For some strange reason, I have started getting emails from the office of Sir Roger Douglas and one offered me a free book. Something for nothing seemed too good to miss so I replied, requesting a copy.
Now despite the fact that I have often disagreed with his politics, Roger Douglas is a politician I admire. He is a politician who has the courage of his convictions, the guts to stand up for what he believes in, the guts to stand up and be counted. He is always prepared to state his case and then argue the points with those of a different view.
And isn’t that a very important part of a politicians role. Shouldn’t politicians whether they be central government or local body politicians, be out in the community expressing views, encouraging debate on important issues leading public opinion. It seems to me that too many politicians are not prepared to express opinions, to state their position on important matters strongly, in case they alienate a few voters. They seem to take the view that if they don’t state where they stand on an issue then no-one can disagree with them.
I suppose in the fickle world of politics that makes a bit of sense. Keep your head down, don’t say anything that anyone can disagree with, be seen at all the right places, tell everyone you are passionate about your electorate or city – politicians love that word passionate – and you will be in for another 3 years.
Well frankly – that is simply not my style.
I will always state my view on matters that are important and fully expect there will be those who disagree with me. Then the matter can be openly debated which is of course not only positive, but healthy for society.
In his time as finance minister, Roger Douglas completely restructured the New Zealand economy and at the time, came under enormous criticism. Subsequently we have had both right and left wing governments and neither has reverted to the old system. That would suggest to me that Roger Douglas got it fairly right.
And if he hadn’t had the guts to make that stand, to take the criticism on the chin, to do what he believed was right for the country, then New Zealand would have been the loser.
Politicians should express their views and be prepared to debate them.
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August 19th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Yes Bill, I too admire Roger Douglas and have always said that we would be down the gurgler if we hadn’t had the restructuring of the late 1980s, as painful as it was, and being a farmer then, it can say that it was painful indeed.
We need politicians that stand up and state their views and a constituent public that recognises such as part of the democratic process, which in the final analysis much of it does.
Not just politicians but columnists too! Sorry, I can’t resist this Bill, but I recall you telling me that I was held in great odour in the H B Club, a sentiment which you shared, for daring to publically resign from it for excluding women members.
Cheers
Ewan Mac
Ewan, you miss my point. My comment to you regarding the HB Club was this: You joined knowing the rules, took umbrage and resigned when the rules were enforced, wrote a scathing piece about the Club in the HB Today then subsequently turned up to a function at the Club when a member was shouting. If you found the Club such an evil place, that you had to resign soon after joining, then you should have stuck to your principles (Thanks Peter) and stayed away.
Bill
August 20th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Greetings Bill
Principles, not principals, please.
Unfortunately the problem with some odours is they just do not go away. Just when you think the situation has been sorted something turns up that makes the nose wrinkle. It is probably more of a job for the pest controller rather than the odd can of air freshener.
August 27th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Oh dear Bill, I have just checked this out and while I don’t want to make a fight of this I must reply.
I turned up at a function at the club as an invited guest of the ACT Party (but non-member of the party, I think I qualified as a councilor). I didn’t know who paid, and didn’t care. I took offence to your opening comment, “You’ve got a cheek coming here”.
Further, upon joining the Club I did not know that women were didqualified from being members. I didn’t think that in the 21st Century there was such a thing in NZ. I realised this initially when after a long day of hearings at the R C I asked the Committee Chairman (and Council Deputy) to join me and another (male member) at the Club, and when she arrived I was told that women visitors weren’t allowed in the bar. (You reason for this was that ‘members would have to watch language’. God help me – and this is a ‘gentleman’s club’?)
Finally, I think the rule is archaic and an insult to woman. I’m unrepentant – 100% unrepentant.
Cheers
Ewan Mac