Meet the Texan who could have more say over New Zealand's long-term economic future than Bill English; plus the 10 worst predictions of 2008
Read MorePolitics
What's in a name, Mr Barack Hussein Obama?
Barack Hussein Obama is going the whole name hog in his inauguration and in so doing he may well define a new political generation. Names it seems are critical in top US politics – think Clinton, or Kennedy or Bush…
Read More2008 redux: Farewell Awards
Spreading the Christmas cheer before he takes time off to finish his next book, Jon reviews 2008's stand-out political performances, for good and ill,
Read MoreAn exceedingly pluvial country....
Sir Geoffrey Palmer once sympathised with flood victims by noting the rainy nature of New Zealand's climate. As weather patterns change and water becomes a political issue, we might yearn for a bit more pluvialism
Read MoreThe tragedies behind the Bush Victory Lap of the Middle East
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush has refocused attention on the plight of an occupied people
Read MoreThe politics of urgency
The real challenge confronting John Key's new National-led Government is the rush to judgment on its sense of urgency
Read MoreWhy isn't National more stimulating?
While the government sends parliament into urgency to pass stale bills, its response to the global financial crisis is about as urgent as a tortoise
Read MoreThe Beltway Blues: Random Thoughts from Inside the Bubble
Cue harmonica: It looks like the more things change in parliament, the more they stay the same.
Read MoreA week to make you weep
The new government's first week in the House leaves the country less fair, less green and less democratic. Is this the change New Zealanders voted for?
Read MoreThe good, bad and ugly politics of probations
National rewards its base with a dance it calls the 90-day probationary two-step. But is it good law or just a political sop?
Read MoreFire at will - again!
The lines are drawn. Labour attacks National’s “outrageous arrogance” in ramming through an Employment Probation Bill introduced – in 2006. The old ritual begins once more.
Read MoreLittle guys take a few blows
As details of National's agenda emerge, it appears the new government might be less progressive than appeared on the campaign trail.
Read MoreYour part in resolving the global crisis
New Zealand has turned from a nation of squirrels to one of nutty spenders, yet there's still little debate about just how the global recession will change our behaviour
Read MoreThe problem of partisan noise
Yes, the technology revolution has allowed many more people to participate in their democracy, but the most successful outgrowth of that revolution--the partisan political blog--does more to cloud than elucidate democratic discourse
Read MoreMeritocracy and Mike
Mike Williams' departure from his government appointments leaves a bad taste and prompts questions about our supposed meritocracy
Read MoreConstitutional precedent set in Canada
A groundbreaking ruling in Canada means any Prime Minister faced with a confidence vote can pull the plug on Parliament by running to the Governor General
Read MoreWhy no-one would ever vote for the Treasury Party
With no new ideas and advice that more teachers is a "low impact" strategy, Treasury's briefing to government just doesn't get it. Plus: What do you think about a capital gains tax?
Read MoreACC's billion dollar bomb
National explodes over an urgent billion dollar “time-bomb” funding requirement that wasn't disclosed before the election. “Ridiculous” says Labour. Who is right?
Read MoreCanada crashes towards crisis as PM panics
Canada's Conservative government is desperately trying to stave off the vote that will oust it after just seven weeks in power. Taking its place could be an unholy alliance of losing, socialist and seperatist parties whose one point of agreement is that they hate the Tories even more than they hate each other
Read MoreOde To Hunter S. Thompson
Jon wallows in sickly misery and nostalgia with Hunter S. Thompson as his only guide
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