Sticking it to the politicians

I don't know whether because I'm now looking down the barrel of 40 in a few years, no kids, no money and a hell of alot more awareness about issues, but I'm pleased I have now had my first encounter with an MP.

Going to an election forum debate is one way to get the blood boiling. It's intense, the crowd are dead quiet, apart from the odd elderly person who seem to be the only people on the planet prepared to ask a few questions and have the government on about their policies.

Hearing high-ranking government MP's who I pay for their salaries by way of my tax, gloating about NZ's lowest unemployment rate was enough to turn on my ego into existance.

Strong words exited my mouth to a obviously stunned audience not used to such a vigourous explosion. I told Mr MP that people are in casual jobs, that they are working part-time and have no security.

He continued to go on, and I continued to stick it to him.

I looked into my body senses as I did this, and could feel myself stiffing up, a tenseness, but for the first time in a very long time, it was good to be able to say out loud what I felt, and I didn't feel my usual nervousness shaky feeling.

The MP was rattled.

He had the nerve to lean in to my personal space and try to talk to me, where I took the opportunity and told him "you", (him the government") can give people decent wages, decent housing and public power. You can put the power, the rail into public ownership but you won't.

He didn't like what I had to say and grunted off.

He was rattled by a girl who is an ex-soldier, thrown a grenade and told him a few home truths in a fancy gorgeous outfit. Who the hell is this girl?, I could hear him say to himself in his thoughts.

The election is still four weeks away, and it is to say the least one of the most interesting experiences I have ever undertaken, going to public meetings and supporting my boyfriend in his speeches to tell the other side of the story to a public being manipulated through no information about what is really going on, by advertising and such like.

As someone who grew up during Muldoon, Rogernomics, and now Helen Clark, in a freezing-works town,I know full well the implications of what these governments have taken from the people of New Zealand of who I am one person.

My Nana is now in a under-staffed resthome, the underclass are no-where to be seen in the streets or the fancy shopping malls, and people are in-fighting each other stealing off the poor and the rich to put food on their tables. And people ask why.

The Alliance is the only party in this election for the people.

People before profit. It's pretty simple.

Public power, public health, public education, decent wages and real full-time jobs. GST will be scrapped.

That is all it takes and very quickly you will see crime disappear, people taking care of their families because they can now afford to put food on their table, take their kids to the doctor, take themselves to the doctor, and get an education.

People for people. 100,000 votes is all it takes and every vote counts.

If you want to see the public address by the Alliance, it is on tonight on TV1, between 7.30pm - 8.30pm. There is also an address on National Radio, 8.05pm - 9pm, Saturday August 20.

How to get publicity amongst a group of boys.

I am a political rookie working to generate public awareness for a political party.

How do you publicise your product? What about the brand? Umm, I say to myself as a marketing professional, and more recently a fully-fledged publicist with her own company.

The big boys have it all sorted, so you need to work smart to capture the media's attention.

That is first thing you need to know. Use it to your advantage.

Put news in front of the big boys, hassle them to cover your brand, remind them of all the good stuff your "brand" has done. Do stunts. If it can work for the YES MEN, it can work for a party trying to cut through and make headlines. It is all about headlines.

In country like New Zealand where there are three free channels, and main two are actually a public broadcaster (apparently!) coverage is given to the those who currently reside in the house. This is not right and undemocratic.

If you are outta the house, we ain't interested mate.

This needs to be changed.

Pink, the citizen reporter.

Alliance use guerilla tactics to be heard at election forum

Alliance Dunedin North candidate Victor Billot used his "gate-crashing" skills to
get into the Otago University's OUSA Election debate on nukes in New Zealand eariler today.

No invitation was received by Mr Billot by the OUSA for this particular debate, and he took it upon himself to ask the people if they would like the Alliance Party to take part.

A big cheer went up from the crowd, with stunned looks from the other participants and Chair, Steve Sutton from OUSA as he marched towards an empty seat.

Mr Billot joined the seated candidates who were Peter Hodgson Labour, National's Conway Powell, Act's Ken Shirley, Rod Donald, Greens and Dale Jones, New Zealand First.

The "no nukes in New Zealand" debate was dull affair until the arrival of Mr Billot.

The Alliance does not support all things nuclear.

A most interesting point raised during the debate was by New Zealand First's Dale Jones who declared anyone can build a nuclear plant in New Zealand - all they need is resource consent.

This was certainly news to everyone attending the debate.