I, like most bloggers in this country, was fully opposed to the Electoral Finance Act when they rammed it through last year. To say it scared me is an understatement. The simple fact is I am blogging far less about politics coming up to the election than I did in 2005 because I simply don’t understand the law. I have no idea what I can or cannot say without breaking the law. If I were to advocate one party, is that wrong? If I were to criticize another, is that wrong?

Hell, my post for Winston Peters to be stood down was only made after I saw that there was already significant people making the same statements online. When it comes to New Zealand political issues, I won’t be breaking the news. I simply can’t afford the potential legal implications. Gutless? Yes.

Well, it seems the Electoral Commission doesn’t much like the law either. In fact, they think its pants and is reducing the participation in the election.

The head of the Electoral Commission has warned that the law she is charged with overseeing is having a “chilling effect” on public participation in the election.

In a speech this week, Dr Helena Catt criticised the Electoral Finance Act for the first time since it came into law, saying it was confusing.

She said the rushed introduction, last-minute changes, and lack of political consensus had resulted in a “difficult law” and significant parts were “obscure” and hard to interpret.

“It is clear that having uncertainty remaining within the regulated period has had a chilling effect on the extent and type of participation in political and campaign activity.”

Electoral law’s enforcer condemns ‘chilling’ effect on campaign – NZ Herald

This law needs to be repealed when the new Government takes office next year. Much in the way the Emissions Trading Scam errr Scheme, or whatever else you want to call it, needs to be repealed. Country’s in its worst recession since 1987, so the government is going to through even more unnecessary expense on the average Joe?

I really hope we have a new Government next year. One without all these Green and Pinko Commies with nothing better to do than “redistribute the wealth.”

Don’t even get me started on that subject.