Tmthforu94/TDAS04: For a Stronger Mideast

[tmthforu94]

The Office of Former President Tmthforu94

Welcome to my office! Grab a seat, relax, and enjoy a drink!!

[Napoleon]

Welcome to the Senate.

[Adam Griffin]

Obv posted to show my total dislike for this outcome

[tmthforu94]

Best of luck to all candidates seeking the office of President/Vice President! Hopefully we get a healthy dialogue going during this election, and in the end, Atlasia is left with another strong, active administration!


We're off to a quick start in the Senate, so I'd like to take a moment and outline to The People the stance I've taken on several issues:

Ratification Amendment: Aye - I hate voting to remove responsibilities from regions, and hopefully I'll be able to compensate for this by other proposals which increase interaction between the regional and federal level. The process of amendments being ratified has always created confusion, and on many occasions, we never really heard about the outcome of the vote. With Homely's agreement, I felt we should at least leave this for The People to decide.

Abolition of the Supreme Court Bar Act: Nay - Though personally a member of the Bar, I don't have strong feelings for it. However, it has a place in Atlasian history, and don't see much harm in keeping it. Rather, I'd like to revive it (whether or not through law) and find a way to give it meaning.

Checks and Balances Amendment: Not a fan of the original version, as I don't believe the Senate should be in a position to overrides Supreme Court decisions, but I have proposed an amendment with bi-partisan support that introduces term limits for justices, something that narrowly failed last session.

The Budget: I opposed education cuts as I don't find it necessary at this time. I also oppose raising taxes (even higher) on the wealthy for the same reason, along with the negative effect it would have on job creation.

Fix The Regions Amendment: Whether it be through an amendment or a Constitutional Convention, I support finding a better alternative to the status quo in terms of regional reform, and am an enthusiastic supporter of the plan the President has laid out.

[tmthforu94]

In regards to unpaid internships:

I have several problems with Section 7. The first is banning internships from the past (and requiring those companies to reimburse their unpaid interns), which is what Clause 1 and 2 would do. I think it's completely wrong to punish companies for doing something that was completely legal at the start of this year. Unpaid interns knew exactly what they were getting into when accepting the internship.

...Which brings me to my second main objection, which wipes out most of the section - banning unpaid internships. Don't get me wrong - unpaid internships aren't ideal. Most students get stuck doing at least one during their college career. Thankfully, though, businesses are pretty flexible with what you do during the intership, as well as what your hours are and the time frame of the internship. It provides an EXCELLENT educational opportunity for the student, as well as provides them with experience to attain paid internships later on, as well as employment.

In a perfect world, this section would be great. But this isn't a perfect world - if this were to be enacted, the number of internships in Atlasia would plummet, creating an environment where securing an internship would be based on who you know, rather than what you've done. We're sending our students into the workforce with less and less experience, making it even harder for them to secure a job. Speaking as a college student, I know I'm speaking in the best interest of students when expressing these concerns.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

In light of the Federalist plurality in the Senate, why are the tax rates being proposed so extremely high. Also why are you sipporting regional consolidation? If they win the region we helped build will be ripped to pieces.

[tmthforu94]

In light of the Federalist plurality in the Senate, why are the tax rates being proposed so extremely high. Also why are you sipporting regional consolidation? If they win the region we helped build will be ripped to pieces.

Thank you for your questions.

Unfortunately, we simply do not have the numbers to lower the tax rates - even if we could get all five Federalists to back lower rates, it would still have to get by the Vice President and ultimately the President. I believe such high rates are damaging to the economy and job creation, which is why I ensured as Governor of the Mideast that we had some of the lowest rates in Atlasia. Personally, if the numbers were ever completely in our favor, I would love to lower the rates - even a slight drop across the board would be so helpful to The People. Between our tax rates and other proposals being introduced (and passed!) in the Senate, I think what we have here is an example of one side being in power for too long and letting it get to their heads. Hopefully we can change the course sooner rather than later.

As for regional consolidation, I have been a vocal supporter since the beginning, even though I see the chances of actual reform taking place being slim to none, as I do maintain the belief that those regions being affected should be required to give consent, something others who support consolidation disagree with. I support regional consolidation in the hopes that each individual will have the opportunity to participate in an active regional government, just like you and I have. Our past is there and forever will remain. But in this game, we need to create a viable future, and creating three strong regional governments is a way I think this could be done. It strengthens the regions and increases their power from the current system.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

In a three region scenario, if you have a proposed map, what would your map look like? I'm at the moment brainstorming an idea of while keeping five regions giving border states the option via a vote of those individual states of changing regions. Like giving for example Maryland the option of either being part of the Mideast, Northeast or the IDS. My opposition is based in the principal that it is not right for any one region to be targed for destruction.

[tmthforu94]

In a three region scenario, if you have a proposed map, what would your map look like? I'm at the moment brainstorming an idea of while keeping five regions giving border states the option via a vote of those individual states of changing regions. Like giving for example Maryland the option of either being part of the Mideast, Northeast or the IDS. My opposition is based in the principal that it is not right for any one region to be targed for destruction.

Honestly, I'm starting to lean more towards the belief that each region should be altered, as I think it's unfair to simply cut up the Mideast, especially since the Mideast has (in my biased opinion) the most successful history in this game.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

I would agree to something like that. It's one of the reasons of why I'm pondering what I PM'd you and a couple others.

[tmthforu94]

Just a friendly reminder that questions/discussions are welcome here!

*crickets chirping in the background*

[Miles]

What's your favorite color?

[tmthforu94]

What's your favorite color?

That's a very good question, Mr. Miles.

My favorite color is green - it makes me think of springtime and freshness. I like it lots oh boy. I also like crimson and blue as they are the colors of my university. I like gray and brown. I like purple as it is my high school's colors. I like yellow as it reminds me of sunflowers. I don't like orange.

[Adam Griffin]

Opinion of Instagram?

[tmthforu94]

Opinion of Instagram?

I have one, though rarely use it.


I will be making an announcement in the coming days in regards to my future plans in the game, specifically if I plan to seek reelection. I apologize that my activity was primarily limited to voting this past week - I was diagnosed with mono on Tuesday so have either been asleep or taking exams (Midterms week to boot!). I look forward to returning to the Senate in full force, championing pragmatic conservative values.

As always, questions/insults are welcome! *hughughug*

[Anna Komnene]

I would hughughug you, but I don't like having mono. 

Get better soon!

[tmthforu94]

Also, folks need to grow the FUC-K up and remember that this is just a game. Y'all are going to look back on this years from now and be embarrassed that you spent so much time making graphs and 20-paragraph insulting essays on a damn internet game. Find something more substantial to do with your time.

And thanks, Siren. Hugging usually doesn't spread it, but never take your chances.

EDIT: This reminds me, sans the deep personal attacks, of how invested I used to be in the game. So thankful I'm not like that anymore.

[tmthforu94]

Statement:

I have decided to seek another term to the Senate in December. Ever since I swore in at the beginning of September, I have become very frustrated by the state of the Senate. Few Senators are contributing on a regular basis, with half of the Senate only showing up to vote. This is simply unacceptable, and hopefully the October Regional Senate elections send us some fresh, active faces to the Senate.

I understand that many individuals have these same frustrations, which could potentially create an anti-incumbent vibe in December. I would urge those citizens to judge each candidate by their own merits. During the past two months, I have been actively engaged in debates and introducing amendments. Unfortunately, none of my bills were passed this session, and likely won't be next session, due to the incredible backlog that currently exists in the Senate.

During my time in the Senate, I have done my best to be reasonable and pragmatic. I am always ready to sit down and compromise with my friends to the left while still sticking to my conservative values. I look forward to further outlining my positions throughout the course of this campaign, while also outlining my stances on legislation currently in queue (because let's face it, even if next session is terrific, we still won't get through all of what is currently there).

I urge everyone to consider giving me a high preference in the December At-Large elections, though I understand that it is still pretty far away. Endorsements/donations welcome!!!

Isaac *hughughug* :D:D

[Flake]

Endorsed!

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Endorsed

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

You've done a terrific job in the Senate.  Endorsed.

[Maxwell]

We've had vicious disagreements, but you are among the best Senators at the moment. Endorsed for re-election.

[Adam Griffin]

[ZuWo]

You have stood for fiscal responsibility and common sense in many debates so I endorse you for re-election.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

First, I want to urge you to keep fighting the good fight in the Senate, regarding Israel   Second, some policy questions:

1) What three issues will be at the top of your legislative agenda if re-elected and how do you intend to pursue these issues (from a policy standpoint)?

2) What are your views on the controversy surrounding the Abortion Sex Protection Act?  How would you vote if you were the deciding vote in the Senate on a national version of the bill?

3) If you had to pick one (i.e. an issue arose where it was impossible to do both), would you say it is better for a Senator to try to represent his/her constituents' views and vote accordingly (even if they differed significantly from his/her own views on the issue) or for a Senator to support what he/she believes to be in the best interest of his/her constituents (even if it means voting for legislation that is strongly opposed by most of the Senator's constituents)?  If the former, when have you voted for/against something your constituents supported that you personally opposed/supported?  If the latter, when have you voted for/against something that you were fairly certain most of your constituents opposed/supported and what was your reasoning for doing so?

4) Do you support Atlasia's current policies regarding same-sex marriage?  If not, how would you change them if you had the votes to rewrite them in whatever way you wanted? 

5) Lastly and most importantly: Cats or dogs?  If dogs, than sharks or alligators?  If cats, than squirrels or chipmunks?