Worrying Similarities Between Milan Brych and National

While watching the docudrama about the medical fraudster, Milan Brych, I realized some strong similarities in this story with the National Party's governance of our country. It may appear to be an over the top comparison, but please bear with me as I explain how I came to this conclusion and you will see that it isn't that far from the truth.

In both cases we have a smiling benevolent facade, making claims that appeared convincing but had little substance behind them. The only real difference between Brych and the National Party is how they arrived into their position of power, Brych arrived from nowhere and with no proof of his past, whereas the National Party do have a documented past that includes Nicky Hagar's "The Hollow Men". However, in both situations people had got carried away with the promise of better things and were willing to ignore evidence (or lack of it) and take a gamble. The National Party promised a "brighter future" and Brych promised something similar for his patients.

The National Party have been injecting New Zealand with a toxic cocktail of mining, motorways, intensive farming, cuts in government spending, National Standards, Charter Schools and asset selling. They have claimed that this cocktail will bring the country back to life and provide a long, prosperous future. Like Brych, those who have invested in National have found good returns on that investment with increased wealth and privilege, when the money is pouring in you don't question the source.

When Brych was challenged by Professor John Scott to produce his research and evidence for his treatment he did not receive the open response he expected from a medical professional and was met instead with blocks and prevarication. The Green Party has received the same kind of responses from National Ministers when asked to produce evidence to support their numerous treatments. Brych used the demand for his treatment, and the hope he provided, as justification for continuing in practice and National use the same kinds of justification for theirs: they are building the motorways because people want them, they had a mandate for National Standards and they are selling state assets because of the 2011 election result.

It took a number of years before the growing cemetery on the Cook Islands provided convincing evidence that Brych's treatment wasn't delivering what was promised and we are beginning to find serious consequences under National's treatment. Under National we have increased unemployment, growing family poverty, widespread pollution, high teenage suicide,  poor child safety and welfare and it's getting worse.

Many people defended Brych despite the growing examples of incompetence and strongly criticized Prof Scott for daring to question him. The Greens have suffered a similar fate for questioning the government and have been under attack from National's supporters for daring to do so. While Green MPs haven't had their houses broken into there have been some extreme comments written in the blogosphere.

I hope you have come to realize, like me, that my comparison isn't entirely preposterous and that National needs to be instructed to stop their treatments forthwith before our economy and social fabric suffers fatal consequences.