Mother's Day
Testing the limits of unconditional love.
My mama said
That it's good to be fruitful
But my mama said
Don't take more than a mouthful
And my mama said
That it's good to be natural
And my mama said
That it's good to be factual
Always on the Run, by Lenny Kravitz & Slash.
Morena folks, let me begin by acknowledging that Mother’s Day can be hard for some.
Those who have lost a child, who wanted children but were unable, much-loved mums that are now gone, or where estrangement leaves holes in lives, especially today.
This year, Mother’s Day is tinged by the attacks of our government on pay equity for women, the timing adding insult to substantial injury.
Mother’s Day this year feels a bit like Waitangi did back in February. More ghastliness from ACT, with plenty of head shaking as to why anyone would want to attack Māori last time, or women this time, and wondering who they will target next.
What a lousy Mother’s Day gift.
What would your mother say about this attack on women? I don’t want to sound presumptuous or egotistical, but I reckon chances are if you’re reading this, then your mum probably had some pretty good values - we don’t come from a vacuum.
So well done, mums!
No disrespect to anyone else, but our mum has a profound influence on the people we become, and while I appreciate that isn’t always positive, for the most part, it is the most unconditional love we’ll experience in our lives.
Our mums see us at our worst and love us regardless. Still, I think a few mums around the country who have politicians for children might be finding such forgiveness, such unconditional love, a bit harder than usual today - even if they’re mostly proud.
How are those politicians who voted to pass the legislation this week feeling today as they visit or think of their mother? Let’s start with Brooke.
Perhaps Ms van Velden is not overly concerned that by saving the budget by entrenching the underpayment of women, she has hardened her image as cruel and ruthless; she may even be pleased, as no doubt ACT people are lapping it up.
Forget “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”, the book upon which the movie Bladerunner is based, how about “If a woman cries in despair and the Android has no heart, does she make a sound?”
However, I think the biggest loser in all of this is Nicola Willis, who has cultivated an image of being fiscally conservative, if not prudent, but socially liberal; that image has now gone forever.
It was clear from this Stuff article that Willis, Brooke, and the PM were the architects of women’s misfortune regarding pay equity, having considered potential cost-cutting, and, quite obviously, despite denials, chose to act to salvage their upcoming budget, which must be dire, by sacrificing the aspiration of many women for fair pay.
This would not have happened without Willis's agreement; she, like van Velden and Luxon, decided when push came to shove that sacrificing women was their best option. In contrast, a genuinely liberal politician would have refused to have anything to do with such a move.
By all means, detest the ACT robot, but let’s not be too surprised at their lack of empathy, even when it comes to the hard-working mums of this country. But this, like everything else, is on Luxon and Willis.
Without Luxon’s insatiable desire to be Prime Minister, more important to him than the country's interests, it seems, we would never have had the Treaty Principles Bill. I mean, I can’t recall hearing of anything that Luxon said no to in negotiations.
So it is with pay equity, this travesty could not have occurred without Nicola Willis and her future aspirations to lead this country once doofus buggers off are toast I reckon.
As others have said, Nikki Kaye must’ve been rolling in her grave.
With a unanimous vote from the three parties of the coalition, nobody, not a single MP among them, had the decency or courage to stand up, cross the floor, and say this ain’t right.
Quite frankly, I’m wondering how some of them can look their mums in the eye today, or how they might feel remembering their mothers after what they’ve done.
“Here you go, mum, some flowers and a card and sorry about setting women’s aspirations back 50 years - my apologies, I was only following orders.”
You know that look when your mum knows you’ve done something wrong and all the bullshitting in the world isn’t going to change the fact that they know what you’ve done?
I imagine a few National MPs will be getting such a look from their mothers as they offer weasel words for their lack of backbone and inability to stand up for what’s right.
You’ve got to wonder, what did they enter parliament for? Surely, unless they’re in the ACT party, it wasn’t to do things like this?
It makes you wonder what the point of all those backbench National MPs is if they’re simply going to rubber stamp whatever Willis and Luxon decide.
Mind you, I imagine some of them might find re-election in their electorate a damn sight more challenging prospect than it was looking a week ago. You know, before they pissed off half the population of the country and a good few more in the other half who think this isn’t on either.
Instead of ending by asking how you feel about what this government is doing to our mums this year, how about what they would think? Whether still with us or not.
What would your mum think about the government cancelling the claims of women seeking fair pay?
Alternatively, if you prefer something positive, you’re most welcome to share memories of your mum and how things were for her.
Have a great day, you lovely people, especially all of the wonderful mums out there. This year, the best gift we can give our mothers is never to accept this attack on the women of Aotearoa.
Thank you, mums, we owe you so much, and you sure don’t deserve this.
Ngā mihi,
Nick.
Mother’s Day Special
Usually, when I offer an introductory special, it’s around 20% off either for a year or permanently for gold cardholders. However, I thought I would do something to reflect the underpayment of women and offer an additional 10% off, for a total of 30% off the first year, with no obligation to continue. This makes a paid subscription $70 for the first year, or $7 if you prefer to pay monthly.
To end today, it’s Lenny Kravitz with things his momma said in Always on the Run:
Thank you so much to all of you for sharing these fabulous stories about your mothers. Really moving and inspiring to read.
My mum was a farmers wife and a sole charge primary school teacher in a single room school 30 miles down a metal road. Taught from tiny tots to STD 6 in one room. She pushed me in a push chair up the road to teach from when I was about 18mths old (sadly my early education didn't stick too well). Mum died 3 years ago one week short of 101. Such was the respect people held for her that two of her pupils from 75 years ago came from far away to attend her funeral