Sometimes I see the level of vitriol and anger directed at our Prime Minister on social media and it makes me despair. I think by all means express a desire for different policies be it tax cuts or more social spending but why the hatred, the name calling, and the constant anger and aggression?
This past weekend there has been little news of course other than the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the commencement of the reign of Charles III and there were the same people making the same furious comments.
From “who cares”, to anger at the level of coverage - this bubbling ever present fury. And it made me realise it isn’t Jacinda making them angry, anything will make them angry.
The thing making them furious is - everything!
And I felt a bit better about coexisting in this country with people who seemed to so irrationally despise our PM. Ahh don’t worry - they actually hate everything, much better.
So how will the angry feel about being given a free holiday to commemorate the Queen? Probably about the same I’m guessing. “Will no one think of the business owners?” they will wail - “horse face don’t know nothing about business except working in a fish and chip shop!”
A one off ad hoc public holiday - have we had one of those before? I can’t remember one. Who doesn’t like a holiday? Well David Seymour obviously.
I assumed when he opposed the introduction of Matariki it was to stir up the anti-Maori vote and try to lure them away from National. His comment was "If people want to use some of their annual leave for Matariki, they can.”
In fairness to Seymour he has indicated he wants to get rid of ALL public holidays other than ANZAC day and, when pushed on the matter, Waitangi Day. The rest, Christmas, Easter, and of course Queen’s Birthday can all go says David.
And that tells you all you’ll ever need to know about Seymour and ACT, they represent those people in our society that see such a commemoration not as recognition of the Queen, not as a time for families to relax and reflect, but as a cost to business and so they oppose it.
They literally represent the people who would rather make more money than pause to recognise a once in a lifetime event.
But we’re taught to be grateful to these people, business owners that is not ACT. We mustn’t envy them (we don’t) they provide the jobs and opportunities we need, like great philanthropic overlords who give us livelihoods out of the goodness of their hearts (they don’t).
I’ve known quite a few CEOs and business owners over the years, some thoroughly decent people, some who didn’t seem to think laws applied to them and didn’t give a stuff about their employees, or their customers for that matter. So, pretty much the same as any other group of people then, although quite a bit heavier on narcissists than the general population based on my encounters.
Not one of them ever expressed an interest in giving people jobs as a goal in and of itself - that doesn’t happen, it is a fiction. And that is ok for it not to be true, but let’s just be honest about it.
These are the same people that will happily lay staff off even while a company is profitable to make its financial position look better. And if you think they’re providing better pay and conditions to staff because it is a nice thing to do, or fair, or anything else forget it, these are offered only when they have to because the labour market demands it.
And when the market has an over supply we have to have legislation so they don’t drop wages or safety standards below a minimum level - the implication of course is that many would pay less, and take less care of workers, than the barest of minimums if they were legally allowed to.
Yes Nick - this is capitalism - well done. This is how it is supposed to work, the survival of the fittest, the exploitation of your fellow for your own gain, greed is good.
Yep, I get it, so let's just be honest about it and stop the Emperor’s New Clothes charade that business leaders are this benevolent force in our society we should be grateful for.
There is a mentality where we have to worship the owners, the wealthy, the guy in the corner office. To criticise is to be envious and bite the hand that feeds you. Perhaps the hand that feeds should be grateful that we allow a group within our society to get wealthy off of the toil of others, take more than their fair share, and avoid paying tax. Why do we do that?
During Covid many business owners acted appropriately, but others did not making many fraudulent claims for the government’s wage payments. Should we be surprised - these are people remember for whom we have to have health and safety legislation to compel them to keep their workers safe.
Not all employers of course, some are much better than others. Some take part in society, wouldn’t dream of providing unsafe working conditions, and will take a hit in profits for such a significant moment in the lives of people. But many will complain like the worst people in the world.
And by the worst people in the world I mean of course the business owners of Queenstown. If one group in society did the opposite of cover themselves in glory (smear themselves in greed?) during Covid it was these people - Jesus Christ have you ever heard such whining in all your life?
It was like every business was being run by Leo Molloy.
Supply and demand they wailed, these believers in the free market, is unfair - why should we pay more for workers just because they can’t afford to live here on what we’re paying them? That sounds like a “them” problem.
When did we become such a bunch of whiners? Be it self-entitled business owners, or the angry troglodytes of social media, or the ACT party.
I find it ironic that as we remember someone who espoused the values of “chin up get on and make the best of it, we’re all in this together” the voices we hear are those focussed on greed, the individual, on no regard for society as a whole, the complainers.
No doubt some will complain about there being a holiday, some will complain about when it is, some will complain about the announcement happening after some other countries (anyone thinking of Chris Bishop?), some will even complain at how long the press conference takes.
But most of us will be grateful for the holiday, for time with family, to remember the Queen whether we think the Monarchy is a flash idea or not in general, and to think of the future.
Most of us know we’re bloody lucky to have this beautiful country to live in, things could be better - they could always be better, but they’re pretty good.
I feel sorry for Seymour and his ilk, perhaps pity would be a better word. No amount of money or personal success will ever be enough to be grateful, and there is much to be said for being grateful.
And taking the time to remember.
I’m aware that this musical piece won’t appeal to everyone, but I think it is incredible.
Vitriol and anger seem to be the default setting. I have just enjoyed a trip to the Northern Hemisphere to catch up with family (after 4 years). My impression since my return is that too many NZers have become myopic, petty and so so negative. The attitudinal difference could not be more stark. I am a 7th generation resident of NZ and sadly I will not be encouraging anyone I care about to come to work or live here. Happy to invest energy to push back against the perpetrators of this self destructive downward trend though.
I do pity seymour and his ilk, what joyless lives they must endure