Roger Kerr - the Courage of His Convictions.

I have just read that Roger Kerr has died.

This was a man with the courage of his convictions, who did not shy away from his strong belief that economic rationalism and free enterprise were the correct path for New Zealand to return to prosperity. He held the unorthodox view in today's society that most people are intelligent and capable enough to make their own decisions on how they should earn a living, care for their loved ones and others in the community, and provide for their own retirement. He believed that we would all be better off without an interfering, authoritarian government bossing us around in all areas of our lives.

Unfortunately we live in a topsy-turvy world where conventional wisdom considers an interfering, authoritarian government to be moral, and leaving people to make their own decisions on what is best for them and their communities is considered immoral. Roger was often on the wrong side of what are considered politically acceptable views in this country and was vilified for it. But he stuck to his guns to the end, posting this blog defending New Zealanders' saving record against politicians who want compulsory savings the day before he died.

Roger Kerr had the courage to espouse his views, unpopular though they may have been. I can think of no other prominent New Zealander who did it so convincingly.

I extend my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.