Hairdresser Politics
I had my hair cut last week and it included this conversation:
“Have you been following the politics very much?”
“Oh. No. … I know who I’m voting for though!”
Ah, the uninformed voter. Better than apathy!
“Yeah? Who’s that?”
“National.”
“Because?”
“Tax cuts.”
Exactly how much of across-the-board tax cuts was a hairdresser going to get?
“Uh. Is it much of a difference?”
“Oh yeah!”
And she didn’t qualify it. So I went to National’s tax calculator to find out.
I have no idea how much she earns. Let’s say its $30 000. Extra pay per week: $10. Bling bling, baby!
Anyway, she reciprocated.
“So who are you voting for?”
“Probably the Greens.”
Now, some people get quite angry when I tell them that. (I don’t need to link to Azrael every time I write a post, do I? Anyway, he’s such a capitalist!) So I was a little concerned about the scissors moving swiftly around my head.
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
Because Don Brash is Satan. I reached for a more “mainstream” reason.
“Well, take oil for example. That’s just going to keep going up. We need to do something about it. Public transport, sustainability,” etc.
“Well,” she ventured, “it’s hard, isn’t it.”
Here we reached something of an impasse. When I say a problem is “hard,” I consider it to be the beginning of a very important discussion. However in this case, “it’s hard” meant well gee that sounds hard so let’s just not think about it. I scream in silence.
We managed to reignite the issue of public transport. It would be a big job to fix it. (I mention this reasonably often, but in case you are not a regular reader, let it be noted that public transport in Auckland is shit.) I mentioned the prohibitive cost involved in rolling out a world-class public transport system in Auckland.
“Well!” She declared. “We could afford it if we stopped paying all these people the dole!”
“Yes,” I grinned, and let the discussion rest. The Nebuchadnezzar could remain in dock today.
I think “it’s hard” in that context means she didn’t want to discuss it any further. Discussing some things with some people can be pretty frustrating. Even if you genuinely care about the issue.
I was pleased to read that you took the cue.
Comment by Pete — September 9, 2005 @ 3:47 pm
Indeed she did not wish to discuss it further, and perhaps for the reasons you outlined above, although even then I think that is more to do with one of my favourite laws, Galbraith’s Law:
Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.
I’m going to stick with my analysis though, because it’s the same thing I see other people do all the frikkin’ time. It’s better to be ignorant and happy than enlightened and depressed, I hear. Besides, the quantity of her political analysis strongly backs up the idea that she doesn’t invest a great deal of brain into it.
At any rate, yes, my cause is much better off is she thinks someone reasonable is a Green supporter, than if she thinks some nutcase hates her for not voting Green.
And I can always slash her tyres after I leave.
And thank you for commenting Pete (and others)! I do enjoy having a little discussion from time to time in this otherwise quiet corner of the dubdubdub.
Comment by db — September 9, 2005 @ 5:52 pm
“Don Brash is Satan” – db
I thought for a while that Brash was Bush’s Bitch. It makes a lot more sense the other way round though – Bush clearly isn’t smart enough to be calling the shots himself.
Besides, if you were the Prince of Darkness, would you set up camp in the U.S. of A.? No. too obvious. New Zealand, however…
Comment by bob — September 10, 2005 @ 12:10 pm
Heh, I was just thinking that with sufficient dyslexia, Hamilton is an anagram of Hellmouth. It all starts to make so much sense.
Comment by db — September 10, 2005 @ 2:37 pm
Let’s get political
New Zealand has a national election in 5 days. This time round it is closer than it has been in the past two elections. For the average political pundit it might seem the hooplah around this election is at the decibel level it always is. But this elect…
Trackback by Indeed, Discursive - An understanding of life is required to live it well — September 12, 2005 @ 7:14 pm
How about running a mini-poll here db?
Comment by JL — September 12, 2005 @ 11:24 pm
I did consider it, but I doubt my readership represents a statistically significant sample so it would really only be here for gimmick value. However, a poll of polls is available here:
http://blog.greens.org.nz/
Yes, that is the Greens blog, but as far as I know their methodology is sound. While you’re there, check out their posts, which are surprisingly strong on economics.
Comment by db — September 13, 2005 @ 12:38 am
http://www.brokentoys.org/?p=6849
Is the link to Katrina: The Gathering :)
Comment by Santadog — September 19, 2005 @ 3:30 am
Hmmmm….I was expecting a post-election blast from db :D
Guess not
Comment by JL — September 19, 2005 @ 11:00 pm
I would just like to apologise to those similarly offended about these yellow abominations. I can’t find the option to turn them off. I thought this was WordPress, not MSN fucking Spaces.
Cheers for the link Stew. I shall have to duel you one day.
A post is kindof in the works. Uni keeps knocking.
Comment by db — September 20, 2005 @ 2:08 am
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