ACT campaign launch Rodney Hide speech

This is Rodney Hide's speech to the public of New Zealand at the ACT Party Campaign Launch; Alexandra Park, Auckland; 11am, Sunday October 12 2008. Read it, it is spot on.

Welcome everyone; welcome to Epsom.

Last election Epsom was the difference; it made the difference to our Parliament. This election you can be the difference; you can make the difference to our next government.

Last election I told Epsom voters, they could vote Richard Worth, and get Richard Worth.

Or they could vote Rodney Hide, still get Richard Worth, plus me, plus the ACT team.

That's how MMP works. The good people of Epsom understood. Epsom voters voted for me. They got Richard Worth. They got me. And they got Heather Roy. They made a difference to our Parliament. A big difference. If you doubt that, ask Winston Peters.

This election I am asking you to ensure the next National Government makes a difference.

It doesn't matter where you live. You can be the difference. From North Cape to Bluff. You can party vote ACT. That's a vote for a government of change. And that's what the country so desperately needs.

It's that simple. A Party Vote for ACT will ensure John Key makes a difference.

On election night 2005 I was elected MP for Epsom. It was against the odds. It was against all predictions.

Strangely, I didn't feel I had won the seat. I felt instead Epsom voters had put their trust in me.

I had gone door to door, looked the young and the old, the rich and the poor, in the eye and asked them one-on-one to vote for me. I had never done that before. And they did. It was humbling.

I resolved that night to be the best MP that I could be for Epsom. I did not want anyone to regret the day they voted Rodney Hide.

And in turn the people of Epsom have reinforced my values and ideals. Given me a real sense of purpose.

I thought if I could make such a difference for myself and for Epsom then we could do the same for ACT and for our country.

We set the goal of being the best that we could be. We got out and talked to business leaders, commentators and economists on what was needed to make New Zealand the best country that we can be. We set out to lift our sights and the sights of our country.

To tackle a big goal you must first work out where you want to be. You have to picture your ideal.

We love to beat Australia at sport. We expect to. It gives us pride, self respect.
Beating them at rugby and netball is one thing. But what about striving to pass them where it matters, on how we provide for ourselves and our kids. That's the ideal.

The other parties have given up trying to match Australia. They say we can't. They say we shouldn't even try.

Not ACT. We are the party with the big goal. Our goal is to beat Australia by 2020 - economically, politically, socially, environmentally, and at sport. It means radically lifting our sights. It means telling Wellington it's no longer business as usual.

It means recognising that our government is failing us, it's not working, it needs sorting - and fast.

It's the failure of our government that has elderly ladies telling us they're orphans. Not because they have lost their parents, but because their children and their grandchildren have left.

Their grandkids are growing up cheering the Wallabies, not the ABs.

It doesn't have to be.

We can and we should lift our economic performance to bring our kids home which in itself will further lift our performance.

It is not enough though to have the big goal.

I have learned the hard way that you need a plan to get there. And you need to measure your performance. And tweak your plan based on your results.

That's why ACT has a 20-Point-Plan to beat Australia and bring our kids home.

It's a plan to bake a bigger economic cake, not simply slice up the one we already have.

This week I was critical of John Key's economic response to the world financial turmoil. He didn't have one. But John Key understands MMP. He knows to be Prime Minister he has to win votes from Helen Clark. He can't risk putting any difference of substance between his policy and the policies of Helen Clark and Michael Cullen. And so he cuddles them close, and just tweaks Cullen's budget when global turmoil calls for a comprehensive economic response.

ACT is the party that can tell it like it is. We can spell out what we need to do.

First up, let's tell it like it is. Michael Cullen rivals Muldoon for economic ineptitude. New Zealand has been in recession all year - before the world financial turmoil.

We are heavily indebted. The rest of the world funds our lifestyle. Our current account deficit is a whooping 8.3 percent of GDP.

The rest of the world's willingness to fund us is over. That's what this world financial turmoil means to us. Our banks and corporate are going to find it tougher to roll over their loans. There's a worldwide shortage of investment funds right now.
That will force major adjustment for New Zealand families. No matter what politicians think. The adjustment will work through the exchange rate. Our dollar will fall choking off imports and stimulating exports to make us live within our means. Costs will increase making it tougher for New Zealand businesses and households.

Tweaking Cullen's budgets won't do.

We need economic leadership and economic direction. We need a recovery package. That's what ACT's 20-point plan is.
Government must facilitate the transfer of real resources from government to the productive sector so we can pay our way. It's going to happen anyway. The only issue is whether the transition is going to be painful or easy, and whether we are going to emerge from the turmoil even stronger or another basket case.

The way to facilitate the necessary transition is to cap government expenditure in real terms, free up the labour market and radically reform the Resource Management Act.

Both John Key and Michael Cullen agree that government can't afford big tax cuts. Well, here's a newsflash - we can't afford John Key sticking to Labour's spending plans.

Our government is too fat. It's squeezing us all. It desperately needs a trim.

Cullen has increased expenditure over the last ten years by 230 dollars a week for every household over the rate of inflation. That's a whopping increase. And ask yourself? Have you seen a 230 dollar-a-week improvement in government under labour? I don't think so.

And it's set to get even bigger. And John Key agrees with that.

ACT will cap the growth of government, that will force Wellington to get its budgets and priorities right, and enable lower and flatter taxes that will spur investment and growth.

Capping the growth of government will allow us abolish Cullen's 39 cent envy tax. Party vote ACT, and it will be gone by Christmas. That's an important signal to send. We will no longer have a government that will punish those who try to get ahead.

Small businesses and the self employed will be motivated to create real wealth for themselves and the nation. It will be a signal to Kiwis overseas that it's time to come home, their energy and enterprise will be welcomed and rewarded.

We are going to need them.

Party vote ACT and the thirty nine percent envy tax gone by Christmas. That will be a difference.

That's the first part of a recovery package. It stops government soaking up even more of the resources needed in the export sector so we can pay our way.

The second part is to free up the economy so exporters can expand their businesses to take advantage of the lower real exchange rate and cushion the effect of the higher cost of imports.

That means reforming our labour market and the Resource Management Act. That's what ACT's Anti-Red Tape Bill does. That Bill is in front of Parliament and needs passing into law.

The third thing we must do is dump the dopey Emissions Trading Scheme. The Scheme was always a dog. It was all pain for no environmental gain. Now is not the time to be artificially driving up costs on businesses and households by creating a pretend market in hot air. The ETS will simply export successful New Zealand businesses overseas, making the real exchange rate problem worse. It will drive up costs for households, cost us jobs, and make us poor. The Emissions Trading Scheme has to be dumped and dumped fast.

A party vote for ACT is a party vote for smart green policies, not the dumb stuff. It's a vote to dump the Emissions Trading Scheme.

ACT is the only party this election that can be the difference. And the voters who party vote ACT will be the voters who will make the difference. That's how MMP works.

It's not just Epsom voters who can be the difference this election. Every voter can be.

There are small businesses now going to the wall because they are being squeezed paying for an ever- fattening government. Families are struggling to make ends meet with taxes, rates and other charges.

But John Key's hands are tied. That's MMP. He's just going to fiddle with KiwiSaver and tax credits. He's had to ignore the big hairy gorilla in the room - that's the government itself. Whittle that down, people will have more money in their pocket and the country will prosper. It's simple.

ACT can say that. ACT can do that. But only ACT can be the difference. That's the message you must take away from here today.

Vote not just for a change of government, vote for a government of change, party vote ACT.
Do that and we'll ensure the next National Government makes a difference.

Roger Douglas has taught me it is not enough to have a big goal and policies, you need the people who can make it happen.
That's why I have been lucky with Heather Roy. She has done all the work for ACT in Parliament so that I could concentrate on Epsom. Epsom voters really did get two for the price of one.

To make the difference in the next government, I went out to get the best people to join us.

And who better at a time like this than our best-ever Minister of Finance. To get the best, I asked Roger Douglas, not just to help out. Not just to stand. But to come back to Parliament and be part of a Government of change.

Roger has helped me enormously. I don't know anyone who understands politics better or has more experience and history. He is the only politician I know who can lift his sights to where we can be. He is a visionary. He is the only politician I know with the courage to debate big ideas. He doesn't claim to have the answers. But he has an uncanny knack of going out and finding them.

John Key ruled Roger Douglas out of his Cabinet. That's disappointing. I guess that's what John feels he has to do because otherwise Helen Clark will scare voters from National by decrying Rogernomics. But here's the question John can ask Helen.
What is it about anything that Roger Douglas did as Minister of Finance that you would change?

The end to the wage-price freeze?

The end to import licensing?

The end to opening New Zealand to the world?

Halving the top tax rate from sixty-six cents to thirty-three?

Would Helen change any of that? Come to think of it, she hasn't. In fact, she and Michael Cullen voted for it. The lot.

And what is it about ACT's 20-point plan that Helen Clark objects to?

Is it holding government expenditure to the rate of inflation? Lowering and flattening taxes? Having school vouchers or scholarships so parents sending their kids to private or independent schools no longer have to pay twice? ACT's Regulatory Responsibility Bill to slash red tape?

It all looks good and necessary to me.

But it's not up to Helen Clark or John Key.

Ultimately, it's up to you. That's how MMP works. If you want a change of direction, not just of government, you will party vote ACT. If you think Sir Roger's ideas and experience would add to our parliament and our government, especially at this time of world financial crisis, then it's in your hands. You can be the difference this election, you can party vote ACT.

Trust me, in the next few months John Key's going to need all the help he can get. Now more than ever, Roger Douglas's vision and ideas are going to prove invaluable.

ACT would not be here if it was not for John Boscawen. He has already made a difference.

Without his energy, enthusiasm and unbelievable organisational capacity, I would not be the MP for Epsom. We saw it again with his campaign against Labour's dreaded Electoral Finance Act that shuts down free speech in New Zealand. I said to John: you can't rely on the National Party to protect free speech. They never have in the past. The only way he could ensure freedom of speech was restored and protected was to come to Parliament. I have a bigger motive. John has the energy and enthusiasm we need in ACT politicians.

Party vote ACT and let John lose in Parliament. They won't know what's hit them.

I often get asked what the number one issue of this election is. I say crime. David Garrett has said to me a flat tax is good, but you can't enjoy it if a young thug has run you through.

I have heard the politicians talk and talk about law and order. Hours of it. I have concluded they have no answers. They just play politics with it. As for the bureaucrats, it's their ideas that have put us in the mess we are in.

ACT worked to come up with a no-nonsense policy to deal with crime. Not satisfied I asked Garth McVicar of Sensible Sentencing and Peter Low of the Asian Anti-Crime Group to audit the policy for us.

Garth agreed with Zero Tolerance, with police prosecuting the most minor offenders such as taggers, because that's how to stop crime when it starts.

He said Truth in Sentencing, where you serve the full sentence, with abolition of parole, was right.

He explained to me the agony that victim's families have to go through as part of the parole system, re-living the trauma and being re-victimised simply to keep the killer locked up and the community safe. That's gotta go.

But there was more.

Garth said Three-Strikes-and-You're-Out.

It's so simple.

Commit a violent offence and you serve your full sentence. No parole.

Second offence gets the maximum sentence. No argument. You also get a warning from the judge about the consequences of committing a third strike offence.

Third offence and its twenty-five years to life. Die in there if need be.

Fact is there are seventy-seven people in jail for murder with more than three jail sentences for violent crime to their name, before the murder. They should not have been walkingthe streets. Under ACT's policy similar violent thugs won't be. Think of the lives saved.

That's seventy-seven innocents who should be alive today. That's two bus loads

Seventy-seven families that would not have been devastated.

Amazingly, only ACT has the policies to deter the hardened thugs and lock up the psychopaths.

National favours truth in sentencing - but only after you have been sentenced twice. Announcing their policy John Key gave the examples of notorious killers such as Anthony Ronnie Dixon and Charlie George Baker and William Bell. One had a hundred and sixty. Another one hundred and two previous convictions. Fact is, they all had numerous violent convictions. Under ACT's three-strike policy they would not have been free to kill. Their victims would still be alive.

That's a difference. That's a difference worth voting for.

Having the policy was one thing. What we really needed was someone to make it a reality. That's why I asked the ACT Board to keep the Number 5 position on our list open. I wanted to get a specialist. And I got one.

Garth McVicar introduced me to David Garrett. He's a barrister. Like me he's knocked around a bit. Worked on oil rigs. But his passion is stopping crime. And the policies needed to fix it. He's travelled to the States. He's seen Sheriff Joe's tent jails. He's studied the three-strikes-and-you're-out policy and drafted the legislation for New Zealand. He has worked pro bono for the victims of crime and been a spokesman for Sensible Sentencing. He's the man going to parliament to make our streets safe.

Make a difference. Party vote ACT and put David Garrett in Parliament to make our country safe and secure once again.

Here's another thing. It's the fundamental right of every New Zealander to defend themselves. I would hope I have Virender Singh's guts to chase the thugs down that knifed him, slashed his nephew's hand and bashed his nephew's wife.

I would hope that I too would stand up for myself and my loved ones. Virender Singh rang the police three times while fighting off the young thugs. His shop and his family were under attack. The third time he rang he pleaded, does someone have to die here before you come. One of the thugs lunged at his nephew to run him through the chest. His nephew grabbed the knife to save his life and sliced his hand badly. Virender was in a struggle with a thug and got knifed in the back of his leg. A woman who rushed out of a next door shop was bashed and her eye closed.

Virender and his family were under savage attack. They fought back.

Virender gave chase and bashed one with a hockey stick. There was no one else to protect him and his family. He did the right thing. He did the brave thing. He should get a medal.

Instead, six policemen come to his house, take him to the station, interview him, lock him up and charge him for two counts of assault. He's now out on bail.

Here is a small businessman protecting his property and being charged for his pains. There's only one word for it. Madness.
We have got it back to front in New Zealand.

Government and criminals are running amok with hard working and law abiding Kiwis paying the price.

And what's our government busying doing? It's telling us what light bulb we can buy. And how we are to shower. And making us criminals because we gave our toddlers a smack on the bum so they learn the difference between right and wrong.

That's why there must be change. Not just of government. But of direction.

Fortunately there is a way for those self same, hard working and law abiding Kiwis to make a difference.

Yes, they can vote for National and get rid of Helen Clark. But always remember, MMP saw John Key and National voting to criminalise smacking.

A party vote for ACT is a vote to dump Helen Clark AND dump her policies.

This really does bear repeating. A vote for National is just a vote for change of government. A party vote for ACT is a vote for a change of government AND a government of change. That's what we need.

And, so long as you give your party vote to ACT, we'll do it.

Now is your chance to make a real difference.

We'll do it with outstanding MPs like the remarkable people behind me.

We have real people with real policies, vision and passion to get New Zealand values back on track.

People prepared to go to Parliament to fix things.

New Zealand is facing critical economic times.

Now is the time for clear thinking. Now is the time for strong economic leadership and clear direction.

Now is the time to encourage business to invest and expand and employ.

Now is the time as a nation for us to unite in a determination to emerge stronger from the global financial crisis.

Now is not the time for the hope and pray policies of Labour.

Now is the time to implement long overdue policies to strengthen the New Zealand economy.

Yes. ACT's time has come.

Now is our moment.

We can emerge from this present crisis stronger than we have ever been. We can once again build an economy that will sustain us and our families and a society where our mums and daughters are safe.

We can regain our pride, our self respect.

We can catch and match Australia.

And you can make a real difference this election.

You can Party vote ACT.

Get your friends, your neighbours, your workmates, your family to Party Vote ACT.

Tell them, they can be the difference.

Then we'll ensure the next National Government makes a difference.

We won't let you down.

We will make your vote count.

I will make sure of that.

Thank you

ENDS

Makes sense to me. A party vote for ACT is a vote for change of government and a government of change. Party Vote ACT November 8th 2008.

Putin gets a tiger cub

Russian Federation PM Vladimir Putin's favorite birthday present this year is a rare Ussuri tiger cub. These Tigers are endangered, so I am sure that it may not be such a good thing for him to keep it.

Vlad has been seen affectionately petting the two-month-old female cub on Friday. The tiger weighs only about 20 pounds and sleeps in a wicker basket at Putin's residence outside Moscow.

Putin says a good home will be found for the tiger, presumably in a zoo or wildlife preserve. He hasn't decided what to call her, but is leaning toward Mashenka or Milashka.

Putin refuses to say who gave him the cub for his 56th birthday, which was Tuesday. I wonder why......?

The Ussuri tiger is also known as the Siberian, Amur or Manchurian tiger. Fewer than 400 are believed to survive in the wild.

PM Putin has also released a Judo DVD in the last week to be used to teach the young folk of Russia about self defence. I wonder if they will translate it to English and ship it abroad?

ACT up National down

The latest Roy Morgan Poll shows National Party support at 40.5% ((down 7%) not good) , with small lead over the Labour Party at 37.5% (up 1%). If the Election were held this weekend there would be a hung Parliament in New Zealand with either major party capable of forming a governing coalition.

Greens is at 9% (up 2.5%) Can you imagine the Greens holding the balance of power....???

NZ First is 4% (down 1%) The boat is sinking for Winston.

ACT NZ 3.5% (up 2%) ACT is on the up and up. People want ACT to be tough on crime.

Maori Party 2% (up 0.5%) Expected a slightly higher result.

Progressive Alliance 1% (up 1%)

United Future 1% (up 0.5%)

Others and Independents 1.5% (up 0.5%) Mcgilligutty Serious in full effect???

This is not good news at all for NZ. Is NZ better off now than in 1999 when Labour came into power? NO it is not. If you think it is your name might end in Cullen and Clark???

Crime is up drastically. Red tape is strangling everything, the Police are not capable of doing their job with confidence, taxes are still high, there is a P epidemic, NZ has practically no military or Air Force, the economic climate is slowing as is the real estate market, the whole country is turning into a PC community, and to top it off wages are low and everything is outstandingly expensive in NZ. The people have the power to make a true and real change for the better.

Why do the NZ people appear to be happy being jipped? There is 4 weeks for change. Do your research on ACT at www.act.org.nz Look at their policy, look at what they are going to do to be TOUGH ON CRIME with their Law and Order Policy, look at their policy on tax and giving the power back to the people, cutting red tape, fixing Resource Management that is just too much. New Zealand and New Zealanders deserve better than Labour, NZ First and the Greens.

What needs to be done by the NZ voters for change in NZ is to Party Vote ACT and with exception of Epsom and Botany where you chould give both ticks to ACT simple as that.

I hope you make the right decision for you and for New Zealand.

Party Vote ACT

Dow Jones loses 7% ends at 8,579.19

Palin - Biden debate October 2nd 2008

The US Vice Presidential debate is now complete, with 69,989,000 people watching the debate. This was the most watched VP debate EVER. Both candidates gave a great performance. Gov Sarah Palin was genuine, informed, reasonably funny and personable, and put up a commendable debate. She had a lot to do in debating the well respected and polished speaker of Sen Biden, who was polite, also well informed and courteous. As per usual if you look on Fox News Gov Palin won and if you look at CNN Sen Biden won. The general consensus before the debate was that the Gov would tank... and the Senator would gaff...... Well neither tanked or gaffed and in fact both were impressive. I liked the line that Gov Palin took out of #40's book and told Sen Biden that "Here you go again" pointing to the past and not the future.
I respect Sen Biden as I have mentioned before. We know where Sen Biden has been in the past with his statements and pronunciations. He has had to move a bit to the left to get behind Sen Obama. With Gov Palin we had a 5 or 6 weeks look into what she believes in and wading through all the BS spin that pops up I think you will find that most of the public that watched the debate will be relieved to know that the Governor of Alaska actually has it.

Dow Jones drops -777.68

That is the biggest drop in the Dow ever I believe. Someone will make lots of funds when it pops back again. Crude oil also dropped and the US$ made gains. Very unusual day.

John McCain suspends Presidential campaign.

Sen John McCain has temporarily suspended his Presidential Campaign to get back to Washington and fix the financial situation that has occurred in the USA. He has asked for the Presidential debate this Friday to be postponed and he has called upon Sen Obama to join him and get this problem sorted in a bi-partisan way before Monday. This is a bold move and I hope both Presidential candidate Senator's can work together to make a difference in this bad fiscal situation. John McCain (and maybe Barack Obama) putting the people first.

New Zealand Elections November 8th 2008

The New Zealand Election has been announced as November 8th 2008. This is an exciting time for NZ. Give your National Party Candidate the Electorate vote and ACT your Party Vote.
If you are in Epsom Electorate Give Rodney Hide ACT leader both votes.
You can make NZ a better place after November 8th 2008 with ACT and National.

AC/DC World Tour

AC/DC have a new website (click on banner above to view) and are about to release a new album called Black Ice on October 20th 2008. They are also going on a world tour probably for the last time, and I intend to go to a few of their concerts. Last time they were in town (Auckland) it was the day before School Cert and I was not allowed to go :-( I must admit that was 16 years ago.... Time flys. I am thinking Madison Square Garden.... in NYC... Rock on.

September 11th 2008

Let us not forget...

Canadian elections October 14th 2008

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Canada's Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper dissolved Parliament on Sunday and called an early election for next month in hopes of strengthening his Conservative minority government's hold on power.

The October 14 election will be Canada's third ballot in four years. Maybe Canada needs MMP?

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative party needs an additional 28 seats to have a majority in Parliament. Although he has downplayed that possibility, polls in recent days indicate his right wing party has a chance to do so, and with Mr Dion as the opposition leader he will.

The Conservatives unseated the rather corrupted Liberal Party in 2006 after nearly 13 years in power, but as a minority government the Conservatives have been forced to rely on opposition lawmakers to pass legislation and adopt budgets. A minority government in Canada always leads to early elections.

Analysts said PM Harper's Conservatives had a better shot of winning now than if they waited until being forced by the opposition into a vote later, when the Canadian economy might be worse off.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Harper visited Governor General Michaelle Jean and asked her to dissolve Parliament. The governor general is the representative of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who is Canada's head of state, but the position is purely ceremonial and the governor general obeys the wishes of the prime minister.

Electoral legislation that Harper helped enact after he came to power in 2006 fixed the date for the next election in October 2009, but a loophole allows the prime minister to ask the governor general to dissolve Parliament.

"Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble," Harper said after the meeting.

"They will choose between direction or uncertainty; between common sense or risky experiments; between steadiness or recklessness."

Liberal leader French Canadian Stephane Dion who can barely speak English, said the election offers a stark choice between his party and the "most conservative government in our history." The Liberals have a record of corruptness, Eastern PM's and bad economic and foreign ideals, so Mr Dion has a lot of work ahead of him.

The Conservatives now fill 127 of the 308 seats in Parliament. The Liberals have 95, Bloc Quebecois 48, the New Democrats 30 and the Greens have one seat. Three seats are held by independents, and four are vacant.

Dion, a former environment minister who named his dog Kyoto, wants to increase taxes on greenhouse gas emitters amongst other things. Dion has moved his party to the crowded left in Canada by staking his leadership on a "Green Shift" tax plan.

The Conservatives have been targeting Dion's plan in television and radio ads, saying it would kill jobs and drive up energy costs even higher than the current high levels. Dion has said he would offset the higher energy prices by cutting income taxes.

Dion hasn't had much success selling the plan to Canadians, many of whom have viewed him as a weak leader ever since he surprisingly won leadership of the party in late 2006.

"I love to be the underdog. I love being underestimated," Dion said. Wonder what Mr Dion will do for his next career?

Many expect Dion to be removed as leader if he loses the election. Therefore I am expecting a new left wing Canadian Liberal leader to be appointed after Stephen Harper is sworn in as PM of Canada with a Conservative majority after October 14th.

McCain Palin 08

Senator John McCain has chosen 44 year old Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate for the 2008 US Presidential election.

This is a good choice for Sen McCain as Gov Palin has a strong approval rating of 80% +/- in Alaska, she has age on her side and she is a lady, as well as her conservative progressive views. This should seal the deal for the disgruntled Clinton voters who are planing on voting outside of the Democratic party this time, it should help with the folks who were not 100% on Mitt Romney, and it will be the second time ever that a lady has been nominated for the VP of the USA.

I think that Gov. Sarah Palin is a great choice. I expect a President McCain in November with the first ever female VP Sarah Palin.

McCains VP???

So... Sen Obama has made a strong choice in Sen Biden for VP, who will John McCain pick?

I think that there are a couple of options. Mitt Romney seems to be the most preferred as he is rather strong on the economy, is a successful businessman and was popular in the nominations. He had a few head butts with Sen McCain at the beginning, but they'd make a strong team. Will having a Mormon VP put the ever important conservative league of the Republican party off though?

Secretary of State Rice has been mentioned although it will probably be a long shot. She has mentioned she is not interested (but so had Biden), but she'd do a great job. She appears to be single and there has never been a Lady VP, a black VP or a single VP in history (with certain exceptions), so having Sec Rice as VP would break all the records. Might look like a continuation of the Bush Cheney administration though???Gov Charlie Crist of Florida. He is a strong support of John McCain and also is a popular Governor in a state with 27 Electoral college votes which would be handy..... He has a similar look to John McCain and is engaged to be married soon. Governor Huckabee.... Mike Huckabee is a very charasmatic fellow. He has got a great sense of humor, he has been a successful and popular Governor of Arkansas and he appeals to the conservatives having been a Baptist Minister in the past. He plays in a rock bank and is very likable. He'd make a fantastic VP in my opinion, but can he pull as many votes for McCain as Romney would?Sen Lieberman and Sen McCain are very good friends. Sen Lieberman was Al Gore's VP choice in 2000 which was unsuccessful. Sen Lieberman is an Independant who votes with the Democratic causus and has been very outspoken for John McCain. I am not sure that it is necessarily a good idea to have Sen Lieberman as VP. If he is not VP and McCain wins I would be sure that he will be in President McCain's cabinet.What about this wild card.........???Anything is possible in US politics.......

Obama Biden 08

Sen Obama has made his decision. His VP candidate is Sen Biden of Deleware. As I mentioned below, I do like Sen Biden, he does shoot from the hip, he makes the odd faux pas which is human and he has a sence of humor. He is also rather strong on defence and has been working with John McCain for over 25 years in the Senate. This will be interesting.

ACT party list. Beryl Good #20

ACT has released it's party list today. It looks good although #5 is still blank. It will be interesting to see who fills the position.... Rumors persist that it may be Sir Bob Jones, Richard Prebble, Muriel Newman or another wildcard. It seems that the spot was for Kenneth Wang but he is looking to contest Botany against Pansy Wong.

It is also nice to see that my Mother Beryl Good is #20 on the list. She is actively and diligently canvassing for the Party Vote for ACT in Rodney District and is working hard to get the message across that a Party Vote for ACT will make a difference.

All the best to ACT and National in this coming election. Together they can truly take NZ to a new level..... It is time for change.

Who will Obama chose?

While my support is behind John McCain for the 2008 Presidential elections, it is going to be a close one and probably one of the most exciting US Presidential elections in quite some time. Sen Obama is a charismatic person who can make a great speech. He is admired and if he is to be elected President in November ( John will win ), I'd like him to choose someone as V.P who I think would be good at the job. The rumor is that he will be making his choise tomorrow morning and I'd be impressed if he chose Sen Biden. Lets see what happens.

ACT gaining momentum!

According to the latest Roy Morgan poll ACT NZ and Labour is up in the polls, with NZ First and National losing some support. These polls are not 100% accurate and don't sample a large amount of people, so it's not time to make presumptuous suggestions as yet. But if the positivity keeps going for ACT, then there is a very good chance that ACT could be the backbone for National after this coming election. Now that would be a step in the right direction for all New Zealander's.

5.4 Mag Earthquake in Los Angeles this morning

I was on the phone at the office on the 11th floor of our building in Marina del Rey when I heard some expletives on the other side of the telephone line then the whole building shook like I had never felt before. I have been in LA for 6.5 years and this was the biggest earthquake I had felt. My Assistant and Sales Director have gone home for a lay down. There have been 27 after shocks in the hour since the quake and luckily there is no tsunami warning.
Was a bit of a rush, reminded me of being on a large boat in large swells.

Glad there is no reports of bad damage or death.

Welcome to Los Angeles.

Condoleezza Rice in New Zealand

I think it is great that Winston Peters and the Government of NZ has extended and invitation to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to visit NZ. I think it is even better that she excepted the offer and is currently in New Zealand. I think Winston peters has done a lot for US-NZ relations and I hope the NZ public offer her a pleasant welcome.

We are in a Bear Market

The DOW is down at 11,191 which puts us in a Bear Market. It has to close at this level to make it official. A Bear Market normally averages 14 months, so there may be some good investment opportunities out there soon.

30,000 Hits

30,000 Hits

It is nice to see that today I had my 30 thousandth hit on puntiki.blogspot.com
Thanks to all of you who keep an eye on me on a regular basis. With the NZ and US elections coming up this year I will en devour to make a few more posts on a regular basis.

Keep coming back. Cheers Rob in LA.

ACT in the NZ elections 2008

In the post below is a list of electorates in New Zealand, the MP who won the seat and the margin of votes in which the candidate won the seat.

While I am here in Italy, I certainly have a bit of time to put some effort into this blog so I thought about how ACT can get at least 10% in the next election which will probably give them the balance of power hopefully with their logical ally and effective cousin National .

Now this is all hypothetical and it is based on the previous election in which Labour came out ahead so really I am sure this will be picked to pieces by anyone who is an expert in these fields but...

If ACT was to get 1/2 of the margin that the winning MP got over the second candidate then it would equate to about 10.33% of the vote without taking the local MP favorites away from the voting public. I did not count the Maori seats or Epsom, although the mathematicians out there wont take more than 3 or 4 minutes to figure it out.

I have also identified seats in which the margin is about 4% or less. These are the seats where competent ACT candidates should run for the seat and give it 100%. These seats are:

East Coast: Which went to National with a vote margin of 1219
Hamilton West: which went to Labour with a margin of 825
Otaki: Which went to Labour with a margin of only 382 votes
Rotorua: Went to Labour with a margin of only 662 votes
Taupo: Labour with a margin of 1285 votes
and
Tauranga which should be left to National's Simon Bridges who will make a brilliant MP.
(margin 730)

So taking Tauranga out of it, and adding Epsom for Rodney there are 6 electorates in NZ in the forthcoming election that ACT should seriously have a go at. Along with 1 in ten people voting for ACT with a Party vote getting about 10% or slightly more then ACT are in a serious position to make a difference in NZ. The public of NZ are looking for a change and are slightly weary of the two main parties. This would provide a change for the better for all New Zealander's and would give National weary supporters strength in knowing that effective cousin ACT is there for stability and verification.

I have mentioned to Rodney a way that I think will get as much as 15-20%+ of the party vote. Time will tell if ACT use that idea..... If I can take a page out of Sen Barack's book I would have to agree and say that it is time for change. If National get over a 50% majority will that necessarily make for a better NZ, or will it make for a regime that makes all of the decisions as they please without being checked on the consequences? Time will tell.

NZ election results 2005

Electorate	Result	Winning Candidate	2nd Place	Margin
Aoraki	100.0%	GOODHEW, Jo (NAT)	SUTTON, Jim (LAB)	6,937
Auckland Central	100.0%	TIZARD, Judith (LAB)	WONG, Pansy (NAT)	3,884
Banks Peninsula	100.0%	DYSON, Ruth (LAB)	CARTER, David (NAT)	1,923
Bay of Plenty	100.0%	RYALL, Tony (NAT)	SCOTT, Pauline (LAB)	13,584
Christchurch Central	100.0%	BARNETT, Tim (LAB)	WAGNER, Nicky (NAT)	7,836
Christchurch East	100.0%	DALZIEL, Lianne (LAB)	ROUND, David John (NAT)	11,973
Clevedon	100.0%	COLLINS, Judith (NAT)	HEREORA, David Murray (LAB)	12,871
Clutha-Southland	100.0%	ENGLISH, Bill (NAT)	TALBOT, David (LAB)	13,032
Coromandel	100.0%	GOUDIE, Sandra (NAT)	PURNELL, Max (LAB)	10,578
Dunedin North	100.0%	HODGSON, Pete (LAB)	RICH, Katherine (NAT)	7,630
Dunedin South	100.0%	BENSON-POPE, David Henry (LAB)	POWELL, Conway (NAT)	10,640
East Coast	100.0%	TOLLEY, Anne (NAT)	MACKEY, Moana Lynore (LAB)	1,219
East Coast Bays	100.0%	McCULLY, Murray (NAT)	McCRACKEN, Hamish (LAB)	7,286
Epsom	100.0%	HIDE, Rodney (ACT)	WORTH, Richard (NAT)	3,102
Hamilton East	100.0%	BENNETT, David (NAT)	YATES, Dianne Fae (LAB)	5,298
Hamilton West	100.0%	GALLAGHER, Martin Owen (LAB)	MACINDOE, Tim (NAT)	825
Helensville	100.0%	KEY, John (NAT)	LAWLEY, Judy (LAB)	12,778
Hutt South	100.0%	MALLARD, Trevor (LAB)	THOMAS, Rosemarie (NAT)	5,740
Ilam	100.0%	BROWNLEE, Gerry (NAT)	BLANCHARD, Julian (LAB)	7,821
Invercargill	100.0%	ROY, Eric (NAT)	HARPUR, Wayne (LAB)	2,052
Kaikoura	100.0%	KING, Colin (NAT)	BURNS, Brendon (LAB)	4,675
Mana	100.0%	LABAN, Winnie (LAB)	FINLAYSON, Christopher (NAT)	6,734
Mangere	100.0%	FIELD, Taito Phillip (LAB)	SIMICH, Clem (NAT)	16,020
Manukau East	100.0%	ROBERTSON, Ross (LAB)	YEE, Ken (NAT)	9,890
Manurewa	100.0%	HAWKINS, George Warren (LAB)	AIONO, Fepulea'i Ulua'ipou-O-Malo (NAT)	11,707
Maungakiekie	100.0%	GOSCHE, Mark (LAB)	GOLDSMITH, Paul (NAT)	6,450
Mt Albert	100.0%	CLARK, Helen Elizabeth (LAB)	MUSUKU, Ravi (NAT)	14,749
Mt Roskill	100.0%	GOFF, Phil (LAB)	BLUE, Jackie (NAT)	9,895
Napier	100.0%	TREMAIN, Chris (NAT)	FAIRBROTHER, Russell (LAB)	3,591
Nelson	100.0%	SMITH, Nick (NAT)	McCUTCHEON, Jen (LAB)	10,226
New Lynn	100.0%	CUNLIFFE, David (LAB)	HARRIS, Mita (NAT)	8,078
New Plymouth	100.0%	DUYNHOVEN, Harry (LAB)	IRVING, Moira (NAT)	5,439
North Shore	100.0%	MAPP, Wayne (NAT)	TWYFORD, Phil (LAB)	9,701
Northcote	100.0%	COLEMAN, Jonathan (NAT)	HARTLEY, Ann (LAB)	2,383
Northland	100.0%	CARTER, John (NAT)	JONES, Shane Geoffrey (LAB)	9,275
Ohariu-Belmont	100.0%	DUNNE, Peter (UFNZ)	CHAUVEL, Charles (LAB)	7,702
Otago	100.0%	DEAN, Jacqui (NAT)	PARKER, David (LAB)	1,995
Otaki	100.0%	HUGHES, Darren (LAB)	GUY, Nathan (NAT)	382
Pakuranga	100.0%	WILLIAMSON, Maurice (NAT)	WOOD, Michael Philip (LAB)	9,582
Palmerston North	100.0%	MAHAREY, Steven (LAB)	PLIMMER, Malcolm (NAT)	5,500
Piako	100.0%	TISCH, Lindsay (NAT)	MORONEY, Sue (LAB)	8,351
Port Waikato	100.0%	HUTCHISON, Paul (NAT)	WALL, Louisa (LAB)	13,498
Rakaia	100.0%	CONNELL, Brian (NAT)	MILNE, Tony Robert (LAB)	10,448
Rangitikei	100.0%	POWER, Simon (NAT)	BROWN, Marilyn (LAB)	9,660
Rimutaka	100.0%	SWAIN, Paul (LAB)	LEDDY, Mike (NAT)	8,277
Rodney	100.0%	SMITH, Lockwood (NAT)	DUNLOP, Tony (LAB)	11,536
Rongotai	100.0%	KING, Annette Faye (LAB)	YOUNG, Nicola M J (NAT)	12,638
Rotorua	100.0%	CHADWICK, Stephanie (Steve) (LAB)	STEHBENS, Gil (NAT)	662
Tamaki	100.0%	PEACHEY, Allan (NAT)	BOYLE, Leila (LAB)	9,510
Taranaki-King Country	100.0%	ARDERN, Shane (NAT)	STREET, Maryan (LAB)	13,118
Taupo	100.0%	BURTON, Mark (LAB)	KIRTON, Weston Mervyn (NAT)	1,285
Tauranga	100.0%	CLARKSON, Bob (NAT)	PETERS, Winston (NZF)	730
Te Atatu	100.0%	CARTER, Chris (LAB)	HENARE, Tau (NAT)	10,447
Tukituki	100.0%	FOSS, Craig (NAT)	BARKER, Rick (LAB)	2,402
Waimakariri	100.0%	COSGROVE, Clayton (LAB)	WILKINSON, Kate (NAT)	5,606
Wairarapa	100.0%	HAYES, John (NAT)	MacKENZIE, Denise (LAB)	2,752
Waitakere	100.0%	PILLAY, Lynne (LAB)	BENNETT, Paula (NAT)	4,942
Wellington Central	100.0%	HOBBS, Marian (LAB)	BLUMSKY, Mark (NAT)	6,180
West Coast-Tasman	100.0%	O'CONNOR, Damien Peter (LAB)	AUCHINVOLE, Chris (NAT)	2,154
Whanganui	100.0%	BORROWS, Chester (NAT)	PETTIS, Jill (LAB)	2,402
Whangarei	100.0%	HEATLEY, Phil (NAT)	CHALMERS, Paul (LAB)	9,089
Wigram	100.0%	ANDERTON, Jim (JAP)	LOMAX, Allison (NAT)	8,548
Ikaroa-Rawhiti	100.0%	HOROMIA, Parekura (LAB)	POANANGA, Atareta (MAOR)	1,932
Tainui	100.0%	MAHUTA, Nanaia (LAB)	GREENSILL, Angeline (MAOR)	1,860
Tamaki Makaurau	100.0%	SHARPLES, Pita Russell (MAOR)	TAMIHERE, John (LAB)	2,127
Te Tai Hauauru	100.0%	TURIA, Tariana (MAOR)	MASON, Errol (LAB)	5,113
Te Tai Tokerau	100.0%	HARAWIRA, Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene (MAOR)	SAMUELS, Dover (LAB)	3,613
Te Tai Tonga	100.0%	OKEROA, Mahara (LAB)	OHIA, Monte (MAOR)	2,503
Waiariki	100.0%	FLAVELL, Te Ururoa (MAOR)	RIRINUI, Mita (LAB)	2,871

On Holiday in Europe

I am currently situated in Corsanico, which is in Tuscany in Italy. It is very nice here. I am staying the www.d-h-h.com house here with my family and friends. (Not a free bee). It is very nice here with about 2 acres, a pool and guest house, spectacular views and even a cherry tree ripe for the picking. I am also particularly impressed with the BMW X5 diesel (Just like Pablo's) which has plenty of power and lasts about 400 miles on a fuel tank. Bring on the BMW diesels in the USA. I flew in yesterday from Glasgow in Scotland where I visited cousin Derek and his lady and twins. The twins were very well behaved for nearly being 2 and the haggis and irn bru, which is a favorite of mine, tasted just as good this time as it did 7 years ago, even better.
Here for another couple of days, then a quick stop off in Munich and London then back to Los Angeles for my friends Kristin and Scott's wedding. What a fun week.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

It seems that the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is going to be a tire smoking power house. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 is expected to produce 556 horsepower at 6,100rpm and 551 pound-feet of torque at 3,800rpm. Cadillac claims the CTS-V sedan will go from 0-to-60mph in just 3.9 seconds and through the quarter mile in 12 seconds flat. Now that my friends is FAST.

Top speed when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission is limited to 175mph. Get the six-speed manual and you’re free to run all the way to 191mph. Autobahn type situation on our hands courtesy of Detroit.

Even with gas at about $5 per gallon, if it is as economical as it's cousin the Corvette ZO6 then this may well be the candidate for my next vehicle.

Senator Ted Kennedy has milignant brain cancer

Wish Sen Kennedy a speedy recovery...

Te he he T-Shirts

Would you go shooting with Dick, or take a car ride with Ted?

Is Obama a snob???

Do you find Hilary hilarious?

or

The terrorist's lodgings!!!

and

signing off.

Ananda's War

This is a video about Ananda McClure who is an Iraqi war Veteran x 3 and a good friend of mine. He committed suicide in May 2006 and producer Erica Bardin has made an exceptional documentary about him and his life. It brings to attention that there are certainly more Veterans out there, from many countries, in a similar position to Ananda, who deserve our help whether you believe in the war(s) or not . The video is 25 minutes long.

Sen Joh McCain on Letterman April 1st 2008

Senator Mccain has a good sense of humor :-)

ACT is back???

It seems that ACT is beginning to prepare for a successful bid in the NZ general election which will be held later this year. Party co founder Sir Roger Douglas is back fighting for the party after a sabbatical. He and ACT leader Rodney Hide have put their previous differences apart and are working well together at once again raising ACT's profile with the general public.

Rodney is reasonably well known as the pitbull MP who went dancing with the stars and is practically half the man he used to be, having lost a tremendous amount of weight and got fit.

Sir Roger is known as a forward thinker who has a uncanny knack of commanding attention and making changes. I find it very interesting that within a couple of weeks of getting invited back and putting his hat in the ring, Sir Roger has managed to get constant write ups in the press, has the current Finance Minister making comment on his return as well as the leader of the opposition John Key.

I think that Sir Roger has the ability to stir the pot and ACT has now created an opening for the voting public of NZ for a genuine point of difference. Labour is stagnant and National is not being aggressive enough to really make a point of difference from Labour. ACT is.

I think that people of any country want the benefit at least these 3 things.

1. More available funds without high inflation. The ability to make your earned income go further

2. The ability to "Green up" and implement change to decrease environmental damage and independence of foreign oil.

3. Safety and security. Knowing that law enforcement and the government is there to protect you, your family and your country.

I am sure that any reasonable thinking voter in New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa, Iraq, Australia and the world weather they are left, right or independent thinking would fundamentally agree with 1-3 above. It is not too difficult to implement 1-3 above, but first you need to identify a party that is actually going to make the changes. ACT!

When taxes are lowered, it is unwise to increase spending. ACT proposes to decrease taxes which is a benefit for all legally earning taxpayers on all levels of the financial spectrum. ACT proposes (as it always has) to not increase spending from the current levels.

It always amazes me that the Green party manages to get a rather high poll rating in comparison to other parties. Most of the Green Party candidates are not necessarily the folk that you'd like to have in control of the country are they?, but some of their policies are great.

It seems that the public would take the punt on giving the Greens a taste of power if it only means that they will implement some of their policy. Well ACT is here.... ACT has a "smart Green" policy. It is not good enough just to be green, you have to be smart about it. Allowing investment in reducing dependence on foreign oil, creating energy security and economic policies that facilitate environmental innovation are good for the country and good for our response to shifting environmental threats. Isn't it best to have a party that is not only green, but innovative, economically savvy and motivated to put more of your income in your hand?
ACT could take it a step further by using Rodney's previous training and putting forward a plan that could or would allow NZ to be oil independent in 20 years using renewable resources.

Security is an important factor for anyone. It is important that changes are made to provide and supply more police who are trained correctly and are heading in the right direction. You hear of people in distress having to catch a taxi because the police are busy, people afraid to venture out at night and police failing to arrive to inspect a property when a burglary or break in has occurred, but when you go 10 KPH over the speed limit there is always plenty of police to revenue gather and give you a fine. Seems that the priorities given by the government need to change don't you think? Labour has been in since 1999.... Change is not coming from Labour.

ACT proposes change, ACT instigates change and ACT will make changes for the benefit of all voters. All it takes is your understanding, acceptance, support and party vote for ACT (with the exception of Epsom where it is important to vote for the ACT candidate Rodney Hide MP.)

It is very likely that the next PM will be John Key which will be a boost for NZ. But you wouldn't necessarily give the keys to your new Holden with a full tank of gas to a learner driver who may not bring it back the same way you were hoping for. You need to have a trust worthy guardian with the driver and if John Key and National are the driver, then it is in the best interest of you the owner / voter to have ACT as the guardian. Do your research.... www.act.org.nz if you like what you see join, support, donate and vote ACT.

Australian F1 Grand Prix 2008

The Australian Grand Prix, the first of the 2008 Formula One season will be held on Sunday (Australian time) I would like to predict that Kimi Raikkonen will once again be World Champion with Ferrari. I think he may just win in Melbourne this weekend too??? It is going to be an exciting year in F1. hope Australia is still on the F1 circuit this time next year?.

March 13th 2008 :-)

Ralph Nader is running for President of the USA

Ralph Nader has thrown his hat in the ring for the 2008 Presidential elections. This will be his 5th time running for President (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008) and some say that he was the reason that Albert Gore didn't clinch the Presidency in 2000. What does this mean for the Republican and Democratic contendors if anything? He is probably good for 1-4% of the vote which could just tip the balance of power.
This is already an exciting race for President, it now gets more interesting. Question of the week....Will Bloomberg also run for President as an independent in 2008?????

Virgin Airlines runs a 747 on Coconut oil.

According to Fox news, Virgin Atlantic carried out the world's first flight of a commercial aircraft powered with biofuel on Sunday in an effort to show it can produce less carbon dioxide than normal jet fuels.

"This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected," Sir Richard Branson, the airline's president, said before the Boeing 747 flew from London's Heathrow Airport to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

He said the flight would provide "crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint," he said.

Sunday's flight was partially fueled with a biofuel mixture of coconut and babassu oil in one of its four main fuel tanks. The jet carried pilots and several technicians, but no passengers. It was not a 100% bio fuel flight, they just piped some of it into one engine, but it is a GOOD start.

Virgin Atlantic spokesman Paul Charles predicted this biofuel would produce much less CO2 than regular jet fuel, but said it will take weeks to analyze the data from Sunday's flight.

The flight is the latest example of how the world's airlines are jumping on the environmental bandwagon by trying to find ways of reducing aviation's carbon footprint. Air New Zealand and Rolls Royce (airplane engines) has something on the go to be tested soon.

These efforts have included finding alternative jet fuels, developing engines that burn existing fuels more slowly, and changing the way planes land.

The experiment by Virgin Atlantic and its partners -- Boeing, General Electric and Imperium Renewables -- also comes at a time when high oil prices and the U.S. economic slowdown are promoting consolidation in the airline industry.

Charles said Virgin's Boeing 747-400 jet and its engines did not have to be redesigned to use biofuel on the test flight.

He said CO2 emissions on a normal flight are generally three times the fuel burned, and that technical engineers on the test flight would take readings and analyze data to estimate its greenhouse gas emissions.

This could be a great change in emissions from airplanes. Thing is that bio fuel tends to burn more rapidly which results in a reduced range. I will be very interested to see the results of this test when they are available.

Good on you Virgin and Sir Richard...

Fidel Castro steps down

It has been a long spell for Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz born in August 13th 1926. He has been in power in Cuba since 1959, but today he will resign his post to be replaced by someone else.
That person is likely Fidel's brother Raul, but that will not be confirmed until the end of the day.
Raul has been acting President of Cuba since July 31st 2006 when Fidel became reclusive after surgery so chances for him are good. Question is: Will Cuba change under Raul, or will it be an extension of Fidel and his dictatorship? Time will tell.

Grand Prix manager is back

Log in and sign up. See if you can beat me this year.... That is a challenge.

Mitt Romney drops out. News Flash

Willard "Mitt" Romney has dropped out of the Republican race for the President of the USA today. This leaves Mike Huckabee and John McCain in the race. I would suspect that Huckabee will probably pull out in the next two weeks and endorse John McCain. Lets hope that John McCain's speech at the CPAC convention convinces the movement that he is the man for the job.
*** Update. I watched John McCain's CPAC speech and it was particularly good......