[I know this isn't the actual problem, but it reflects the actual problem: people don't want to change Atlasia but want it to slowly die instead.]

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Really guys. Almost every candidates lives in EST and refused the irc debate. It's quite sad.
I know this isn't the actual problem, but it reflects the actual problem: people don't want to change Atlasia but want it to slowly die instead. Theoretically Atlasia should be constantly growing since there are more new users registered each election cycle, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. The main reason people want an IRC debate is because it's interactive and IRC is fun for most people who visit the Atlas.

Yes, this is the point I was trying to make, though clearly my wording was misunderstood. I'm in no way arguing that refusing to take part in a modern debate means you want Atlasia to die, nor that the absence of such a debate would directly contribute to Atlasia's "death", but that everyone cooperating in such a thing could lead to increased game activity and attract new users to the forum, thus lengthening its lifespan. The fact that most people are against these small changes is sad, indeed, simply because of their potential to make this process more interesting.

Now to quickly address a couple of these points made against my idea. I for one, do not believe that holding a video debate would lead to people getting elected simply because of their visual appeal or performance in that one debate. I'd like to believe that very few of us are dim-witted enough to vote for a candidate based solely on his or her appearance, and being 'politicos', we need substance, and that would only be added through video. I would never think less of a candidate if they didn't participate in a video debate, nor one with IRC. I guarantee you the polls would display the same results they do now. Also, I disagree sharply with the sentiment "it's worked fine this long, so..", but I am a leftist, after all.

Oakvale, I would propose the addition of one Youtube debate (if only candidates expressing their own ambitions) and one IRC debate to that calender, both being completely optional and open to public view and scrutiny. It is only an experiment, and might just fail, but I'm sure many of us would like to see this play out.

This is a fine example of why Atlasia is dying. Even a shred of basic change that could rejuvenate activity and provide fun, while giving people a reason to join the game, is turned down for frivolous excuses. I'm no Tweedist, but at least he's taken the initiative to post videos and push for changing the conversation. If we stick to the same format that's been around for so many years, this whole thing will be a distant memory.

If the judges are truly randomly chosen from the Census and if video recordings will be easily available, then I cannot find a reason not to support such a provision.

I'd support debates in these multiple formats. Having debates on Youtube, for instance, is exactly the kind of change that we need to import activity. Message boards are old hat, they're a thing of the past now. New mediums like through Youtube or perhaps audio-only through Soundcloud would be perfect, and add more realism to this whole thing. One debate in IRC would be interesting too, just to see how well it plays out. Everything should be tested first before debate season, imo.

There were many priceless gaffes this primary.
I think "Oops" is what we'll remember a few years from now.

Though the outfits may look spiffy, I cannot support such a law.
Uniforms are needlessly expensive to our educational system with no giveback. More importantly, they rob students of their powers of individuality and expression. This will only hinder the rights of our future leaders when we should be looking to expand such rights.

The voting time has expired, Nix is now elected Speaker. Congrats ^^

Speaker
[1] Averroës Nix
[ ] Wormyguy

Now that 24 hours have passed, we will now begin the voting period for Speaker.
This vote will last 24 hours, or until all members have voted, and I wholly encourage every member to vote.

[ ] Averroës Nix
[ ] Wormyguy
[ ] Write-in

Alrighty, I think we've waited long enough.

We will now begin nominating a Speaker for this body.
I'll begin by nominating Nix.

After Winfield swears in, we'll begin the nomination process.

Nix, would you like the position? You'd have my endorsement.
Also, shouldn't that special election to fill wormy's seat start up soon?

No, as wormy is still a Representative.

So when would he swear in for the Senate seat he won?

Nix, would you like the position? You'd have my endorsement.
Also, shouldn't that special election to fill wormy's seat start up soon?

Aye.

I, PyroTheFox, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of Northeast Representative, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of Atlasia and of the Northeast Region, so help me Dave.

Hmm. The only common trend with these polls is that Napoleon wins or is tied for 1st.
But here we have Tweed tied with Napoleon, and in that other poll, Tweed has just surpassed the governor, though that might not last. This will be quite a fascinating election. :3

Tweed has not really come close, yet alone passed me, in any poll. And he gets crushed in a head to head with clarence, which I would win handily. The Left can with me, or lose with Tweed. There is a choice.

A few hours ago you were both tied. I had a feeling it was due to the small sample size polled at the time. Anyway you already have the support of the majority of the Atlasian left since Snowy dropped out. I wouldn't worry about that.

Disappointed because of the dismal turnout or the fact that the resolution just squeezed by?

Knowing how well House Democrats campaign...the chance for a re-taking of the House is less than likely. Still, in a year when Congress has such dismal approval ratings, I would hope the election is just pure anti-incumbent.

He's running a good campaign.... I hate it.

This :<

As always, third party :3

Did he even have any supporters left? From what I could tell, most of Santorum's support went to either Paul or Romney.

Abstain.
I want to wait for some debates or discussions between the candidates before we start endorsing, even if we support Napoleon already.

Hmm. The only common trend with these polls is that Napoleon wins or is tied for 1st.
But here we have Tweed tied with Napoleon, and in that other poll, Tweed has just surpassed the governor, though that might not last. This will be quite a fascinating election. :3

All but Pennsylvania.

Nix, I know for a fact that I was an eligible candidate, and I was elected legitimately according to the Northeast Constitution. As Napoleon said, the federal restrictions regarding activity quotas, which I consider ridiculous by the way, do not apply.