DA Policies?

[Marq]

OK. So how are they going to implement BEE?

The launch was met with mixed reviews, but it went downhill when James, a senior DA member and MP, battled to reconcile the new policy with the party's commitment to non-racialism on PowerFM with host Eusebius Mckaiser on Tuesday.
He admitted after a long to-and-fro that the party would replace BEE with "diversity economic empowerment" if it were in power.
Policy rewrite
He said yes when McKaiser asked if the party would rewrite the policy if it was in power to remove the B in BEE, and replace it with a D for diversity, with no reference to the word black.
"So the DA is not into black economic empowerment, it is into diversity economic empowerment, is that a correct summary, Dr James?" asked McKaiser.
"That sounds a bit clumsy but that does summarise our position, yes," said James.

http://mg.co.za/article/2013-09-11-to-bee-or-not-the-bee-the-das-dilemma

[pmbguy]

(That is called hearing from the horses mouth in English)

You should have mentioned that straight away because science and reason obviously don’t apply when your mamma said...

[HR Solutions]

Dix I personally don't agree with a lot you have said, but your "sarcastic" reply every time someone posts something you disagree with doesn't really go down with me, as Im sure a few people, therefore you win.

[Marq]

I dont believe one can implement any form of BEE without the same problems that it currently creates.
It cannot promote job creation (their main by-line in this regard) as it does not promote real investment.
It has created endless argument and concern and the only true winners so far have been the people in charge of implementing it and their partners in crime.
What 'truly BB BEE' is, that the DA is expounding, is anyone's guess.

We seem to have forgotten that the main aim of this policy was to develop long term sustainability, stability and economic growth in South Africa. Instead it has been used as vengeful tool against whites, apparently all of whom are guilty of crimes of apartheid and an implement used for manipulating cronyism, tenderitis and increasing the wealth of the few in charge. The reason we have forgotten is that it was introduced 20 years ago and has no end date.

I think we should rather generate growth in targeted locations/areas/business types/race groups/whatever, through limited time and value tax incentives and trade grants.
We should bring back a proper investment in basic training through internships and apprenticeships to get skills back up to a level, which will increase earning capacities and productivity.
We should be utilising the skill base thats left in this country to mentor and create further interest and stop chasing it away.
We should be reviewing and enhancing the labour laws in this regard and learning from the current scenario of unemployment, wage demands, strikes, endless ccma complaints and other practices that are not conducive to increasing productivity.

Bottom line for me is that I cannot support any group/party/gang that includes BEE as one of its main policies in any form.

[Marq]

Regarding land reform. The last paragraph of this report from 2011 Institute of Race Relations suggests that there is a purposeful misleading of the situation by the ANC to try and create discontentment and so harness more votes. That was in 2011 prior to the governments current increase in activity to obtain more land at little value.

The above threads ridiculous comments regarding a manufactured history is either a product of a poor education or a disrespectful attempt to undermine the white population left in the country. Either way it is of no value to the discussion of land reform.

Land reform should be investigated purely on a use thereof. It would appear that the majority of contentious areas relates to farming. South Africa has apparently become a net importer of produce. This can be attributed to bad land management, planning, farm security and policies such as land reform where recipients which have failed to produced anything of value to the country. Farming is a long term investment and the majority of people invest their whole lives in this business. It is not something that can be uprooted overnight and replaced in an instant. It is not something that works through threat and intimidation.

To carry on with such a policy with its current vengeful principles is only going to lead to less produce and more imports. Another drain on the economy with an obvious ending.

[Marq]

Onto - Social Grants.

This bloated welfare state that the ANC has created, has produced much concern to the tax paying citizens.
It keeps lots of poor people alive and children safe.
One cannot just stop it, so it would have to carry on.
So this is probably a question of refinement and better administration.

I cannot find anything as to how the DA will use grants to lift the people out of poverty.

One possible solution to uplift the economy is to try and get something in return for the grants.
Say .....some labour.

[Blurock]

Onto - Social Grants.

This bloated welfare state that the ANC has created, has produced much concern to the tax paying citizens.
It keeps lots of poor people alive and children safe.
One cannot just stop it, so it would have to carry on.
So this is probably a question of refinement and better administration.

I cannot find anything as to how the DA will use grants to lift the people out of poverty.

One possible solution to uplift the economy is to try and get something in return for the grants.
Say .....some labour.

According to our gardener, his neighbour has 12 children, mainly so that he can benefit from social grants.

Replace the cash with food coupons as in most countries and much of the problem will be solved.

I do not see the DA as the saviours of South Africa. They are just another bunch of politicians with a slightly cleaner record than the ANC. The embarrassing and sometimes childish acts of their leaders does not appeal to me and some of their policies does not make sense at all.

They do however have the potential for a better administration as demonstrated in the Western Cape and they are an alternative to the corruption and plundering that is happening around us. Some of the smaller parties may have good credentials, but still have to prove themselves in administration.

[HR Solutions]

Dix - just to get this out in the open. I do not appreciate getting a private message from you accusing me and others on this forum of racism and "talking badly about blacks". As I have replied to you I have NEVER ever made a derogatory racist post. I am not that kind of person. Therefore refrain from messaging me and unjustly accusing me of things.

I would strongly recommend that you get rid of the chip on your shoulder and don't bring race into a discussion. We are all grown up people here and try and have moved on from the past. It does not mean if we discuss politics, the past or the future politics, that we are racists !!!! Get over yourself.

[Butch Hannan]

Why not enter into a contract with politicians soliciting votes as I do not trust any of them:-
Would we have politicians if we made them sign a contract for our vote? This contract could take the following format.

I Joe Politician for your vote Joe Voter undertake to do the following for you:-

a. I will not sleep in Parliament.
b. I will not submit false claims to get extra money.
c. I will stop all bribery, corruption and graft in our country.
d. I will make sure that everyone who wants to work will get a job.
e. I will make sure that every family will have a house.
f. I will eradicate all crime.
g.I will make sure that everyone will have access to decent and affordable health care.
h. I will sort out the education system.

Should I Joe Politician within six months have failed to achieve all the above I will resign my position and will not be entitled to receive any gratuity of any nature whatsoever. Furthermore as I have not earned my last six months salary I undertake to pay it to a nominated charity.

Signed Joe Politician____________ Signed Joe Voter____________

Would we still have politicians? What a wonderful dream.

[Dave A]

What a wonderful dream.

I do like the idea, though.

Just add one line and I think we're onto something.

"I further undertake to pay all legal costs on a party to party basis that the voter may incur enforcing this contract should I fail to honour the terms hereof. "

Under those conditions, my vote is for sale.
The first political party to sign the contract has my vote.

[Marq]

My extra line edit would include:-

I will ensure that you pay the minimum of tax/rates and promise not to sit in endless meetings designing new ways to suck your hard earned money into our coffers.

This list could grow.............

[wynn]

My line edit would read
"I promise to do whatever it takes to make sure that Government does not interfere with your daily life or business unnecessarily."

[IanF]

My contribution
I will do this as a calling and not a profession, so excess pay received will be paid back to the Fiscus.

[Butch Hannan]

This is a true story. In the late seventies we were asking the then government to build an English high school in Middelburg Mpumalanga. We were at that point in time sending our children to Witbank by bus. Government turned our request down even though we had the numbers to justify having our own school. There was an election at that time and I received a visit from the KP candidate. I wrote on a sheet of paper words to the effect, " I A Hannan will vote for you if you can guarantee that you will start building an English high school in Middelburg before the end of the year" There was place for my signature and his signature. I signed the document and handed it to him. He looked at the document, shook his head got up and walked out of my house. The parents and big business raised the R3M required to start the school and Steelcrest High School became a reality.