Lindsay Perigo: Stalinism In The Bedroom

Yesterday's lively discussion on the government's latest proposed thievery, taxpayer-funded parental leave, stirred up a heartening degree of opposition to the proposal. Among those who defended it, none could justify the theft involved, or even confront the issue that it WAS theft. I invite its defenders to think of it this way: No civilised woman would go to her neighbour & say, "I've just become pregnant. When I have the baby I'm going to have to take time off work - you'll have to support me during that period. If you don't give me the money I'll get some thugs to take it off you & give it to me." No civilised woman would expect such thuggery by the government on her behalf, & none of its intended victims should countenance it for a second either.

The thuggery's main promoter, Stalin-worshipper Laila Harre, was fair crowing over her triumph in Sunday's newspapers: "I have had regular correspondence from people trying to find out when it would be a good time to get pregnant. The treasurer & I have confirmed this week that the agreement is, paid parental leave will come into force on April 1 next year, & yes, if you count nine months back from that there should be fun being had that day." This is obscene. I'm the last person to begrudge anyone having fun, but why should others be forced to pay for the consequences? What Comrade Harre is saying to women in the work force is - come July, throw away your partner's condoms, your birth control pills or whatever & bonk away with impunity, because if you get pregnant, other people will be forced to pick up the tab.

It's no defence to say that this goes on in other countries. Two wrongs - or hundreds of wrongs - don't make a right. Ms Harre could set an example to those countries & refuse to accommodate the ghastly creatures who have written to her asking "when it would be a good time to get pregnant." She could, but she won't. She's a committed communist, dedicated to the politics of parasitism.

Once this thuggery is legalised, it'll be damnably difficult to get rid of, as we've seen with all the other forms of institutionalised theft that plague the country. The mainstream political parties will balk at proposing its abolition for fear of being labelled "heartless" - by voters who have no idea how wealth is created & no concern for whose wealth it is to begin with. It's an eloquent symptom of the diseased state of our culture that legalised theft is so widely regarded as "compassionate" while any talk of ending it is deemed "heartless."

Well, call me heartless if you will. I say, the hell with paid parental leave, except where it's voluntarily negotiated by the parties concerned. To those promoting it, & those intending to live off it, I say you're no better than common criminals - & one day you'll be called to account.

For Lindsay Perigo's daily "Politically Incorrect Show" editorials, visit: www.freeradical.co.nz or listen to Radio Pacific from noon to 2pm weekdays.

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