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How can we get the Labour Party to come out with this policy?  No GST on food  is policy in most OECD countries..It is not impossible to implement..It is basic to a socialist philosophy, that food not be taxed..This one simple policy could make a defining difference..and there is no defining difference at present

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I like this idea alot, there would be a lot of what ifs and what nots but at the end of the day the food monopolys in our country are doing nothing to help people eat better or even help to feed our kids more when mum and dad just dont have enough money to go around.

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Likewise David, it would make sense to do this, we could then even look at puting GST on luxury items up to say 20% to cover the shortfall.
Sadly the big down side is how complicated it is to do and run.
Whatever happens it will hurt the avergage jo bloggs.

Ive always voted for Labour as every time National has been in (in the last 20 years) it has meant a down turn for the country and has cost me directly in the pocket. I remember a business man telling me years ago that he voted National, but his good times were always under Labour, as the consumption of goods goes up and the average person spends more.
Business people will be dreading an increase in GST even if there tax's go down, so will there incomes, the amoutn of work it creates in repricing etc. There will be a big spend up prior to it going up and a big lull after as the averge Jo has to wait for a pay rise to get back to where they were.

David Kearns said:
I like this idea alot, there would be a lot of what ifs and what nots but at the end of the day the food monopolys in our country are doing nothing to help people eat better or even help to feed our kids more when mum and dad just dont have enough money to go around.

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The other benefit is that it could possibly garner the support of the Maori Party as it is an initiative they have openly tabled.

In the face of the proposed GST rise, it's a great comeback... much better than increases in benefit and working for families compensation as that just increases dependency.

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I just wrote a piece supporting this idea and the calls from the Maori Party to head in this direction. It would be smart for Labour to back the Maori Party on this:
http://www.humanitarianchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/key...

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My understanding is that to cut GST on some goods is much too hard and leads to complications, UK s system is so complicated its messed up. However the problem ;like it or not;; is not how to cut taxes but to increase them . The fact is that if we are to enjoy a social democratic society that has a first class education and health systems and is able to look after its underprivileged then we need a high tax intake. The problem is how to do this fairly and this is what Labour and Left-Wing parties need to do now! Im sure we have enough brains to think this out and come up with a solution. Im interested but do not quite understand ,yet, Jim Andertons tax on transactions , which is now being advocated by the Maori Party . How about a debate on this whole tax problem.
And before some Right-Wing nut trys to disrupt a possible debate let us remember that countries with highest standards of livings pay the highst tax. Lets discuss and debate over the next few days .We may come up with some ideas and a solution

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I have lobbied many MPs from different parties regarding this matter. NOT ONE from any party has even replied to my letters!

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Go to public meetings and ask them in front of witnesses..And dont accept the excise that it is too difficult..MPs are there to make tjhe difficult easy..if they cannot, they should make way for someone who can do the job

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