New Zealand Elections

[Platypus]

Labour will win, with greens support and possibly a couple of other seatsneeded, perhaps provided by the Maoris?

[Platypus]

When the three biggest issues in the campaign are tax cuts, maori rights and...Australia...you know that the country doesnt matter much

I love the fact Australia is a megasuperpower in the South Pacific

[Platypus]

you won? Oh well. I dont really give a sh**t. I vaguely hope we keep the ashes though.

[Platypus]

Yep, they send all their crims over here

[Platypus]

Labour lost Invercargill after a 5% swing away from them (and a 10% swing to the Nats)

[Platypus]

Jake, you're always saying i'm clueless, but at least I'm trying to learn about US politics rather then just jumping in and saying stupid, incorrect things all the time. If you want to know about Kiwi politics, i'm sure people would be willing to teach you, but you know sh**t-all as is.

[Platypus]

Jens, I'll say it before the americans do. Unlike New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, etc; America is not a Liberal Democracy; in fact, it's isn't a Democracy at all. It's a Republic, and that's it's biggest problem

[Platypus]

they held government with the greens the term before last, I know; I'd expect that'd be their first port of call, along with NZ first.

[Platypus]

for me, it's putting all that power in one man, and then not having them directly answerable to parliament/congress. Unlike in America, in AUS and NZ, each minister, inc. the PM, come from Parliament, and must face it very very often. They're held more accountable, I think. In the US, there isn't a clear alternative to Bush; in NZ you have Brash; in AUS Beazley.