We saw some of the interview with Guyon Espiner on Breakfast this morning, talking about MP's expenses. Whilst we concur with Espiner's view that perception is reality, we take issue with him on a few other points.
Espiner kept going on about the "average guy on the factory floor earning $50k". Having worked on a factory floor until three years ago, we weren't earning anywhere near $50k, even we were well above the average in terms of income. If Espiner is going to make such bold statements, he has to make sure they're factual, in our humble and considered opinion.
He also asserted that the "average guy on the factory floor" would be horrified by the revelations that have emerged over the past few days. We disagree. The "average guy on the factory floor" quite possibly isn't even aware of this issue, or in particular, all the intricacies thereof. Then again, the "average guy on the factory floor" probably watches the two-minute news snippets that Espiner and his colleagues serve up, and they have been delivered with a particular slant.
However, we reckon that the "average guy on the factory floor" is also a family man or woman, and so won't begrudge the likes of Bill English having a second home in Wellington solely so that he can live there with his family. The "average guy on the factory floor" will have a pretty good idea of the toll that politics can take on family life and relationships, and will be prepared to cut politicians of all hues a bit of slack for that reason.
All that aside, the controversy that has arisen over the last few days is not a good look for the government or its predecessor. Over at The Inquiring Mind, Adam Smith notes that people in glasshouses should be careful about throwing stones. Adam endorses the PM's call for a review, but cautions against an over-reaction. We concur with our fellow blogger sole. It's a messy business all round.
3 comments:
The only way Espiner would recognise the average guy on the factory floor would be one kicking him in the arse. Espiner has a cushy job, which produces nothing and adds nothing to the gdp, in which he hobb-nobs with the great and good and never gets his hands dirty.
Instead of trying to manufacture a scandal he should be focussing on the governments efforts to manage our economy through the downturn.
But that is probably too hard for him to do.
Indeed Alex - it's very hard to argue against any of what you have written - especially the last bit!
On this issue, Espinr in particular (but followed closely by several other media commentators) has shown himself to be a self-righteous little prig. He talks anbot public anger and tries to sound even-handed in his approach but he has been seen for what he is.
About now he will start to realise that any public anger is that which he and his ilk have manufactured with poorly researched and hysterically presented dramatic flourishes but once he has been seen to be making a big issue of the housing thing he cannot easily change tacks without appearing to contradict himself.
The spurious rationale that was used to cry "Rort" have proven to be a little more multi-layered than he first though and I for one, would not be surprised if the outcome was that MP's get rewarded in another way to compensate.
The next move from the political repeaters will be to change the subject competely. Watch out for the major scandal involving John Key's shirt at the Pacific Forum being a size too small (or large or decorated with kangaroos or ...)
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