Polnut for Northeast Governor - Concession Speech

[Antonio the Sixth]

1 February - Burlington VT

Good to see you finished with the best.

[AndrewTX]

You mentioned something about my time as Governor as being something decent, and not horrible.

 You must have my endorsment, and first born.

Can I just have the endorsement?

Only if you come to Norwalk, CT instead of New Haven so I can campaign with you.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Commercial

A light percussion and strings soundtrack...

A high speed over flight, which picks up Philadelphia City Hall, the NYC skyline, the coastal settlements along the Connecticut and Rhode Island...sweeping over the Massachusetts state house dome, along dense pine forests... into suburbia... slowing down showing families worried about bills, and looking out the window... to children playing innocently...

The dialogue...

"I'm Jack Polnut and I endorse this message"

"We live in a great place, vibrant, diverse and full of potential. But we're facing difficult times, we need solid leadership that puts pragmatism and optimism front and centre. I'm running for Governor because I want to harness our potential, make this region the powerhouse it was not that long ago... I'm about Community, Strength and Government that Works"

The campaign logo appears at the end.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Thank you very much Greenwich!! - I'm so sorry for being late, Assembly business in New York City held me up, thanks for staying out in the cold... I promise I'll be quick so you can get inside...

I've had the tremendous honour of travelling across Connecticut with our former 5-term Governor and your local son, Andrew.

I have been touched by your support in these early days of the campaign. But the days will get longer and competition more fierce - I will need your support then, more than ever. This race will down to the wire and in order to do what we need to do to fix the issues this region faces, I need your voices, I need your enthusiasm, and I need your passion, and I need your vote!!

I have put together a platform across three key themes...

Community - I have always believed that as a community, we rise and fall as one. I believe that we need to foster a greater sense of common purpose. At times of trouble, when jobs have disappeared and houses are foreclosed upon, the temptation to look inwards is overwhelming... but it is in those times when we need to join together.

Strength - By this I mean at the same time re-building our economic infrastructure, by investing in region-building physical infrastructure. This will not only give us assets for the future, but build up skills and create jobs. We also need incentives for employers to bring staff on and keep them.

It also requires strength to make cuts where possible, I have already announced that I will mandate wage-freezes on the top 50% of the public service for up to 18 months. I am today announcing that all Regional Agencies will have a 2% savings dividend. This will not apply to frontline service delivery agencies. This is not to be achieved through redundancy, but through reductions in overheads. This includes the Governor's office.

My opponent is going to throw the much used anachronism of "the liberal is spending". Absolutely, as Governor, one thing I can guarantee is that if you elect me you will not have an ideologue in the Governor's Mansion. I am pragmatic, and I know that sometimes you need to spend money to get things going again. I will not shy away from expenditure that works, and equally will not shy away from making tough decisions that help our economy.

Government that works: If there an ideological bone in my body it's my belief that Government can work for the people. We all hear the scream of limited government, or small government... never hear them shouting about 'effective government'

If the government needs to be big to work well... so be it, if it works better smaller... then I'm happy to see that too. We have wasted so much energy worrying about the size of Government without really wondering how well it works. I'm proud to be someone who thinks that the state can deliver high-quality services without having to worry about profit. I will never back away from supporting a system that supports people when they're in trouble, when they're sick, disabled or elderly.

Government that works for you, that works efficiently and delivers high-quality services.

This is what I stand for, if you want a pragmatic Governor, who has a record of working across the aisle to get things done, I truly hope you will entrust me with your vote.

I was an active Governor in the Mideast, I am active member of the Northeast Assembly, as well as it's speaker, and I am working hard every day to get the message out there that I will be an active and engaged governor, and I want to get you engaged again... I want to be a Governor you will be proud of.

Thank you all so much

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Philadelphia, PA


I want to thank  you all so much for coming out today on what, for many is a day of rest and religious observance.

I have just come from our regional capital, where I cast my vote on the current Bill before the assembly, on the rights of gun sellers to refuse service to anyone.

Now, my views on the dangers of guns in the community are well known, but let me make this clear, once and for all, to one and all.

This is an issue that means a lot to me.

Firstly, the right to bear arms is enshrined in our regional and federal consistution, so I accept the presence of weapons in our community. However, we must not be afraid to place responsibilities on par with those rights.

We do not have tyranny in Atlasia. You have the right to vote, the right to organise in anyway you see fit... the only restriction is that you do not contravene the rights of others.

We do not have miltias, we have a strong military and professional police, but the rights of the citizen, regardless of what you believe is absolutely paramount in Atlasia.

For those who spent countless hours talking about the tyranny of Government, or the risk government poses to you as an individual... never forget, you as the individual hold the fate of any government in your hands. But with the ballot, not a gun.

I voted no in the assembly, not because I do not believe that a person's mental state when purchasing a weapon doesn't matter. Far from it, for too long, for too many, the responsibility of owning and handling a lethal weapon has not been outweighed by that of the right.

I agree with the Bill's basic premise, that those who are mentally disturbed should not have access to weapons. But the rest is nothing but a weak response to a crisis. Believing if you put some superficial bandaid on this problem you will stop it.

I want to know, when will those on the other side in the Assembly, be prepared to have a real debate about guns. A real, honest, non-ideological debate about the place of guns in our community. One clearly disturbed individual gets a gun, and shoots several people, and kills many, including an innocent child.... this Bill will not stop that. It relies on the shop owner at the time to recongise a problem... how does that prevent anything?

I voted against it, because it doesn't have the guts to say what the real problem is... treating the gun as an innocent victim is completely wrong. The gun in question serves only to kill and maim.

We spend so much time worrying about our 'right' to this and the tyranny of people who want you to consider perhaps that those who carry out that right as is prescribed in our constitutions do so with a realisation of what they hold in their hands.

We have even become so detached from reality to believe that the problem of having too many guns in our community... will somehow be answered... by more guns....

I humbly ask my fellow representitaves to really consider what the real issue is... trying to stop one rare isolated situtation... to having the courage to face the reality. Our society needs this discussion, our children demand it.

This is perhaps not what you came here to hear from me, and I apologise, but this is an issue that we have danced around for too long.

Believe it or not, I'm not after your guns..., I will not seek to change any consitutional provision, but I believe that putting restrictions in place to properly assess a person's mental state, as well any other element which would classify them as a risk to the community will strenthen the hand of gun owners who abide by the law. We require greater information for someone to open a bank account, or apply for a library card , than we do to acquire a lethal firearm... this is a derriliction of the duty of care we, as your representatives, owe you.

Thank you all.

[President Mitt]

What is your opinion of Midwestern Independence?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

In relation to the Midwestern independence question... I'd really like to know the justification outside of just stirring up stuff for s**ts and giggles.

I'm happy to investigate options for when there's a need for such questions to be asked... but I'm not a revolutionary by nature to be honest... especially when I don't see a particular need.

If anyone wants to give me an argument in favour, I'm all ears.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

"An act of terrorism against our country will not stand, regardless of where that terror originates. The Government represents the people, an attack on our machinery of government, and the innocent public servants within, is an attack on all of us"

NE Speaker Jack Polnut, New York City

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

The Bus Tour

I am pleased to announce my planned tour of the region by bus, in the lead up to the election.

It will commence in Bangor ME, before moving along to Portland with stops in between, including Augusta and Lewiston. The next stops will be through New Hampshire and Vermont, swinging out across upstate New York, then down to Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

The final stretch will begin in New York City, then across Connecticut, Rhode Island and finally ending in Boston on the morning of the election.

The only time I will not be on the trail will be when I am required in New York City for Assembly matters.

 

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I will be shortly releasing my policies on Constitutional and Assembly reform as well as specific policies for new legislation on animal cruelty, drug law liberalisation  and mental health.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I will be shortly releasing my policies on Constitutional and Assembly reform as well as specific policies for new legislation on animal cruelty, drug law liberalisation  and mental health.

In what case would we need to "reform" our Constitution? I don't see a need.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I will be shortly releasing my policies on Constitutional and Assembly reform as well as specific policies for new legislation on animal cruelty, drug law liberalisation  and mental health.

In what case would we need to "reform" our Constitution? I don't see a need.

Some of the Assembly reforms I'm proposing will require Constitutional amendments.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I will be shortly releasing my policies on Constitutional and Assembly reform as well as specific policies for new legislation on animal cruelty, drug law liberalisation  and mental health.

In what case would we need to "reform" our Constitution? I don't see a need.

Some of the Assembly reforms I'm proposing will require Constitutional amendments.

Hmm...what kind of Assembly reforms are you proposing?

[Oakvale]

Belatedly endorsed.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Thank you Governor.


------

Mental health affects 20% of the population, a greater proportion than most cancers, yet those suffering from these disorders, from depression to schizophrenia, suffer in the shadows.

Mental health issues, like most other health issues can be treated. But that treatment relies on both the willingness of the patient and the availability of treatment.

When I was Governor of the Mideast, I put in place the most comprehensive mental health program in the nation. Specific mental health wards were built, there was greater training for medical professionals and an education program for the wider community to both encourage those suffering in silence to come forward and to inform that a mental illness is no different from any other illness.

When I hear the arguments about government spending and small government... these are programs  and ideas that suffer. This is not something the private sector can or will do, many of those suffering from mental illness cannot afford specialist medical treatment.

We all know someone who has suffered through mental illness, in fact one in five of us have had or currently do have a mental illness. What will it take us to really address this issue with the seriousness and comprehensiveness it deserves?

It takes will, it takes the desire to make a positive change in the life of others, it takes the ability to see where and how we can make a difference.

If elected, I will work with the Assembly to put in place a comprehensive mental health program.

This program will cost money, but I will find savings and make sure that it is Budget neutral.

----------

The Bus Tour will commence Thursday 3 February in Portland ME.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Assembly and Constitutional reform.

This is a brief rundown of what I'm proposing on this front.

1. The provision that allows a Bill to become a law simply by ignoring it for 7 days should be replaced by a clear provision which places a time frame on the Governor to sign or veto the law within 10 days - otherwise the Assembly will be able to censure the Governor, potentially leading to impeachment and removal from office.  

2. Creating the position of deputy speaker of the Assembly. My belief is that it is necessary, given numbers and often time difference issues for there to be a deputy in the Assembly who has the power to act

2a. In the absence of the Speaker, as informed by writing; or
2b. in the event of the Speaker's absence for longer than 12 hours after the closing of debate or voting periods.

I will also consider towards the end of the term after extensive public consultation, the re-consideration of the size of the Assembly and the position of Lt Governor.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Comment on bombing suspect detainment.

"Obviously, getting this person in custody is a good thing. It'll give the justice system a chance to do its job"

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I will be suspending campaign activity for the next 48 hours to address the issues relating to the presidential endorsement of the UDL.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I want to thank all of you for your patience during my absence from the campaign.

As the UDL presidential endorsement has been settled, I am now returning to the campaign trail from now until the election.

I would also like to inform you that I have decided, in order to focus my full attention on this region to inform my party of the decision to not seek reappointment as party Chair, you deserve a Governor who is not only active, but is always able to out you first.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

FINAL TELEVISION COMMERCIAL

"I'm Jack Polnut and I approve this message"

Polnut walks in a thick coat along a wintery boardwalk in Maine or New Hampshire...

"Things are difficult out here, our economy is very slowly coming back to life, but without a representative voice our progress can only go so far...

I'm running for Governor because I believe I can do a good job. I want all of you to know, liberal conservative, JCP, UDL, Populares, RPP or Independent... I want to work for all of you. Now, that doesn't mean we'll always agree, but I want you to know that I will always have the best interests of all of our citizens at heart.

Things need to change, we need active leadership that works for all, not representative of an extreme fringe, we need an agenda for positive change that is open to all and inclusive"

I need your vote this coming weekend to make this happen"

---- The scene whites out with no music, only the Polnut campaign banner

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Your opinion of guinea pigs?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Guinea pigs are cute and make those cool little squeaks...

[Rowan]

Wholeheartedly endorsed!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Wholeheartedly endorsed!

Thank you very much

[AndrewTX]

I'd like to endorse you a second time