Talk Elections

Endorsed! :)

Marokai deleted his post accusing me of completely changing my tune on game reform.  He also calls Bacon King a "token" VP candidate, when, in fact, he is the best VP this game has had in a very long time.

Obviously the approach to reform has not worked as it has been set up.  If you have a better way to implement reform besides the one I offer above, I'd be happy to hear it.

I did in fact! To deny that BK has become the JCP's token moderate candidate would be absurd. In my time in Atlasia he has been on the ballot for the JCP, mostly for the VP spot, at least four times. Five, if you count this. That's a total of over a year and ahalf, just in my time in Atlasia, that BK's been trotted out for an election as the safest, blandest, easiest choice you could possibly make. I just think it's a shame you guys don't have many good candidate prospects!

Also to deny the fact that your post here is a change of heart on game reform would also just be ridiculous. You've argued against numerous proposals, have implied we should go at it piecemeal, and have said reform isn't your "cup of tea." So to see you come out here guns blazing on your "we should just implement stuff and ask questions later, let's get stuff done" yeehaw attitude is a bit jarring. Welcome, but jarring.

Second preference man. :)

^^^^ :)

Thanks, guys.

Not sure I like this part... but otherwise... :)

In these times of economic uncertainty for so many Atlasians, it is crucial that this philosophy guides the search for potential remedies.  Bravo!

Bacon King has proven that he is a highly capable Vice President.  With the logic that Marokai is espousing, we may as well enact undemocratic term limits.

I will let Bacon King respond to your accusations that he is a "token moderate hero candidate"... but I will say that Bacon King is one of my favorite posters on Atlas, and that my choice in him was because I was impressed with the level of research and dedication he has put into his duty as president of the senate.  There have been decisions I vehemently disagreed with.. such as the environmental protection bill authored by Napoleon that he defeated with his tie breaking vote.  But he didn't make that vote out of some wishy-washy moderate heroesque feel good premise... but after researching actual real life law.

As for my change of heart on reform:  The only change of heart I have is that holding committees doesn't achieve anything.  Reform will still have to be piecemeal, as I pretty clearly stated when I called the game "evolutionary".  I am not coming in here "yee haw", guns blazing.  I'm saying that we do need to make reforms, and that we need a strong leader who will pursue to those reforms without worrying about everyones' feelings before hand.  If it turns out to have been a mistake, it can be corrected... but to never get any reforms done because of a failed process is the worst route to take.

A lot of Snowguy's ideas here I can criticize but his selection of running mate isn't one of them. Anyone who's seen him as President of the Senate knows this.

I chose Bacon King as my running mate because I knew he would do the job well and he has.

Second Preference!

Not endorsed.

Well aren't you just too cute.

Endorsed.

An interesting note: Marokai has recently made a statement that the game is "increasingly the JCP vs. everyone else", so already getting the second preferences of all opponents' runningmates (although I think there might be an AWOL candidate Marokai supports who hasn't bothered to offer a runningmate) is all the more impressive.

I was in fact wrong. I forgot that, in becoming the left-wing version of the Populares yourselves, you've attracted the former members of the real thing.

I will take that over being the left-wing equivalent of cancer, I guess.

Atlasia, meet your new President. :P

So, is the Jesus Christ Party too partisan to work constructively with other parties to achieve reforms, or not?  The narrative just has so many twists and turns!

I don't want to clutter up this thread, guys, so I apologize. I wish Snowguy the best of luck.

Endorsed, of course!  :D

I was starting to wonder who the JCP candidate might be.

Good luck, Snowguy! You'll make a good President.

Endorsed!

Endorsed. :)

Hopefully you'll win because I won't.

Congratulation on your win :P

We should give BK a plaque for being the longest serving VP. Does he hold the record now? Three terms?

Ebowed might also be a three termer (serving 1 each under Joe Republic, Keystone Phil, and Mr. Moderate).

Endorsed! :D

Since Dr. Cynic dropped out, endorsed!

Endorsed, obviously. :)

Welcome to the race. 

You guys are endorsed. I'd like to meet with you and discuss possible reform ideas.

First off, thanks to everyone for your support so far. I am very thankful to Snowguy for giving me the chance to run again for the Vice Presidency. I am very impressed with his zeal to reform and improve our nation, and if our ticket is elected next month, I'll do everything I can to push these goals forward.

I must say, though, that I strongly disagree with the notion that I'm the "token moderate hero candidate"; in fact, I think this is the first time I've ever been called a Moderate Hero :P I do consider myself quite progressive (but I'll refrain from making an off-topic tangent about my political views ;D), though I will admit that I tend to be a bit pragmatic when in office. Look at my record as a Senator, for example: I even worked together with DWTL and Libertas when we shared common ground on specific issues, in order to make Atlasia stronger.

Honestly, to be somewhat frank, I really enjoy being Vice President. I think I've done well, so far, and I do hope I'll be allowed another term. :)

I want to point out that I will be making education reform a top priority in the campaign as well as in office, if elected.

Our educational system, while not broken, is a bit like a 1980 Dodge Ram with the back bumper held on with duct tape.  It still runs and we've gotten a lot of good use out of it, but it's time to replace it.

This is a very simple list of areas that need reform:

Early childhood education:  Children should be entering school earlier.  All-day, everyday kindergarten should be standard in every school district and pre-kindergarten should be compulsory.

All children should be reading proficiently by the end of 1st grade.  Because reading is the basic building block of all learning, intensive remedial education should be required for students struggling with reading.  They should not be moving forward if they cannot read, but acknowledging the potential social damage holding students back can cause, non-traditional approaches should be encouraged (e.g. summer school).

The school calendar should be reworked.  All Atlasian students should be attending school at least 200 days per year, up significantly from the current 170-180 days.  While local school districts should be able to organize their calendar within that 200 day framework, the reforms should encourage a shorter summer break (for example, a 6-week summer break with the extra time allocated to other break periods throughout the year).

Science and math progress should be stepped up from grade 3 onward.  While Pre-k to grade 2 are mostly about basic building blocks and reading, grade 3 is when more complex science and math can be introduced.

The middle school and high school grades should be completely reformed.  Eventually, I'd  like to see the 11th and 12th grades largely integrated into our higher education system.  Students would be able to focus on a rigorous college preparation course or enroll in junior/community college or even technical college and earn credits.

The 11th and 12th grades would be designated for career focus rather than general education.  Many approaches would be taken.  Students could potentially graduate after the 10th grade and enter the workforce at age 16.  Students would also have the choice of completing a college preparatory program so they are ready for university when finished.  Students would also have the option of working with participating businesses for apprenticeships and with local tech colleges for technical training in various career fields.

Many of these things are already happening.  In my own school district, high school students have the option of taking AP classes, college in the classroom, school to work, and Post Secondary Education Option where students attend classes at the local university for credit, free of charge.  My proposed reforms would expand those options for every student by getting the basics out of the way earlier.

I just wanted to thank you re: the penny bill for being reasonable.

This evening I will be holding a town hall event in beautiful Duluth, Minnesota.

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I will accept questions from anybody who has something they'd like to ask.  It is an informal event and there will be a sloppy joe dinner served afterwards.

 At-will donations will go to "Growing Gardens, Growing Students", an organization that provides supplies and training to teachers, students, staff, and parents to create gardens on school property and use the produce in the school lunch programs.  Many gardens have already been planted at schools across Minnesota and children are enjoying the fruits of the volunteer labor they put in over the summer everyday at lunch.

Good luck. I tried this a while ago and no one showed up. I guess I just don't have any real friends. :(

Me either apparently.  Well, in that case Duke.... come on over, I'll throw on some Porterhouses and crack open some nice fall ales.

I can be your friend! :D

Sounds like heaven. :D

Best of luck for the election.

...even though I did have to scroll back to find this thread. ;)

I'll make one last appeal to Atlasia to consider voting for my ticket in the election.  Please, if you have questions regarding my role as president, feel free to ask! 

I was recently asked by Polnut what I'd do to show spending restraint as president.  I can't say there are any specifics. 

I will, however, set a new policy as president.  All non-emergency spending bills In excess of $1bn Will be required to be paid for, or I will veto the legislation.  Exceptions can be made, but the case for such exceptions will have to be made.  Stimulus measures could be one such case, for example.

I look forward to your questions.

What do you have to say to the Occupy Atlasia movement?

I have a soft spot for most acts of civil disobedience, and would stand in solidarity with you...provided the aims are clear and it remains a bottom up, grassroots movement.

I just want to add that I wholeheartedly agree with the principle behind this proposal. While Atlasian budgetary issues have never been conducted perfectly, I definitely agree that such an effort to prevent unneccesary deficit spending is in Atlasia's best interest.

I just wanted to thank everyone who voted this weekend; and to thank both of the other tickets who made this such a good race. Congratulations especially to Duke and Cincinattus; I believe this is the first time both main tickets have gotten at least fifty votes.

Congratulations to both of you!

I'm not really big on long speeches.  Thank you everybody for the votes.  It was a very close election so take comfort in knowing your vote counted!  I will work hard to improve Atlasia and the game in general!

I've been receiving PMs about interest in various cabinet positions.  If you have an interest in serving as a cabinet official, please PM me and let me know!