The Atlasian Sentinel Presidental Debate, October '09

[Vepres]

I would like to welcome viewers to the October '09 Presidential debate. I ask that the audience refrain from asking questions until the town hall portion of the debate. I am Vepres, and I will be moderating this debate.

Let's meet the candidates. *Applause*

Here we have, from left of the stage to the right, incumbent President Lief, Former President Al, Senator Franzl, and Former Senator and Presidential candidate PiT.

Candidates, you may all make an opening statement, after which I will begin questioning you four. You are allowed, and even encouraged, to rebut and question other candidate's responses, though keep it civil please.

To the audience, I reiterate that I ask you all to remain quiet until the town hall portion of the debate.

Now, on to the opening statements, good luck gentlemen!

[Lief 🗽]

Thank you for hosting this debate, Mr. Governor, and thank you to the candidates for taking part. Debates are an integral part of Atlasian presidential campaigns, and I'm happy that we have the opportunity to take part in one.

When I was elected a few months ago, Atlasia was at a crossroads. We had seen a large surge in activity, with elections with record-breaking turnout (that have since been broken, I believe). We had, for the first time in a long while, the beginnings of the development of a strong and coherent party system. We also faced problems. This mass of new people had no reason to be involved, except as zombies. Political debate in this country was restricted solely to personal disputes and dry arguments about which technical constitutional reform was the best. Cabinet officers were inactive. And, last but not least, we faced an economic crisis.

In my short time in office so far, I've acted with these facts, the situation I inherited as President, in mind, constantly striving to live up to the promises I made in my campaign and earn the support of the Atlasian people.

I promised in my campaign to reorient debate on to political issues. My administration delivered this promise, and the bills that the Senate has passed have been weighty, important, progressive reforms.

I promised in my campaign that I would expand the office of the President beyond a mere figurehead position. My administration delivered this promise, as I have been an active voice in legislative debate, asking questions of Senators, pushing for my own positions, and, when I need to, using my veto powers as President to redraft or veto legislation that I cannot sign. At the same time, I've faced foreign policy problems in my time in office, and acted with measured responses to protect Atlasian citizens and uphold the rule of the law.

I promised in my campaign to revitalize the Atlasian economy. My administration delivered this promise. Under my guidance, the Senate has passed universal healthcare, an economic stimulus package, and set a national minimum wage.

In this debate, I hope to defend my record of revitalizing Atlasia, in the forum, economic and foreign policy spheres, while also elaborating my plans for a second term. Thank you.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     First, I would like to thank Governor Vepres for hosting this debate. Second, I would like to thank everyone who is watching this debate for supporting the democratic process here.

     With that said, I will admit that President Lief has discharged his duties as President quite well. Atlasia has come quite far. While I would have probably acted differently in his place, he has implemented his agenda decisively and effectively. While there is still a significant number of zombies taking part in Atlasia, activity has progressed considerably.

     With that said, you may be wondering why you should vote for me instead of him, or instead of Senator Franzl, or instead of former President Al. After all, I was the last to enter the race, only having declared my candidacy several days ago at the urging of supporters of former Senator MasterJedi, who dropped out of the race due to real world concerns.

     Well, I have spent the 3 ½ months since the last Presidential election extremely active in Atlasia, yet on the outside of the federal government. This inspired me to take a close look at what else was happening in Atlasia. What I saw was a growth of interest on the regional level. The Northeast created a legislature of its own, even though many people had doubted that it could achieve the majority of all Northeasterners voting aye needed for it to pass. I also proposed a legislature in the Dirty South. While it was not successfully enacted, the proposal of it and subsequent votes on it spurred a great deal of debate and interest in a region where activity had been anemic following the dramatic events of August 2008.

     At this point, with the gradual groundswell of interest in regional activity, I believe that we should act to encourage regions to legislate in certain areas. In doing so, I hope to allow regions the chance to, not only decide whether or not they wish to enact certain policies, but to also decide the scope of policies. Through cooperation between the federal and regional governments, I hope to contribute to continuing the growth in interest in regional governance, definitively legitimizing them beyond the role some have proposed for them as a newbie training ground, as well as leading to a greater variety in laws and programs throughout this great nation.

     With that said, I intend to focus on three main points of advancing Atlasia, both on the regional and federal levels. First, I would like to protect Atlasia from another credit collapse through a few small reforms. Second, I would like to improve the lives of poor and middle-class Atlasians by helping eliminate a large money sink that troubles them, promoting saving, and promoting energy modernization and research. Third, I would like to improve Atlasia’s ability to continue to excel in the future by promoting more options in education throughout life, streamlining military spending, and promoting work in the sciences.

     I look forward to an illuminating debate that will help the voters make informed decisions. Once again, many thanks to everyone viewing this debate for being active participants in the democratic process, as well as the moderator and all the other candidates for making this event possible.

[Antonio the Sixth]

What a debate !

[Sbane]

Where the f**k are Franzl and Al?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Comrades!

I am the only candidate running who is not a lapdog of the imperalistic capitalist bourgeois conspiracy that keeps the proletariat in a state of near-pauperism. I am the only candidate running who will bring real change, a Revolution, and not more of the same namby-pamby, fascist, weak, liberal, false-democratic nonsense, lies, pathetic platitudes and promises designed to be broken. All of the other candidates are liars, pimps, whores, bastards, lackies, creators of false consciousness and stooges for the capitalist state and bourgeois society - the very things that have landed us in this mess that we, the ordinary workers and peasants of Atlasia, are currently striving to overcome with great people's resolve. I will awaken a new dawn of real proletarian consciousness, of real change and of a radical change of systems that will be necessary in order to bring about a greater society as foretold by Marx and Lenin.

All of the other candidates are talking typical capitalist drivel. I, however, speak the truth. The objective truth. Forward!

[Vepres]

At this rate we'll be done by February

Anyway, Franzl has 24 hours to post his opening statement, then we'll move on whether or not he has posted it.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

"They're Germans, they will be punctual." Harrison Ford in "Force Ten from Navarone".

Guess this quote is wrong.

[Franzl]

Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate being able to take part in this important debate for Atlasia. First of all, thanks to Vepres for being willing to moderate.

I am proud to represent the DA in this presidential election, and although everyone knows I tend to be quite independent in various policies, I am very pleased to belong to a party that allows me this freedom and I will do my best to represent it.

But far more importantly, I hope to represent all Atlasians in this highest political office. I remain a moderate voice, focused on pragmatic solutions to everyday problems.

In the Senate, I have fought for my constituents by voting to provide every Atlasian with high quality healthcare, by voting to provide a necessary economic stimulus and a little further back, by introducing legislation to help more Atlasians be able to afford college and to improve Atlasia's infrastructure with high speed rail. These, of course, are only some examples.

I commend President Lief for taking the initiative on many issues as well, but you may have noticed that we do have quite a few political differences as well. I have condemned spending that I didn't consider necessary of beneficial to the average Atlasian. I opposed attempts to nationalize the car industry, which not only would have destroyed competition on the automobile market, but would also have been throwing valuable Atlasian tax dollars down the drain. Likewise, in the interests of competition, I opposed the creation of a single payer helthcare system.

What do I bring to the table now as a presidential candidate? Well, my running mate, Swedish Cheese, and I will be publishing a platform for this election shortly, but in general, I believe I am capable of working with all Atlasian parties to accomplish mutual goals. If I may, I believe I have the necessary experience and competence for the job, evidenced by my months in the Senate.

Among other things, I want a more just and less complicated tax system (and yes, I think creating an Atlasian tax code would be a good thing to do), I want to protect the environment and prepare Atlasia for an energy revolution. We need to focus on encouraging and promoting renewable energy sources and atomic energy for the time being. I hope to improve international relations with every country with all possible means. That not only means good diplomacy and a good military policy, but it also means connecting the world and work sharing that is a result of free trade, so that every person and country can compete in the interests of consumers everywhere.

I hope to debate more about individual issues in this debate, and I wish my fellow candidates the best of luck.

[Vepres]

As I'm sure you all know, the ANSE has not been doing well of late. In just a few months, it has plummeted from 1000 to 892. That's more than a 10% drop in the total value of large Atlasian corporations. That Atlasian dollar is losing value, and the unemployment rate has become very high, with the Midwest, Dirty South, and Mideast rates in double digits. To what do you attribute this problem, and how would you go about solving the problem?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Whatever the stock exchange, little more than a dog track for the bourgeois and deserving of less respect, is doing is not something that is objectively of interest to me or to my campaign. Neither is the so-called "value" of the dollar.
Unemployment is, of course, a serious social and political problem and is, as any thinking person who isn't a lackey of capitalistic folly knows, caused by capitalism. Only be overthrowing capitalism, establishing a dictatorship of the proletariat and then moving in the general direction of Socialism will we defeat the sourge of mass unemployment.

Unemployment is so high in our traditional industrial centres because the bourgeois social and political Establishment does not care about the Working Class and would rather sell this class, the only class capable of moving towards Socialism and creating a better World for us all, down the river so that they can benefit from the sweated labour of the Third World. This is, of course, obscene. The policies of the Atlasian Government are objectively opposed to the interests of the Workers - the failure of the false-progressive Lief administration to stand up for the Workers of Atlasia is lamentable, but I will give the administration the credit for at least pretending to care about the plight of the backbone of any society. This is, it must be said, in stark contrast to that of the other candidates, the candidates of the reactionary Right.

The problem of unemployment can be summed up in a single word. Capitalism.

[Lief 🗽]

Our current problem of employment, though cyclical as well, is primarily due to a structural weakening of the Atlasian economy over the past two decades, with our governments not only allowing the free market to run amok unbridled, but actually subsidized this running amok, with an unfair tax system, free trade policies that put corporate profits before the well-being of both Atlasian and foreign workers, a steady weakening of the Atlasian educational system, and other structural impediments that reward the rich and punish the poor, reward wealth and punish work. Income equality has sky-rocketed, savings have plummeted, and wages have stagnated. This economic crisis is just the culmination of decades of government policies that advantaged the rich at the cost of middle and working class Atlasians.

My administration, working with the Senate, has taken concrete steps to solve these economic problems. The stimulus will reinvest in Atlasia, putting out of work Atlasians to works, improving our infrastructure, and giving much needed help to the struggling auto industry, which employs millions of honest, hard-working citizens. The national health act will provide all Atlasians, regardless of their income, the fundamental human right to quality, affordable health care. It will take the crippling costs of providing health care off the backs of Atlasians businesses, allowing our businesses and our workers to compete with the rest of the world. Finally, the national minimum wage act will lift hundreds of thousands of Atlasians out of poverty, and ensure that no working Atlasian is not able to afford the costs of living.

My fiscal policy platform for my second term, which I will publish within the next few days, focuses on reforming the tax code to reward work, not wealth; reforming the education system, so that primary and secondary education works better and allows Atlasians to compete with foreign students, while college and university education is made more affordable for all Atlasian students; and investing in rural and urban renewal and revitalization.

Ultimately, we are all in this boat together. What is good for working Atlasians is good for the stock market and is good for the Atlasian dollar. For far too long has our government only looked out for the interests of the top 10%, those who don't need the government to look out for them. My administration has been an ally of working and middle class Atlasians, and if re-elected, will continue to be.

[Franzl]

We need to make Atlasia a more attractive place to do business, and I firmly believe that one part of that will be lowering corporate taxes in an attempt to secure more jobs here in Atlasia.

The weakened Atlasian dollar is probably also a result of our increased spending...money we don't actually have...and I obviously believe we need to get that spending under control. As previously said, some things were necessary, like the stimulus package. I think we would currently be worse off if that had not been passed, but in general, we need to try and maintain as balanced a budget as possible. I'm fully aware that won't work properly in such an economic recession we're in now.

We need sensible economic policy. Ideally, the market will regulate itself, but certain motivating factors have been necessary to maintain a certain level of demand. I hope that the economy will stabilize in the upcoming months.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     The problem is something of an after-effect of the credit collapse. I largely agree with what Senator Franzl has said about the issue, and believe that the economy will return to its former glory soon.

     However, we must remember that much of what happens in the economy is based on consumer confidence. So, we need to take a few steps that will bolster consumer confidence.

     I have already outlined some steps, such as allowing a separate agency the power to safely collapse failed banks (a power that is currently held by the President). Hopefully this move will reassure the consumers that there will be no more bailouts & no more catastrophes caused by bank failures.

     Likewise, my plans for leverage limits and taking action against credit default swaps will send the message that we are helping to ensure the same problem does not threaten the economy in the future.

     Once these steps are taken, I have faith that the consumers and businesses can guide the market back to its former glory, as long as the government acts in ways suggesting that we deserve their trust and confidence.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Ideally, the market will regulate itself

I'm glad it did before! Phew.

[HappyWarrior]

Ideally, the market will regulate itself

I'm glad it did before! Phew.

Ideally was the key word in there and you know it.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Ideally, the market will regulate itself

I'm glad it did before! Phew.

Ideally was the key word in there and you know it.

Just picking This thread needs some outside commentary in here or it'll just get overlooked.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

"The Market" does not exist. It is fantasy.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Earlier, the bourgeoisie presented themselves as liberal, they were for bourgeois democratic freedom and in that way gained popularity with the people. Now there is not one remaining trace of liberalism. There is no such thing as "freedom of personality" any more, -personal rights are now only acknowledged by them, the owners of capital, - all the other citizens are regarded as raw materials, that are only for exploitation. The principle of equal rights for people and nations is trodden in the dust and it is replaced by the principle of Full rights for the exploiting minority and the lack of rights of the exploited majority of the citizens. The banner of bourgeois democratic free clom has boon flung overboard. I think thai you, the representatives of communist and democratic parties must pick up this banner and carry it forward if you want to gain the majority of the people. There is nobody else to raise it.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Earlier, the bourgeoisie presented themselves as liberal, they were for bourgeois democratic freedom and in that way gained popularity with the people. Now there is not one remaining trace of liberalism. There is no such thing as "freedom of personality" any more, -personal rights are now only acknowledged by them, the owners of capital, - all the other citizens are regarded as raw materials, that are only for exploitation. The principle of equal rights for people and nations is trodden in the dust and it is replaced by the principle of Full rights for the exploiting minority and the lack of rights of the exploited majority of the citizens. The banner of bourgeois democratic free clom has boon flung overboard. I think thai you, the representatives of communist and democratic parties must pick up this banner and carry it forward if you want to gain the majority of the people. There is nobody else to raise it.

Stalin's nonsensical rant or a slightly altered form of it about how Communism best promoted Bourgeois democratic liberties. He gave it at time when many beleive he was insane, I think lates 40's maybe 50 or 51, not sure of the exact year.

[Vepres]

Moving on. Many in the country believe that the President should take a more active role than the holders of the office have historically taken. Often past Presidents have taken a passive role when it comes to the government's legislative agenda. Indeed, some would even veto legislation without giving reason *cough*bgwah*cough*.

So, what role do you believe the President should have? Should he be passive, or use the bully pulpit to advance his agenda? Should he

@ PiT, Franzl, Al: How would you be different from Lief as far as activity is concerned?
@ Lief: How well do you think you've done as far as activity is concerned? Is there anything you wish to improve on in a second term?

[Lief 🗽]

I feel, and I believe the voters will back me up on this, that I've been a very active and engaged President throughout my term. Not only have I taken an active part in Senate debate, one of the lowest activity hurdles one should be able to clear, I have expanded the role of the presidency in the legislative process, using my veto and line-item veto powers to constructively move the debate and legislation in the proper direction. I have taken a firm stand against bills that I feel would have hurt ordinary Atlasians, whether by restricting their economic and associative freedoms (the Smoking Ban bill) or by denying them full access to the social safety net (the first Welfare Reform bill).

I've been active in foreign affairs and have ensured that the GM was active, replacing BrandonH with Purple State. I've also advocated for a legislative agenda, the first time in a long time that a President has done so.

I do think criticisms that I haven't used the "bully pulpit" enough are in some ways legitimate. I also think that one could make the argument, which kind of ties into the previous one, that I've been too focused on the Senate workings on things, and haven't done enough to bring the Senate and the legislation it passes and the ordinary citizens and voters of Atlasia together, so that citizens understand what's going on in the Senate and the Senate understands what the people think of their work. I believe that the President has the stature and the ability to do that, and I will at least try, if re-elected, to make the public more involved in legislative debates, through greater use of the "bully pulpit."

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I must say that it is hard to reproach President Lief for his activity. I also intend to participate in Senate debates & make my position on each bill known.

     Furthermore, if elected, I intend to post my positions on bills in the White House thread, much like some Senators do in their office threads. I would also like to post a similar thread on the regular Atlas Fantasy Elections board, so voters can be in touch with what their President thinks about the major issues facing Atlasia. A major problem I have seen over time in Atlasia is a fundamental disconnect between the voters & their government.

     While this act will by no means be enough to fully connect the voters with the people they elect, I believe that it is an important step for the people to understand what the President is thinking on the major Senate matters of the day.

[Purple State]

Just my two cents, stick the next White House in the Elections Board.

[Franzl]

I must say that I believe President Lief has been a very active President, and that's quite good. I hope to be every bit as active as he has been, and I also hope to actively participate in Senate debate and to shape political discussion. I think it's essential that the President set a clear tone....it's still the Senate's business to decide whether to back him up or oppose his agenda. It is in the public's best interest to understand where every one of their representatives stands.

My activity recently has, of course, been relatively poor, but I'm rather busy at the moment in real life. I will, as always, take the political office I am elected to seriously, and I pledge to be an active President.