It seems somehow appropriate to parody Sondheim at this time. For a number of years now I have been waiting to see what the Green Party would do in New Zealand, especially with an election coming up. I’ve blogged extensively on the poor state of our lakes and waterways, the apparent lack of management of dam capacity and maintenance and the continued practice of feeding Aucklanders water from the Waikato River.
Brown Waikato Water
I’ve complained about our eagerness to send money based on the Kyoto Protocol offshore instead of spending it on restoring New Zealand to the clean green country we like to tell the world it is. Above all I get really frustrated that we still don’t have a policy of interest free loans for solar power with feed in tarrifs allowing us to sell excess power generated back into the grid. So with the latest election coming up I don’t mind telling you I gave the Greens my Party Vote.
I have to be astounded that they didn’t take this opportunity, the best in their history to become part of the Government in this MMP environment. No, they said they would not back John Key on Supply and Demand. Sure they are strongly against asset sales, but that is only one policy albeit a huge one. They could have found imho a middle ground which would have National supporting some real green policies and sustainability and made a serious difference with their 11% vote and 14 seats! I have to wonder if their ideology is more important than their policies. Are they now going to focus on being a jeering opposition in the house, or will they fight for my feed in tarrifs, making the rivers drinkable again, encouraging green and sustainable urban development, enforcing emission control etc? Are they going to show respect for the people who voted them in by concerted positive action or be the jeering laughing annoying opposition party there to undermine our Government and hold us back until the next election.
So back to Sondheim:
Isn’t it rich
Is this a fair
You here at last on the ground
NZ in mid air
Send in the Greens
Isn’t it bliss
Don’t you approve
One who keeps tearing around
One who won’t move
Where are the Greens
Send in the Greens?
Just when I’d stopped
Writing my blogs
Finally knowing
The one that we wanted was you
Making your entrance again
With your usual flair
Sure of your lines
No one is there.
Don’t you love farce
My bad I fear
I thought you’d want what I want
Sorry my dear
But where are the Greens
There ought to be Greens
Quick send in the Greens
Isn’t it rich
Isn’t it queer
Losing their timing this late
In their career
And where are the Greens
Quick send in the Greens
Don’t bother – they’re here
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