TRUMAN for PRESIDENT • KALWEJT for VICE PRESIDENT

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

TRUMAN & KALWEJT
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL • SPECIAL PRIVILEGES TO NONE



THE CANDIDATE
Member of the Labor Party

Chairman of the Northern Legislative Committee, May 2016 - present
Editor of the Mideast Record-Courier

Speaker of the Senate, May 2016 - June 2016
Senator At-Large of Atlasia, September 2015 - June 2016
Presiding Officer of the Constitutional Convention, November 2015 - May 2016
Deputy P. O. of the Constitutional Convention, October 2015 - November 2015
Speaker of the Mideast Assembly, May 2015 - September 2015
Mideast Representative, March 2015 - September 2015

THE PLATFORM
Announcement Speech (5/23) Bloomington, IN
Jobs & the Economy (6/2) Wheeling, WV
Smart Government (6/3) Louisville, KY
Defeating ISIS (6/19) Galesburg, IL
Equal Justice Under Law (6/20) Lincoln, NE


ENDORSEMENTS
Representative Dkrol (Labor-Massachusetts)
Councilor 1184AZ (Labor-Washington)
Committeewoman Peebs (Labor-North Caroliina)
Senator C. X. Smith (Labor-Massachusetts)
Representative Never Again (Labor-Virginia)
Former Legislator Southern Gothic (Labor-Louisiana)
Senator Blair (Labor-New York)
Representative Darthebearnc (Labor-Wisconsin)
Former Representative Long Live Rock (Labor-New York)
Vice President A. H. Duke (Independent-South Carolina)
President Adam Griffin (Labor-Georgia)
Northern Legislative Committee Delegate Kingpoleon (Civic Renewal-New Jersey)
Former Senator Pikachu (Labor-California)
Former Governor Winfield (Independent-Rhode Island)
Former Senator A. Scott (Labor-Connecticut)


THE BANNER

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Yes, you read that correctly - I am officially running for president in the June 2016 election! Having kept my promise to bring the ConCon to a successful conclusion, bitter trolls and Radical obstructionists be damned, I am now prepared to lead Atlasia into the next chapter of our national saga as the first president elected under the Fourth Constitution.

Traditionally, this is where I would begin to wax poetically about how "you can't have freedom without liberty" and how "the future lies ahead." This goes to show that some traditions are stupid, so instead of doing that, allow me to cut to the chase.

While other candidates will try to cast the approaching campaign as a referendum on their pet issues, ultimately this election will come down to a question of leadership. The next president will need to have the battle-tested ability to successfully implement the Fourth Constitution; he will also need the tenacity and judgement that can only be gained through governing, and governing successfully. Without those qualities, the new Constitution will be a failure and everything accomplished by the ConCon and the Reform Movement will have been for naught.

"But Truman," you say, "the Constitution has been ratified! Surely the worst is over, and we can all go back to voting for whoever panders to us the most!"

You're partially correct - the Fourth Constitution is now here to stay. It was ratified by the unanimous vote of the Regions and with the overwhelming popular support of the Atlasian people. Anyone who continues to argue against the Reform Movement - whether they be bitter trolls or well-meaning yet oblivious souls - is sadly out of step with the will of the people. As Presiding Officer of the Constitutional Convention, I worked very hard to build vital reforms and long-sought fixes into the body of our new government, and thanks to the efforts of men like Adam Griffin, Duke, Blair, Yankee, and a legion of others, we won. That does not mean, however, that we can all just throw up our hands and let the game play itself. As my good friend Yankee said, the game will only last as long as there are people willing to play it. It is my belief that I have the necessary vision, courage, and experience to make the game run smoothly so that it is enjoyable for all.

Just as the Founding Fathers set an example for future generations of lawmakers, the next president, Congress, and Regional officers will set the tone of the game for future generations of Atlasians. The decisions they make will reverberate down through the ages - that's why it's so important to get this right. It is essential, therefore, that our next president take office with the ability to lead effectively from day one - I have that ability.

Asked why I am the best person to lead us through the next four months, three reasons come to mind:

Of the potential candidates, I am the most qualified man for the job. When you look at the resumes of all the people who are commonly mentioned as contenders for the presidency, subtracting those who have told me privately that they are not interested in running and/or that they will support my campaign, the fact is that I have more experience and a stronger record than any of them. I have spent the last ten months fighting for reform in the Senate and as Presiding Officer of the ConCon - before that, I was Speaker of the Mideast Assembly and the editor of a highly respected newspaper. I have twice been elected a party officer - as Secretary of TPP and now as Labor's Vice Chairman - and I know how to work with people to achieve results.

I am a problem-solver with the determination to see the job through to the end. There are many senators, governors, and public figures who are skilled at talking about what needs to be done; repeatedly, however, I am the person who actually does it. During the budget talks last December, I was the person who noticed that we were dangerously close to an accidental government shut-down and took action to prevent it; I was also the person who actually implemented the much-talked-of tax cuts for small businesses and the middle class. At the ConCon, there were many people with interesting ideas about Regional rights and Congressional authority, but I was the person who figured out a way for everyone to be heard without extending the Convention by several years. I have a long record of working across the aisle, and managed to be one of the most productive senators even during the months when I was the only liberal in the Senate. The ability to debate is what you look for in a legislator, but when choosing an executive you want someone who can lead effectively. Once again, I am that person.

I have the backbone to withstand selfish attacks and oppose policies that would hurt Atlasia. Though our newer members might not remember it, I was a lightning rod for attacks by the Radical Caucus back in 2015, when I was singled out as the "second-worst senator" and a leader of the "idiot caucus" by do-nothing trolls. I was called a communist, a fascist, a theocrat, an incompetent, and God knows what else - it didn't matter. I stayed the course, blocked Radical attempts to hijack the ConCon, and weathered the storm. Today, my approval rating is at 85%. I am fully prepared to do so again if ever the welfare of the Atlasian people depends on it.

I look forward to a vigorous campaign as I lay out my vision for Atlasia and continue to explain why I am the best person to lead our country forward. Until then, I welcome any comments, questions, or suggestions you may have.

Long Live the Republic!

Harry S Truman, Speaker of the Senate and Candidate for President

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Endorsed!

Thank-you, Senator!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Endorsed!

Glad to have your support, Councilor, thank-you!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Endorsed!

You get my full endorsement, Speaker.

ENDORSED!

Endorsed!

Thanks, y'all! It's truly an honor to have the support of such distinguished Atlasians!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

It's vital that we pick a tried and tested leader as the first President in the new voyage of our glorious republic. We need someone who's been through the fire, and come out strong as ever- that man is Truman. We've all seen his leadership in pushing through the ConCon when it was at it's lowest, we've seen his leadership in the Senate when helping to defeat ISIS and I'm sure everyone across Atlasia regardless of party affiliation knows that he can do the single most important job of President-Govern.

Thank-you for your confidence, Senator!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Endorsed!

Thank-you, Senator!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The People are alive and well even in this new era

The People will never die: like a phoenix, they will defy the embrace of death to be reborn from their own ashes, greater and more glorious than ever before!

Endorsed!

Many thanks, Mr. Representative!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

It will be a good race.

Does this mean you're running for president?

Anyways, thanks!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Endorsed!

I can't believe it's time for another election already. It makes me nostalgic to run for an unprecedented third term in a majority-conservative electorate, just to see if I could win again (I'm sure I could, so no need to). I love elections!

Thank-you, Mr. President!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Thanks for the feedback, Angrie! I'm happy to see people are actually reading this.

As Presiding Officer of the Constitutional Convention, I worked very hard to build vital reforms and long-sought fixes into the body of our new government, and thanks to the efforts of men like Adam Griffin, Duke, Blair, Yankee, and a legion of others, we won.

Emphasis added.

Men?

I am inclined to support your candidacy, if for no other reason then on the basis of party loyalty and party affiliation as a low-information cue. However, this is concerning to me, and any assurances you can provide me as to what you will do to advance and protect women's rights would be appreciated.

Context is everything. In that sentence, I'm referring specifically to the people who participated in the late Constitutional Convention. Regrettably, our one female delegate - Evergreen - resigned early on, leaving us with a chamber composed entirely of men. That's why I used that word, as opposed to "men and women" or "people."

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Emphasis added.

That's better, although apparently it was not you but instead is "Yankee" that said this?
[/quote]
I'm paraphrasing Yankee. He was the person who originally expressed the idea, but the words are my own.

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Does this refer to "fathers" for the new constitution, or some old constitution? Did women play any role in the formulation and ratification of said constitution?
[/quote]
I'm referring to the historical "Founding Fathers" of the United States. I didn't invent the term.

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You see the issue here?
[/quote]
Well, there might be a woman more qualified than me, mightn't there? Really, though, I'm using "man" as a derivative of the word "mankind" or "humankind," not to identify the male sex.


Syntactical analysis is perfectly valid, of course, but in this case I feel you're placing too much emphasis on patterns of speech. If you care examine my record, you'll see that not only have I been unwavering in my support for women's rights, I have time and again placed myself in the line of fire to advance the feminist cause. In my first term as a Mideast Assemblyman, I supported legislation to repeal our Region's regression abortion laws, and I held the line last December when I blocked a draconian (and unconstitutional) attempt to infringe on the right to choose. As president, I will continue to support pro-equality policies, such as equal pay for equal work and paid maternity leave for working mothers - as you will find out when I begin to release my platform this week!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Endorsed!

Thanks, Kingpoleon!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The Truman Plan | Part I: Jobs & the Economy

I may be a statesman in the eyes of the public, but at heart I'm a historian through and through. At times like these, I can't help but be reminded of the proposition on which this country was built: that all men and women are created equal, and that each has a sacred right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is in defense of that right to pursue happiness (that is, to "do and dare anything," and to live the life of your choosing no matter where you were born or who your parents were) that I submit the first part of my platform.

Minimum Wage
I support raising the federal minimum wage to $12.50 (with annual adjustments for inflation). A higher minimum wage would put more money in the pockets of middle and working class citizens, fueling increased consumer spending and economic expansion.

While right-wingers love to argue that raising the minimum wage is a communist plot to kill jobs, history shows that a strong minimum wage can actually create more economic activity (and thus more opportunities for employment) as long as it is kept at a reasonable rate. $12.50/hour strikes me as a strong compromise - it's less than what Yankee proposed in the original version of the Fix It and Leave It Alone Minimum Wage Act but more than the real-life rate - and I'm confident that this is a proposal that moderates in both parties can support.

Making College Affordable
My grandmother was the first person in her family to earn a college degree, and if she were alive today, she would tell you point-blank that there is nothing more valuable than a college education. For individuals entering the workforce, a college degree is often the credential one cannot do without. Likewise, it is in our national best interest to have a well-educated, thoughtful populace - both our economy and our democracy benefit from the thoughtfulness and technical competence gained through higher education.

While few question its importance, higher education remains frustratingly out-of-reach for many Atlasians, who face a choice between short-shafting their careers or saddling themselves with thousands of dollars in student loan debt. Simply put, tuition is through the roof, and our elected leaders have a responsibility to address this crisis.

As president, I will propose a tuition cap at public colleges and universities. This cap would forbid colleges who receive federal funding from charging more than $8,000 per year in tuition (subject to annual adjustments for inflation). A similar proposal that I made last December met with bipartisan support in the Senate, and I hope to be able to work with the new Congress to pass this common-sense initiative.

Labor Unions
Often, I hear critics of government regulation ask, "why can't we find a market-based solution to unfair managerial practices?" My response is that we already have a market-based solution to these concerns: organized labor!

The labor market, like the rest of the economy, is at its core a transaction between workers (the producers of labor) and employers (the consumers of labor). When this relationship is healthy, everyone benefits: the workers receive pay that they can then use to purchase necessities, while the employers receive valuable labor that they can use to produce profit. Like any relationship, however, everyone stands to suffer when things become unbalanced: that's why I support keeping our labor unions strong, so that they can stand up to management when the scales begin to tip too far in one direction. I oppose policies like "Right to Work for Less" that promote freeloading and undermine the collective bargaining rights that generations of working Atlasians fought so hard to maintain.

In conclusion, I will note that I support balance, not "collective ownership" or whatever it is TNF-style radicals are lobbying for these days. Unions are capable of excesses too, and when they occur we must work with all parties to restore equilibrium to the labor market, so that both workers and employers get what they need.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Question: Would you consider taxing big labor unions/big labor the same amount as big companies?

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. As NeverAgain said, unions aren't corporations, so I don't think they should be taxed as if they were. I might be open to adjusting the tax status of certain big unions, but that would depend on context and the specifics of the proposal.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Unionism is a religion? interesting position, Truman.

What? Of course not. Where did I say that?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The Truman Plan | Part II: Smart Government

I believe in an economy that works for everyone: not just for those who are rich or influential, but for the whole people. Some of my opponents have claimed that because of this, I must be a socialist: that I must naturally hate hard work, and industry, and individual freedom; that I must care nothing for our small business owners and entrepreneurs, must necessarily reject the sweat and muscle that got them where they are today. This is patent nonsense. I am, and have always been, an unswerving supporter of the small businesses and entrepreneurs who form the backbone of our economy. As the son of a small business owner, I know the dedication and strength of character it takes to successfully start a company, and those who do ought to be respected and admired by all.

But it is not enough to admire our small businesses from a distance: we must get down in the ditch and take up the shovel to ensure that they can continue to build a stronger economy. That is why, as your Senator, I fought to cut taxes for small business in the last budget, and why I will defend those cuts as your president. That is why I believe that we must invest in higher education, so that employers can find workers with the skills to do the jobs they need filled. That is why I believe we must level the playing field so that more Atlasians can take their talents where they are most useful and continue to create new jobs and spark new ideas that make our economy and our country stronger.

How do we do this? By lowering the cost of a college degree so that more people can get the education they need to become productive members of society. By raising the minimum wage so that middle class families can spend more, leading to more growth and more jobs for everyone. By fighting for equal pay for equal work so that women are no longer at a disadvantage in the professional world. By protecting basic regulations that ensure fair play and a competitive free market in which the best ideas and the most successful business models can rise to the top. By providing incentives to businesses who take risks and try new ideas, particularly in areas like green energy where Atlasia and the planet will benefit from their innovations.

Some on the other side like to dismiss these ideas by saying that government can't be trusted to help the people. This, again, is nonsense. Who is the government? Who elects it? Who does it answer to? To hear some of these people talk, government might be an alien nation that dropped out of the sky one day and set up shop on the National Mall. But I know, and you know, and the men and women of this country know, that government is nothing more or less than an assembly of the people, and I would trust the people of this country with my life if it came to it.

What we need in this country is not big government, not small government, but smart government. A smart government knows that there are many things that the free market and private enterprise do well and lets them do those things. A smart government also knows that there are many things it can do to make a real, positive difference in the lives of the people and does them without hesitation. Above all, a smart government does not judge a policy based on whether it is right wing or left wing, or whether it is orthodox or unorthodox, but based on whether it helps the people of this country to build lives worth living. That is the kind of administration that I will lead: one that recognizes where the market is doing well, but also where it could do better, and fearlessly acts in defense of the people whenever and wherever their rights are threatened.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Brothers

Montgomery, Alabama

MY FRIENDS AND COUNTRYMEN: LEND ME YOUR EARS!

In weeks past, many of you have asked me who would be my partner in this campaign. Until now, I have not been able to answer you. The choice of a vice president is not something to be taken lightly. I needed someone who is battle tested and reliable: someone who will have the backs of the Atlasian people and who, were something to happen to me, would be able to take charge of the Oval Office with the steady hand of a seasoned pilot.

The wait is over. Without further ado, it is my pleasure to announce my running mate and the next Vice President of the Republic, a man who needs no introduction, the honorable Kalwejt!

It is a difficult thing to describe why Kalwejt is the best possible candidate to become the first Vice President to serve under the Fourth Constitution without being guilty of a thousand understatements. To say that he is an "experienced and dedicated public servant" would be like describing the Earth as "round and somewhat large." This is a man who has fought tenaciously in defense of the Atlasian Dream for the better part of seven years: who has been Lt. Governor, a legislator for three Regions, Senator, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Vice President, Acting President, delegate to the ConCon, and the best Game Moderator we've ever had. In the dark days of Bloody July, we fought side by side on the front lines of the War Against Radicalism; in the Senate, Kalwejt and I collaborated to organize the ConCon and called out do-nothing politicians whose negligence posed a threat to our nation's existence. He takes his job seriously, but he's not afraid to shake things up, and if you're looking for a man who will bring spirit and integrity to the newly revamped office of Vice President, he is everything you could ask for and more.

Onward, then, my friends! The day is our own!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Thanks for the question, Winfield!

I believe that transgender citizens should use the bathroom of the gender they identify with. I have listened to the arguments against this policy, and I do not find them convincing. Specifically, I find it hard to believe that - as one poster put it - someone "evil enough to commit rape and stupid enough to do it in a public restroom" - will be deterred by the threat of a small fine. There is no evidence that transgender people pose a significant threat to the safety of our citizens; I therefore support leaving the decision of which bathroom to use to the individual.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I've been gone for awhile, so, tbh, I'm not entirely 100% sure about what's going on, but I've always felt that you'd make an excellent president, and I strongly believe that you are the man necessary to lead Atlasia into its new era.

Endorsed!

Thanks, Pikachu! Glad to see you around these parts again!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Words cannot begin to express the horror that seized hold of me on learning of the despicable act of violence that claimed 53 lives and left 50 others injured in Florida early this morning. Nothing I can say will ease the pain of those who lost their loved ones in those terrible moments. Allow me to echo the words of my fellow Atlasians: there is no room for hate in this country, and the dignity of every person must and shall be respected.

Yet, as Committeewoman Peebs so rightly put it, words are not enough. The horrid injustice of this act only reminds us that we must work to defend the liberty of all Atlasians against those who would take it from them. We must have leaders who will defend the rights of the LGBTQ community, and who will unflinchingly stand by the sacred principle upon which this country was founded: that all men and women are created equal; for, as the late John F. Kennedy to aptly put it, no-one in Atlasia is free until every citizen is free.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The debate is on! Undecided voters would do well to read my opening statement and answers to the questions posed by moderators Ted Bessell and C.X. Smith! As always, I remain willing to answer additional questions from the public - don't hesitate to get in touch.

Debate Thread

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The Truman Plan | Part III: Defeating ISIS

Support Our Allies
As Senator At-Large, I wrote legislation that committed $500 Million in weapons and foreign aid to Jordanian and Iraqi Kurdish forces currently battling ISIS. As president, I will call on Congress to (a) pass a new aid package providing money, arms, and humanitarian aid to our allies in the region; and (b) authorize air strikes against ISIS targets worldwide. I will continue to work with our allies, including the Republic of Iraq, the Kingdom of Jordan, and Iraqi Kurdish forces, to defeat ISIS wherever it rears its ugly head.
Defend the Home Front
The threat posed by homegrown terrorism is just as great, and in some ways greater, than the threat posed by ISIS fighters abroad. While right wing fearmongers love to exploit tragedies like the recent shooting in Orlando by calling for a blanket ban on Muslim immigration, the fact of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of terror attacks committed on our soil are carried out by natural-born citizens. An immigration embargo would not have stopped these attacks; instead, it would feed the narrative that Atlasia and the West are anti-Islam and push Muslims into the arms of ISIS. That is not only immoral, it is strategically irresponsible.

Instead of restoring to demagoguery and bigotry that only further fuel the rise of extremist groups, my administration will pursue a comprehensive strategy to protect our citizens and stop these attacks before they happen.

• Stop Selling Guns to Terrorists. Ban arms purchases by persons on the terrorist watch list and institute mandatory background checks for all arms sales.
  
  
• Stay One Step Ahead of the terrorists by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security to monitor the online accounts of suspected terrorists and members of terrorist groups.
  
  
• Prepare for the Worst. My Administration will coordinate with the Regional Governors to develop a strategy for responding to large-scale terrorist insurgencies, such as the attacks on Dearborn earlier this year, as well as lone-wolf attacks like San Bernardino and Orlando.

Ally with Moderate Muslims
We must reach out to peace-loving Atlasian Muslims and work with leaders in the Muslim community to nip terrorism in the bud. The surest way to counter radical Islam is with moderate Islam, and the people best positioned to check the rising tide of extremism are Muslims themselves. This is not only the right thing to do - it's the smart thing to do.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The Truman Plan | Part IV: Equal Justice Under Law

Abolish the Death Penalty
I fully support a Constitutional Amendment abolishing capital punishment nationwide. The fact of the matter is that the death penalty is neither morally justified nor fiscally responsible. The Center for Wrongful Convictions estimates that 1 in 20 citizens convicted by our legal system are later found to be innocent. In the case of a prison sentence, those innocent men and women can be released; executions  are permanent. I fail to understand from where government derives the moral authority to condemn its citizens to death, particularly when the possibility of wrongful conviction remains.

Furthermore, all evidence suggests that the death penalty actually costs taxpayers more than it would to sentence the very same criminal to life in prison. The death penalty is not only morally wrong, it is fiscally irresponsible - why on earth would we want to keep it?

Police Accountability
As Speaker of the Mideast Assembly, I supported legislation aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within our law enforcement system. That bill began a program of force wide badge cameras to be worn by all uniformed law enforcement officials, in an effort to curb police brutality and protect honest officers from untrue accusations. Funding for this program was provided by the federal government under the terms of the Law Enforcement Transparency Act of 2015, which offered funding to all regions willing to establish such a program.

As president, I will renew this vital partnership between federal and local authorities by offering funding to any Region willing to establish a program of force-wide badge cameras. These cameras will ensure that we have a reliable, truthful record of all interactions between the police and the public. I would note that, when the Senate voted on this bill a year ago, it passed with the overwhelming support of both liberals and conservatives - only known communist TNF voted against it. This is a common-sense measure that will protect both citizens and police officials, and I will work with both parties to see it enacted.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Thank-you for your support, Winfield! I understand that you have some concerns, but I will do my best to represent you and the rest of Atlasia with dignity over the next four months.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I'm proud to endorse this wonderful ticket.

Thanks, Scott!