Forum Archive Index - October 2001

["Ben Dutton" <bendutton@sharechat.co.nz>]

Hi Peter, thanks for the post - good to read a "real-life" comparison like that.

 

To be honest, I don't think there's been much comment because people were pretty much expecting this to happen and...now that it has it's almost an anti-climax.  We are now all resigned to having our hard earned dollars thrown into a failed airline to keep it alive.

 

As for Michael Cullen's "crap" statement when asked whether the government dithered I don't think he's able to cover his ass (sorry for the pun) on this one.  The government's inaction and ideology against foreign ownership *is* part of the reason why this taxpayer bailout has occurred.

 

I guess if New Zealanders feel really strongly about this waste of money they can always vote with their ballots (and hopefully not feet - too many have left already).

 

But Peter, I wouldn't say a move to Australia is the answer, this country has its own problems and VB really is a terrible beer.

 

Best Regards

 

a very resigned, Ben Dutton

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Peter Robertson

To: sharechat@sharechat.co.nz

Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 2:22 PM

Subject: [sharechat] $885,000,000.. could fund a few hip transplants ??

I work in the Health system (Retail Pharmacy actually). This morning I was reading a diatribe from "Pharmac" regarding how they have recently negotiated a lower price on Heart pills with a generic supplier. The only problem is that, once again, all patients now have to take a different pill, & no doubt some of them will/may find it doesn't control their blood-pressure as well. Wost-case scenario is someone may have a stroke & die, or require a long stay in Hospital. The waffle from "Pharmac" touts the SAVINGS to the TAXPAYER of 6 million dollars.

 It sickens me that I read this on the same day that these fools decided to throw $885 million at AirNZ.

 Maybe next week they will fund another $885 million for Hospital operations & new medicines for NZers (as we are currently worse off that Turkey in regards to access to the latest Pharmaceuticals).I won't hold my breath.

 This posting may be a trifle off-topic, but I am very surprised to see so little written on this forum on this debacle. This money is over $200 from every man, woman & child in this country. Next budget, watch the gst rate go to 20%!!!.  I love this country but it wears you down, -I'd seriously contemplate moving to Australia if I had the energy & I didn't have an aversion to VB & Fosters.!!