Labour govt 2020-23

[Bjauck]

The gaps dont narrow, despite various govt attempts for good reason…

Only if you think the government “attempts” have been comprehensive, material and sufficient. And that is also assuming that policy over recent decades has not actually exacerbated inequality of opportunity.

[Getty]

That way of framing the question produces an answer that serves your (percieved) self interest.

A more equal society is better for everyone (leaders and go getters included). A more useful question might be - "How can govt improve the economic and social condition of those on the bottom of the heap?

For people who have experienced colonisation, one effective answer seems to be empowerment. He Puapua provides some suggestions as how that might proceed, and a degree of co governance has already been introduced in some areas in Education and Health and Justice. It works.

Just an idealistic socialist dream that has been attempted many times, that will never succeed unless the go getters are nobbled, which in many ways they are already.

Think back to your school days.
30 kids in a class, were they all equal in academic and sports performance?
No, some excelled at one or the other, and plenty of all rounders.

That continues into adulthood and society, and no amount of govt fiddling will change it, unless we go to communism, which removes incentive to do well, then we will all be low performers, as I have witnessed in many communist countries I have been in.

[Bjauck]

Just an idealistic socialist dream that has been attempted many times, that will never succeed unless the go getters are nobbled, which in many ways they are already.

Think back to your school days.
30 kids in a class, were they all equal in academic and sports performance?
No, some excelled at one or the other, and plenty of all rounders.

That continues into adulthood and society, and no amount of govt fiddling will change it, unless we go to communism.

How are the “go-getters” currently nobbled?

[Getty]

How are the “go-getters” currently nobbled?

You're obviously not one, otherwise you would kmow.

[Bjauck]

You're obviously not one, otherwise you would kmow.

It depends what you want to “get” I suppose. However fair enough I am a “plodder’ with respect to many things.

[Getty]

It depends what you want to “get” I suppose. However fair enough I am a “plodder’ with respect to many things.

So am I Bjauck, and its our contentment that matters, not having someone from govt looking over our shoulder telling us we should be better, or you & I comparing ourselves to our peers, and unnecessarily frustrating ourselves.

As fungus wrote, as long as the opportunity is there, it is up to us what we do with it.

I know a chap who lived in the streets, and was happy, took pride in his ability to survive, now motelled, and immersed in all the social problems that go with his peers.

[Panda-NZ-]

Hard to start a business when you're worried about rent and high power prices from a rentier class of NZers.

[fungus pudding]

Hard to start a business when you're worried about rent and high power prices from a rentier class of NZers.

No it's not. Plenty of enterprising people with a bit of energy and a healthy attitude do it every day. Most of them are very grateful that there are other enterprising types who lease them the necessary premises. Both parties benefit from these structures. It's how the world works. There is no need to worry about a business provided you have done your homework and don't have a personality that frightens customers away. Commerce is just simple algebra.

[Panda-NZ-]

Energy and healthy attitudes don't pay the business expenses here sadly.

[artemis]

About equality. Here is an anecdote from within my family. Small sample but telling all the same. Ours did a trades foundation course, no fees and a bit of travel allowance, no other government funding. More than 20 arrived on day 1. Some dropped out within the week and at the end only 4 graduated and went on to apprenticeships. Most attendees were required to be there to retain their benefits, so ours said.

Opportunity yes. Outcome not so much.

And there in a nutshell ....