The United Left Coalition (ULC)

[Michael Z]

CNN: And Senator Michael Z is about to hold a press conference from outside his office in, erm, Washington DC or London, we're not quite sure...


Michael Z: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. I would like to announce that I have grown steadily disillusioned with the manner in which our once two parties, Republican and Democratic, have splintered into several factions which can be described as abundant at best, chaotic at worst.

The UAC. The United Left. The Democratic Party. The Progressives (do they still exist?). The Jesus Christ Party (or at least I think that's what it's called). And numerous right-wing splinter groups, the names of which escape me right now.

My fellow Atlasians, such conditions cannot be healthy for the state of our democracy. The Atlas resembles the Weimar Republic at present. Every single little fringe interest forms its own political affiliation instead of uniting together for the greater social good. Ladies and gentlemen, what we need is a left-wing coalition which unites the fractions that once constituted the Democratic Party. What we need is a political force to counter the threat by the UAC's centrist dictatorship so malevolently perpetrated by Gustaf and John F. Kennedy. What we need is to unite behind Nym90 so he is re-elected for the Presidency. What we need is to take the name of the United Left, of which I am a proud member, and really unite behind it! I therefore announce the formation of the...

UNITED LEFT COALITION

No more factions. No more splinter groups. No more bickering. Just united for the cause.

In all likelihood this effort is for naught. This speech may have no effect whatsoever. Perhaps no-one will listen. Perhaps no-one will care. It's likely that nothing will change and the splintering of our once great party will continue. But I for one am willing to make a stand. My fellow Atlasians, this state of affairs cannot continue. Let's learn from our mistakes. Let's stop this nonsense.

I thank you. No further questions.

(Senator Michael Z hurries off.)

(But seriously, to the other UL members: what do you think about this? We could have an internal party poll just with you guys over the name change and then take it from there.)

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

Are you just proposing changing the name, or are you trying to merge the UL and the Democrats?

Changing the name is fine with me.  I don't see any need to merge with the Democrats, especially since we have preferential voting.  

We support Nym because he seems to agree with most of our platform, but I would certainly want a United Left to run for president if the Dem nominee were Ben or Hughento, for instance.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

Also, Michael, you should join the United Left forum.

[Michael Z]

Are you just proposing changing the name, or are you trying to merge the UL and the Democrats?

Both, ideally. But we'll see.

[Nym90]

Well, preferential voting makes this less problematic than it otherwise would be. This Coalition is already together for this election, but with preferential voting, there's no reason not to form several parties.

However, I would urge those who are currently in the United Left to consider that we might be more effective as a more cohesive unit, acknowledging differences within the coalition but still progressing towards a common goal. Very good speech, Michael Z.

[Michael Z]

Thanks for the compliments, Nym90. Perhaps you're right, though I would prefer for us to show a united front against the ruinous autocratic UAC in their quest of Atlas domination. We can't let these foam at the mouth centrists take over.

[ilikeverin]

Thanks for the compliments, Nym90. Perhaps you're right, though I would prefer for us to show a united front against the ruinous autocratic UAC in their quest of Atlas domination. We can't let these foam at the mouth centrists take over.

: )**********************
           ^ foam ^

[Michael Z]

Thanks for the compliments, Nym90. Perhaps you're right, though I would prefer for us to show a united front against the ruinous autocratic UAC in their quest of Atlas domination. We can't let these foam at the mouth centrists take over.

: )**********************
           ^ foam ^

See? They're evil.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

Nym has very effectively glossed over the differences between the Dems and the UL, but that will not always be true.  There is not much difference between Nym's orginal platform and ours, but there is also not much difference between Ben's original Dem platform and the UAC.

And the UAC is not really that much of a threat.  They just seem like it because the Republicans have been so pathetic recently.