Battle for MMP: Complacency

The Standard Marty G's brief and limp-wristed sneer towards Simon Powers' MMP Referendum Announcement is probably intended to be no more than a "oh.. shit is about to get heavy around he'a" piece. I can understand this. But nonetheless its geeky and powerless targeting of National distracts Marty from the realities at play, and he ultimately fails to say anything productive or convincing about the electoral system he (behind a poor attempt at neutrality) supports.

I will state right now that I favor MMP, and for me, this is no time for complacency. Marty says "I can see MMP winning at the first stage although there will certainly be a massive campaign from big business and National for FPP's step-brother SM" That is right, there will be. It will be a shitstorm. All the momentum, in the media, in society, is flowing to the right and when big business is mobilised it performs blitzkrieg surgery on the polls. Those of us who support MMP cannot in any way afford to presume its success. Because this is not a small issue. It's not just another political issue to raise the nations temperature. It is democracy. It is constitutional. We shouldn't be lulling MMP supporters to sleep with "I can see MMP winning at the first stage". We need them to vote!

So from now until the referendum, I don't one more 'left' blog conclude with "It's going to be up to the left to remind people of why we chose MMP, and expose the interests of the people who want to get rid of it."

Marty, screw saying it. Supporters of MMP need to start right now, and - building on my presumption - you should too. Come out with guns firing. Remind people. Goddamn it, bloggers are already reminding people, bloggers who have an infinitely smaller readership that yourself. You have the power to change peoples minds. In the words of Bill Hicks 'this is not the time to get coy'.

And I would caution the approach that MMP supporters should both protect MMP and attack the interests of the right at the same time. The latter seems futile, and will only confuse the message with "well, um, this is what the right wants.. and uh.. they have ties to big business and, er, but .. MMP means that we have .. um". No. Keep it short, and keep it simple: "more democracy". More democracy. The focus should not only be on retaining MMP, but enhancing it.

I mean, let's be realists here. What is a more intelligent, realistic option: overhauling our entire electoral system again, dragging kiwis through the strife of learning to vote again, Finding out all the horrible little parliamentary quirks and flaws of an entirely new system for another sixteen years; or, keeping the system we voted in, and improving it? That is the message that will sell. The government will put forward the question, and that is the realistic, pragmatic answer.

So to Marty, and all others, instead of looking to close the doors in the face of monsters that appear - the monsters of ignorance and self-interest - open new doors instead. Show New Zealanders their options instead of merely stating "well, durr Mr. Powers, of course it will be the same as in 1992, geez, whats wrong with ya, we all know what's going to happen, sheesh!" That might soothe your frustration in the short term, but is ultimately unproductive.

I don't know how anyone can see MMP winning through the first round. I can't see past next week in this issue. All I can see is a hell of a battle coming, this is no time to be complacent.

Fantail's Blog (also linked above) provides one excellent example of how MMP supporters can build a productive and constructive argument for MMP.