Elections - which will you vote for..

[bogjob_kp60]

i care about my country not myself, hence why im voting ACT i may not get tax cuts or extra holidays, but at least i know that they country will be a better place.

Act is actually promising bigger tax cuts than national saying that nationals tax cuts are not enough

[strap-on]

lol it still has the same kinda meaning tho

[AE85coupe]

oh and the likelyhood is so so small that marijuana could have $&#$% with my brain, its almost impossible, there is also no proof whatsoever that marijuana affects long term memory

Give yourself another 3-4 years then you might change your opinions...

i would change my opinion if i was dumb enough to smoke marijuana everyday for 3-4 years, but luckily i'm not, all in moderation my son

but even so there are studies show that even if i did smoke for years everyday i would not show a substantial memory loss

"There were no significant differences in cognitive decline between heavy users, light users, and non-users of cannabis. There were also no male-female differences in cognitive decline in relation to cannabis use. The authors conclude that over long time periods, in persons under age 65 years, cognitive decline occurs in all age groups. This decline is closely associated with ageing and educational level but does not appear to be associated [with cannabis use]"
- Lyketsos et al, "Cannabis Use and Cognitive Decline in Persons under 65 Years of Age", Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, American Journal of Epidemiology, May 1999, 149:794-800

"Some participants had smoked at least two to four large cigarettes (each containing 1/4 to 1/2 ounce of cannabis) over 16 hours a day for periods of up to 50 years ... the most impressive thing... is the true paucity of neurological abnormalities."
- Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church Study, 1980

[bogjob_kp60]

I live in the official marijuana capital of NZ. What I see is alot, in fact most people my age (high school age) cant go without smoking weed for a few days, they could just be trying to convey an image to their mates though. I have seen a few peoples lives ruined by marijuana. Iv seen bairly primary school age kids smoking it, completely stoned in front of the people who are supposed to be looking after them. I realy dont think its that great of a thing

[DJ]

On $18,000 you get $4 more a week from national than labour.

zOMg $4, i rather have intrest free loans tnxs.

[strap-on]

id rather pay my tax and have better public spending, eg, hospitals, schools,

what the point of getting an extra 50 dollars a week to help me raise my boy when it will cost far more than what i got back to ensure he receives a good education.

the focus should ALWAYS be on making the country best for the entire community, NOT to ensure aunty helens or dr. brash's job security, hence my anger at the policy changing thing.

and hell im all for nuclear free, stay away from nulear plants, but having an american aircraft carrier in our harbour is a small price to pay for the benifits we would receive, as long as it dumps no waste then i see no problem

[AE85coupe]

I live in the official marijuana capital of NZ. What I see is alot, in fact most people my age (high school age) cant go without smoking weed for a few days, they could just be trying to convey an image to their mates though. I have seen a few peoples lives ruined by marijuana. Iv seen bairly primary school age kids smoking it, completely stoned in front of the people who are supposed to be looking after them. I realy dont think its that great of a thing

yeah because children with developing brains should never ever smoke marijuana, its obviously bad for them

thats why decriminalisation is a great idea, why not fine those who sell or smoke weed without criminal conviction, BUT if caught selling or supplying weed to those under 20 should face large jails terms

oh and i have seen people wreck there lives who smoke marijuana, but i know that it wasn't the marijuana that caused them to wreck there lives, it was just something they did while they wrecked there lives, people who are useless and ruin themselves, isn't because they smoke marijuana

marijuana is primarily a mental addiction, not a physical addiction like tobacco or alcohol

I know people who have smoked weed for years then given up instantly, but have tried for years to give up smoking tobacco and still can't

alcohol and nictotine kill hundreds of people each year, no-one has ever died from smoking too much marijuana

marijuana contains no poisons like tobacco or alcohol

weed doesn't cause violence like alcohol, ever seen a guy on weed get angry like a guy on alcohol does?

someone inexperianced can smoke as much weed as possible and fall asleep and wake up feeling o.k in the morn, someone can drink as much alcohol as possible and die

i'm not saying weed should be legal, but it should not be a criminal offence for just smoking the stuff

[Cahuna]

id rather pay my tax and have better public spending, eg, hospitals, schools,

what the point of getting an extra 50 dollars a week to help me raise my boy when it will cost far more than what i got back to ensure he receives a good education.

the focus should ALWAYS be on making the country best for the entire community, NOT to ensure aunty helens or dr. brash's job security, hence my anger at the policy changing thing.

and hell im all for nuclear free, stay away from nulear plants, but having an american aircraft carrier in our harbour is a small price to pay for the benifits we would receive, as long as it dumps no waste then i see no problem

I agree completely, except that at the moment my taxes don't actually give decent standards of healthcare, education and law enforcement anyway. I'm comfortable with the fact that because I earn a decent wage I have a social responsibility to pay more tax than those who don't earn much. I don't even mind subsidising their healthcare and education needs. I don't mind improving public transport or building new roads down in Wellington. I'm happy to have my money spent on trips and sponsorships promoting NZ as a tourist destination. But when I then have to pay more to get access to those very same services myself then I start getting pissed off. I can't afford to get the flu this winter as I can't really afford to spend the money to see the doctor (because I have to pay full price - if I did get sick it would go straight on the Visa) yet other people on lower incomes get subsidies to enable them to make those visits. If we are going to have a public health system make it equally accessible to everyone who contributes money to it, not just those few that the government think are too feeble to fend for themselves. Just because I can afford to pay more in taxes doesn't mean I can also afford to pay for the services the taxes are supposed to cover a second time for myself through private cover

A funny thing with Labour's promises of more money for families is how it benefits those who Labour would generally tax the hell out of. Mum's boss has 5 kids and a salary twice that of me (ie: well over $100k per year) but he will be entitled to a $50 per week rebate from Social Welfare under the new programme. He (like me) would rather see that money going to those who actually need it.

So given how flawed Labour's policy is and how the welfare, health etc systems don't work now with the current tax policies and the fact that Labour have had 6 years to try to make it work I'm ready to take my chances on National give me some of my money back so I can make my own healthcare arrangements. I can buy one heck of a lot of private healthcare for the $1500 per year I'd save on tax through voting National...

[CozmoNz]

just given helen, and don a weapon of choice (only melee, no pistols or explosives), and whoever kills the other first, i vote for.

[pervert]

On $18,000 you get $4 more a week from national than labour.

zOMg $4, i rather have intrest free loans tnxs.

On $18,000 ( ), $4 a week is about all they make you pay off your student loan a week, so you win either way...

[mr pad]

On $18,000 you get $4 more a week from national than labour.

zOMg $4, i rather have intrest free loans tnxs.

On $18,000 ( ), $4 a week is about all they make you pay off your student loan a week, so you win either way...

Hahaha too true.

[cheese]

[quote="AE85coupe"]oh and the likelyhood is so so small that marijuana could have $&#$% with my brain, its almost impossible, there is also no proof whatsoever that marijuana affects long term memory[/quote

IF you smoke weed excessively (few times a week). you WILL turn into a loser.
even though weed is pretty much a victimless crime i can see why its illegal. Ive seen people go through the phase of being pretty wicked cornts.

...start smoking weed...yep still cool and socially able to string a sentence together.

Now that its an enjoyable seemingly harmless activity, it becomes a habit. Then the mood swings come, lack of motovation and general unpleasent behaviour. ive witnessed this on many occasions - mates - flatmates, gfs brothers. and they basically turn themselves into a vegetable.

and yes i am well aware that alcohol is more danagerous yet more socially acceptable hence why its legal. but i dont kno of any youngins gettin addicted to the bottle like they do with the bud.

be good kids, smoke in moderation enjoy it much more that way!

[cheese]

On $18,000 you get $4 more a week from national than labour.

zOMg $4, i rather have intrest free loans tnxs.

On $18,000 ( ), $4 a week is about all they make you pay off your student loan a week, so you win either way...

4....freekin dollars. thats why i think tax cuts are a complete hype up. no ones going to notice that money. gimme 40-50 a week extra then we'll talk

[cheese]

i care about my country not myself, hence why im voting ACT i may not get tax cuts or extra holidays, but at least i know that they country will be a better place.

Act is actually promising bigger tax cuts than national saying that nationals tax cuts are not enough

anyone can promise/make bigger cuts, just means government funded programs or govt controlled areas like education, health, police, fire etc will take a bit of a back burner. we could have NO tax and live in complete chaos! yayy

[pervert]

IF you smoke weed excessively (few times a week). you WILL turn into a loser.

C'mon now, thats the most bullshit statement I've ever read.

Excessive is a few times a day, and there are plenty of people out there who do this and still function as a normal successful member of society, most people don't even realise they are a smoker...even though you never see them straight...

[AE85coupe]

IF you smoke weed excessively (few times a week). you WILL turn into a loser.
even though weed is pretty much a victimless crime i can see why its illegal. Ive seen people go through the phase of being pretty wicked cornts.

...start smoking weed...yep still cool and socially able to string a sentence together.

Now that its an enjoyable seemingly harmless activity, it becomes a habit. Then the mood swings come, lack of motovation and general unpleasent behaviour. ive witnessed this on many occasions - mates - flatmates, gfs brothers. and they basically turn themselves into a vegetable.

and yes i am well aware that alcohol is more danagerous yet more socially acceptable hence why its legal. but i dont kno of any youngins gettin addicted to the bottle like they do with the bud.

be good kids, smoke in moderation enjoy it much more that way!

for starters if you smoke weed in excess, you do not turn into a loser, you are already a loser

you can't seriously think that the bottle is less addictive than weed, christ there are alcoholics everywhere, i know too many students that are functioning alcoholics in dunedin

i can fully see why it is illegal, what i can't see is why someone should get a criminal record just for smoking it

they should get a criminal record for selling or supplying it to kids, infact they should get slapped with a huge jail term

[cheese]

IF you smoke weed excessively (few times a week). you WILL turn into a loser.

C'mon now, thats the most bullshit statement I've ever read.

Excessive is a few times a day, and there are plenty of people out there who do this and still function as a normal successful member of society, most people don't even realise they are a smoker...even though you never see them straight...

youre dead right friend. this has happened to people ive known, but weed like anything else affects people in different ways. its probably got a lot to do with developing young minds.

and i am for decrimilisation

[AE85coupe]

i know an american exchange student that smokes a cone every night

yet he still gets A's in all his papers at uni

he is always going tramping and snowboarding and shit

he is so far from what you described its not funny

but he does only ever smoke at night, and only smoke a cone and no more

i lived with a guy that woke up every morning and hit the knives, lunch time he hit the knives, and at night, he was stupid becuase he was continually stoned, but he still held down a job

another friend of mine buys and ounce a week, sells enough to pay for it to his mates, smokes the rest, he is a foreman for a building company, so go figure

[pervert]

but weed like anything else affects people in different ways.

Exactly...

...if you've got half a brain to start with, you shouldn't have too many dramas...

For me, it tends to motivate me if anything, I tend not to get so bored doing repetitive tasks, and have no problem sitting down doing something for a few hours.

[cheese]

you can't seriously think that the bottle is less addictive than weed, christ there are alcoholics everywhere, i know too many students that are functioning alcoholics in dunedin

never said that it wasnt, i said from who ive met and what ive seen. i know plenty of people who binge drink and shit but none that are addicted or become a substandard human from its affects.

im saying that most people wait till the weekend for their boozing. weed smokers ive known have a few mates round every night and sit there rottin their brains out