Let’s assume, for the purpose of making the article a little light hearted, that Jack Tame had invited her on to celebrate her fifth birthday and the budget was in the form of a birthday cake. Chloë also came loaded with a bunch of gifts for everyone to celebrate the occasion. These gifts were mainly to ensure we were able to lead healthy lives. (Unfortunately, the word healthy could not be used to describe the answers Jack was getting to his questions).
A five-year-old would indeed think the gifts were free, not realising that somewhere along the line they had to be paid for. The irony, which of course would be lost on a five-year-old, was that the recipients of her free gifts were the ones who paid for them in the form of excessive taxes. This realisation, when it became evident, rather lessened the sweetness of the cake – as if someone had forgotten to ice it.
Jack’s attempts to slice up the cake to find out how it was baked were to little avail. Chloë was very excited that a cake that was so rich in the goodness it contained for everyone could be produced so cheaply. She gave the example, which she said her bakers/accountants could verify, that light rail could be baked in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for no more than 12 billion dollars. She gave no details as to how.
Chloë said that, under the present economic regime, there were 196 New Zealanders leaving the country every day. When Jack questioned what would happen if all those with money decided to leave the country under her avalanche of taxes, she said that had been accounted for but was unable to provide figures as to how. When asked if she had changed her numbers re the effect capital flight would have on the economy, she couldn’t answer that either. She said she’d have to come back on that which, after Sunday’s effort, is the last thing we, and probably Jack, want.
Chloë then tried to excuse her ignorance of the details of her own piece of culinary excellence by saying how complex and fulsome it was. She got that bit right, so much so that we’d all be better off without it. Jack, maybe referring to a five-year-old’s perception, told her that if she wanted to be adult and serious she should have the facts. She did have one fact: people, after paying all the taxes she was burdening them with, would be paying less tax. I’m not sure how that works. False accounting springs to mind.
In terms of the inheritance tax, Jack asked how that would affect farmers handing their farms down from generation to generation. This is straight from the playbook of Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor, who has seen a huge revolt by farmers protesting her tax that will likely put them out of business. Chloë, not wanting this to spoil her day, said she is looking forward to meeting farmers around the country, having a discussion and hearing their concerns. Dollars to donuts she’ll be talking to herself.
It became increasingly obvious throughout the interview that, like the budget Rachel Reeves produced, it is based purely on ideology with no work whatsoever done as to what the consequences might be and how they might be mitigated. Chloë is saying, ‘Here’s our budget: now let’s have a conversation with everyone to see where the fishhooks are.’
As for Jack, I think he concluded that her budget, in culinary terms, was a half-baked fruit cake made in fantasyland. Too many cooks in the kitchen not knowing what they are doing. A Stuff poll revealed the majority were suffering from indigestion, showing just how inedible it is. Rather than blowing out the candles, Chloë would blow up the economy. To be fair, you wouldn’t expect a five-year-old to be able to work that out.
JC is a right-wing crusader. Reached an age that embodies the dictum only the good die young. This article was first published HERE
Jack’s attempts to slice up the cake to find out how it was baked were to little avail. Chloë was very excited that a cake that was so rich in the goodness it contained for everyone could be produced so cheaply. She gave the example, which she said her bakers/accountants could verify, that light rail could be baked in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for no more than 12 billion dollars. She gave no details as to how.
Chloë said that, under the present economic regime, there were 196 New Zealanders leaving the country every day. When Jack questioned what would happen if all those with money decided to leave the country under her avalanche of taxes, she said that had been accounted for but was unable to provide figures as to how. When asked if she had changed her numbers re the effect capital flight would have on the economy, she couldn’t answer that either. She said she’d have to come back on that which, after Sunday’s effort, is the last thing we, and probably Jack, want.
Chloë then tried to excuse her ignorance of the details of her own piece of culinary excellence by saying how complex and fulsome it was. She got that bit right, so much so that we’d all be better off without it. Jack, maybe referring to a five-year-old’s perception, told her that if she wanted to be adult and serious she should have the facts. She did have one fact: people, after paying all the taxes she was burdening them with, would be paying less tax. I’m not sure how that works. False accounting springs to mind.
In terms of the inheritance tax, Jack asked how that would affect farmers handing their farms down from generation to generation. This is straight from the playbook of Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor, who has seen a huge revolt by farmers protesting her tax that will likely put them out of business. Chloë, not wanting this to spoil her day, said she is looking forward to meeting farmers around the country, having a discussion and hearing their concerns. Dollars to donuts she’ll be talking to herself.
It became increasingly obvious throughout the interview that, like the budget Rachel Reeves produced, it is based purely on ideology with no work whatsoever done as to what the consequences might be and how they might be mitigated. Chloë is saying, ‘Here’s our budget: now let’s have a conversation with everyone to see where the fishhooks are.’
As for Jack, I think he concluded that her budget, in culinary terms, was a half-baked fruit cake made in fantasyland. Too many cooks in the kitchen not knowing what they are doing. A Stuff poll revealed the majority were suffering from indigestion, showing just how inedible it is. Rather than blowing out the candles, Chloë would blow up the economy. To be fair, you wouldn’t expect a five-year-old to be able to work that out.
JC is a right-wing crusader. Reached an age that embodies the dictum only the good die young. This article was first published HERE
3 comments:
With a nod to Hon Chris Bishop, I move this debate is adjourned .
Sadly, there are many " like minded " people within New Zealand, who follow the zeal of the Green Party, applaud the righteousness of the verbal & written word, believing that " their way is the right and only way " , protest on matters pertaining to The Planet, but when asked what alternative solutions they can offer - there is silence.
If we in New Zealand have issue, just look West at Australia and look at who has taken control of the Green Party there - they now have their own (version) of Chloe Swarbrick.
I find it amazing, when you ask anyone on the History & Origins of Green party, particularly in Europe, from which our ' humble lot evolved' - you get blank stares. Odd that, but they " agree with many things they say and do and vote for them"!
And here I thought Kamala Harris was the only one when speaking - the end product being " word salads".
Isn't this article a little harsh on 5 year-olds?
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