election – NZ Catholic Newspaper

Are we truly satisfied in New Zealand?

Michael Otto — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:26:41 +0000

Perhaps the most famous election slogan in New Zealand’s political history was that which took Robert Muldoon’s National Party to a landslide victory in 1975.
It was: “New Zealand the way you want it.”
Few would agree that, 36 years later, New Zealand is the way its citizens wanted it then or want it now, if talkback radio callers or writers to newspaper letters columns are anything to go by.
But the so-called silent majority seems to have a different take — although in New Zealand, as Austin Mitchell once famously quipped, we have more of a “mumbling majority”.
Indeed, the 2010 New Zealand General Social Survey showed that nine out of 10 Kiwis were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their lives overall.
According to a Statistics New Zealand release, Kiwis’ level of satisfaction was above the OECD average, and comparable with that of Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
At the same time, the survey, taken between April 2010 and March 2011, showed nearly half the population reported they had “not enough” or “just enough” money to meet their everyday needs. Those least satisfied with their lives were reportedly the unemployed and people living in one-parent families.
Why is the lack of satisfaction, reflecting probable real hardship, for the 10 per cent not more of a concern for the 90 per cent?
The numbers — for starters. If the split was 60:40, the situation would be far more interesting politically.
The national character has also changed since the 1970s. We have become a far more atomised society since Rogernomics and Ruthanasia in the 1980s and 1990s.
According to some commentators, we are one of the most unequal societies in the world, with consequent dire prospects for our long-term economic and communal wellbeing. But, given the overall level of satisfaction with the status quo and life in New Zealand in general, it is not surprising that the ruling National Party enjoys a large lead in opinion polls.
A popular Prime Minister and an avoidance of overt social engineering by Government, coupled with a slick public relations machine and clever use of marketing, avoiding any drastic changes that would alarm too many, make it difficult for opposing ideas and parties to make headway.
In their statement for the New Zealand General Election, the Catholic bishops of this country called the faithful to a be “dynamic and active advocates” for political choices such as valuing human life and dignity, protecting the poor and vulnerable, enhancing social relationships, preserving the goods of the earth and creating peaceful, reconciled communities.
But satisfaction with life, which seems widespread in New Zealand, is a recipe for voter apathy.
It will be interesting to see what the voter turnout is at this election, as a creeping apathy seems to be on the rise. The bishops also reminded Catholics that elections are not a time for considering what political choices will be “better for me”, but what choices will be “better for us”.
Chances are that many voters will have little or no idea what life is like for many others in wider society. Given the plethora of media choices available, it is easy to tune out from any articles that disturb personal satisfaction. There are always the great distractions of sport and study at this time of year.
Maybe one thing Catholic voters can do is to take a drive to one of the less well-off suburbs or towns near them and ask themselves: “Is this New Zealand the way we want it?”
They might be surprised by what they find.
— Editorial

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Kiwis encouraged to pray for election

NZ Catholic Staff — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:43:35 +0000

By NZ CATHOLIC staff
WELLINGTON — New Zealand Christian Network is encouraging Kiwis to pray for the upcoming election.
National director Glyn Carpenter said: “Maybe this election will be the one where New Zealanders realise that government does not have all the answers — far from it — and that it’s time to turn back to God.”
What would turning to God do for New Zealand, he asked?
The Methodist pastor of Westminster Central Hall, London, W.E. Sangster, addressed that question in a sermon in 1953. His answer:
1.) Pay old debts; 2.) reduce sexual immorality; 3.) disinfect the theatre [read “television and media” in 2011]; 4.) cut the divorce rate; 5.) reduce juvenile crime; 6.) reduce the prison population; 7.) improve the quality and increase the output of work; 8.) restore a high sense of destiny for the nation; 9.) make the country invincible in the war of ideas; 10.) give happiness and peace to all people.
“It would do the same sorts of things for New Zealand today,” Mr Carpenter said. “Just think how much the country would save.
“Political wrangling over tax rates and welfare levels, and tweaking education and healthcare services and funding, look ominously like Nero fiddling while Rome burns.”
Pray — and vote well, he said.

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Christian parties barely register in NZ election

Michael Otto — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0000

AUCKLAND The three parties overtly seeking the support of Christian voters have been sent a resounding message from the electorate: Thanks, but no thanks. The Kiwi Party, the Family Party and the New Zealand Pacific Party gained a combined 1.22 per cent of the party vote, or a total of 25,623 votes. The Kiwi Party

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US bishops cite abortion deregulation fears in post-election statement

Michael Otto — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000

BALTIMORE (CNS) Fears about laws and changes in regulations on abortion that might advance under a new Democratic-run Congress and White House are the central focus of a statement approved by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops during their annual fall meeting in Baltimore. echo $variable;

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Kiwi Party MP seeks support of pro-lifers

Michael Otto — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000

WELLINGTON Independent MP Gordon Copeland has tried to highlight abortion during the final stretch of the election campaign, hoping to use the issue to galvanise support for his new party. Mr Copeland, now running for the Kiwi Party, has written to pro-life agencies urging them to swing in behind the party, which is contesting its

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American bishops address abortion, election in columns, statements

Washington (CNS) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNS) As the presidential election campaign was drawing to a close, some US bishops urged Catholics not to base their votes on one issue alone, while others said no combination of issues could trump a candidate’s stand on what Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan called the "premier civil rights issue of our day" abortion. echo $variable;

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Canadian Catholics try to balance social justice, life issues

Michael Otto — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0000

TORONTO (CNS) Canada’s political battleground splits Catholic politicians between those formed by Catholic social justice movements and those who stake their Catholic and political identity on support for life and family issues, said a Church historian. echo $variable;

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Bishops invite McCain, Obama to meet before election

Washington (CNS) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (CNS) The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has extended invitations to Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Barack Obama to meet before the November 4 election and discuss their views on a variety of election issues. echo $variable;

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Bishops release guide to voting in election

Michael Otto — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0000

AUCKLAND New Zealands bishops have urged the countrys Catholics to think critically about how to vote in the upcoming general election, issuing a statement to help the faithful ask the right questions of parties and candidates. In the statement, released on August 11 and titled Mindful of the Common Good Thinking about Election 2008, the

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