On 2017-09-02, Rich80105 <rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:

I came across this article from earlier in the year. There is no doubt
that Jim Bolger was one of the better National party Prime Ministers,
but regretably not all went well during that time. The benefit of
reflection over the years since has caused him to realise that some of
the decisions made during his time were not the best for the country.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/91769882/the-9th-floor-jim-bolger-says-neoliberalism-has-failed-nz-and-its-time-to-give-unions-the-power-back

The headline overstates the case of course - he said union should
have a stronger voice, not that they be given the power back - far negotiations require some power to be held by others, but his
sentimetns clearly strike a chord with many previous National
supporters, who now see that Labour is a better choice for the next
term in Parliament.

a few brief extracts:

"Bolger says neoliberal economic policies have absolutely failed. It's
not uncommon to hear that now; even the IMF says so.

But to hear it from a former National Prime Minister who pursued privatisation, labour market deregulation, welfare cuts and tax
reductions - well that's pretty interesting.

Let us not forget that Labour started all this neo-liberal crap off in NZ.
Not that they or National could have resisted it. The world was global
even then and the ideas spread around the world.

It is so interesting to study history and discover how many times and to
what extent polticans stuff things up. They should never be allowed into The House, let alone form a Government.

"They have failed to produce economic growth and what growth there has
been has gone to the few at the top," Bolger says, not of his own
policies specifically but of neoliberalism the world over.

He laments the levels of inequality and concludes "that model needs to change." "

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: Agency HUB, Dunedin - New Zealand | Fido<>Usenet Gateway (3:770/3)

I came across this article from earlier in the year. There is no doubt
that Jim Bolger was one of the better National party Prime Ministers,
but regretably not all went well during that time. The benefit of
reflection over the years since has caused him to realise that some of
the decisions made during his time were not the best for the country.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/91769882/the-9th-floor-jim-bolger-says-neoliberalism-has-failed-nz-and-its-time-to-give-unions-the-power-back

The headline overstates the case of course - he said union should
have a stronger voice, not that they be given the power back - far
negotiations require some power to be held by others, but his
sentimetns clearly strike a chord with many previous National
supporters, who now see that Labour is a better choice for the next
term in Parliament.

a few brief extracts:

"Bolger says neoliberal economic policies have absolutely failed. It's
not uncommon to hear that now; even the IMF says so.

But to hear it from a former National Prime Minister who pursued
privatisation, labour market deregulation, welfare cuts and tax
reductions - well that's pretty interesting.

"They have failed to produce economic growth and what growth there has
been has gone to the few at the top," Bolger says, not of his own
policies specifically but of neoliberalism the world over.

He laments the levels of inequality and concludes "that model needs to
change." "

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: Agency HUB, Dunedin - New Zealand | Fido<>Usenet Gateway (3:770/3)