Epic fails - policy and language

Here's a tip- if you're from a party that got its bottom smacked at the last election, largely due to (perceptions of) economic mis-management and nanny-stateism, then don't propose a new Commission of Social Inclusion as a great idea.

That's right, one of Labour's MPs has described a Commission of Social Inclusion as something we should aspire to, presumably on the basis of the tremendous work and value for money of the Families Commission.

But wait, there's more. In describing how this Commission could work, we get the following literary turds:

• embedded in, but not part of, government
• consultation replaced with active listening
• world-wide network of researchers and policy makers informing thinking;
• recommendations based on evidence-based research
• joined up solutions that are effective

My personal favourite- active listening. Listening is, by definition, passive. Evidence based research is pretty good too. Are you aware of any other forms of research?

Good work guys - way to keep your fingers on the pulse of the issues that matter most for NZers.