Stop lying National and Parata in particular

How dare Education Minister Parata come on TV and lie about the proposed cuts to the Special Education Schools. She tries to justify this move as being better for those who will no longer be able to attend these very effective schools. She states that consultation has taken place. If this is so and we know that she received very strong advice from those who know about the real needs of Special Schools and was clearly warned the ramifiicatons for the kids who will need to be catered for once the schools close.
Everytime she was asked a direct question, she side-stepped and arrogantly ignored the concerns of parents and professionals.
I have rarely seen such arrogance from someone who should know about the kids her Ministry serves. The real reason for these latest moves is nothing more than a cost cutting exercise. They can paint it with bright colours but the sad fact is that it is the kids and families who will suffer and in the long run, the taxpayers who will have to pick up the pieces when we see the failings that this stupid policy will cause. Damn, I am so angry I have commited heaps of typos. Well this Government certainly has not got its fingers on the pulse of the nation. I don't think we can last another two years. Too much damage will be done and too much good work undone.

While the Government cuts 'Special Schools' it allows obscene 'golden handshakes.'

Where is the fairness, rightness or even common sense in a policy that allows two ‘Special Needs Schools’ to close while heads of business, some SOEs, receive payment of $800,000 plus when their contracts end. At a time when we are struggling economically, at national level and individually, such payments are allowed.

There are many other examples, other than the one reported in the NZ Herald today. Whilst I am not advocating some radical shift in the distribution of wealth, because no country has ever been able to achieve that for any length of time in a fair way, I am saying that such payments as reported are a slap in the face to the rest of us who go about our lives in a more restrained manner.

Make no mistake about the on-going cuts in many areas of Government expenditure; they will come at a steady pace, undoing much of what has been built up over the years. At some stage, we shall realize that things have gone too far, and the cost of reinstating such services will be prohibitive. This is just an extension of the actions already taken. We are going to collectively regret such moves by this shallow, penny pinching Government. I wonder how some of their members are managing to sit with their mouths clamped; knowing that what their leaders are doing is nothing short of social vindictiveness.

USA--- It's time to look after yourself for a change.

The Big Storm has wreaked havoc on the USA. Once the waters recede and the fires are quelled, the true extent of the damage will become apparent. Then the USA needs to take stock and begin rebuilding damaged lives and infrastructure. No one should resent the fact that the USA should concentrate on itself for a change.

The USA should look at its involvement in many countries and pull back. The need at home is huge and the resources it expends on overseas ‘adventures’ is needed at home. For many USA citizens, the next few weeks are going to be tough. I know they will dig deep and pull together. Has not history shown that once challenged, the American spirit has few equals when the chips are down?

Is this not a time for a reassessment about the USA’s place in the world? Some of its massive foreign ‘aid’ package could be seen as a form of imperialism, driven by industrial and economic needs, owned by a tiny segment of the American people. Those who pay are the struggling lower and middle classes who have been duped for decades about the real intent of the backers of USA foreign policy.

Now it is time to rebalance and give back to the majority. Rebuild for American jobs and pull back from failed policies. No one thanks the USA for their ‘policing’ of the world. That job belongs to the ‘collectivity’ of nations---- the UN!