Holiday Highway?---is that really true?

I am very pleased that someone in the Labour Party has had the balls to come out and actually take some of the myths surrounding the idea of a 'four-lane highway' back into some sensible debate territory. As so often happens when people debate an idea, some people get stuck in that old trap of simply repeating that which someone else has managed to have a label attached. Such a label is that abhorrent term, 'Holiday Highway, to describe a road that is very much needed from Auckland to the far north. Opponents of the idea claim that it would merely serve the interests of the rich, who travel to their 'holiday homes,' somewhere north of Auckland. What a narrow and politically emotional understanding of the concept of a much needed road! OK, I will acknowledge that politicians, mainly of the 'blue hue,' are using this road to garner votes and to forestall some of the ideas that other parties may have. I understand why the Greens may oppose such an idea as they dream about an effective public transport system that no doubt includes making sure that the rail link is effective. I agree with the latter a I do with rail in many other areas of NZ. What I will not agree to is that the proposed road does not serve a much wider sector of the population. Yes, the road does lead to some of NZ's most beautiful beaches and places where the rest of the world just get to imagine rather than experience. But there are other sectors of New Zealand's populace who will benefit from this road. I say they are possibly the 'majority of the road users! Why should not the people who have their roots in the north not have a safe and faster option to go 'home?' Forget the political claptrap that is behind this venture for a moment. Others too, love to 'go north'--ordinary New Zealanders. Do they not deserve a safe road; one that is not washed out every time it rains heavily, one that allows them to reach their destinations just like any other road user? Then there are the economic gains from such a proposition. The jobs created in building and maintaining the road, the tourism possibilities. For those of you who worry about foreign drivers crossing the medium strip--then you too should be happy about not having a tired and confused Northern Hemisphere person coming straight at you, on the wrong side of the road. Step back from political convenience and look at the bigger picture. We are not all rich pricks who need a convenient means of reaching our flash beach-side homes and even that statement is one that I am not comfortable with re the 'label.' NO---I barley own a small unit--so I don't fall into that stupid label! OK, JK is looking for votes. Well that's easy to counter. Labour, like Kelvin and Dover have done---back the idea and therefor take it off the menu that National is claiming as its own. There are far more important issues upon which you can disagree; like jobs, education, health and housing---in the regions! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Kim Dotcom affair has shown us that 'we have been spied on,' but is that actually new and should it----

New Zealand is going to the polls in September. We have been assailed by much information re the KDC affair and although this has brought some extremely important issues to the fore, re our personal freedom and the discussion about just how much should we as citizens be spied upon by our own Government services, one does wonder if the 'discussion' is taking the focus off what affect far more NZers---the state of the nation and how we share in the nations wealth. It takes away from the discussion re the plight of workers, who are paid at rates that make living in Auckland and other larger cities, an impossible task; moving elsewhere is equally not possible because of successive government policies or lack of them re developing the regions. That Labour, the Greens and NZF have started to make some sensible 'noise' re this issue, may well be consigned to the back room, as KDC and the furore he has instigated takes main stage, is worrying for the future of a large section of the NZ labour force. I am not saying that the saga needs to be left in the background, totally, but I resent the focus and how it is not contributing to the bettering of the lives of many hundreds of thousands of hard-working NZers. We are privileged in this country in that we can have these 'discussions,' relatively openly, despite sections of the media showing a bias towards the policies of the government and 'big money,' but in the light of day, it is how many people are struggling that should take precedence over the stage show as enacted by KDC and his puppets. Yes, I do appreacite that that debate needs to happen, but please let us have 'balance' about what also matters in NZ. We need a fairer Government and one that will take us forward to a time where 'more' share in the wealth of this nation. That a wealthy and possibly questionable character in the form of KDC purports to be the champion of the 'left' leaves me wondering as to how so many 'followers' have jumped on the band wagon of his glittering, 'it's all a about, me'---- side-show.' www.authorneilcoleman.com

India, Kazakhstan and Indonesia have featured on my list this week, along with the usual favourites.

At the end of last week I thought I would try something different to reach out to my readers; in other words, I wanted to increase my readership. I used the Google Ads service , with a very small daily budget. When In say small, what I really mean is miniscule---NZ$2 a day. massive eh! I was not expecting very much to happen, but I have been pleasantly surprised. The number of hits on my combined blog/website went up about 30%. Not only the numbers, but also the countries reading 'me' has been more widespread, with some quite diverse results. Sure the USA also went way up and Russia returned to the fold. I have always wondered about the later, thinking that it was either Russian women hitting me up (I can hear some of you laughing---shame on you!)or Putin's cronies reading all my insulting comments about his 'glorious rule.' OK, so I won't be dinning at the Kremlin any time soon. Damn, that has always been on my bucket list. What interest me most, is the emergence of India, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. You are moist welcome. I would love to see some 'comments' form you all---give me some feedback. Disagree with me, criticise me--hell lots of people don that on my Facebook link and I often move my 'position' on various subjects as a result. I would hate to stay in 'one place' re my thinking on many subjects. Knowledge and opinions are stances that need to be challenged. If more people stood up and had their say, perhaps we would not be led by the tyrants and idiots who purport to 'know everything,' but really only wish to retain power and control over us. 'Commenting' and talking to me also increases my knowledge of what life is like in your countries. I yearn to 'know more about you.' So welcome everybody to 'my world' and let me know yours. ----Nice to see you back---Ukraine. We are all thinking of you ion this time when the world is going crazy! Palestine--you too have started to read my blogs. Rest assured that many in N Z 'feel' for you as your children and innocent citizens try to live in such terrible conditions, unable to escape from the bombs raining down on you. It would help of course if Hamas and Israel both stopped the carnage, but it is you who have less choice about where to 'hide.' www.authorneilcoleman.com