June 2016 Federalist Convention - Lincoln, Nebraska (Leadership Elections)

[Potus]

Aye

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Aye

[Leinad]

Aye

[Classic Conservative]

aye

[Goldwater]

AYE

[Former Lincoln Assemblyman & Lt. Gov. RGN]

AYE

[Heisenberg]

AYE

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Damn it Leinad.

I thought you ended this when we discussed it in chat the other day. Anyway, the bylaw has passed.


Potus, you said you had platform amendments, ready, no?

[Potus]

(I'll post it as regular text momentarily.)


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P2glZ_dSNiG2R7_1ARQcjdUktJP-aCp5dCapNI_j-7s/edit?usp=sharing

[Potus]

Posted without formatting:

FEDERALIST PARTY PLATFORM

This document shall set forth the values and public agenda of the Federalist Party going forward. The principles at the core of this document are as follows:

I. The Role of the Regions
II. Constitutional Adherence
III. Free Enterprise and Economic Choice
IV. The Sanctity of Human Life
V. Safe Communities and Strong Families
VI. Restraining Government Spending
VII. Strong, Responsible Foreign Policy
VIII. Open, Tolerant, and Colorblind Society
IX. Opportunity for All
X. Favoritism for None

These nine principles will serve as a framework to govern Atlasia in challenging times ahead. The Federalist Party is uniquely positioned to bring the right solutions to the right problem to the forefront of public discourse. This Platform codifies our agreed upon principles and priorities.

I. THE ROLE OF THE REGIONS

Centralized power is not a friend to personal choice, economic prosperity, and civil society.

The Regions present unique opportunities to try new ideas and generate excitement for Atlasia. Many new Atlasians wanting to get involved with the political process have their start in regional governments.

The Federalist Party has a long history of supporting regional solutions to our problems. That tradition should be strengthened and continued. Senator NCYankee is legendary in his support for regional solutions.

Many duties and powers taken on by the federal government in the last century have been at the expense of federalism. This trend has resulted in massive federal obligations that have eaten away at the core purposes of government.

Today, progressives dismiss out of hand the value of regional governments reaching different conclusions to our largest social, political, and economic questions. Their proposals remove power from our regional legislatures, handicap community leadership, and centralize power in Nyman. The Left believes there is a one-size-fits-all, top-down government program or regulation for our social ills and economic fallibility.

The Federalist Party calls upon elected leaders at every level of government to recognize the value of a government closer to its people. We officially endorse efforts to return both resources and responsibilities to the Regions. We officially endorse the preservation of Regions' powers as they currently. We officially condemn efforts to further consolidate the Regions, which would undeniably shred the fabric of Atlasia.

[Potus]

II. CONSTITUTIONAL ADHERENCE

The renewal of Atlasia was premised upon the passage of a new constitution. Leaders from all over the political spectrum rallied together to make history.

When the efforts to bring forth a new Constitution began, Atlasia was a socialist wasteland plagued by revolution, unrest, and economic decline. Years of failed left-wing leadership in Nyman delivered Atlasia to its lowest point ever witnessed. Our country was on the verge of collapse, efforts were made to separate our union and to call it quits on Atlasia.

However, reform-minded leaders saw an alternative to desolation. After much debate and work, the people of Atlasia have been given a new government established under the New Constitution.

The New Constitution is the crowning achievement of this generation of Atlasians. They will be remembered for their leadership and wisdom in building this new government.

Though the constitutional consensus is strong now, the winds of change blow suddenly and strongly through the Left. The consensus we take for granted may yet be jeopardized by those who fight for change for change's sake.

The New Constitution is a solid document that provides us the framework and principles to operate an effective government indefinitely. The Federalist Party officially endorses a lengthy, demanding process to amend the constitution. The Federalist Party officially condemns present or future efforts to repeal or distort the Constitution, both by elected leaders and activist courts.

III. FREE ENTERPRISE, ECONOMIC CHOICE

Atlasia is a shining example of free enterprise. Our tremendous standard of living and sustained prosperity is the product of people willing to work hard and come up with big ideas. Free enterprise has delivered us the cures to diseases, supermarkets filled with food as far as the eye can see, good paying jobs, and the wealth to support the largest charitable sector in the world.

The greatest threats to free enterprise is an overbearing regulatory state supported by an outsized tax burden and a federal government compelled to intervene on every matter of public attention.

Regulatory rulings from Nyman are issues by unaccountable bureaucrats. Laws passed with vague text provide powerful regulatory weapons for the bureaucracy. Terms such as "adequate progress" and "time and effort" open the door to thousands of pages of regulatory compliance for businesses, schools, nonprofits, and individuals.

While the Left wields the bureaucracy  to harm big businesses, they oftentimes forget the everyday Atlasians caught in the crossfire.

Regulations on banks, for example, are often targeted at the international mega banks, such as Goldman Sachs. These mega banks hire legions of lobbyists, lawyers, and accountants to comply with the regulations, taking only a small portion of their tremendous profits. However, the Left fails to consider the many community banks that do mortgage, auto, and business lending a in towns across Atlasia. Those are the banks folks interact with most and they're also the banks that can't afford another thousand lawyers to comply with the bureaucracy.

Regulations oftentimes lead to increased costs for individuals and businesses while making only incremental progress toward a policy's goal. These effects hit the least fortunate among us the hardest.  This is unacceptable. The Federalist Party officially endorses clear statutory text, cost benefit analysis of every rule implemented, legislative approval of large regulations, and limitations on the scope of regulatory interpretation.

Free enterprise cannot function with a government that takes too much from the people. The ideal model of taxation is one of broad bases and low rates with favorable treatment of work and investment. Middle and working class families have had a very difficult time in recent history. For years, the health of the economy declined as the tax burden grew under a government that was socialist in all but name. Families sent thousands of dollars of Nyman with the promise of security, advanced infrastructure, and quality public services. They received none of the above. The Atlasian people are not getting what they pay for.

To make matters worse, the tax burden was not just a bad deal. It was an economic disaster. Families struggled to make ends meet. The second job a parent took was met with an ever increasing tax rate. Every day workers had huge chunks of their paycheck whisked away to Nyman, oftentimes finding out that the money left behind just wasn’t enough. Many families quickly realized the system was broken.

Businesses and investors seeking to create new jobs and economic growth received a similar message. Income from capital was taxed at an extraordinary rate the moment an Atlasian company touched it. Our exporters faced hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes if they brought their foreign profits back to Atlasia from abroad. Investors put their money on the line to support start-ups and new job creating ventures here at home, but saw the success of those investments cut by more than half when tax season.

The result was a weak economy and civil unrest. The Federalist Party officially endorses a simple tax structure with broad bases and low rates. The Federalist Party officially endorses a tax system that is favorable to work, investment, and economic growth. The Federalist Party officially condemns the Left’s willingness to jeopardize the health of the economy in pursuit of an ever-expanding government.

Free enterprise is built on choice. Individuals doing their homework and deciding what is best for them is the way our system operates. The Left sees choice as the root of chaos that must be ordered. Free enterprise recognizes that empowering people with information and their own hard-earned money is the way to succeed. Healthcare, education, energy, and consumer products are all best left with a system that empowers the people. The Federalist Party officially endorses the use of economic choice to tackle problems we face. The Federalist Party officially condemns use of government power to deprive the people of economic choice.

[Potus]

IV. SANCTITY OF LIFE

The most fundamental role of government is the protection of life. This is the most basic right that human beings are given by God. Life is life from conception to natural death. The practice of social abortion, supported almost universally by the Left, is a violation of this key principle. The Federalist Party officially endorses the prohibition of abortions which are not deemed medically necessary by qualified healthcare professionals.

Life ends with natural death. It is not the role of government, doctors, or even family members to determine who is worthy of life. The Left’s effort to legalize and encourage euthanasia of the elderly and the sick is made worse yet by our collective knowledge that the sickness is not the problem. The problem is not the pain or the age. Our culture has forgotten them. Our problem is that our society confines the sick and the elderly to sterile rooms with a constant parade of doctors rather than giving them the freedom to chase dreams and die peacefully. Our problem is a depression problem, not a life problem. The Federalist Party officially endorses a renewed national conversation and reform effort on end-of-life care that will deliver a devastating blow to age and sickness related depression. The Federalist Party officially condemns the Left’s efforts to dehumanize the elderly and the sick by allowing medical professional to end their life.

By adopting this platform, the Federalist Party will officially become the party of life. However, even those who do not agree with our end goals on these issues respect the value of conscience. Our government is built on the consent of the governed. Extreme politicians and bureaucrats in Nyman seek to channel public money to perform abortion and euthanasia. While many Atlasians may not support our efforts to end social abortion and protect the vulnerable, they understand that using tax dollars to pay for these actions constitutes a massive violation of conscience. The Federalist Party officially condemns the use of public money to perform social abortions or euthanasia.

V. SAFE COMMUNITIES AND STRONG FAMILIES

Public safety is a primary responsibility of government. The peace of mind that comes with good policing and courts is something that Atlasians rarely appreciate. Elsewhere in the world, lawlessness sets the standards and people know no peace. Safe communities are a key part of a free society.

In our country, there is a thin blue line between order and chaos. Law enforcement officers all over the country are responsible for keeping us safe. They put their lives in danger for our sake. Rhetoric attacking police officers threatens public safety as much as it shows a disgusting lack of respect. The Federalist Party officially condemns rhetoric and violence against police officers. The Federalist Party extends its sincerest gratitude to our law enforcement officers from every corner of Atlasia.

In the troubling year we have had, violence has touched the lives of too many families. Even more troubling is the fact that our great, crime-fighting victories of the past are fading. Our cities are feeling the worst effects of this rising tide. Gangs, drugs, and violence permeate our city streets while we sacrifice generation after generation of inner city youth on the altar of pretending the Left knows the answer. The Federalist Party officially endorses efforts to combat organized crime with additional law enforcement resources in areas most impacted.

Crime is kept in check by loving, married, two-parent homes. It has been document time and time that this is the ideal setting for raising children. Unfortunately, government, in the form of the welfare state and criminal justice, has made itself an engine of social destruction by breaking apart families and erecting barriers for new ones. The Federalist Party officially endorses efforts to rebuild the cultural norm in favor of two, married and loving, parents raising children. The Federalist Party officially condemns policies adopted by leftist government which damage families.

Many families in Atlasia are uniquely aware of how long it would take police to respond to a criminal on their property. Many also accept the age-old constitutional right to keep and bear arms. As a result, Atlasia leads much of the world in gun ownership. While the Left seeks to limit and confiscate weapons, families resist them, knowing that their own weapons may be the only things protecting them from crime. The Federalist Party officially endorses a clear, strong individual right to keep and bear arms.

[Potus]

VI. RESTRAINING GOVERNMENT SPENDING

The tax and spending power of government is one of its most visible. As a result, responsible fiscal stewardship is a key aspect of governing. Avoiding massive spending commitments, which lead to unsustainable tax burdens, and large deficits are important parts of running a government in the long term. The Federalist Party officially endorses balanced budgets and a reasonable, scrutinous approach to approving new government spending.

In our country’s history, we have plenty of experience with reckless spending. Politicians in the past have led us to huge deficits leading to an ever-larger accumulation of debt. This cannot be the way things work in our new government. The Federalist Party officially condemns fiscal policies that lead to large or structural deficits.

Beyond the facts and figures, federal spending has sparked a disturbing decline in regional, local, and private action on major issues. The introduction of many federal welfare programs was matched with the decline of faith-based financial assistance for the needy and other charitable activities. Independent federal spending on infrastructure and education led regions to systematically under-invest in those two crucial areas of government. The Federalist Party officially endorses efforts to roll back spending overreach at the federal level and place control over those decisions closer to the people.

Long-term, substantial government fiscal commitments are dangerous. Too often, good intentions and a reasonable-sounding policy framework are joined, leading our government into a fiscal quagmire that requires painful changes to achieve sustainability. Efforts led by free enterprise and economic choice, however, lead to positive outcomes without breaking the treasury. The Federalist Party officially endorses government-facilitated private initiative as a replacement for the large, bureaucratic leviathans of the past.

VII. STRONG, RESPONSIBLE FOREIGN POLICY

Any governing party requires a foreign policy vision. Any President’s first job is to be commander in chief of our armed forces.

A responsible foreign policy is one that rejects the notion of war and peace as opposites. Throughout history, peace has needed war to preserve it. An alternative outcome where the anti-war sentiment won out and Nazi Germany conquered Europe could hardly be considered a peaceful outcome. The use of military force is oftentimes our only option when dealing with evil in the world. The Federalist Party officially endorses a foreign policy that has its focus on peace but will not relent in carrying out war when it is required for peace.

If war is Mars, then trade is Venus. Legitimate free trade, agreements which provide just as much advantage to Atlasia as they do to our partners, are a friend of peace and prosperity. Our national trade policy should be geared toward providing one-for-one economic advantage for the Atlasian people. To preserve this global understanding, Atlasia will swiftly, firmly reprimand any nation which manipulates the rules and cheats their trade partners of well negotiated benefits. The Federalist Party officially endorses a policy of legitimate free trade.

Atlasia is honored with the friendship of many nations. Our allies across the globe are valuable assets in times of need. They are crucial to preserving global stability and order. It is our duty to stand strong and lead in this world. It is our responsibility to protect our friends and expect their support in turn. We must stand with them agains tevil as well as unwieldy global bureaucracies.The Federalist Party officially endorses a renewed focus on global relationships to build a lasting peace. The Federalist Party officially endorses an unwavering commitment to Israel and our other allies. The Federalist Party officially condemns the United Nations’ lurch from protecting international peace and security to being a venue for tyrants and evil to have their “fair say.” The Federalist Party officially endorses multilateral military organization committed to mutual protection, such as NATO.

Asserting our values and interests means nothing without the gravitas to back them up. Our investment in the national defense must be robust and equip us for grave threats. The Federalist Party officially endorses a heavy financial commitment to the national defense.

The Left is divided on matters of foreign affairs. One camp is committed to an unrealistic, self-important foreign policy built upon a flawed idealism. Another camp is equally committed to the notion of Atlasian evil. The Federalist Party officially condemns the irresponsible assertions of Atlasian evil and naive, pacifism-at-all-cost liberalism.

[Potus]

VIII. OPEN, TOLERANT, AND COLORBLIND SOCIETY

An open society is a building block of our country. Allowing the fresh expression of ideas makes us all better off in the long run. The Left has sought the power to limit free expression of opinions under the guise of sensitivity. Nowhere is it more transparent than on college campuses where trumped up social qualms, invented by radicalized students and carried out by invertebrate administrators, frequently overrule the rights of free speech, free expression, and scholarly integrity. The Federalist Party officially condemns the “safe space culture” that is growing on college campuses.

Our country has a long history with different groups of people. Tolerance is an important sign of a society’s maturity. The Federalist Party officially condemns discrimination on the basis of faith, race, creed, sexual orientation, and gender by employers and governments.

Atlasians are not defined by circumstances of their birth. Free enterprise, moral virtue, and respect for society are what conservatism is all about. These principles lead us to value the life and input of everyone, regardless of their ethnicity or race. The Federalist Party officially endorses the belief in a colorblind society that does inhibit or favor individuals on the basis of their ethnicity or race.

IX. OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

The fundamental promise of Atlasia is that where you start doesn’t determine where you will end up. Creating an upwardly mobile society is a key part of fulfilling that promise. Unfortunately, government has created many hurdles and unintended consequences that have removed the bottom rungs to the ladder of opportunity. Renewing our promise has four main points: work, family, education, and flexibility.

Free enterprise lifts everyone up. Governments at all levels have enacted numerous policies that stifle free enterprise and upward mobility. Frivolous licensing boards, designed to protect industry incumbents, are a perfect example of government growth jeopardizing opportunity. By restricting government power, new possibilities will appear for people to change their own lives.  The Federalist Party officially endorses efforts to open up markets to increase upward mobility. However, work must be worthwhile. Rather than supporting a sweeping, economically fraudulent minimum wage alongside a massive welfare state, the Federalist Party officially endorses work requirements for social assistance and tailored, flexible wage supports for workers.

As noted in the above section on Safe Communities and Strong Families, a critical variable in a person’s life is their family structure. Research has suggested time and again that government benefit programs are structured to the detriment of family life. Beyond financial disincentive, misguided lawmakers spent years loosening, weakening family law, giving us the current state of the Atlasian family. The Federalist Party officially endorses efforts to eliminate marriage penalties from all government programs. The Federalist Party officially endorses reforming divorce laws to promote stronger, healthier families and reduce divorce. The Federalist Party officially endorses efforts to reinforce the social norm of strong family bonds.

Education is a key part of securing upward mobility. Applying the principles of choice, accountability, and high expectations to education are critical. For too long, schooling has been dominated by schlerotic institutions which place the comfort and convenience of adults over the needs of children. Education is ripe for reorientation around the student, led by a devolution of power to the regions.. The Federalist Party officially endorses choice, accountability, and high expectations in schools. The Federalist Party officially endorses efforts to eliminate bureaucracy and expand access to higher education. The Federalist Party officially endorses efforts to make schools increasingly flexible, independent, and not beholden to special interests.

X. FAVORITISM FOR NONE

Government abuse of power is familiar to us all. We has many examples of government contracts going to a company known for their generous campaign contributions. Our tax code is riddled with loopholes, carve-outs, and exemptions that favor the politically well-connected. The federal government administers many subsidy programs for politically advantaged groups and industries. The Federalist Party officially condemns government favoritism.

The basis of free enterprise is individual initiative. Government disrupts and weakens individual initiative when they tip the scales. Rigging the system damages confidence in the system, which leads to a society full of disaffected would-be entrepreneurs, workers, and inventors. The Federalist Party officially endorses a level playing field, free of government favoritism, to allow free enterprise to operate as it sees fit.

CONCLUSION

The Federalists Party is conservative in nature. We take issue with the idea of a micromanaging, centralized government being deeply involved in a society built on free enterprise, moral virtue, and civil society. Our values provide the answers to Atlasia’s most pressing questions. This Platform is officially authorized and endorsed by the membership of the Federalist Party as our vision of Atlasia’s future.

[Potus]

Platform has been proposed.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Has Leinad finished reviewing the text? He has been authorized to open and close votes here, so I figured he would once he had done so.



Anyway, does anyone have comments, concerns, recommendations, etc?

[Leinad]

Has Leinad finished reviewing the text? He has been authorized to open and close votes here, so I figured he would once he had done so.

I'll have a report on it tomorrow.

[Leinad]

I like a lot of stuff in the platform, but there's a few issues I have with it, in order of where they appeared:

This is the most basic right that human beings are given by God.

I know certain people will call me "PC" or some such crap for saying this, but do we have to mention "God?" Not everyone believes in theistic religions, and even many Federalists who do also support secular government. I think making a specific or general deity the official basis for a position is a bit of a crutch, and I also think that one can oppose abortion without having a certain religion, or any religion, and tying rhetoric so closely to religion has harmed the pro-life movement (because people view it as a matter of personal religious belief, such as eating Kosher, instead of one involving human lives).

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I know that there is dangerous anti-police rhetoric out there, law enforcement is very important, and most of them do their jobs and deserve our thanks, but this makes it seem like the criminal justice system is fine as it is--we all (hopefully) know it needs reform. Our incarceration rates are higher than any other Western nation, and that's one of the biggest problems we currently face, one that shouldn't be ignored.

VII. STRONG, RESPONSIBLE FOREIGN POLICY

Any governing party requires a foreign policy vision. Any President’s first job is to be commander in chief of our armed forces.

A responsible foreign policy is one that rejects the notion of war and peace as opposites. Throughout history, peace has needed war to preserve it. An alternative outcome where the anti-war sentiment won out and Nazi Germany conquered Europe could hardly be considered a peaceful outcome. The use of military force is oftentimes our only option when dealing with evil in the world. The Federalist Party officially endorses a foreign policy that has its focus on peace but will not relent in carrying out war when it is required for peace.

I suppose war is sometimes necessary, but I think it is more times than not unnecessary, therefore we should include a section outlining the other side of the coin.

I feel this is important given the dramatic effects of war. First, the fiscal effects: last decade's adventure in Iraq had a price tag of multiple trillions of dollars--or, a whole classroom full of Warren Buffetts. But more importantly, the social effects of war are tragic for a society: not only the direct lives lost, not only those physically wounded, but those with things like PTSD who suffer psychologically, and those affected by war-related deaths and other harmful effects of war to their family and friends.

While I could live with a paragraph like the one you already have here pointing out the cases where war is needed, given that some of our members lean in that direction, we also need another one pointing out when it is not, and the reality of how damaging war is, that it isn't merely a tool of foreign policy. It's only fair, considering how devastating war is to those involved.

Also nothing in here about veteran care?

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This is a fiscally reckless position to take. I don't think we should bankrupt our military, but we're already among the world leaders in military spending per capita--considering our enormous national debt and the current high tax rates, I feel it would be better for us to scale back on needless military spending, and focus on efficient and effective defense without burdening the taxpayers with a never-ending wishlist of expenses.

The Federalist Party officially endorses reforming divorce laws

What exactly does this mean? I understand there's problems with the breakdown of the family--I've experienced these first-hand--but I don't see how changing laws magically fixes any of that. My parents would've still hated each other, just as much if not more, had divorce been off the table, or harder to attain.

[tmthforu94]

I think it is important that we maintain a strong military to counter foreign threats, especially considering such a time of political uncertainty across the world. I do agree that support for our veterans should be included as a key component of our platform.

[Clark Kent]

Based on various conversations in IRC, I have come to know Santander as a racist quasi-fascist who supports ethnic cleansing and a ...morally dubious at best understanding of consent. I can no longer in good conscience support such a vile individual, and as such I motion to expel Santander from the Federalist Party.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

I thoroughly oppose Representative Clark's motion and will consider leaving the party if this motion is passed.

[Santander]

I would like to see you try this. See what happens.

[tmthforu94]

1. We need to decide on the platform. Potus did a great job at coming up with a detailed platform, now we need to go through and make any revisions and get that revised. I would also recommend including a tl;dr version.

2. We still need to hold leadership elections. I'm not afraid to admit it: our party has struggled on multiple fronts since rising to power in June, and we need to have party leaders who are active and able to lead a unified party forward. I respect all Justice Yankee has done for the Federalist Party and conservative movement, but he has had limited activity for the past two months and hasn't even posted on the Fantasy Elections subforum in two weeks. We need new leadership.

Considering the timelines, I would urge Vice Chair Leinad to open nominations for leadership elections and conduct those, then we can move on to the platform and other matters afterwards.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Given this turn of events, I would like to announce my intention to run for Chair of the Federalist Party, if we do choose to hold elections for the position at this convention.

[Classic Conservative]

I'll leave the party if this happens.