This Blog has been frequently featured on Bassett Brash and Hide, as well as former ACT MP Muriel Newman's NZ Centre for Political Research. Many folks on the left of Kiwi politics dislike us, especially for calling Grant Robertson, now Vice Chancellor of Otago, "Worst Finance Minister Ever", and arguing he didn't deserve his current position. No government jobs will ever come my way from Labour.
Yesterday we outed the current National Finance Minister for trying to take over the Reserve Bank of NZ of behalf of the Big Banks to get their Capital Requirements relaxed. So this is how National Party supporting KiwiBlog readers now characterize us: "Mr MacCulloch is getting a lot of air time on Newstalk lately. Comes across as a bitter and twisted lefty. Pity help his poor students". We are proud to be labelled a bitter, twisted lefty, and dumped by Bassett, Brash & Hide's Blog because one of its founders disliked an article we ran about historical abuse at Dilworth College. I've been told by National MPs no government jobs will come my way from that Party due to our reporting.
Which gets to the crux of the matter. The National and Labour Parties, in a combined effort, have together driven NZ into division and economic stagnation. Outing them is something we wear as a badge of honor. As for "pitying my poor students" with biased diatribes, last week ACT Leader Seymour explained his view on regulation to them, and in previous years ACT founder Sir Roger Douglas has debated his plans for more economic reform with them. We've also regularly had visits from Labour's David Parker, who outlined his problem with high inequality in NZ and how to address it, and run events on well-being economics with Geen Leader Swarbrick. Maybe National & Labour's leaders & supporters could focus on how to drive prosperity in NZ, rather than promoting their own vested interests via putting their energy into trying to socially and career-wise ruin (yes that's what they're doing) those of us who provide fresh ideas, debates and a clean-out of the old guard, with an even hand.
Which gets to the crux of the matter. The National and Labour Parties, in a combined effort, have together driven NZ into division and economic stagnation. Outing them is something we wear as a badge of honor. As for "pitying my poor students" with biased diatribes, last week ACT Leader Seymour explained his view on regulation to them, and in previous years ACT founder Sir Roger Douglas has debated his plans for more economic reform with them. We've also regularly had visits from Labour's David Parker, who outlined his problem with high inequality in NZ and how to address it, and run events on well-being economics with Geen Leader Swarbrick. Maybe National & Labour's leaders & supporters could focus on how to drive prosperity in NZ, rather than promoting their own vested interests via putting their energy into trying to socially and career-wise ruin (yes that's what they're doing) those of us who provide fresh ideas, debates and a clean-out of the old guard, with an even hand.
Professor Robert MacCulloch holds the Matthew S. Abel Chair of Macroeconomics at Auckland University. He has previously worked at the Reserve Bank, Oxford University, and the London School of Economics. He runs the blog Down to Earth Kiwi from where this article was sourced.
17 comments:
Is the National Party saying they discriminate against NZBORA and the right to seek, have and speak intelligent opinion?.
An answer is required from a National Supporter.
agree Robert
Ha! I've been ranted at by famed Free Speech champion Jerry Coyne, and told to shut up. I was also blocked by my own then-MP, Simon O'Connor, for making what he called tasteless remarks on a National Party selection back in 2020. It was the S Island married MP who sent dick picks to several women. Apparently my commenting on it was worse than his doing it (National eventually had to select someone else).
Don't ever stop Professor. Your blogs are a must read.And you are so very right.
So the Bassett Hide folk and Kiwiblog who do not like cancellation cancel too?
I would have to agree, the output from both major parties is nothing short of pathetic.
No real substantive policies to make the country wealthier. Picking around the edges, going broke and blaming everyone else.
Name the last company to announce a major new factory producing goods and jobs?
I could name many who have closed, leaving a gaping hole in the economy.
Keep up the good work Anon.
They are controlled opposition.
Unfortunately there's a subsequent blog where he says he's shutting down 'downtoearthkiwi' because of the threats and abuse.
I,m sure you are not a quitter Robert {the Bruce}. Your voice continues to be needed, so keep the comments coming please.
Keep up the great work Robert. There are not many sane, intelligent commentators out there. I introduced your blog to a die hard Labour supporter friend --he was both surprised and impressed.
Somehow I missed the comment from anon @1.24 when I made my earlier comment.
Really sorry to read it has come to this, Robert. I read each of your posts and usually came away thinking "How do we get the Prof into Government or a very senior advisory role?" NZ desperately the clear thinking you display. In fact we need a whole group of "Prof Roberts" to get us out of the mess the country is in because there is no one in Wellington putting up their hand with better ideas.
Good luck for the future Robert.
So sorry you are closing down. We do need to support those who speak up. I loved the way you were not anti-Trump( there are probably only a couple of us pro-US commenters here). I suspect you are not pro-Trump either but were at least prepared to not go with the herd mentality. I didn't agree with you on superannuation but feel you had many other really useful insights. Your column was one I read. As for BBH and others they talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
So many writers will opine and moan about our situation. However I always feel they keep their noggin below the parapet. You, Robert, have truly called out people who think they are unaccountable.
I lately have a sense of inevitability or what will be will be.
With Philip Crump returning to NZ I hoped he might become more of a political leader. After all his decrying of co-governance from afar he is now ensconced on the Waitangi Tribunal. Hard to see how that is going to help? Hope springs eternal but I am not sure any more.
I don't have a pitchfork but I have other implements that might come in handy one day.
Lately there has been a change in tone from Robert. The threats and subsequent closing down of his posts explains this behaviour.
How sad we have become that threats are considered normal, debate unacceptable.
Hey call the Finance Minister the C word and you are a hero
Robert - thank you for your insight, your courage, and your integrity. This decision is understandable, but is a sad indictment of the leftist, so-called "elites" in New Zealand who will not engage in open debate.
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