Clyde's candidacy confirmation for the North East Assembly

[Clyde1998]

A Statement from the Clyde for North East Assembly Campaign - 26 January 2015
"Welcome friends, media and colleagues to the magnificent Sanders Theatre in Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Today, I announce my candidacy for the North East Assembly - with a vision for an improved future for the citizens of this region.



Over the previous few years, the assembly has passed a number of acts to improve the region - ranging from homes for the homeless to the right to privacy act. However, the work of the assembly is to continue improving the lives of its citizens. My candidacy is to help tackle the inequality within this region, while helping form a consensus between all elected members of the assembly - to create a very special society in the North East.

The policies that I intend to implement during my term, should I be elected to the assembly, mainly revolve around employment, the environment and, most importantly, equality.

• First of all, I vow to reduce unemployment to below 5.5% by the end of the term - this will be a reduction from the 6.1% mentioned in the most recent edition of the The Atlasian Democrat.
  
  • An increase in the number of public sector jobs could help, such a education, could help increase employment.
• I believe that a few income tax rate changes would lead to a fairer society (previous budget). I feel that all of the current income brackets should remain the same.
  
  • However, the two lower tax brackets should have their tax rates reduced to 0.1% and 0.4% respectively (down from 0.13% and 0.50%)
    
  • While, the two higher tax brackets should have their tax rates increased to 5.5% and 8% (up from 5% and 7.5%).
    
  I project that this won't have a major effect on the total income tax revenue, while giving the poorest people a platform to advance financially and with the richest people paying more tax - which they can afford. This would lead to a more financially equal society in the North East.
  
• There should be a move to increase the number of wind and solar farms. I propose that people who have wind turbines and solar panels installed and working should receive a rebate from the assembly - at around $0.40 per kilowatt hour produced per farm, household or workplace. I estimate that this will cost around $10m per term, but help the environmental future of the region.
  

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Friends, that's only a few policies that I intend to bring forward, if elected, and I assure you that I will work to the best of my ability to represent the views of the citizens. I intend to visit every state in the region before the election date - and engage with anyone who wishes to have their opinion on any issue.

Finally, I wish to reflect on the campaign so far. I've seen that Blair and pikachu, along with others that I may have missed, have declared their intention to stand for the North East assembly. I wish them luck in their campaigns and I expect to face stiff competition from all opponents, in what will surely be an exciting election campaign. I reaffirm to you that if I am elected, I will work constructively and co-operatively with anyone elected to reach a consensus in the assembly to help improve the lives of every citizen in the region.

Believe in me, because I believe in the people.

Thanks for coming and for listening. Have a great day."

I'll answer any question that you throw at me.

[Talleyrand]

100% Endorsed!

[Blair]

Good to see another candidate embracing green issues for the election, global warming is the biggest threat that we face in the NorthEast. I'd be happy to open up a dialogue on these issues before the election

[Clyde1998]

Good to see another candidate embracing green issues for the election, global warming is the biggest threat that we face in the NorthEast. I'd be happy to open up a dialogue on these issues before the election

Thanks - global warming is of course a major issues effecting us. I'll be very happy to open up a dialogue on this.

[SWE]

Endorsed!

[Flake]

Endorsed!

[free my dawg]

You have my endorsement.

[Clyde1998]

Clyde for North East Assembly Campaign speech - 27 January 2015
"Welcome everyone to the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Today I outline how I will help the health service in the North East, if I am elected to the North East Assembly.



Currently, around $26 billion is spent on the heath service in the North East, however I feel that additional funding could help improve the services. I propose a total of $4 billion should be spent on the health services which would help fund free health care for those who earn less than $25,000 per year and to part fund those who earn less than £50,000 annually.

I, eventually, believe this will lead to the nationalisation of the health services in the North East region - meaning that the people will be in control of their own health service and the health services in the region will be free at the point of use.

I also propose that a new tax should be introduced to help fund a publicly owned health service. My proposals are as follows:

• Those earning less than $25,000 will not pay any additional taxes.
  
• Those earning between $25,000 and $49,999 will pay 0.01% in health tax.
  
• Those earning between $50,000 and $99,999 will pay 0.05% in health tax.
  
• Those earning between $100,000 and $249,999 will pay 0.25% in health tax.
  
• Those earning between $250,000 and $999,999 will pay 0.75% in health tax.
  
• Those earning over $1,000,000 will pay 1.25% in health tax.
  

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I estimate that this will raise the $4 billion for the extra spend in the health services, which will benefit everyone in the region. Also, around 75% of the population will still be paying less tax than they currently are - with this additional tax and the previously proposed changes to income tax.

The proposals today will ensure that no-one is unable to receive medical treatment due to the cost of the procedure.

Thank you for listening."



Meanwhile, the Clyde for North East Assembly campaign have announced the campaign banner for the upcoming North East Assembly election.

It comprises of a red flag - relating to the socialist roots of the Labour party - and a green flag - which points towards the environmental policies of the Clyde for North East Assembly campaign.

[Adam Griffin]

Endorsed!

[Sopranos Republican]

Tell Windjammer, I said hi!!

[Clyde1998]

Clyde for North East Assembly Campaign speech - 28 January 2015

"Hello and thank you for coming to the historic Princeton University in New Jersey. Today I layout my policies on education and the changes to the system that will improve the overall engagement of children in the North East.

First of all, I strongly believe that the school leaving age should be sixteen in all states in this region. I am aware of some states that have raised the leaving age to eighteen - such as Rhode Island and Connecticut. I only see this as an easy way to reduce unemployment figures - and not to give children any additional skills that will help them through life.

On the skills front, I believe that an exam based system of education isn't the best way for people to progress through education - as people can pass exams without acquiring all the necessary skills for a subject. To confront this, I'm pledging to axe most exams, where possible, and replacing them with a controlled assessment system - where pupils will have to complete coursework under exam-style conditions, with the work being marked by their class teacher. An education body will moderate the assessments to give a final grade and the assessments can be taken throughout the year.

In English, for example, there may be an essay tasks where the pupils will have up to three hours to complete the assessment task. I recognise that in some subjects, such as Maths, an exam would remain the best option - due to the subject requirements. A controlled assessment based system will reduce exam phobia and reduce pressure on pupils at one specific time of year. This should lead to more people reaching their full potential in subjects.

I, also, propose that the assembly should fund skilled apprenticeships for green projects, such as construction of solar farms and eco-cities. Finally, the assembly should fund tuition fees for people who come from families who earn less than $25,000. This will help the fight inequality and help improve the environment in our region. I suggest a total funding of $250 million to fund both of these policies.

Thank you."

[Blair]

Congratulations on your commitments to both a more sustainable future, and for much needed boosts for less fortunate students. It's good to have a progressive voice campaigning for real social reform.

However, as I labor member and candidate I want to raise the issue of controlled assessments. Not only does it face widespread opposition from the Teaching unions , but it's proved to be unsuccessful in the UK. An Ofqual report found that

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I agree with every single policy you've proposed so far, I just wanted to bring this matter to your attention.

Blair

[Clyde1998]

Congratulations on your commitments to both a more sustainable future, and for much needed boosts for less fortunate students. It's good to have a progressive voice campaigning for real social reform.

However, as I labor member and candidate I want to raise the issue of controlled assessments. Not only does it face widespread opposition from the Teaching unions , but it's proved to be unsuccessful in the UK. An Ofqual report found that

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I agree with every single policy you've proposed so far, I just wanted to bring this matter to your attention.

Blair

The quote from Ofqual is very interesting - considering that Geography requires off-site trips. Also, I believe that controlled assessments cover more skills for pupils than exams - especially in subjects like Technology.

Even more interestingly, when the announcement can that controlled assessments were being abolished in England:

Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers, said: “We have serious concerns that the new-style GCSE will not give all children the chance to demonstrate what they have learned and will particularly disadvantage children with difficult home lives. End-of-course exams on a single day test recall and memory rather than the range of skills that young people need in the 21st century.”

It's a very difficult thing to judge, but the part of the quote that I've put in bold sways me towards my current policy.

Thank you for supporting most of my policies, so far. I haven't seen one of your's that I disagree with yet either.

[Blair]

The ATL have a reputation in trade union circles as being Scabs-they never strike! The majority of teaching unions are against controlled assessments for a good reason

[Clyde1998]

The ATL have a reputation in trade union circles as being Scabs-they never strike! The majority of teaching unions are against controlled assessments for a good reason

I think it can depend on the requirements of the controlled assessment. Some controlled assessments allow for communication between students, as the jobs relating to that subject would be based around collaboration. This is something missing from exams.

Additionally, extended pieces require more student work - for example Technology controlled assessments might include research and development of a product. This is another thing that couldn't be complete in an exam.

Maybe controlled assessments should be slowly introduced into subject course where there would be the most benefit - and seeing the progress from there before introducing any more in other subjects.

[Clyde1998]

Clyde for North East Assembly Campaign speech - 29 January 2015

"Thank you everyone for turning up to Chambers Street station on the New York City Subway for a discussion about transport.

Today, I pledge to abolish all toll roads in the North East, however, I propose that there should be a low emission zone in all cities with a population of over 100,000 people. This will mean that only hybrid or zero-emission vehicles will be allowed into the centre of a city. Also, this will lead to public transport moving towards zero-emission vehicles as well.

Additionally, there should be an increase in petrol and diesel taxes - in an attempt to reduce high-emission car usage.

Also, retired people and those earning less than $25,000 should receive free bus passes to allow them to travel anywhere by bus for free. This could latter be extended to all public transport. I estimate around $350 million will fund this.

Away from the roads, there should be an extra $100 million investment in the rail network in the region - allowing an alternative option for people to get to work or to the shops.

These policies are in line with the overall environmental and social plan by our campaign - fairer and greener.

Finally, I wish to throw my full support behind Senator Bore's campaign for Presidency of Atlasia. I'm sure that with the Senator's election, Atlasia will reach its potential to become an equal, fairer state.

Thank you."

[Clyde1998]

Clyde for North East Assembly Campaign update - 2 February 2015
Over the last few days I have travelled to three of the most northern states in the region to meet with the public.

30 Jan - Portland, Maine.
31 Jan - Concord, New Hampshire.
01 Feb - Burlington, Vermont.
02 Feb - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I haven't released any new policies since the last update. However, there is a possibility of more to be announced before the election.

Finally, I am open to a debate between all the candidates in the running for a seat on the North East assembly before the election - should any candidate which to take part and anyone is happy to host one.

[Blair]

I'd be more than happy to debate you and any other candidates.

[Clyde1998]

I'd be more than happy to debate you and any other candidates.

We need to find someone who will host and moderate it now.

[Clyde1998]

Clyde for North East Assembly Campaign update - 5 February 2015

Another update. I've completed a campaign pledge to visit every state in the North East region before the election.

In the last few days I visited:
03 Feb - Dover, Delaware
04 Feb - Bridgeport, Connecticut
05 Feb - Boston, Massachusetts

Additionally, I can confirm that pikachu has agreed to take part in a debate before the election. I am awaiting a response from other potential participants.

[Clyde1998]

Clyde for North East Assembly Campaign update - 16 February 2015
Despite an illness, I continued my campaign across the North-East. I've now visited every state twice in my campaign. I'll be making a campaign speech in the next few days.

In the last few days I visited:
06 Feb - Warwick, RI
07 Feb - Newark, NJ
08 Feb - Buffalo, NY
09 Feb - Bangor, ME
10 Feb - Manchester, NH
11 Feb - Rutland, VT
12 Feb - Pittsburgh, PA
13 Feb - Wilmington, DE
14 Feb - New Haven, CT
15 Feb - Worcester, MA
16 Feb - Cranston, RI

As a question - can anyone confirm the date of the election?

[Talleyrand]

Clyde, the election is from 12:00 AM Friday U.S. Eastern to 11:59 Sunday U.S. Eastern this week (the 20th to 22nd).

[Clyde1998]

Clyde, the election is from 12:00 AM Friday U.S. Eastern to 11:59 Sunday U.S. Eastern this week (the 20th to 22nd).

Thanks.

[Clyde1998]

Clyde for North East Assembly Campaign speech - 18 February 2015

"Welcome friends, colleagues and media representatives to the majestic Central Park in New York City. This is the final week of the campaign before the North East Assembly election and today I wish to reaffirm the pledges that I have made during this campaign.

I've vowed to reduce unemployment to below 5.5% by the end of the term, I've promised to modify the tax income brackets to benefit the poorest people in our region and I've pledged to support incentives to develop solar and wind farms.

On Health, I have promised free health care for those who earn less than $25,000 and subsided health care for those who earn less than $50,000 - with the additional spending on health being funded by a new health tax, which would mainly be funded by the richest people in the region. Even with these tax changes around 75% of the people in our region will be better off financially.

On Education, I've pushed for the school leaving age to be sixteen in all states and I've called for exams to be axed and to be replaced by controlled assessments. Also, I believe that tuition fees should be subsided for those earning less than $25,000 and that the assembly should help fund skilled apprenticeships for green projects.

On Transport, I wish to abolish toll roads, increase petrol and diesel taxes, push for free push bus pass schemes and invest $100m on the rail network.

This is my vision for the North East - and if elected I will appeal for support policy by policy to ensure that every promise is kept. I will attempt to work constructively and to act in the North East regional interest - to deliver not only my own policies, but the policies of other elected officials that will benefit everyone in the North East.

Friends: It's time for a fairer, greener North East.

Thank you."

[Adam Griffin]

Congratulations, comrade!