tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/robstowell//947 2008-10-13T00:52:47Z Movable Type Pro 4.21-en tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2006:/talk/blogs//19.225971 2006-02-05T05:49:40Z 2008-10-13T00:52:47Z

robstowell http://www.robstowell.blogspot.com/
A nation with a "mixed member proportional" system of government, that breaks the two-party mould. The two main parties are flanked and beskirted by MPs- and ideas- from the libertarian right, the progressive left, the Greens, and others.
A country where the two main parties are both led by self-styled agnostics- not that it's a big deal- almost never mentioned.
An English-speaking nation with a decent standard of living, a working public-health system, and a sizable government surplus.
That's New Zealand heading into the current election, where the big story is how the (center-left) government's sizable surplus is going to be carved up. A fairly radical restructuring of the tax system is on the auction block, with the right pulling the sad old "it's your money, you should have more of it" routine, where the centre-left want to "target" the "tax relief" towards families.
As a dual US/NZ citizen I feel very privileged to be here. 

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