PROMISES of a better life are freely offered by politicians during an election campaign.
Promises of less tax, more jobs, more police to combat crime and more money for struggling families; to name a few.
But seldom do they eventuate to much.
It's time for politicians to stop making broken promises and actually do something tangible for this country and for those who work tirelessly for a simple life.
We're in the throes of an election campaign and yet all we hear are platitudes.
Voters don't want promises, they want action and proof things will change.
Watching the Nigel Latta show last week, talking about how far Kiwi workers have slipped back was a real eye-opener.
In the past 30 years while lower-income wage earners have hardly received inflation pay rises, meaning their wages have gone backwards, those on higher wages have received huge increases.
Why?
If it wasn't for the hard work at the coal face, there would be no earnings for those in managerial positions or for owners of the business.
Imagine if everyone downed tools for a day.
Surely, the bosses would stand up and notice as production halts. (I'm not suggesting we do this.)
Gone are the days of workers walking off the job for a fair wage.
Now it's take what you get, or, there is the door.
It's governments who have allowed this to happen. No wonder people are jumping the ditch for a better lifestyle.
In the past, promises of tax relief and decent wages have been just that - promises.
This is our chance as voters in a democratic society to have our say and demand answers from our candidates.
What changes will they want to see to make life fairer for hard workers or to make our economy thrive, will it just be another list of broken promises rehashed from the last election campaign?
If you want change, your voice will only be counted if you actually vote.
Only the community can bring about change by using its collective voice.
Emergency services rushed to the scene just after 2am.