Family Planning - Aportion

This morning as I was watching the TV1 Breakfast show they had a short story about a group called 'Stop Family Planning' who are protesting the Family Planning Association becoming an authorised abortion clinic. While I share some of those concerns, I'm more concerned with the poor young FOOL they sent onto the show.

First...he's 18 years old and while I'm sure many if not most of those who are seeking some of the 18,000 abortions in this country are his peers (give or take a few years) I think he spoke through no more than a hole in his head and something about which he has very little experience about. He's passionate and all power to him, but he cannot speak from life experience.

The one point I think he did make and did make well was there is a perceived conflict of interest in the FPA's role and what it wants to become. From their own website the following information is taken.
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People have the right to live free of discrimination, regardless of their gender, culture, sexual orientation, disability, relationship status, age, religion and political views.

People have the right to express their sexuality but without hurt or violation of the rights of others.

So that people are able to make informed choices about sexuality and take responsible actions for their own sexual health, they have the right to:

• honest and accurate information about sexuality
• an awareness and understanding of sexual feelings
• the opportunity to clarify their own values and understand those of others
• access to good health care services
• lifelong learning about sexuality as a natural part of living

This philosophy allows us the freedom to reach our potential as human beings.

Family Planning aims to provide information and education about sexuality consistent with these beliefs.

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I am curious as to why the FPA wants to become an abortion clinic as well. I wonder if one organisation can be the ambulance at the top and bottom of the cliff. Education is the key but most people realise what the potentials for unprotected sex are, not only to ones own health but the potential creation of another human life. Personally, my own views are that unless the health of the mother or the child are at risk then abortions not an option. You already made your choices so you live with those choices.

TV shows and movies glamorise sex to little more than a first date action or something to prevent a person you like from finding you disinteresting where it is much, much more than that. There are consequences for its improper use...thats a part of being safe and educated.

I think FPA also needs to step up their game. 18,000 abortions (again not knowing the reasons behind each) is high, and in some cases it is likely that 1 person had more than one. Which means, the education message is not getting out there.

But this young kid on breakfast, while a valid point is made was by far the wrong person to be fronting this issue. He's been with the organisation for 6 months.

Get someone older and a little wiser, who has had a little more life experience under his belt.

The Tax Plan

I think like many I was a little disappointed in John Key's speech in parliament the other day. I was not expecting too much but what we did get was not really enough either. In one hand, everyone is going to be getting tax cuts, but we may end up paying it back with an increase in GST so I saw little point in that. So some things just didn't stack up.

Taxes.
We're taxed to the blazes in New Zealand as it is. Call it taxes or levies its a tax and when you have tax on tax on tax it just makes it hard for people to live. Yes, increases in allowances from places like Working for Families and other welfare assistance will help those on very little incomes there is some truth to the fact that a large tax cut at the upper end of the scales will benefit them more than a tax cut for those on smaller wages or incomes. But a GST hike of relative amounts really negates any return on income tax drops.

When GST was introduced it was 10%. Now its 12.5% on everything. That change in GST happened in 1989 so its been 20 years since it was last increased. Not bad really. But lets look at something here. Something that is $15.50 needs to add $1.94 of GST to the price making it $17.44. The same item at $15.50 increasing GST to 15% makes it an additional $2.33 $17.83. Making it an additional 39c. Does not look like much huh...but...add it up...you could easily in your weekly shopping bill be spending another $50 odd on your essentials.

It is hard to save in this environment but we are working on it in our home. But I would like to see exactly what is going to happen before I'm any more positive on what is going to come. It's no point giving me $3 back in income tax if $5 is going towards GST.

The talk recently about increasing levies on smokes and alcohol is maybe on avenue for increasing GST on unhealthy products or things of that nature alone while reducing or cutting GST on basic healthy items like fruits, veges, milk etc. Stack the GST on tobacco and booze.

Mining.
Personally, I've got no issue with mining, but I do if it has a harsh impact on the appearance of our nation. The last thing you want to see in the middle of our national parks is a big gaping hole where an open pit mine is.

I was Google Earthing the other day and came across the ugly pictures around the town of Waihi where the open mines are. Thats not a pretty look. Granted, one of the mining company guys appeared on Breakfast and said some of them would be under ground mines, and I don't have a problem with that as long as they are safe and don't collapse under weight and ruin our mountains. But these are resources that are there to help us. Either domestically or internationally they are there for a reason...to be used.

I hope this process is carefully thought out. Many people stand to lose more than they gain and some gain more than they need.