Rental Chaos in Supercity land, (and elsewhere).

Tried renting a home lately? What a nightmare. I have been looking for a two to three bedroom place in West Auckland, and the going is really really tough. Everything available is snapped up really fast, and yet, I've seen nothing but pretty depressing dumps, with large price tags attached. And as usual, no pets, rah, rah, rah. My cats have to be rehomed, sadly. I wonder, how many families with kids are going to end up in relatives garages, or worse, with absolutely nowhere to go at all. What has caused the problem, outside of the recession. Where have all the rentals gone to? It would seem, many landlords are cashing up their own home, and moving back into their rentals. Landlords can no longer claim losses on depreciation, Homes are also taking longer to sell, it would seem, so this must be a factor also. Luckily for my family and I, we have a friend who is letting us move into their soon-to-be empty apartment in Te Atatu South, but without this avenue, my family and I would be well and truly up the creek, without a paddle, or should I say, home. What can the govt do to help this dire situation, and how much worse will it get from here, I wonder? Much worse before it gets better, I bet. Much, much worse. Scary indeed. And not to mention, very, very expensive for what you get! Ouch!

There are no jobs, Mr Key...

Why did we bother changing the government, I often wonder. What with the smacking referendum being ignored, the ETS being shafted upon us, the EFA being re-done, and the unemployed now being blamed for their often blameless situation (as in, just where are the jobs?),  I really do feel as though I blew my vote.

The jobs are just not there, and the few that remain often receive hundreds of applicants. Just ridiculous. Where's the empathy from John and Bill now, the empathy I thought I saw while they sat on the Opposition benches. Long gone, that's where. The low-paid get almost no tax-breaks, while the wealthy are continually rewarded. What ever happened to my block of cheese, I wonder? So much for a brighter future, smaller government, or fairness and transparency...utter disappointment this watery government and it's photo-obsessed leader.

Still, once bitten, twice shy. I won't be voting for purpled, deaf National come November. And where to turn this year? In one word; Winston, The stark and obvious choice.

I cannot bring myself to vote National, either.

I had really high hopes when the Key-led National party took office in 2008. All I can say is those high hopes were very soon dashed. Yet another leader who does not listen to majority view, does not follow through on several key (pardon the pun) pre-election promises, (or changes them) and possibly has a hidden agenda. Key is also far more Left than Right centred, in my opinion, which seems strange when he is leading a centre-right (supposedly) Party. At least Labour never pretended to be anything but Left, or centre-Left. Whichever. Key is far too focused on being Mr Popular rather than Mr Do-The-Right-Thing, he seems to test the wind before he acts, quite often shifting his views, depending on bow the wind blows, according to the polls.  He ignores referendums, especially controversial ones.Where is the vision and the backbone? Is National all about John Key and not much else? Is it all about the photo ops, the being in the limelight? Where is the substance, the heart, the courage of his and National's convictions?

So, I won't be voting blue this year. Possibly I won't vote at all, or possibly will vote for NZ First (at least Winston offers true points of difference), or the Kiwi Party, who have done well re the referendum on the draconian, anti-democratic and anti-family Anti Smacking Rucus.

I am looking forward to this year's election, just because I always find it enjoyable, but I just don't have great expectations anymore. One and the same, whatever the name. So disappointing, that 'brighter future' certainly faded fast. Smile and Wave, wave and smile, but don't rock the boat, whatever you do. Don't make the changes so badly needed.Disappointing, to say the very least. So, the champers is back on ice, possibly for a long time.

Go, Winston. You're our best hope, the last of the true Right...and the one person that might upset a foregone, boring and predictable conclusion.'.fingers and toes crossed. Roll on November, I just wish it could be sooner. Still, the rugby should be good...and our biggest consolation. And I don't even like rugby! It's laugh or cry, so I might as well look on the bright side. Hopefully...!

I'm voting for the Kiwi Party next year.

My vote (and all electoral energies) are going to go to the Kiwi Party next year, as they have done an admirable job of trying to uphold our democracy over the smacking referendum result. National and Key have no right ignoring the people's voice on this, and it beggars belief that they think they do...so disappointing. Old news maybe, but far too important to forget or let go. Democracy, democracy... or is it?

Also, the Kiwi Party is founded upon Christian beliefs...one of the few left here in NZ, sadly. Is this being reflected in our crime rate, high unemployment and poverty levels, our general social ills?