“Nanny State” V.2.0 — courtesy of the NATs — and the spin excusing it!

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Editorial: Key going way of the nanny state

The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Over the past three or four years, John Key and his colleagues revelled in lambasting their counterparts on the Treasury benches for creating a "nanny state".

Light bulbs, shower heads, school tuck shops, even smacking — each was a new weapon with which to attack prime minister Helen Clark and her Cabinet in the run-up to the 2008 election.

They were successful. Labour was booted from office last November and Miss Clark's successor, Phil Goff, contritely apologised last month for each of those policies and more, at the party's first post-election conference, even though he should have been proud, not sorry, at the outcome of the smacking debate.

Despite National's pooh-poohing of nanny statism, Mr Key has nonetheless decided to emulate Labour's attempts to fashion this country into a society it could approve of. Not only does Education Minister Anne Tolley want to send the parents of feral brats to parenting classes, now the prime minister has decided to determine what over-the-counter cold and flu medicine Kiwis can buy.

Persuaded by advice from his chief scientific adviser, Sir Peter Gluckman, and the father of a meth-addled daughter in the shape of broadcaster Paul Holmes, Mr Key and Health Minister Tony Ryall announced last week that, as part of the Government's fight to combat the pernicious drug P, it will ban its main ingredient, pseudoephedrine, from general sale.

Those suffering the common cold or flu will, in future, have to trudge to their doctor, pay for the consultation and pay again to buy what is, at the moment, a commonly available and often efficacious drug. Critics have attacked the plan for a variety of reasons. Some, like Dominion Post columnist Richard Long, believe that, once again, the law-abiding are being penalised for the sins of illicit drug manufacturers and their sales force. Others, particularly those who back legalising marijuana use, believe that bans don't work.

Those who believe the Government is doing the right thing agree with Sir Peter, who says no-one is going to die from a blocked nose, but those who use P baked from the ingredients of cold and flu remedies just might.

The prime minister — so far, anyway — is showing no signs of backing down. Restricting sales of pseudoephedrine-bearing cold and flu medicines, he has said, is only part of the Government's arsenal to fight the scourge of P, "a seriously addictive drug that is ruining lives".

It intends also to fund more police and Customs activities to fight gangs and organised crime, both of which are involved in the P trade; develop what Mr Key calls a "dedicated treatment pathway" for P users; and assign an extra 40 Customs officers to help break the overseas supply chain.

Mr Key acknowledges these steps will not stamp out the "P problem" for good. If more action is needed, he says, it will be considered.

The worried well who inhabit the political centre will expect the Government to do at least that. They will want something in return for their sacrifice in being left to snuffle through the discomfort of a cold or flu without their drug of choice.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/opinion/2960786/Editorial-Key-going-way-of-the-nanny-state

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Yet more NANNY STATE from the Nats today.

And to think lots of NZers were silly enough to think they'd be different.

I knew they wouldn't be any different when it came to NANNY STATE.

Told yas so too....

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

‘Nanny’ gets a fresh pair of bloomers and sensible shoes

By FINLAY MACDONALD - Sunday Star Times | 5:00AM - Sunday, 02 May 2010



If there's one card the National Party won't be able to play in next year's general election it's the nanny state accusation. Having raised the price of fags, the drinking age and the driving age, it'd be a brave spin-doctor who tried to paint them as champions of individual choice and personal responsibility.

In fact, if Labour fancied reinventing itself as the enlightened libertarian alternative, John Key and his meddlesome chums might be forced to defend their own record against the charge that they have given nanny a fresh pair of bloomers and even more sensible shoes.

There were many reasons for National's triumph at the previous election, but chief among them was the decisive emotional reaction by enough people to the perceived primness and purse-lipped censoriousness of the Clark regime. All the Nats had to do was bang on about state-approved shower heads, exploding energy efficient light bulbs and electoral finance fascism to reinforce an image of Labour as bossy Big Sister.

The mud stuck and dried to such an extent that Phil Goff even offered an apology of sorts, conceding that Labour "were getting distracted by sideshows" and "weren't listening enough". Being entirely disingenuous, this ex post facto rationalisation of defeat wasn't followed by a vow to reverse the implacable march of the jackbooted state and enshrine our inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

But even a cursory glance at the government's legislative agenda since winning power shows an even greater penchant for nannying than its predecessor. Call it the supernanny state.

What is the sudden hike in tobacco tax — fags will be a dollar each very soon — if not a war on ordinary people's right to a little happiness? Ditto any endorsement of the Law Commission's recent wowserishness about raising the drinking age and banning 18- and 19-year-olds from bars and pubs. What is this but a war on the right to be young and have a good time? Don't give me the public health argument, either – National is meant to be the champion of not punishing the many for the transgressions of the few, surely?

Despite the rhetoric, the government's first instinct is to distrust the individual and his or her ability to make sensible choices — be it to take folic acid if they feel like it, not because it's in every loaf of bread they buy (a move National only backed down from after much industry hue and cry), to avoid using their cellphones voluntarily in cars rather than be ordered to, or to buy over-the-counter pseudoephedrine cold remedies without being suspected of manufacturing P.

In the supernanny state we're lucky to even get to debate these things. Like the cigarette price increase, our signing up to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was sprung on an unsuspecting nation as a fait accompli. Agree with it or not, you'd hardly call it democratic. But then, the Maori Party is led by the ultimate nanny in Tariana Turia — also the instigator of the anti-smoker legislation passed under urgency.

While we're at it, doesn't Whanau Ora just reek of nanny-knows-best? Data-sharing and multi-agency surveillance, woolly ideals cloaking the pseudo-corporatisation of welfare delivery, a missionary zeal to infiltrate and improve — the precious right to be left alone has hardly been enhanced by the advent of such a licence to intrude.

At a broader level, too, the theme is one of corporatist control, not liberal democracy. When the Law Commission recommended rethinking the drug laws covering minor dealing and personal possession, and greater emphasis on rehabilitation and prevention, the government's response was a big dumb no. Never mind the evidence, just keep chucking them in jail, build more jails, create more criminals. More work for nanny that way.

In Auckland it seems bent on creating a nanny microstate, free from all but token democratic input, with its vital infrastructure and finances run by appointed experts. Super cities need supernannies, I guess.

The signs have been there since Key threw in his lot with Helen Clark on child discipline law reform, dismaying those who had naively believed he had come to lead a retreat of the state from people's private lives. Since then there have been a succession of further interferences — from "filtering" the internet to rote testing school kids to means testing beneficiaries — that may or may not be good things, but which cumulatively disprove any claim to having rolled back the nanny state.

No, the old girl is alive and kicking — it's just that her petticoats are blue now, not red.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/opinion/3647542/Nanny-gets-a-fresh-pair-of-bloomers-and-sensible-shoes

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Yet more NANNY STATE from the Nats....


• Welfare Spending Card

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[TokGal]

Either Nanny State or Police State,,,,either way it's 'do as I say not as I do" with Hone Key and his reprobates.

They are the ones who should be issed with a Welfare Card as they are the biggest beneficiaries and spendthrifts in this country.

[AnFaolchudubh]

Yet more NANNY STATE from the Nats....


• Welfare Spending Card

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I realise at some stage we all go thru a 2nd childhood... but it was my understanding it happen when you reach your 70's, would seem it's reach TJ a little early... must be all that sitting on his arse all day.

[reality]

Tokgal...

"Either Nanny State or Police State,,,,either way it's 'do as I say not as I do"

thats bullshit...dont try and avoid the issue......all the govt is doing is to inform the youth of NZ what the rest of us are prepared to donate to them...because we are very caring people....how they spend their  donation from us is up to them..if many people from this  group have travelled Asia they will know that our youth are VERY lucky...I think this is very good for our youth...they will learn the realities of life sooner and not be lured into a life of  choosing dependance...WELL DONE NATIONAL...the youth of NZ will thankyou

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

It's NANNY STATE.

You Nats arse-lickers can try and put all the spin on it you like.

It still doesn't change the fact that the Nats are advocating yet more NANNY STATE.

Some people who have been posting in this (and the other) thread are either too thick to see it or are pushing the Nats' bullshit spin barrow!

[reality]

Its OK Brucy...its going to be  ok...just chill...help is on the way..I have arranged a "doctor" for you ...he will be the one in the white coat carrying the straight jacket ...have a most pleasent evening at the "motel"...best wishes 

[Newtown-Fella]

It's NANNY STATE.

You Nats arse-lickers can try and put all the spin on it you like.

It still doesn't change the fact that the Nats are advocating yet more NANNY STATE.

Some people who have been posting in this (and the other) thread are either too thick to see it or are pushing the Nats' bullshit spin barrow!

and yet the Greenie Stuck in the Groove Record Train Driver goes on and on and on yet hasnt the balls to answer questions asked ....

guess that what happens when you need a Nanny to look after you ........

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

I notice Jonkey fled from Parliament today rather than answer awkward questions during Question Time.

• PM called chicken for avoiding questions in House

What do you think Jonkey was terrified of?

Why do you suppose the Prime Minister acted like a gutless, petrified rat and ran away? 

[nitpicker1]

I notice Jonkey fled from Parliament today rather than answer awkward questions during Question Time.

• PM called chicken for avoiding questions in House

What do you think Jonkey was terrified of?

Why do you suppose the Prime Minister acted like a gutless, petrified rat and ran away? 

That's what I call Parliamentary Ping Pong

[reality]

Excellent work John Key and the National Party..keep up the good work


Key rejects 'nanny state' criticism7:03 PM Monday Aug 15, 2011
Prime Minister John Key says he isn't going to apologise to anyone for intervening in young peoples' lives. Prime Minister John Key, facing "nanny state" criticism of the Government's new welfare policy for young people, says he isn't going to apologise to anyone for intervening in their lives.

Mr Key announced yesterday that 16 and 17-year-old beneficiaries and school dropouts would be given "wrap-around" support from an adult assigned to them who would monitor their progress and mentor them.

Their rent and power bills would be paid for them and they would have a small amount of discretionary spending, while those not on a benefit would be guided into education or training to get them ready for jobs.

Labour leader Phil Goff said today the Government wasn't addressing the real issue, which was skill training and jobs for young people.

"I'm not quite sure why we're concerned about whether a 16-year-old is eating Kentucky Fried Chicken when what they really need is a job," he said.

"The focus should be on getting them skills and getting them jobs...this is really a nanny state (policy)."

Mr Goff said if the argument was that young people couldn't manage their budgets, the same thing could perhaps be said of someone who was 37.

"This shouldn't be about politics, this should be about making sure that our school-leavers have a proper transition from school to work," he said.

Mr Key, speaking at his post-cabinet press conference, said 90 per cent of the young people targeted by the new policy were destined to go on the adult benefit when they reached 18.

"That's why we're going to intervene to get them back on track," he said.

"We need somebody walking alongside them, a wrap-around service. They're disengaged from education, work and training, many of them they haven't had an adult in their lives for a long time and they're often raising a child."

Mr Key said many of the young girls who were on benefits were raising babies and they were preyed on by young males who used them as a source of income.

"A young person bringing up a child has a responsibility to make sure that child is fed, housed and warm," he said.

"I'm not going to make an apology, to anybody, for ensuring that happens...I don't care if that offends a few people. What I care about is those kids and this is going to make sure they do have a house, warmth and food."

Mr Key said about a third of the payments to the caregiver adults who were assigned to the young people would be a bonus linked to outcomes like getting their charges into training so they didn't go on a benefit at 18.

He said similar systems were operating in European and Scandinavian countries, although none was identical, and they seemed to work well.

Speaking about welfare generally and the Government's intention to complete an overhaul before the election, he said there was no specific target on numbers.

"I think we can get to a welfare system where there are clearer obligations on both parties. I think we can get to one that is more effective, with better outcomes," he said.

- NZPA

Yes ...excellent idea....everyboby wins

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Oh well....I guess you're dumb enough to believe bullshit spouted by Jonkey.

The current prime minister is starting to display the arrogance of former Nats PM, Piggy Muldoon.

Jonkey is arrogant enough to try to claim that NANNY STATE isn't NANNY STATE.

It's all spin & lies designed to suck-in the gullible & stupid, such as Reality, and others.

And true to form, the idiot from across the ditch shows he is gullible enough to swallow Jonkey's bullshit & spin.

Good job the idiot abandoned ENZED, eh? We could do without having dumbfucks like him around!

[AnFaolchudubh]

It's NANNY STATE.

You Nats arse-lickers can try and put all the spin on it you like.

It still doesn't change the fact that the Nats are advocating yet more NANNY STATE.

Some people who have been posting in this (and the other) thread are either too thick to see it or are pushing the Nats' bullshit spin barrow!

well well the arogant pot calling the kettles black.

[AnFaolchudubh]

Oh well....I guess you're dumb enough to believe bullshit spouted by Jonkey.

The current prime minister is starting to display the arrogance of former Nats PM, Piggy Muldoon.

Jonkey is arrogant enough to try to claim that NANNY STATE isn't NANNY STATE.

It's all spin & lies designed to suck-in the gullible & stupid, such as Reality, and others.

And true to form, the idiot from across the ditch shows he is gullible enough to swallow Jonkey's bullshit & spin.

Good job the idiot abandoned ENZED, eh? We could do without having dumbfucks like him around!

What political party doesn't use spin & lies designed to suck-in the gullible & stupid?

I doubt TJ would be able to answer so I'll answer it for him... none! they are all as bad as each other!

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Another three years of NANNY STATE from the Nats coming up.


The Nats have indulged in more NANNY STATE over the past three years than Labour indulged in over a nine year period.

[reality]

Jesus...is there a vacuum in the Brussy thinking department....stealing other peoples letters now...aint there some kinda law against that

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Reality supports Jonkey and the Nats.

Therefore, it stands to reason that as the Nats have indulged in more NANNY STATE in three years than the last Labour government indulged in over nine years, that Reality supports NANNY STATE.

Perhaps Reality is going to try and indulge in a Jonkey-style propaganda wankfest and attempt to claim that NANNY STATE isn't really NANNY STATE!

[reality]

brucc..."Reality supports Jonkey and the Nats.

Therefore, it stands to reason that as the Nats have indulged in more NANNY STATE in three years than the last Labour government indulged in over nine years, that Reality supports NANNY STATE.

Perhaps Reality is going to try and indulge in a Jonkey-style propaganda wankfest and attempt to claim that NANNY STATE isn't really NANNY STATE! "

...I lost  ya ... at "Therefore"...what does that diatribe translate to in english

...may help if you were to engage your grey matter before thinking

...btw ...just wondering...do you have to pass any physcological tests to be a rail worker

[AnFaolchudubh]

...may help if you were to engage your grey matter before thinking

Pity you can't practise what you preach canonseat!

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

You'd never pass the examinations to be a locomotive engineer.

They require more than a little bit of intelligence to get your head around the workings of the components of numerous different types air-brake system valves, supercharged & turbocharged diesel engines, complex electrical control systems, a signals and code rule book that is the equivalent of the road code and which runs to around 1200 pages, etc.



And I betcha you've never driven a serving Prime Minister anywhere. I have....and two different serving NZ Prime Ministers. In each case they were heading off to inspect something where rail was the only possible access, so they travelled in a locomotive cab, with me as the driver. I have driven both David Lange and Jim Bolger while they were respectively the Prime Minister. And in both cases, the diplomatic protection squad were not allowed to share the locomotive cab with us.

I have also driven the Head of State on several occasions. The immediate past Governor General has a daughter in Masterton, and while Vogel House in Lower Hutt was temporarily Government House for a couple of years, His Excellency used to regularly walk five minutes down the road to Waterloo Railway Station and catch the train over to Masterton to visit his daughter. I was often the driver when he was on the train.

So, Reality....tell us all about your experiences driving Prime Ministers and Heads of State. I betcha they'd never trust you, because you'd be too reckless and too dumb to be let loose driving a Prime Minister or a Head of State.

[reality]

Brsss...."You'd never pass the examinations to be a locomotive engineer."

...well I guess I should feel lucky that I dont aspire to take a gigantic leap backwards and become a communist rail worker

[Newtown-Fella]

hey KTJ ever cooked a breakfast for a Governor General ? ....

ever had an audience with Queen Elizabeth 2 ?

spoken with Lady Di ?


beats driving then in a train where you cant get to talk with them at length .....

[AnFaolchudubh]

Brsss...."You'd never pass the examinations to be a locomotive engineer."

...well I guess I should feel lucky that I dont aspire to take a gigantic leap backwards and become a communist rail worker

naw you just became a dictatorial businessman in aussie!