What Cullen said about the top tax rate

"Ninety-five percent of people will not be asked to pay more tax. Instead, only the top 5 percent of income earners will pay more. The increase is expected to bring in $465 million in extra revenue in the next fiscal year."

No, it wasn't this budget

He also said "The benefits of living and working in New Zealand come from the type of society that we build."

I guess thats why lots of people are going overseas.

"Similarly, we will also look at restricting opportunities to avoid tax by interposing trusts or companies. The issues are complex, and consultation will be necessary, so these measures are not included in this bill. However, in the meantime, my advice to anyone considering aggressive measures to avoid the policy intent of this bill is: don't waste your time and money".

My advice to anyone: don't believe Cullen.

Good one Cullen

Michael Cullen has decided not to seek urgency on the smacking bill because he can't get support from NZ First.

Good one Cullen, promote an idea, then dump it when you realise you are not going to get the numbers.Taking a leaf out of Sue Bradford's book, eh? Say you're not" pushing it" because you know Parliament doesn't want it. Who cares what the public think, it's all about what Parliament and Helen Clark can get, isn't it. Pass a bill mid-term in the hope that the electorate will forget about it at the next election. All we need now is to get National to promise to re-introduce Chester Borrow's amendment after the election - after all its pretty much National party policy so why wouldn't it?

Anyway, here is former Police Commissioner John Jameson’s professional evaluation of Sue Bradfords bill.(HT Murray Hill)

Here is Bradford's response.

“Mr Jamieson has no authority to speak on behalf of police in terms of current police practices. He hasn’t been commissioner for some 14 years, he’s been a candidate for Christian right-wing parties.”

Oh Chrisssstians!!!! Just like Bradford has no authority to speak on behalf of parents who bring up kids.She hasn't brought up kids on a daily basis since she has entered Parliament, and she has been a communist, prisoner and a hippy.

Key tastes victory as Labour limps

The Labour Party is having huge difficulty dealing with John Key. If it doesn't come up with an effective strategy to tackle him soon, it risks creating a sense of inevitability about a change of government next year, and then it's doomed.

Labour's performance last week can't have given its supporters much heart. Too many in its ranks see Key as having committed the ultimate sin of social mobility. Theoretically, this is what Labour is meant to stand for but, in practice, it is quite clear they hate him for it.

When Key first became nationally recognised in 2005, Michael Cullen's tactic was to kiss him to death, praising him for his integrity, life story and moderation.

But when Key proved he could better Cullen in any TV debate, the finance minister's veneer faded. Key became "adolescent", "silly" and "hysterical". By October last year, Cullen was labelling him a "working-class scab".

These extraordinarily nasty attacks on Key's background remain central to Labour's strategy.

Read the rest of this well-written article here