$450,000 march is political manipulation

Whenever you see full-page newspaper advertisements and primetime television promotions for a protest march you know it won't reflect a grassroots movement.

Tomorrow's so-called March for Democracy will be an expression of orchestrated political manipulation. It a reminder of Tania's march from 1981 which gained a huge following after the media got behind it and employers bused in workers on full pay on a wave of orchestrated union bashing by the media, politicians and employers and cheered on by the self-righteous, vacant hosts of talkback radio.

Without the $450,000 being spent by Auckland property manager Colin Craig, Saturday's march would be a damp squib. Yes there was an 87.4% vote in the recent smacking referendum but the question was so misleading and heavily biased that before the first vote was cast it was dead in the water. If the question had been "Should the law be used as a defence for parents who beat and abuse their children?" then that vote would likewise have gained majority support.

The only reasonable conclusion from the referendum was that lots of New Zealanders were concerned that parents might be criminalised if they smacked their kids. This was understandable given the campaign of those who live by the Old Testament rules where Bible-bashing aligns with child bashing and just a bit ahead of wife bashing. Where did Jesus beat up on kids, for heaven's sake? His only violence was beating the money changers in the temple. (Heaven knows these parasites haven't changed much over the centuries - perhaps we could do with a bit of the Jesus approach dealing with them today.)

But the widespread concern parents would be criminalised has not eventuated. It simply hasn't happened. Police reports make this plain and John Key to his credit has stood firmly against a law change because the law appears to be working as intended - adults who abuse their kids with sticks and jug cords no longer have a legal defence which has gotten so many of them off in the past. The woman who beat her 10-year-old black and blue with a hose and was yesterday sent to prison for nine months shows the positive effect of the law change.

Knowing they don't have a legitimate concern to put to potential marchers, the organisers are trying to broaden the issue to call for binding referenda, which they say is about democracy. I'd have a lot more respect for this claim if I saw the organisers at the forefront of support for gay rights, protecting the natural environment from corporate ravaging and support for low-paid workers. Democracy is not just about voting or the ability of politicians or the wealthy to buy elections. It's about the choices people have to live decent lives.

The new law won't stop child abuse. Here in Godzone we are world leaders in mistreating and killing kids because we are world leaders in income inequality. This much is plain and incontrovertible. The research revealed in this year's book The Spirit Level by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett leaves no place to hide. Until we have policies to drastically reduce income inequality, our most vulnerable kids will be at high risk of serious injury and death at the hands of family members.

There are 13,000 reports of child abuse investigated each year and where abuse has been detected 1800 kids have been re-abused within the next six months. And these are just the reported and investigated cases of abuse. Tens of thousands of our kids live lives of misery in poverty and squalor.

It's a pity Colin Craig isn't a bit better informed about child abuse. Perhaps then he'd spend half a million fighting for higher taxes on higher incomes, employment law which supports workers organising in unions and demanding essential services be run for the public good rather than private profit.

It is policies along these lines which will start to realign the country in favour of kids and democratic choices for everyone.

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eddie   #1   11:28 am Nov 20 2009

So it's OK to march on stuff you believe in John, but wrong if it's about things you don't like/agree with.

That sounds about right.

Ben   #2   11:33 am Nov 20 2009

Well said, John. Colin Craig would do well to spend his money on campaigning for improved social conditions. Where there is poverty and degredation there is also abuse, not just of children, but of all those who are weak.

What a criminal waste of $450,000 when there is so much good that could have been done with it.

When the amendment to section 59 was introduced I admit to having doubts. the actions though of the pro-violence lobby towards children have convinced me that this legislation was badly needed. I also have to say that the ramblings of bobberresford.com on other blogs has also convinced me on the rightness of this legislation. Since when has democracy been about the right to hit others? For most of these people they only want democracy so long as they agree with the outcome. I suspect that many of those on the march will be either of an age or of a type that vehemently fought against homosexual law reform. It makes me ashamed to be part of the human race.

Ben   #3   11:53 am Nov 20 2009

Eddie, nowhere is John denying people the right to march if they wish. Like me, he just disagrees with the whole business and tthinks $450,000 could be better spent. However if the child beaters of Auckland wish to march and proclaim their violent streak for all to see that is their right.

Field Marshal   #4   02:28 pm Nov 20 2009

Yeah I remember POOR Ghandi belting me with his stick,and then POOR mother Theresa ,booting the daylights out of me.Gee you talk some crap John, poverty is just another excuse for dismal behaviour nowdays.Then to go and give credit to, of all people, gays,come on John-everybody knows sex is for procreation OR entertainment.Do we see people march up Queen street because they like to entertain themselves with homemade Play-Doh ?.No we don,t. Well balanced people should be able to adopt children, it is a sign of a mature nation if we allow it, but immature people should not apply.

GL   #5   03:49 pm Nov 20 2009

Didn't even know what the TV ad was talking about when they were running it.

Of course, I actually don't see any issue with a man spending money on what he believes in. I doubt that he would have a long list of all the injustice done in New Zealand and pick the top one to fund.

Perhaps you can arrange a meeting with Colin Craig to have him fund crusade for your cause.

Kevin Campbell   #6   04:17 pm Nov 20 2009

After reading blogs #2&#3 I can see that the brain dead branch of the far left is alive and well.

This argument is done to death, Key will regret his stance as will anyone else that tries to socially engineer this country.

Ben   #7   04:36 pm Nov 20 2009

Kevin, you silly little man; I am actually a National Party supporter. Don't make assumptions because of your own prejudices.

Concerned Mum   #8   04:52 pm Nov 20 2009

I don't know anything about politics but i do love flowers and kittens.

Clunking Fist   #9   05:34 pm Nov 20 2009

"But the widespread concern parents would be criminalised has not eventuated. It simply hasn't happened. Police reports make this plain..."

Eh? So when did you become such a fan of the Police and take them at their word!

Sure the cops aren't PROSECUTING, but they are interviewing witnesses and suspects, opening files on folk, perhaps even taking samples and collecvting physical evidence AND USING DIVERSION, so the parents involved are certainly made to FEEL like a criminal.

Justice   #10   05:54 pm Nov 20 2009

"but the question was so misleading and heavily biased that before the first vote was cast it was dead in the water."

Ah, NO it wasn't. If the "yes" voters had won John you wouldn't be posting this "bias" blog! The question was simple when actually read. A "No" vote supported parents right to disipline their child, and a "Yes" vote did not. If you people cannot grasp such a simple question then I suggest night classes in grammer

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