Office of ZuWo - Fresh start in the Pacific!

[ZuWo]

This shall serve as my new office thread. After having recovered from a bruising gubernatorial campaign I have decided to return to the political stage. I will announce my candidacy for a regional office fairly soon.

On an unrelated note, if you still haven't voted in the ongoing election for Senate please do so at the next possible moment! I especially recommend you to cast your vote for my fellow Federalists Spamage and Hagrid as well as the three Mideasterners in the race, Mr. X, Snowstalker and Franzl.

I'm looking forward to many entertaining weeks,

ZuWo

[ZuWo]

Thank you all! I especially appreciate your contribution, Clarence.

[ZuWo]

I have decided to run for Mideast Assembly in January. The regional Assembly is where my time in Atlasia started, and I'd be more than glad to serve the Mideast as a regional legislator again. My political platform will follow soon.

I also congratulate all the elected Senators on their success.

[ZuWo]

That's fantastic news. Let me be the first to endorse you!

You have my endorsement!

ENDORSED!!!!

Thank you very much!

[ZuWo]

In the next weeks up to the election I will make a list of the basic facts on my record in Atlasia. This list will include

1. My electoral history
2. Legislation that I sponsored
3. An outline of my political beliefs

This way, I hope newer citizens can get a good impression of my candidacy and my stances.

1. Electoral History

Mideast Assembly

July 2011: Appointed by Governor A-Bob
July 2011: Elected to a first full term
September 2011: Re-elected
November 2011: Re-elected
January 2012: Re-elected
March 2012: Re-elected

Mideast Governor

May 2012: Elected (no opponent)
September 2012: Defeated by Tmthforu94

President

February 2012: Defeated on the last count by Polnut/Tmthforu94 (running mate: Jbrase)

[ZuWo]

2. Legislative Record

Here's a list of bills I sponsored during my first stint as regional legislator and that were passed and signed into law.

- Amendment to the Mideast Abortion Statute II

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=139408.0

- Keep our Region Clean and Safe From Vandalism Act

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=144518.0

- New Mideast Marijuana Taxation Act

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=145238.0

- Smaller Assembly Amendment

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=146350.0

- Mideast Welfare Drug Screening

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=148241.0

- Car Safety Act

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=150082.0

- Questioning the Power Act

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=151526.0

- Establishment of the Mideast Food Safety and Inspection Service

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=152402.0

[ZuWo]

I'd also like to thank TJ, Inks and Oldiesfreak for their support.

Up next: A list of bills/amendments I introduced as Governor.

[ZuWo]

2. Legislative Record (continued)

- Repeal of Outdated and Unenforceable Acts

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=154480.0

- Miscellaneous Act

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=155297.0

- Revised Amendment of the Mideast Sex Crime Statute

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=156703.0

- Amendment of the Mideast Time of Alcohol Sales Statute

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=156704.0

[ZuWo]

First of all, I hope everyone has had two wonderful Christmas days (or simply a nice holiday for those who don't celebrate Christmas).

While New Year's Eve is still ahead of us and the days of festivities are not quite over yet, I want to take a moment to outline some of my priorities for the next term in the Mideast Assembly (that is, if you elect me ). Throughout the campaign I will try to add more to this list and talk about my stances in greater detail.

For now, let me present you with three of my aims as Mideast Assemblyman. Concretely, it will be my goal to ...

• ... protect the lives of the unborn
• ... amend the regional gun laws (I think the current regional statute on guns (see the Mideast Firearm Safety Act) are very advanced. However, I want to restrict the possession and use of firearms even more; I'm thinking of a combination of additional restrictions and voluntary measures.)
  
• ... pass an adapted version of the Common Courtesy While Driving Act, which will consider reservations about any infringement on personal liberty.

[ZuWo]

Just wanted to drop by and tell you I'm currently enjoying your lovely canton of Wallis

That must be awesome - for you, since you can enjoy the sight of beautiful mountains and some snow, and for the local tourism industry, which struggles enormously with a decreasing number of tourists from Europe due to to weak euro and the strong Swiss franc. Enjoy your trip!

We may disagree on gun rights ZuWo but on the most important things we do agree. With that I give you my endorsement for second preference. Its good to see you back.

With that I take my leave till Janurary 1. Time to enjoy the Onething Conference (webstream and in person)

You have my moral endorsement ZuWo!

Many thanks to both of you!  

[ZuWo]

If it's worth anything in a Mideast election, you (of course) have my endorsement.

Endorsed. It may be too soon, but you've done quite well for yourself here and I see no reason to stop you.

Nothing against your endorsement, Hagrid, but Cathcon's endorsement is worth a bit more (I guess you can understand why).

Anyway, thanks very much to both of you!

[ZuWo]

Stance on three regional amendments

I support the Mideastern Budget Amendment with a clause that specifies that the budget may not exceed 110% of the revenue. In my opinion, regional legislators must act responsibly when it comes to spending the money of the hardworking citizens of the Mideast. Also, for the sake of future generations we cannot afford to amass huge debts, and for this purpose such a clause is a necessary and helpful tool.

After some consideration, I oppose the Assembly Expansion Amendment. I believe a 5-member Assembly is the best solution for our current activity levels. My main reasoning is that a 5-member Assembly guarantees competitive elections while I doubt that a 7-member Assembly with 9 candidates is equally competitive because almost every candidate is elected in such a scenario.

I also oppose the Re-Establishment of a Lieutenant Governor Amendment since it's not clear to me how useful such an office is; depending on the final text of such an amendment a future Lieutenant Governor will either take away certain duties of the Governor and weaken the executive branch or become more of a symbolic character that no one cares about. The current situation with the Governor who is in charge of the executive branch and the Speaker who takes over his job if the office of Governor is vacant seems like the best solution to me.

[ZuWo]

Further plans

If elected Assemblyman, I will not only introduce a moderate amendment to our current gun laws but I am also planning to find ways to add further regulations on the prostitution industry. I consider prostitution an inhumane practice, but due to federal statute it is not possible to ban prostitution in the Mideast. Indeed, this must be accepted even if the example of Sweden, where it is illegal to buy sexual services, clearly demonstrates that such a ban has its place in a modern, progressive society.

[ZuWo]

We could propose an amendment to give the regions supremacy over such issues.

I'm not sure if such an amendment could get the necessary support but I definitely like the idea of the regions having supremacy over as many issues as possible, including prostitution.

A few words about my support for the referendum on the Amendment to the Labor Relations Act:

I think it's important that every employee has the right to join a union. Unions play an essential role in a free-market society because they (ideally) represent the interests of the workers against those of companies, which creates a necessary balance of power between the employer and the employees. However, I cannot support a bill which makes it possible that employees can be forced to join a union - and that's precisely one of the main goals of this bill since the following clause has been removed from the original text:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I urge my fellow Mideasterners to vote down this proposal once it comes to a popular vote. The existing statute, the recent Amendment to the Labor Relations Act, dating back to November 2012, or the original statute from February 2011, clearly are better and less radical solutions.

[ZuWo]

Voting has started and I encourage you all to cast your vote in the regional elections and the referenda. This has been an exciting race and regardless of the outcome I'd like to thank the other candidates for an issue-based and interesting campaign.

Now go out and vote!

[ZuWo]

The elections for Mideast governor and Assembly are well underway. I urge those who haven't voted yet to go to the voting booth and vote for the candidates of their choice.

It looks like I have received enough first preferences to be elected on the first count (which means I don't need any more first preferences). Thank you very much! It's a great honor for me.

[ZuWo]

Thank you, Mr. X., Franzl and Cathcon. If nothing unforeseeable happens, I will take my seat next Friday.

[ZuWo]

Thank you, Texas Dem and Tmthforu94.

Also, a belated thanks to the Liberal Party and The People's Party for their endorsements.

[ZuWo]

As your election is approaching a mathematical certainty, congratulations and welcome back to the Mideast regional government!

If all else fails, I fortunately still have a vote that I could cast for myself.

Thank you!

[ZuWo]

Now that the election results are certified I'd like to congratulate Inks, Oldiesfreaks, Texas Dem and Gass on their election to the Assembly and governor Tmthforu94 on his re-election.

If anything, this election has produced conflicting results. On the one hand, the "left" emerged victorious from the votes on the "Amendment to the Labor Relations Act" and the "Mideast Abortion Initiative". On the other hand, thanks to massive electoral gains the "right" now has a majority in the Assembly. Clearly, this isn't a mandate for extreme policies of any kind. Indeed, what the Mideastern people apparently want are solutions that are conservative and pragmatic. I am willing to fight for that.

[ZuWo]

I have no intention to amend the labor relations law at this point. I respect the clear will of the people. However, I think there is room for middle ground on the issue of abortion. A narrow majority of the Mideastern electorate wanted to change the current abortion statute, but I'm not sure if all of the people who voted AYE fully supported the initiative. That's why I think a compromise between both positions can be found.

[ZuWo]

Re-elect Assemblyman ZuWo

Greetings citizens of the Mideast,

I hereby announce that I am seeking re-election to the Mideast Assembly. In the present term of the Assembly, both the more liberal and the more conservative members of our regional legislature have managed to find common ground on a couple of crucial issues. While the previous session of the Assembly was marked by heated conflicts at times, this session can certainly be considered more peaceful and less ideological.

By introducing an amendment to the Mideast Abortion Statute and an amendment to the Mideast Firearms Safety Act I fulfilled two of my most prominent campaign promises. I am very satisfied that both of these amendments were passed unanimously and want to express my gratitude to my Assembly colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

To underline what I have just said I would like to direct your attention to the following statistics provided by the Speaker of the Assembly:

28th Assembly Statistics - Issue 3

Through 3-1/13
Final Votes: 6
Amendment Votes: 5
Veto Override Votes: 0

Member	Not Voting	Voting	ABSTAIN	YES/NO
Inks.LWC	0%	100%	0%	100%
ZuWwo	0%	100%	0%	100%
Gass3268	27%	73%	0%	73%
Oldiesfreak	18%	82%	0%	82%
TexasDem	0%	100%	0%	100%

Member 1	Member 2	Matching Vote Percentage
Inks.LWC	ZuWo	72%
Inks.LWC	Gass3268	50%
Inks.LWC	Oldiesfreak	44%
Inks.LWC	TexasDemocrat	55%
ZuWo	Gass3268	75%
ZuWo	Oldiesfreak	67%
ZuWo	TexasDemocrat	45%
Gass3268	Oldiesfreak	100%
Gass3268	TexasDemocrat	75%
Oldiesfreak	TexasDemocrat	89%

Clearly, I am a conservative member of the Federalist Party and I am not afraid to express my views. At the same time, my philosophy is that I'd rather try my best to get a compromise version of a bill passed than not to have any solution at all.

I am looking forward to an interesting campaign and election!

[ZuWo]

Thanks to both of you, Inks and Griffin! Actually, I interpreted Griffin's comment more as a tongue-in-cheek remark which I consider acceptable in a political context so I hope no one takes offence.

[ZuWo]

Thanks for your kind remarks, Senator X and Matt, and for your endorsements, X, Matt and Maxwell!

[ZuWo]

Thank you, Governor Wolfentoad.

Unfortunately, I'm withdrawing my candidacy for the Mideast assembly.  Life just got way too hectic and crazy recently for me to devote myself the way I was hoping to.  Thanks to everyone that helped me along the way.  It definitely meant a lot.

While it's unfortunate that Siren is compelled to withdraw her candidacy for Mideast Assembly, I thank her for having contributed to an interesting campaign. I wish Siren the best of luck in her future Atlasian endeavors.