text:
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Chronic Pain Injury meets Threshold for Non-pecuniary Damages
Under the Ontario Insurance Act s.267.5(5)(b), a person is eligible to receive non-pecuniary general damages from a motor vehicle accident claim only if they meet the required 'threshold' in terms of sustaining "a permanent serious impairment of an important physical, mental and psychological function". The Act also sets out specific requirements for proving 'serious' and 'permanent' injury, which includes evidence from at least one physician.
To decide whether or not a plaintiff meets the threshold, the court must address three questions that were established in the seminal Meyer v. Bright Ontario Court of Appeal decision.
Has the victim suffered an impairment of a physical, mental or psychological function?
If yes, is the function that is permanently impaired, an important one?
If yes, is the impairment of the important function serious?
Non-pecuniary damages are more difficult to measure than financial losses, since these damages relate to subjective factors such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Similarly, for injuries such such as chronic pain syndrome, PTSD and depression, it can be challenging for a plaintiff to prove the severity of their injury as it cannot be measured with conventional medical tests such as X-Ray equipment. In such cases, evidence and testimony from accredited medical professionals is generally pivotal in substantiating the severity of an injured person's pain and its impact on their lives.
In the 2016 trial, Dimopoulos v. Mustafa, the court was tasked with evaluating a case where the plaintiff, Mr. Dimopoulos, reported struggling with chronic pain in the 12 years following his car accident. As the jury was deliberating on their verdict at the conclusion of this trial, the defendant brought a 'threshold motion' to bar the plaintiff's claim for non-pecuniary damages and chiropractic expenses on the basis that his injuries failed to meet the threshold necessary to qualify for said damages.
The jury returned with a verdict in the plaintiff's favor and awarded Mr. Dimopoulos general damages of $37,000 and $30,000 for chiropractic treatments. However, the judge was still required to rule on the defendant's threshold motion, which she did, in favor of the plaintiff. Justice Tzimas concluded that Mr. Dimopoulos satisfied the statutory requirements of the threshold and did suffer a permanent serious impairment of important physical functions. This decision was based on the plaintiff's recount of the extent of his injuries and their effect on his life, his wife's testimony, as well as the testimony of several healthcare professionals.
Prior to his accident, Mr. Dimopoulos was described as an extremely healthy and active man who fully enjoyed life. However, since the accident, he suffers from constant pain in his neck, shoulders and lower back which fluctuates but never abates; frequent headaches; and an inability to sleep through the night. The chronic pain has resulted in a complete change in his overall disposition; he has become irritable and impatient and has withdrawn from social and family activities.
Between the two medical doctors providing testimony for the plaintiff and defendant, the judge held that the plaintiff's medical expert was more thorough, convincing and professional. Dr. Wilson, the medical expert who testified on behalf of the plaintiff, was judged to qualify as an expert in orthopaedic spinal surgery, soft tissue injuries and chronic pain, including causation and treatment. Dr. Wilson's assessment was based on a full examination of Mr. Dimopoulos that lasted over two hours. He concluded that as a result of the car accident, the plaintiff likely sustained a soft tissue injury to the cervical spine (whiplash), soft tissue injury to his lower back and left shoulder, as well as mechanical back pain. The injuries were deemed to be permanent.
In his testimony, Dr. Wilson clearly explained and demonstrated the tests he administered to detect any symptom exaggeration or deception by Mr. Dimopoulos and he concluded that the plaintiff was being completely truthful about his symptoms. By contrast, the evidence provided by the defendant's expert witness was less credible; it was based on a ten minute examination; and he showed evidence of bias against the type of injury suffered by the plaintiff.
The judge found the testimonies of Mr. Dimopoulos, as well as his wife and Mr. Yip, a physical therapist who treated Mr. Dimopoulos, to also be credible. Like Dr. Wilson, Mr. Yip explained the measures taken to ensure a patient is not exaggerating their pain and injuries and after treating Mr. Dimopoulos and applying these measures, Mr. Yip was certain that while Mr. Dimopoulos could undertake light physical tasks, he was no longer able to perform more strenuous physical tasks necessary to his previous job as a general labourer.
With regard to Mr. Dimopoulos himself, Justice Tzimas found him credible largely because he remained consistent throughout repeated questioning, despite the defence's attempts to discredit him by rephrasing questions and by cutting off his responses to questions before he could fully explain himself. Mr. Dimopoulos' wife was unshaken under cross-examination by the defence and impressed the court with her candid and clear testimony. The judge noted how important establishing credibility was in a case involving a soft tissue injury because it is the type of injury that, although painful and permanent, cannot be measured objectively in terms of its severity.
Justice Tzimas considered evidence from a surveillance video of Mr. Dimopoulos that was presented by the defence, and concluded that the video showed nothing that contradicted Mr. Dimopoulos' testimonies.
Although complex, poorly understood and difficult to treat, chronic pain syndrome is increasingly accepted as a potentially disabling injury by the medical community. Nevertheless, sufferers of chronic pain are often unfairly treated by suspicion and a lack of sympathy. Insurance companies, in particular, can be skeptical of injury claims for chronic pain and correspondingly, require expert corroboration to prove the magnitude of the claimant's pain and losses.
Anyone who has ever struggled with persistent pain understands that chronic pain syndrome and psychological injuries such as PTSD, anxiety and depression can be just as debilitating and sometimes even moreso, than physical injuries that can be objectively measured. At Rastin & Associates, we have helped many accident victims who suffer from chronic pain syndrome and other serious injuries obtain compensation for their loss of income, medical and rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from their injury. If you or someone you love was injured in an accident, please do not hesitate to call us today to find out how we can help.
You can call us at 844-RASTIN1 or email Rastinlaw.com
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text:
Corosolic acid-induced acute kidney injury and lactic acidosis in a patient with impaired kidney function
Jing Quan Zheng, Cai Mei Zheng, Kuo Cheng Lu
Corosolic acid from banaba leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for diabetes and kidney disorders. However, whether it has significant side effects remains unknown. We report the first case of a diabetic patient who developed severe lactic acidosis after taking corosolic acid.
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.06.002
corosolic acid
Zheng, J. Q., Zheng, C. M., & Lu, K. C. (2010). Corosolic acid-induced acute kidney injury and lactic acidosis in a patient with impaired kidney function. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 56(2), 418-419. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.06.002
Corosolic acid-induced acute kidney injury and lactic acidosis in a patient with impaired kidney function. / Zheng, Jing Quan; Zheng, Cai Mei; Lu, Kuo Cheng.
In: American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Vol. 56, No. 2, 2010, p. 418-419.
Zheng, JQ, Zheng, CM & Lu, KC 2010, 'Corosolic acid-induced acute kidney injury and lactic acidosis in a patient with impaired kidney function', American Journal of Kidney Diseases, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 418-419. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.06.002
Zheng JQ, Zheng CM, Lu KC. Corosolic acid-induced acute kidney injury and lactic acidosis in a patient with impaired kidney function. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 2010;56(2):418-419. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.06.002
Zheng, Jing Quan ; Zheng, Cai Mei ; Lu, Kuo Cheng. / Corosolic acid-induced acute kidney injury and lactic acidosis in a patient with impaired kidney function. In: American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 2010 ; Vol. 56, No. 2. pp. 418-419.
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title = "Corosolic acid-induced acute kidney injury and lactic acidosis in a patient with impaired kidney function",
abstract = "Corosolic acid from banaba leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for diabetes and kidney disorders. However, whether it has significant side effects remains unknown. We report the first case of a diabetic patient who developed severe lactic acidosis after taking corosolic acid.",
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N2 - Corosolic acid from banaba leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for diabetes and kidney disorders. However, whether it has significant side effects remains unknown. We report the first case of a diabetic patient who developed severe lactic acidosis after taking corosolic acid.
AB - Corosolic acid from banaba leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for diabetes and kidney disorders. However, whether it has significant side effects remains unknown. We report the first case of a diabetic patient who developed severe lactic acidosis after taking corosolic acid.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Tentative Date: For 2 Gun Shoot at the Richland County Outdoor Range.
TentativeDate: For 2 Gun Shoot at the Richland County Outdoor Range.
Southwest Technical College will be hosting the 6th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Competition Shoot.
Location: Southwest Tech Public Safety Complex shooting range, Fennimore, Wisconsin.
Entry Fee: $15.00 per Person for each event entered. $20.00 per Team entered for each event.
A copy of the "Program & Flyer" are linked below.
SWTC is sponsoring a public outdoor rifle league. 3:30pm – 6:00pm – for Sporting Rifle & Rimfire Rifle – at the SWTC LE Training Range.
Contact Gary Roberts for more info, 608-822-2702 or mppd4608@yahoo.com.


text:
Either Steve Jobs Didn't Tell Anyone His Master Plan For TV, Or Apple's Executives Discovered His Theory Was Wrong
Asa Mathat | D: All Things Digital
Before Steve Jobs died he told his biographer, "I finally cracked" the TV market.
"I'd like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use," said Jobs. "It would be seamlessly synced with all of your devices and with iCloud. It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine."
That set the tech world aflame. It suggested Apple was ready to go after the television market and save us from the clunky experiences delivered by cable and satellite companies.
Two years later, though, and absolutely no change in TV, it's clear Apple wasn't all that close to cracking the TV market.
In fact, the latest batch of reporting on Apple's attempts to do something in TV makes only one thing clear: Apple has no idea what it's going to do.
The latest report from Brian Stelter at New York Times says Apple is trying to do a little bit of this, a little bit of that, trying to figure out what's possible and what's impossible.
Apple is talking to pay-TV distributors like Time Warner Cable about running its channels through its Apple TV box. It's getting individual networks like ESPN, HBO, and Sky News to add applications for the Apple TV.
It's also talking to networks about selling a premium TV service that would let users skip commercials with Apple kicking the money back to networks.
Apple might run everything through its little streaming box, the Apple TV, or it might sell a full television with its software baked into it.
There's reports of Apple using Siri to control the TV. There's reports of Apple acquiring the motion technology company that was key for Microsoft's Kinect. There's even talk of Apple developing a wearable iRing to control the TV.
Some of the reports could be nonsense, but it's unlikely people are just making things up out of thin air. There must be some basis for these stories.
Add it all up, and it just looks like Apple is trying everything to figure out what it can do with television, which makes Jobs claim that he cracked the tv market all the more curious.
Either he cracked it and forgot to tell anyone how he cracked it. Or, the current group of executives decided his theory didn't make any sense. Or, the content companies, cable companies, and satellite companies saw his vision and decided they didn't like, so they're doing all they can to block it.
Whatever the case may be, it's looking like Apple's television isn't coming very soon.
More: Apple Apple TV


text:
Types of Roofers
How to Find a Job As a Roofer
Roof Leak Repair – Finding the Source and Preventing Future Leaks
Things to Consider When Putting Up a New Roof
Roof Services
Tag: roofing services
January 14, 2023 January 14, 2023 Jon Benito
If you are interested in working in the construction industry, you may want to think about pursuing a career as a roofer. There are several factors that you'll need to
January 13, 2023 Frank Peters
A roof can be a very important part of a home. It protects your property from inclement weather and helps keep your interior warm. If your roof is damaged or
January 9, 2023 January 9, 2023 Gail Rose
When you have a roof leak, you will want to find the source of the leak as soon as possible. In this article, you will learn some great tips on
December 16, 2022 December 16, 2022 Regina Jensen
If you're putting up a new roof on your home, there are several factors you'll want to consider before starting. You should consider the type of roofing material you'll be
What to Look For in Roofing Experts
December 15, 2022 December 15, 2022 Michelle Simpson
When it comes to finding roofing experts, you have a variety of different options. Many people will be able to recommend some good roofing services. If you are looking for
Tips For Metal Roof Repair
November 7, 2022 November 7, 2022 Julie Matheny
Metal roofs are known for their durability and resistance to damage from the elements. However, sometimes the material needs repair or patches. If this is the case, contact a professional Greenville
Why You Should Consider Roof Washing
October 19, 2022 October 19, 2022 Jon Benito
Roof washing removes algae, moss, mold, mildew, and lichen from your roof. Roof Cleaning Tampa also eliminates oxidation on metal roofs. It extends the life of your roof. Having your roof
Costs of Roof Repair
October 12, 2022 Frank Peters
If your roof needs repairs, you may want to wait until later in the season. Before calling a roofing company, research what parts of the roof need repairs and look
Types of Roofing and Their Pros and Cons
October 10, 2022 October 10, 2022 Gail Rose
Solid Roofing is the top covering of a building and consists of all constructions and materials that cover it. Roofing is an important component of a building's envelope and provides protection
Steps Involved in Metal Roof Installation
September 15, 2022 September 15, 2022 Julie Matheny
There are several steps involved in the Metal Roof Installation process. First, determine the distance from the peak of your roof to the eave of your home. Then, begin with
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Recruitment Details The study was conducted at one site in France during the period 22 November 2010 to 19 May 2011 and was planned to enroll 8 participants. But only one participant was enrolled and received a single course of study medication. No participants were re-dosed.
Arm/Group Description Participant received a single dose of otelixizumab intravenous (IV) infusions each given over a 30 minute period on 8 consecutive days in order: 0.1 milligrams (mg), 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg thus total dose 3.1 mg. Participant received prophylactic oral ibuprofen 400-800 mg 2 hours before start of infusion (SOI), 2 hours after SOI, 6 hours after SOI and at bedtime. Participant received 5-10 mg oral levocetirizine 1 hour prior to each infusion. Participant was about to receive same study drug dosing after 6 months, though not received.
Arm/Group Description Participant received a single dose of otelixizumab IV infusions each given over a 30 minute period on 8 consecutive days in order: 0.1mg, 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg thus total dose 3.1 mg. Participant received prophylactic oral ibuprofen 400-800 mg 2 hours before SOI, 2 hours after SOI, 6 hours after SOI and at bedtime. Participant received 5-10 mg oral levocetirizine 1 hour prior to each infusion. Participant was about to receive same study drug dosing after 6 months, though not received.
AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical investigation participant, temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product. SAE include adverse events that result in any of the following outcomes: death, a life-threatening adverse event, inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, a persistent or significant incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal functions, or a congenital anomaly/birth defect. Important medical events that may not result in death, be life-threatening, or require hospitalization may be considered serious when, based upon appropriate medical judgment, they may jeopardize the participant and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed in this definition. Study was early terminated and participant withdrew on study Day 164.
Safety Population consisted of participants who had received at least one dose of infusion.
Participant received a single dose of otelixizumab IV infusions each given over a 30 minute period on 8 consecutive days in order: 0.1mg, 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg thus total dose 3.1 mg. Participant received prophylactic oral ibuprofen 400-800 mg 2 hours before SOI, 2 hours after SOI, 6 hours after SOI and at bedtime. Participant received 5-10 mg oral levocetirizine 1 hour prior to each infusion. Participant was about to receive same study drug dosing after 6 months, though not received.
Blood pressure was assessed at sitting position at Baseline and 1 to 7 hours of post-infusion of first treatment period. Day 1 value was considered to be Baseline value. Change from Baseline was planned to be calculated as any post-Baseline value minus Baseline value.
Safety Population. Because of the early termination of the study the data was not collected.
Respiration rate was assessed at sitting position at Baseline and post-treatment. Day 1 value was considered to be Baseline value. Change from Baseline was planned to be calculated as any post-Baseline value minus Baseline value.
Temperature was recorded at sitting position at Baseline and post treatment. Day 1 value was considered to be Baseline value. Change from Baseline was planned to be calculated as any post-Baseline value minus Baseline value.
Heart rate was recorded at sitting position at Baseline and post-treatment period. Day 1 value was considered to be Baseline value. Change from Baseline was planned to be calculated as any post-Baseline value minus Baseline value.
Vital included assessment of SBP, DBP, respiration rate, heart rate and temperature were assessed at sitting position. Participant did not received re-dose of second treatment period and withdrew on study Day 164 because of early study termination.
Clinical chemistry parameters were planned to be analyzed from Baseline to Month 24. Day 1 value was considered to be Baseline value. Change from Baseline was planned to be calculated as any post-Baseline value minus Baseline value.
Hematology parameters were planned to be analyzed from Baseline to Month 24. Day 1 value was considered to be Baseline value. Change from Baseline was planned to be calculated as any post-Baseline value minus Baseline value.
Total lymphocyte count was planned to be analyzed up to Month 24.
Safety Population. Because of the early termination of the study this endpoint was not collected.
CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were planned to be measured before, during and after dose 1, 4 and 8 of first treatment course. Because of the early termination of the study the data was not analyzed.
Circulating peripheral T lymphocytes were planned to be measured before, during and after dose 1, 4 and 8 of first treatment course. Because of the early termination of the study the data was not analyzed.
As study was early terminated, data was not analyzed.
Circulating peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were planned to be measured before, during and after dose 1, 4 and 8 of first treatment course. Because of the early termination of the study the data was not analyzed.
Antibodies to otelixizumab were planned to be measured at Baseline and at specified post-Baseline visits using a validated immunoassay. If a positive result was detected, the samples were analyzed further in a neutralizing antibody assay to determine if the antibodies were neutralizing. The 12 and 24 month samples were only be taken if a participant had a positive result for antibodies at the last tested time point (Month 9) or if the Month 9 test results were not available.
Assessment of CD3 antigen was planned to be done on Day 1, 4 and 8 of first treatment course. The data was planned to be presented with unit Molecules of Equivalent Soluble Fluorochrome (MESF). Because of the early termination of the study the data was not analyzed.
Because of the early termination of the study the data was not analyzed.
Value could not be determined due to insufficient quantifiable concentrations and the study was early terminated.
Time Frame All AEs and SAEs were reported since first dose of investigational product up to Month 24.
Adverse Event Reporting Description Safety Population consisted of participants who had received at least one dose of infusion.
GSK has concluded that it is not feasible to publish this study in a peer-reviewed scientific journal because the nature of the study is unlikely to be of interest to a journal. GSK is providing the attached study results summary with a conclusion.


text:
Dysart High School is a high school in El Mirage, Arizona under the jurisdiction of the Dysart Unified School District.

History
As of the end of the 2014–2015 school year, Dysart High School has had 1,657 students enrolled. The total faculty of the school is 108 (81 teachers, 15 teachers aides, 4 administrators, and 9 professional staff).

A school has a "site council", which consists of two school administrators, two non-certified employees, two teachers, two parents, one member of the community, and two students.  The responsibilities of this council are to facilitate school improvement, student achievement, school safety, student discipline, and communication with the community.

Academics

The school has been designated by the Arizona Learns Achievement Profile as "Performing Plus".

The school has a graduation rate of 97% and awards over $700,000 in scholarships annually.  In addition the school received over $600,000 in a 21st Century Grant and nearly $100,000 in a Gear-up grant; this money is used to fund mentoring, tutoring, summer enrichment and parental involvement programs.

Signature programs

 AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination - International program to increase student performance.
 Industrial Trades: Automotive Technology - Designed to provide students the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience to diagnose and repair problems of a vehicle.
 Cambridge Program
 JROTC - Helps prepare high school students for various responsible leadership jobs of choice in the civilian workforce, private enterprise or military service.
 Communications Media: Photo Imaging - Gain experience with the latest graphic software, digital cameras, and studio equipment.

References

External links
 Official school website
 Band Website

Educational institutions established in 1963
Public high schools in Arizona
Schools in Maricopa County, Arizona
1963 establishments in Arizona
Education in Surprise, Arizona

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Saturday Dawg Chow: Browns news (7/24/21)
More of the latest Browns news and notes from around the web in today's dose of the Saturday Dawg Chow.
By Thomas Moore@Tom_RedRight88 Jul 24, 2021, 7:30am EDT
Share All sharing options for: Saturday Dawg Chow: Browns news (7/24/21)
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
Mack Wilson says Browns fans will 'see a different player' when they watch him in training camp (Beacon Journal) - A case can be made for Mack Wilson carrying the label of most interesting Browns player in training camp. The possibilities for him this summer seem to range from securing a starting job at weakside linebacker to fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. And the backdrop is a 2020 season that was strange for everyone because of the COVID-19 pandemic but even more eventful for Wilson than most NFL players.
Mac Speedie clears Hall hurdle, overdue induction (AP) - Mac Speedie spent his life overcoming hurdles both physical and figurative. He's about to clear another. A quick, sure-handed wide receiver on powerhouse Cleveland Browns teams in the 1940s and 50s, Speedie, who overcame a childhood disease and later delayed his playing career to serve in World War II, is finally being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Could Saints call Browns about a WR trade? (Browns Wire) - The Cleveland Browns are preparing to open their training camp with the hope that they can stay healthy and compete for a Super Bowl in 2021. The New Orleans Saints haven't reported to camp yet either but already got some bad news that star receiver Michael Thomas will likely miss games this year. With the Saints also hoping to vie for a Super Bowl appearance this year, their first without Drew Brees, could they make a call to the Browns for receiver help?
What Richard LeCounte III brings to the safeties (clevelandbrowns.com) - Richard LeCounte III entered his final season at Georgia with the potential to become one of the top safeties of the 2021 NFL draft class. But his final year didn't go as planned.
Ja'Marr Chase could be playmaker Bengals, Joe Burrow need (ESPN) - His Cincinnati Bengals teammates had already left the field following a summer workout, but rookie wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was still on the turf at Paul Brown Stadium getting familiar with his job. Chase plotted his place in the offensive formation as he worked on keeping his pre-snap routine and routes as uniform as possible to keep defenders guessing. Implicitly, he expressed the understanding every little detail matters when trying to create separation in the NFL.
Vikings' Rick Dennison reportedly out as assistant coach after refusing COVID-19 vaccine (Yahoo Sports) - Rick Dennison is no longer a Minnesota Vikings assistant coach after refusing to be vaccinated for COVID-19, ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported Friday. Dennison has been the team's offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the past two seasons.
Davante Adams, Packers at odds after breaking off long-term extension talks (NFL.com) - After failing to mend even some of the fence shared with Aaron Rodgers, it appears the Packers' attempt to build a bridge to a future with his No. 1 receiver has also stalled. The Packers and Davante Adams have broken off long-term contract extension talks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources informed of the situation. The two sides have been negotiating a deal for months, but have reached a bad place, Rapoport added.
New York Jets coach Greg Knapp dies after being struck by car in California (The Guardian) - New York Jets assistant coach Greg Knapp died on Thursday of injuries suffered when he was struck by a car while riding a bicycle near his home in California. He was 58.


Add elegance to your ethnic wear by styling these magnificent earrings embellishing sparkling crystals and blue pearls will dazzle your looks with its dangler. A perfect pair of earrings to flaunt at your next sangeet or wedding.
Glam up your ethnic wear by styling these beauties with your blue or golden ethnic wear for a sophisticated look.


text:
I want to vote ACT
but I'm unconvinced.
Rodney Hide's record the past three years has been bitterly disappointing. I am glad I didn't vote ACT in 2008, for I'd be, in part, to blame for the gargantuan planners' wet dream called Auckland Council.
However, ACT has purged Rodney Hide and installed Don Brash, a man for whom I have immense respect, a man who almost single-handedly rescued National from near oblivion to near victory in 2005 - a mission that failed because of the National Party and some ill-advised campaigning.
The candidates are largely a fairly impressive lot. Brash and Isaac top the bill rightfully, but there are two issues.
Firstly is John Banks. How he got admitted to be a candidate is beyond me. Peter Cresswell says much of what I think of him. It's not that he's a bad man, he is certainly interesting, but he is not a lover of individual freedom. Indeed, his profligacy as Mayor (remember how he once opposed the grand plans for Auckland's rail network then supported them?) is not what you'd want from someone seeking to keep the National Party's spending in check. Actually, as a man who held Rob Muldoon as a figure of respect, you'd already be wondering why he could ever be trusted to help reduce the size of the state, and that's ignoring his vocal and solid opposition to the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in the 1980s.
Now it wouldn't be so bad if he was an electorate candidate in Whangarei, and lower down the list, but he isn't. He is ACT's lifeline. ACT is betting on him winning Epsom to stay in power, so ACT will owe John Banks everything. Now I'd like to think the people of North Shore might choose Don Brash instead, but Banks is still number three on the list. In other words, he is hard to hide from.
Choosing Brash as leader appears to be in part a purge of gutlessness and the remnants of pro-state conservatism, but why include John Banks? Nobody can pretend he has a profound belief in smaller government and individual liberty. Similarly, what delusion can ACT have that Banks is some sort of high profile "celebrity" candidate, in the mould that Hone Harawira, Jim Anderton, Winston Peters and Richard Prebble have been for minor parties before?
Let's say I swallow Banks and look at policy. How does that look? Let me rank the policies out of 5. 1 being virtually worthless. There are 18 policy areas, possible score of 90.
Defence - Positively allowing nuclear powered ships, and strengthening the armed forces, including rebuilding relationships with the US and Australia. 4 out of 5.
Economy - Cut spending to 29% of GDP (the level Labour left the country at in 2005), cap spending increases to inflation and GDP, cut regulation and privatise. Hardly bold. Nothing on flat tax. 2 out of 5.
Education - Increase school autonomy, increase state funding of independent schools, increase school choice in assessment systems, more scholarships for underprivileged children. Less ambitious than National's 1987 manifesto. 1 out of 5
ETS - Remove agriculture from ETS and suspend the rest till majority of trading partners have caught up. A quite respectable approach. 4 out of 5
Environment - Push road pricing, market pricing of water, support mineral exploration and "acknowledge" the role of voluntary groups. With RMA elsewhere, this largely looks positive. 4 out of 5
Health - Encourage competition, target subsidies on the poor, reduce taxes so people can buy health insurance, review occupational licensing and reduce bureaucracy. Promising, but a bit vague. 3 out of 5.
Immigration - Lower administrative barriers to entry, favour productive workers, ensure it is no drain on the welfare state. Reasonably positive, although somewhat vague. 3 out of 5
Law and order - Review procedures around self-defence, consider re-introducing Sentencing Council, sanctions for prisoners who reject opportunities for rehab/education, "broken windows" approach, victims to receive reparation payments. Nothing on victimless crimes or National's authoritarian approach to drugs. 1 out of 5.
Local government - Pressure local government to focus on core role, reduce restrictive land use planning. Less policy than before. Such an opportunity to reform! 1 out of 5
One law for all - Allow more choice in education and health (yet not really mentioned much in either policy), accelerate Treaty compensation process, remove RMA requirement to consult by race, no Maori seats, no local authority Maori seats and no statutory boards. It goes much of the way there, but could be clearer. 4 out of 5
Primary industries - Reduce spending, dump ETS, streamline RMA. It could be worse, but could include property rights as well. 3 out of 5
Regulation and red tape - Continue Productivity Commission, pass Regulatory Reform Bill, reform RMA. Could have been a long list, but it is aiming the right direction 3 out of 5
RMA - Separate planning and approval functions from councils, limit consents fees, widen powers to order costs against objectors, increase rights to compensation from planning decisions, removing "intrinsic values" from consideration. Nothing on property rights, but otherwise it is a positive step forward. 2 out of 5.
Spending cap - Pass Spending Cap (People's veto) Bill, promote culture change and innovative policies. Not a lot to say about this. A step forward, but not nearly enough. 3 out of 5.
State owned assets - continue a rational evidence based debate about the government's role? Well yes, but you can do better than that. Much better. You say so in economic policy, so I will say a 3 out of 5.
Tertiary education - Remove fee caps, introduce market interest rates for student loans, open trade courses to competition, lower taxes so students can pay back loans quicker. A useful step forward, but not more so 3 out of 5.
Transport - Invest in projects with higher benefits than costs, embrace better pricing, streamline the RMA for building infrastructure, push government to invest in any modes. RMA streamlining shouldn't interfere with property rights, and the government should be investing less. What about the private sector? Disappointing 2 out of 5.
Welfare - Youth minimum wage, tougher approach to welfare, reform Working for Families, and more detail. Definitely the best thought out policy of the lot. A generous 4 out of 5
50 out of 90. Is that enough?
I wish I could say yes, but there are three things missing.
Where are they? Where is putting property rights at the centre of the RMA? This should be central to any liberal party. They are alluded to, indirectly, but why just that?
Nothing specific about taxation, about reducing it, about flattening it. Yes, spending caps are all very well, but there isn't even a focus on deficit elimination and then lowering taxes. That is disappointing.
Victimless crime
I don't expect legalisation of drugs, but I do expect something to be mentioned. I do expect a review of criminal laws to consider how there might be a reduction in regulation overall and interference in people's private lives.
It's a shame. I wanted to vote for ACT, I really did. I like Don Brash a lot. He could make a very positive difference to a government, but what I've seen so far is very very disappointing. Can it be saved?
Posted by Libertyscott at 11:01 pm 2 comments: Links to this post
Labels: ACT disappoints
Farewell Roger Kerr - one of New Zealand's intellectual giants
I am genuinely saddened at the news of the premature passing of Roger Kerr, news we all knew would come in due course. I only met him a couple of times, and we talked about – unsurprisingly – a free market approach to transport. He came on a march FOR capitalism, remembered my name and we had a great chat about a wide range of issues. He always was softly spoken, gentle, intelligent and played the ball, not the man. For those unfamiliar with him, he was one of the architects of the free market reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, as a public servant and then as Executive Director of the Business Roundtable. A role that saw him receiving nasty brickbats.
I can confirm what Lindsay Mitchell said of him:
He was very experienced and accomplished. I was out of my league. But neither the audience nor myself was made to feel as though Roger was superior, above us, imbued with some god-given truth. Roger knew that persuasion meant honest and non-personal debate. In fact I think he was Mr non-Nasty. A rarity in the emotional arena of philosophical ideas.
Roger made time for people. He was humble and magnanimous. He could never have met the low standards of politicians and political debate in the house.
Cactus Kate's comments about the strength of his writing are also true. He was one of the best writers to synthesise free market economics and public policy in a coherent, intelligent and eminently readable way:
What he leaves behind for us younger members of the VRWC is literally a lifetime of wonderfully written literature, speeches, opinion and research….It is not often in life you get to meet someone so academically smart who doesn't sit in an ivory tower on the taxpayer tit.
David Farrar has pointed out how Roger could have easily gone overseas and earned much much more money, but his interest was in New Zealand and in making New Zealand a happier, wealthier, more prosperous and free country:
Roger had a great love of New Zealand. I have no doubt he could have earnt much more money if he had not devoted the last 25 years to establishing and growing the Business Roundtable. While of course his views were controversial and often unpopular, Roger was only motivated by a genuine desire and belief that they would make New Zealand a better place.
Roger was genuinely a man who was easy to respect, whose mind was that of a giant, and who didn't let the insults and hatred spun by some on the far left affect how he communicated. He wasn't baited by the intellectual midgets who couldn't respond to him with their minds, so responded to him with threats.
He lived a life of remarkable achievement, got to see his ideas implemented in many ways, and saw the fruits of it. However, there was always so much more to do. It was shown in that he blogged up to the end with a post from the 28th. He is a tremendous loss from New Zealand public life. His contribution has been immense, the likes of which puts the political circus of the election look so shallow and frankly inept.
The only wonder I have is why this man did not become Sir Roger Kerr. Given some of those who gain such a title, he is undoubtedly one of those who deserved it so much – although his own modesty and personality was hardly one of a man who demanded or expected such a thing. He CNZM was so late, no doubt because both National and Labour politicians were either too gutless or churlish to recognise someone who was out of their league.
The NZ Herald has an excellent tribute to him in pictures.
However, one of the more poignant tributes come from Lindsay Perigo's interview with him earlier this year. His introduction is written here.
I wish his wife (former ACT President and now candidate, Catherine Isaac) , family and loved ones sincere commiserations. His legacy is one to be proud of, and his memory, influence and contribution will long be part of New Zealand's history.
Told you so - Kiwirail's bullshit asset valuation is written down
The NZ Herald has reported that Kiwirail has proposed writing down its asset value of NZ$13 billion by NZ$6 billion, and splitting the firm into a property company (with a NZ$5 billion value for the rail corridor and land), which is essentially the old New Zealand Railways Corporation and the operating business (with a NZ$1 billion value).
I predicted this in 2009 saying:
The NZ$12 billion book value of rail on the Treasury accounts is a nonsense, equating it to all other SOEs combined (e.g. 3 power companies, Transpower, NZ Post) which all make profits. Most of the value is based on a replacement cost if it was built today, which of course would never be done. I'd argue it is probably worth 4% of that at best.
That was based on a presentation by David Heatley from the NZ Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation called"The Future of Rail in New Zealand".
I would still argue Kiwirail is grossly overvalued. Its business and related assets are not worth NZ$1 billion, indeed they are probably about a third of that. The value of the land is more significant, but I would question the NZ$5 billion for that, especially given the Surface Transport Costs and Charges study valued the land in 2001 as being worth NZ$462 million. Property prices haven't inflated over 1000%. Indeed there may be more value in the scrap of the track.
The key point is that The Treasury was being seriously disingenuous accepting that ridiculous over valuation of Kiwirail in the first place. To consider an infrastructure business as being valued on a replacement cost basis is ludicrous, for it would see all of the electricity SOEs valued on the basis that you would - once again - build a Clyde Dam, for example.
The real asset value of Kiwirail is the optimal value that can be gained for the business either as a going concern, or if it was split and sold for the sum of its parts. As much as there is much romanticism about it (and I carry a fair bit myself, as I have loved trains since I was a child, and have many fond memories of riding on them), that shouldn't be allowed to distort objective appreciation of what Kiwirail is as a business.
I believe it has a future, providing a core freight service on higher density lines, and given the fortune poured into the black hole of commuter rail in Auckland (and not so much in Wellington), it may as well be used for that until those assets need replacement. However, it is telling that, at a time of high fuel prices, and with RUC rates having recently been increased, the railway still struggles. The reasons why are partially explained by Heatley's presentation, and are in part because there simply isn't enough freight with enough frequency being moved in New Zealand on the routes serviced by railways, to make most of the lines sustainable in the long run.
Could it be that a further writedown will be on the cards, and is the reason it hasn't happened that much yet is to protect debt related to Kiwirail?
Posted by Libertyscott at 11:46 am 2 comments: Links to this post
Labels: New Zealand politics, New Zealand transport
What do we want, more Nanny, we're the 0.99%
The 99%. It's laughable and ridiculous. The New Zealand mob is claiming it represents 99%, which obviously means it should set up a political party and then sweep to power in the November elections. After all, with the MMP electoral system, it would mean they would have power, could pass all the laws they want, raise the taxes they want.
Except of course, they aren't 99%, not even 9%, but quite possibly 0.99%.
More seriously, what are they about? It is very easy to dismiss them as the usual leftwing mob who demand government does more violence to the property and people of whom they don't approve. However, there is one point - opposition to bank bailouts.
Government should not prop up business. There shouldn't be subsidies for any businesses or protection from competition. Corporatism should be fought. Banks that make foolish loans that they can't recover should not have their risky behaviour bailed out by taxpayers. That includes loans to governments. Shareholders, bondholders and ultimately depositors should bear those losses.
Yet the "occupy" mobs think all banks are bad, they oppose capitalism and demand other people's money to pay for all the things they like. Yet they use mobile phones invented and built by capitalists, on telecommunications networks invented by capitalists, wears clothes sold by capitalists, drinks coffee and eats food produced and sold by capitalists. They think capitalism is bad, yet they can't conceive of what it is like to eliminate capitalism - which after all, is simply the freedom to establish your own business trading goods or services, to make a profit (or loss) and hire who you wish to supply labour. The alternatives have tended to at best result in sclerotic stagnation, or at worst created rivers of blood.
By contrast they embrace government, the institution with the monopoly of legitimised violence. They want new taxes, they want to take money by force from people who they think have too much. Yet on a global average, virtually everyone in everyone developed country meets that definition. The average GDP per capita (PPP) is US$11,000 per annum. Every country in the European Union, every OECD country (including Turkey and Mexico), even Botswana is above that level. By rights surely at least half of the people in those countries should have more tax taken from them, to pay for?
Public health care monopolies, education monopolies, state welfare and state make work programmes.
They want more Nanny State and they think people who earn higher incomes will keep doing so, just to pay for what they want. Even if they don't think that, they want to confiscate wealth and give it to the state, as a trusted party to "look after everyone".
So childlike.
Old Holborn went to visit the London mob and concluded:
Bottom line? These protesters want MORE taxes, an enlarged welfare state, a bigger Government, State jobs and death to bankers – and a bath. Marx would have been proud of them. I give them a fortnight at most. The Police have already removed the portaloos and it can't be long before Starbucks and Pizza Express get fed up with toilets blocked by Lentil casserole and organic dysentery. As much as I hoped people had woken up from the stupor of a decade of Labour benefit addiction, the OccupyLSX protest is nothing more than a cold turkey sweat of the terminal welfare junkies.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
He also points out how intellectually inept the mob are, because they somehow think that public debt is the responsibility of capitalists:
No one has EVER forced me to buy shares. Contrast if you will, the £100,000 of PUBLIC debt carried by EVERY family in the UK, thanks to Politicians and the Central Banks raiding our currency, yet no one has demanded to occupy Parliament or the Bank of England. Germans are protesting outside the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, thousands of them who know EXACTLY where the criminals are. Us? Sitting on the steps of St Pauls Catherdral and being kettled once again by the laughing Policeman.
There are good reasons to be angry. Angry at politicians who ran budget deficits endlessly to bribe voters with their children's and grandchildren's money, without their consent. Angry at politicians who required banks to lend to the feckless and who ran the fiat currency system that provided an ongoing supply of credit to banks, expecting them to lend, and then who promised to save the banks when they loaned out too much. Angry at politicians who were never straight about the ponzi schemes they created of public debt, pension and health promises.
Yet they should also be angry at themselves. How many of them would vote for any politician who pointed out the overspending? How many of them would vote for politicians who would let banking be free, who would let banks be very tight and conservative on credit?
You see in a liberal democracy people are to blame for the governments they elect. In the UK, US, EU, New Zealand, all over, the majority voted for governments that favoured some businesses over others, that spent more than they gathered in taxes, that protected some with the money of others, and which refused to say "no" when people kept wanting more and more without paying for it.
No. They are hooked on being protected from reality, being protected from the consequences of their own decisions. They want the government to give them jobs, give them health monopolies (anything else is like "America where people die bleeding on the streets because they don't have their credit card handy to pay the ambulance" (bullshit)), teach their kids what they should learn, give them homes, tell them what to eat, look after their families, wipe their bums.
They offer at best confused anger over a situation they don't understand. At worst, they are a mob who want what other people have out of pure envy, and are hopelessly addicted to government fixing their problems.
In Rome they were violent criminals, hopefully this time the mobs will quietly dissipate under the contradictions of their own incredulity about economics.
Posted by Libertyscott at 10:49 pm No comments: Links to this post
Labels: Marxist gits, Occupy protests
Abolish child poverty by not having kids you can't afford
An Institute for Fiscal Studies report in the UK has said that government changes to welfare policy will result in it failing to meet targets to eliminate child poverty by 2020.
There is an absurd "legally binding target" to eliminate child poverty by 2020 in the UK. That in itself is a gross misuse of the law. Laws should not be passed to demand that government ensure certain social outcomes arise (there is a similar stupid law requiring the government to reduce CO2 emissions, who gets penalised if the government fails?).
Child poverty in 2021 is largely preventable now. There is no need for any children under 10 to be raised in poverty by 2021. This is my strategy for eliminating child poverty for the under 10s by 2012.
If you can't afford to raise children then:
1. Contraception is free (taxpayer funded), use it;
2. If it fails, there is a waiting list of financially secure people ready to adopt;
3. First trimester abortions are available for free on the NHS;
So don't have children you can't afford.
Some people have children they can afford but circumstances change. That is not preventable, although if taxation were lower, more could afford to take out insurance to cover such situations.
Child poverty is first and foremost the responsibility of the people who brought the child into the world in the first place. Parents have the responsibility to consider how to bring up their kids, how to pay for them, how to provide them what they need.
Nothing would be more important than for government to make this, seemingly obvious point, clear.
In addition, don't allow anyone to immigrate with children if they also cannot afford to keep them.
One way to do that would be to painlessly phase out the child benefit. Declare that one year from now, no one will get child benefit for any future children.
Child poverty is not a disease you catch, it is not the responsibility of everyone who doesn't have children and those who have them, who can afford them.
It wont be eradicated by governments, political parties and "charities" calling for taxpayers to be fleeced to constantly pay for people to raise children they should not have had in the first place.
Depending on government to fix a social problem is deluded and misguided. The best way government can help is to get out of the way. Make the first £10,000 EVERYONE earns be free of income tax and national insurance as a start, and stop paying people to breed. Raise the income tax free threshold according to GDP growth every year
Posted by Libertyscott at 9:49 am 9 comments: Links to this post
Labels: Poverty, UK politics
Steve Jobs - he lived!
So much can and is being said about Steve Jobs. Creator, businessman, salesman, innovator, capitalist. He turned computing, music, telecommunications, publishing and media all on their heads.
The likes of him does not come from the death worshipping stone age cult infested cultures that rule Iran, Afghanistan (still), Iraq (now), Saudi Arabia or Pakistan. They don't come from the conformist, respect authority for the sake of it, what is yours is everyone's and what is everyone's is yours, culture that rules China. They don't come from the "it's my right to have what you have", "equality above everything", "demonise success and wealth" culture of the trade union movements. They don't come from the technology scaremongering, armageddon chasing, state violence worshipping, new age fascists and forked tongue demagogues of the environmental movement. They don't come from the envy dripping, reality evasive, faux "pride" and control obsessed culture embodied by the European Union and its acolytes. They don't come from the lawless, "might is right", "the ends justify the means", lying, hedonistic, crass culture of nihilism seen in Russia. They don't come from the superstition laden, misogynistic, tribal, faux nationalistic culture of willful blindness to atrocity that infests sub-Saharan African politics.
When the news is dominated by politicians who blithely borrow, tax, spend and print money that they never earned, from wealth that has nothing to do with them, with bureaucrats and commentators, keen to tell others how to live, what to do, and to control the judgments, the passions and thoughts of others. When culture is flooded with mediocrities preaching nihilistic hedonism, and generating mass market pablum that resembles other mass market pablum. When business and marketing is so utterly full of those who worship surveys, cliches, short termism, image over substance and platitudes over invention. Steve Jobs was a breath of fresh air. When he would launch something new, people would watch, because it WAS new - it WAS innovative, and it wasn't because he was looking after the "greater good", it was because he wanted Apple to sell something people would want because it was great. It so happened that millions agreed. Firms worldwide would love a Steve Jobs. A manager, who understands the detail of the products, but also design and what people would want. However, such people wont come from production line education systems or cultures of conformity or aversion to risk.
They come from a culture where individuals can be themselves, where diverse pursuits that many may seem odd, most don't understand, can provide fertile grounds for minds, imagination, creativity and risk taking. Where those who do take risks to produce, create and sell can keep (most) of the fruits of their endeavours, and bear the consequences when they get it wrong. Where success is lauded and admired, because people see in those who climb to the top, a piece of them, of what it is to be great, to live life pursuing your dreams, your ambitions, your ideas and your passions. They aren't there to grab their share, to chop down the tall poppy, or to demand that people exist and work for a "greater good", for the greater good is in all individuals pursuing their dreams, and in free people interacting, sharing, relating and standing on the shoulders of the giants who make their lives that much better.
In a world where so many are obsessed with intricacies of trivia of nobodies, where so many are obsessed with what others think of them, where so many are out to force others to give them what they haven't earned or created, and demand rights to the fruits of the minds and labour of others, Steve Jobs was none of that.
He wasn't the nihilist who saw humanity as a problem, he wasn't the second-hander who claimed what others had done for his own, he wasn't living for the sake of other people, was not seeking to control the lives of others, to tell them what to do, or to tell people how to be. He was himself, he led companies that created what he thought were good products, and let them speak for themselves.
He was a man who lived his life for his own purposes, for his own dreams, and was a stunning success. The pecuniary reward he got was a tiny fraction of what he generated for Apple shareholders, Apple employees, sub-contractors and Apple customers, and indeed its competitors who have aped him, and now generate further wealth and happiness for millions.
The legacy of what he did for Apple, what he created for millions, pales in comparison to the example he created for the most fundamental thing of all – he lived.
Labels: Obituaries
Infrastructure for Britain - an agenda for growth
One of the themes that all party conferences have suggested so far is that the government can help the economy by spending money on infrastructure. Certainly the Conservatives believe they are doing that. However, there are only two major ways government can help out in this sector, and the main reasons are because it is such a hindrance more often than not.
Firstly, it can get the hell out of the way of the private sector provision of infrastructure, by not negating its private property rights or stopping it from engaging in large, profitable projects. The key areas the private sector gets involved in are energy, airports and telecommunications, but it should also be set free to put money into roads and railways (good luck with that, by the way).
The second way is for it to invest in the infrastructure that it happens to own and run for now, but transition that infrastructure to commercial then private ownership. What this means is roads and railways, but could arguably even stretch into health and education (though these are so far removed from being commercial as of yet, I'll ignore that for now).
In energy, the key intervention is the effective "tax" on electricity bills imposed by electricity retailers to pay for the compulsory "sustainable" generation of electricity, at prices far in excess of efficient forms of generation. The motive behind this policy was to chase the ghost of climate change (every new Chinese coal fired power station more than destroys the reduction in CO2 by this measure) and to pursue the illusion of industrial policy. The latter is more effectively pursued by lowering corporation tax to a level competitive with all of Europe (15%), the former shouldn't be pursued at all. The "sustainability" agenda is costing British businesses and households, it makes electricity more expensive in the UK than it need be, and diverts investment in power generation from economically efficient (and largely environmentally friendly) sources to more ephemeral, expensive and lower capacity ones. Modern gas and coal fired power stations produce virtually no deterioration in local air quality. It is time to truly deregulate the energy sector.
Little need be said about the other intervention in energy, which is the absurd "windfall" tax on oil and gas exploration. Politics winning out over economics, and jobs. Why would Britain ever want to deter oil and gas exploration while existing North Sea fields are in decline?
The key intervention here is the heavy handed regulation of OfCom which regulates, bizarrely, a mobile phone market that is vibrant with competition, and continues to intervene in the supply of telecommunications infrastructure to an extent that hinders facilities based competition. Why should there not be competing broadband networks being developed to homes? Why should BT's investment be forced to be shared with others? The legacy of the twisted copper network should be all that remains as a mandatory, regulated priced shared facility - because that was the deal with privatisation. Beyond that, the role for Ofcom is difficult to see in this sector. It is time for a bottom up review of whether heavy handed telecommunications regulation still makes sense.
No infrastructure sector is suffering from a blindness of economic analysis or vision than this one. With all three major parties effectively stifling growth of airports around London, you would have to assume they all think that it is time that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic simply never grew again, and that the future for air travel from Britain is based on people flying to the growing hubs of Charles de Gaulle, Schiphol, Frankfurt and Munich airports, and to fly on Air France/KLM and Lufthansa, or better yet fly from regional airports to hubs in Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, on airlines owned by authoritarian misogynistic oil-rich plutarchies. For that is the future guaranteed by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted could all be expanded, today, with private money. For a government willing to run roughshod over NIMBYs in building its own taxpayer funded totem - HS2 - to kowtow to NIMBYs in rural Essex, west London and west Sussex is hypocritical and economic lunacy. The arguments against it on climate change grounds are again nonsensical in the context of new airports springing up in China, and the expansion of Heathrow's competing hubs in continental Europe. Why should European (and Middle Eastern) airlines gain such capacity, but British ones not?
Stansted is the easiest to expand, the land is held by BAA, the transport links to it are good, and it would facilitate a transfer of some low-cost airline traffic from Gatwick. There is no sound reason to continue to restrict capacity there.
Gatwick suffers from 32 year old planning decision to not build a second runway before 2019. Given the lead times for such projects, it should be made clear that this will be supported. Gatwick is a mini hub for BA and Virgin Atlantic, and is useful for leisure routes short and long haul, that are less suited to Heathrow, as well as servicing the southeast.
However, it is Heathrow where the need is greatest. Unless the government were to treat a new Thames Estuary Airport as a grand project (which would have to be part funded by property development at the current Heathrow site and a tax on the property value gains for those on Heathrow flight paths), Heathrow is Britain's international hub airport. Transit traffic does benefit Britain, enormously, because it makes routes to destinations that would otherwise be marginal, profitable, by feeding in passengers from North America and Europe. A third runway would alleviate the chronic delays in both takeoffs and landings that waste fuel, time and increase pollution. However, most of all it would allow Britain's premium airlines to grow, to add more routes, more frequencies and compete with Air France/KLM, the Lufthansa group, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, United Airlines and others. It would generate employment not only from construction, but in airlines and the airport itself, but more importantly by lowering the cost of travel and freight for British based businesses and residents.
Let's not continue the lie that high speed rail, which wouldn't be finished for 15 years, would make any meaningful difference, given 96% of flights at Heathrow are not on routes serviceable by domestic rail services. Let's also admit that the business case for Crossrail was partly based on providing better connections between Heathrow and the City, Canary Wharf and east London.
The one sector where private investment is almost certainly unlikely to be seen on any great scale, is in rail infrastructure. With the network not well priced, it should be getting run on a commercial basis so that the franchisees of the future pay demand based prices for scarce slots. Expansion of the West Coast Main Line should be funded not by taxpayers, but by Network Rail borrowing against future revenues. High speed rail should be considered on the same basis, but it wont be - because it would never be built. The government is taking steps to correct the excessive subsidies in this sector, but it should be considered, along with reforms of the roads sector, for commercialisation.
There will be a handful of opportunities for the private sector to develop new toll roads (e.g. another Dartford Crossing), and it should be set free not only to respond to government proposals, but to generate its own. If a company wants to build a new London south circular, why shouldn't it feel free to plan a route, buy land, build and toll it - for example.
However, there needs to be a more fundamental change. In France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Japan, Taiwan and China, major highways are frequently privately owned. In the UK, the motorway network should be sold, and local authorities required to put local roads into commercial structures. Roads should be funded through borrowing, paid back through tolls, or (for now) fuel tax revenue. Given motorists pay five times as much in motoring taxes as they get in government spending, arguments about the private sector ripping off motorists are derisive. Then let the privately owned networks contract directly with motorists, who could choose to pay tolls or pay fuel tax, and watch there be enough funding for road maintenance and improvements - whilst introducing road pricing in a non-intrusive, cost-effective and low risk way.
Furthermore, there needs to be a culture change that rejects the failed 13 year policy of allowing road projects to be cancelled, and the land acquired for them sold - which has destroyed opportunities for improved corridors in London. The answer to traffic congestion is not to stop improving roads for fear it will generate traffic, but to improve pricing (toll new capacity). In that light, Transport for London should start developing a strategy on capacity of London's arterial road network, instead of considering the network as static.
Sadly, this government has shown little real interest in being revolutionary on infrastructure. Energy and telecommunications policies are largely a continuity of the previous administration. Airports policy is anti-growth and says the government has little real interest in the growth of that sector, other than for regional airports being served by foreign carriers. Railways policy has some promise, but is overshadowed by the ridiculous totem of HS2 - a project to provide massive subsidies to business people based in London travelling to the north, which wont deliver most of what is promised. Roads policy shows a little promise, but needs radical governance reform, which is seen by the almost Soviet-era handling of maintenance.
It is time to get government out of the way of infrastructure investors, and to stop crowding them out. Furthermore, it is likely to destroy wealth through projects such as HS2 and the fascination with inefficient energy generation sources. It should allow more airport capacity around London, it should move rail investment onto a longer term, commercial basis, and should shift the road network onto a commercial basis as well. Now is the time to be brave.
Labels: British transport, UK politics
Farewell Roger Kerr - one of New Zealand's intelle...
Told you so - Kiwirail's bullshit asset valuation ...
Abolish child poverty by not having kids you can't...


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By Tansy Cai
Ben Heine is a phenomenal Belgian, self-taught multidisciplinary artist. On March 5th, Collingwood's French 11 students had the unforgettable opportunity to interact with him through Skype. Since the class wished to celebrate Ben Heine's successful "Pencil vs. Camera" series, everyone created an original piece of artwork for him.
During the Skype session, Heine was very friendly and provided constructive criticism and praise for every submission. Apart from offering encouraging words, Heine was able to meticulously answer all the students' questions.
A grade eleven girl, Ashleigh Knight explained, "Having the opportunity to talk to Ben Heine was an incredible experience. I loved hearing about what inspires his work and learning about the challenges he faces as an artist and how he overcomes them."
Another grade eleven student, Jennifer Cheung, added, "I think talking to Ben Heine was a fantastic opportunity. He was very nice, and he patiently answered all our questions. "
Karna Nilakantan is a very humorous grade nine individual in the class. His opinion on the Skype conference was that "It was the best moment of my life meeting my new found hero, Ben Heine."
Another grade ten student, Olivia Armstrong, shared a different perspective. She admitted that, "I was really nervous to talk to someone pretty famous, especially since he was judging our artwork. In the end, he turned out to be a relaxed and funny guy, who helped my nerves. Overall, it was a great experience, and I'm so happy I met him."
The experience to be able to interact with a prominent artist was a true privilege. Not only were the Collingwood Grade 11 French classes lucky to receive some instruction in art, they were also lucky to learn about Belgian culture.
Below is a selection of French 11 students' art inspired by Ben Heine's "Pencil Vs Camera"