Tag Archives: wealth

Spotlight on Christchurch: Epilogue – ‘Trickle up theory’ a confirmed success

Posted on 27th Jul, 2013 by Puddleglum

It seems that with every day that passes more pieces fall into place. Jig-saw addicts know the feeling well: A piece seemingly no different from any other catches your eye and, as you place it down, it fits snugly into … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, Economics, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

And to the victors, the spoils – ‘business as usual’ in Christchurch

Posted on 3rd Dec, 2012 by Puddleglum

[Warning: Very Long Post] The strangely mis-named Christchurch and Canterbury ‘recovery’ continues to unfold in highly predictable ways. Even Christchurch’s arsonists appear to have aligned their activity with the interests of the ‘recovery’ – or at least with the plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Free Market | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

A rainy Christmas Day in Christchurch

Posted on 5th Aug, 2012 by Puddleglum

Monday night last week was like Christmas Eve in Christchurch. As the evening darkened, the presents – carefully wrapped and prettily presented by the best PR Christmas wrappers CERA could buy – were lain beneath the brightly lit Christmas Tree … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, Economics, Fascism, Freedom, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

A bit rich

Posted on 27th Jul, 2012 by Puddleglum

The National Business Review has released its 2012 ‘Rich List’ of the wealthiest New Zealanders. Well, the wealthiest people who occasionally drop in to New Zealand … or, maybe, own some land in New Zealand … or, maybe, have an … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Human Nature, New Zealand Politics, Philosophy, Political Psychology, politics of envy | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The science and politics of the ‘politics of envy’

Posted on 21st Jul, 2011 by Puddleglum

The release of Labour’s tax policies – which include a new top tax rate (39cents for income over $150,000), a Capital Gains Tax (at 15%), no GST on fresh fruit and vegetables and a tax free $5,000 threshold – have … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Human Nature, Human Wellbeing, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Philosophy, politics of envy | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Working hard for the ‘unearned increment’

Posted on 8th Jun, 2011 by Puddleglum

In the spirit of How Many Elephants in a Blue Whale?, I thought I’d do a quick calculation of how much hard work was in Bill Gates (variously estimated) fortune. At one point, Bill Gates was said to be worth … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Free Market, Philosophy | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Working hard for the ‘unearned increment’