It is indeed interesting that the ACT Party is grabbing the headlines - seemingly to many for all the wrong reasons. But if you reflect on their discourse, its actually the only honest politicking in town. This party, I believe, is the foundation for the only credible political party in NZ. There are several reasons for believing so:
1. They possess the rudiments of a philosophy for a non-coercive state that recognises
a. The primacy of personal sovereignty, both in respect for rights,
b. The independence of their representatives to speak their mind.
2. The nature of the NZ political system which actually allows new parties to gain standing; at least if the media is so kind to give them some profile. The MMP is a blessing; at least for a poor 'democratic' system.
The problem remains however that those minds are poorly developed. i.e. They politicians have been too busy being pragmatic money makers or influence peddlers, that they have failed to do their homework. In fairness, it takes time. I have been writing public policy ideas for 30-odd years, and I'm still 80% complete on about 15 of a 25-book treatise....so I feel their pain. I just hope the voters have more empathy for their plight, and recognise that it is better to vote for a party that has some principles that include respect for facts and principles, as opposed to salespeople like Goof and the 'Keys to the city'. Sorry Goff and John Key. I can't recall Goff's first name. Maybe its in his policy statement. I'll wait for it because he just might be changing it to appeal to more voters.
NZ is so important to the world. NZ was one of the first countries to adopt universal suffrage for women. This was a bad policy development because it affirmed democracy; however it did highlight the power of being first, and having a political framework that can be changed. Look at the US and Australia, and you can see how far change can be to come by. This is why changing MMP would be a massive mistake. It would also help to have another competitor in politics; particularly one which will raise standards for political discourse, party membership and participation. Anyone who has joined a political party will know that there are effective gatekeepers restricting membership to the major parties.
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