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Thread ID: 58508	2005-06-02 22:57:00	You have just been appointed "Prime Minister" of New Zealand ...	KiwiTT_NZ (233)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
360763	2005-06-05 23:25:00	OK . 1 . Weekly online non-binding referenda (free access from public library terminals) on national issues . 2 . Two tiered tax 20%, and 30% over $50,000, personal and business but the first $15,000 of income taxfree . 3 . Allow couples to share their income for taxation purposes . This already happens in reverse where couples recieve married rates of dole and national super, which is less than two individual payments . 4 . Introduce an educational course through all levels of schooling which teaches parenting skills and social values . It is appalling that such an idea is even necessary but ethical values and respect for each other isn't normal anymore . There is probably lots more but that is a start . :D	Winston001 (3612)
360764	2005-06-06 00:04:00	Myth #1 : smokers are a burdon on the health system = big fat myth. Smokers die young. The burdon is from the elderly and the impoverished - not that that is a burdon at all. The elderly have paid their taxes and are entitled to everything they get. Myth #2 : cigarette duties contribute billions to the economy. If it is in the 'billions' then it is the lowest plural possible (i.e. 2) - the duties are enough to pay for say 2 mid-sized regional DHB's. I agree with Winston's suggestions but tax income aside, have a look at the way our taxes are spent someday - about 40% is spent on social welfare. 40% is crippling and unsustainable. Something has to be done about that. What? I dunno.... And as pctek pointed out, a sensible way ahead (for the individual and the nation) has to be through higher or better education. If we were to measure NZ on an international scale of intelligence, we might think we are the brightest light bulb in the pack, but I suspect the reality is somewhat different.... The way ahead? Education (learned and imported) and export income (things not people). Free trade? That is myth #3...	14_with_black_bean_sauce (7493)
360765	2005-06-06 03:56:00	Keep the student loan system in a way, like you get the same amount of living cost payments each week, funding for the course and textbooks. But at the end of the year if you pass all your papers, then it gets written off. If you fail then it stays on your student loan. That way people are encouraged to work harder and not slack around. For people currently with loans they could just write off the interest so all the students have a chance of paying it back some day. If the person stays in NZ to work, then they get a certain amount of money written off their loan each year they are in NZ. Though if the government doesn't really need the money back from all the loans they should just write them off altogether. Does the government really need the money back?	vapo (5203)
360766	2005-06-06 06:28:00	I) Build up our Military II) Build up our Military III) Build up our Military :thumbs: Many people here believe that the dark side of the Force is does not exist anymore, or will never reach far away KiwiLand . So it is good to see we have a Jedi like Martyn . :cool: I seem to recall the history of the UK after WWI, letting their military wither away . Yee Gods, they nearly lost it during the Battle of Britain . If Hitler had known how weak the RAF was then, or had not bothered attacking Russia . . . :eek:	Strommer (42)
360767	2005-06-06 11:01:00	... What would be the first 3 things you would do ? 1) Flat Income Tax = 20% (Companies and individuals) 2) Sales tax = 10% (All purchased goods and commercial services, except food, water, power, phone and government services (including rates)) 3) Every $1 contributed to a Pension scheme (locked in until 55), etc. earns $1 less tax per year. I would make every person in New Zealand a honarary Maori. There are only six Maori seats. This will reduce the number of Politicians by 114. Next I would reduce the number of Civil Servants by about 80%. It matters not what party is in power at whatever time. The Civil Servants ADVISE the Government and they are not elected!! Keep the GST and make it more like 20%- 30%. Lower income tax for all at about 15.0%. Reasoning behind this is to get people spending the money to pay the TAX. No GST on essentials like food except for luxury foods like caviar and champagne etc. Bread flour milk vegetables meat etc should be exempt from tax in general. Free Education and Health care for all. Taxes collected for a specific purpose like roads should just be spent on roads. Less compliance costs would be good too. Most people that own a business collect PAYE and GST for the Government. I would remove the RMA as well. I like the Green feeling but won't vote that way as I can do without Nandor Tancos and that Fitsimmons person. Keith Locke also comes to mind. Back to paragraph one. Would you vote for me?	Elephant (599)
360768	2005-06-06 20:47:00	OK . 1 . Weekly online non-binding referenda (free access from public library terminals) on national issues . 2 . Two tiered tax 20%, and 30% over $50,000, personal and business but the first $15,000 of income taxfree . 3 . Allow couples to share their income for taxation purposes . This already happens in reverse where couples recieve married rates of dole and national super, which is less than two individual payments . 4 . Introduce an educational course through all levels of schooling which teaches parenting skills and social values . It is appalling that such an idea is even necessary but ethical values and respect for each other isn't normal anymore . There is probably lots more but that is a start . :D I like it Winston . Money is the social ill of today, not drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or even crime . These are only symptoms . We go to work to earn money but families can not do it on a single income, both parents must work . Having this pressure on parents contributes to the deconstruction of the family unit and it takes a mammoth effort by parents to try and hold it all together . We need a tax system that will allow families to choose if both parents want to work .	sam m (517)
360769	2005-06-06 21:20:00	Myth #1 : smokers are a burdon on the health system = big fat myth . Smokers die young . Where did you get that 'fact' ? I doubt this . Reference, please . :annoyed: And define 'young' . What ages? Smoking usually takes decades to inflict enough damage to a person so that they wind up in hospital or with ongoing health problems / costs . Imho, heart disease, strokes and cancer do not surface with young people (teens - 20s - 30s) . But 60+ years is a different story .	Strommer (42)
360770	2005-06-06 21:28:00	I would make every person in New Zealand a honarary Maori . Alternatively: A person can only claim to be a Maori if they have at least 50% Maori blood . I know of a blonde and very Pakeha girl who managed to get extra funding since she was something like 1/10 - 1/20 Maori . :rolleyes:	Strommer (42)
360771	2005-06-06 23:07:00	Keep the student loan system . For people currently with loans they could just write off the interest so all the students have a chance of paying it back some day . If the person stays in NZ to work, then they get a certain amount of money written off their loan each year they are in NZ . Agreed . The argument is that if student loans are interest-free, then people will simply borrow the money and put it in a term deposit, earning interest . And there is little incentive to repay the loan . I don't think many students would do this in reality, and the tax system captures a compulsory repayment anyway . So as a citizen who believes in the benefits of education to our nation, I say student loans should be interest-free . But if the student goes overseas - interest starts to accrue . If they never return - a pity but then we also benefit from the education systems of South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, etc when their doctors, engineers emigrate to here . Though if the government doesn't really need the money back from all the loans they should just write them off altogether . Does the government really need the money back? Yes . To provide the money for each years new loans . Otherwise we simply have free tertiary education which a small economy cannot afford . Unfortunately .	Winston001 (3612)
360772	2005-06-06 23:26:00	We don't get given our loan money at the moment as it is. It's paid directly to the "learning" institution. Can only borrow up to a maximum of $150 per week + $1000 per year as money that you can actually get to hold in your hands.	Jeremy (1197)
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