Taking responsibility, or, the Ballad of Peter Pumkinhead.

Oh dear.

Election Time.

I have been a fan of XTC for longer than I have been interested in politics.

But recently I have become increasingly disturbed at the way New Zealand – and the world – is going. I see us losing our moral compass. I would like to think that I, and others, have a natural tendency to ‘do the right thing’. It is right to want the best for me and my family, as it would be for me to feel benevolence towards others not so fortunate.

But I have become frustrated – and now angry. I can no longer sit and let this happen to the most beautiful country in the world – and the place I choose to call my home. New Zealand is full of bright, forward thinking enterprising people who, as I say, as a matter of course, are brought up to do the right thing – treat each other with respect and build better futures for ourselves. But we have become sheep.

So what is happening? Why are we tolerating crime, disrespect, a degenerating economy and dwindling future encumbered by massive tax, fear, and ‘carrying’ others who chose different things to me?

I guess I am learning, and consider myself on a bit of a journey. I have cast around for answers, as one does, and I realise that doing nothing is exactly my problem. I must think and learn and become wise. It is my problem.

The problem in my world is my fault.

I have displaced responsibility. I have foresaken my tendency to think and act in the right way. I expect others to do this for me. Here is the learning. Others are doing it for me. And I am paying them handsomely. I have given them my money and my liberty. I dont think they are doing a very good job with either.

It first came to my attention with the anti-smacking bill. The right or wrong of this are not really the debate. It is the displacement of responsibility – now the state is deciding what I do and dont do with regards my children. Now that is a big deal. I have never ever seen anything that makes me think my childrens future is safe in the hands of the state. Ever. They have entered my home and taken away a right. What next?

“if you tolerate this, then your children will be next” as the propaganda poster says.

And I am paying the government to enforce their will on me. It is called Tax.

Be under no illusion, this has become a nanny state and it is getting worse.

So, as I say, I cast around and remembered Ayn Rands Objectivism and through a series of delightful coincidences and luck, found libertarianism and the New Zealand Party Libertarianz. Get past the American appearance and dig down to the fundamentals of the theory.

This is a sweet wee video explaining some of the principles of liberty.

With liberty and power comes responsibility.

It is right to vote Labour out, but I dont think voting National will make any difference. It never has. By doing so we are again shirking our responsibilities as human beings.

I will do my bit and have become Southland coordinator of the New Zealand Libertarianz party.

Please contact me 027 5899921 or shanepleasance@gmail.com

I am making Step in Thyme the erstwhile Southland Libertarianz Party HQ, with a get together every Friday lunchtime 12 til 1.

Less government and more responsibility.

And then we have this to contend with, my favorite political song:

The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead

Peter pumpkinhead came to town

Spreading wisdom and cash around
Fed the starving and housed the poor
Showed the vatican what golds for
But he made too many enemies
Of the people who would keep us on our knees
Hooray for peter pumpkin
Wholl pray for peter pumpkinhead?
Oh my!
Peter pumpkinhead pulled them all
Emptied churches and shopping malls
Where he spoke, it would raise the roof
Peter pumpkinhead told the truth
But he made too many enemies…
Peter pumpkinhead put to shame
Governments who would slur his name
Plots and sex scandals failed outright
Peter merely said
Any kind of love is alright
But he made too many enemies…
Peter pumpkinhead was too good
Had him nailed to a chunk of wood
He died grinning on live tv
Hanging there he looked a lot like you
And an awful lot like me!
But he made too many enemies…
Hooray for peter pumpkin
Wholl pray for peter pumpkin
Hooray for peter pumpkinhead
Oh my oh my oh!
Doesnt it make you want to cry oh?

Andy Partridge, XTC