Posted September 7th, 2009

Why Moving On is Not an Option!

On Thursday, 27 August 2009, Major Roberts of the Salvation Army issued a press release urging the nation to “…move on from anti-smacking distractions”.

He also stated, that the Salvation Army “is pleased the Prime Minister is not supporting attempts to prolong the debate”.

What an utterly hypocritical and misleading statement: John Key and his refusal to listen to the 87.4 percent of Kiwis who have voted NO in the referendum is the reason this debate is being prolonged!

We would not have the “distraction of this debate” in the first place, had our elected representatives listened to the loud and clear voice of the majority of New Zealanders who never wanted this bill, instead of bulldozing it through under urgency and strict party vote rules, showing us, the majority of New Zealanders their dirty middle fingers!

Yes, Major Roberts, I agree, we need to address  “..family violence, inadequate housing, lack of jobs and the abuse of alcohol and drugs” , but none of these issues are solved by criminalizing good parents who want to be able to raise their children and discipline them if necessary, without the state interfering.

If we just shrug our shoulders now and “move on” as you suggested, Major Roberts, democracy in New Zealand would have received a heavy blow, proving the fact that a small, but loud and ruthless minority and a bunch of gutless politicians can impose their brand of social engineering on the majority of New Zealanders – NO, we are not having it.

Let’s fix the ‘Anti-Smacking Bill’ mess first – and then move on!