Our 54th Parliament opened last week with our leaders shouting past each other into a void where the nation’s debate should be. They didn’t address our problems or suggest real solutions. Here's a few
Kia ora Bernard, thank you for so thoughtfully exposing, analysing and suggesting solutions to the challenges affecting NZ society. Ka pai eh hoa.
NZs challenges pale in comparison to the injustice and inhumanity being inflicted on the people of Gaza and Palestinians, but the lack of worthy political principles is enabling both.
Dec 10, 2023·edited Dec 10, 2023Liked by Bernard Hickey
Bernard, you write:
* replacing the current benefit, accommodation supplement, Working For Families and NZ Superannuation systems with a simple UBI for all those under the age of 30 and over the age of 65;
* bringing in a progressive income tax system that exempts all individual income below $35,000 and ramps up to 50% for those earning more than four times the median wage.
If a flat income tax rate of 50% were imposed would it not be possible for the UBI you propose to be a life-supporting-sized untaxed, unconditional, universal basic income for everyone, not only under-30s and over-65s?
We would need free health care and free education for all.
A lower UBI child benefit, also untaxed and universal, would be needed for under-18s.
And with a universal UBI covering life's necessities, there would be no need to reduce GST from 15%.
As usual a brilliant exposition Bernard. Problems and solutions all addressed with doable solutions that require 21st Century thinking. I doubt you will get it from this chaotic lot who still believe in trickle-down economics the idea that has created our present problems of gross inequality. Good luck.
Thank you again Bernard for an excellent summary of the ongoing problems facing NZ, and your proposed solutions which make so much sense.
As a Green Party candidate in the recent election and long term member I will be sharing your policy suggestions with the Green Party policy team and trying to persuade them to take on as many of them as possible. There is already close alignment on a lot of policies, but often the devil is the detail. A land tax over a wealth tax for instance. $35 000 tax free threshold instead of $10 000 (this was a modest starting figure to get the idea rolling). UBI at 60% of median wage versus an Income Guarantee of $360 per week per individual plus extras for children, etc.
In terms of climate finance, I would like to see NZ adopt a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) like the EU is introducing. This would level the playing field for NZ industries both as exporters and protection from imports. It would allow us to lead the way on carbon reductions and efficiencies, and finally bring in the agricultural sector who have legitimate claims to not wanting to be unfairly disadvantaged against overseas markets. Until, (and it might never happen) we have a legally enforced global carbon tax, CBAMs are the only way to move forward to properly price carbon into our economy.
Great work, Bernard. (As if they'll listen...🤐) The lingering question for me is how does a country which exports low margin (negative margin if you count environmental externalities!?) animal protein and unprocessed wood, but wants to continue importing high value iPhones, Teslas and AI, pay its way in the world? In the same way as we're missing a population and infrastructure strategy, Aotearoa is also missing a coherent technology investment strategy and it's starting to bite our trade balance...
Great stuff Bernard. Now how do we get the turkeys to vote for Christmas. Maybe it’s time for us all to start doing rather than talking. Maybe it’s time for the peasants to be revolting...
Wonderful Bernard! I fully support opening up this ahead of December 20! Have you thought of something like a dashboard like a kaka kpi to track how this government is going against your key areas?
What about the people aged 30 - 65. Why should they be excluded from UBI? Seems unfair. It should apply to all. Also, Nicole McKee, a firearms advocate, has been put in charge of firearms policy. She advocates allowing automatic weapons. So it is not just the tobacco lobby that will be happy with this government.
Bravo Bernard so organized & doable, get the voting age to 16 & get the young to vote just maybe get rid of Grey brigade, we want to keep experience but at not cost we are currently paying in the suffering of daily stress for those who have not got stable living conditions.
Kia ora Bernard, thank you for so thoughtfully exposing, analysing and suggesting solutions to the challenges affecting NZ society. Ka pai eh hoa.
NZs challenges pale in comparison to the injustice and inhumanity being inflicted on the people of Gaza and Palestinians, but the lack of worthy political principles is enabling both.
Go Bernard.
Bernard, you write:
* replacing the current benefit, accommodation supplement, Working For Families and NZ Superannuation systems with a simple UBI for all those under the age of 30 and over the age of 65;
* bringing in a progressive income tax system that exempts all individual income below $35,000 and ramps up to 50% for those earning more than four times the median wage.
If a flat income tax rate of 50% were imposed would it not be possible for the UBI you propose to be a life-supporting-sized untaxed, unconditional, universal basic income for everyone, not only under-30s and over-65s?
We would need free health care and free education for all.
A lower UBI child benefit, also untaxed and universal, would be needed for under-18s.
And with a universal UBI covering life's necessities, there would be no need to reduce GST from 15%.
As usual a brilliant exposition Bernard. Problems and solutions all addressed with doable solutions that require 21st Century thinking. I doubt you will get it from this chaotic lot who still believe in trickle-down economics the idea that has created our present problems of gross inequality. Good luck.
Patrick Medlicott
Yes please, open to public.
Wonderful morning chorus Bernard... thank you and whole heartedly agree...
Thank you again Bernard for an excellent summary of the ongoing problems facing NZ, and your proposed solutions which make so much sense.
As a Green Party candidate in the recent election and long term member I will be sharing your policy suggestions with the Green Party policy team and trying to persuade them to take on as many of them as possible. There is already close alignment on a lot of policies, but often the devil is the detail. A land tax over a wealth tax for instance. $35 000 tax free threshold instead of $10 000 (this was a modest starting figure to get the idea rolling). UBI at 60% of median wage versus an Income Guarantee of $360 per week per individual plus extras for children, etc.
In terms of climate finance, I would like to see NZ adopt a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) like the EU is introducing. This would level the playing field for NZ industries both as exporters and protection from imports. It would allow us to lead the way on carbon reductions and efficiencies, and finally bring in the agricultural sector who have legitimate claims to not wanting to be unfairly disadvantaged against overseas markets. Until, (and it might never happen) we have a legally enforced global carbon tax, CBAMs are the only way to move forward to properly price carbon into our economy.
It can be done! Real policy. Real solutions. Strategic, inspiring, intelligent thinking. Thank you.
Great work, Bernard. (As if they'll listen...🤐) The lingering question for me is how does a country which exports low margin (negative margin if you count environmental externalities!?) animal protein and unprocessed wood, but wants to continue importing high value iPhones, Teslas and AI, pay its way in the world? In the same way as we're missing a population and infrastructure strategy, Aotearoa is also missing a coherent technology investment strategy and it's starting to bite our trade balance...
Yes !!!yes!!! yes!!! to a LAND TAX 👍and hit the land bamkers !!
Thanks Bernard ..
Excellent summary but did notice no mention of agriculture?
Great stuff Bernard. Now how do we get the turkeys to vote for Christmas. Maybe it’s time for us all to start doing rather than talking. Maybe it’s time for the peasants to be revolting...
Wonderful Bernard! I fully support opening up this ahead of December 20! Have you thought of something like a dashboard like a kaka kpi to track how this government is going against your key areas?
We still need a wealth tax on the 1%ers Wealth inequality causes a great deal of harm. High levels of wealth enables some to buy politicians
What about the people aged 30 - 65. Why should they be excluded from UBI? Seems unfair. It should apply to all. Also, Nicole McKee, a firearms advocate, has been put in charge of firearms policy. She advocates allowing automatic weapons. So it is not just the tobacco lobby that will be happy with this government.
Bravo Bernard so organized & doable, get the voting age to 16 & get the young to vote just maybe get rid of Grey brigade, we want to keep experience but at not cost we are currently paying in the suffering of daily stress for those who have not got stable living conditions.