Budget 2010

Well for the first year in about 8 I haven't had any inside gossip before the big day.

It might be that this year was kept even more secure, it might be that all the big stuff was already announced, or it might be that the governments voluntary redundancies got rid of the blabber mouths. which ever way it is, I don't mind as I'm not supposed to know before hand anyway.

So after all the noise and silly games, ridiculous posturing and name calling in Parliament, was it worth it?
Well yes I think it was. For the first time in 11 years we have a government that is intent on growing the pie instead of cutting it and sharing it around. It's tax cuts are a positive sign that we are not having a government of envy, but a government of aspiration.

As a government worker, I'm not going to be too happy about the minimal increases or funding freezes. It makes it harder to get a pay rise, and so I'm torn by self interest and what I believe is best for the country. But sadly so many people especially unions and greenies have such a limited understanding of economics. In the long run, the best bet is a healthy economy which means we can ultimately fund a better public service.

Now in about another 4 years we might get another left wing government and I'll probably have a big jump in my wages again. Sounds good, but we are seriously steering down the barrel of being another Greece if the socialists get in power again before 7 years.
They seem to think that a tax cut to the rich is taking money away from the poor. It's actually taking less away from those who make our nation function. Hopefully not anyway.

And to summarise my overall opinion of this budget? I'll give it a 8.5 out of 10. They could do more if we weren't in the financial crapper so I've given credit for what they could do.( Lets not forget that NZ went into recession 15 months before the rest of the world under Labour).
Well done JK and Bill English.