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Legislative Record

Legislation Sponsored

• The Fair Compliance Amendment (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=153318.0)
• The Atlasian Mountaintop Removal Ban Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=153012.0)
• Saving Over Spending Act of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=155453.0)
• Care For Homeless Pets Act of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=155454.0)
• The Vice Presidential Reform Amendment of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=155980.0)
• Anti-Conscription Compromise Amendment of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=156680.0)
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary Creation Resolution (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=156327.0)
• Jobs Now Act of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=157255.0)
• Equal Rights Amendment (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=157903.0)

Legislation Supported

• Homeowners Protection Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=151524.0)
• Comprehensive Protection of Nuclear Power Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=151499.0)
• The Atlasian National Broadcaster Bill  (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=151500.0)
• Primary System Introduction Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=152133.0)
• Access for Afghan Women Act of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=152374.0)
• Atlasian Arts Advocation Act of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=152692.0)
• The New Atlasian Healthcare Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=151527.0)

[/list][/list]

In keeping up with my campaign promise, I have proposed a national ban on the practice of mountaintop removal mining, taken from an earlier version of this bill that I authored as a Northeast Representative.  This particular procedure, as many of us know, is unlike traditional mining in that it involves removing the coal seams by fully removing the overbearing layer atop them, thereby exposing the seams from above.  Studies have shown that this style of mining negatively impacts the health of our environment and those who live nearby these mining sites.  When a significant portion of mountain is destroyed through this process, those areas see hunting and fishing activities vanish.  Because this is mostly done by machines and not human labor, the jobs market does not benefit from this in any way.

I urge the Senate to consider this proposal and put the needs of Appalachian residents first.

Hello, everyone.  I wanted to inform you all of a bill I have been working on.

Recently, I have been researching education in other countries and comparing those policies to the ones in our country.  As of now, countries such as Finland, South Korea, and Singapore are world superpowers in education, and our nation- I fear- is far behind in comparison with them.  Today, it has never been more obvious: education in Atlasia must be reformed, and it must be reformed dramatically.  To help solve this problem, I have began crafting legislation that borrows many of the same educational principles followed by other countries and applies them here.

But I realize that the education problem is far too large for one senator to solve.  This is why I am asking for input from Atlasians nationwide- senators, governors, representatives, but most importantly, the constituents themselves.  I am encouraging all who are reading this to share ideas and voice your opinion on the bill I am drafting.  All ideas will be considered.

To introduce my proposal, I would like to lay out some key elements of my bill-

• Less competition, more cooperation
• A system designed to help students on their individual needs instead of blanket assessment
• An end to frequent standardized testing: no more "teaching to the test"
• Teacher accountability
• Putting the individual schools in charge of how they educate students

This is the bill as it stands.  It will be formally proposed when all the loose ends are tied and when all that needs to be covered is addressed.  I hope you take the time to read the proposals put forth in this bill and leave as much feedback as you can.  I would like to create something that appeals to a wide number of people and has bipartisan support.

The administration is very happy to work with you on this issue.

Thank you, Mr. President.  May I have your opinion on the proposals I have laid out so far?

I think the focus on teacher accountability is a good thing... I think some elements would be highly problematic i.e - teacher report cards (I wouldn't support that element). I doubt the Masters requirement would be entirely fair... considering the cost-related. Perhaps making it easier for those wanting the degree to get one would be a better option.

I think we want MORE people wanting to be teachers, not to make the conditions too restrictive.

Yes, there is a problem with costs.  That is an area where I would ask for ideas from others.  As for report cards- perhaps they don't have to be that simplified, but as of now, number and letter grades poorly measure a student's academic ability.  Some students can be good at getting the right answer on a test, but lack the skills necessary for life.  Other students are competent and have a general understanding of the material, but test poorly despite their efforts.  I believe we need to do away with things like cramming and memorization and "test-taking strategies" that only serve the students inside the classroom, and not outside.

We cannot make the conditions for teaching too restrictive, but training our teachers is important and aspiring educators must have the resources and meet the requirements necessary to get into this profession.

I would like to direct readers to these two articles:
http://bertmaes.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/why-is-education-in-finland-that-good-10-reform-principles-behind-the-success/
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/what-americans-keep-ignoring-about-finlands-school-success/250564/

Both of them give examples of how other countries are leading in education and this bill borrows off of some of the concepts included.

Scott- I advocated for a school vouchers program in the Southeast Legislature and that is an issue I hold dear... I respect your focus on this issue as well and I know you are well-informed and well-intentioned. I look forward to a respectful debate on the issue of how to better educate our nation's children
clarence

Thank you, Clarence.

I should stress that I understand the basis of your proposals.

I just think there happen to be more practical ways to the results. But for the record, I do support  the fundamental drivers of the proposals though.

I have a bad feeling we're not going to get very far with this, given the recent malaise people have been feeling for this game, but for the sake of provoking debate and ideas: bump.

Why eliminate the local and state funding? For the purposes of what this wants to acheive, does the source of the money make all that much difference? The Federal gov't can get it's way at almost any level of funding simply by using the funding it does contribute and attaching conditions.

The purpose of that was merely to make all schools publicly funded, but I now realize this could add tremendous amounts to our deficit.  In Finland, parents get to choose where their kids go to school- but all schools have the same source of funding.  This is so that the education quality each child receives doesn't vary by wealth.  I should note that I am willing to scrap unpopular parts of the bill as long as the final draft sticks to the key elements that I laid out.

Bumping this again... but I highly doubt we're going to get enough ideas flowing.

What about free tuition at Public Universities?

Essentially, that is what this bill aims at: taking off the burden on middle-class students so that our educational system is more equality-based, not competition-based.  So yes, free tuition is certainly something we could add.

Then I might consider endorsing this bill, it's one of my campaign promises.

ARLINGTON, VA-
Northeast Senator Scott (Lib-CT) spoke to a crowd of nearly 3,000 people on Saturday as he campaigned for Senator Ben (Ind.-VA) who is currently running in a tight reelection battle against former Mideast Assemblyman JCL (Whig-IN).

"I don't agree with Ben on every issue, but during my time in the Senate he has been one of the most active and hardworking members.  We have worked together to cut taxes for the middle-class and protect some our country's finest mountains in states like this.  Last week I was proud to vote that the Liberal Party endorse him at the convention, and I am proud to be formally endorsing him today."

During his speech, the Senator was very critical of Ben's rival, JCL.

"I am very concerned with the candidate the Whigs have chosen to run.  If the Mideast decides to elect this candidate, this region will no longer have someone representing them in the Senate who stands for the hardworking citizens here, but instead someone who desires to push a radical social agenda through and cater to truthers.  You don't want that."

Recent polls have shown a dead heat between Ben and JCL.

Initially, I had been pessimistic about endorsing candidates for this month's At-Large Senate election.  The main reason for this being, I believe there are so many qualified candidates running this time that endorsing some but not others would be almost in bad spirit to me.  However, over the course of this campaign I have seen how the candidates draw themselves as the invigorated, practical, bipartisan statesmen that they desire to be, and my observation of this election has made the endorsement decision very easy to make.

And so, I am proud to endorse the following candidates for the upcoming election:

Bacon King,
NVTownsend,
Franzl,
AndrewTX,
and Clarence

With that, I will note that not all of these candidates see eye to eye with me on every issue- and really, I have yet to know a candidate running for any office who does- but it is important that we have a Senate with people that stand for all the aforementioned virtues that a good statesman has, whether they hail from the left or right side of the aisle.

Scott, THANK YOU!!! I am very honored by your endorsement and hope we can continue to work together in a positive and respectful way despite our ideological differences in the next Senate...

This evening or tomorrow, I will be making a special announcement regarding future plans that I have for the Northeast Region and my public service to it.  Please stay tuned.

Gubernatorial run?

Regardless, you'll have my endorsement. :)

No Yes Maybe You'll find out soon enough! :D

Well, the Northeast (specifically Duxbury, Vermont) does have a wealth of... interesting... elected positions.

Thank you, Governor!  This endorsement is truly an honor!!

Good evening.

In August of 2011, the Northeast people gave me the privilege of serving as a member of our region’s Assembly.  Since that time, I have served as its Speaker and soon afterwards, Senator of the Northeast Region.  Holding an office in Atlasia is not only a great honor, but is as I always believed, a privilege that must be earned by demonstrating one’s ability to meet obligations and work with others.  The Northeast is very fortunate to have Governor Nix leading its way right now, as he has continuously pushed for reforms that will better our region.  Based on his accomplishments, it is clear that he is one deserving of a second term.  However, he announced today that he would not be seeking one.

There are, indeed, various ways one can serve their country and their community, rather you do so through assisting people in private life, or by fighting for the interests of your peers in government.  It is with that that I wish Governor Nix the best of luck in his future endeavors, be that in the private life or in the public life.  Personally, I have enjoyed being a voice for Northeasterners in the Atlasian Senate for these past six months, and I can see a window of opportunities for which to better serve my constituents.

And that is why I will not be seeking another term as your Senator this October.

The Northeast has room for much-needed improvement, and I have found that there are ways to make those improvements inside the Senate and out.  Indeed, just as much change can be made here at home.  And so, after much consideration, I have decided to be a candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election!
During the campaign, we will partake in a discussion about the future of our region.  What about the way government handles things do we like?  What do we not like?  More importantly, what policies can we pursue that will create a better tomorrow for all Northeasterners of all backgrounds, faiths, genders, and ethnicities?

To start the discussion off, I would like to invite my friends and constituents to join me at next Monday’s Labor Day Fair in the small farming community of Elizabethstown, Pennsylvania.  There, I will officially declare my candidacy for Governor of the Northeast Region and unveil the plan that I have for the future.  The plan will address four important issues that I would like to begin my term as governor by focusing on over the duration of the coming months: infrastructure, deficit reduction, crime, and protection of civil liberties.  I have many ideas that I believe would move our region forward, but no suggestions off the table.  And with that, I look forward to engaging in a thoughtful, bipartisan discussion with our Northeast citizens up close and personal at Monday’s fair.

The vision for a more prosperous, free Northeast is not a simple dream.  We have the resources we need, and we have the willpower to make it happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA

Consider this a mega cross-regional endorsement! :) Best of luck to you - I'm sure you'll be successful in this bid.

Thank you!

It has come to my attention that Governor Averroes Nix has unexpectedly announced a run for Northeast Senator.  (How unexpected!)

Governor Nix has proven his dedication to his region through his months of service, both as Assembly Speaker and in the position he is in now.  Upon seeing the progress he has made and continues to make, I know of no better person to pass the Senate torch.  It is with this that I throw Nix my endorsement (and some fruit as well!) so that the Northeast may be adequately represented by someone who will continue to stand for progressive values.

Thank you all for being here today, for your friendship and support, for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Senator these past six months, for filling my life full of blessings beyond anything I ever deserved.  And I would like to thank the Elizabethtown Commission for letting me host this event at your wonderful Labor Day festival.

You know, everyone here has a different story -- different dreams, different backgrounds, different walks of life, and different visions.  The virtues that are held by this beautiful farming community go back centuries, and the good people of this little town are the backbone of our society.  Our region's economy would be nowhere without the hard work of all of you.  That is why it is truly great to be celebrating the accomplishments of our workers on this day.

Whether it's the farmers, the mill workers, the autoworkers, the office workers, or anything in between, we are united by a common goal: prosperity.  The reforms undertaken by our leadership have brought in steadfast economic growth and opportunity for all Northeasterners.  These visions have proven more to be just a dream, but a reality.  But there is still much to be done.

And that is why today, I am formally announcing my candidacy for Governor of the Northeast Region.

I would like to use this time to underline four pillars of my campaign: infrastructure, deficit reduction, crime, and protection of civil liberties.

Infrastructure

New Capital Act-
The last few months has been absolutely groundbreaking for the Northeast.  Just recently, the current administration passed a bill that will relocate the capital to a declining section of our region.  Not only will this promote new construction jobs, but businesses will return to a city where it needs it the most.  I was proud to have a role in crafting this bipartisan legislation, and the developers of this project will have the full support of my administration.

St. Lawrence Seaway-
One of the long-term infrastructure projects I would like to focus on is the expansion of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which, as Governor Nix has pointed out, is essential to moving cargo between North America and international markets.  Unfortunately, ships from a drift of more than seventeen feet are incapable of navigating past Montreal, but an expansion of this gateway can bring in thousands of new jobs across the Great Lakes region.  That is why I intend to work with the Mideast Governor -- regardless of who that might be -- as well as the President and Prime Minister Harper -- to develop a comprehensive plan that would deepen channels, build larger locks, and strengthen our involvement in the global market.

Infrastructure Bank-
One of the tools that my administration will use to utilize the infrastructure challenges faced by our region is the creation of an infrastructure bank that will work within the BNE (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=154315.msg3313583#msg3313583) that I helped our region establish in June.  The start-up funds that are deposited in the infrastructure bank will be under the same rules as the other funds under control of the bank, and the department in control would identify transportation, energy, and water infrastructure projects that lack funding, offer a clear benefit for taxpayers, and are worth at least $100 million or $25 million for rural projects.  Loans made by the bank would be matched by private sector investments or money from local governments so that the infrastructure bank provides half or less than half the total funding, and each project would generate its own revenue to ensure the repayment of the loans.  This bank will help accelerate job growth, modernize our infrastructure, and ensure the timely delivery of new developments.

Deficit Reduction

It has always been my belief that government has the obligation and the capability to provide the best possible service at the best possible price.  That is why I sponsored the Saving Over Spending Act of 2012 during my time in the Senate, which passed with bipartisan support.  It had bipartisan support for one simple reason: it gave federal departments the incentive to spend less, spend wisely, and help pay down our nation's debt without hurting programs that our citizens use.  In my administration, I will author a budget that contains a policy just like the one I proposed in the Senate.  In addition to this, I will establish and chair a commission to look for departments of government that can be merged and eliminated, under the condition that the cuts don't hurt much-needed programs or reduce living standards for our citizens.  This will reduce needless amounts of red tape and make the Northeast Region one of the easiest places to do business in.

Tax rates will remain mostly the same, with the exception of a modest increase on the top income tax rate from 8% to 9%.

Crime

Crime is an issue that is often overlooked in Atlasia today.  Though our nation has seen a tremendous reduction in the crime rate since the early 1990s, the battle to protect our streets lives on.  Currently, I am still working on specific proposals that my crime bill (or bills, given the excessive length of some of these proposals) will contain, but current ideas are as follows:

• Implementing a Mideast-based statute that criminalizes the act of child-trafficking
• Imposing a 20-year prison term on gun dealers who violate restrictions on gun transfers
• Prosecuting businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants and temporarily restricting government contracts from businesses that are found guilty of the offense
• Authorizing the CJO to make grants to state or local police departments to implement an anonymous tip program using cell phone text messaging to assist police in preventing and solving crimes
• Authorizing the CJO to create and maintain a database for corporate crimes
• Making grants to public and nonprofit private entities (including faith-based organizations) for projects involving innovative approaches to combat gang activity and rehabilitate convicts
• Awarding credit toward the service of a sentence to prisoners who participate in designated educational, vocational, treatment, assigned work, or other developmental programs

Protection of Civil Liberties

It has always been my philosophy that government should take as much of a hands-off approach to people's personal and moral lives as possible.  During my time in the Senate, I have sponsored two amendments to the Constitution in particular geared toward protecting individual rights -- the Anti-Conscription Compromise Amendment, and the Equal Rights Amendment.  Equal rights must be protected and they ought to be acknowledged by our laws.  If our nation does not pass a constitutional amendment honoring those rights, the Northeast Region will.

---

I believe with all my heart that we can make these things happen; we can renew our region's strength in the community and maintain a government that responds to the needs of its citizens, invests your tax dollars with discipline, and preserves the spirit of our community.  This new chapter of prosperity and opportunity can only be ushered in with your help -- and that is why I ask for your support, your shovels, your axes, your hands, and your hearts, so that together we can build a community of progress that will inspire this nation.

Thank you so much, and have a happy Labor Day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL-dB9n_Wn4

Endorsements
Northeast Governor Averroes Nix (Liberal-NY)
Northeast Assembly Speaker Alfred F. Jones (Labor-NY)
President and Former Northeast Governor Napoleon (Liberal-DC)
Mideast Gubernatorial Candidate/Former Vice President/President Tmthforu94 (MCPR-IN)
Former Northeast Governor Snowstalker (Labor-WV)
Former Assembly Speaker Cincinnatus (Independent-NY)
Pacific Lieutenant Gubernatorial Candidate wolfentoad66 (Liberal-CA)
Former Senator Barnes (Labor-RI)

Thanks for the endorsement, Mr. Senator! Though I do believe we already have a budget surplus.

Haha, those were actually endorsements I've seen posted publicly. :P ;)

Yes, Governor Nix has done an excellent job with the budget these past few months.  However, I feel new spending on infrastructure projects should be somewhat balanced out with new cuts and revenue increases.

Does anyone have any questions or comments? :)

Question: If I win presidential election, would you work with me and collaborate?

Yes.  I intend to work with people from all parties to seek common ground and achieve common objectives.  Regional legislators should always maintain a positive relationship with the federal government and vice-versa.

100% endorsed.  As always, we usually agree on the issues, and I know you'll be an effective Governor and see your plans through.

Thank you for the questions, Governor.

1.  My administration will develop close relations with both unions and businesses so that a balance may be maintained between the two.  In the Senate, I voted against Senator Redalgo's Workers' Liberation Amendment because I feared it would have undermined its intentions: protecting the rights of workers and ensuring that the unions have a seat at the table.  While I won't let the unions have the final word on everything, I will fight for their rights to collectively bargain and oppose any efforts to deter them or roll back the progress that they have made for all these years.

2.  I will work with the Assembly and conduct a full evaluation of the tax code before I formally propose all the specific changes.  As was done a few months ago when the last budget was written, I will help re-establish the Budget Committee for which we will find where these modifications can be made.  If possible, I would like to implement a PAYGO-like system so that any deficits that are brought about by the new infrastructure projects are as small as possible, should we have any at all.

3.  If elected, I will continue our representation in the Conference of Atlasian Regional Executives.  I see this new conference as a way to develop a better working environment with other regions for the benefit of the country.  As I mentioned in my speech, I will work closely with the Mideast Governor to draw out a comprehensive plan to expand the St. Lawrence Seaway, which I believe will promote the economic interests of both regions.  Should that be successful, I would like to look into the development of a new high-speed rail system that would span from the Northeast to other parts of the country -- however, these ideas will require the involvement and the commitment of all regional officials, especially governors of regions which are severely lacking in activity and citizen enthusiasm.


Thank you, Cinci! :)

Are there any other Northeast candidates (Assembly, Senate, etc.) who would like to participate in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate a week or two before the election?  I think it might be interesting to try sharing ideas in a debate with minimal moderation for once.

I think another Assembly debate could work. The last one was nice.

I will be making the following campaign stops over the coming days-

9/14 - Concord, MA
9/16 - Burlington, VT
9/16 - Montpelier, VT
9/17 - Nashua, NH
9/18 - Plattsburgh, NY
9/18 - Potsdam, NY
9/19 - Richland, NY
9/21 - Worcester, MA
9/21 - Waterbury, CT
9/24 - Paterson, NJ
9/24 - Hazleton, PA
9/27 - Dover, DE

Also, would any other NE candidates be up for a LD debate?

I would think a PF debate would be better suited to an election than LD.

Good point.

This morning Northeast Senator and gubernatorial candidate Scott kicked off his two week campaign tour at a small pancake house in Concord, Massachusetts.  When informed of the recent passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, he had these words to say:

Just making a quick update as to where things are.  Right now, I am typing this from my dad's computer because on Friday night the internet went out for the entire house and we're in the process of restoring access to everyone's computers.  My computer has not gained access yet.  I promise that I'll get to all the Senate bills (hopefully) in a timely manner, but I apologize beforehand if something goes wrong and I end up losing the internet for an entire week: an unlikely scenario, but a plausible one, unfortunately.

Endorsed (no Whig candidate so far)

Thank you!

Endorsed!

Thank you, Simfan!

Senator, what reforms would you support as governor to increase regional activity?  I'm not saying activity is an issue currently in the NE, but, in general, what regional govt. reforms do you propose/support?

I wasn't trying to level blame at anyone, but seeing as I've been inactive for half a year, I'm not quite sure of the current situation. ;D

In my opinion, the ability of a government to increase game activity by itself is very limited, even when it tries to pass laws aimed at doing just that.  As a Northeast Representative, I sponsored legislation that established a cabinet to be used at the Governor's discretion for the purpose of expanding inclusiveness in our region's affairs among our citizens.  I was sad to see that the law was not taken advantage of as I had hoped it would be because virtually no one wanted any of the cabinet positions.  I think that law still has a purpose and can be abundantly useful during a time when the region experiences an activity 'boom' period, but I think the most effective way of promoting activity is by encouraging people to recruit non-players in the forum to come to our region.  That's how Snowstalker and I were first introduced to this game, and a law had nothing to do with it.

At the same time, we need to ensure that our elected officials are fulfilling their duties and engaging in most, if not all, the debates that we have in the Assembly.  This past month we had to fill two vacant Assembly seats because the people that vacated them were unable to commit their time to the game.  Not only does this reflect poorly on our region, but it reflects poorly on the entire game and diminishes the entertainment value.  Activity levels in the Northeast were, in my opinion, much better one year ago, and I think we need to embrace the values of discipline and inclusiveness to return to those days.

Thank you for your response, Scott.  I agree that this is an issues that cannot be quickly fixed via legislation.  As a follow up, if elected Governor, how would you implement the cabinet law that you mentioned?

The day after the election, I will open my office for new cabinet applications from those who want a position.  Though admittedly, I am pessimistic about the chances of getting a sufficient number of applicants to create a full cabinet.

The Northeast Region is fortunate enough this election to have several great candidates running for the Assembly.  Four in particular have a great record of activism and contributions to the region, and in a time when activity is apparently so scarce for the Northeast, it is essential that these three veterans be able to return for the betterment of our region.

With that, I endorse these four declared candidates:

Former Speaker Cincinnatus (I-NY)
Speaker Alfred F. Jones (Lab-NY)
Former Senator Barnes (Lab-RI)
Representative Goldwater (Whig-NY)

As of now, I am still undecided as to who will get my fifth preference.  I will need to take into account the candidate's ideas and the confidence I have in them to be active members over the next two months.  This is what I hope to determine in the upcoming debate.

Thank you! :)

Thanks for the endorsement! :)

Thank you very much for your endorsement!  Like for Nix, I am quite happy to give you my endorsement for your race, barring the possibility of a Labor candidate. :)

Erm... going to have to retract that.

I also endorse Simfan for Governor.

Exercise music plays in the background; Scott is seen running through his neighborhood, jogging through a farm, biking through a forest trail, kayaking through water, skydiving, riding on a unicycle, and finally walking up to the camera on a hill with a rifle in hand

SCOTT: Folks, I know firsthand the value of a good day's work, keeping in shape, and most importantly, staying active.  I've been an active member of the Senate for you for these past seven months standing up for the Northeast Region and supporting bills that I believe are for the benefit of our nation.  I hope to bring the values of discipline and activity to this region, and especially the Assembly, later this month.

It is undeniable that our Assembly has passed useful legislation lately, but unfortunately, activity levels in our region are abundantly lacking.  Last month, we had to fill two vacant Assembly seats because their respective officeholders were not able to make the commitment.  This is not good for our region -- especially at a time when we must work tirelessly to keep up with growing regions like the Mideast to stay up to par.

Folks, don't ask how a seventeen-year-old boy managed to acquire a rifle for a TV ad, ask yourselves who you believe will be the most active Governor of the Northeast Region.  I'm Scott, I'm ready to lead, and I approve this message.

End commercial

I will unveil my energy plan tomorrow.

I look forward to seeing it. Energy policy and reform is an issue very dear to my heart - hopefully we can work on it as Governor and Assemblyman. ;)

I've already talked yo you privately, but endorsed.

Thank you all for attending.  Folks, I stand here before you in front of a fine example of what can be accomplished when a region makes modernization of its infrastructure and energy potential a priority.  The last budget our Assembly passed appropriated five billion dollars toward environmental and energy projects.  This was a great start, but it included no details of how those dollars would be used.  In order for us to enjoy the full benefits of renewable energy technology in this region, need to develop is a clear, comprehensive plan for the future of our green economy, and it is among the many things that I can't do without the help of my fellow legislators and local businesses.

If I am elected this October, I intend to devote a portion of the Assembly's time in crafting the quad monthly budget to determine what energy projects the next budget will fund and where.  For an idea of what these funds will be invested in, we look no further than the latest and most innovative technologies here at home.  Wind turbines like the ones behind me have propelled China in becoming a world leader in renewable energy, as it has vaulted past competitors including Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the Republic of Atlasia to become the largest producer of renewable wind technologies.  More than two years ago, Vestas of Denmark erected the world’s biggest wind turbine manufacturing complex northeastern China, and transferred the technology to build the latest electronic controls and generators.  Clearly, energy is becoming a vital ingredient to ensuring a competitive economy, and investing in it isn't just good for green jobs, it's good for all jobs.  But our energy future should be one that manifests itself here at home, not nations abroad.

A month or two ago, Governor Nix signed an executive order mandating that all the roofs of new public buildings in the Northeast be painted white.  This is a policy I continued to advocate for in the Senate, and while it is a small step in the right direction, it is not the silver bullet to our energy challenges.  Homes and private businesses must have a key role in the popularization of these new renewable energy technologies, but these changes cannot occur over night.  That's why I support tax incentives and rebates applied to selling self-manufactured electric power generated from wind power.  I want us to reward the businesses that develop the most inexpensive and efficient methods of renewable energy production, and I want us to encourage businesses that aren't in the green technology sector to find the best ways to provide quality service and products with a reduced carbon footprint.  A voucher program, I believe, is one of the most ideal solutions to achieving these ends, but I fully intend to work with the Assembly in crafting a policy that is open, specific, and coherent to our entrepreneurs.

Our region is a geographically diverse one, indeed, and we have what it takes to make the Northeast the energy capital of this nation.  Stand with me, fight with me, and help us make a green economy possible for our region as well as our country.  Thank you, Dave bless you, and Dave bless the Northeast Region.

()

You have some great ideas and are situated to continue the progressive legacy the Northeast is known for. You have my endorsement and full support, though I will definitely miss working with you in the Senate should I be reelected.

Thank you for your most valuable endorsement, Mr. President!

Remember to vote! (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=162052.0)  Let's work together to move our region forward!

Congratulations Governor-Elect/Senator (whichever title you prefer) :)

Congratulations, Scott. You'll be a great Governor. I might have to retire back to the Northeast. ;)

I know you will prove to be a wonderful governor, Scott!  I can't wait to work with you and your administration soon!

Campaign Headquarters
Buffalo, NY

My fellow Northeasters, this past weekend, with high hopes and strong hearts in large numbers, we have accomplished something.  This weekend we voted to start a new chapter for our nation and region.

This election is a call to us from our citizens to work together to lead our region in an era of progress.  I look forward to working with the Assembly, both incumbents and newcomers, and I congratulate them on their victories this evening.  I would like to especially congratulate Speaker Alfred F. Jones, who has been and will continue to be an excellent Lieutenant Governor of the Northeast.  There is much work to be done, and none of it will be possible without his help and the rest of the Assembly.  And while we may differ on some issues, I can promise you all that everything we do will be in an open, bipartisan manner.  For the citizens chose not to elect one party this weekend, but some of all.

To Governor Nix and Representative Bore, I’d like to thank you for your support and all the work you’ve done for our region.  One of you, I know, will ascend to the Senate in the coming weeks, and I have full confidence that you will do an excellent job as our new Senator.  And to Representative Bore, though you were not successful this weekend, I am thankful for everything you’ve done for our region and I hope you will continue to stay active in this game.

Looking ahead, we have much to accomplish.  We must pass a budget, and we must pass it while we honor our Constitutional principles.  We must deter crime on the streets of our region, and we must promote our region’s involvement in the national and international markets.  When I enter office on Thursday, I hope to continue the same progress that Governor Nix has made and leave with a more growing, active, prosperous region.

This has been my message to the Northeast for the past several months, and it will be my message for the next four.  Together we can do it.  We can build a community into what we’ve always wanted it to be.  Thank you.  Dave Bless you.  Dave Bless this nation.  And Dave Bless the Northeast Region.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr102My19TU

Congratulations Scott! It was such a close race. ;)

I look forward to working with you in the coming months to make both of our regions the best they can be! :)

Congratulations, Mr. Governor-Elect. Despite our ideological and personal differences I know without out a doubt that we shall be able to work together to do great things for the People of the Northeast Region.

---

My first order of business in the transition will be to begin the application process for Cabinet hopefuls.  Though it is highly unlikely I will manage to get even one cabinet position filled, jobs are still available.

If you are registered in the Northeast Region and would like a Cabinet position, please send me a PM explaining which position you'd like and how specifically you'll use the position to make it worthwhile and contributory to the Northeast.  Keep in mind that you may only be on the Cabinet if you are not occupying another office.

The available positions, per The Northeast Cabinet Act, are the following:

• Department of the State (will advise on legislation regarding election law, game reform)
• Department of the Treasury (will advise on legislation regarding money, budgeting, banking, consumer protection, loans)
• Department of Agriculture and the Interior (will advise on legislation regarding farm bills & compensation, rural development, regional parks, environmental regulation, energy policy, food stamps)
• Department of Commerce (will advise on legislation regarding economic growth)
• Department of Urban Development (will advise on legislation regarding urban development, maintenance, infrastructure)
• Department of Education (will advise on legislation regarding education policy, health standards for schools, school development, teacher pay)
• Department of Labor (will advise on legislation regarding labor, unions, worker pay, worker protection, worker conditions)
• Department of Veterans Affairs (will advise on legislation regarding support for veterans, region’s military force)
• Department of Health and Human Services (will advise on legislation regarding public health care, hospitals, health, safety regulations)

Calm down, none of these offices are filled yet. :P

YES.

wait, so are the seats filled by actual people, and can #3 be allowed, as he wasn't born in the U.S, nor has lived anywhere.

They don't have to be filled by actual people.

And it doesn't matter, especially because this isn't the US.

sorry, he wasn't born in Atlasia either.

The seats would really be filled by actual people, yes.

Can someone be appointed to more than one position?  For example, Education and Commerce.

No.  The Constitution forbids serving in multiple offices at one time, and cabinet positions count as real offices, unfortunately.

Haha, that's true.  Haven't thought of that.

So who was on the Cabinet

No one was, really.  All cabinet positions have been vacant since they were created.

---

I will be appointing outgoing Representative Bore (Labor-RI) to the position of Treasury Secretary.

I only appoint someone if they apply for a position.  Poirot's already at odds with several aspects of my agenda, so I'm not sure how that would work out.  However, I don't want to exclude people.

Very nice decision by appointing bore!  Hopefully, there will be other citizens interested in these positions!

Thanks Governor elect! I'm looking forward to working with you and the assembly on the budget this session :)

The recently projected path of Hurricane Sandy has convinced me that we must all take necessary action for our safety.  Therefore, I have signed a state of emergency temporarily suspending regional work requirements and demanding Federal assistance in repairing all damage that should come as a result of the hurricane.  In the meantime, we urge our citizens to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.  Keep non-perishable food, flashlights, and radios on hand in the event of power loss, and evacuate your home if necessary.  We would also like our businesses to keep generators available and our utilities to continue assembling response teams for when they are necessary.

Thank you.

I have decided to follow Senator Nix's example and post my answers to former Senator Redalgo's survey:

---

Basic Information

Replace the underscored spaces with your responses. Use N/A if needed.

00. Name and Title of Office(s), if applicable: Scott (Northeast Representative, Northeast Assembly Speaker, Northeast Senator, Northeast Governor)
01. Date of Birth: November 12th, 1994
02. Ideology: Center-leftist, ordoliberal, New Democrat
03. Religion: Presbyterian (Congregationalist)
04. Region: Northeast
05. Party: Liberal

Public Administration

Please answer these next ten questions using no more than ten words each.

06. Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
Excellent results.

07. Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
The nation.

08. Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
It depends.

09. Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
The people.

10. Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
It depends.

11. Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
Absolutely.

12. Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
???

13. Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
Hierarchically.

14. Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
If necessary.

15. Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
No.

Political Worldview

Please answer these four questions with no more than a hundred words each.

16. What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
The states should have a significant, but fair, role in the public's affairs.  Economically, the states ought to maintain a broad safety net, but not be the arbiter of growth.  Socially, it should have a very limited role.

17. What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A leader's worth ought to be determined by their honesty, intentions, and most importantly, results.

18. Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
Yes.

19. Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
Yes.

Political Convictions

Please answer each of these thirty questions with “Yes,” “No,” or “Other.”

20. Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
Yes.

21. Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
Yes.

22. Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
Other.

23. Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
Other.

24. Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
Yes.

25. Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
Other.

26. Is government the ultimate authority in society?
Other.

27. Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
No.

28. Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
Yes.

29. Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
Yes.

30. Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
Other.

31. Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
Other.

32. Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
Other.

33. Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?
No.

34. Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
No.

35. Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
Yes.

36. Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
Yes.

37. Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
Yes.

38. Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
Yes.

39. Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
Yes.

40. Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?
No.

41. Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
No.

42. Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
Yes.

43. Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
No.

44. Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
Yes.

45. As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
Other.

46. Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
Yes.

47. Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?
No.

48. Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
No.

49. Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?
Yes.

Additional Comments

Please answer the following question with fewer than 2,000 words.

50. Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

I base many of my views on the principle that it ought to be a collective effort of government and society to sustain an environment which guarantees not only unalienable rights to its citizens, but free and equal opportunities.  All people should be given as many chances as they’re willing to take, but are individually responsible for shaping their own destinies and taking the right path in life.

Government can help sustain a nation of these ideals by providing help to those who need it; welfare, for example, in my view, is a second chance, not a second way of life, but it is a moral crime for any state to either neglect those who need a hand up or to give special privileges to those who don’t need it at all.

I have declared that a special election will be held on Friday, November 16th.  In the meantime, I will be looking for someone whom I may temporarily appoint to the vacant seat.  For reasons of fairness, I prefer to appoint either a Whig or a member of The People's Party so that Simfan is succeeded by someone who shares his views, as I do not see this as an opportunity for partisan gain.  If you are a member of one of the aforementioned parties, please send me a message as soon as possible.  If no Whig or TPP members requests an appointment by Friday, I will appoint someone irrespective of their party affiliation or ideology.

A very smart decision, Governor!

The following will be on the ballot on Friday:

---

As Northeast Governor, I hereby declare that this polling place has been opened.

This is the Northeast regional polling booth for the November 16th through November 18th Special Election.  In this polling place, Northeast citizens are electing one Representative.

Votes for offices in this region are cast using PR-STV.  Voters who wish to preference more than one candidate should allocate a first preference for a candidate by marking a [1] in the space provided by that candidate's name, and proceeding to number as many preferences as they desire by marking a [2], [3], etc for as many candidates as they so desire.

A vote will be counted so long as the voter that casts it is eligible to vote in this election and casts  a formal ballot. A vote is formal so long as it contains numbered preferences with no duplicate numbers. A ballot containing Roman Numerals is not considered informal. A ballot in which candidates have been ranked a,b,c, etc is not considered informal so long as no letter has been repeated, and so long as a single candidate has been ranked a, for as long as the letters are consecutive with no duplicate letters. A ballot is formal if the Governor can determine the intent of the voter without interviewing that voter.

Per past practice, write-in votes are only counted for a candidate if he or she publicly declares a willingness to receive write-in votes for a particular office in the [name of election] before the polls close in the Candidate Declaration Thread or writes in his or her own name on the ballot for that particular office.

Votes for "NOTA" or "None of the Above" for any office are formal regardless of the preference assigned to it. Should a voter preference "NOTA" as well as other candidates, only his vote for "NOTA" will be counted.

This booth shall remain open until Sunday, November 18th at 11:59:59 PM EST. Editing your ballot at any point after posting will result in disqualification of your vote.

Official Ballot

Representative:
[] Snowball (Labor - New York)
[] sirnick (Liberal - New York)
[] Poirot (Independent - New York)
[] Write-in:________________

I registered in Ny

Oops.  Why did I write PA? :P  Fixed.

Make sure and fix this date:

;)

It's definitely a good thing I put this up for public scrutiny beforehand. :P

I am echoing the calls of Senator Nix urging the President to act quickly on our region's repeated calls for Federal assistance on our Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.  I must emphasize once again that the Northeast Region simply does not have enough resources alone, public or private, to lift our citizens out of the muck that this hurricane has brought us, especially for the good people of New Jersey.  My executive order from October is still in effect, and funds from the proposed Northeast budget have been allocated toward a new Disaster Relief Fund, yet these remain modest efforts to curb our ongoing problems.

For the time-being, I have formally submitted a disaster relief plan to the Senate similar to the one that was used to assist the victims of Hurricane Irene last year, and Senators Nix and Ben have pledged their unwavering support for the bill.  However, we cannot afford to wait any longer for immediate assistance.

To address these efforts comprehensively, I am inviting both the President and the Secretary of Internal Affairs to formulate a plan at the Governor's Ranch tomorrow at noon.

I am pleased to report that after vigorous debate, we have passed the November-March budget with a surplus to aid us in our disaster relief efforts and capital project:

Congratulations on your successful handling of the entire budget process, Governor!

I am proud to announce that the Northeast has accumulated $1.5 billion dollars for aid in our disaster relief efforts:


On behalf of our great region, I'd like to thank Secretary Speed of Sound, Vice President Nathan, Senators Ben, Nix, and every other official that's helping make our relief efforts possible.  Today, the real recovery begins.

To be sure that everyone is on the page, you are speaking only of the money for preparation against later storms? Because between the Clause for immediate relief ($4.25 bil) and the Clause for infrastructure building ($1.5 bil), the Northeast is in fact receiving a total of $5.75 billion.

Also, you're welcome! It has been a pleasure working with an executive as diligent and reasonable as yourself!

Both the immediate relief and the preparation for other storms.

I am not in any way attempting to belittle the severity of the current crisis right now by posting this in "game mode," but as many of you know, there was a recent shooting in Connecticut's Sandy Hook School today, which is located very close to my high school.  As you all can imagine, I am deeply and personally affected by this, which is why I will not be posting much today.  I am hoping to attend a local prayer vigil this evening.

All I have left to say on the matter, is that I urge people, no matter where they reside, to keep the lost lives of the victims and their families in mind.

Please have a safe weekend.

Stay safe, Scott. It's always a tragedy when something like this happens, but I can't imagine what it must be like to have it happen so close to home. Devastating.

Thank you for your kind words, Hagrid.

The following will be on Friday's ballot.

---

As Governor, I hereby declare this polling place open.

This is the Northeast regional polling booth for the December 21st through December 23rd election.  In this polling place, Northeast citizens are voting on one constitutional amendment and electing five Representatives.

Votes for offices in this region are cast using PR-STV.  Voters who wish to preference more than one candidate should allocate a first preference for a candidate by marking a [1] in the space provided by that candidate's name, and proceeding to number as many preferences as they desire by marking a [2], [3], etc for as many candidates as they so desire.

A vote will be counted so long as the voter that casts it is eligible to vote in this election and casts  a formal ballot. A vote is formal so long as it contains numbered preferences with no duplicate numbers. A ballot containing Roman Numerals is not considered informal. A ballot in which candidates have been ranked a,b,c, etc is not considered informal so long as no letter has been repeated, and so long as a single candidate has been ranked a, for as long as the letters are consecutive with no duplicate letters. A ballot is formal if the CJO can determine the intent of the voter without interviewing that voter.

Per past practice, write-in votes are only counted for a candidate if he or she publicly declares a willingness to receive write-in votes for a particular office in the [name of election] before the polls close in the Candidate Declaration Thread or writes in his or her own name on the ballot for that particular office.

Votes for "NOTA" or "None of the Above" for any office are formal regardless of the preference assigned to it. Should a voter preference "NOTA" as well as other candidates, only his vote for "NOTA" will be counted.

This booth shall remain open until Sunday, December 23rd at 11:59:59 PM EST.  Editing your ballot at any point after posting will result in disqualification of your vote.

Official Ballot

Assembly

[ ] Goldwater (Federalist Party - Delaware)
[ ] Poirot (Independent - New York)
[ ] Alfred F. Jones (Labor Party - New York)
[ ] bore (Labor Party - Rhode Island)
[ ] Snowball (Labor Party - New York)
[ ] alexmanu (Liberal Party - Massachusetts)
[ ] HockeyDude (Liberal Party - New Jersey)
[ ] Write-in:____________

Constitutional Amendment I

[ ] Aye
[ ] Nay
[ ] Abstain

I believe alexmanu is running.

Thanks.

I will be making a special announcement this evening from the Governor's Ranch regarding plans for February.  Stay tuned.

Endorsed.

Endorsed :)

Thank you all for your support.

I would like to remind my fellow citizens that regardless of the events leading up to the February presidential election, serving the Northeast Region will remain my top priority, and I invite those who plan to vote for my likely opponent to tell me, privately or publicly, what it is I can do to improve things in our region.  I intend to pursue a serious reelection campaign, no matter the circumstances.

You have my full endorsement. I'm sure your second term will be just as successful as your first has been!

Endorsed.

The Northeast Assembly election has begun. (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=166698.msg3562805#msg3562805)  Please don't forget to vote by the end of this weekend.

After the election, I will say a few words about the legislation we've passed and what I hope to accomplish moving forward.

Mr. Governor, what's your opinion on the recent events regarding your potential Vice-Presidential candidacy with Tmth?

Endorsed. :)

Governor Tmth has already released a public statement in response to these allegations.  Likewise, I can confirm that I will not be on a Vice Presidential ticket in February, and that my priority right now is to serve the good people of the Northeast for the next six months.

An anonymous source has informed me that the ticket will instead be Scott/Tmth. Can you confirm that?

()

WHAT ARE THESE SOURCES THEY SPEAK OF!!!!!!!!

Wolfy

I will be holding a townhall this Wednesday in Auburn, New York to address issues relating to our government, economy, infrastructure, and more.  At this point, I highly encourage Northeast residents to attend and state what they think could be improved in the region.

Stay tuned for an upcoming reflection on the previous session and what to plan for over the next two months, as was promised.

So, here are my thoughts.  We accomplished a lot during my first two months in office, and in spite of a couple bills during the early part of the session, most of what was taken up by the Assembly passed with little disagreement.  And this kind of bipartisanship is crucial in a divided government, as no one party or ideology has control over the chamber.

We started our agenda with education reform.  I'll list the relevant bills:

• Year Round School Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=162616.0)
• Securing Teacher Excellence Act of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=162906.0)
• Governor's School Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163026.0)
• The Bi-Lingual Education Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164369.0)

Early on, the Assembly was very divided on this issue.  I vetoed the Year Round School Act and Securing Teacher Excellence Act of 2012 because I did not believe they were ways to properly remedy the problems in our education system, but we made common ground and passed the Governor's School Act, which was framed largely by Representatives Simfan34 and Barnes.  Thanks to this bipartisan legislation, the most brilliant and brightest students in the Northeast will have the opportunities to excel their education in this temporary school.  This gives students of all incomes and backgrounds the chance to go above and beyond their education.

And last but not least was The Bi-Lingual Education Act.  The costs of the initiative were later compromised, and schools now have the option of instructing a language secondary to English for students at a time when they are most able to learn one.

Afterwards came the budget.  We passed the quad-monthly budget (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164697.0) with unanimous support from the Assembly as well as the 'Smarter Spending' bill (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=165115.0) to build onto our surplus at the end of the fiscal quarter.  This surplus is important to maintain in times of emergency, such as the recent Hurricane Sandy disaster, and times of economic decline.  Though the Northeast Constitution allows the government to not have a balanced budget during certain times, I wanted to continue the record of fiscal responsibility that previous governors have maintained.

This followed debate on how to invest in our infrastructure.  Current At-Large Senator Simfan34 introduced the Railway Electrification Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=165987.0) as well as the New Tappan Zee Bridge Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=165928.0).  While I strongly support the intentions behind these bills, I did not endorse the passage of the legislation due to concerns over cost, and some of our Representatives rejected these on that basis.

We passed the Protect Our Babies Act of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=166187.0) that was sponsored by Representative and Senator-elect Barnes which will investigate the causes for infant health defects and educate mothers and families about what infants need after birth and how those needs can be met.

Just recently, the Northeast has been amending its crime code.  Shortly after the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, we debated and passed the Omnibus Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 2012 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=166413.0), and we are currently considering legislation (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=166652.0) that will protect victims of trafficking and deter those responsible.  Victims of crime need our support, and those who cause suffering in our region need to be put in jail for a long time.  Schools must be protected, and the streets of our communities must be cleansed of the criminals that defile them.  But we must take the responsible approach to stopping and preventing crime in our region.

During the next session, I will work with the Assembly and the Federal government to upgrade our infrastructure, and that includes expanding the St. Lawrence Seaway so that more boats and cargo are able to navigate between Canada and Atlasia.  Senator Nix said last week that in order for us to get the support we need for the project, we must make a clear economic case in its favor.  And we have one.  Our enhanced exporting abilities will yield a powerful effect on the economies of the Northeast and Mideast regions, and this will lead to growth across the board.  Of course, the costs for this project must be borne by all areas benefiting from it, and that includes the Northeast, Mideast, Federal government, and Canada as well.  The recently-passed BUILD Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=166412.0) will enable our regional bank to distribute the funds appropriately so that our share of the price tag will be covered, and we will fund this without cutting into the surplus that is expected to grow by the time our next budget is introduced.

We will create jobs and heighten our status as a competitive region.  I've proposed legislation that will give the Region the ability to negotiate for workforce training, capital investments, and other projects to help collaborate with businesses and manufacturers interested in locating or relocating their facilities in the Northeast.  We will develop a comprehensive energy plan that incentivizes the building of earth-friendly technologies.

We can and we must continue this culture of cooperation and political pragmatism in order to prosper.  I know that most of the candidates for the Assembly will do just that, and the incoming Speaker will continue Speaker Cincinnatus's tradition of competence and expertise.

I could not have accomplished what we've done so quickly had it not been for the diligent work of the Assembly and so many others. Together, we can move the Northeast forward and see to it that the Northeast and all her people will enjoy a very bright future.

Thank you, and Dave bless.

It appears I have a primary challenge.  Well, in any case, I welcome former Representative Sirnick to the race and anticipate a clean competition. :P

Must be the backlash of our Presidential ticket.

()
Townhall Meeting
Auburn, New York

Thank you for coming, ladies and gentlemen.

As I open my reelection campaign, I would like to open this forum to give you all the opportunity to send me your questions, concerns, suggestions, and feedback.  I encourage you to read my most recent speech on the state of the Region and how I feel the previous Assembly session went, then give me your honest opinions.  I will continue this meeting until people cease to speak, but you all may continue to contact me in my office or via PM as always.

Who would like to go first?

Governor, I'm not a citizen of the Northeast, but you have my full support and endorsement in your re-election campaign.

Thank you both for your support. :)

Well, I'm pleased to say that our latest crime bill (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=166413.0) includes a provision that addressed prison policy; that specifically being section five.  Thanks to the new law, convicts will have the opportunity to receive credits for exhibiting better behavior and for completing courses such as work and vocational programs.  I've always believed that the key to effectively deterring crime is through taking a hands-on and balanced approach to offenders while demanding full respect for the law.

Any other questions?

I realize you gotta be lucky for town halls to have a few (if any) questions... :P

This meeting is adjourned.

I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year and best wishes for a successful, prosperous 2013 for all Northeasterners and Atlasians. :)

Thank you, I will be happy to accompany you on your trip. :)

I am pleased that Governor Tmthufor94 of the Mideast will be accompanying me on my trip to Canada. :)

Also, in another news;

You've got my endorsement. Also, if you win, you will be the first Governor to serve more than one term since..me...back in 2010.

Thank you for your support, Big Daddy.  Being the first to serve a second term in three years would be an honor. :D

Great progress was made in our talks with Canada, and I thank Governor Tmthforu94 for joining me in the talks.  During the meeting with Prime Minister Harper, I raised the issue of environmental concerns that have been raised by several Northeasterners and Atlasians.  Harper agreed that the environment must be considered when pursuing expansion of the seaway, and offered his full support behind ensuring that the project is done in an environmentally-friendly way, even if that means chipping in a few more dollars.

Prime Minister Harper, Governor Tmthforu94, Senator Nix, and myself now have a job to do: make a clear economic case for this project, and garner the support of all figures involved.  The time is now to expand this seaway for a better, more prosperous economy, and that is why I'm calling on all Atlasians to do their part.  Write your senator, regional executive, or member of the legislature.  Let them know that we need action, and that this project must be completed in a responsible way.

I would like to announce that during my campaign tour, I will unveil my plan for education.

Education is an essential part of our economy that must be approached in a prudent manner so that the Northeast may remain a competitive force in our national, as well as our global, economy.  Yet in modern times, we have been framing the education debate the wrong way.  Too often do we discuss the merits of teachers, or whether more of our students belong in public or private schools, rather than how education exists in its current form.  Right now, we are in need of an overhaul, and I hope to lead the path for our region to become a model that the entire nation can look to.  We passed several education reforms during the last session, but the fight goes on.  And should I be elected to a second term, I am determined to not merely tweak, but completely revolutionize education in the Northeast Region.

Details of my plan will be announced at a later date.

I write this special notice to all citizens of the Mideast Region-

My friends of the Mideast, in a couple days you will be faced with a very important decision.  Though it is not my place to tell the people who to vote for, it is my personal belief that Governor Tmthforu94 has been an active leader for your region these past four months and beyond, and he has thoroughly demonstrated his leadership abilities as I've had the pleasure of working with him for mutual benefit of the Northeast and Mideast regions.  While the Governor and I do not not seen eye to eye on every issue, it holds true that cooperation, not ideological purity, is what moves us forward and sets a good example for the rest of the world.

Therefore, while I respect his opponent's activity and contributions to the game, I would like to reiterate my endorsement for Governor Tmthforu94, as I feel the Mideast and the game as a whole will be best served with him over the next four months.  I very much hope that the Mideast voters this weekend will consider this.

Thank you.

I will be delivering a special televised address to our Northeast citizens tonight from the Governor's Office.  The topic of the address will be education.

um, especially at the math and science parts, we learn things pretty in-context, where very few things are just teacher says students do kinda thing. For example, when I was recently learning about Asymptotes and Rational Expressions, my teacher gave our class a question about whether (-25x(x) + 750x)/ ( -25x + 750) is equal to what we did earlier (reduce it to x/1).

Snowball, the things I spoke about regard our statewide/regionwide/nationwide problem.  Some schools have taught the right material and taught it in an innovative way, but the fact is that most of them has not, and we are not measuring up with schools abroad because of how we collectively approach education.

Okay, thats kinda what I figured, but now looking back on it, our area has increased the amount of tax we would pay every year for education so that probably is what does it.

You have my full endorsement for re-election, Governor Scott. The Northeast needs you for another four months!

And good luck pursuing your education reforms. I'll make sure to follow them closely from the Mideast. 

Thank you very much, TexasDem!  :)  I'd be very happy to see our reforms serve as a model to other regions.

As some of you may know, the Northeast (especially CT) is expected to get a lot of snow on Friday.  While I suspect the chances of us losing power are slim to none (I, for one, have not heard any predictions of power losses occurring), I am announcing a possible leave of absence beginning on Friday.

I have issued a travel ban on all unauthorized personnel starting today at 4 p.m.  All Northeast citizens are encouraged to stay home and remain safe and comfortable until further notice.

I am postponing our region's debate to a time I feel is most appropriate.

The following will be on Friday's ballot.

---

As Governor, I hereby declare this polling place open.

This is the Northeast regional polling booth for the February 15th through February 17th election.  In this polling place, Northeast citizens are voting on one constitutional amendment and electing five Representatives.

Votes for offices in this region are cast using PR-STV.  Voters who wish to preference more than one candidate should allocate a first preference for a candidate by marking a [1] in the space provided by that candidate's name, and proceeding to number as many preferences as they desire by marking a [2], [3], etc for as many candidates as they so desire.

A vote will be counted so long as the voter that casts it is eligible to vote in this election and casts  a formal ballot. A vote is formal so long as it contains numbered preferences with no duplicate numbers. A ballot containing Roman Numerals is not considered informal. A ballot in which candidates have been ranked a,b,c, etc is not considered informal so long as no letter has been repeated, and so long as a single candidate has been ranked a, for as long as the letters are consecutive with no duplicate letters. A ballot is formal if the CJO can determine the intent of the voter without interviewing that voter.

Per past practice, write-in votes are only counted for a candidate if he or she publicly declares a willingness to receive write-in votes for a particular office in the [name of election] before the polls close in the Candidate Declaration Thread or writes in his or her own name on the ballot for that particular office.

Votes for "NOTA" or "None of the Above" for any office are formal regardless of the preference assigned to it. Should a voter preference "NOTA" as well as other candidates, only his vote for "NOTA" will be counted.

This booth shall remain open until Sunday, February 17th at 11:59:59 PM EST.  Editing your ballot at any point after posting will result in disqualification of your vote.

Official Ballot

Governor
[ ] Scott (New Jesus Christ Party - Delaware)
[ ] Write-in:____________

Assembly
[ ] NHI (Federalist Party - New Hampshire)
[ ] Poirot (Independent - New York)
[ ] bore (Labor Party - Rhode Island)
[ ] Snowball (Labor Party - New York)
[ ] HockeyDude (Liberal Party - New Jersey)
[ ] Napoleon (Liberal Party - Connecticut)
[ ] Spenstar3D (Liberal Party - New York)
[ ] Fezzyfestoon (The People's Party - Vermont)
[ ] Write-in:____________

Constitutional Amendment I
[ ] Aye
[ ] Nay
[ ] Abstain

Did HockeyDude drop out?

I didn't see his declaration.

He declared here.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=40247.msg3592623#msg3592623 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=40247.msg3592623#msg3592623)

Thanks.

I may not be an expert on the region or on the climate, but isn't this a bit... excessive?

I don't believe so, but perhaps I should have excluded Pennsylvanians from that statement...

It's a beautiful day in Wilmington too.

He's come pretty close, and he has missed more than three votes, but the problem is he has to miss three consecutive votes to be expelled.

The alternative is me.

Elections with five candidates are boring.

Wow, I didn't realize we were going to have such a crowded contest for the Assembly.  If anyone could help me count the ballots this weekend, I'd really appreciate it.

I will do it.

Thanks a bunch! :)

No problem! As my presidential term winds down, I owe it to you all to make myself useful on your behalf. :P

There is currently a vacancy in the Assembly.  If you would like to be considered as a temporary replacement, please tell me here or via PM.  (Preferably Liberals only, please.)  I already have one person that has expressed interest.

I will make my decision Thursday night.

Go out and VOTE! (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=169409.0)

After some consideration, I decided not to appoint someone to fill the vacancy, seeing as there is no new legislation on the floor and all five seats will be filled after the election.

Whats with the new party name Scott? Did you leave the Liberal Party?

Yes.

No other explanation?

It's a long story, but basically, I'm done with the major party games.

What's this thing about Buffalo?

The Northeast is currently voting on a proposal to move the capital location from NYC to Buffalo, which has long been in need of economic stimuli.  Simfan originally came up with the idea to move the capital from an area that's not as oriented for business.

I did! Why can't I ever get my due credit on this? It's like the people who claim I oppose the vague concept of "game reform" that don't even know how many reforms they enjoy today actually came from my Senate work. :P Actually its not like that at all, but it still sucks! Look at me everybody, I have ideas!!

#attentionwhore

Also remember Buffalo is a border town with Canada. Have you considered the security ramifications of a bordertown for a captial?

You did?  Sorry.  :P  I think at one point Simfan made a thread that had the blueprints for the city.


I don't see why that should be an issue.  Security laws would be enforced just as well as anywhere else.

That won't matter once we annex Canada. ;)

Annexing Canada....... When did this become an issue for political debate? Canada is a sovereign country all it's own. Why would we want to annex?

I have recently passed an executive order to deem the city of Buffalo, New York our official 'Second Capital' of the Northeast Region.  If I am sworn in once again, I will formally begin my second term in that city.  I anticipate that future governors will follow precedent.

Good evening.

The polls have closed!  While the votes have not yet been certified, I am confident that I have been elected to serve as governor of this great region for another four months!

While, unfortunately, we were not able to move forward with moving our capital, the fight still lives on, and capital relocation is a goal I promise to pursue during the four months ahead.  I look forward to looking with our new team of Representatives, one of whom I am proud to announce, has just been elected to the Atlasian Senate!  Indeed, we have elected a strong Assembly, and while we may not always agree on the issues, I am confident we will be able to work together for the good of the region we both love.

I also congratulate our new President-elect, and look forward to working with his administration where we can find common ground.

I would like to thank the people of the Northeast Region for voting, and thank them for giving me the opportunity to be the first second-term governor in three years.  This victory is truly an honor, but there is much work to be done.

Thank you, Dave bless you, Dave bless the Northeast Region, and Dave bless the Republic of Atlasia.

A question, Scott. If Napoleon doesn't serve, who becomes Lt. Governor?

Hm.  I might be wrong, but I believe that would be Spenstar3D.

This amendment is

DEAD!

Stop living in a dream world.  Face reality.  The peple have spoken!

In a democracy, you really have no choice but to accept the will of the people. 

"Second Capital"?  I have never heard anything so silly in my life.  The Northeast Assembly is, and will remain, by the will of the people, in New York City.  You're sitting in your little office in Buffalo, pouting, and the business of the Northeast is being carried on at the real capital in New York City.  What are you going to do, keep in touch by telephone and email?  Get real. 

Do your job as Governor, accept the the democratic decision of the voters, and quit acting like some spoiled brat who doesn't get his way.

"Wah, wah, I'm going home and taking my marbles with me. Wah, wah, wah!"

I would certainly hope no future Governors would ever do as you plan to do, i.e. disrespect and thumb your nose at the voters of the Northeast.

Shameful, absolutely shameful and inexcusable behavior on your part.

Because you have made a mockery of democracy, you are not worthy to bear the title of Governor.

Wow.  I find it interesting that one of the people who supported the damn thing in the first place have become so outspoken against it.

I see someone's unhappy about their recent exit poll result, eh?  So upset that you can't convey your opinion civilly?

Ah, doesn't matter.  Ignore list time, hack.

(On the plus side though, your objection to it is definitely among the most passionate.  Points for that, I guess.)

If I may, a brief comment incoming Governor?

Analyzing the contents of the Governor's post I don't see any indication that he is forcing the capital onto Buffalo.  I may be mistaken, but wasn't the Amendment to remove the capital from New York City to Buffalo?

That Amendment was voted down and New York City remains the capital of the region.

What the Governor is stating, however, seems to be on different latitude.  What this executive decision indicates is the wish of the Governor to create a secondary capital, another place for regional government functions in addition to New York City.  I claim no expertise at Northeast Constitutional law, but this doesn't seem to be a far reaching or even anti-democratic action.  I should note that there are several national governments that have several different capital cities (I believe South Africa is one) that separate the duties of their governments.

Though, I would personally preferred this kind of matter left up to the vote, I don't see the inherent conflict with the previously stated voter intent carried out on the ballot.

I could care less what exit polls said, this is certainly not the issue.  Clearly, you are trying to evade the real issue here, which is your undeniable contempt for the choice the people have made in rejecting capital relocation.

And because I once supported capital relocation, although certainly not your version, has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you have chosen for some bizarre reason to ignore the will of the people.  The people have rejected capital relocation, and that is good enough for me.   

Unlike you, I accept the the will of the people in the election.  I have gracioiusly conceded defeat in the Presidential campaign, and have congratulated the winners, and wished them all the best.

I have not ignored democracy and the will of the people and threatened to set up some alternative arrangements because I don't like the result, as you have done.

In a democracy, which is what Atlasia and the regions that comprise Atlasia, are supposed to be, there is absolutely no excuse or no reason to ignore the will of the people.

Whenever a publicly elected official starts to ignore the will of the people, that is when democracy begins to suffer.     

You're absolutely correct.  I am merely starting a precedent -- that being, of course, to do the people's work in a new location.  I am not "pouting," I am just setting priorities and doing what I can for the well-being of the good people of Buffalo.  Soon, I would like to use some of the money from our surplus to refurnish the city, as well.  That's not violating the will of the people, that's helping the people.

Thank you for expressing your views on the matter civilly.

Also, I would like to remind the people of the Northeast the full name of our nation -- that is, the Republic of Atlasia.  It is not the Democracy of Atlasia, or the Democratic Republic of Atlasia, it is simply the Republic of Atlasia.  Democracy simply doesn't have the final say all the time in a republic such as this.

For those who want to hold a grudge against me/impeach me/whatever, look on the bright side: you won't have to put up with me anymore after this June. :)

Have you heard the news, that you're dead? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsFFjt1x6Q)

You can try to call it whatever you wish, the fact of the matter ramains, the people have rejected capital relocation, and what you propose to do is some form of capital relocation, or partial capital relocation.

Quote from Governor Scott

Democracy simply doesn't have the final say all the time in a republic such as this.

I realize as well as anyone else that decisions made by elected bodies such as the Senate or regional assemblies are not always in line with what perhaps may be the popular sentiment of the population, but what we are talking about in this instance is a constitutional amendment, put out to the people for a vote, not a vote in the Assembly on an education bill for example.

This amendment has been defeated by the people in the vote.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of elected officials to accept the result of the vote, by the people, and follow through with the will of the people as they have decided in the amendment vote.

Not capital relocation -- capital duplication.

I'm not arguing about this anymore.

You lose.

Anyone want to go out for coffee later?

I am the forums most prolific coffee consumer so you know I am down!

I'm definitely in. Gotta check out Buffalo before we're there all the time. ;)

OK, this thread has been unlocked to me now.  

Don't worry Governor, I won't force you to debate me on the capital relocation amendment again, as you clearly don't want to engage with me on this issue.

That is, of course, unless I am provoked into doing so.

Indeed.  As a valued Representative of The People, I gladly offer you my guest room.  Though it's not actually IN Buffalo, it's close enough to commute :D

I totally agree with what you've been saying. Scott, why aren't you listening to the people? You can argue that Capital Amendment was indecisive because it was a tie, but it was certainly not a mandate for you to give an executive order to move the entire Northeast government. What about the appropriations for the move? You going to give yourself money to do that too?

Maybe we should start saying "Emperor Scott" instead of Governor...

I desire not to engage further in this debacle, at least until the appropriations bill reaches the floor of the Assembly, so I will say a few brief words on the matter and let everything run its course.

First, to clarify, I have not, nor am I attempting, to move the location of the entire Northeast government.  By deciding to carry out the work of the people in Buffalo, NY, I have merely moved a portion of the government: the executive branch, to a city that's in much need of refurnishing.  While I understand the opinion of those who oppose this move, I must contend that we cannot let all matters simply be decided by a majority vote, especially when the decision at hand does not go in contrary to such a vote.  What I have put forward is a simple compromise: to refurnish what I'd like us to consider a secondary capital in a city in desperate need of repair and economic stimuli, but without making any other attempts to change our Constitution to reflect this move.

Furthermore, I would like to announce at this time that I will not be seeking reelection to a third term, or election/appointment to any other office, once my second term is complete.  I desire only to fulfill the promises I've made and retire leaving behind a better, brighter Northeast and opportunities for all its people.  To those who intend to oppose me on every issue for the next four months, I ask that you only look on the bright side, that I won't be here for much longer.

Thank you, and Dave bless.

You, my friend, are an excellent person. :)

Just sayin'

Thank you, Isaac.  You've always been a good friend. :)

In just one word, you have summed up the very essence of capital relocation perfectly.

And just what kind of furnishing did you have in mind?  Provincial, or perhaps something more contemporary?  :)

Let's hope something more "Provincial", there's nothing worse than grotesque modernly styled government buildings...

I would like the refurnishments/redevelopments to go in accordance with the ideals of New Urbanism, as they were intended to be in Simfan's original proposal.

Governor, you have no legitimacy whatsoever to be proceeding with expending any public funds at all for anything to do with construction or relocation, or dual location,  of a new capital, or any part thereof.

The voters of the Northeast voted thumbs down to capital relocation.

So quit playing games with public funds that you think in your mind you have the right to spend.

I have an idea for you.  If you want to act like the jilted boyfriend, then by all means, go move to Buffalo, rent some office space with your own private funds, have a phone, computer, complete with email installed, and go for it.   

The proposed budget currently sets funds aside for the redevelopment and refurbishment of Buffalo without making any reference to it being our new capital ($15 billion out of the $60.5 billion surplus which tripled over the last session, by the way, due to my governmental and economic reforms).  This is a compromise that I will stand firm on when it comes to the floor.

By the way, your post sounds slightly less angry than your last one.  I'm glad that nap and glass of warm milk I gave you calmed ya down.

Governor, let me be clear, no amount of double speak can ever replace the fact that the principle itself of capital relocation, whatever name you wish to give it, has been rejected by the people of the Northeast.

Neither you nor the Assembly has any legitimacy to proceed in this matter.

Okay.

So pleased to see you agree with me.  (yah right)

You've shown what a true citizen leadership in your terms as Northeast governor. Don't statly away from service too long.

Thank you very much, JCL.

no

Although your detailed explanation and your masterful defense in favor of capital relocation is compelling, you have, amazingly enough, failed to explain the clear rejection of the voters of the capital relocation amendment proposal.

I believe Governor Scott would be well advised to appoint you as his Press Secretary due to your obvious expertise on the issues and your unquestioned mastery of the English language.

All flags in the Northeast shall be at half-mast for one week to honor the banned Simfan34.

I and other Northeasterners shall attend a funeral service this Sunday to honor him.

Free booze!

R.I.P. Simfan. :'(

Yes, rest in peace, Sims :(

Goodnight, pretentious prince.

I shall miss my good friend Simfan, truly one of the most interesting, intelligent and informed members ever to grace this forum.

Hopefully, he will be allowed to return at some time in the future. 

So why did he get banned?

He had socks

And not the clothing kind.

???

()

The following will be on tomorrow's ballot:

I didn't follow the capital move very closely, so I don't know exactly what the oppositions were mainly based on. Soooo I'd like to bring up the idea of Springfield, MA being considered. It's not doing very well and is a centrally located city, especially with regards to population. Just throwing the idea out there to see what people opposed to Buffalo think. And here seemed to be a good place to start that conversation, considering our good Governor's commitment to enhancing the economies of our struggling cities.

I am pleased to announce that my plan to reform the Northeast education system has been officially proposed (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=127652.msg3645524#msg3645524) and will reach the floor of the Northeast Assembly soon.  The conversation must begin now.  I strongly encourage all Northeast citizens to voice their opinions now so that we can work to achieve the essential goal of reforming and modernizing our education system.

I am proud to announce that education reform has been signed into law!

Excellent!

Congratulations!

Good to see education reform being passed. Congratulations.

I hope this is just the beginning of what we can do in the Northeast.

Chief Judicial Officer Dallasfan's term expires this Saturday.  Therefore, it is time that I initiated the process of selecting a new CJO.  Dallasfan has told me privately that he will step down if someone else is interested in taking the position, so I would like to give other people the opportunity to step up to the plate.  If you are interested, let me know what you would do if you are selected to the position.  If no one expresses interest by the end of this weekend, I will appoint Dallasfan to another six-month term.  Please review our Constitution (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/New_Northeast_Constitution#Article_IV:_The_Judiciary) to understand the powers of the Judiciary.

Thank you.

As most of you know, Lieutenant Governor and Representative Spenstar (Liberal-NY) is currently on track to be recalled this evening.  Right now, I would like to begin the process of selecting an interim Representative if the results hold.  As before, my priority is to appoint someone of the same party or similar ideology of Spenstar.  Therefore, I would prefer to appoint either a Liberal or a Laborite for the week before the special election.

If you are a Liberal or a Laborite and are interested in serving in the Assembly for one week, please let me know ASAP, and you will be considered.  I would like to make my decision by tomorrow, but earlier if possible.

BRIEF NOTICE ON MY ABSENSE

I am typing this from my school computer, so I need to write this fast.

A lot of you have probably noticed I have been away for a while.  I assure you, I am not quitting this game.  My home computer is dealing with a very nasty virus, so I have not been able to work on Atlasia-related things lately.  Rest assured, I will get to the Assembly bills ASAP and start the special election when I get the chance to - hopefully by this Friday.

I apologize for this sudden absense, but I thought I'd let you all know where I'm at right now.

See you later.

Also, I see I will have to appoint a new interim Representative and hold another special election.

Please, please bear with me.

Thanks, Nix.  Everything looks okay for now. :D

And FTR, I would have posted a leave of absence if that were the case, but you never expect these things to happen, of course.

Now that my laptop has been restored, I will begin the process of finding an interim Representative to fill the vacancy created by Fezzyfestoon.  If you were interested in temporarily filling his seat, please send me a PM.  Later, I will announce a special election for Friday, April 12th, in which two vacant Assembly seats will be filled.  This should give Assembly hopefuls plenty of time to declare and campaign if they desire to.

Greetings.

As many of you know, the past year has been a very intense period for Atlasia's political parties.

The People's Party has dispersed, the Labor Party has gained tremendously, and the Federalist Party is finally gaining prominence.

However, as I have observed, and many others as well, the Liberal Party has drifted to a state of decline.

I fear that my party has long forgotten the values it was founded on.  I fear we have been reduced to a state of personality cultism, one that will not live on with the heavy demands of the game.

Therefore, after some consideration, I have decided to once again, start a new political party.

The Light Party, as it is named, is reaching out to citizens who tire of the same old party business as usual and seek a renewal of the game and the relationships that exist in it.  It is not a recreation of the Liberal Party, nor is it another JCP.  But it is a movement dedicated to peace, cooperation, a fresh start, and revived enthusiasm.

While my views are indisputably center-left, I am reaching out to all people who share those desires.  I am proud to have members coming from both sides of the political spectrum, such as Governor Tmthforu94 of the Mideast, as well as Sjoyce.

I encourage our citizens - both Northeasterners and non-Northeasterners, to give our brief platform a thorough review and join with their conscience.  I want all people to be a part of this growing movement.

Thank you for your time.

Governor Scott

I love how Nix joins Labor under the chief justification of wanting to reduce poverty and believing Labor is the best means of doing so, and within hours we get a new party that's basically SUPER DUPER REALLY ANTI POVERTY, SEE? HOW ABOUT NOW? SEE?.

Sorry for being such a pill and all, but this just seems like yet another grab bag of policy ideas designed specifically to appeal to people who don't want to join one of the present major parties for one reason or another. "The Light Party"? What does that mean? Nothing, really, because it's meant not to.


zzzzzz

Actually, I've been an advocate for quite some time of moving the Liberal Party in a more populist/anti-poverty direction.  Not that we were ever "pro-poverty" or "anti-poverty policies" (I don't think any party was, to be honest), but we merely disagreed on how poverty could best be eradicated.  The Light Party retains its message of economic pragmatism, but I don't see how in principle we're more "anti-poverty" than any other well-intentioned party.  It's not all black-and-white.

So please, quit being a hack, don't butt into affairs you know nothing about, drop the lame-ass assumptions, and grow up.


Uh, no.  Read the planks.


You're the President, now.  Start acting like it.

You are kidding, right? Half of your initial policy announcement is a grab bag of weirdly specific anti-poverty ideas in a way that basically no other party has put forward in their founding thread. Opening a new party by specifically calling out rural electrification is pretty oddly particular.

If you want to know about my "lame ass assumptions" here, here's another one: The reason I called you out for basically sounding like you were desperately appealing to Nix is because I know for a fact that you've essentially ripped off his own ideas. Before he decided to join Labor, he and I discussed him considering his ideas for creating a new party, and this was what he said in a blind CC from a week or two or three back:



Alright! Let's!






Well, at least I don't plagiarize.

Rural electrification was one of my own ideas.  I'll admit that the planks themselves are a little vague, because I did not expect the party to become so popular less than eight hours after it was started, but all of the planks are ideas I've long supported.  I assure you that none of my opinions have changed.

And you know, it's funny.  Nix told me was honored to see a couple of his ideas included in our preliminary platform.  If you don't believe me, ask him.  Nix is staying with Labor because he doesn't have the energy for a project like this, and he doesn't want to be accused of rebooting TPP.  So, I decided to pursue the project myself and incorporate some of my original proposals.  You are the only one who's gotten all butthurt about it.

If you want to start drama somewhere, Mr. President I would suggest you either: write a blog about it, cry about it, tell your mommy and daddy about it, sing about it, cut yourself -- I honestly don't care.  But just know that you're only making yourself look bad by continuing to make this a big deal.  And the voters will remember your actions in June. ;)

Oh, and honestly, when did plagiarism even become a thing here?  Some of my policies have been mimicked before (such as the Mideast farm bill), and y'know what?  It makes me happy when people do that, because it tells me that I'm doing a good job as a contributor to the game.  It also builds friendships because it allows people to work across partisan and geographical aisles to achieve common goals.  Take JCL, for example.  We borrowed his anti-trafficking bill in the Northeast and he played a major role in its advocacy.  And JCL is the last person you'd expect me to agree with here on anything.

Very well, Nix.  I will credit you in the thread right now.  Problem solved, no drama necessary.

Well, now that that little matter is taken care of, I look forward to seeing the Liberal Party's latest protectorate flourish!

Very Presidential.

Indeed.  The least he could do is add voter intimidation to his record.  Complete the transformation, no?

::)

Is being insufferable a prerequisit of being President ? Or does it come afterwards with the office ?...

Just a reminder to all Northeasterners that there will be a special election to fill two Assembly seats starting next Friday.

Also, we still do not have a full slate of Assembly candidates for the general election.  If you are considering a run, please decide ASAP!

Today I had the honor of speaking with former Senator Spamage, writer for the new newspaper, The Atlas Tribune.  I am posting my interview here for public viewing.

After careful consideration and taking the opportunity to hear what Northeasterners think about my future plans, I have decided to seek an unprecedented third term as Governor of the Northeast Region.

My campaign will officially launch after the Assembly election.

110% Endorsed! :)

Thank you, Governor!!

Andrew aka Big Daddy served three consecutive terms, out of like a million total. ;)

He did?

Why am I not surprised? :P

Yes, don't insult my husband. He is the reason why you are where you are today!

Thanks.

You may take this as an endorsement if you like. ;)

Thanks for your support, guys! :)

Endorsements
Governor Tmthforu94 (Light-IN)
Senator Averroës Nix (Labor-NY)
Senator Matt (Federalist-VT)
Rep. Kalwejt (Liberal-VT)
Fmr. Rep. bore (Labor-RI)
Speaker Snowball (Labor-NY)

My role kind of prevents me from issuing any formal endorsement, but from what I've seen, you've been a great governor. Good luck. :)

Endorsed

Endorsed

Congrats on deciphering my ballot on the special election! :P

Endorsed

Thank you, guys! :)

Since you have made your decision to run for a third term as Governor, you have my full-throated endorsement for re-election. I hope you continue what you've done.

Thank you, Maxwell! :)

Normally I would refrain from posting politically-related announcements on such a tragic day, but I must inform Northeasterners that we only have 2 declared candidates for Assembly, and the election begins in just four days.

If you are considering a run for the Assembly and have not yet declared, please do so now.

Unless there are last minute candidate declarations, the following will be on tomorrow's ballot:

---

As Governor, I hereby declare this polling place open.

This is the Northeast regional polling booth for the April 19th through February 21st election.  In this polling place, Northeast citizens are electing five Representatives.

Votes for offices in this region are cast using PR-STV.  Voters who wish to preference more than one candidate should allocate a first preference for a candidate by marking a [1] in the space provided by that candidate's name, and proceeding to number as many preferences as they desire by marking a [2], [3], etc for as many candidates as they so desire.

A vote will be counted so long as the voter that casts it is eligible to vote in this election and casts  a formal ballot. A vote is formal so long as it contains numbered preferences with no duplicate numbers. A ballot containing Roman Numerals is not considered informal. A ballot in which candidates have been ranked a,b,c, etc is not considered informal so long as no letter has been repeated, and so long as a single candidate has been ranked a, for as long as the letters are consecutive with no duplicate letters. A ballot is formal if the CJO can determine the intent of the voter without interviewing that voter.

Per past practice, write-in votes are only counted for a candidate if he or she publicly declares a willingness to receive write-in votes for a particular office in the [name of election] before the polls close in the Candidate Declaration Thread or writes in his or her own name on the ballot for that particular office.

Votes for "NOTA" or "None of the Above" for any office are formal regardless of the preference assigned to it. Should a voter preference "NOTA" as well as other candidates, only his vote for "NOTA" will be counted.

This booth shall remain open until April 21st at 11:59:59 PM EST.  Editing your ballot at any point after posting will result in disqualification of your vote.

Official Ballot

Assembly
[ ] Goldwater (Federalist Party - Delaware)
[ ] bore (Labor Party - Rhode Island)
[ ] Snowball (Labor Party - New York)
[ ] Write-in:____________

Friends and constituents,



The greatness of our nation is unlike no other.  Each step we take goes upon the road that was built by patriots before us - all starting with our first president, Nym90.  Upholding this greatness requires leaders - strong leaders and listeners, gifted with creativity and work ethic.  It takes innovative minds and active participation.  And it is the responsibility of the people to ensure that their leaders are working to protect and improve their nation.

I have been fortunate enough to serve as a leader to many people in the Northeast Region, as a representative, as a senator, and now as governor.  And while much progress has been made, there is work to be done, and that's why I intend to continue to work hard for the next two months.

But after much thought, I have concluded that eight months is enough, and it is time for someone else to lead the way, to an even better future, for the Northeast Region.  And that is why I am suspending my campaign for governor.

I spent some time thinking about how I can best advance the justice and progress that we believe in and so desperately strive for.  And I intend to continue my conversation with individuals, families, friends, faith groups, fellow Northeasterners and Atlasians.

At this time, I am excited about exploring whether there is sufficient support for my potential candidacy for Senate in this exceptional country.

Whether I will run for Senate here in the Northeast, or pursue an At-large Senate seat in the event of a vacancy or in August's midterm election, I do not know.  I have, however, promised Senator Nix that I will not oppose him if he opts to run for a third term.

Until then, I want to continue this conversation with my constituents.  I ask for your faith and support as I continue to work for the Northeast in the capacity of governor, and I am hopeful that the next two months will be more productive and invigorating than the last.



Thank you, and Dave bless.



()

Scott

Endorsed.

Thanks!

Three people running for five seats? Epic fail...

Guess there's going to have to be two write-in Assemblyman. I'm hoping Poirot and someone else is willing to accept those write-ins.

If we only have three Representatives come Sunday night, I'll have to hold a special election when two people decide they're interested and declare.

The fun never ends.

I will be writing in the four Northeastern at large candidates just in case.

Congratulations to tonight's winners!

As of now, it appears that Matt from VT will remain in the Senate.  Therefore, a special election will soon be held to fill the vacancy he has left.  If you are interested in either running in the special election and/or serving as an interim Representative, please state your desire via PM, and I will announce a special election as soon as people express interest.

Correction - I will have to appoint someone to fill Kalwejt's seat, as he will be heading to the Senate.

I would like to announce some ideas I've been floating around which I hope to incorporate into my legislative agenda if elected to the Senate.  I will be more than happy to discuss the pros and cons with policy-makers and citizens alike.

• Re-examining our ethanol policy. A study (http://www.card.iastate.edu/publications/dbs/pdffiles/10pb3.pdf) conducted by an Iowa professor found that allowing the tax credit, tariff, and EPA mandate requiring refiners to purchase cellulosic biofuel (despite the fact the next-generation fuel is not commercially available) has resulted in higher production costs for corn and ethanol, and that this cost has been passed on to consumers.  While I support investing in new fuel technologies, I feel that the economy - especially those who cannot easily afford food - will benefit in the long-run if food prices are kept low as possible.  I would like to introduce a bill that will allow the Senate to engage in a thorough discussion and examination of our ethanol policy.
• Expanding the farm reinvestment program.  As Governor, I signed a bill that awards small farmers based on how they invest and innovate their farm.  While recent polling has shown that the public is divided on this issue, I believe our national farm policy can be improved by assisting these farmers in developing their towns and businesses.

And lastly...

• Education.  Most Atlasians agree that the regions should primarily be in charge of maintaining their schools; and to a great extent, I share this sentiment.  However, my philosophy that education can best be improved nationwide through cooperation, rather than competition.  Parents can and should be able to determine which schools their children go to, but it is the government's job to ensure that each student has the best opportunity to succeed, regardless of race, income, or background.  We need to grant waivers to regions wishing to move on from burdensome standardized testing, which have proven detrimental to teachers and students alike.  In doing so, we will grant regions the kind of independence that they need, so that they may develop the best possible model for their students.
  

Wait, I thought you were staying as Governor.

Nope.  I suspended my gubernatorial campaign last week.

so if your "exploration" doesn't work out, are you going to go back to the gubernatorial race?

No, I do not plan to.

Nashua, New Hampshire

First, I would like to reiterate my full support for Senator Nix.  He has shown true leadership all throughout the time he's been in Atlasia.  He's worked endlessly, along with several other members, to give the Wiki the care it needs.  Thanks to him, the game has been changed all for the better, and he has demonstrated that he is the one most deserving of such a position.  As such, I am proud to have lent him my endorsement, and I encourage Northeasterners to stand by him, just as we always have.

Now that Senator Nix has declared his intention not to seek reelection, I have decided to officially declare my candidacy for his seat.  If elected to the Senate, I am not guaranteeing how I will vote any one way.  The current senator and I may not always agree, but indeed, we share the same values and have the same dreams for a prosperous Atlasia.  If I am elected to the Senate, I promise to continue his legacy of adequate representation.

With that said, I would like to begin my campaign with this town hall here in Nashua.  Last night, I posted a few of many policies that I would like to work on as a member of the Atlasian Senate.  Henceforth, I anticipate an honest, open, (hopefully lively) conversation about the issues.

Consider this an open floor.

There has been a recent bit of Pro-Drug War legislation in the form of Ben's "Make Cocaine Legal Again" bill. What is your stand on his bill, and would you continue the Senate's seemingly backwards lurch or would you try to keep Atlas drug law as is? If neither, what would you do about the issue, if you have an outline of how you would handle it?

Thank you for your question.

I have never, nor would I ever, encourage the use of cocaine or other hard drugs.  At the same time, however, I feel that there exists a strict moral boundary between where the government ought to intervene, and where it should not.  That being said, while I do not support the legalization of cocaine or other drugs that have been known to damage lives in practically inconceivable ways, I do not believe that criminalizing abusers is the solution.

We need to craft an effective, moral-based drug policy that gets people the help they need and cracks down on those who make a living off the suffering of others.  I am open to supporting Senator Ben's bill provided that it is amended to help - not criminalize - those suffering from drug abuse.  We need to hold parents accountable and keep our nation's children safe from the dangers of addiction by encouraging personal responsibility and treating drug addiction like the disease it is.

Any other questions? :)

Just for the sake of conversation, here are the policy planks I shared on the last page.  These are some of the issues I would place at the top of my agenda if elected to the Atlasian Senate, so I encourage as much conversation as possible.

Also, I still await volunteers for the interim seat.  If you have even the slightest bit of interest in serving in the Assembly, please let me know or declare your candidacy for the special election.

I think you should PM Poirot and EarlAW, at least Poirot seems to want to govern.

And you might have to fill another seat, Matt just got upgraded.

Crap, you're right.

Thanks.

I will be giving a full speech on my drug abuse stance later today.

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Thank you for being here, my friends.  Thank you for giving me the chance to speak to you today.

Recently, there has been an uproar in the Atlasian Senate over our drug policy.  Our senator, Averroes Nix, recently introduced a law that would withdraw Atlasian support from various international treaties which pledge the support of participating countries toward fighting drugs and drug-related crime.  The senator surmised that because we have already legalized numerous drugs which go in violation of these treaties, that we should withdraw from them and, if necessary, develop a new treaty that corresponds more with our policies.  Shortly afterward, two senators introduced legislation which outlaws some hard drugs and delegates to regions decision power over others.

Though I prefer that my campaign not be defined by divisive social issues, this has become an important issue lately, and I would like to make my stance on these issues perfectly clear, for the knowledge of my constituents.

Now, thousands of men and women have destroyed their lives because of illicit drug use.  Many of them were victims of an unfortunate, often economically disadvantaged environment.  Others are victims of depression, and many resort to drugs for the innocent purpose of giving themselves a purpose.  This is often due to broken homes, personal tragedies, what-have-you.  So, what is drug addiction?  Simply put, it is a complex brain disease.  It is characterized by frequent cravings, almost always uncontrollable.

And though I recognize the importance of keeping personal liberty in balance, I do not support the legal status of hard drugs.  However, there are areas that put me at odds with the strictly anti-drug side in this debate.

While I recognize the harm that drugs can cause, I realize that in the past, government has contributed little to significantly reverse that harm.  Indeed, the Drug War has placed a substantial cost on our world.  It has inspired violence, it has broken communities, and it has destroyed lives - especially those of minorities.

The answer, my friends, is not to re-criminalize drug use.  It's not to put drug abusers in the same presence as murderers and rapists.  No.  The answer is to provide them the help they need.  And frankly, that's the only thing the conversation should be about: helping people.  Learning from the mistakes of people and learning from the mistakes of many nations.  And change must begin on the corner of every street.

That is why I'm saying, if I am elected to the Senate this June, I will oppose any reform of our drug policy without protections for the helpless.  It is my belief that our criminal justice system ought not to produce more criminals, but more doctors, lawyers, teachers, parents, and people who have the potential to make our world a better place to live in.  It is my belief that government should work more with localities, churches, schools, and parents to determine the ingredients for a successful society.  We will do it.  And we will do it with a full understanding of what our problem is.  It's time for us to prove we can do something to help these individuals and communities, and the answer is simple: rehabilitation, not criminalization.

Rehabilitation, not criminalization.

Thank you, and I look forward to working on this issue and more if I am elected to the Senate this June.

Wow, great speech Governor, I completely agree! I feel that hard drugs shouldn't be legal, but that we shouldn't  punish those who break the law by using them, we should get them the help they need and deserve, and the ones we should be prosecuting are the people who sell these drugs, not those who use them. 

Thank you, Senators.

Right now, I would like to express my intention to introduce a federal version of the Northeast crime bill (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=162633.msg3563490#msg3563490) if elected to the Senate.

каково ваше мнение асексуальный транссексуалы виктимология?

[quote author=сексуальные транссексуалы виктимология link=topic=149660.msg3709890#msg3709890 date=1367125336]
каково ваше мнение асексуальный транссексуалы виктимология?
[/quote]

I oppose victimizing anyone for their sexual orientation or gender, and I support hate crime laws that protect members of the LGBTA community.

Thank you for your support, Senator. :)

Buffalo, New York

Thank you all for being here.

My friends, as you know, our inland waterways and rivers are the backbone of our trade network.  They carry the equivalent of about 51 million truck trips each year.  They bring in millions of revenue to our nation each month.  Their development was a bold step forward for our economy.  Yet, they have not been upgraded in over fifty years.

Research shows that more than half the locks are over fifty years old.  Indeed, barges are stopped each day with unscheduled delays, preventing goods from getting to market and driving up costs.  Such is the case with the St. Lawrence Seaway that connects our trade network to Canada, bringing thousands of jobs to the Northeast Region, as well as the Mideast.

This issue has been overlooked for far too long.  Projects to repair and replace aging locks take decades to get approved, and the government has done nothing to solve this problem.  And indeed, it's not just the Northeast that takes the loss for our failure to make the improvements.  In the United States, Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee announced legislation last year (http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/263875-alexander-to-introduce-bill-to-modernize-american-waterways-ports) to address shortfalls in our port and waterway infrastructure by increasing commercial user fees for the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which would help the Chickamauga Lock in his state.  By widening this lock, more cargo could be transported, and more money would be brought into the US.

The time is now.  We must upgrade our infrastructure to the 21st century so that we can meet the challenges we face.  As Governor, I will continue to work with Senator Nix (who first addressed this problem), the President, Prime Minister Harper, and regional executives on this important issue, and it will be one of the very first things I will work on as your senator this year.

Thank you, everyone.

Unionville, Pennsylvania

Thank you all for being here, thank you to the Rural Community Alliance for having me, and thank you to the great state of Pennsylvania.

I don't have to tell you all how critical agriculture is to towns like Unionville.  The farmer is, the way I've always seen it, an unappreciated member of our society.  The farmer has gotten his country through good times and bad times, from times of economic prosperity to times of economic bust.  Why, were it not for the farmer, none of us would be living here today.  And I think I speak for all the people of our nation when I say thank you for all you've done for your fellow countrymen.

But the life of a farmer, as no one would have predicted half a century ago, is much more difficult than it was back in the old days.  In today's world, there are no national borders.  We have to learn new skills and do the heavy lifting on our own terms.  Farmers have to work harder for less money.  And the cost of food continues to rise.

So what can the government do to reverse this trend?  For one, we can expand the agriculture reinvestment program (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=167876.0) we passed in the Northeast into a national policy- which could not have passed without the help of this organization.  We're going to provide money to each region looking to help its farmers, and they will be given complete control over how to manage the grants on one condition: that not a single benefit goes to huge mega-farms, but to the small working family farms that this organization fights so hard for each year.

In addition to that, we must re-examine our ethanol policy.  The 45-cents-per-gallon federal subsidy provided to ethanol blenders and the 54-cents-per-gallon tariff levied on foreign ethanol imports have come to be maligned as examples of government waste and protectionism. (http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/on-energy/2012/01/05/ethanol-subsidies-are-gone-but-not-forgotten)  As someone who worked as a farmer before I got into Northeast politics, I understand how important subsidies are to people who work in the agriculture industry.  But we need to understand that the current policy on this isn't working.  It hasn't lowered food prices, and there are countless people in this nation alone who go without food because of it.

My hope is that if I am elected to the Senate this June, we can have a thorough conversation about this policy.  We need to consider repealing the EPA mandate that requires ethanol to be blended into gasoline every year at increasingly greater amounts, but we must continue to find alternative ways to invest in environmentally friendly, cost-efficient energy resources.

I assure you this: the current ethanol policy is bad for the poor, and that includes farmers.  The time is now for us to end corporate welfare, and help the common man in doing so.

Thank you for listening.

Currently, Atlasians and members of the Senate are considering whether to impeach the three incumbent Supreme Court justices.  This is in light of a recent event, in which only one judge (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=171669.msg3687198#msg3687198) gave input on the latest Supreme Court battle.  Given that neither judge has executed their duties beyond the granting of certiorari, I have decided to support the impeachment of all justices for when they come to a Senate vote.  I see the position of Supreme Court Justice as one that is underused, and so the failure of these justices to substantially contribute to this rare case prompts their immediate removal from their posts.

In addition, I will support the legislation recently introduced by Senator Kalwejt (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=39557.msg3718486#msg3718486) in its current form, which would limit the time that confirmed justices may enjoy on the court.

I will be announcing my federal plan for education reform some time tonight or tomorrow.

In the meantime, if you have any questions whatsoever, please don't hesitate to ask.

Auburn, Maine

Good evening, everybody.

Education, I believe, is among the best ways government can better a society.  Be it through training employees, preventing crime, mobilizing families and individuals out of poverty, or allowing students to see the true genius they possess, education has always been at the forefront of those achievements.

But around the time I ran to be your governor, I discovered there were serious flaws with the current way of doing things in the United States and Atlasia.  The way we assess teachers and students is measured by an inaccurate and repetitious system of tests, and this inevitably has forced teachers to not teach by traditional standards of learning, but to the tests themselves.  Instead of life skills, students are taught to focus on repetition of simple, isolated skills which are often forgotten about the day after these tests are assigned.

Schools in poor communities are especially broken.  Gifted students born under unfortunate circumstances are more likely to drop out and less likely to realize their potential than those who come from privileged backgrounds.  Wealthy parents have access to a variety of resources they utilize to advance their children's education, while the rest of us are left with, to put it bluntly, plain luck.  Now, I have no objections to students of wealthy parents getting the education they need, but we need to understand that opportunity for all students is integral to the progress of a society.

Now, here is my plan.

As governor, I requested and was granted a waiver from all federally mandated standardized tests.  As I began taking the steps to overhaul education in the Northeast, I put an end to all regularly assigned tests in the Northeast and replaced them with one, simple assessment that measures student achievement at age sixteen.

Regional autonomy is important, and that's why I will fight for the next education reform bill to include waivers from federal standardized tests.

I will work to ensure that the next education bill focuses chiefly on improving the educational experience, raising teacher expectations as well as salaries, and giving students all the resources they need to be healthy and successful.

I will federalize our Helping Educators Help All Students Act, (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=171771.msg3684920#msg3684920) which expands access to mental health to students in disadvantaged communities, in harmony with the principles established in the Northeast Education Improvement and Modernization Act of 2013. (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=162633.msg3652324#msg3652324)

At the same time, I promise to only support reforms that keep summer vacation at its current length, because childhood comes and goes, and once college ends, few of us will be able to enjoy what we did every year as kids.  It is integral to the mental and physical health of children that they get as much out of their youth as they can get, and the reforms we pass should reflect this basic truth.

In concurrence with our Constitutional right to practice religion freely, I will support every student's right to pray as they wish, provided that said prayers are non-teacher led and non-disruptive to the learning process.

Lastly, I will support bringing recess back to middle schools and high schools, even if it requires an extended school day to achieve.

And these are just a few of the proposals I will cover as your next senator.  As always, I encourage an open dialogue on how we can best improve education for Atlasia as we did here in the Northeast, and I will answer any question a constituent asks me.

Thank you so much.

Endorsed (except the summer bit). Good to see people standing up and presenting a plan for education.

I'm a little shocked that you're willing to support the impeachment of three tenured and knowledgeable justices that have been involved in private deliberations on what is undeniably the most trivial court case in Atlasian history. While their work has been slow on this case, it has not impacted anything in a significant manner. I've always found a politicization of the Court (even if its politicization is largely based on the personal motivations of a few unnamed individuals and nothing more) to be something to be avoided.

I know Ben and Marokai don't like anyone on the Court, and they made that perfectly clear over the years, but what about the Vice President's inactivity delaying the Senate business and causing delays for committees and all that? I don't see impeachment being discussed there, where the actual game functions are being impacted in a meaningful way. I'm not suggesting that we should impeach the Vice President, I think this slip up is entirely forgivable, but in the context of flinging around impeachment proceedings, why start with the harmless Supreme Court? It just doesn't make sense to me. What are your thoughts Governor?

Anyway, I don't have anything bad to say about the veep, I just want to emphasize my personal opinion that the impeachment of the Justices is unfair and baseless, especially when considered in the context if Atlasia's day to day operations. When the Court needs to be timely, they always have been (Tweed vs DoFE for example).

Yes, I imagine attempting to boil down anything I say on the matter of the Supreme Court to a weird personal crusade would be an effective way at sticking your fingers in your ears and ignoring any legitimate criticism there is to make.

Of course, it doesn't much jive with the truth. I've been trying to nudge people away from going after Ebowed, and there is literally no personal grudge I have against Opebo, of all people, so I can't imagine how I'm being portrayed as trying to "get" him. If anything it's been incredibly controversial of me to do so within my own party, as Opebo is a known Labor member with a significant personal cult following.

It always amuses me how it is so difficult, almost impossible for some people to comprehend the idea that I would simply.. brace yourselves.. do what I think is the right thing to do. People see this as some sort of quaint little notion, "Oho, sure! Doing what you think is best for everyone! Who does that!" but it's the truth. I've been one of the most honest and straightforward people you'll ever know around here, willing to stick my neck out on unpopular ideas, distance myself from schemes I dislike, call people out publicly, buck my own "team" on a regular basis, and when I actually rant and rave against something, be it inactivity, skeezy recruiting drives, or vote scheming in smoky back rooms, I will not just rant and rave against it, I will support efforts to do something about it; much unlike a few people around here.

Do you have any idea how widespread discontent with the Court is right now? It goes beyond "lol Marokai and Bgwah fought that one time two and ahalf years ago." A bunch of people have been pulling their hair out about it for the last month. And when have I ever bothered going after Bgwah lately anyway? He's totally off my radar, to be frank with you; despite him posting things like hoping "I die like the scum I am" or something like that, and then quickly editing it out. I've never said stuff like that here, and never will say stuff like that, because I don't care about these dumbass feuds. Hell, it would've been easier for me to just ignore this whole thing and focus on getting the remaining legislation I want to implement passed before my term ends in a couple months. But I said I would support turning the heat up on the Court, so I stuck to that.

The people who see this game as some sort of slugfest tend to view my actions through that lens. But if you do, you're mistaken. And should re-evaluate what you're really here for.

My apologies to Scott for taking up room in his thread.

Napoleon, I already explained, I think, pretty articulately why I think the justices should be impeached.  Supreme Court justices currently have the most trivial role out of all of us, and I think the very least they can do is acknowledge their positions publicly by participating in cases when the occasion arises.  I'm aware that Ebowed said the case was being discussed privately, but unfortunately, that's not helpful to the rest of us.  If the Senate doesn't impeach, it would be giving the OK to a recurring problem in this game.

I assure you, I do not support the removal of the justices for personal reasons.  I've been long against that kind of politics.  And in fact, I rather like opebo, but I don't approve of his inactivity as Supreme Court Justice.  As the President said, there are legitimate criticisms to be addressed here.  My stance is not in the context of some personal crusade, and I don't want to be brought into one, either.

And it's no problem, Marokai.

Northeasterners, the We Need More Political Parties Amendment (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=173208.0) is currently up for a vote.  I strongly encourage our citizens to vote in favor of this amendment for increased diversity in the party system.

In what other Court cases were discussions among the Justices made public? You're literally saying that we should impeach the Justices because a long standing precedent of private deliberations "isn't very helpful". That's a gross misuse of the impeachment procedure.

Meanwhile, the Senate's work is delayed and we are voting on committees that should have been dealt with two weeks ago and not a peep out of anyone. That office, too, is criticized for its perceived triviality and yet its most important task was muffed completely. Is that worthy of impeachment?

And I ask what this recurring problem in the game is. The Supreme Court, in its current composition, has been swift in reaching decisions where time was of the essence. Do you have any examples otherwise that show this is recurring?

No, it isn't.  I don't have a problem with justices discussing the terms of the case privately, provided that they make the effort to carry out the deliberations in public, as well.  And you know, I don't have a problem with someone being late on something, provided that they have a reasonable excuse.  Quite honestly, I'm completely surprised to see you calling people out for inactivity less than six months after your unfortunate experience as president.  If you want to see what the problem is, open your eyes.  I'm not just talking about the Supreme Court when it comes to the inactivity problem.  We've all seen it.

I'm willing to reconsider Ebowed's impeachment and take him at his word, but I'm going to need a strong reason to do so and evidence of change.

Im not calling anyone out for inactivity here. I am trying to make a legitimate inquiry about a puzzling double standard. The leading proponents of this impeachment attempt are known to have personally disliked the Justices for longer than you and I have been here. The same ones are ignoring the more impactful inactivity of their own buddy.

I agree that inactivity is a problem, but impeachment is a solution worse than inactivity. Is no one willing to consider the broader implications of one President and one Senate appointing an entire Court? Under what justification is impeachment the first answer? As far as I am aware, neither you, Ben or Marokai made any inquiries or suggestions to the Justices that they publish their thoughts or reach a hasty decision.

When in the past did the Court discuss things like this publicly? Never. So why would we impeach them because of that? Send them a nice, or even a not-so-nice, PM and move on. Politicizing the Court is never a good idea, and openly advocating for an entire Court to be replaced at once is far worst Senator than inactivity.

I can't speak for Marokai, but I don't believe he and others want to pursue impeachment for personal reasons.

I'm willing to accept a compromise and support a law that would give the President the power to only appoint one justice, but that doesn't justify keeping the current ones.

I don't think we should have to PM justices to ask them to do their jobs.

Their job has never been to post all their thoughts publicly before reaching a decision, which they still haven't reached. Again, when they have needed to make a ruling they have been timely. If you want them to do their job differently from how its been done, ever before, then you should tell them before you try and kick them out of office. I don't think that's unreasonable but hey.

If its not for personal reasons, why aren't any other inactives being targeted for impeachment? I already mentioned the fact that we are two weeks late setting up Senate committees. I don't hear a word from anyone about that. I understand the Court is composed of people that may be considered low hanging fruit in the dystopian Atlasia of today but that doesn't mean they should be the first target of impeachment, all things considered. Do you think the failure to start the Senate on time is an impeachable offense?

And I think the idea that we ought to impeach the Honorable Justices goes a step further and calls into question their character. Opebo maybe a narcissist (Haha) but anyone who knows Bgwah and Ebowed knows they care deeply about this game and have done more for it than anyone calling for their impeachment. They would certainly resign if they weren't interested in doing the duties required of them.

If other articles of impeachment are brought up, I, of course, will consider them.  In fact, go ahead.  Draft some of those articles, and then we all can have a fair conversation about them.  Please, by all means, do so.  But it should go without saying that the job of elected officials is to work in the public square.  That is the only way we can be assured people are doing their jobs.  The job of a senator is to consider the evidence in front of them and reach a verdict, not meddle in petty affairs.  I don't even know why I'm being pressed on something I was never involved with.  As far as I know, this is between you, Marokai, and the judges in question.

I don't do rivalries with people here anymore.  This thread wasn't intended to be about someone's childish grudge and I will not let it go in that direction.

I don't support impeaching anyone currently in office. But how are you going to suggest you aren't involved in this when, as a candidate, you announced your support for impeaching the entire Supreme Court? You're possibly right that we should know whether the justices are doing their jobs- in this instance I take them at their word- but this is how things have always been done on the Court. Why not look for alternative solutions? As it stands, you will be impeaching these Justices and throwing new ones into the same system.

Anyway, I don't think you have the grudge against the Justices, which is why I was shocked as I said earlier to read your initial statement. Unless you were referring to me having a grudge which simply isn't the case. I don't think my questions have been unreasonable though. I just had an interest in the thought process involved in reaching that decision because in my opinion impeachment is an extreme step.

It is the alleged drama I'm not involved with.

I would only confirm judges if they promise to do their jobs.

Now that we can get back to the real issues...

I have been invited to speak for the Nix/DemPGH campaign on education policy.  While we may not agree on all of each other's ideas, I look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue about this issue ASAP.

()


Ridgefield, New Jersey

I'm happy to be here in Ridgefield for the second townhall meeting of the campaign.  I'm eager to take all your questions, whether they relate to the work I've done as Governor or what I will do as your senator.

Today I had the pleasure of speaking at a campaign event for Senator Nix and AG DemPGH in New York.  You may view the speech here. (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=172511.msg3731568#msg3731568)

As been stated, education is one of the vital issues I am focusing this campaign on, as I did my last one, and it will be an issue I will begin to pursue during my first day in office.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Good afternoon, and thank you to the AFL-CIO for letting me speak here today.

Today I am here to talk about campaign finance policy, which is an issue that the good people here have been fighting for for years, and it is an issue that I hold dear.

Our nation is fortunate not to have a Supreme Court that constantly caters to corporate interests, like we've seen in the United States, where a vital law that balances the influence of wealthy donors in elections was struck down three years ago.  This decision, in my view, was a travesty of democracy, as it undid years of bipartisan progress on making its democratic process fair to everyone.

But our national policy on this issue, I'm sad to say, is not much better.  Upon searching the wiki, I have found no official policy on campaign finance.  We can not afford to let our government's silence on this issue continue.

As your senator, I will pursue legislation that will correct this.  I will author legislation that values the tenets of the DISCLOSE Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISCLOSE_Act), which  bans Atlasian corporations with 20 percent or more foreign ownership from influencing election outcomes through the use of campaign contributions, and prevents recipients of federal bailouts from making political contributions.  This bill will also give the general public access to information regarding corporate and interest group campaign expenditures through our websites and require disclosure of membership organization with more than 500,000 memebers that made political ads.

Critics argue that such legislation will be a threat to privacy rights, and while I understand these objections, I contend that personal privacy must be balanced with the integrity of our electoral process.  We must acknowledge this fundamental truth: money influences politics, and it would be an injustice on our part to let campaign donations go without regulation or oversight.

Thank you.

I would like to inform everyone that a vacancy still exists in the Northeast Assembly.  Therefore, if anyone is interested in serving, please say so ASAP.  I want to call a special election soon, but given our current activity crisis, I don't foresee one happening any time soon.

If you want you can appoint me, but I am still running for Governor as well.

Thank you.  You may swear in now. :)

For future reference, I am posting the current ballot.  The election is in just under four weeks, which may sound long, but will be here before we know it.  If you are considering a run for Assembly or for Governor, please declare ASAP.

---

As Governor, I hereby declare this polling place open.

This is the Northeast regional polling booth for the June 21st-23rd election.  In this polling place, Northeast citizens are electing a Governor, five Representatives, and voting on two constitutional amendments.

Votes for offices in this region are cast using PR-STV.  Voters who wish to preference more than one candidate should allocate a first preference for a candidate by marking a [1] in the space provided by that candidate's name, and proceeding to number as many preferences as they desire by marking a [2], [3], etc for as many candidates as they so desire.

A vote will be counted so long as the voter that casts it is eligible to vote in this election and casts  a formal ballot. A vote is formal so long as it contains numbered preferences with no duplicate numbers. A ballot containing Roman Numerals is not considered informal. A ballot in which candidates have been ranked a,b,c, etc is not considered informal so long as no letter has been repeated, and so long as a single candidate has been ranked a, for as long as the letters are consecutive with no duplicate letters. A ballot is formal if the CJO can determine the intent of the voter without interviewing that voter.

Per past practice, write-in votes are only counted for a candidate if he or she publicly declares a willingness to receive write-in votes for a particular office in the [name of election] before the polls close in the Candidate Declaration Thread or writes in his or her own name on the ballot for that particular office.

Votes for "NOTA" or "None of the Above" for any office are formal regardless of the preference assigned to it. Should a voter preference "NOTA" as well as other candidates, only his vote for "NOTA" will be counted.

This booth shall remain open until June 23rd at 11:59:59 PM EST.  Editing your ballot at any point after posting will result in disqualification of your vote.

Official Ballot

Governor
[ ] Goldwater (Federalist Party - Delaware)
[ ] SirNick (Liberal Party - New York)
[ ] Write-in:____________

Assembly
[ ] 豚FLY (Light Party - Maine)
[ ] bore (Labor Party - Rhode Island)
[ ] Snowball (Labor Party - New York)
[ ] Goldwater (Federalist Party - New York)
[ ] Write-in:____________

Amendment 1. Constitution Ratification Amendment
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Abstain

Amendment 2. Amendment to Northeast Constitution Article 2 Section 10
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Abstain

I'm New York, bud.

Oops. :P

I knew it was New something.

Wouldn't mind New Amsterdam haha

I will formally endorse one of the candidates running for Northeast Governor tonight.

Also, I will be abstaining from the Northeast regional debate next week.  Voters can learn more about my positions here. (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=174433.0)

On a side-note, I welcome former Representative Poirot to a clean and competitive race.

As always, it is good to see another competitive election for the Northeast Region shaping up.  Polls have indicated that this will be an especially tight race, and one of two very qualified Northeast statesmen will be our next governor in just a few weeks.

Both candidates have reputations for being pragmatic and loyal to the Northeast, and that kind of attitude is just what the Northeast needs to keep going.  Tonight, it is my honor to formally endorse Representative Sirnick for Northeast Governor.  While we do not always see eye-to-eye, he has contributed numerous ideas for improving our region, and I trust him to continue the openness and honesty that the Northeast governor is expected to uphold.

Also, we are still three people short on having a full slate of Assembly candidates.

Please, for the love of God, don't make this a repeat.

I'd like to thank Governor Scott for his support. I'm looking forward to seeing the "Senator" title next to Scott's name as well!

Governor Scott, you have my endorsement for Senate! :)

Thank you for your support, Nick and PJ! :)

I would like to use this opportunity to write a brief response to concerns raised by my opponent.

First, Representative Poirot mentioned that expanding the St. Lawrence Seaway would bring more jobs to other regions of Atlasia than the Northeast, and that he would only support upgrading it on the condition that the economic benefits that would be brought to the Northeast meet his expectations.

Yet I fail to understand his reasoning behind this particular concern.  Obviously, the St. Lawrence Seaway would economically benefit our nation as a whole.  But that is only more reason to get behind the expansion, not oppose it.  Ultimately, the economic vigor of one region is going to partly determine how the Northeast thrives in the long run.  As Senator, I will be outspokenly against any bill that I find damaging to our economy, but the job of the Senate is to ensure the economic stability of all regions.

The second concern Poirot addresses bears a little more weight, and that is the environmental impact of this expansion project.  Indeed, we need to assess how these projects will affect the fragile ecosystems that exist in our territories, and I agree with my opponent that these concerns need to be addressed.  I am a firm believer in the idea that we can protect our environment while promoting our economic interests, and I will work with the GM and other senators to address any problems as they come up.

This is very true.

Endorsed for the NE Senate seat.

Have I endorsed you yet? If not, I will now.

Thank you both for your support! :)

To borrow from one of my favorite American presidents, my campaign song will be a little classic called Don't Stop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm0nopK1BQM) by Fleetwood Mac. :)

Governor, what is your opinion on the second paragraph of this excerpt from the debate?

Politics Junkie - while, indeed, the concerns you've raised are serious ones, I do not believe that expanding the St. Lawrence Seaway would increase the level of risk involved.  The Zebra Mussel has already spread to all five of the Great Lakes, so I think this objection would only make sense if we were proposing building the Seaway.

With that in mind, I believe it is important that we pass regulations on the discharge of ballast water and work with government agencies, as well as those who use the seaway, to address the situation when it arises.  Water recreationists should be expected to know how to control invasive species through prevention, inspection, and removal.  While the government can and should have a role in preventing their spread, ultimately I am confident that the boaters will manage these problems the same way they have for half a century.

Ok, Great!

For the convenience of Northeast voters, I am copying and pasting my debate responses here:

Atlasia-Canada Common Market

Drug Policy

Relations with Syria

Infrastructure

Reducing Carbon Emissions

I would also like to point out that my opponent, former Representative Poirot, has only made one response after several rounds of this debate.  I feel that his failure to address some of the important issues of our time should be known to the people before they cast their ballots.

Our regional debate has begun!  Please view this thread (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=174848.0) to watch.  Only candidates and the moderator (myself) will be allowed to speak.

Our first campaign ad is up online! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVk30y8oc8g&feature=youtu.be)

I will be delivering a speech on coal and mining jobs momentarily.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Good evening, everybody.  I'd like to thank the Pennsylvania chapter of the United Mine Workers of Atlasia for inviting me to speak with you.

Folks, tonight I'm here to speak about an issue that we don't hear about as much from our leaders in New York City and in Nyman, and that issue is the future, and the integrity, of our loyal coal miners.


Coal miners have been laid off in droves within the last couple of years. (http://www.appalachiantransition.net/content/mcconnell-must-focus-transition-not-rhetoric)  Thousands of miners all over the country are asking the same question: what is Nyman doing to protect these jobs which is so integral to our energy economy?  But so many politicians are fixated on political posturing and divisive rhetoric.  This Nyman malarkey hasn't saved a single job, and the UMWA has every right to be upset about it.

As we transition from traditional energy sources to different, more renewable ones, we must prepare our loyal coal miners for a new and more diverse field of work.  But before we go about this, we must put an end to the problems within the coal mining industry that kill jobs.  That's why last year, I helped pass a bill to outlaw the practice of mountaintop removal mining, which, as you all know, is responsible for an overwhelming number of layoffs.

There needs to be more job-training programs established and focus on sectors into which former coal miners could transition.  Instead of diluting debate by oversimplifying it with political games and buzzwords, we should be focused on protecting the integrity of each and every one of you.  States across Appalachia, like this one, need leaders who can be trusted to advance the diversification of the region's economy so that its future is bright, sustainable and successful.

The state of the coal-mining industry is in decline, and we all must accept this fact before we begin to move forward.  End the petty politics of winners and losers, put away the rhetoric, and work together for the future of Appalachia's economy.

Tonight, I officially announce my support for Governor Scott, to once again become Senator Scott. We see eye to eye on many issues, and while I really do wish his Presidential endorsement were a bit different, :P I give him my endorsement, and plan on voting for him in the Senate Election! You have been a great Governor, and I while I like Poirot and his ideas are good, you have been a constant voice of reform in Atlasia, much like myself I believe, and I don't believe there is a man more fit for the job. So while it was a tough choice, I will give you a very enthusiastic vote next weekend Scott! :)

Thank you for your kind (and rather unexpected :P) endorsement, Mr. Senator! :)  While I unfortunately was not able pledge my full support to you for this race, I am confident that Atlasia will be in goods hands whether you or Senator Nix are victorious next week, and that is why I am enthusiastically giving you and Governor Maxwell my second preference.  Much can be accomplished through teamwork and bipartisanship, and I will be more than happy to work with a Matt/Maxwell administration as I would with others that are just as qualified. :)

Our second ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks5YLJLYlBo&feature=youtu.be) is now online.

West Hartford, Connecticut

As this campaign finally winds down, I'd like to use the last few days to hold one more town hall here in my home state.  Though we've talked about numerous issues this campaign, I'd like to give voters the final opportunity to make their voices heard.

I have been formally endorsed by both the Labor and Federalist parties.  I am very honored to have my campaign receive support from people across the aisle.  Thank you both! :)

I will be delivering remarks regarding the current situation in the Pacific Region later today.

The Union of National Democrats for Altasia would like to Annouce its Endorsment of Governor Scott for Northeast Senate

Recently, the people (just three, to be exact) of the Pacific Region took a vote regarding the abolition of the Pacific government, and the motion was passed without opposition.  First I should say that as a longtime member of this game, I am disheartened to see one of our great regions in a state of such disarray.  This is a critical time for our nation, and now the federal government must step in to save the Pacific from certain anarchy.

While it has not yet been determined how exactly the government will respond to this crisis, I feel I am obligated, as a regional executive and candidate for Atlasian Senate, to disclose my position.

Upon careful consideration, I have decided to endorse Senator Nix's proposal to reduce the number of regions in Atlasia.  While I stand committed to preserving the borders of the Northeast, never has it been clearer that the game must undergo such transformative measures to survive.  Whether the Pacific be divided among one, two, or all regions can be determined through negotiations in the Senate and among elected officials, but I feel we must put those disagreements aside and band together to restore order to these states.

Make no mistake that transitioning the number of regions in our nation will not change our activity levels automatically.  The nation can survive only on the hard work of its citizens; citizens who promote competitive elections, introduce worthwhile legislation, and contribute to debate on a regular basis.  Holding office in this game is an honor and a privilege, but at this point it's safe to say that the number of positions has exceeded their usefulness and diluted the competitive spirit of AFE.

Thank you, IBDD.  I am honored to have the support of you and your party. :)

I am posting the updated sample ballot once again for public scrutiny.  Once again, we are short of the candidates needed to fill five of these seats.  Please, please, please declare your candidacy for Assembly if you have not already done so and would like to run.

---

As Governor, I hereby declare this polling place open.

This is the Northeast regional polling booth for the June 21st-23rd election.  In this polling place, Northeast citizens are electing a Governor, five Representatives, and voting on two constitutional amendments.

Votes for offices in this region are cast using PR-STV.  Voters who wish to preference more than one candidate should allocate a first preference for a candidate by marking a [1] in the space provided by that candidate's name, and proceeding to number as many preferences as they desire by marking a [2], [3], etc for as many candidates as they so desire.

A vote will be counted so long as the voter that casts it is eligible to vote in this election and casts  a formal ballot. A vote is formal so long as it contains numbered preferences with no duplicate numbers. A ballot containing Roman Numerals is not considered informal. A ballot in which candidates have been ranked a,b,c, etc is not considered informal so long as no letter has been repeated, and so long as a single candidate has been ranked a, for as long as the letters are consecutive with no duplicate letters. A ballot is formal if the CJO can determine the intent of the voter without interviewing that voter.

Per past practice, write-in votes are only counted for a candidate if he or she publicly declares a willingness to receive write-in votes for a particular office in the [name of election] before the polls close in the Candidate Declaration Thread or writes in his or her own name on the ballot for that particular office.

Votes for "NOTA" or "None of the Above" for any office are formal regardless of the preference assigned to it. Should a voter preference "NOTA" as well as other candidates, only his vote for "NOTA" will be counted.

This booth shall remain open until June 23rd at 11:59:59 PM EST.  Editing your ballot at any point after posting will result in disqualification of your vote.

Official Ballot

Governor
[ ] Goldwater (Federalist Party - Delaware)
[ ] SirNick (Liberal Party - New York)
[ ] Write-in:____________

Assembly
[ ] 豚FLY (Light Party - Maine)
[ ] bore (Labor Party - Rhode Island)
[ ] Snowball (Labor Party - New York)
[ ] Goldwater (Federalist Party - New York)
[ ] Write-in:____________

Amendment 1. Constitution Ratification Amendment
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Abstain

Amendment 2. Amendment to Northeast Constitution Article 2 Section 10
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Abstain

Tomorrow's the big day!  For the convenience of any voters who have not yet decided, I am posting a summary of my speeches that will hopefully address any unasked questions;

Drug Policy (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3708274#msg3708274)
Infrastructure (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3715274#msg3715274)
Agriculture (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3716514#msg3716514)
Supreme Court (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3718541#msg3718541) (This issue's just about settled for now, but I thought I'd list it)
Education (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3719778#msg3719778)
Campaign Finance Reform (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3734765#msg3734765)
Response to Poirot on St. Lawrence Seaway (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3757244#msg3757244)
Debate Responses (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3760896#msg3760896)
Coal (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3762521#msg3762521)
Pacific Dissolution (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=149660.msg3767625#msg3767625)

The Liberal Party has just voted to endorse my candidacy for Northeast Senate.  With the support of both the Light, Liberal, Labor, Federalist, and UNDA parties, I am very confident of our chances heading into the election.  Thank you, once again, to the parties that endorsed me.  I take these votes as a demand for bipartisanship and activism in Nyman.

It's time to vote! (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=175193.msg3768941#msg3768941)  Let's drive this campaign to a clean victory!

Please don't forget to vote in the regional election (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=175192.0), as well.  The outcome of all these races is in your hands!

Please vote if you have not already!  While I am happy to announce that we are very much ahead in the Northeast Senate race, the presidential contest is very tight, and I am urging all remaining voters to cast their ballot for Nix/DemPGH!  Every vote matters!

Congratulations and good luck in your term as Northeast Senator.

Thank you for your support, everyone.  Remarks will come shortly.

Also, for the future- please, don't just vote for one person in the Assembly races.  I don't know why some people felt the need to do that.

The preliminary results for the Northeast regional elections are up. (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=175192.msg3771766#msg3771766)

Nashua, New Hampshire

Thank you.  Thank you, everyone, and thank you to the Northeast Region.  Thank you for all your support, your enthusiasm, your prayers, and your generosity.  We couldn't have achieved this victory without you.  With your help, we held onto a Senate seat that has firmly supported progressive, fiscally responsible policies and ideas, and because of you, that legacy will be carried on in the Northeast, and in the White House!

A few moments ago, Representative Poirot called our campaign to congratulate us on a decisive victory, and I wished him the best in his future endeavors.  Though we do not always agree on the issues, Poirot's campaign reflected many of our own fundamental values: our love of country, our thirst for activism, and our passion for ideas.  Please give him a hand for his hard work this past month.

Because of your optimism and your hard work, here we are today.  You came out and said that the issues matter.  You came out and said that we need to fix our broken education system, as we have done in the Northeast.  You came out and said that our farm policies need to be reformed, that our coal miners need to be protected, that our middle class must prevail, that our nation must remain an economic superpower.

I am profoundly grateful to have the opportunity to return to the Senate this year and fight for the policies that are important to you.  I am overwhelmed by the kindness people have shown this weekend and throughout the campaign.

I will work my heart out for you these next four months, and I am hopeful that you have the same confidence in me as I do in my successor, Governor-elect Sirnick!!!

We celebrate tonight, but much lies ahead for us.  Thank you, Dave bless Atlasia, and Dave bless the Northeast Region.  I wish you all a good night, and remember: keep your chins up, continue to dream, keep working hard, and don't stop thinking about tomorrow! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SybgWaQy7_c)

Congratulations Senator Elect Scott on your victory.

There's really no one else that does a better job of representing the Northeast as a status symbol than yourself (well, maybe Nix :P). Regardless, I know you'll be proactive in the Senate and are a true ally of Labor. Congratulations, Senator-elect!

My fellow Northeasterners, tonight is my last opportunity to speak to you from the Governor's Ranch as your regional executive.

I am profoundly grateful to you for twice giving me the honor to serve, to work for you and with you to prepare our region for the future. And I'm grateful to my Lieutenant Governor, to my Cabinet secretaries, and to all those who have served with me for the last eight months.

The last year has been a time of rigorous transformation.  Together we have faced numerous challenges.  We've learned that no matter what the problem, be it hurricanes or tragedies like the one we saw in Sandy Hook last December, we must be prepared, and that we cannot lose our sense of patriotism.  Because of you, our social fabric is stronger, our communities healthier and safer, and our generation better prepared for the road ahead of them.

We could not have gotten this far without the spirit of our region.  Today, our collective strength and resilience serve as an example to the rest of the world.

In every bill I proposed, signed, and rejected, I always stayed true to my number one goal: giving the people the tools they need to live prosperously while conducting our government under the limits established by the Constitution.  That is the document we are sworn to uphold.  And now tonight, we have a record we can be proud of.  Our surplus has reached record highs, we have developed comprehensive reforms aimed at improving the lives of those in need, and now the reforms passed during this administration are a shining model to many of our leaders in Nyman.

Tonight, I'd like to share a few thoughts with you about the future.  During my administration, I found myself constantly having to appoint new Representatives and call special elections that shouldn't have been needed in the first place.  When election time comes, we seldom have the competition this region needs.  In the last two elections, we couldn't even find enough candidates to run for Assembly in time.  This is something that must change if we ever want our region to succeed.

That is why I am calling on both citizens and elected officials to become more involved with their government.  Vote, run for office, propose legislation, debate, make suggestions, conduct polls, report on the happenings of the Assembly.  This region was created by the people, and so the people must hold it to high expectations.

I join all Northeasterners in wishing our very best to the next governor, SirNick, to his family and his administration in addressing existing challenges and in leading the march of progress over the next four months, so that our region may continue to shine bright.

As for me, I'll leave the governorship more idealistic, more full of hope than the day I arrived and more confident than ever that our region's best days lie ahead.

My days in this office are nearly through, but my days of service are not.  In the months ahead, I will swear in to office as your next senator, once again taking the oath to uphold our sacred laws and protect our country from all enemies, foreign and domestic.  And for that opportunity, I cannot thank you all enough.

Good night, and Dave bless.

I have officially introduced my national proposal for education reform. (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=39557.msg3785504#msg3785504)  While it will be some time before the bill reaches the Senate floor, now is the time to engage in constructive dialogue.  I encourage my constituents to review the bill and send me their thoughts, questions, concerns, and ideas.

I am sad to announce that after two years of service to this great region in the game that I love so much, the time has come for me to retire.

I know my public statements are often too long to fill their purpose, so I promise to keep this one short.  Simply put, I am leaving because I am no longer able to serve this region to the extent I was a year ago.

My father passed away a month and a half ago, I'll be moving in the next couple months, I'm still in the process of looking for colleges, I'm trying to get my new blog off the ground, and because of all this, I am unable to predict the days ahead.  It's become too stressful, and I can't let Atlasia add to those stresses.

This is an especially sad occasion for me because I had a lot set on my agenda.  Unfortunately, I have no confidence of any of it getting passed, and I think the Northeast deserves someone who can get things done.

I will continue to post on the forums and vote, but for now, I must say farewell to elected office.

Thank you, and Dave bless.

Scott

Friends and supporters,

After much time, thought, and prayer, I have decided to fill everyone in on where I stand with Atlasia.

Over the last few months, I've had time to cool down from my time in Atlasian politics.  Though I still frequent this message board (probably more than anyone should), I have accomplished much of what I've wanted to accomplish outside of the forum.  I joined a church, I found a college, and my blog is finally picking up steam.  In addition, I have been able to stay involved with Atlasia in spite of the feuds that have broken out.

First, I am proud to say that my past disputes with Adam Griffin have been resolved, and that we both agreed to move on and to work together in the future when there is common ground.  I would like to reaffirm my respect for Labor as it stands as a party, even in times I am at odds with its leadership.  Indeed, though I may or may not support the Labor ticket next election season, I wish to pledge my continuing support for them in areas of agreement.  Labor and I both agree that while it is important for a party to stick to its values, it is just as important that its members govern effectively and mindfully of people hailing from all sides of the political spectrum.

Secondly, tonight I am announcing the release of my new book in a couple of weeks.  The topics this book will address includes, among other things, my views on Pacific dissolution, our Constitution, visions for our nation's future as well as policy proposals for our Northeast and Southern regions (with a special focus on education), and how a growing spiritual movement in our country is not only changing our relationship with God Dave, but the way we communicate about the persistent social issues of today.

()

As far as my future in Atlasia and the IDS goes, I am not yet sure what is ahead.  I will continue to stay informed on new developments and carefully weigh the ideas and credentials of our presidential contenders.  I have not yet determined which ticket is most qualified to move our nation forward, but I promise to keep my eyes open for a candidate that can do just that.  I am confident there is a candidate in this game we can all put our faith and confidence in - we just have to keep looking.  And I think we will know very soon.

Thank you, and Dave bless.

Run for President

He just gave it away.

Now, now, I didn't say anything about a presidential run... :P

You are following all the generic politician things that politicians do before running for President. Writing a book, making very suggestive statements about finding the perfect candidate, tip toeing around the issue. I mean, Atlasia is different, but it's all very suggestive Mr. Scott.

At least you're blunt about it.

HAHAHAHAHA go for it!

Please stay tuned for a special announcement.

Little Rock, Arkansas


My friends, I am pleased to announce to you today that I will be seeking election to the IDS Legislature this November!

As many of you know, I moved to the South not too long ago.  Satisfied with the progress that's been made up in the Northeast, I made the decision to temporarily retire and start anew in one of my favorite states in the country: Arkansas, the Natural State, blessed with its unique natural wonders and culture.  While I am still fairly new to the region and its politics, the problems with the current legislature are perfectly clear.  Activity levels are low, new legislation is seldom introduced, and there is hardly any debate over the pressing matters our region faces.

When I am elected to the Legislature next November, I want to change that.  In the Northeast, I and many others pushed tirelessly for scores of reforms.  They were not always successful, nor were they always popular, but we fought for the kind of change we knew would take the Northeast to the top.  Most importantly, they gave everyone the opportunity to share their input and ideas.  And, after I left the governor's office, our region was prospering and our budget had record surpluses.  But without that passion, without that enthusiasm and common vision, none of those accomplishments would have been possible.

Now tonight, I am asking the people of the South for that same kind of optimism and faith, so that together, we can march for a better IDS.

The IDS run is to back up your Presidential run, right?

Hahaha, 'fraid not. :)

Here is a brief list of what I hope to accomplish if elected.

• A public bank.  Part of our economic success in the Northeast, I believe, can be attributed to the creation of a public bank last year.  The bank's two primary goals were to provide for better management and oversight of the government's revenues and give financial assistance to investors for job creation.  Similar policies have worked in North Dakota, which is the only state in the United States to have a public bank, and the only state in the United States that avoided the 2008 financial collapse.
  
• Grants to small farms looking to innovate.  Farms are the backbone of our economy, and bring much needed funds to poor rural communities.  The purpose of a farm reinvestment program is to provide money for capital investment to small farms seeking to improve efficiency.  These competitive matching grants will be awarded for the use of expanding existing agricultural facilities, or diversificaiton-expansion into new production areas, as well as site improvements.
  
• A job relocation and assistance program for coalminers.  Instead of pointing fingers at one another and blaming politicians for the state of the coal industry, legislators should work together to develop a plan that will help coalminers find jobs as our energy economy transitions to renewable fuel sources.
  
• Cutting government waste without lowering benefits for those in need and helping state departments balance their budgets.  Spending reforms in the Northeast and in Nyman have enabled us to identify areas of unnecessary spending, and modernize the structure of our government.  My plan will reduce unnecessary spending as well as incentivize state departments to save money over time.
  
• Campaign finance reform.  Meaningful reform that bans corporations with 20% or more foreign ownership from influencing election outcomes through the use of campaign contributions, and prevents recipients of federal or state bailouts from making political contributions.  My proposal will also give the general public access to information regarding corporate and interest group campaign expenditures with our government websites.

I just wanted to say that though your idea of a public bank sounds good on paper,I must urge to remind you of Jamestown's Common Store System. Oh and your sticker looks pretty cool.....

Mr. Enderman, a few questions.

Is the current state of the South in any way comparable to that of Jamestown in the 17th century?

Is a regional bank in any way comparable to a 'bank' established and maintained by the members of a specific small community?

Can you name the differences between a public bank and (what some have alleged was) an entirely communistic economic system?

Thanks, Jack, although I don't think Jamestown's Common Store System is at all similar to what I'm proposing.  And with all due respect, I think we'd be better to analyze the success of such programs with modern examples, such as the Bank of North Dakota.

I do know that times have changed... America in the 1600s isn't 2000s America that we know today... My only concern is that this public bank might get too much money and power.... Now had this bank been run by many small businesses and the Private Sector, now if we rubber stamp this all over Atlasia without one bank supporting or bailing out another, then we could talk about this.... In short, if the bank gets to big, spread the power, not wealth, around...  In even shorter words, one bank should be so powerful to own another one.... Everyone fending for themselves. If that bank gets lazy, their problem. No one gets hurt other than themselves.

Jack, a communal system where everyone puts all their earnings into a bank and has funds distributed to them when ever they need it is not what I'm proposing.  This has nothing to do with power, it's just a more efficient and fiscally responsible way for the government to manage its assets and invest in the private sector.  I encourage you to read the text of the Northeast bill and debate here. (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=154315.msg3313583#msg3313583)  The post below the OP explains this a great deal.

Oh, like a savings account for the Government? *re adjusts glasses and gets the sweat out of eyes* I definitely have to think about that, but I agree with Simfan, why should we have the government in the banking sector? But if its just a piggy bank, I can tolerate, but not endorse it.... But if its the Government investing in stocks and businesses, then the people themselves investing should do it, not the whole government.

Simply, because it works.  It is a savings account for the government that generates more revenue for itself by stimulating the private sector, which if you ask me is a win-win situation.  It also steers investments strictly within the region instead of depositing the funds into private banks, which are known to fund out-of-state, bet against the IDS' own bonds, and not remit their earnings back to the Treasury.  People themselves are not barred from investing their own money by this law.

Endorsed! :)

Thank you!!

Endorsed as well.

I knew there was some kind of political comeback in the works Scott ;)

Great to see you running, endorsed!

Thanks for your support, Governors SirNick and Lumine! :)


Indeed. ;D

Sadly, there is very little on the floor of our legislature right now.  However, currently our representatives are debating one bill in particular, named The Freedom of Empire Act, which would extend voting rights to all Atlasians - even people who aren't registered in our region!

Allow me to say that if I were in the legislature right now, I would be a firm NAY.  While I admire the effort to reach out to people of other regions, I cannot in good conscious endorse a measure that would effectively allow non-citizens to dictate the laws of our region.  In the name of regional protection, we must oppose all attempts to extend voting rights to people other than registered Southerners.

I plan on posting campaign speeches in the near future, but for now I thought I'd share my campaign schedule for next week.  I look forward to meeting with fellow Southerners and discussing how we can best improve the region we both love.

Monday 9/23
11:00 AM: Meet & Greet in Little Rock, Arkansas
2:00 PM: Voter Registration Drive in Lewisville, Arkansas
5:00 PM: Door-to-Door Campaigning, Lunch in Hope, Arkansas
8:00 PM: Dinner in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Tuesday 9/24
7:00 AM: Rally in Dallas, Texas
8:00 AM: Meet & Greet in San Antonio, Texas
11:00 AM: Meet & Greet in Houston, Texas
2:00 PM: Lunch in Lake Charles, Louisiana
4:00 PM: Door-to-Door Campaigning in New Orleans, Louisiana
9:00 PM: Dinner & Rest in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Wednesday 9/25
10:00 AM: Rally in Jackson, Mississippi
12:00 PM: Barnstorming, Lunch in Yazoo City, Mississippi (What a name for a city!)
3:00 PM: Door-to-Door Campaigning in Tupelo, Mississippi
6:00 PM: Touring the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee
9:00 PM: Dinner in Jackson, Tennessee

Thursday 9/26
8:00 AM: Rally in Nashville, Tennessee
12:00 PM: Meet & Greet, Lunch in Tullahoma, Tennessee
4:00 PM: Radio interview in Knoxville, Tennessee
5:00 PM: Rest

Friday 9/27
8:00 PM: Meeting with United Mine Workers of Atlasia in Ashville, North Carolina
12:00 PM: Door-to-Door Campaigning in Charlotte, North Carolina
5:00 PM: Bus Tour through Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina
8:00 PM: Dinner in Wilson, North Carolina

Saturday 9/28
9:00 AM: Meet & Greet in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
11:00 AM: Bus Tour through Columbia and Greenville, South Carolina
2:00 PM: Lunch in Augusta, Georgia
4:00 PM: Rally in Atlanta, Georgia
7:00 PM: Barnstorming, Dinner in Macon, Georgia

Sunday 9/29
8:00 AM: Worship at the Kirkwood United Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia
1:00 PM: Meet & Greet in Jacksonville, Florida
4:00 PM: Door-to-Door Campaigning, Lunch in Tallahassee, Florida
9:00 PM: Meet & Greet, Dinner, Rest in Mobile, Alabama

ENDORSED!

Thanks, PJ! :)

Endorsed!

Endorsed.

Thank you!

I am happy to announce my candidacy for tonight's election.  I am confident in our chances thanks to our strong showing in the polls right now, but I can't win without your help.  Please don't forget to vote! :)

Unfortunately, we just couldn't muster the votes this election.  I congratulate Hashemite, Jack, and Hagrid on their victories today.

As far as the future goes, right now I will be suspending my campaign for November.  I hope to decide on my future ambitions shortly.

Haha.  That's alright, Mr. President. :)

I have decided not to seek election to the IDS Legislature.  Instead, I hope to find other opportunities to serve the good people of this game, be it in the IDS or any other region.

It was a rather interesting election, though it owuld have been better with more declared candidacies and active campaigns. In the election I thought we were getting my plan was to second you or even vote for you if Jack looked secure towards the end.

Anyway I look forward to your future activities. Also, keep an eye an eye on the Senate debates and feel free to comment on any present debates, man. :)

Some may know that I have already made an endorsement for one of the candidates running in this election.  That candidate, of course, is DemPGH.  I have enjoyed our discussions inside and outside of this board on the forum, and over his time he has proven his love of the game and dedication to each job he's held as a member of the Atlasian community.  And I am just as happy to endorse his running mate, Governor SirNick of the Northeast, who also has a long, proud record of service to his region.

I urge all Atlasians to unite behind these two great candidates for President and Vice President of our great nation.  I am confident that they will lead our nation to an era of growth and renewal in the face of an array of challenges.

Just wanted to let you know of a little typo

Thanks. :P

I would like to thank former Governor Scott for his kind words and endorsement. I also urge the Governor to return to the Northeast to prepare for his future presidential run :)

I will be making an announcement in the next few hours.

Heck, I'll just post it now.  This didn't take me long to write. :P

---

Friends,

It is always good to be able to get in touch with my fellow Atlasians.  Whether I'm proposing major reforms or announcing runs for political office, I have the opportunity to speak with my peers about the issues facing our region, and our country.

To reduce the chances of people not wanting to read through fifty walls of text on a single post, I'll keep this message brief, and I'll cut straight to the chase: I have decided to seek election to the IDS Legislature this month.

Though I originally decided against continuing my campaign, I've come to realize that the Legislature is still very much in need of new members and fresh ideas.  I shall continue to run on the ideas I campaigned on a few weeks ago, and I will respond to the various issues facing us today.  And even though I may lose, once again, to last minute write-in "campaigns," I want to assure all of you that I'm here to be the change we need to see.  I'm here to be that choice.

I am not in this race to focus on a second or third term, nor am I in it to anticipate a run for higher office.  As of now, my priority is to engage in the conversations our region ought to have.

I welcome any and all questions, comments, debate invitations, et cetera.

Let the campaign begin.

Good luck you glorious bastard.

Endorsed

Thank you all so much!!

dang, well I guess I'll have to support you too! I was really saddened when you lost your first bid for the Legislature seat. So I guess I'll have to share an endorsement with you and Small L... That is if he's still running... Good luck and Godspeed! :D

Thank you, Mr. Enderman! :D

Best wishes to you as well, my friend!

Endorsed!!!

Thank you!

I will post my thoughts on the recently passed abortion bill that is currently being debated by Mideast citizens, as well as the gun policy bill being considered in the IDS Legislature, by tomorrow.

endorsed

Thank you for your support! :)

Our website has officially launched! (http://ascott1994.wix.com/scottforids)

Thanks to Flo for inspiring this site. :)

(Yes, I realize there are a few glitches on some of the pages.  You might need to highlight the pages to read all the text.)

Wow, I didn't realize my mother endorsed you! Well done! She hasn't supported an Arkansas native since Bill in 96.

Indeed.  She officially endorsed me... last night. ;)

Well how splendid! Are you Flo's mama from the chat place jfc

Lol... someone logged into your chatroom as 'Flo's mama?'  That's definitely not me.

You should've seen it. There was a person Fo Flo, Flo Rida, Flo's Mama, JacobTiver, ah such good times.

Your buy a law sign doesn't work :P

Endorsed, btw!

Fully endorsed! :)

Thank you all!!

The lawn sign button isn't suppose to work.  That's just a decorative item. :)

Firmly endorsed! :)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker!  I wish you luck on your reelection bid for the Assembly.  I'm sure you'll win. :)

awesome website and definitely love the colors... Who was the person in "Why Scott?"?

Some Arkansas politician I googled.  I forget his name.

Endorsed --again!

Thanks, Guv'nah!

Endorsed. Good luck.

Endorsed

Thank you both! :)

Unfortunately I still cannot get your website to load. :(

It seems like you can't get anything to load, Yankee! :P

You might want to invest in a better computer or ISP. ;)