness is so deep. Society is so ME.
2 weeks go we attended our middle daughter's graduation from AUT , a group behind us had a 2 or 3 yr old with them that talked/made noises through the whole event and not once did it's mother say sush or similar , my wife pointed out to me as were leaving that we have a generation that seem to let their children behave as they wish...
Yes, Peter, laissez-faire parenting. What will these children be like when they enter the new entrants class!
it's a bit of a worry, neither my wife or myself would have let one of our children carry on like that and spoil the experience for those around us. My parents would never have stood for that I can tell you.
Yes Peter, my brothers and I would never ever been enabled to behave like that. In fact, we were so well-behaved Mum and Dad would receive thanks from restaurant staff. If I had children that same would apply. That is respect, care and kindness to others.
Some people who have children think their only responsibility is to have them & then the rest is up to teachers pretty pathetic.
Yes, they fail to understand, the parent is the leader, the model, the initial teacher and all the rest of it.
Exactly 💯
Seeing, judging and acting from one's own bubble is the embodiment of ME. Tolerance, acceptance and the embracing of differences are the foundations for WE.
The situation reads as a clash of ME vs ME.
Aotearoa has no collective core, no WE on which to focus. Forty years of neoliberal (and now libertarian) ideology, mass immigration, and the rights of the individual have combined to blow apart any unifying ideal.
And importantly, talk of some ideal WE prior to the 80s needs a wilful blindness to the Anglo-dominance, forced conformity and state abuse of the non-compliant.
The history of these South Pacific islands is littered with examples of one dominant group exploiting another; prior to and throughout the last 200 years of white supremacy colonisation.
Utopia does not exist. But perhaps the vision of a multi-cultural society built on principles embodied in a Maori worldview (rather than the current non-Maori) could be a starting point.
It needs to be all of us together. Neo liberalism is greed based & so is virtually the opposite of that. The damage it's done both here & in other countries must be healed.
That's likely to take a long time but the sooner we start, the better. What's desperately needed is a system which is fair to everyone, not one which discriminates against those on a low income & makes things far harder than they need to be.
It wasn't always like this. It does not have to be like this.
And I too will be once again voting Green - with luck, they won't all have been chucked out of parliament for speaking the truth....
So right Bryan . Thanks again .
I am sure some economist has drawn up a model of the predicted tax collected from a Residential Capital Gains Tax vs a Residential Land Tax . It would be interesting to see the difference if such taxes had been taken over the previous 10 years .
This would need to include the administration costs of both .
Anyone know if such an observation has been done ?
Very thought-provoking article, followed by thought-provoking comments – very interesting reading this morning – thank you to all!
Brilliant Bryan. Sure suicide is not ‘ caused ‘ by neoliberalism , but Neoliberalism sure the hell exasperates it . “Looking back, it seems to me it was no accident that three years after the introduction of neoliberal economics into our country the rate at which young people were killing themselves was soaring, because our society was in a state of flux.” Is right on the nail. In a state of flux? Or people felt less valued ?? I believe it’s the latter as is seen in blatant form in our present Coalition … I’m not splitting hairs but by my 64 years of observation, work in the education, corporate and social sectors in my life, the impact is extreme.
I wish we could get your posts and documentaries back on main stream media, or reach more swaying voters . I really see you as the voice of conscience and very much appreciate you dedication to pursuing your path.
Thank you once again
The Australians worked out how to have an equitable Capital Gains Tax......as well as a tax-fee threshold of A$18,200.00, GST of 10% - with exemptions on fresh food and Government agency charges such as Council Rates - why cannot this country?
I would vote Red, if there were a Red party in this country. It is the only political ideology that really works for all. And it will take a revolution.
Anarcho-communism rather than Stalinism
Rather Christian Socialism.
So not really red and not for all. A far cry from anarcho-communism.
My first response, which somehow didn't get reported here, favoured Trotsky. I see world socialism as he does, and Christian Socialism is compatible.
This is such an important read, Bryan. The soaring mental health statistics and those heartbreaking suicide rates are an indictment on the decline of community. So many of them are struggling to see a world in which they will have a decent job, own a home, and live in caring, supportive communities. On top of that they are seeing a world that gives power to extremely wealthy, that believes in exploitation of people and environment, a world that does nothing when they see genocide happening. And we wonder why they lose hope. The fight for a return to the values of “community” is essential if they are to survive and flourish going forward.
As a nursing lecturer, I’ve used your documentaries in my Public Health classes to show students how neoliberal reforms weakened our health system. They could see how this set the stage for today’s overstretched social services—and how, if nothing changes, we risk sliding further into health service privatisation, with all the social erosion, poverty, and preventable deaths that follow.
I can remember after the 80s crash an interview on the radio & the do called expert telling people you don't need to buy a house just rent one it will be fine I was appalled by that statement as there has never been security in renting. Also after the crash people were encouraged to invest in houses not businesses so adding fire to the flames.