Office of Former President and Gov. DemPGH

[DemPGH]

This is my office, currently under construction.

The Pacific has seen vast strides of improvement in the last term. I'll fill in more later, and feel free to ask questions, aways.

I am respectfully yours.
Your humble public servant,
DemPGH

[DemPGH]

What's the matter DEM? I'm confused :/

Just being goofy - it's gotten to that point and there's not much to do that's constructive, although I see we're back open for business. Woohoo!!!

I'm cool with you coming back to the North

Cool, man. And btw, if it has entered your mind to go to the Pacific, think again, unless you bring with you about four or five people.

[DemPGH]

Well, every time I think I'm done, that's it, something happens.

We will have an open Senate seat in the Pac, and I would be lying if I said I was not mildly interested. I have taken great interest in reviving the Pacific since Rimjob because I like challenges. You have to put up with my complaining and venting on occasion, but I have been invested in maintaining and revitalizing this region.

As I have said, consolidation of regions is a very popular concept but is problematic in reality. We will have to find ways to stimulate the region's activity, and I am encouraged by Devin's entrance and also by the activity of Superique and Tyrion. All are assets to a region whose primary challenge is to attract people. if we do that, we solve our activity problems!

I've been the Attorney General, the Vice President, the Speaker here in the Pacific, and a Councillor.

We are very close to passing a new constitution, written by Tyrion and Oakvale, and edited by me. It has been my first priority, and we are very close! You know me to be progressive socially and economically, and to understand the complexities of game reform. First and foremost, we must take into consideration all the ramifications of reform, and enact the most sensible of reforms.

More to come later.

[DemPGH]

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So..stay in the Pacific because now you have a chance at actually becoming Senator?..  The region needs leadership, not opportunists.

You don't get the humor of "Fear and Loathing in the Pacific," eh? We were shut down and had strikes. I was making a joke. Our budget is still up in the air.

Can you say I've not been interested in the region? And where are you now, btw? NY?

[DemPGH]

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So..stay in the Pacific because now you have a chance at actually becoming Senator?..  The region needs leadership, not opportunists.

You don't get the humor of "Fear and Loathing in the Pacific," eh? We were shut down and had strikes. I was making a joke. Our budget is still up in the air.

Can you say I've not been interested in the region? And where are you now, btw? NY?

No one says you're not interested in the region. You're still in the Pacific because opportunity arose, own it.  Just don't be a sh**tty Senator, and you'll be fine.

I promise everyone I will not be. I've pushed relentlessly for the stability of the region, and as the Senate discusses what it is going to do for us, I surely want some input.

[DemPGH]

Additionally, there is also a legislative agenda that I wish to pursue, the details of which will come before long. While I am willing to compromise, I will protect the rights of workers, the environment, and the right of people to make their own choices with regard to their personal lives.

[DemPGH]

Thanks, Oak, it means a lot! Like I said in your thread, you handled it admirably, communicated with me, and did everything you said you were going to do to include sticking to your timeline. A few honest policy differences is no biggie. Thanks.

A few ideas:

1) I would like to propose something called "The Dysfunction of Regions Act." This will make it easier for the President, the applicable regional senator, and the applicable governor (all or a combination) to act directly to fill out regional legislatures that slip into debilitating inactivity. If the legislature ceases to function for whatever reason, the regional constitution could be temporarily overridden and interested citizens from across Atlasia or in the region that has become inactive could be brought it on an emergency basis to fill out the legislature until normal activity resumes or elections held with enough candidates to fill the posts.

2) I would like to propose "The Regulation of Militias Act." Private militias are disarmed and banned. Stand-alone public militias are disarmed and relegated to any of these: 1) Auxiliary police under control of the National Guard, 2) damage control and disaster assessment, and / or 3) emergency response.

3) I would like to interact with the Senate more concerning the Pacific since I've been active on the inside there for some time, and hope before long to get a better concept of what actually is being proposed. One way to save the region money is to slash non-essential infrastructure projects, and certainly non-essential spending for start-up businesses and the like. I do, however, oppose solutions that undermine environmental safety and regulations.    

4) My pet project will be Education, in all likelihood, and I hope to have some ideas soon with regard to strengthening physical education and after school programs, and developing cross-curricular projects. One great example would be that no matter what one chooses to study or do in life, a knowledge of Business is almost essential. If you write grant proposals, for instance, in some corner of academia, it helps to understand Business. So I'll have some ideas there.

[DemPGH]

I'm taking a sabbatical for a little while at least, so if I'm needed someone should let me know or PM me. There's nothing more that I can do other than refuse to surrender out of spite. And that's pretty much what's keeping me here. I HATE to quit, even if I have to work around trolls and even if I have no council to actually lead. I'm also very much against turning back the clock on environmental de-regulation, and would like to have the chance to reinstate as many environmental regulations as I can.

PJ and I could run the region in the event that Flo goes federal. Why not? (Yeah, they won't let that happen, I know that).

Activity cannot be legislated, so if not, then the merger that Tyrion proposed sounds like a good idea to me, and this I like a great deal:

I would support this if it is a five member legislature,  two elected from the Pacific, two from the Midwest, one at-large. We would elect separate Governors that both have to sign for legislation that the legislature passes, and we both elect regional Senators.

This seems very sensible so long as the Midwest is amenable and agrees that they have activity problems as well, although I take it that those problems are not as paralyzing.

If the right won't agree to this or anything like it, then here is my proposal: Everyone exit the region.

[DemPGH]

I think it's safe to say that dumping more money into the Pacific will not solve the integral problem of a lack of activity, and a lack of interest, in the Pacific. I appreciate the federal government's rhetoric, but it fails to confront the central problems. We should not "kick the can down the road" by assuming that more money pumped into the Pacific will solve its problems.

If an arrangement cannot be made which will allow the Pacific and the Midwest to share a government, then those opposed to such a merger give the impression that they are more in favor of the status quo than in tackling the core problem. I've been passionately involved in trying to revive the Pacific, but at this time I have to say that the status quo is NOT tenable.

Simply tossing more money at any region that suffers from a lack of interest and activity is wasting the money, really.

[DemPGH]

WHAT is going on now? Of course I haven't a clue. Why would I? Without any warning whatsoever, our Governor appears to have resigned and de-registered, as well as one long-time member of the Northeast.

With regard to the Pacific, I shall as its Speaker assume the role of Acting Governor and attempt to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on.

As to other issues:

It appears that we will be receiving our bailout package soon, so some research and questions will be undertaken expeditiously.

The new Constitution sits idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean.

Probably time to channel my inner Hunter S. Thompson.

[DemPGH]

Thank you kindly, Oakvale.

For the record, I pledge to work in good faith with the federal Government, to do what I can to move things along, and hopefully we can get some answers before long.

More later. It's never dull in the Pacific, people!

EDIT: We're going to pick up and move on. Everyone has been caught off guard as I have.

[DemPGH]

A couple of announcements:

We need to get the new, 4th Constitution to referendum, so I expect to deal with that in the near future. The main issue from my end now is that the text is in edit format and is not presentable.

I will firmly support, going forward, consolidation in whatever constitutional or legal means in which it may become available.

I intend to stay on as Acting Governor or Governor as long as necessary.

Finally, ASK ME QUESTIONS!

Goddammit. Why does this keep happening?

Are you superstitious? I'm not, but if you are, I have a couple good explanations along those lines.

[DemPGH]

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I will fill this position in the near future.

Next will be moving the constitution to referendum.

[DemPGH]

I appoint Siren as Executive Consultant. She has expressed a desire to assist the region, and I figure that this will give her a chance to become acquainted with the issues facing the region.

I will, next, deliver a new constitution!

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The above will have my attention over the next 48 hours, at which point I plan to have it edited for presentation to the public.

[DemPGH]

I have to take exception to that. The constitution isn't simply being stalled; there are legitimate concerns being expressed, and the delay in ratification is a result of that. The worst thing we could do would be to ratify an inadequate constitution, as we've seen with the last one. I haven't really been around the last couple days (I flew across the country on Sunday and had my first day of classes on Monday and got called in for jury duty today), but that doesn't mean that the Council has been absent; all three members have been involved in this session.

That provision in the Constitution is to be used when members are absent, not when they don't do what the Governor (or acting Governor) wants. I fail to see how the members of the Council have been absent.

It's sat there for months, I haven't seen you do much since you got here, and before that you got kicked out of the Senate for not doing anything.

The 4th Con is going to referendum one way or the other. I'm not bringing anything else to the floor until it gets to referendum.

[DemPGH]

We will miss PJ, and hopefully his reason for leaving will be revealed at some point, since there's nothing worse than seeing a great person go without a reason. That said, I trust you to be a great Acting Governor, DemPGH, and I wish you the best of luck leading the Pacific.

I meant to say thank you for this. I am absolutely focused on the new constitution and the bailout situation.

[DemPGH]

Just a quick update that as an attorney I've argued a number of cases and as an executive I've done a lot more putting out fires and trying to get things organized than as a writer of laws. Nonetheless, I've had a chance to author these. The first I have just introduced at the regional level and the second at the federal level by way of TNF.

I hope we can agree that the first is a good public safety measure and I sincerely hope that frigid libertarianism will not sink the second.

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And this at the federal level by way of TNF:

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[DemPGH]

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I have to say that I have some severe reservations about this. The federal government dictating our tax rates and giving one individual some nebulous veto power over some committee structure makes me really wonder about both the constitutionality and fairness of this. I just don't know.

Moreover, the Pacific will turn around with a more active, more participatory public. Or if it is merged with a more active region! After all, this is not the USA - it is Atlasia. We're trying to get people more involved, though. That's what we need. I don't know that a bailout with a bunch of pro-wealthy, pro-corporate strings attached is a better avenue.

Additionally,

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[DemPGH]

I am exploring some ways at helping ease the laws on allowing people to move into your region that are within my constitutional powers, but I have not come to any final decisions yet.

Huh?

I know you have no affinity for my leadership, but holy Moses! You're a President, sir, not a CEO.

[DemPGH]

I am exploring some ways at helping ease the laws on allowing people to move into your region that are within my constitutional powers, but I have not come to any final decisions yet.

Huh?

I know you have no affinity for my leadership, but holy Moses! You're a President, sir, not a CEO.

I have no qualms with your leadership at all. But you can't do it alone! You need dedicated people to help with the cleanup and renaissance, and I know you agree with that!

Well, if I knew you better it might ease my concerns. You make good jokes and you are definitely in favor of big business. Beyond that, IDK.

I have come to favor regional consolidation because there is not the activity to support the current arrangement of five regions with five distinct governments. A bailout will not solve that problem, and that should be the discussion. The discussion should not be the terms of the bailout, but rather whether or not it is scrupulous.

[DemPGH]

Okay, wait.

Why should we accept the tax structure you are choosing to impose, and moreover, why should anyone on the side of labor accept it? They've capitulated. I may, but not without reason.

There is serious opposition to it to make such a massive structural change. 

I'm aware that there is opposition, and of course you have to ultimately choose whose side your on, but I hesitate to call it massive. Allowing two regions to share a government is hardly massive change.

This stimulus may be a failure, and if it is, I am fully ready to take responsibility for that failure. The region needs capital, a functioning constitution, and needs to get its budget in check to allow for growth. This is our goal with this bill. I am hanging my hat on it.

As for your other concerns, I think if you examined by presidency so far, I have been pretty fair to both business and the worker - so friendly in fact, that some on the right want my head on a platter. I don't believe handing all the power to one side or the other will help grow our economy, and that is my main concern at this point, putting people back to work and fixing the pressing issues. I am and always have been a problem solver, and that is something I will never shy away or be ashamed of.

I respect that! I guess I just want a reason that transcends rhetoric.

[DemPGH]

Hey, Devin! Welcome and thanks for your question. I should elucidate.

I plan to finish PJ's term which expires in April after which I doubt that I will run for a full term. I have a couple of objectives right now, and if this region could get up on its feet I would gladly make room for others. If I can't get it accomplished by April, it might be time pack it in. So that's my thought process. Right now I am all in.

Here are my objectives:

1) I am dedicated to a fair merger of the governments of the Pacific and the Midwest. I will accept a 2-2-1 format or a 1-1-3 format. I will facilitate it anyway I can that's legal.

2) I am bent on getting the new constitution passed regardless. It is one of the things that the bailout is contingent upon (at least as I understand the bill).

3) I'm not keen on the federal government handing down to us our tax rates. I was never involved in discussing that and it seems to me that it was done rather out of haste, and I can appreciate that because the region is paralyzed by inactivity. Nonetheless, I am not entirely comfortable with enacting a tax rate handed to me by the federal government, and would like a chance to talk it over with an active council.

I'm also not sure that the bailout tackles the central problem (and there are others in the Pacific who I know share this concern, so of course it is not just me), but look, if a merger is impossible then we're going to have to get a stimulus done someway that works.

I'm also not sold on the idea that in-game economic numbers are the end-all be-all. It seems to me that those numbers could come from anywhere, and I have a radical idea to employ someone to write occasional scenarios about how business is coming back, etc. I have a few people in mind for that and hope to get to it soon. We have some budding writers here.

[DemPGH]

No. I said. . . I plan to pass the constitution and I want to talk over the numbers with somebody! Why in God's name can't I do that? Sure, if a more positive spin can be put on it (official vs. unofficial propaganda, to use your term) I want to do that. Why wouldn't I? I object to how this has been done. Aside from the fact that it's been without concern for the law, there are a lot of other people here who wonder if this is the best course of action. So it's not just me. You guys on the outside are pretty well out of touch, I must say.

In short, I've NOT decided to vote against it. I've decided I want to check it out. If I cannot do that, then there's no point to any of this. You may as well just take over all of them and adjust their numbers to your liking, Mr. President. But I hope that this is a fantasy government, not a fantasy corporation.

[DemPGH]

So for clarification. . .

We have to:

1) Activate the new constitution
2) Lower the taxes to the prescribed rates
3) Then the funding kicks in
4) Then we're on the clock to spend it and do the all the things we have to do

Is that correct?

In the meantime, if I make an effort to make all that happen, which I'm doing now, I would like it if the Senate would NOT actually block a merger. We need more than one plan open. And we need some more research on the MW side, but if they are amenable and we want it, it would NOT be cool if the Senate would block it. That would erode a lot of trust. So I'm willing to deal.

[DemPGH]

So for clarification. . .

We have to:

1) Activate the new constitution
2) Lower the taxes to the prescribed rates
3) Then the funding kicks in
4) Then we're on the clock to spend it and do the all the things we have to do

Is that correct?

In the meantime, if I make an effort to make all that happen, which I'm doing now, I would like it if the Senate would NOT actually block a merger. We need more than one plan open. And we need some more research on the MW side, but if they are amenable and we want it, it would NOT be cool if the Senate would block it. That would erode a lot of trust. So I'm willing to deal.

In other words, assuming this all goes through, what would be GREAT to have and what would ensure that everyone is on the same page, since we are in very uncharted territory here, is a to-do list. Just a list of tasks to complete rather than leaving it all open to interpretation, and having some idea of the limits we are operating under. That will help me facilitate it, and I'm very hopeful that Siren will be joining the Council, if nothing else than to take my seat.

I mean, will we actually vote on the text of that stimulus bill? Or does it automatically kick in once we activate the constitution and lower the taxes? I gather that either scenario is possible. So rather than the admin just throwing something at me without a lot of instructions, some guidelines would help get it rolling, assuming it all kicks in.