Look at the christchurch rebuild. It’s generated massive stimulus for our economy. But its sunk us, as a govt, much much further into debt. Almost record levels. As far as taxation goes, there is more to the outcome, than a stimulated economy. If that stimulated economy is built on world bank borrowing especially.

Most estimates put our borrowing limit at 5 years, and that was a few years ago BEFORE the second billion dollar at least earthquake. That’s even shorter than the US’s 5-10 years. And when we reach that point, we are in the same place as greece. The bank will say no, or demand severe austerity leading to depression and bank closures. Greece is the living example, of where over half of the oecd is heading.

You can’t just keep borrowing, every single financial year, decade on decade, and expect the lender to keep dishing out money.

borrowing endlessly = inevitable poverty. Regardless of how much that borrowing might temporarily stimulate the economy.

We need to tighten the strings and invest on safe profit making ventures, before it’s too late. Trouble is I doubt any politician has the guts.

Ken … no, I’ve spent a big chunk of time here and this is NOT your TYPICAL bean counter at all.

It’s more like bean counter on angeldust !

I’d also add we are nearly at our government spending limit. Any further borrowing we do should be for investments, things that keep out government budgets afloat long term, reliably. Like the australian super fund. Or our recently sold assets. And this does not reliably generate steady profits for govt.

That does not address taxation dodgers at all. Nor the housing crisis.

You need money to do this first. You need a good tax system to get the money