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MP Thinks New Zealanders Are Stupid?
MP Thinks New Zealanders Are Stupid?
“Manukau East Labour MP Ross Robertson’s comment that referendums can be worded to solicit a certain response is typical of what a Government MP would say when faced with losing their supreme power because of a successful Citizens Initiated Referendum .” says Steve Baron of Voters Voice a group campaigning to have the law changed to make Citizens Initiated Referendums binding on the New Zealand Government.
“This argument always seems to raise it’s head and couldn’t be further from the truth. After 100 years of Binding Citizens Initiated Referendums in Switzerland this has not happened and it wouldn’t happen here either. New Zealanders are just as intelligent as the Swiss and deserve to be given far more respect for our intelligence than Mr Robertson gives us.” he says.
“If Mr Robertson thinks referendums can be manipulated then how does he think we feel when past National and Labour Governments are elected then do a complete U-turn? I can remember Richard Prebble when he was a Labour MP and running around New Zealand with his “Save The rail” campaign, but when elected quickly set about to kill rail” says Mr Baron. “Who would have believed that the Labour Government would have bought about such changes as Rogernomics did in the 80’s and then continued by the National Party in a similar vein?” he went on to say.
“Many people feel we have an elected Dictatorship in New Zealand and Binding Citizens Initiated Referendums are a tool for us reign in this supreme power and take back some control. Referendums are a chance for us to have an improved democracy” says Mr Baron. “Judging by the success of our petition so far and the feedback from supporters this is an idea who’s time has come and something that Mr Robertson and other MP’s can not afford to ignore” he says.
Steve Baron of Voters Voice – Howick Auckland.
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