But seriously, I'd like to see the following:

-3% threshold
-No coat-tailing for parties that win electorates but don't reach 3%
-List rankings according to electorate vote performance (though each party gets to nominate a leader and a deputy, or two co-leaders)

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^^^what an intelligent comment.

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Exactly if enough people vote for them that they earn a seat, then they deserve that seat. It means clearly enough people hold the same beliefs that they do.

Also good luck trying to get much of a say with 1 seat, well unless your name is Jim Anderton or Peter Dunne. Plus i hardly doubt if we did allow that our parliament would all of a sudden be swamped with 1 person parties.

Quick edit for Shazzas 2nd post, we don't agree with much but i have to say they aren't bad ideas.

Obviously common sense prevails as shown by your 3% threshold criteria

So... Labour/Act eh...

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NZPWI: Survivor 2012! Who will be the sole survivor?

Nah. If it was 1996 Richard Prebble ACT, possibly.

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^^^what an intelligent comment.

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It would never happen, but I do agree with the odd ACT policy.

Policies Brash agrees with, that Banks doesn't I gather?

I do support some of their socially liberal stuff.

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^^^what an intelligent comment.

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Ha yes that, but much the same in term of their liberal social policies. Which is why I found it funny there was such an outrage over the whole thing, if you look at what ACT is about it actually fits perfectally into their policy.

There economic policies however are enough to make me want to see them gone from parliament, oh and don't get me started on their arse backward crime & justice policies.

For anyone interested, here's the opening addresses thus far:

National: http://youtu.be/m46wbNdc0R0

Labour: http://youtu.be/MN5DZC4MimQ

Green: http://youtu.be/csuQcYa4nxo


Gotta really ask "what were National thinking?!?" I haven't heard a single positive comment about that ad, even from National supporters!

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Are there aliens? There better be aliens.

F**k off, Brock, f**k off.

I dunno what that shit was on Nightline, but it was horrendous. Not gonna bother clicking those.

Compulsory Kiwisaver is def bullshit... I also don't like people organising the money I earn for me either. It's what I've been used to for many many years. Pretty sure they just want our money now to get the country out of debt... and apparently people are living longer so that's what they spiel. Which is true but not the only reason?

Drink everything Key says 'actually' in this debate.

And drink every time Goff talks over Key.

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I enjoyed the Halloween line from John.

Key always says 'actually a lot. Fuck totlly forgot it was on, bull shit they don't have the one with the minor party leaders these days, lost respect for both parties around that whole debacle.

Missed the first 30 mins (Shortland st obv), the next hour was pretty much 50 mins to Key, 10 mins to Goff.

Thought Goff ended pretty well, but really should stay away from the childish attacks. Don't think the undecided voters would appreciate that too much?

<3 Elections.

Fucking gutted I have TWO parties that night. Seriously, I'd rather sit at home and watch the election coverage! /geek.

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NZPWI: Survivor 2012! Who will be the sole survivor?

Goff showed good restrain in not just straight up hitting Key for some of his bullshit, I would've jumped him by the end of that the smug bastard.

Goof (typo...but ill leave it as is) was just constantly attacking Key to hide the fact that he has no idea what he's doing. Key was being smug, but at least had some semblance of a plan.

Would prefer a Key vs Cunliffe debate.

In the end it's kinda irrelavant, rich white guys trying to say they understand how it is for real people. Once someone comes out and says they'll cut all politicians perks and put the money to better use, then I'll really listen...

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Can't say I'm overly impressed with Key's plan to 'modernise' schools with the money from asset sales.

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That is a bit random...kinda reeks of 'I know no one likes this idea...but we're going to do it for the KIDS!'

I do like the bit about welfare reform that he talked about - where they pay the rent/power etc, but then get a card for all the other stuff that can't be used for smokes or alcohol. Should have been done YEARS ago. There will be work arounds Im sure - and people screwing the system again, but its a start. Just waiting for the usual 'YOU'RE BENEFICIARY BASHING!' line to be rolled out yet again.

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Just take the benefit away tbqh. #fascistdictator

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2009/2011 Forumer of the Year


SAVE THE FORUM!

Yeah definitely that's pissed me off for a long time.

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Have any of you ever been on the benefit? People seem to make it a lot more glamarous then it is, it is scraping by with barely enough to live (and that was for me who has quite low expenses, i can't imagine what it would be like for somebody with higher amount of bills). The fact is most people on there are people who are just in a transitional phase and aren't dole bludgeors as people like to make out, it is humiliating enough for most people to even be on the dole let alone then being told what they can and can't buy with it like some sort of child. Benefit policies should not be based on the presumption that everyone is a crook, when it is only a small minority. I mean if you are a smoker and you lose your job, you work your arse off to try find a new one but it often takes time, what are you expected to all of a sudden just quit smoking cold turkey, i can tell you now there wouldn't be much money after bills in that benefit cheque for smokes as it is anyway.

How could common sense be seen as beneficary bashing??

With no cash in their pockets it may lead to some of the "career beneficaries" to get off their arse's and actually get a job...ZOMG MAKING THEM WORK FOR THEIR MONEY, THATS JUST EVIL!!!

And yes people will find some way around it..pity they don't use their brains for finding ways to get OFF a benefit rather than using their brains for finding ways to screw the system.

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Like i said these 'career beneficaries' people like to go on about are few and far between and not who policy should be aimed at, case managers should be aimed at them as there is already policy in place.

I never have been but I know people who are and I know that just because this person spat out 5 kids her and her useless 'partner' are able to sit at home all day 'raising their children', 3 of whom are in school all day, while there are people out there who are juggling jobs and kids and who make less money per week than the government dishes out to this person I know.

I respect the fact that life is not easy on the dole for a lot of people but why should it be. There are so many ridiculous ways that the government just hands out money to these people. The dole should be seen as the last resort, instead it's just the default option for people that can't be fucked doing anything and it's bullshit.

And yes they do have to quit smoking cold turkey if they want free money, or else they can pay for it out of their own pocket, not the government. If you are on the dole and struggling to pay bills, feed your children etc., then obviously you haven't got $15 spare for a pack of smokes.

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I dont know where you live 1oak, but you need to take a trip to Porirua to see a culture of laziness and entitlement to the dole. Im sure there are plenty of people who use the dole as a transitional thing between jobs - but a LOT of people use it as a lifestyle. Have 5 adults living in 1 house - rent is paid easy, food is covered and the rest they piss/smoke away.

I remember talking to a cleaning lady in my old job and she had 4 sons all living at home with her - they didn't want to work, so they get the dole and have HP on TVs, stereos, PS3s etc. She told me she tries to get them to work, but they don't think they should have too. To her credit, she got one of them a job working with her - but he'd always come in going on about how hammered he'd been the night before.

I almost went on the benefit out of uni when I found it impossible to find a 'decent' job. I went into WINZ and through the whole seminar thing they do...at the end of that I walked out and thought 'fuck that' and got a shitty retail job that paid fuck all.

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When Swanny stands for the elections he has my vote!!

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