Ben Kenobi campaign thread

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I'll bite. What did the federal government do to warrant this?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

In Atlasia, the legislature is Texas' government. We were given funds by the federal government, which is completely constitutional, and are debating on what to do with them, also constitutional.

The federal government is not legislating or coercing anyone into enacting any legislation. There is no infringement on Texas. As far as I know anyway, single states have no rights in this game. Regions can suceed whenever they want, and they have, but not single states.

An illegal but more legal alternative is for the IDS to leave but we still have no real reason to do so and no legal basis. I am still interested to hear his argument. I did not get much out of what he wrong above. I suppose I am a carpetbagger he's referring to in his drivel, but I'm a South Carolina citizen in real life and resent being called that!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

What does it mean when you say the IDS is to remain distinct? And isn't the federal government passing such a bill an infringement on regions rights? I'd say so.

And banning Laborites from moving into the region is just as bad as strategic registration, so I oppose both measures.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Unfortunately strategic registration has been around for a while in this game, and while we have looked in the past at ways to ban it, we never could come to a consensus on "how" to do it, how to prove where someone lives, etc. So it never got done.

Perhaps instead of leaving the region, you can participate in the discussion on how to fix the problem nationwide. Strategic registration breaks the game. While I welcome new members to the IDS, and new ideas and the increased attention we have, I want it to be for the right reasons and not something cooked up behind the scenes.

But there's no laws that say the South "must" have a conservative government. Regions change. The Northeast went from a left wing to a far right wing (mostly due to strategic registration, unfortunately), and remained that way until it slowly moved back. That's the game for you. As long as people have the freedom to move around to regions they want to join, it will remain in this same dynamic.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

What? I oppose strategic registration regardless of who is doing it. I fought it when people in my own party were doing it in the Northeast. I would never cheer on any side taking over a region strategically. Plenty of people can attest to that.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

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So why are you helping their cause in the legislature?

What they are trying to do is take out me or Sjoyce, get seatown in and bump up Adam. You're the whole hinge to the strategy Duke. With you they can bump up adam and still keep the iron grip over the legislature.

Do you not see this?

What? I supported SJoyce and I have endorsed PiT for reelection because he has been a long time ally of mine since the days when I was governor and he was our regional senator. How am I helping them with "their" cause? whatever that may be. Griffin is a friend, and most people know I don't label people by party, and we didn't conspire to kill your proposal. Take off the tinfoil hat.

I explained my vote in the other thread - even in the Legislature where I voted. I voted for Zanas' proposal because I want what's best for the IDS. Your proposal left Texas completely out, and I think Texas, especially Houston, Dallas and Austin, are important to our region and should receive federal funds appropriated to the region to help with our transportation. These cities and Texas will benefit from this money, strengthening your economy and drawing more people into your state.

It was not a partisan vote because it was proposed by a Labor. No one messaged me asking for me to vote a specific way. I voted my conscious, as I have always done. I am not some shrill partisan guy - I do what is best for this region I have devoted my entire time in Atlasia to. I felt including all of the states in the discussion of these funds was the best way to go - I don't regret my vote, nor do I regret giving your state some money to help it economically.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I have a lot going on with finals. The only 2 things I remember voting on recently were today. I opposed your bill for the reason I gave and I opposed the other because, as I explained earlier, I was never a fan of some of the Imperial whatever things in the IDS because they undid the glorious southern charm I installed when I was governor. PiT can attest to this. So can Yankee. This isn't some unknown qualm. Things like Bourbon Thursdays, horse racing on sundays, and ham biscuits on the Governor's Plantation's lawn every Saturday morning while we all watch college football. Not this silly knighthood, coat of arms, imperial police and jousting. This isn't mediaeval England.

You see, Ben, that is what the south is about. That was what we did a while ago. The IDS is relatively new. It wasn't my baby. The Dirty South was when we went from a region with 1 active member to one with 15.

My voting may indicate something to you, and that's fine, but I stand with where my beliefs are. That's what's nice about not being in the Labor or Federalist Party. I can vote my conscious.