Voters Want Out

The re-election of George W Bush has sparked an increase in enquiries about emigration to NZ from US voters seeking more liberal pastures. According to the Telegraph, “the size of [Bush’s] victory has led hardcore Democrats, as well as homosexuals, opponents of the Iraq war and supporters of abortion rights to fear that their values and way of life may be at risk.” The NZ Immigration Service website recorded 10,300 hits from the US the day after Bush was re-elected, more than four times its usual average. Another 300 inquiries were received daily by phone and e-mail, up from roughly eight a day before the election.