Kia-ora
If the aims of National/ACT’s education policy were, genuinely, to to
improve the learning, education and career choices for our children,
including the ones that are failing at present, they would not be
following policies which have signally failed to achieve any of these
goals, anywhere else they have been tried.
When you realise the real results of the polices that National, and
ACT, want to introduce in other countries, you begin to see the real
aims.
A two tier education system.
One tier, of private schools, entrenching wealth and privilege.
http://www.toomuchonline.org/tmweekly.html
“jobs
today — “particularly the most lucrative” — have become, they add,
“available almost exclusively to young people from wealthy backgrounds.
One example: In the UK, only 7 percent of children attend private
schools. But two-thirds of the nation’s doctors have been privately
educated”.
National are even more cheeky. They still want us to fund their
spoilt brats privileged education, while they cut funding to our
children..
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9601664/School-gets-aid-despite-assets-worth-millions
Tier two. “Education factories” designed to teach the minimum, while making profits for private owners.
A tier, of cheap, production line, “education” in conformity, and
the minimum required for working in dead end jobs. Unthinking cannon
fodder for poor employers. The Teaching of critical and independent
thought to be removed as far as possible. (So the accumulation of wealth
by a few non working bludgers, and their spoilt offspring, is
unquestioned). Reading, writing and arithmetic. (National standards).
Of course, the destruction of Teachers collective voice, the unions,
is needed, to remove opposition to dumbing down and “privatising”
education..
The bribing of compliant “executive Teachers” that conform to National’s
“vision” of education is, of course, designed to help the true aims.
Hostage Taking in The Classroom
https://www.nsfwcorp.com/dispatch/education-hostage/17cceda6b3d44b20031f5583a3c40e5d0c630f30/
“The
commercial application of this extortion scheme is straightforward. In
shock-doctrine-like fashion, the corporate community that typically
lobbies against higher taxes to fund schools makes a business
opportunity out of schools’ subsequent budget crises”.
“Ultimately,
the public is removed from its own public education system and faraway
moguls turn education policy into their ideological plaything,
consequences be damned. Worst of all, the hostages are left to suffer –
and have no hope of ever being released”.
When you see that the goal is to commercialise public education,
regardless of education quality, and entrench the privileged, wealthy
“class”, the seeming ineptitude and incompetence in “improving”
“education” from National and ACT, makes sense.
Also Published in The standard.
Showing posts with label Education.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education.. Show all posts
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Why do "they" want our schools?
Kia-ora
Ever wondered why we have the push for charter schools when the evidence is so solidly in favour of State run unionised schools. The worlds top school systems are all State run and most are unionised.
Ever wondered why we are repeatedly told our State schools are failing, when they have been proven to be amongst the worlds best. PISA rankings at High school level.
Ever wondered why we are being pushed towards Charter/privatised schools when all the evidence shows they do not do as well as State schools. Stanford University Study. Despite all the extra funding charter schools have obtained, and the often extra effort and pupil selection poured in to make them work, all but a few demonstration schools, have done worse in the USA than State schools.
Sweden and UK's schools are also falling in standards since charter schools were introduced.
Ever wondered why State schools are being starved of funding while extra money is put into private schools.
Ever wondered why we are funding tests to tell us what we already know. Poor ,and hungry, kids do not do as well in school.
So they can claim the tests show State schools are failing.
Ever wondered why we are trying to imitate the USA, number 29 in school results, where poor kids are simply excluded from secondary education, and not Finland or even Korea, which are 1 and 2 respectively.
As always. Follow the money!
The finance industry has proven to be almost totally ineffectual in supporting entrepreneurial and productive business.
What they are good at is obtaining tax payer funding to add to their profits.
When tax payers are not bailing out their failures.
Education provides a certain source of tax and publicly funded wealth that, until recently, has been largely unavailable to the corporate pirates.
Education Profiteering Wall Streets Next Big Thing?page=0%2C0
"Education privatization would not, per se, create a net new stimulus for the economy. But by diverting large existing flows of money from the public to the private sector it would create new profit-making ventures that could be capitalized and transformed into stocks, derivatives and leveraged securities."
"The Chief Finance Officer of JP Morgan reports that some 75% of the net increase in corporate profits between 2000 and 2007 -- before the financial crash -- was a result of cuts in workers' wages and benefits. Given that unions are the only serious vehicles for resistance to the corporate low-wage strategy, ................"
A challenge
The attacks on State schools and their Teachers is entirely so that corporates can make money from the taxes we pay for education.
As usual the private sector are so poor at doing the thing they claim is their strength, starting viable businesses, that they want to steal "the socialists" successes. Ours!
Added. 17th.
New Zealand's Charter schools are to be exempted from the official information Act, so the public will not even be able to assess how they are performing. Charter, sorry, "partnership" schools exempted from OIA.
Ever wondered why we have the push for charter schools when the evidence is so solidly in favour of State run unionised schools. The worlds top school systems are all State run and most are unionised.
Ever wondered why we are repeatedly told our State schools are failing, when they have been proven to be amongst the worlds best. PISA rankings at High school level.
Ever wondered why we are being pushed towards Charter/privatised schools when all the evidence shows they do not do as well as State schools. Stanford University Study. Despite all the extra funding charter schools have obtained, and the often extra effort and pupil selection poured in to make them work, all but a few demonstration schools, have done worse in the USA than State schools.
Sweden and UK's schools are also falling in standards since charter schools were introduced.
Ever wondered why State schools are being starved of funding while extra money is put into private schools.
Ever wondered why we are funding tests to tell us what we already know. Poor ,and hungry, kids do not do as well in school.
So they can claim the tests show State schools are failing.
Ever wondered why we are trying to imitate the USA, number 29 in school results, where poor kids are simply excluded from secondary education, and not Finland or even Korea, which are 1 and 2 respectively.
As always. Follow the money!
The finance industry has proven to be almost totally ineffectual in supporting entrepreneurial and productive business.
What they are good at is obtaining tax payer funding to add to their profits.
When tax payers are not bailing out their failures.
Education provides a certain source of tax and publicly funded wealth that, until recently, has been largely unavailable to the corporate pirates.
Education Profiteering Wall Streets Next Big Thing?page=0%2C0
"Education privatization would not, per se, create a net new stimulus for the economy. But by diverting large existing flows of money from the public to the private sector it would create new profit-making ventures that could be capitalized and transformed into stocks, derivatives and leveraged securities."
"The Chief Finance Officer of JP Morgan reports that some 75% of the net increase in corporate profits between 2000 and 2007 -- before the financial crash -- was a result of cuts in workers' wages and benefits. Given that unions are the only serious vehicles for resistance to the corporate low-wage strategy, ................"
A challenge
The attacks on State schools and their Teachers is entirely so that corporates can make money from the taxes we pay for education.
As usual the private sector are so poor at doing the thing they claim is their strength, starting viable businesses, that they want to steal "the socialists" successes. Ours!
Added. 17th.
New Zealand's Charter schools are to be exempted from the official information Act, so the public will not even be able to assess how they are performing. Charter, sorry, "partnership" schools exempted from OIA.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
National's race to the Third World.
Kia-ora
The-race-to-the-bottom
National has re-introduced youth rates.
At a level it is not possible for a youth to live on.
Pretending that it will help unemployment.
In reality it is just another ploy in their attempt to satisfy their large corporate donors, by driving wages down to third world levels.
Young people being expected to subsidise their employers, even more than they are already, with the inadequate minimum wage, is not going to make for more employment.
There is a justification for a lower wage when the employer is contributing towards apprenticeship training for a valuable career. Not for, no future, McJobs.
National shuffling the deck chairs again while the ship heads for the icebergs.
Base-wage-for-youth-is-a-joke
"The Government hasn't a clue about what to do about the job market, we can at least agree on that. The best they can do is play up to the most blinkered members of their congregation. They pulled the same stunt a while back with their 89-day sacking law, at the time spouting how much it would help youth into jobs. Result? Well, the youth unemployment rate is still a horror show and unprecedented numbers of youngsters are migrating to Aussie".
Wages are already too low. Enabling multinational employers to remove too much money from NZ.
Or Maybe Richard Boock has it right.
"Slashing the minimum wage for teenage workers will create jobs? What nonsense, it's simply a case of the most vulnerable being sold off so the Government can keep its fat cats purring. It isn't a helping hand for the youth market, it's just a cheap and nasty sop to employers".
This will bite NZ business on the butt. Employees, especially young ones, are also paying customers.
NZ employers have already managed to shuffle off most of their training costs onto employees and tax payers. What more do they need.
Slaves!
Oh! I forgot. Slaves actually cost more, as you have to pay enough to feed and house them.
The-race-to-the-bottom
National has re-introduced youth rates.
At a level it is not possible for a youth to live on.
Pretending that it will help unemployment.
In reality it is just another ploy in their attempt to satisfy their large corporate donors, by driving wages down to third world levels.
Young people being expected to subsidise their employers, even more than they are already, with the inadequate minimum wage, is not going to make for more employment.
There is a justification for a lower wage when the employer is contributing towards apprenticeship training for a valuable career. Not for, no future, McJobs.
National shuffling the deck chairs again while the ship heads for the icebergs.
Base-wage-for-youth-is-a-joke
"The Government hasn't a clue about what to do about the job market, we can at least agree on that. The best they can do is play up to the most blinkered members of their congregation. They pulled the same stunt a while back with their 89-day sacking law, at the time spouting how much it would help youth into jobs. Result? Well, the youth unemployment rate is still a horror show and unprecedented numbers of youngsters are migrating to Aussie".
Wages are already too low. Enabling multinational employers to remove too much money from NZ.
Or Maybe Richard Boock has it right.
"Slashing the minimum wage for teenage workers will create jobs? What nonsense, it's simply a case of the most vulnerable being sold off so the Government can keep its fat cats purring. It isn't a helping hand for the youth market, it's just a cheap and nasty sop to employers".
This will bite NZ business on the butt. Employees, especially young ones, are also paying customers.
NZ employers have already managed to shuffle off most of their training costs onto employees and tax payers. What more do they need.
Slaves!
Oh! I forgot. Slaves actually cost more, as you have to pay enough to feed and house them.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
On Education.
Kia-ora
Anthony Robins in The Standard.
http://thestandard.org.nz/education-and-poverty/
“Claiming that poverty is no excuse for student failure trivializes the damage caused by years of actions and inactions that have widened the gaps between rich and poor communities. Good schools aren’t molded through harsh sanctions, private takeovers, or even soaring rhetoric. They emerge from healthy, stable communities. That is, they emerge from a commitment to justice.”
Teachers can only do so much. A society that does not value and encourage all their children will fail
Anthony Robins in The Standard.
http://thestandard.org.nz/education-and-poverty/
“Claiming that poverty is no excuse for student failure trivializes the damage caused by years of actions and inactions that have widened the gaps between rich and poor communities. Good schools aren’t molded through harsh sanctions, private takeovers, or even soaring rhetoric. They emerge from healthy, stable communities. That is, they emerge from a commitment to justice.”
Teachers can only do so much. A society that does not value and encourage all their children will fail
Friday, August 3, 2012
Charter Schools. Or More Privatisation of the Commons.
Kia-ora
New Zealand's National Government has legislated yesterday to follow the USA with the failed Charter School experiment.
Charter schools are simply a means to break the last vestige of trade union rights and to give the private sector access to tax dollars spent on education.
The private sector that is so good at education that most private schools had to be bailed out by tax payers.
Note; that despite all the tax payer dollars and effort poured into charter schools in the USA, 83% do not do any better than State schools. The majority do worse. Given the poor performance of State schooling in the USA generally that is not a recommendation. (Stanford University Study)
Why follow the disaster that is schooling and health in the USA.
We will see a few initial Potemkin charter schools do well, then the poor results of others will be buried.
They will not have any better results than resourcing State schools properly, to use already proven programs to reduce the tail. Successful programs such as remedial reading and Teacher aids in every classroom are being starved of funds so the Government can fund ideological nightmares such as charter schools.
If NACT was serious about bringing up educational achievement they would be working on reducing child poverty and funding extra help at early primary level for those falling behind, instead of gifting the private sector money out of education funding.
If the private sector are so good at education why don't they start their own schools. Wait! they did. We are paying to bail them out right now!
New Zealand's National Government has legislated yesterday to follow the USA with the failed Charter School experiment.
Charter schools are simply a means to break the last vestige of trade union rights and to give the private sector access to tax dollars spent on education.
The private sector that is so good at education that most private schools had to be bailed out by tax payers.
Note; that despite all the tax payer dollars and effort poured into charter schools in the USA, 83% do not do any better than State schools. The majority do worse. Given the poor performance of State schooling in the USA generally that is not a recommendation. (Stanford University Study)
Why follow the disaster that is schooling and health in the USA.
We will see a few initial Potemkin charter schools do well, then the poor results of others will be buried.
They will not have any better results than resourcing State schools properly, to use already proven programs to reduce the tail. Successful programs such as remedial reading and Teacher aids in every classroom are being starved of funds so the Government can fund ideological nightmares such as charter schools.
If NACT was serious about bringing up educational achievement they would be working on reducing child poverty and funding extra help at early primary level for those falling behind, instead of gifting the private sector money out of education funding.
If the private sector are so good at education why don't they start their own schools. Wait! they did. We are paying to bail them out right now!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Poverty in New Zealand.
Kia-ora
One of the biggest indictments of our current economic dogma is the number of people, in the worlds richest nations, living in poverty.
What comes first is POVERTY.
Poverty is what makes “breeding” for a living seem like a good option.
Poverty is what causes all the poor outcomes to the children of teenage mums.
Poverty is what causes people to be caught in a trap of continuing poverty.
We are never going to solve problems caused by poverty by making people poorer.
Social security and minimum wages that are so low, there is almost no chance of climbing out of the poverty trap, causes the problems.
Abatement rates for those earning a bit of money while on social security are higher than those for millionaires.
A two tier education system is going to make escape from poverty even harder.
Low wages are not even good capitalism. “Businesses that cannot meet the costs of the resources they use should be allowed to fail, so others can make better use of the resources/labour”.
Every business paying low wages means there is little demand. Hurting all business.
“You should pay your workers fairly because they are the source of your wealth” Adam Smith.
Three decades of Neo-Liberal meanness is coming back to bite us. And the right want to make the victims lives harder.
A guaranteed minimum income, national super, has succeeded in practically eliminating poverty in the over 65′s. Less than 3% live in poverty, and that most likely is self inflicted.
If we are serious in eliminating poverty amongst children, 20% living in poverty, we would extend the GMI idea, that has been so successful with the elderly, to young people.
One of the biggest indictments of our current economic dogma is the number of people, in the worlds richest nations, living in poverty.
What comes first is POVERTY.
Poverty is what makes “breeding” for a living seem like a good option.
Poverty is what causes all the poor outcomes to the children of teenage mums.
Poverty is what causes people to be caught in a trap of continuing poverty.
We are never going to solve problems caused by poverty by making people poorer.
Social security and minimum wages that are so low, there is almost no chance of climbing out of the poverty trap, causes the problems.
Abatement rates for those earning a bit of money while on social security are higher than those for millionaires.
A two tier education system is going to make escape from poverty even harder.
Low wages are not even good capitalism. “Businesses that cannot meet the costs of the resources they use should be allowed to fail, so others can make better use of the resources/labour”.
Every business paying low wages means there is little demand. Hurting all business.
“You should pay your workers fairly because they are the source of your wealth” Adam Smith.
Three decades of Neo-Liberal meanness is coming back to bite us. And the right want to make the victims lives harder.
A guaranteed minimum income, national super, has succeeded in practically eliminating poverty in the over 65′s. Less than 3% live in poverty, and that most likely is self inflicted.
If we are serious in eliminating poverty amongst children, 20% living in poverty, we would extend the GMI idea, that has been so successful with the elderly, to young people.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Police Assault Protesters in New Zealand.
Kia Ora
Recent protests, against Government policy, by Students in Auckland were greeted by an overwhelming and aggressive police presence.
New Zealand Police have just made it clear they consider there is no right to protest, if it “inconveniences” anyone.
In fact the students were going about their lawful business. PROTESTING IS STILL LEGAL IN NZ.
The police obstructed members of the public and assaulted them. WHILE THEY WERE GOING ABOUT LAWFUL BUSINESS.
Just like police in the UK.
Of course knowing you are likely to be violently assaulted by police, if you protest, has rather a dampening effect on free speech.
No doubt that is what is intended by the police overreaction.
Practicing for when the population finally realises, like the Greeks, how much they have been lied to and exploited.
How long before we see the other repressive actions of an authoritarian dictatorship, to legitimate dissent, here. Like the "kettling" in the UK.
Recent protests, against Government policy, by Students in Auckland were greeted by an overwhelming and aggressive police presence.
New Zealand Police have just made it clear they consider there is no right to protest, if it “inconveniences” anyone.
In fact the students were going about their lawful business. PROTESTING IS STILL LEGAL IN NZ.
The police obstructed members of the public and assaulted them. WHILE THEY WERE GOING ABOUT LAWFUL BUSINESS.
Just like police in the UK.
Of course knowing you are likely to be violently assaulted by police, if you protest, has rather a dampening effect on free speech.
No doubt that is what is intended by the police overreaction.
Practicing for when the population finally realises, like the Greeks, how much they have been lied to and exploited.
How long before we see the other repressive actions of an authoritarian dictatorship, to legitimate dissent, here. Like the "kettling" in the UK.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Kia-ora
National is driving even more New Zealand jobs offshore as they drive up the dollar with borrowing for tax cuts for their voters. National borrowing for election bribes. Sound familiar to anyone who was around during the Muldoon National Government in the 70's and early 80's.
None of the borrowing would be necessary if we had kept reasonable progressive tax rates. Like Australia, Scandinavia and other more successful countries, instead of following failed States like Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Bernard Hickey on Investment
It was the neo-liberals from the first ACT government, in 1984, on that made NZ hostile to investors in productive business. Since then productive investment in NZ has been less than 1/3 of the rate before 1980.
Why invest in NZ when the median income is too low paid to buy your products and you can make more money from gambling in finance and land speculation.
The Government even bails you out when the speculation fails.
Not to mention the grossly overpriced NZ dollar due to the, way past its used by date, reserve bank act, AND, lately, Nationals borrowing for tax cuts to those who have benefited most from our infrastructure and educated workforce.
National is driving even more New Zealand jobs offshore as they drive up the dollar with borrowing for tax cuts for their voters. National borrowing for election bribes. Sound familiar to anyone who was around during the Muldoon National Government in the 70's and early 80's.
None of the borrowing would be necessary if we had kept reasonable progressive tax rates. Like Australia, Scandinavia and other more successful countries, instead of following failed States like Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Bernard Hickey on Investment
It was the neo-liberals from the first ACT government, in 1984, on that made NZ hostile to investors in productive business. Since then productive investment in NZ has been less than 1/3 of the rate before 1980.
Why invest in NZ when the median income is too low paid to buy your products and you can make more money from gambling in finance and land speculation.
The Government even bails you out when the speculation fails.
Not to mention the grossly overpriced NZ dollar due to the, way past its used by date, reserve bank act, AND, lately, Nationals borrowing for tax cuts to those who have benefited most from our infrastructure and educated workforce.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The trouble with facts.
Kia-ora
It puzzles many of us why people so often vote against their own interests. For most New Zealander's voting for more Neo-liberal government is like "Turkeys voting for Christmas" but they still do.
An article in the Standard about the reasons why the facts do not always influence people.
Monbiot-on-the-left
And one about the psychology of denial. Psychology of crankery. Or it could be titled. Do you have a Don Brash in your life.
It puzzles many of us why people so often vote against their own interests. For most New Zealander's voting for more Neo-liberal government is like "Turkeys voting for Christmas" but they still do.
An article in the Standard about the reasons why the facts do not always influence people.
Monbiot-on-the-left
And one about the psychology of denial. Psychology of crankery. Or it could be titled. Do you have a Don Brash in your life.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Neo-Liberal Promise??
Kia-ora
All of the mantras from the Neo-Liberals that have been proved false.
Kicking away the Ladder
"Decreasing tax rates will increase overall tax take".
Only if taxes on middle incomes were excessive and the tax payments were being wasted. Like under Muldoon with social welfare for farmers and business. As we have seen recently decreasing taxes to the wealthy drops the overall tax take.
"Decreasing wages will free up business capital to invest in making business more productive".
In fact investment in productive business in NZ dropped to 1/3. Savvy business people know that low wage earners cannot buy much. SME's have been feeling the pinch every time NZ incomes have dropped.
"Letting the very wealthy keep more of the money will result in wealth trickling down and all of us being better off". Like feeding the cow more grass and hoping for better fertilizer.
"Privatising public services will result in cheaper and better services".
Yeah right. Like the US health system. Our rapidly dropping power prices.
"Running State owned enterprises like corporates will make them more efficient".
See above also refer to ports and railways. Managers are multiplying like fleas as they cut services and staff.
"Labour productivity needs to be increased before wages can increase".
Rob and CV have just covered that one. 82% increase in productivity. Skilled wages have dropped. Average up 18% only. The-productivity-lie
Globalisation and free trade will make everyone better off because of comparative advantage".
Wall street and some multi-national corporates get better off. The world pays through the nose to keep them in riches.
"Pay huge salaries to managers and you get the best".
UK research shows the higher management salaries are in relation to the rest of the staff, the worst performing the company. Germany and Japan get good managers while only paying about 4 times a workers salary.
"Taxes are a drag on the productive economy".
Well actually the USA economy was at its most productive when top tax rates were 91%. The best performing economies at present are the most taxed. Comparative tax rates.
"The State sector is non-productive while the private sector is productive".
So Doctors, Teachers, Universities, public research, Regulators don't contribute to the economy while finance houses, beer advertisers and gamblers in financial derivatives do. Yeah right!
"We will all have to accept austerity and a lower standard of living now for gain later.".
The majority of the population must accept less so the top 0.5% can continue to steal the results of our work from us. Waited 35 years so far.
"Selling income earning assets we already own will make us richer".
New Zealand's rich have spent the money they made from stealing our assets in the 80's and asset stripping. After burgling the share market as well they have proven so inept at adding value they need more public assets to play with.
"Tax cuts to the richest stimulate the economy."
No. extra income to the low paid and beneficiaries does because they spend it locally.
"Beneficiaries are a drag on the rest of us".
Beneficiaries are us. They are us one prolonged illness or some bad luck away. Cheap income insurance. Beneficiary income comes straight back as business income , taxes and wages.
Unlike 1.7 billion payments to insider traders in finance companies. Unlike tax cuts to the already wealthy which goes into US derivatives gambling.
Lunacy is expecting doing the same thing again and again to have a different result.
All of the mantras from the Neo-Liberals that have been proved false.
Kicking away the Ladder
"Decreasing tax rates will increase overall tax take".
Only if taxes on middle incomes were excessive and the tax payments were being wasted. Like under Muldoon with social welfare for farmers and business. As we have seen recently decreasing taxes to the wealthy drops the overall tax take.
"Decreasing wages will free up business capital to invest in making business more productive".
In fact investment in productive business in NZ dropped to 1/3. Savvy business people know that low wage earners cannot buy much. SME's have been feeling the pinch every time NZ incomes have dropped.
"Letting the very wealthy keep more of the money will result in wealth trickling down and all of us being better off". Like feeding the cow more grass and hoping for better fertilizer.
"Privatising public services will result in cheaper and better services".
Yeah right. Like the US health system. Our rapidly dropping power prices.
"Running State owned enterprises like corporates will make them more efficient".
See above also refer to ports and railways. Managers are multiplying like fleas as they cut services and staff.
"Labour productivity needs to be increased before wages can increase".
Rob and CV have just covered that one. 82% increase in productivity. Skilled wages have dropped. Average up 18% only. The-productivity-lie
Globalisation and free trade will make everyone better off because of comparative advantage".
Wall street and some multi-national corporates get better off. The world pays through the nose to keep them in riches.
"Pay huge salaries to managers and you get the best".
UK research shows the higher management salaries are in relation to the rest of the staff, the worst performing the company. Germany and Japan get good managers while only paying about 4 times a workers salary.
"Taxes are a drag on the productive economy".
Well actually the USA economy was at its most productive when top tax rates were 91%. The best performing economies at present are the most taxed. Comparative tax rates.
"The State sector is non-productive while the private sector is productive".
So Doctors, Teachers, Universities, public research, Regulators don't contribute to the economy while finance houses, beer advertisers and gamblers in financial derivatives do. Yeah right!
"We will all have to accept austerity and a lower standard of living now for gain later.".
The majority of the population must accept less so the top 0.5% can continue to steal the results of our work from us. Waited 35 years so far.
"Selling income earning assets we already own will make us richer".
New Zealand's rich have spent the money they made from stealing our assets in the 80's and asset stripping. After burgling the share market as well they have proven so inept at adding value they need more public assets to play with.
"Tax cuts to the richest stimulate the economy."
No. extra income to the low paid and beneficiaries does because they spend it locally.
"Beneficiaries are a drag on the rest of us".
Beneficiaries are us. They are us one prolonged illness or some bad luck away. Cheap income insurance. Beneficiary income comes straight back as business income , taxes and wages.
Unlike 1.7 billion payments to insider traders in finance companies. Unlike tax cuts to the already wealthy which goes into US derivatives gambling.
Lunacy is expecting doing the same thing again and again to have a different result.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
On Global warming and our children's future.
Kia-ora
While we spend our time nit picking, we should never lose sight of the real problems.
1. Anthropogenic global warming. (Climate change).
2. The political and economic system which supports short term gain for a few people at the expense of our children's future.
3. The widening gap in income and power between most of the worlds people, and a few who have stolen most of the resources.
4. How we can ethically adjust resource use and human population to allow a sustainable and just society.
James Hansen on Climate change.
While we spend our time nit picking, we should never lose sight of the real problems.
1. Anthropogenic global warming. (Climate change).
2. The political and economic system which supports short term gain for a few people at the expense of our children's future.
3. The widening gap in income and power between most of the worlds people, and a few who have stolen most of the resources.
4. How we can ethically adjust resource use and human population to allow a sustainable and just society.
James Hansen on Climate change.
“Human-made climate change is a moral issue. It pits the rich and the powerful against the young and the unborn, against the defenseless and against nature.
“Climate change is a political issue. But politics fails when there is a revolving door between government and the fossil fuel-industrial complex.
“Climate change is a legal issue. The judiciary provides the possibility of holding our governments accountable for their duty to protect the public interest.”
Friday, November 19, 2010
The madness continues.
Kia-ora
Meanwhile, as the neo-liberal circus carries on, China is spending as much of their US dollars as possible in buying concrete assets and resources before the $US becomes as valueless as blankets and beads.
New Zealand continues to invest pension and other funds in $US investments (Money market gambling)..
Without the productive capacity and income within NZ to support pensioners and other investors in future it does not matter how much is saved. Re-introducing money into an economy which does not have the capacity to absorb it simply inflates that money to the degree the goods and services are not available.
The money would be better invested now in NZ in infrastructure, education (For useful jobs such as the trades and engineering) and sustainable energy efficient production to ensure our kids have a future. And so the can keep us in old age.
That is if the US$ has not inflated to be almost valueless because there are already more dollars floating around than can ever be redeemed by future US productivity.
Meanwhile, as the neo-liberal circus carries on, China is spending as much of their US dollars as possible in buying concrete assets and resources before the $US becomes as valueless as blankets and beads.
New Zealand continues to invest pension and other funds in $US investments (Money market gambling)..
Without the productive capacity and income within NZ to support pensioners and other investors in future it does not matter how much is saved. Re-introducing money into an economy which does not have the capacity to absorb it simply inflates that money to the degree the goods and services are not available.
The money would be better invested now in NZ in infrastructure, education (For useful jobs such as the trades and engineering) and sustainable energy efficient production to ensure our kids have a future. And so the can keep us in old age.
That is if the US$ has not inflated to be almost valueless because there are already more dollars floating around than can ever be redeemed by future US productivity.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The New York times.
Kia-ora
"That’s because the real problem has to do with the structure of the economy, not the business cycle. No booster rocket can work unless consumers are able, at some point, to keep the economy moving on their own. But consumers no longer have the purchasing power to buy the goods and services they produce as workers; for some time now, their means haven’t kept up with what the growing economy could and should have been able to provide them."
"That’s because the real problem has to do with the structure of the economy, not the business cycle. No booster rocket can work unless consumers are able, at some point, to keep the economy moving on their own. But consumers no longer have the purchasing power to buy the goods and services they produce as workers; for some time now, their means haven’t kept up with what the growing economy could and should have been able to provide them."
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Performance Pay for Teachers.
Kia-ora
If performance pay is such a good idea how about tying MP's pay to the average wage. 5 times the median wage with an 85% tax abatement rate on any other income would seem about right.
On the face of it, It seems fair to reward people who perform better than others with more pay.
If anyone can come up with a fair and valid performance measurement. Fine.
However even in the private sector this is fraught with difficulty.
Unless performance has a single clear measurement business has a poor record with targeting performance pay.
Unless performance has a single clear measurement business has a poor record with targeting performance pay.
Sales may be OK. As you can measure performance by the number of sales. But, what about the back office contribution to sales. The receptionists contribution.
In less easily defined jobs like management, performance pay has failed to deliver better performance.
In fact higher pay to top management and higher performance pay, in British research, correlates with the worst performing companies.
In fact higher pay to top management and higher performance pay, in British research, correlates with the worst performing companies.
What measure do you use. Return to shareholders. It is easy to maximise return to shareholders short term by sacrificing the long term viability of the company. By then the manager has taken the money and run.
Production. Was it the manager or the staff?
Sales. Was it better training, better support, better product or sales team performance.
Production. Was it the manager or the staff?
Sales. Was it better training, better support, better product or sales team performance.
While I would be the first to agree that there are some time serving teachers who should not be there. I’ve seen those people in many other professions also.
There are also stars who stand out, however the majority, like most professions, are dedicated, hardworking people who try to do their best for their students. This is constantly made more difficult by power seeking politicians attempting to impose their latest fad.
If performance pay is such a good idea how about tying MP's pay to the average wage. 5 times the median wage with an 85% tax abatement rate on any other income would seem about right.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
On Skilled Wages and student loans
Kia-ora
People have short memories. Before the student loan scheme only the children of the rich went to University paid for by the taxes on those who did not. Student loans spread some of the cost. It is easy to get loans repaid. Pay decent wages commensurate with skills and use the same sanctions on defaulters as the private sector.
The real problem is salaries for educated and skilled people have dropped so much since 1984 (40% in my profession) that it is stupid for any young person to stay in New Zealand. Employers have managed to pass their training costs onto tax payers. (Apprentices are now paid a training allowance and many work for nothing) or onto other countries by bleating to the immigration department they cannot get NZ’rs to do the job. Meaning they can’t get us to work for SFA or they have not trained anyone for 30 years. This will dry up as even Indian and Chinese wages for highly skilled people are starting to exceed ours.
People have short memories. Before the student loan scheme only the children of the rich went to University paid for by the taxes on those who did not. Student loans spread some of the cost. It is easy to get loans repaid. Pay decent wages commensurate with skills and use the same sanctions on defaulters as the private sector.
The real problem is salaries for educated and skilled people have dropped so much since 1984 (40% in my profession) that it is stupid for any young person to stay in New Zealand. Employers have managed to pass their training costs onto tax payers. (Apprentices are now paid a training allowance and many work for nothing) or onto other countries by bleating to the immigration department they cannot get NZ’rs to do the job. Meaning they can’t get us to work for SFA or they have not trained anyone for 30 years. This will dry up as even Indian and Chinese wages for highly skilled people are starting to exceed ours.
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