Office of Former President and Gov. DemPGH

[DemPGH]

If you decide to run, consider this my endorsement. The pacific needs experienced management, and it sounds like you've done a great job of attempting to revive the region.

Excellent news. It should go without saying that a DemPGH candidacy for any office will have my support.

DemPGH's leadership and assistance has been a vital part of this Pacific recovery we've been working on over the past months, and that's manifested itself in clear signs of recovering activity, falling unemployment, and structural reforms. The passage of a functioning Constitution is a landmark on the road to recovery. A DemPGH candidacy for re-election would have my full and enthusiastic support- we need an experienced leader during these difficult times.

I, too, will stand with DemPGH. He's stepped up to the plate following the death of PJ, and worked with my administration to enact sound policies that has undoubtedly put the Pacific on the road to recovery. I would welcome another term with open arms.

I cannot express how it pleases me to accept and thank you gentlemen for your kind words and acknowledgment of our efforts! There's still clearly a long way to go, but we have the ball rolling, and I think the federal government's cooperation with us will jumpstart the region and let us do some special things with it.

Will there be a contested Labor Party primary? I love a good contest!

Haha, that wasn't exactly number 1 on my wish list, but now that you mention it, we'll see soon enough!

[DemPGH]

I'l be running for Governor, so more to come, but I'm going to ask the Council to focus on finalizing the stimulus. We have 50 million dollars allocated for the WA mudslide, and I'm proposing 1.5 billion for total drought relief. I'm contacting several people about infrastructure.

Also, this will be my official thread. So, I may maintenance it - my attempts at humor and my wine-soaked diatribes (aren't we all entitled to a few wine-soaked diatribes?) may distract rom actual business.

I'm just very pleased that the federal government and my office are on the same page, and I want to stress to you that the "Wolfenstitution" is over! I only want the region to compete with the others, and I welcome input and questions. I am not a dominator, I'm here to make the ball roll. I want to play by the rules as well.

Once upon a time, this region was seriously dead, and we have tangible potential at this point.

[DemPGH]

Haha, you know me as a history buff, hopefully, so let me take this opportunity to unveil the official campaign banner. It's none other than the classic image of the boar.

I implore the council to prioritize the stimulus, but more to come, and I welcome questions.

[DemPGH]

I want to make a general comment about a bill we've had on the floor in the Pacific for a while - the Rural Housing bill. It's an expansive bill that provides various forms of assistance to impoverished rural inhabitants, WHICH in principle I support.

Section two of the bill requires that twenty thousand houses be built, and I cannot justify the Pacific doing that. I could support the bill with that gone, and I think we should require proof of income or proof of some effort of the people to support themselves. Otherwise, houses would be built that would be trashed in about a year.

Next: I will support some form of a "rural housing project" in the infrastructure part of the stimulus. That's actually a good idea, but it needs to be proposed that way.

[DemPGH]

I endorse your bid for re-election.

Thanks much, Simfan, you have my gratitude!

My own reasons for supporting DemPGH . . . In addition to being an old friend, he's a capable administrator.

It's more than mutual (I have a lot of respect for you), thanks!

[DemPGH]

I want to thank The Labor Party for its endorsement, [former but always] President Averroës Nix, President Duke, crisis manager Oakvale, Attorney General Maxwell, and [former senator] Simfan for their kind endorsements, and all those who supported me (notably former President Napoleon). I have personally thanked others who supported me.

I thank our Council, for we have passed a new constitution, a number of bills, and are now completing a stimulus. We MUST continue our current momentum.

It’s an exciting time! Gone are the days of completely inactive Pacific government, but of course we need to ensure an active council, as we have recently seen. When PJ and Siren suddenly left, I thought, “What now?!” But Flo, Devin, and Cranberry have filled in under difficult circumstances.

The Pacific was always a challenge to me. We have built a castle that I am simply not ready to vacate yet! There’s more to do. So I ask for your support.

I want to outline some goals that I have for the next term:  

1.   Responsibility: I promise to be active and constructive in developing legislation that we pass. I want us to commit to relevant and impactful expenditures. I will not undermine civil liberties or the environment, but will protect our fragile economic growth.

2.   The stimulus: I will instruct the Council to focus only on the stimulus for the next fourteen days or until completed.

3.   I will propose a “shell” or outline of stimulus expenditures shortly after the election; it will then be a matter of filling in details.

4.   As always, I am available to answer questions.

[DemPGH]

Oops, meant to post this. The booth will be opening this afternoon, but I wanted to announce the ballot first. Let me know any mistakes, anybody, but this looks right.

I'll announce when the booth is open a bit later and even though I'm busy I'll try to find some campaign music.

Alphabetical order:

Governor:
DemPGH (Lab)
Flo (Ind)
Write In: _____

Council (Filling three seats):

Cranberry (Lab)
Devin (Fed)
Simfan (TPP)
Write In: _____

[DemPGH]

Pacific, let's go win - it'll be close and the booth is open! I am the Labor nominee, I am economically practical and socially very progressive. Let's do it!

If ever I had theme music, it would be Forever Young, and let's do Eye of the Tiger!

Anybody like Lady Gaga? Let's do Poker Face.

[DemPGH]

Dear People:

Voting has concluded, and I have been re-elected as your governor! Thank you notes will be sent soon to my supporters!

New officers come in at noon on 18 April (next Friday).

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I take pride in that this region is now in much better shape than the condition in which I found it. That involved more than just me, so we’ll need a council focused on relevant matters at hand.

Flo did very well. Since the regional liaison / coordinator for the Labor Party had decided not to support me, my game plan was to reach all likely supporters with a brief, positive message about what I had done and what I wanted to do. I never spoke negatively of anyone, as I think that sort of campaigning should only be necessary under the most dire and extreme of circumstances. Flo was a worthy opponent not deserving of any form of negative campaigning.  

Now, there's a lot of work to do, and we'll sort through the Council votes shortly. We may sadly have lost an unassuming voice of reason in Devin, but we shall see.

The single, number ONE priority going forward is the stimulus. The Council MUST focus on completing this, and I want to forego discussion on random bills so that we can focus on finishing the stimulus. I will post a "shell" or outline for it, to be filled in by all of us, probably tomorrow.

A big thanks to the Labor Party, Averroes Nix, Napoleon, A.G. Maxwell, President Duke, and to Simfan34, and to Oakvale.

[DemPGH]

Thanks, gentlemen!

I've written to Flo to tell him that I thought he did really well and that I look forward to working with everyone going forward. Look, it's a game, and since we spend more time here than we probably should, all of us, it's hard to walk away from a race you want to run in, so there are no grudges or ill feelings. People were actually watching a Pacific election! I would have been glum, but I also would have felt that way had I lost. So, I really feel that we can keep this momentum going that we've built for ourselves.

The 10th council will swear in on Friday, but I don't think there's any reason why we can't get started a little early. After I post my outline of the stimulus, we can start filling it in ASAP. Then we can return to business as usual. That's my plan.

[DemPGH]

I'm extremely sorry to read about Flo's resignation and that he must attend to RL issues - I sincerely hope that those are not too serious. Flo has helped us out in a number of ways going back to the dark days of inactivity and revolutions, and his absence will be felt.

I appoint Devin to the Council in Flo's place. Devin has already expressed a desire to return to the Council, and I know he will fill in very well.

I also want to generally report that the first stimulus omnibus bill has been completed, and once the full committee has had a chance to review it, we expect to pass it in a few days, or by 1 May. We will be a beacon for small business, for updated infrastructure, and for scientific and technological innovation! Clearly, our best days like just ahead.

[DemPGH]

Is Simfan now able to be Councillor or not? If not, his seat is vacant as well, isn't it?

I have to research that more, but I'd like to keep him. If he resigns or if we can't keep him, then we might have to let Oakvale or someone fill in. IDK, we'll see.

[DemPGH]

Dear People:

I should acknowledge that I've put together a small "Presidential exploratory committee" of a few people in the game close to me personally and ideologically. There is certainly no guarantee that I will run. And I will run as nothing but a Laborite.

I suppose Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road is appropriate.

If I become more serious about this, I shall participate more in national discussion. I am currently preoccupied with Pacific affairs, wherein I am quite happy. I've been able to work with moderate (TPP and Fed) and leftist voices there quite successfully.

If I do run, it will be with the white rose as my symbol. It's a nod to history.

The current scariest thing that the President has to deal with is the Cabinet, and in that I do not envy President Duke, whose enduring asset is his patience!

[DemPGH]

Yeah, I'd like to keep Simfan - he's actually attempting to debate issues, so it's not just set it up and vote. So, if he resigns and I appoint him, I think that could work. Somebody will have to take me to court to find out if they don't think so.

Also, I think a national conversation about the Constitution  is in order. We have passages that seemingly contradict, we have close to 25 amendments, portions that have been heavily amended, and I think this dual offices thing can be quite confusing and convoluted. I think there should be flexibility with regard to office holding. The point of it is to keep a cabal or one or two people from doing everything, which is understandable, but we should have an emergency clause for the GM and for multiple positions. If no qualified or interested person is available, the nature of the emergency should allow a person active elsewhere to take the job.

And I'll have a Presidential update hopefully before long.

[DemPGH]

The voting booth is now open for the amendment to I.4.5 of the federal constitution! I believe it is the Proportional Representation Act Fix of 2014.

As always, there are too many positions and not nearly enough people to fill them.

I'm really seriously not among those who need to be convinced of that.

[DemPGH]

Dear Atlasia:

I am announcing to you today that I will seek the Presidency as a Laborite in the June Presidential election! I join at this time his Highness Sir Nick and also Comrade Snowstalker.

I never thought I would ever do it, but encouraged by the many kind and positive words I have received, I view the Presidency as a challenge I am ready to accept. When I went to the Pacific, I said to myself, “One way or another, I am going to leave this region better than I found it.” I suppose that’s the game’s basic challenge. I will bring precisely the same attitude and commitment to Nyman. If we work together and listen to each other on only half the issues (but hopefully more than that!), we can build a much better game. I’m ready for it!

I’ve been able to work with Labor, the Federalists, and the TPP in the Pacific, despite a handful of policy differences on a few issues. My approach is to be left of center but not off-the-wall, and I will not risk the game or the Atlasian economy over ideology. I will be for you a pragmatic left of center President. Civil Liberties, The rights of workers, the health of our economy, environmental sustainability, and peace in foreign affairs will be my objectives, and in the weeks of the campaign I will speak on these matters.

The health of the game will warrant its own platform. We have many interesting ideas on the table from a full reboot or recalibration of the game to a core dump of all statutes to a new Con-Con. I am willing to entertain all of these ideas and will offer a few of my own – like, at the very minimum, a selective process of dumping old or useless statutes seems in order. Or, if we went further, we could keep a “skeleton Atlasia” of basic, major, and needed statutes and re-build around them. In the end, the health of the game is the central focus, so at this time I’m not married to any single idea.

I aim to announce a VP selection over the next few days.

I must also attend to Pacific affairs, so also consider this an open invitation to ask questions from this point on. If something is on your mind, do not wait for me to address it! Have at me.

Now, if you’re a supporter, have a champagne, or bring your own drink. It's a competitive election ahead.

[DemPGH]

Obviously endorsed

Thanks, my friend.

Good luck DemPGH!

Thanks, Maxwell! I'll try to capture some.

[DemPGH]

Dear Atlasia:

I would like to announce today that as your President I would like to follow through on some successful ventures we’ve undertaken in the Pacific. We are upgrading our science textbooks, offering start up scientific companies funding and support, and offering means and support for individuals with degrees to pursue further education in science and engineering.

As President, I will prioritize Education and Science advancement. I would very much like to work with the Senate and with my SoIA to develop a much needed science policy. We are at the frontier of many exciting discoveries, like the ability to harness resources from asteroids and other objects.

As we speak, chemical, medicinal, dynamics, robotics, and engineering companies are moving science forward, and if there is anywhere that the private sector can help us, it is with science advancement. I believe the Government should develop a science policy, inclusive of green technology, that will move us forward.

My focus on Education will be to:

1)   Improve old and decaying school buildings.
2)   Promote manageable classroom sizes.
3)   Support physical education with clear guidelines and expectations that able-bodied children
        receive thirty minutes of actual physical training each day.
4)   Establish clear science guidelines that affirm the scientific method, as we did in the Pacific.
5)   Support STEM by improving access to new books and materials.
6)   Re-imagine teacher training to incorporate more content and less method.
7)   Make it much easier for scholars and content specialists to become teachers by entering an apprentice style program.

[DemPGH]

Its a champagne campaign!!

Haha, it will be a good time on the 'ole trail, then. Lots of corks to pop.

ENDORSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! It's great working with you in the Pacific!

Endorsed!

Obviously my drink of choice

Thanks, Flo! We'll be making plenty of cool cocktails around my campaign office as the weather heats up.

Have I endorsed you yet? If not I should. You have my endorsement for President.

Many thanks, Doc! I look forward to addressing game reform a little later too. I like your ideas and you surely have my endorsement as well.

[DemPGH]

Dear Atlasia:

I would like to take a moment to speak about healthcare. I unequivocally support a simplified single payer style system for medically necessary services including physician, specialist, hospital, mental health, reproductive health, prescription drugs, dental care, and eye care. This would not only provide universal access to necessary care anywhere in Atlasia, it would give physicians complete autonomy to care for their patients.

Our current system is rather complicated. As I understand it, there exists competition between the government and the private sector, which must cost an obscene amount of money. My idea is to end healthcare as a for profit system across the board, streamline and centralize its administration and financing (thus alleviating the need for a lot of bureaucracy – every bit of research I have done demonstrates that a single payer system drastically reduces administrative costs), leave the delivery of care mostly in private hands, and as a result of it we will be able to control costs and make care available to all. Why would this happen? Because it’s happened everywhere else in which a single payer / no alternative system has been implemented.

Similar to the Canadian system, I think we could (inactivity being the only barrier) get creative and allow our regions to develop their own means of funding it. In any event, we are a peaceful nation. There is no reason why we could not find ways to fund such a system.

I think we simply have to grasp that a for-profit model is not the be-all and the end-all. There are some things, like healthcare, and like the government, that do not exist to secure profit. It’s not their purpose, and to force them into a for-profit model actually increases cost, increases bureaucracy, increases inefficiency, and certainly invites inequality in access to care.

[DemPGH]

Hello again, Atlasia,

I guess I'm a glutton, but campaigning is fun after all.

I want to speak for only a moment about the game and game reform.

Look, I went to the Pacific thinking that it would be a fun challenge to try to get a dead region moving. With a new Council (Cranberry, Flo, Devin, and Simfan all get credit) we got a new Constitution, and with it new life.

I think if we give Atlasians ownership over a new vision for Atlasia, we can increase activity. That is why I fully support a new Con-Con (constitutional convention). Our current, 3rd Constitution is serviceable,  but contains contradictions (dept. renaming, anyone?), numerous vague areas, and many places where it has been amended and re-amended. I would support a new, 4th Constitution that clears up vague areas and simplifies matters. I believe in the supremacy of the federal government, but that the regions may work within a broad framework to carve out their own identities. So it's about balance, of course.

I also think that if we're to reboot Atlasia, a new constitution should be the catalyst, the trigger, because dammit, right now we don't have the activity to stay status quo. I'll fully support a reboot if Atlasia wants it, but I tell you that ownership breeds interest, and a new constitution can help us re-invision and re-invigorate Atlasia! That's the start. We can re-imagine the regions, the government, and their responsibility to each other. We can also consolidate the regions in a way that is meaningful and healthful to the game. If we stay married to an old way of doing things because it's tradition, we'll continue to lose interest. We have to get creative, and we have to prioritize the health and interest of the game! That's what I'll do: Be open to change and to thinking outside the box.

Feel free to ask questions! And yes, I will have a VP.

Let's do Spirit in the Sky and feel good about our potential!

[DemPGH]

Thanks guys! Yes, we're accepting dual and repeat endorsements.

[DemPGH]

Good luck with trying to get regional reduction and the like. I have been pushing the Duke Plan for months and have failed at every step of the way.

But I do agree and have agreed since October when I ran that things are stale and we need to shake things up, which is why I authored a plan to transform the government and the way we play the game. Sadly, it was met with enough opposition that it has stalled.

We've been playing the same game for a long, long time and have really debated some issues to death. I am happy that one of my legacies will be leaving Atlasia with a functioning Pacific, and that is thanks to you and the legislature's hard work and your utilizing the tools given to you all by my administration.

Man, you don't know how glad I am we got the same page. If I'm elected, I'll also re-authorize the second installment of Pacific funds that I believe will kick in in July. Of course, we'll see if consolidation or a merger or anything goes anywhere by then, but I won't hold my breath; meanwhile, your admin was a big help to us. And I'll keep it going.

Getting out of the same old same is critical, I think, and that's why I'm throwing my support behind a new Con-Con. Let that be the first step!

[DemPGH]

Dear People,

It is my pleasure and honor to announce to you my running mate. He is extremely hardworking, extremely active, and will compliment the ticket with remarkable balance. As a matter of fact, he already has his speech ready.

I am pleased to announce Governor Windjammer (LAB-MN) as my running mate. Give this rising star a chance and you will be truly impressed. He has written me multiple times about his vision for the Vice Presidency and about his eagerness to run the Senate. In many respects I feel like I am catching a good player in his prime.

I think in terms of activity and balance, it will be very difficult to beat DemPGH / Windjammer!

Thus far, I have spoken about 1) Science, 2) Education, 3) Healthcare, and 4) Game Reform and the need for a new Con-Con. Stay tuned for more of the platform this coming week!

[DemPGH]

Okay, this coming week we're going to move into social and economic platforms, and we'll try to keep it straight forward and real.

Also, I'll see if I can find a mod to split this thread off back when the campaign actually started.

great ticket. endorsed!

Many thanks, Butafly! Feel free to ask any questions.

Although I don't want to make a full endorsement until the Labor Party formally does (my being the Vice Chair and all), I want you both to know that you both have my earnest support in your effort. Your work at the Regional level (and that goes for both of you) has been superb, and I think that such work can only continue and get better at the federal level. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Thanks, TNF, I appreciate the sentiment! I'd love to work with you at the federal level as well.

I think it is now the third time I'm doing it, but I cannot stop endorsing this wonderful ticket! Both of you are incredibly skilled and active Atlasians, and will make a brilliant team! Go DemPGH and Windjammer!

We accept repeat endorsements. Thanks, Sir Cranberry!

Double Governors ticket, interesting.

Yeah, lot of factors at play, but a good gov. is usually a good or active leader, IMO.