The Majority is Wrong
If what they vote for is not right.
Freak out
And give in
Doesn't matter what you believe in
Stay cool
And be somebody's fool this year
'Cause they know
Who is righteous, what is bold
So I'm told
Who wants honey?
As long as there's some money
Who wants that, honey?
Lyrics: Billy Corgan
Just because the majority support something doesn’t make it right. Yes, in a democracy, the wishes of that majority tend to hold sway, at least in theory, but that still doesn’t mean they are right.
I was thinking about the result of the US election and wondering - what do you do when something wrong wins?
All of the things that Trump represents, that he says, and that he encourages are still morally repugnant; they are wrong regardless of the fact that more people voted for them than the alternative.
It's the same thing here. Just over half the votes in Aotearoa went to the coalition, despite voters knowing they were saying things that weren’t right. They said ugly things about trans people, Māori, Pasifika people, and beneficiaries.
But people voted for them here, as they’ve just done over there. Many of them were perhaps willing to hold their noses at all the punching down from the coalition parties and tick the boxes in the belief that it would be good for the economy, or something.
How’s that working out? The economy is struggling, not least due to the prioritisation of landlords over government spending, AND we’ve got all the stinky stuff as well. Seems like a lose-lose situation to me.
Still, just because people have voted for something terrible, even in large numbers, it doesn’t mean that people over there in the US, or here in Aotearoa, are going to sit back and go - ah, well, that’s democracy, you’ve gotta respect the will of the people.
These will be dark and potentially dangerous times for dissenters in the US. Mr Trump sure doesn’t care for being criticised. But here, in little old NZ, we have a long tradition of peaceful protest. By which I mean non-violent, even if not particularly peaceful - that’s kind of the point - letting people know you’re there.
Yesterday saw the start of the Hīkoi opposing the Treaty Principle Bill and ACT’s intention to redefine the relationship between the Crown and Māori to suit them and their mates under the guise of equality. Sadly, we saw the racism present in this country before anything had even happened.
Why is Mark Mitchell warning of police action against the Hīkoi if things get out of line? Why is the presenter on RNZ asking if the protest will remain peaceful?
This isn’t Brian Tamaki’s mob; these are the first people of our land and a cross-section of other Kiwis who still know what is right and what is wrong—and this Bill is most certainly wrong. It’s a bloody disgrace, and I’m sure it is no surprise to those who have produced it that it has caused great hurt and upset throughout the land.
Nobody asked those sort of questions during the protest against the Fast Track legislation and the exploitation of our environment for short-term gain.
I don’t recall the authorities doing anything about the Groundswell pro-climate change idiots breaking the law and bringing roads to a halt.
What could possibly be different here? I’m afraid there are no points on offer for answering that one.
It’s awful to think that all of the division this Bill is causing is for one man—David Seymour. It will fulfil its purpose for him, and I don’t doubt that his polling numbers will go up. Predominantly at the expense of National before that party pulls the rug out from under Seymour by not backing his Bill further.
It seems like such a waste of time and money and it is causing so much unnecessary hurt.
Yesterday, Luxon called the Treaty Principles Bill “divisive” and said his party does not support it. He said he liked nothing in the bill and that the National Party saw “no need for it,” but the bill was a reality of the MMP system.
What an absolute crock. Voting for a bill you don’t support is not a “reality of the MMP system” - I can’t recall anything like it happening before, where a coalition agreement stated parties would back something to a select committee but ruled out supporting it beyond.
That’s not a reality of MMP - that is a reality of Luxon’s inability to negotiate and his cowardice in accepting something he should never have accepted.
Key, Clark, Ardern, Bolger, Chippy - take your pick, all of them would’ve told Seymour to take a running jump; no way would they put their name, their vote, and that of their party behind such a Bill for even a single vote.
As much as this is about Seymour’s vileness, it is also down to Luxon’s cowardice and inability to say no to anything that stood in the way of his elevation.
Luxon has tied himself to Seymour. They are locked into this devilish pact to which Christopher offered the nation’s soul in return for being king. But what of the rest of his party and the coalition?
If you were starting your political career, would you want to be tainted forever by voting for this bill? That stench won’t go away. They will always be known for having backed this Bill ahead of doing what was right for Aotearoa - that will never wash off.
Chlöe Swarbrick has called for the vote on the Treaty Principles Bill to be a conscience vote. The Greens wrote to Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee yesterday afternoon with the request.
Swarbrick said, “Tens of thousands are mobilising across the country against a divisive waste of time cooked up in secret by three men. It’s time for the 123 members of this Parliament to take personal, individual responsibility for whether the Treaty Principles Bill nonsense goes any further.”
I completely agree; it’s time for these MPs to stand up. They have remained silent through much of what this government has done, but surely, many of them must be sickened by Seymour’s Bill and of listening to his dishonest arguments for it.
It doesn’t say much about a person if they’re willing to hold their nose and vote for that; as far as I’m concerned, every MP who votes in favour of this bill does themselves and this country a great disservice.
As the Hīkoi moves south, many of you will wish to show support in spirit, even if you cannot attend. Please be aware that, as you might have seen reported, a scam is asking for koha to access a live stream. There is no associated livestream, and the people asking for koha have nothing to do with this protest. Please be careful.
I hope this is a massive movement when the Hīkoi reaches Wellington—one that is impossible to ignore—by any means, other than violence.
The only thing that will make Christopher Luxon withdraw his support for this dreadful bill is if he sees that voting for it will damage him more than voting against it in the first reading.
Because what I would say to you is that nothing matters to Christopher quite so much as Christopher does.
This is best loud - like a Hīkoi. The Smashing Pumpkins and Cherub Rock. Have a good one all you lovely people. 🙂
I meant to mention - that Fi and I went and saw An Evening with Stephen Fry last night; it was outstanding. A masterful storyteller with uncanny impersonations and the most hilarious anecdotes from the royal family to actors, comedians and even Steve Jobs.
If you're seeing him in Wellington tonight, you're in for a real treat, and if you've missed tickets this time, grab them next chance. An incredible man, hugely funny, sensitive, just a lovely human being.
Since this abhorrent bill is in parliament it should definitely be a conscience vote. Any politician who votes for this bill because “that’s what I was told to do, it’s the party line” should never have a place in parliament again.