Smack Some Sense Into Them

The result of the Smacking Referendum is really disappointing. I know of many people who refused to vote because they felt that the question misrepresented the actual law and the intent of the policy. Is this reflected in the result? Will the government take note that such a low turn-out calls the entire result into question? It is certainly a stretch to consider “No” being a majority opinion.

What annoys me most is the widespread use of vague adjectives to define the terms of debate – ‘a light smack’, ‘good parental correction’. Such language is entirely inappropriate to be used to the extent that it even appeared in the main question of the referendum itself. Mr Key might consider this language ‘straight talk’ but it’s really not – it blurs boundaries and confuses the real issue, which is the prevalence of violence towards children in New Zealand. Legislation should be defined by actions not by adjectives. You fucking assholes should be ashamed that you are leaders of a country that has such a disgustingly high rate of child abuse. It’s absolutely abhorrent and should be the leading issue. That it is not, speaks volumes about the cynicism and shallowness of New Zealand’s current government and the correspondingly limpid media who reports on their actions.

The voter turnout would have been much higher than 54% if the referendum had a box to tick to that affirmed ‘I vote that the result of this referendum should be considered null and void because it is based on a meaningless and nonsensical question, and is a waste of taxpayers money and public time that would be better spent educating parents and assisting children in need’.