The future is under debate in the Youth Parliament-will you take part?
July 16 12:00 AM
AUTHOR: Robin Gunston
Today and tomorrow mark an alternative parliament in session- our Youth Parliament. Young people chosen from schools across the country for their civic attitudes and debating skills gather to find out how Parliament should function and then debate the most pressing issues for their future. We would all do well to take note of these concerns and their arguments, then carry on this discussion around the kitchen table.
http://www.myd.govt.nz/young-people/youth-parliament/
It was not too long ago that such debates would take place in pubs, churches, at WI meetings and even at the golf club! Alas our "pc world" has now delegated this to the low level media frenzy of talkback radio, thus demeaning the exercising of our intellectual capacity. (perhaps this is why Alzheimer's is so rampant?)
Dame Anne Salmond , the New Zealander of the Year, had this to say in a column this last week:
"A quiet, obedient, and docile population; a culture of passivity and apathy; a meek acceptance of what politicians say and do - these things are not consistent with democracy.
A healthy democracy requires the active participation of citizens in public life and in public debates. Without this participation, democracy begins to wither and becomes the preserve of a small, select political elite."
It is such a small, political elite that at present would have all of us come under the considerably widened spying powers proposed in the GCSB amendment Bill. UnitedFuture has always been concerned about your rights to privacy but now these are under considerable threat. You can find out more concerns under the tab "Spying on NZ" on this website. We would urge you to discuss this very serious issue with your families and institutions you belong to and then raise your concerns with your MP before July 26th.
If you want to stay in a democracy and not be part of a benign dictatorship masquerading as a participatory democracy then you have to participate in this particular debate!
If you want us to take note of your views on this Bill please write to peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz today.
Thank you Youth Parliament MPs for showing us your passion to be engaged in the political scene.