make the hard decision's either,...I would think that the only way to help the economy is to back out of free trade deals,..and to put NZ companies first in line for government or infrastructure contracts even if they're tenders are a little more, in the long run, at least Kiwi workers would be getting our hard earned tax dollars, which would then be spent in NZ. Agree Craig, the short term cost increase in using local suppliers and contractors would be far outweighed by the increased tax take, lower unemployment, reduced poverty and improved socio-economic direction. Bit of a no-brainer really, which leads us to how do we let this government continue until 2014? At least most of these 17-19 year olds will be voting -- I suspect not for National. A beautifully plotted analysis, as usual Frank. Hugely depressing though. I despair at the lack of political awareness in our youth. This must in some way explain this governments reluctance to deal with youth alcohol issues. The last thing they want is for our young to stop partying, sober up, and realise what's being done to them.