No. Despite what those at the top - like yourself (and a certain Mr. Henry) - tend to believe, New Zealander's are not stupid Mr. Farrar.
Things are not as they seem. New Zealanders are hanging onto National by a thread. They're not clinging to the right-wing party they voted in, they're clinging to the hope inherit in the image National painted. And National better deliver.
I hope that our government shows more concern for democracy and the wellbeing of our citizenry than you do. You have openly endorsed a government to follow radical policies on which they were not elected. Policies which New Zealanders are tired of, which have proven to be destructive, and which would ultimately just make you richer.
You attempt to legitimize your position by saying "I don't mean do stuff you (National) said you would not do". Unfortunately that still leaves pretty much everything on the table, including what David Cunliffe calls 'p' word: privatization. National's pre-election policies were a lolly scramble of "er, well yes, we'll get to that when we get to that. But hey, economic growth!". By not saying what they would do, there is nothing National said they would not do. As far as privatization is concerned, the rhetoric from Key has been "I have never said I am philosophically opposed to asset sales. It does not form a part of the government agenda for this term."
The reality is that should John Key at any time even snore "privatisation" in his sleep, he would drop dramatically in the polls. New Zealanders are not stupid.
I used to think they were, to be honest. But I have been proven wrong. They think hard about issues. They are a decent, hopeful, and faithful people. They are not a nation of people who - as you presume - simply do not listen to the opposition ("the public is not listening to [Labour]"). We cannot assume New Zealanders are so ignorant to not listen to the opposition. They are listening, but Labour is not being heard. Instead of blaming the public perhaps we should - for once - hold those whose job it is to be the communicators and interpreters responsible.
New Zealanders are not stupid. They are waiting to see if National delivers on the change it promised and, more importantly the change they believed they were voting for. They are waiting for Phil Goff to "come out of his shell" and "develop". The vote is not weighing to National at the moment because they're doing such a standup job. It is stuck in a holding pattern: status quo until we see how this lot turn out.
So, Mr Farrar, you have given your endorsement for a democratically elected government to exploit the votes and faith of the people and follow a radical agenda. If this is what you long for, fuck off to Zimbabwe.
Actually, you know what? Let National follow these radical policies you are so eager for, let them test the intelligence and sensibilities of the nation. Go on, "rev it up, and take it out for a spin". Let's see how long they last when private companies begin drilling in Fiordland. Let us see if your audacity is sustainable then. I, unlike you, understand that everything - wealth, the environment, the economy - is temporary. There is nothing you can accomplish from this other than gifting National a very short spell in office.
So let them off the leash and privatize away. Make your money my friend... I'll enjoy watching the shit fall from a great height.
