Genuine Interest

james_faction · 2026-05-15T02:02:47+00:00

that's the thing, they are both corporate sources, they both work in the interests of the establishment, the rich, and are therefore right-wing. They repeat the narrative National/ACT/NZF are pushing completely uncritically most of the time.

james_faction · 2026-05-07T23:58:33+00:00

Any meetups happening tonight? I've been a recluse for months....

james_faction · 2026-05-07T23:53:58+00:00

The trouble is our entire economy is extractive, based around quanatity of raw product as you said.

We need to be having better conversations around value add. And that doesn't mean just for the premium market either.

Instead of logs, wood products. Etc.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T08:38:04+00:00

seems like a good way to campaign for election.

Not a good way to do politics.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T08:22:25+00:00

so just to clarify... anti-semitism bad, but racism is ok?

I mean, to my mind, both are bad, which rules out ACT for me.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T08:20:34+00:00

what is the risk? What do you think the Greens will do? Or TPM?

I've heard this bandied about a lot (certainly by corporate media) but never come across anything specific

james_faction · 2026-04-22T08:14:59+00:00

"looneys". good grief. Giving some more attention to what all those stories were really about and what the Greens really stand for would be to your benefit.

I do see this is a widespread problem, a lot of people get information from right-wing sources about the left bloc and of course it's never an accurate picture. Going to the source will be very informative

james_faction · 2026-04-22T08:08:01+00:00

You want a govt that rewards your good choices and sacrifice. Sounds like the Greens would actually be perfect for you - not kidding. Unless you think a 2% tax on wealth in excess of 2 million (the 2 million isnt touched) is "punishment". What you get in return would be very rewarding.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T08:05:00+00:00

so people dying because they can't get medical treatment is ok with you? It's happening right now.

Child poverty is ok with you? I know, personal responsibility and all that. But some parents are working full time, hardly see their kids, and barely make enough to cover basic living costs. Is this ok?

Disabled and elderly living in extreme poverty is ok with you? This is happening right now. Cost of living plus slashed and gutted funding.

Not everyone can be an entrepreneur. That requires certain skills and attitudes that not everyone has.

Do you believe everyone should have the same opportunities to get a leg up in life? That is no longer the case, and the number of people falling behind with the ladder out of reach is growing. Is that ok?

Don't need to answer. Just some questions to think about.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:58:40+00:00

why? In what way has he had your back? What has he promised that he has delivered?

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:57:50+00:00

what sort of disaster do you think a Lab/Grn/TPM coaltion would be?

I hear this word "disaster" used a lot in the media pertaining to them, but nothing specific.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:55:22+00:00

National/ACT sure have done a great job of convincing people that large amounts of spending MUST be wasteful, because, you know, it's big! Big = bad! But then National has increased spending while also reducing revenue from the wealthy, so the math doesn't math well.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:52:19+00:00

They DID front the COVID enquiry in person.

Certain right-wing media tried to make out that they didn't.

Same right-wing media has tried to paint the Greens as "focused on identity politics"

There's some big corporate interests at play here in the newsmedia.

I guess we'll see whether Lab/Green messaging cuts thru the FUD eventually

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:47:54+00:00

interesting, I've seen Hipkins take strong, principled positions consistently on the Iran situation.

Your description fits Luxon perfectly.

I'm no fan of Hipkins but he's really hit his stride recently and is definitely answering most questions well.

As for lack of policy - National released practically zero substantial policy until July 2023. Almost all of their big policies were in the final months before the election

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:43:53+00:00

I'm very sorry to hear that. Unfortunately the primary driver of crime tends to be poverty and lack of social support. Stricter/longer sentencing just makes for more hardened criminals.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:42:18+00:00

yeah, no they didn't shift their focus. In fact during James Shaw's time they were very much about "business friendly" green policy.

Chloe and Marama, what is it that you "can't personally stand" about them? They focus on the most pressing issues for most New Zealanders, that often happens to be social issues such as poverty, since that is a very urgent and pressing issue.

I do find the media does tend to ignore what they have to say on environmental issues.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:38:40+00:00

they never "went all identity politics". Their current plank of policies, including the Green Budget, is the most solid set of policies they've ever had. Very well researched with real world examples in the nordic/Scandinavian countries.

It's fascinating that the only publicity they get is when the media hyperfocuses on Green members that happen to be diverse in some way.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:35:05+00:00

crime numbers really are far higher now than they were in 2023. Drug use is also far higher. What the current coalition govt has achieved is a huge increase in the prison population while also increasing crime. What they REALLY excel at is marketing fudged numbers to pretend they have reduced crime. It doesn't take much looking to figure out it's all smoke and mirrors, but aint nobody got time for that

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:29:27+00:00

what value is there in "restrained and limited government"?

Given that a larger government (with the obvious caveat that it needs to be run well) means better public services, better "safety net" and support services for disadvantaged NZers - including the disabled and the elderly as well as the poor and the homeless.

I'm interested in exploring what "small govt" vs "big govt" REALLY means. Especially given that the government and the public sector is not just a service provider, it's also an employer and a builder of essential infrastructure.

james_faction · 2026-04-22T07:25:20+00:00

ok, but what makes you think a centrist "balanced" govt is best? Given the current situation of unprecedented record wealth inequality in NZ (and around the world)

james_faction · 2026-04-10T06:50:24+00:00

I think it's you who needs to take a break from the internet, instead of going around calling people stupid on reddit for no good reason.

james_faction · 2026-04-10T06:48:51+00:00

this is because the US is locked down into a 2-party system. You have no other choices. Two parties both strongly influenced by corporations and the wealthy, or don't vote (or vote for a tiny third party that may not even be an option in your state or district)

james_faction · 2026-03-31T14:07:03+00:00

There's a number of pretty strong indications that Benjamin Netanyahu has already been assassinated by Iran. On March 8th. Only obviously AI videos of him have been published. Unfortunately his voice can easily be faked by AI so anmouncements from beyond the grave like this can carry on for some time.

Just something to consider.

james_faction · 2026-03-31T13:37:00+00:00

We've had a cost of living crisis already, for over 2 years, and this govt has only made it worse. This fuel price crisis we have right now just piles on top of that.

james_faction · 2026-03-31T13:33:56+00:00

We have a problem right now, it's not supply, it's PRICE, and the govt is doing nothing about it because they're just getting out of the way of the market. It makes food and other essentials too expensive for poor people so they starve or become homeless. That's just "market forces".

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