Have we lost our moral compass? The events of the last two weeks seem to indicate that, as a society, we have. It started with yet another story on the tragedy of Aleppo. Five years of warfare in Syria and still we as a world community allow this tragedy to continue. Actually, tragic doesn't start to describe it to be honest. The words sickening, shameful, atrocious, heartbreaking come to mind. But yet we do nothing. "It's over there" we say as we sip on our flat whites and chai lattes. "What can we do?"
Then we were hit with the reality that we couldn't deny, even here in our safe, secure corner of the world. Both Radio New Zealand and the NZ Herald revealed that Kiwisaver funds were being invested in the very companies that profit from the tragedies like Aleppo, sparking shock and outrage (rightly so) summed up nicely in an aptly poignant cartoon from Emmerson.
Many called for the government to step in and put restrictions in place to ensure that money Kiwis were putting into Kiwisaver for retirement wasn't being used to profit off tragedy. Our prime minister's response to those calls was to claim that it was up to individuals to find out where their money was going. In some ways he is right. It is our money and it is for our individual retirements. We as individuals should take more of an interest in what is happening with our Kiwisaver money. But has the prime minister actually tried to do what he suggests? Finding out where money goes once it is in a Kiwisaver Fund is a long, drawn out, confusing process, particularly if you have never done that kind of thing before. Who is my provider? What fund is my money in? What companies and other funds does my provider use to grow my money? Where are those companies and funds based? How do they make their money? Are they investing in questionable companies as well? How do I read company reports to understand the type of company my money is invested in? These are all questions that must be asked and answered. No wonder many Kiwis haven't done this earlier. It's not easy.
Which is why the prime minister's comments were so disappointing. The government already has rules and regulations in place to prevent funds going into the wrong type of companies. After all, the Auditor General found in 2012 that it was illegal for NZ Superannuation to invest money in companies manufacturing cluster bombs either directly or indirectly. All the government would need to do is apply the same rules and regulations to Kiwisaver providers. The primer minister is right in his assertions of individual responsibility but absolutely wrong on the moral and ethical depravity that comes from passing the blame. Government must show leadership and take the initiative. And that's the point. If our leaders aren't willing to show real leadership and simply pass the buck then we have, as a society, lost our moral compass.
I was reminded of it again this week, this time on the housing crisis that is gripping our country. The Greens, Labour and the Maori Party are traveling the country, listening to people tell their stories of how life is tough throughout Godzone - that housing is unaffordable for many throughout the country and that homelessness is a growing problem not just in the big cities but in the regions as well. Many average Kiwi's are echoing the sentiments of agencies like the Salvation Army and calling for a state of emergency. When questioned on this (for what seems like the thousandth time), our prime minister passed the buck again, this time blaming the previous Labour government (last in power 8 years ago!). Eight years of being prime minister and the best he could do in answering a question about a huge issue facing thousands of Kiwis right now was to brush it aside and blame the previous government.
Come on John! Come on National! It's time to move beyond the petty politics of party and personality. Real leadership is needed and at the moment you are failing to deliver. If you are unsure of what real leadership looks like, I'll give you a clue. First, you announce that no Kiwisaver provider is to invest in any questionable or downright morally reprehensible companies and manufacturers either directly or indirectly. Then you apply the same rules that NZ Super must abide by, stopping any money from New Zealand going into companies that make munitions, cluster bombs and the like. Then, you announce a housing state of emergency. You take the information from the housing hui and from agencies like the Salvation Army and you do something about it. You state that you aren't looking to blame anyone but would rather find solutions that will work. You say, "this isn't right! Not under my watch!" and then you do something about it.
And as for all of us who sit and say, "yeah! Stupid government! Bloody politicians!!" I ask this: What are you prepared to do? You see, we do need government and our leaders stepping up on moral issues like these, but we also have a part to play. Are we willing to move our retirement savings away from providers who have invested in morally reprehensible companies? If enough of us do it, the providers will have to sit up and listen to us. But we can't stop there. We also need to ask ourselves if we are willing to be a helping hand to those who are struggling in our society. Can you make yourself available for a time? Can you donate food or clothes or how about those blankets in the cupboard that you never use? Can you cook a meal? You see, we are made to be creatures of community and therefore we all have a part to play. So take courage, challenge your politicians and then get involved yourself. Perhaps then we might find our collective moral compass pointing true north again.
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