The Office of Senator LumineVonReuental (A Farewell to the Senate)

[TNF]

I would love to debate Lumine as I debated Rooney last go around. The voters have a right to know where we stand on the issues.

[TNF]

Perhaps a Federalist moderator would be best, as there doesn't seem to be a Federalist running?

[TNF]

Perhaps a Federalist moderator would be best, as there doesn't seem to be a Federalist running?

I would be happy with that, how about Tmthforu or (as DC suggested) TJ?

I would be fine with either.

[TNF]

Speech on Senate Style:

January 16th, 2013:
Midwest Governor LumineVonReuental has taken a few days off the campaign trail to work with the Althing and draft his proposals for the next legislative session of the Midwest. Today he returned to the campaign trail with a small intro for his upcoming platform and his promises related to his style as a Senator.

Good day, citizens of the Midwest.

I have always believed that the differences between a Regional Senator and an At-Large Senators are crucial, and that said difference is often forgotten. Many times we have seen Regional Senators that tend to ignore their respective regions, ignoring that their purpose is representing their citizens. I can't criticize my opponent for pursuing his agenda, that's what all Senators do, but I feel that we need Regional Senators that are more in touch with their respective regions and that have a stronger connection with them. Therefore, I decided to give you a preview of my platform related to my style as a Senator. I won't go in full detail until the platform is ready, but there are some things I wish to discuss and propose at the same time.

One of the things that I found quite interested about the Senate a few months ago was the committees that the Senate used to have, and they were certainly interesting. I can still recall, for example, the detailed discussions on North Korea that surged in one of the committees (I believe Clarence took a very strong position against North Korea), or the attempts at Social Security reform in a committee not long ago. I feel that our current At-Large Senators are all active, and I think we can expect the same of the future Regional Senators. Thus I want to sponsor an attempt to return to said system in a more simplified version (two or three committees?), or at least discuss if we are ready now for the use of such a mechanism. The Senate has no problem passing bills, sure, but I feel that along with activity we should be concerned as to how interesting and attractive is our legislative body.

When talking about the differences between At-Large/Regional I mentioned the constituency, and I pledge to keep my office open at all times to take any bills that my future constituents wish to send to the Senate, even if I disagree with it, I am perfectly willing to let their voice be heard (unless of course we're talking about something that amounts to serious trolling, but I don't think it will ever come to that). Some Senators have worked very hard on wiki reform and keeping the wiki up to date, and I am more than willing to help on that effort to keep our records up to date and perfectly accurate. One of the other ideas I was thinking about was that we seem to lack positions on the Senate. Granted, we have the President Pro Tempore and the Senate Dean, but I always wanted to see whips, caucuses and minority/majority leaders. Granted, this depends on the parties and not me, but I also want to work with other Senators to see if this works, specially if two or more Progressives enter the Senate next month.

I think the people can expect me to be a good Senator for various reasons, many of them listed before on one of my ads or in my opening speech. I don't feel bipartisanship is overrated, I feel it's necessary for a fully functional democracy. Otherwise a majority pushes legislation, then another majority comes and destroys those bills. What is left for the future if we ever end up going that road? I have been critical of many individuals, and yes, my attacks towards TNF get out of hand sometimes, but nobody can say that I haven't worked with other parties. I did so in the Mideast Assembly, and I did so as Archduke and Governor. I have always been an independent or in a political minority in all of my offices, but that never proved to be a problem, I always managed to build a few bridges, some of the lasting until today. That's why I'm proud of my endorsements, for example, for that proves that there several individuals who (I hope) think positive of me and think I can perform a decent job. Polls say something similar as well, and while I don't expect a landslide, you have to remember that I live in a region with a Labor/Cultural Marxist majority, and as someone who is centrist/center right so if I have the levels of support that I have now is because other parties can trust me.

Sure, I'd like to be the first Progressive Senator (Napoleon doesn't count for me), sure I'd like to make history as the man who managed to unseat a formidable opponent, and sure, I'd like to be known as the man who used Youtube to get elected. But more than that, and as cliched as it may sounds, I would prefer being just "the Senator from the Midwest" (Tmthforu is At-Large, after all). And that's what I am going to be. I think I can win this election, I think the voters are behind me, and I think I will give a very eloquent surprise to Atlasia in a few more weeks. And that will be the beginning of the true challenge: proving that my message is not empty, that my rhetoric is not useless, that I can be a truly active and efficient Senator.

The question is, are you willing to help me and give me a chance?

No

[TNF]

100% endorsed.

Thanks, Riley!

A Small Statement:

Quite a few things to say here:

First The platform only needs a few finishing touches, so I will finally release it in a few hours. The Senator has been very impatient on the whole affair, so I'm sure he will he filled with happiness when he reads it. Then he will call me a fascist and the game will resume.

Second: Senator TNF, you may say whatever you want, but the fact remains that this Most Serene Republic deserves a better Senator to represent it's citizens, and your activity does not excuse your behavior as a Senator. I am taking my stand now, and I'm telling you right away: I will not abandon this race. I will not surrender to a man who sees it proper to call me a fascist and then cast himself as a freedom fighter.

Third: I congratulated JCL, and while we have quite a few disagreements in policy (like gay marriage, which I strongly support), he has always been respectful and a friend to me. I joined the Disney Caucus at the beginning because I am seriously committed to fight for the environment, and I do not care about your attempts at going back at the 1930's and 1950's rhetoric to brand me as a fascist as if you suddenly were Joseph McCarthy.

Fourth: Just to make things clear again: I am not going to quit, for I have done nothing wrong. I have worked hard for this campaign, I have tried to make my case, I have tried to counter many of your false and ridiculous statements, and I have tried to do all of that without trying to be disrespectful, even when quoting your own statements on my ads. And Senator, I have nothing to do with private conversations of which I am not a part of, so I would ask you to actually ask the people in February and let them decide.

With all due respect, this is my stand, Senator.

If that's not enough for you then go ahead, call me a fascist moderate hero again, I am not going to change my mind.

FYI, I was asking you to call for Tmthforu94's resignation, not quit the race. Actually reading my posts might make it easier for you to respond to them, y'know.

[TNF]

Why do you support ending Social Security?

[TNF]

As I said via PM, I respect the commitments you have made to rebuilding our Region and making this race an interesting one. Good luck in all your future endeavors, Governor. If you ever need anything, feel free to get in contact with me. My door is always open.

[TNF]

tl;dr

[TNF]

Congratulations on your victory, Lumine. If you have any questions concerning the Senate rules or need a title line updated, please don't hesitate to contact me about either. You are a fine legislator and will make a fine administrator of the Senate.