Anyone got a better idea.
I don’t profess to be a seasoned veteran of the men’s movement but here is the benefit of my observations from the last few years. Small groups and to name three of recent times FARE, UOF, PARENTSANDCHILDREN, are vote catchers for mainstream political parties. Anyone who attempts to take one of these organisations beyond that status will be cut off at the knees.
Any event likely to create a politically undesirable situation is easily sabotaged, and is and has been done so by political parties, many times in the past. If you do manage to create a relatively apolitical organisation like for example Separated Fathers, or Men’s Centre North Shore your chances of being funded outside of your own pocket is very limited.
The promise of change — hell even the Greens promised to reform the Family Court in 1999 election. If you want change it is not about voting for promises it is about understanding the effect of the policy of the political party you vote for, and looking past the media bullshit. If we have learnt something from our British counterparts, it is a waste of time creating a single issue political party.
If those of you who feel equally frustrated about this continual cycle of defeat, you may wish to do what many of us have done. Last year a few of us created The Republic of New Zealand Party. It was small beginnings, but it is about creating a complete political party that is focused on restoring the integrity of NZ society. Past mid 2006 we have 2 years or less to gain sufficient political support to obtain representation in parliament. It is entirely possible, but only possible if you are prepared to get out from behind your computer and put your energy, and your independent expertise into building a political party that has the policies you want.
Personally I don’t enjoy the politics we endure in this country, in fact I don’t even like this country the way it is, and the only reason I remain is because I have children who are not old enough to make independent decisions about where they want to live. While I am here then I will commit my energy to the republicans and I can only hope that many of you might consider doing the same thing.