MA: Confirmation of Cassius for Senator (Debating)

[PPT Spiral]

We will have a question and answer period for at least 48 hours.

[Cassius]

Just bumping this thread.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

What are your thoughts on Dukes proposal to create a bicameral legislature? On the Mideast Treaty?

[Cassius]

What are your thoughts on Dukes proposal to create a bicameral legislature? On the Mideast Treaty?

Well, I'm in favour of, in principle, a bicameral legislature. I believe that there needs to be an upper house in order to provide a check upon the power of the lower. I also believe that a bicameral system would improve activity levels in the game, as there would be more elected positions to go around and there would also be an entirely new dynamic of potential conflict between the lower and upper houses to generate interest. However, the kind of bicameral system being implemented must be given some thought. For instance, I am opposed to regional consolidation (and thus the crux of the Duke plan), and would prefer a system whereby each region elected one Senator, in addition to a House composed of 11 members elected in an at-large vote (possibly in different classes). Also, I'm opposed to efforts to institute a 'list' system, as I believe that would give too much power to parties and would make it harder for outsiders to make a break through.

As to the Mideast Treaty, could you specify which one, as I believe that there have been several.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

What are your thoughts on Dukes proposal to create a bicameral legislature? On the Mideast Treaty?

Well, I'm in favour of, in principle, a bicameral legislature. I believe that there needs to be an upper house in order to provide a check upon the power of the lower. I also believe that a bicameral system would improve activity levels in the game, as there would be more elected positions to go around and there would also be an entirely new dynamic of potential conflict between the lower and upper houses to generate interest. However, the kind of bicameral system being implemented must be given some thought. For instance, I am opposed to regional consolidation (and thus the crux of the Duke plan), and would prefer a system whereby each region elected one Senator, in addition to a House composed of 11 members elected in an at-large vote (possibly in different classes). Also, I'm opposed to efforts to institute a 'list' system, as I believe that would give too much power to parties and would make it harder for outsiders to make a break through.

As to the Mideast Treaty, could you specify which one, as I believe that there have been several.

The one most recently done? Personally I favor a one state solution.

[Cassius]

What are your thoughts on Dukes proposal to create a bicameral legislature? On the Mideast Treaty?

Well, I'm in favour of, in principle, a bicameral legislature. I believe that there needs to be an upper house in order to provide a check upon the power of the lower. I also believe that a bicameral system would improve activity levels in the game, as there would be more elected positions to go around and there would also be an entirely new dynamic of potential conflict between the lower and upper houses to generate interest. However, the kind of bicameral system being implemented must be given some thought. For instance, I am opposed to regional consolidation (and thus the crux of the Duke plan), and would prefer a system whereby each region elected one Senator, in addition to a House composed of 11 members elected in an at-large vote (possibly in different classes). Also, I'm opposed to efforts to institute a 'list' system, as I believe that would give too much power to parties and would make it harder for outsiders to make a break through.

As to the Mideast Treaty, could you specify which one, as I believe that there have been several.

The one most recently done? Personally I favor a one state solution.

This is, of course, a highly complex issue, and indeed one might say that no ideal solution exists to it. The one state solution strikes me as something of a pipe-dream; people can fantasise about a secular, democratic Israel/Palestine, but how to achieve it, that's the question? There are groups on both sides (although, in my own humble opinion, they are more powerful on the Palestinian side) that wish to do harm to the other, and in one state it might be difficult to stop civil strife. On the other hand, the two-state solution has been attempted and is sputtering along, but, that said, there are still serious problems in that department. A fully independent Palestine remains unfeasible whilst extremist groups continue to have so much pull in the Gaza strip, which remains an outpost for terrorists. At the same time, the border between the West Bank and Israel is messy due to the long standing presence of settlers there. Of course, it may be that the only solution to this problem is for either the Israelis or the Palestinians to leave Israel/Palestine and settle elsewhere. That, again, would be unfeasible, and may require foreign powers to involve themselves to a degree that they have previously been unwilling to do. In short, my attitude to this problem is that we need to support the Israeli government; after all, Israel is a longstanding friend and ally, one with whom we share great social and political links. However, we must also urge it to be cautious, and to not allow itself to become isolated from the international community as a whole. We should take steps to try and prevent the latter from occurring too.

[Franzl]

No questions. I will vote to confirm.

[Cassius]

I believe we should have a vote on this now.

[TJ in Oregon]

I believe we should have a vote on this now.

Do you have any questions for yourself?

[Cassius]

I believe we should have a vote on this now.

Do you have any questions for yourself?

No, my conscience is clear , so naturally I'll be voting to confirm.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

With Spiral's departure to the senate the confirmation vote should be delayed till Governor Riley appoints his replacement.

[Cassius]

It's not really constitutionally neccessary for the Assembly to have a full house when voting upon something, is it?

[TJ in Oregon]

It's not really constitutionally neccessary for the Assembly to have a full house when voting upon something, is it?

No it isn't. The problem at the moment is that there is no Speaker to open the vote. Fortunately, the Constitution only requires the Speaker to open the thread, so the Assembly could vote without one I think.

[Potus]

Let's get a vote going.

[Cassius]

Aye.

[Franzl]

AYE

[Cassius]

I guess this means that I'm a Senator.

[TJ in Oregon]

I guess this means that I'm a Senator.

Yes, Cassius is confirmed by the Assembly by a vote of 2-0.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Um... who called the vote?

[TJ in Oregon]

Um... who called the vote?

The governor did:

Let's get a vote going.

Or at least 100% of the Assembly interpreted that post to mean a vote had commenced, if a tad cryptic.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Y'all need to elect a Speaker first. Riley has no control over the Assembly.