Matt McCarten on politics  Matt McCarten is a Herald on Sunday
political columnist  Matt McCarten: Emperor Key has no clothes -
and no ideas  Why is John Key, left, applauding Finance Minister
Bill English for his Budget? Photo / Mark Mitchell  Do you get
the sense that the Budget forecast figures are just made up? On
Thursday, the Government excitedly predicted that 170,000 jobs
would miraculously appear, wiping out unemployment.  It said
economic growth would increase by a whopping 4 per cent, even
though we haven't had that sort of growth since Jim Bolger was
prime minister. And, apparently, all workers are to look forward
to a 4 per cent pay hike next year.  There isn't any plan to
make this happen - but if we really wish it so, it will.  None
of these predictions, and other Budget goodies, are happening
before the election. We have to wait with bated breath for four
years - suspiciously timed after a supposed second term of a
National-led Government.  In the meantime we are to fawn over
emperor John Key'