Everything’s Just Littler There!
There is a way things are done in New Zealand.
Remember the British expense scandal of spring 2009? If your memory needs refreshing; British politicians are allowed to charge tax payers for expenses that are “necessarily incurred for the performance of a Member’s parliamentary duties”. Turns out most British MPs thought this could include the maintenance and renovations of second and third homes, patio heaters, nice outfits for your wife and pay-per-view porn. Tens of millions of dollars in findings later… people were a bit miffed.
Now the expenses scandal is happening all over again in New Zealand. It has been brought to the world’s attention recently that MP Phil Heatley is under inquiry for misusing his government issued credit card. At a recent party conference, Mr. Heatley charged two bottles of wine to the tax payer. He claimed the expense, yes, but he claimed it as food and beverage and it wasn’t was it? It was just beverage. Presuming he got nicer wine, he might have spent about $60 Canadian for the two bottles, which is about $80 New Zealand. Divide those among every New Zealander, and excluding sheep that’s roughly $10 a person in taxes. Just not right.
I hope against hope that the proud people of New Zealand may get to the bottom of this, for I know they have a particular distaste for scandal in that land. They don’t like to know that MPs are spending their money on wine. Like most citizens, they would rather government put the money into the things the citizens value. Flip-flops, for example. Or fish and chips. Real down home and unpretentious.
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About the Site
Polonoscopy is a site devoted to political fluff. While I do appreciate that there are important issues out there… with respect… eh… don’t really care. Not here anyway, not now, that is not what Polonoscopy is about. Fluff. It’s all about image and perception in politics. Rather than vote for someone based on a record of public service and commitment to the meaningful issues of the day, wouldn’t you rather vote for someone who’s personality seems similar if only slightly more impressive then your own? Of course, we all would.