Talk Elections

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With the donning of these fabulous golden robes and with a hoisting of this wooden staff on high, I hereby become your first Wisard Extraordinær of the Most Serene Republic of the Midwest... and subsequently renounce all powers and responsibilities previously bestowed onto me by the federal government of the Republic of Atlasia for executing the office of Senator. As your regional head of state and hugger in chief, beloved Midwesterners, I assume the quasi-regnal name of Redalgus I.

Also, I wear a fez now. Fezzes are cool.

At this time it would be most prudent of me to kindly request from the Alþing a most generous appropriation of funds for the expeditious construction and staffing of The Most Serene Library. We should likewise allocate resources for the establishment of our local Leaning Haberdashery Lounge. For the time being, I shall oversee the Depositaren from the city hall of Cheesewhiz via instant messenger and concentrate my efforts on conducting a review of current laws to ensure all are in compliance with the Fourth Constitution, which for your convenience can be accessed here (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=155796.msg3452265#msg3452265).

A list of laws shall be compiled here in this office as time allows, both to provide links for your viewing pleasure and to keep track of which do or do not need to be replaced with all due haste. Likewise, I will soon begin a process of gathering information about government officials both within and outside of the political borders of our most serene republic. All of it will be shared with you to assist in your making of electoral decisions, and posted here - again, alas - as time allows.

That having been said, I would like for you to meet my new liaison from the Pirate Party of Atlasia: Wobbles the Wonderweasel. Actually, she is a ferret. But Wonderferret simply doesn’t roll off ones tongue as pleasantly. She doesn’t respond to her name, has no table manners, and steals personal property of mine on a daily basis. Yet as a multiculturalist I feel inclined to accept her strange customs, celebrate them as vaguely compatible with the underlying social fabric of our glorious region, and pledge my solidarity with all of weasel-kind. That, and I am constitutionally required to lovingly care for and share my living space with her. But that’s okay! *hug hug hug*

Why? Because I am the first Wisard Extraordinær.

The legend that is our nation's story flows forth from the follicles of my magnificent five o’clock shadow!

. . . . .

Ahem.

The Depositaren is hereby open to serve the people, and to investigate matters of public interest.

;D ;D

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The Depositaren of the Most Serene Republic of the Midwest - deeming it both prudent and proper for the continued upkeep of a healthy, accountable, transparent, and inquisitive political climate - provides to the People this compilation of reports concerning the perspectives and convictions of persons active in the political sphere of Atlasian life. Work is well underway to accrue questionnaire responses, provide links to other pertinent documents, and make it far easier for voters to study candidates running for public office. If you wish to volunteer some information to be added here, or would like to report inaccuracies in any of the information, please contact the Wisard Extraordinær via PM or email - who shall do all that is within his power to fulfill your requests, provided doing so will present no contradictions with the public interest.


Click on any of the names listed below. They will deliver you to the posts you are looking for.

Adam Griffin (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3509290#msg3509290)
Angus (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3501072#msg3501072)
Averroës Nix (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3506720#msg3506720)
Alfred F. Jones (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3500366#msg3500366)
Ben Kenobi (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3512521#msg3512521)
Chairman Sanchez (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3509273#msg3509273)
Franzl (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3509238#msg3509238)
Fuzzybigfoot
Goldwater (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3506827#msg3506827)
HagridOfTheDeep (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3509206#msg3509206)
Hawkeye59 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3500031#msg3500031)
Ilikeverin (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3509227#msg3509227)
Inks.LWC (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3506758#msg3506758)
JulioMadrid (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3503312#msg3503312)
Lewis Trondheim (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3501044#msg3501044)
LiberalPA
Mr. X (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3511743#msg3511743)
Oldiesfreak1854 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3506778#msg3506778)
Pingvin (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3506900#msg3506900)
PiT (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3504834#msg3504834)
Redalgo (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3500520#msg3500520)
Scott (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3503835#msg3503835)
Sir Nick (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3511727#msg3511727)
SJoyceFla (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3509281#msg3509281)
Simfan24 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3506197#msg3506197)
TexasDem
TJ in Cleve (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3509265#msg3509265)
20RP12 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3503794#msg3503794)
Zanas (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3506167#msg3506167)


This archive is subject to occasional changes, both in terms of adding new content and replacing that which needs replacement. Because only the Wisard is working on this particular project, and he cannot delegate this task to Wobbles the Wonderweasel, progress may at times prove to be halting or even sluggish. Do not be alarmed. This is the public sector in action.

Note: The current questionnaire being sent out via PM is decidedly inadequate for satisfying the core objectives of this post. However, I intend to wait until enough of them have been gathered before in any way altering the questions or running separate polls to augment the current records. It's a work in progress and is liable to involve some trial and error on my part.

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: July 2, 1996

Ideology: Social Democracy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democracy)

Religion: Judaism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism)

Region: Most Serene Republic of the Midwest (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Midwest_Region)

Party: Labor Party of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Labor_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent results, but there must be a good enough process.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The nation should have more power.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  I believe he/she would do more good.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  They should be accountable to both each other and the people.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  They should be expected to implement what they believe is best for the country.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes, it is desirable.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Governing from the bottom-up

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  They should be governed with a certain amount of both.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  It usually should not delegate its duties.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No, it is not


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  It is the duty of good and legitimate states to care for the people who cannot take care of themselves, and to promote human rights, egalitarianism, and the welfare of the people.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Whether they work for what is good for all, without regard to their political views, and whether they do this with honesty and integrity.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes, there is some human nature that beholds people.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes, they are.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

8) Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
8) Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
>:( Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
8) Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
8) Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
8) Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
>:( Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
>:( As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
8) Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I believe in gun control as Canada does it. I also believe in a phase out of fossil fuels by 2050, and I believe in a woman's right to choose. I believe that the rich should pay their fair share, and that marriage should not be between a man and a woman. I am in favor of legalizing marijuana, and believe in immigration reform. I also believe that Atlasia should practice humanitarian intervention. I oppose the death penalty in all cases.

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: April 15, 1998

Ideology: Social Democracy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democracy)

Religion: Atheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism)

Region: Northeast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Northeast)

Party: Labor Party of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Labor_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent results.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  I lean towards the nation, though just barely.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  That depends on what the executive uses their power for.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  The people

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  They should implement my will, because I am always right.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  I suppose so.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Top-down, generally.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Egalitarian-like.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Hell no.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  See question 14 [see the previous response].


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  Achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Whether they make people's lives better.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  I've never really thought so.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes, I suppose so.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

8) Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
8) Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
>:( Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
8) Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
;D Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
>:( Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
8) Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
;D Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
;D Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
8) Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
8) Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
>:( Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
;D Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
>:( Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  Most of the "Other" answers [in the previous section] were situations in which, most of the time, I would disagree or agree with the question, but exceptions have to be made under certain circumstances.


For Further Reference

Alfred summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3212855#msg3212855) (02/27/2012) their political beliefs

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: December 25, 1988

Ideology: Democratic Socialism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Socialism)

Religion: Agnostic Atheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnostic_atheism)

Region: Most Serene Republic of the Midwest (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Midwest_Region)

Party: Labor Party of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Labor_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Between the two, an excellent process is generally more important.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The regions should have more power in non-constitutional affairs.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  A strong executive will probably do more harm than good.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  To both… but accountability to the people is most important.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  No. Leaders should be guided by their convictions and experience.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  They are both quite important to have in government, yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Welcome ideas from below, refine them, then govern from above.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  An unambiguously hierarchical organization of state is preferable to me.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  No. In most instances government should deliver its services directly.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No. It’s corrupt to not serve in the public interest.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  A good government seeks to promote the happiness of all by regulating conflicts of interest betwixt individuals and/or groups using policies that reflect the moral values of society as a whole. Laws should be within the bounds of a constitution, which in turn should contain those social rights the people are most interested in having protected against unwelcome encroachments by state, organized religion, firms, labor unions, fellow citizens, etc. Leaders, laws, and even constitutions are certain to evolve over time. Mechanisms should exist for amending them without resorting to political violence or making minorities feel cheated of representation.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  A good leader in politics is willing to listen to and learn from those around them, revise their stances on the issues when presented with compelling arguments for doing so, and yet remains unwilling to budge even an inch in the defense of their principles. They are courteous, empathetic, highly-motivated, wise, and are committed to serving in the public interest - not for personal gain. In contrast, I’d describe a bad elected official as manipulative, closed-minded, rude, and/or prone to putting their interests or their collaborators’ ahead of those of the people.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes and no. Human beings develop subjective perceptions of reality and morality within the biasing parameters of some genetic predispositions. Yet there is lots of flexibility for individuals to form perspectives influenced by their environs and a lifetime of unique experiences. I prefer to focus on the potential for good in folks and believe true “evil” is exceptionally rare, and yet I also realize we have some inherent limits. I think that ours is a pretty social species. I reckon we are neither born with a blank slate nor imbued with inherited cultures. I also reject racialism.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  No. All of our rights are constructs of the human mind, and only exist in nature insofar as people themselves and their abstract tools are natural. We desire some shared privileges in society because it seems to help enhance standards of living. Natural rights are a myth. Rights are essentially social, without exception.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
>:( Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
>:( Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
;D Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
8) Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
8) Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

;D Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
>:( Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
>:( As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
;D Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I like the form of government utilized in Atlasia but am concerned that decision-making authority is at least somewhat too centralized in the federal government as opposed to the individual regions. The unstable democratic institutions of the Midwest are also troublesome, but perhaps non-violent transitions of power will become consolidated again someday soon.

In regards to the economy, I prefer a mixed market consisting mostly of competing workers' cooperatives but oppose the corporatist nature of tripartism and closed shops. I think a few industries (e.g. nuclear energy) should be nationalized but want most to be left in the hands of the people. Effective regulations, reduced disparities of income, and a social democratic welfare regime are appropriate. On the other hand, I reject class struggle and do not care whether socialism eventually transforms into some sort of communism in the distant future. Undecided on trade, I am torn between the openness of the Nordic Model and temptations to pursue "fair trade" deals designed to shelter the budding economies of developing nations. This past year or so I've started to let go of Keynesianism and lean more upon the Chicago school (not that I'm very savvy with the field of economics, of course).

Energy independence is not important. Rather, we ought to be phasing out coal with nuclear fission as our primary source of baseload power and steadily investing in the development of renewables. I am especially interested in the prospect of replacing the fission of Uranium with that of Thorium. Aside from that, environmentalism and animal rights appeal to my conscience. I am not a deep green ecologist or some kind of primitivist though - simply less fixated on the interests of humanity to the exclusion of respecting other forms of life than most people.

Then there are matters of art and science. I support some educational public broadcasting, state investment in basic research and development, funding to support museums and the preservation of heritage sites, robust support for the government-run space program, and relatively modest programs for promoting and celebrating varied forms of artistic expression. I look favorably upon embryonic stem cell research, oppose many forms of animal testing, and - though lacking much wisdom on the subject - sympathize with Pirate parties on many issues.

Finally, I support the subordination of other cultures only when they are clearly resulting in flagrant abuses of what I consider to be human rights. I am an intuitive bloke, and from my experiences it seems as though compassion has to trump tolerance - especially as it applies to foreign affairs. This puts me in favor of humanitarian interventions in spite my otherwise anti-imperialist (and typically collaborative) outlook on how countries ought to interact with each other. I support expanded civil rights, have a mixed stance on gun issues, am pro-choice until the third trimester, would legalize drugs and prostitution, oppose censorship, would like to declassify most state secrets - including many which pertain to national security - and can usually be counted on to err toward allowing individuals greater autonomy if it will cause nobody serious harm.


For Further Reference

Redalgo summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3530212#msg3530212) their political beliefs

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3492886#msg3492886) (10/29/2012) on the Political Personality Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3325340#msg3325340) (06/12/2012) on the Political Spectrum Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3410002#msg3410002) (09/03/2012) on the Political Test

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: Circa 1979

Ideology: N/A

Religion: Pantheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism)

Region: Most Serene Republic of the Midwest (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Midwest_Region)

Party: N/A

Corruption Status: Dubious


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent results and a dubious and furtive process matter equally.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The people.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  That depends on its intentions.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  The people.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  If they knew it.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Bottoms up girls!

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  As egalitarian as is feasible.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Under no circumstances whatsoever. However, what are its duties exactly?

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  "The State should exist largely only to serve the Poor. The Rich can serve themselves only too well." (Seume)

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Keeping the above and the following Seume quote at heart: "He who cannot bear injustice must not venture out of doors and should keep the shades down at all times. He is also well advised to own no mirror."

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
8) Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
8) Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
8) Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
8) Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
8) Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
8) Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
8) Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
8) Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  That would not be properly dubious and furtive.


For Further Reference

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3380095#msg3380095) (08/10/2012) on The Fairness Heuristics Test

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3270600#msg3270600) (04/21/2012) on the Politest

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3408063#msg3408063) (09/02/2012) on the Political Test

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3242003#msg3242003) (03/24/2012) on the "What Ideology are You?" quiz.

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: Circa 1967

Ideology: Lockean (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockean)

Religion: Pantheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism)

Region: Most Serene Republic of the Midwest (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Midwest_Region)

Party: Populares (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Pop)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  kantian, generally, although results are important.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  the nation.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  more harm.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  to the people.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  not necessarily.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  bottom-up, but that depends upon a well-educated populace.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  egalitarian.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  in some aspects.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  yes.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  isolationism.  research visits and diplomatic missions can be made, but the prime directive should be one of non-interference.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  his judgment.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  always.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  natural, yes.  inalienable, no.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
8) Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
8) Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
8) Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

;D Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
>:( Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
>:( Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

;D Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  not at this time.

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: May 31, 1994

Ideology: Social Democracy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democracy)

Religion: Atheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism)

Region: Most Serene Republic of the Midwest (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Midwest_Region)

Party: Labor Party of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Labor_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  IMHO . . . excellent process is more important.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  . . . a nation can't survive if its regions aren't comfortable with other regions . . .

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Of course it'd to more good . . . [and] is the only way to achieve social justice.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Public officials should be accountable to the people . . . [and] each other. . . .

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Yes . . . But people should know that they can't do everything they want . . .

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Of course they are. Democracy can't be understood without check and balances.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:   . . . I'm leaning towards believing governinf from the bottom-up is better.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  I haven't thought that much about it, but egalitarian-like seems to be cooler ;)

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  As a social democrat, I believe that should never happen. . . .

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No, it isn't. The best leader is one who represents everyone. . . .


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  Organizing the nation in order to reduce inequality and guarantee progress, with democracy in a social rule of law.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  An elected official should have a big vocation in order to be good. Of course, money should be among his/her top priorities. If party loyalty is more important than loyalty to the citizens they represent, we can be sure that elected official should be ousted in the next elections. That doesn't mean they should become "conservatives" or "liberals" just because a majority of voters in his constituency are. People like hard-working representatives. There are many, many examples of conservatives elected and reelected in liberal places and viceversa. Finally, a politician should realize he/she also has an expiration date.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  As a Law student, I can't answer this because I don't have a solid opinion about it. Right now, I believe we are. But don't ask me why because maybe tomorrow my answer is that we aren't :p.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes, we are. A society can't be understood without some inalienable rights, which are Universal and timeless at the same time.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

>:( Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
>:( Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
8) Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
;D Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
;D Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
;D Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
;D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  N/A


For Further Reference

Julio introduces (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=161457.0) (10/11/2012) their self to Atlasia

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: September 14, 1996

Ideology: Libertarian Conservative (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_conservatism)

Religion: Agnosticism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism)

Region: Mideast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Mideast)

Party: Independent

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent results trump all.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The regions.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Define 'potent' and 'highly-effective'?

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Both.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Not always. In most cases, yes.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Of course.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Both can be used effectively.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  In a perfect society, neither.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  No.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Never.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  To provide security from terror--foreign and domestic--and to enforce rules for all to follow in order to keep society functioning. Not to act as a machine, taking in money and spewing it out nonsensically.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  An elected official's 'goodness' is subjective, but in my eyes, a leader is 'good' if they have fulfilled their promises and made their state, region or country better because of those promises being fulfilled.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Of course.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

>:( Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
>:( Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
8) Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
8) Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
8) Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
8) Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
8) Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
8) Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
8) Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
>:( As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
;D Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
>:( Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  No, thank you.


For Further Reference

20RP12 summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3315721#msg3315721) (06/02/2012) their political beliefs

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3230233#msg3230233) (03/12/2012) on the Political Philosophy Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3325193#msg3325193) (06/12/2012) on the Political Spectrum Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3408362#msg3408362) (09/02/2012) on the Political Test

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3441674#msg3441674) (09/28/2012) on the 2012 Political Quiz

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: November 12, 1994

Ideology: Ordoliberalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordoliberalism)

Religion: Congregational (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congregationalist_polity) Presbyterianism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterianism)

Region: Northeast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Northeast_Region)

Party: Liberal Party (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Liberal_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent results

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The nation

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Depends

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  The People

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Depends

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Absolutely

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  N/A

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Hierarchically

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  If necessary

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  The states should have a significant, but fair, role in the public's affairs.  Economically, the states ought to maintain a broad safety net, but not be the arbiter of growth.  Socially, it should have a very limited role.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  A leader's worth ought to be determined by their honesty, intentions, and most importantly, results.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
8) Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
8) Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
8) Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
8) Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
8) Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I base many of my views on the principle that it ought to be a collective effort of government and society to sustain an environment which guarantees not only unalienable rights to its citizens, but free and equal opportunities.  All people should be given as many chances as they’re willing to take, but are individually responsible for shaping their own destinies and taking the right path in life.

Government can help sustain a nation of these ideals by providing help to those who need it; welfare, for example, in my view, is a second chance, not a second way of life, but it is a moral crime of any state to either neglect those who need a hand up or to give special privileges to those who don’t need it at all.


For Further Reference

Scott summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3354868#msg3354868) (07/15/2012) their political beliefs

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3224704#msg3224704) (03/07/2012) on the Political Philosophy Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3241895#msg3241895) (03/23/2012) on the "What Ideology are You?" quiz.

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: July 13, 1991

Ideology: Libertarianism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism)

Religion: Atheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism)

Region: Imperial Dominion of the South (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/South)

Party: Imperial Bloc (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Bloc)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Process, since people should not have to fear their officials.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  Regions, since it promotes more variety in our country

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Good, since it promotes more complex relations between different offices.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Both; they must obey the voters, but also work together.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  The people, by electing them, entrust officials with their will.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes, because they involve more people, promoting activity in Atlasia.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Governing from the bottom-up, to emphasize consensus in decision-making.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  An egalitarian hierarchy, with a wise executive who voluntarily defers.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  If they can do it more cheaply and efficiently than the government can, then yes.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Yes, if necessary to further their agenda (i.e. for legislative appointment).


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  A role that respects the individuality of citizens and affords them the ability to express themselves and engage in voluntary interactions with others with minimal interference. In cases where interference proves necessary, such as violent crimes, all citizens should be treated in an equal and evenhanded manner by the state.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  A good leader respects the agency of their citizens and helps drive the government to act in ways consistent with the criterion for a good state, while being open to the will of the citizenry and balancing that concern with the concern of maintaining a respectful and open government. A good leader should be mature and open to criticism from all quarters and willing to change if so needed to advance his agenda.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  As humans evolved from being hunter-gatherers and from early mammals, there are many tendencies that we retain, such as a preference for strong and reliable associates, a desire to provide for our families, and so on. I do not like the term "human nature", because it seems to suggest a sort of immutability. On the contrary, people can behave in different ways, or not even experience these tendencies. This is just what tends to drive people in social interactions.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  People are bestowed with faculties that distinguishes them from other animals, such as the capacity for analytical thought and critical discourse. These form the basis of what are referred to as "natural rights". Rights in general are a social construct, so natural rights are a contradiction. I would say that these "natural rights" are integral to healthy and intelligent discourse and should be respected without expection, but I would not agree that they are in fact natural or inalienable.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
8) Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
8) Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
;D Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
>:( Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
>:( Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
;D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  In my view, the American political spectrum is far too limited. Both parties espouse differing brands of political liberalism, which aren't that dissimilar. They may seem very different in the context of American politics, but there are many assumptions that go unstated and unchallenged. Nobody seriously questions the value of democracy itself. While I would not be up for abolishing democracy, it would be nice to at least see issues like that be discussed and challenge people to think about them.

Looking at other countries, many of them have parties that differ much more. In France, fascist and communist parties gain nontrivial amounts of support. A broader range of discourse is healthier for an electorate, because it helps the voters see that many things they take for granted are really nontrivial.

When we hear about speech being restricted or Sharia law in other parts of the world, the instinctive reaction of many people is to think that they are just evil and backwards over there. However, such moral judgments tend to obfuscate the thought processes that drive these points of view and do not help us understand what is going on in these cultures. Many wars and other tragic deaths are born out of misunderstandings of this very nature.

By having more variation in domestic politics, we would be better equipped to understand views that are espoused elsewhere in the world. If a prominent politician were to support hate speech legislation, then we would be forced to engage this view directly and come to understand it, even if we vehemently opposed it. Then, we would be better able to understand proponents of such a view elsewhere in the world. If we can understand them better, then we can understand other cultures better and develop a richer view of the world.


For Further Reference

Result (http://openpolitics.ca/ppq/index.php?q_0=4&q_1=1&q_2=1&q_3=4&q_4=4&q_5=4&q_6=2&q_7=2&HE=22&AD=-12&BS=-25&CI=-16&LR=-1&NW=-16) (05/20/2011) on the Political Personality Quiz

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: July 17, 1985

Ideology: Democratic Socialism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Socialism)

Religion: Atheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism)

Region: Imperial Dominion of the South (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/South)

Party: Labor Party of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Labor_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  As a transformation fetishist, I'd go with process, moar process!

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The federal level is what keeps the whole thing together . . .

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Only if he's also highly accountable and highly removable. . . .

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Both, via internal procedures between powers, and via recall referendum . . .

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  They should . . . distillate the people's real will behind its possible errances . . .

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  As Montesquieu once said : "You bet they are !"

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  . . . "a hierarchy is like monkeys in a tree : . . . those at the bottom mostly see asses."

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Etymologically, and philosophically . . . government implies a hierarchy.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  No. But . . . you leave the issue of defining what are its duties.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Normal, no. Natural, a bit. It's easier to . . . get them what they need. . . .


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  Make sure that only the good ideas in people prevail, and prevent the bad ideas.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Capable of understanding both ends on a topic, and capable of f***ing critical thinking, balance, judgment, and a bit of taste.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  I don't really get the question. I'll answer on something else : Applejack is best pony..

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  I don't know about natural, cause they're really mainly social constructs, but inalienable, yeah, sure.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
8) Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
>:( Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
8) Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
;D Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
>:( Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
>:( Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
;D Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
;D Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
8) Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
8) Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
8) Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
8) Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
8) Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  We should start eating less meat, virtually none at all. We should start working way less, producing way less, sharing what we already have, cause we'll soon be drowning in our own sh**t and garbage. We should start having collective control on what should be produced and what should not based on usefulness. We should stop playing casino economy, notably speculating on food resources that make entire countries starve. We should stop paying billions of dollars to make weapons, as a small amount of those would suffice to eradicate lots of diseases, hunger, analphabetism. And we should be starting our energetic transition fast, relearn how to walk and ride bikes, cause you won't have oil barrels the whole way folks.


For Further Reference

Zanas introduces (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=158758.msg3413737#msg3413737) (09/06/2012) their self to Atlasia

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: N/A

Ideology: Dynamic Conservatism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Conservatism#Presidency_1953.E2.80.931961)

Religion: Catholic Leipism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism)

Region: Northeast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Northeast)

Party: The People's Party (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/The_People%27s_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  An excellent result, the process is inconsequential beyond ensuring results

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The nation; in this day and age we are similar enough to allow it

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Much good- things could get done.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Both, professional responsibility is paramount under the implicit aegis of popular will

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Yes, within the bounds of morality and reason- i.e. ethnic cleansing

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes, an organizational balance is beneficial

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Bottom up, bring in a broad amount of voices and opinions, no echochamber

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  It should be as egalitarian as is reasonably possible, which sadly is rather hierarchical

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  If equity and efficiency can be guaranteed, yes

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Loyalty is an important part of organizational efficiency, so yes.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  Their role is to improve the lives of their citizens, to engage in trade, to help other states progress if they have the wherewithal to do so.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  What is good is consistency, clear vision, moral rectitude, loyalty to the people to which he is beholden, and willingness to compromise in the name of betterment. What is bad is lacking those traits- cravenness, dishonesty, inconsistency, etc.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes, we all, by and large, want more- more money, more power, more land, etc. Greed is the fundamental essence of the human condition. It’s spurred innovation and progress, and if one is to look at objectively, then Gordon Gekko was correct in saying “Greed is Good”, but it must be controlled and regulated, which perhaps is the primary role of government.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Indeed, we are all entrusted to live lives of dignity and honour, and therefore all that would make such a life possible as well, the right to worship one’s God, the right to speak one’s mind, the right to make a living for one’s self.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
8) Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
>:( Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

;D Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
;D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
>:( Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  Not at this time. I exercise the option to revise here.

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: November 19, 1990

Ideology: Social Liberalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Liberalism)

Religion: Secular Catholicism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapsed_Catholic)

Region: Northeast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Northeast)

Party: The People's Party (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/The_People%27s_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Results

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  Whoever is positioned to use that power most effectively. . . .

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Most of them time, more good. Occasionally, catastrophic harm.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Both; you can't have a working relationship . . . without mutual accountability.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  . . . officials should interpret the people's will(s) . . . among the factors they consider . . .

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Organically, bottom-up.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  I prefer a highly-fluid hierarchy.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  . . . only . . . when the outcome will be fair, transparent, free of corruption, and more efficient.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Yes; I would not follow a leader who did not value loyalty.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  In order of importance: 1. Protecting its citizens from violence and coercion; 2. Ensuring that the basic needs (food, shelter, clean water, healthcare, etc.) of its citizens are met. 3. Promoting economic prosperity.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Empathy, communication, and managerial skill. A good leader is one who understands what people want and who can convince people to work toward their goals together. Any leader must ultimately be judged by the degree to which he or she brings us all closer to achieving our personal and collective goals.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes, but that is a question best answered by a social scientist, not a politician or a philosopher.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  No, but it's important that we act as if we are.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
>:( Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
;D Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
>:( Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
8) Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
;D Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
;D Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

;D Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
>:( Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
8) Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
>:( Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
8) Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

8) Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I'm more conservative than radical, but I'm more progressive than reactionary. I respect and value our traditional institutions, but I also favor substantial (but gradual) political, economic, and social reforms that would make Atlasian society more free, fair, and egalitarian.


For Further Reference

Averroës summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3404895#msg3404895) (08/30/2012) their political beliefs

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: August 19, 1989

Ideology: Conservatism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Conservatism)

Religion: Protestantism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism)

Region: Mideast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Mideast_Region)

Party: Whig Party of the Republic of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Whig_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  excellent results

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  [the] regions

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  [more] good

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  the people

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  No; they are elected to represent generally, not democratically

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  bottom-up

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  hierarchically

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  On some occasions, but not essential governmental duties

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Only if their supporters are capable / deserving


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  To run government to the best of their ability; the federal government should step in when local governments fail

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  There are plenty of things, but to boil it down, if your heart is to help the nation, you're generally a good elected official.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
;D Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
>:( Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
>:( Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
>:( Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
:D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  Sorry - too much law school homework ;)

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: January 18, 1993

Ideology: Conservatism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Conservatism)

Religion: Seventh-Day Adventism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh-day_Adventist_Church)

Region: Mideast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Mideast_Region)

Party: Whig Party of the Republic of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Whig_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Both are important, but excellent results.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  It depends on the situation.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  It depends on how the power is used.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Both, in order to maintain the integrity of the system.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Yes, unless the people's will isn't in their best interest.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Absolutely.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Again, it depends on the situation.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Egalitarian, but it shouldn't be taken to extremes.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Yes, in some cases, but government has a role, too.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Leaders are meant to represent everyone.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  Good and legitimate states will promote the public good by balancing the will of their constituents with what is truly in their best interest.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Power, like many things, is a double-edged sword.  It is good or bad depending on how it's used.  You may be familiar with the quote, "use your powers for good, not evil."  That's what I feel our leaders need to do.  If a leader does what he or she truly believes is good for the people, then that is a good leader.  Leaders can be bad when they abuse their powers, support or enact harmful legislation, violate the rights of their constituents, or when they use powers that are not given to them.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes.  Human nature is, above all else, selfish.  That's not necessarily a good or bad thing, it's just the truth.  I believe that the vast majority of people know what is right and wrong, but are frequently blinded by their own selfish desires.  It is the responsibility of leaders to do what is right for the people regardless of what they may want for themselves.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Absolutely.  Remember Thomas Jefferson's words in the Declaration of Independence: we are all endowed by our Creator with rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  There are many more of these rights, but the main point is that they all come from God and it is the job of government to uphold those rights.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

8) Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
8) Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
8) Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
>:( Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
8) Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
8) Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
>:( As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
>:( Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  Although my political views are fundamentally conservative,  there are some ways in which I believe we need to work with both sides.  It's too bad that "compassionate conservative" has become such a dirty term in some conservative circles, because I believe that a form of compassionate conservatism is exactly what we need.  For example, I believe that environmental protection should be encouraged, but it should not be done so in a way that harms economic growth.  I believe that government should be used to do good, and doing what is good for the people is the natural limits that our government should have.  I don't believe that government is the solution for everything, though, and it certainly should not be too overreaching in its powers.  I also believe that there are positive and negative elements of every culture, and we should embrace the best of all cultures.  I don't think people from other countries should have to give up their culture, but they should recognize their status in another nation and embrace that as well.  No ideology has all the solutions, and everyone's concerns should be addressed when establishing our laws.

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: N/A

Ideology: Conservative Libertarianism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Libertarianism)

Religion: Agnosticism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism)

Region: Northeast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Northeast)

Party: Whig Party of the Republic of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Whig_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  I suppose results are what matter in the end.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  Depends on the issue.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Good as long as his power is kept in check.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Both.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  No, they should be expected to follow their conscience.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  In general, bottom-up.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Hierarchically, because complete egalitarianism is inefficient.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Yes, if they can do it more efficiently.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  To protect individual liberties & property rights, along with promoting freedom & democracy abroad.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  I would say that activity, honesty, willingness to work with others, commitment to principles, & avoiding personal attacks are all good traits for an elected official to have.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  es, although I believe that part of human nature is changing & innovating to create a better future.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes, and these rights need to be protected across the globe.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
>:( Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
;D Is government the ultimate authority in society?

8) Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
>:( Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

;D Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
>:( Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
8)Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

;D Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
;D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  No, I can't think of any other political views in particular I'd like to talk about, although I will gladly give my opinion on any other issues you would like to ask me about.


For Further Reference

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3494067#msg3494067) (10/30/2012) on the Political Personality Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3325277#msg3325277) (06/12/2012) on the Political Spectrum Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3408136#msg3408136) (09/02/2012) on the Political Test

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3441630#msg3441630) (09/28/2012) on the 2012 Political Quiz

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: N/A

Ideology: Nationalist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_conservatism) Minarchism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minarchism#Ideology)

Religion: Non-Denominational Christianity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nondenominational_Christianity)

Region: Imperial Dominion of the South (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Dominion_of_the_South)

Party: Whig Party of the Republic of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Whig_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Results

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  Regions

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Good

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  People

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  No

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Top-down

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Egalitarian

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Yes

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  Best state is a state that minimally interfers into people's lives

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Transparency, non-elitism and honesty make elected officials good

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes, people are mostly driven by animal instincts and it's God-set goal for us to override them

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Not everybody, some don't deserve rights at all


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

>:( Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

8) Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
>:( Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

8) Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
>:( Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

;D Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
8) Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
8) Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
;D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
>:( Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
8) Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  N/A


For Further Reference

Pingvin summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3214567#msg3214567) (02/28/2012) their political beliefs

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3242085#msg3242085) (03/24/2012) on the Political Test

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3242054#msg3242054) (03/24/2012) on the "What Ideology are You?" quiz.

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: February 26, 1992

Ideology: Conservative Liberalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_liberalism)

Religion: Presbyterianism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterianism)

Region: Imperial Dominion of the South (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Dominion_of_the_South)

Party: Whig Party of the Republic of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Whig_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  You cannot achieve excellent results without an excellent process.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  Regions can better deal with the unique challenges they face.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Extreme good and extreme harm could both be possible.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  The people.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Officials should represent people’s best interests, not their wildest ideas.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  The most economically powerful people can foster the most change.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Even the best-intentioned egalitarian government will devolve into hierarchy.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Not entirely. How we delineate these duties is also contentious.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Not at all.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  The foremost responsibility of any government is to protect its people. Good states must defend their citizens’ freedoms and liberties, helping to ensure that every individual has the equal opportunity to pursue happiness. When an individual’s pursuit of happiness has the effect of infringing the rights of others, government must, of course, act as mediator. I’m of the belief, however, that individuals working together to pursue greatness actually help lift up society as a whole. Good states are not defined by their leaders—they are defined by the collective character of the people within them.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Good leaders stand for their principles, fight for their constituents, and work to find common ground between people of all stripes. Effective leadership is also important, and I believe the requisite quality of effective leadership is communication. In a representative democracy, citizens place immense faith in the officials they elect—it is only fair that these elected officials are open, honest, and willing to defend and promote the work they are doing.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes. Some of our more primal instincts are forces of good and some work for bad. While we are to a certain extent beholden to these instincts, we are not incapable of tempering them when necessary.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  I can’t presume to know whether our rights are natural or not. That being said, any good government must recognize certain rights and fight to protect them for everyone.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

8) Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
8) Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

8) Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
8) Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
8) Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
8) Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I don’t have much else to say. If people want to know more about some of my positions (or ask me any questions), I’d urge them to visit my office (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=157486.0). :)


For Further Reference

Hagrid intrdouces (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=157486.msg3385610#msg3385610) (10/14/2012) their self to Atlasia

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: August 16, 1990

Ideology: Leftism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-wing_politics)

Religion: Protestantism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism)

Region: Most Serene Republic of the Midwest (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Midwest_Region)

Party: Reality or Nothing (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=160955.0)

Corruption Status: N/A


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  In Atlasia, an excellent process; the more insanity, the better.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The nation should; alternatively, the regions should be independent nations.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Good, when a sequence of highly-effective executives is effectuated.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Yes.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  No; they should implement what is best for the people.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  They are a low priority in Atlasia.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Top-down, with support from the bottom.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Egalitarian-like, with much *hughughug*.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Not when inappropriate.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  For game purposes, sure.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  N/A

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  N/A

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  N/A

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  N/A


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
>:( Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
;D Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
;D Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
;D Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

8) Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
>:( Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
8) Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  N/A

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: July 22, 1990

Ideology: New Liberalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_liberalism)

Religion: Roman Catholicism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism)

Region: Mideast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Mideast_Region)

Party: Liberal Party (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Liberal_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent results. They matter more for our citizens.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The nation. Regions are largely useless and unnecessary.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  That depends very strongly on the executive.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  The people, which also includes other public officials.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  To an extent. But we also owe them our judgement.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Generally yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Depends on the issue.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Hierarchically. Government requires order.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Under no circumstances.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  A state must be as large as necessary and as small as possible. The state's necessary role is to provide every citizen with certain basic needs - healthcare, education being 2 of the most important. These things contribute to equality of opportunity and reduce dependence on the state in the long run for other things.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  A good leader is one that has a clear vision for what is and what is not good policy. This may or may not be identical to public opinion, but a good leader must follow his conscience irrespective of personal political consequences.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  I haven't the least idea.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  No. Rights are an artificial concept - mind you, a very good and necessary concept in any free and civilized society, and they should be regarded as inalienable in practice, but anyone that doesn't realize that rights are only relevant if they are also respected, is fooling himself.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
8) Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
>:( Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
;D Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
>:( Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
8) Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
>:( Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I have nothing in particular to state at the moment.


For Further Reference

Franzl discusses (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=159581.msg3432841#msg3432841) (10/22/2012) some hot-button issues

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: Circa 1989

Ideology: Conservatism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Conservatism)

Religion: Catholicism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism)

Region: Mideast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Mideast)

Party: Whig Party of the Republic of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Whig_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:   As a judge, process, otherwise results.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The regions; it spurs activity.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  It depends which is his intent.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Yes, though as a judge this accountability is of a different sort.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Elected ones should to some degree.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Bottom-up

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Hierarchially. Each position needs a role for there to be checks and balances.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  If the private organization can provide the services more effectively.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Only in a context that is legal; ie. cabinet appointments and not a quid pro quo.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  To protect their citizens, establish a proper rule of law, and provide services that can more effectively be delivered by a government than a private entity.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Intentions, policy goals, and the manner of carrying himself can all play a critical role in the success or failure of a government official.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  No, I believe people have free will and are thus not beholden to any part of their human nature.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes in that there are rights all the government should recognize certain rights as part of the dignity of a human person and these rights are of intrinsic value. However, this in not always respected by government.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
;D Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
8) Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
8) Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

;D Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
>:( Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
>:( Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I think I've explained my views fairly clearly on this site, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask.


For Further Reference

TJ summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3056235#msg3056235) (10/14/2011) their political beliefs

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3217846#msg3217846) (03/02/2012) on the Political Test

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: April 15, 1996

Ideology: Paleoconservatism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoconservatism)

Religion: Baptism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptist)

Region: Imperial Dominion of the South (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Dominion_of_the_South)

Party: Imperial Bloc (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Bloc)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent Process.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  Regions.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Harm.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  The People.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  They should, but votes on principle are more important.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Very much so.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Bottom up.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  An organized structure going up.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Yes, but they should not favor any one company over another.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Only if the supporter is qualified for a position/title/reward.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  To protect the people and provide a basic structure in which the peoples voices can be heard.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  A good [leader] views the issues from all sides, and at least listens to and notes the people’s concerns, even if he opposes what they want.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

>:( Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
8) Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

;D Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
8) Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
>:( Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
8) Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
>:( Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
;D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
>:( Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I support moderate environmental regulations at a local level. I support immigration restrictions and want society, not the government, to promote assimilation. Other cultures should be allowed to retain traditions, but I do think they should try and assimilate into Atlasian society.


For Further Reference

Sanchez summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3354913#msg3354913) (07/15/2012) their political beliefs

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: August 13, 1997

Ideology: Classical Liberalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_Liberalism)

Religion: Episcopalianism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Church)

Region: Imperial Dominion of the South (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Dominion_of_the_South)

Party: Imperial Bloc (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Bloc)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Process; killing terrorists is an excellent result that doesn't justify flawed processes.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The regions know best what is best for the regions.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Most of the time, somewhat more good; occasionally, massive harm

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Ideally, both; if forced to choose, the people.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Yes, unless 'the people's will' is unconstitutional or illegitimate.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Typically the bottom-up.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Hierarchically for the most part.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  In some instances (where it would be more effective/efficient to do so).

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Loyalty yes, promoting followers over clearly qualified other candidates no.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  The role of the state is to prevent infringement upon the rights of individuals by other entities, be they corporations, other individuals, or the state itself.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  A leader can be judged as to whether they are 'good' or 'bad' based on the policies they implement and their overall results for the nation.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  That is not under my jurisdiction to determine.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
;D Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
8) Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
8) Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

8) Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

8) Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
8) Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  Liberty is at the core of my philosophy, but that liberty doesn't end at "the state shouldn't interfere in people's lives". Liberty extends beyond that, encompassing corporations (example: we need anti-trust laws if we truly want liberty, as we cannot be free under a monopoly) and individuals (you don't have the right to oppress other people). A sort of checks-and-balances system between individuals, corporations, and the state, with none having too much power, is necessary for a free and fair Atlasia.


For Further Reference

Sam summarizes (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=18844.msg3259191#msg3259191) (04/10/2012) their political beliefs

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3493023#msg3493023) (10/30/2012) on the Political Personality Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3324806#msg3324806) (06/12/2012) on the Political Spectrum Quiz

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3408098#msg3408098) (09/02/2012) on the Political Test

Result (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=41562.msg3441711#msg3441711) (09/28/2012) on the 2012 Political Quiz

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: Circa 1988

Ideology: Social Neo-Populism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-populism)

Religion: Agnosticism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism)

Region: Imperial Dominion of the South (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Dominion_of_the_South)

Party: Labor Party of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Labor_Party)

Corruption Status: Dubious


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Results, for process exists solely for such.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The nation must quite often keep a leash handy.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Sociopathy is both a disadvantage and prerequisite for leadership.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  They have the word 'public' in their role, correct?

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  When feasibility permits. The people can often be deluded.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Absolutely, for that is from where amusement derives.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  Policy should always be focused at blossoming from below.

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  In neither sense is someone guaranteed power.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  No.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Yes, it (and my VISA) are universally accepted.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  To guarantee human rights are protected, to provide for its people in basic fashion and to maintain a sound, fair, competitive economic system at any cost.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  A leader's responsibility is to organize, motivate and fight like hell for what they believe. Inactivity, apathy and lethargy are the tell-tale signs of a bad leader.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  We very much still possess the basic programming that we possessed from the time we crawled out of the bush. Human nature is unavoidable, primitive and downright disgusting. It should also be embraced to its fullest.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  All things are guaranteed a beginning, an end and chaos throughout. Civil society is the only thing that protects and guarantees what some consider to be natural rights. It can be argued that such rights originate from government alone, which is a manifestation of the people's will.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
>:( Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
;D Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
>:( Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
;D Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

;D Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

;D Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
;D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
8) Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  N/A

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: N/A

Ideology: Social Liberalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_liberalism)

Religion: Irreligism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreligion)

Region: Northeast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Northeast)

Party: Liberal Party (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Liberal_Party)

Corruption Status: N/A


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent results

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  Depends on what policy area

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Depends on what his/her goals are

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  Yes

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  To an extent, they are a trustee of the people

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  N/A

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Hierarchically

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Depends on the policy area.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  Being from New York, making sure people have electricity is a good start.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  It depends on how you're defining good and bad. Do you mean good as in morally good, and bad as in morally bad --or are you using those terms to mean effective?

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  To an extent, sure.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
;D Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
8) Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
8) Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
;D Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

8) Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
>:( Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
8) Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

;D Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
>:( As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
;D Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  N/A


For Further Reference

Nick introduces (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=164259.0) (11/07/2012) their self to Atlasia

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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---

Basic Information

Date of Birth: N/A

Ideology: Social Liberalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_liberalism)

Religion: N/A

Region: Mideast (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Mideast_Region)

Party: Liberal Party (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Liberal_Party)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Both are important, but in the end I would have to say excellent results.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  The nation, without a doubt.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  All things being equal, it would do more good than harm.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  The people

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Since we are . . . [not] a direct democracy, I would have to say no. . . .

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Absolutely, they are critical to a strong and healthy democracy!

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  N/A

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  Hierarchically, I think, although this question also confused me a little bit.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  No . . .

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  No


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  States should be laboratories of policy experimentation.  Additionally, states must understand that federal laws supersede state laws, nullification should not be tolerated.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  A combination of the results they are able to get, their moral character, and the degree to which they are able and willing to compromise without selling out their core beliefs.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes, for better or worse.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
8) Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
8) Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
;D Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
;D Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
8) Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
8) Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
>:( Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

>:( Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
;D Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
;D Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
;D Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
;D Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

>:( Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
>:( Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
8) As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
;D Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

>:( Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
;D Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  My political philosophy can best be described as principled pragmatism.  I am both socially and economically left-leaning, but I also believe that those on the right and in the center have many good ideas and that the way to achieve prosperity is for our nation's factions to work together to negotiate compromises that combine everyone's best ideas.  It is important not to cave, but that doesn't preclude compromise.  There is a time and place for standing on ideological principle and their is a time and place for pragmatic governance.


For Further Reference

Mr. X discusses (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163754.msg3509527#msg3509527) (10/22/2012) some hot-button issues

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Phillies, gentlecolts, assorted ape people… allo once again! I am pleased to report to you the induction of twenty-five active, Atlasian politicians into the Social Architects Archive (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=163571.msg3499193#msg3499193) since we last spoke! Before year’s end I intend to expand this list by another fifty names. To accomplish this commendable feat of bureaucratic time sinkery, I need for you, the reader, to show a little bit of initiative. Namely, it is the desire of the Depositaren of the Most Serene Republic of the Midwest that you first fill out the following questionnaire in its entirety, and then submit it to me via private message for immediate transcribing into the archive. Should you wish for any of your responses to be amended, please contact me. Reasonable suggestions shall be taken into strong consideration and some accommodations shall likely be made.



Basic Information

Replace the underscored spaces with your responses. Use N/A if needed.

00. Name and Title of Office(s), if applicable: __________
01. Date of Birth: __________
02. Ideology: __________
03. Religion: __________
04. Region: __________
05. Party: __________


Public Administration

Please answer these next ten questions using no more than ten words each.

06. Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?

07. Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?

08. Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?

09. Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?

10. Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?

11. Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?

12. Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?

13. Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?

14. Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?

15. Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?


Political Worldview

Please answer these four questions with no more than a hundred words each.

16. What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?

17. What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?

18. Are people beholden to some form of human nature?

19. Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?


Political Convictions

Please answer each of these thirty questions with “Yes,” “No,” or “Other.”

20. Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
21. Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
22. Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
23. Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
24. Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
25. Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
26. Is government the ultimate authority in society?

27. Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
28. Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
29. Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
30. Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
31. Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
32. Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
33. Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

34. Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
35. Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
36. Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
37. Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
38. Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
39. Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
40. Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

41. Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
42. Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
43. Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
44. Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
45. As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
46. Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
47. Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

48. Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
49. Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Please answer the following question with fewer than 2,000 words.

50. Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.


For Further Reference

Please provide any links to posts on this forum containing information you believe would be pertinent to viewers of the archive in understanding your political perspectives. Campaign threads, posted results to quizzes of a political nature, and posted summaries of ones views in politics elsewhere on the forum are especially desired. Your cooperation would be sincerely appreciated but is not required; I will eventually dig around for and link to such posts myself.



Furthermore, I would like to announce this office is beginning to analyze past legislation in the Most Serene Republic (and from under preceding regimes) to verify its constitutionality. Expect declarations to be issued and links to the bills in question to be provided in the second post of this thread as incremental progress is made. This might take weeks to finish.

In the meanwhile, the Alþing is once again encouraged to provide a most generous appropriation of funding for the sure, expeditious construction and staffing of The Most Serene Library. We should likewise allocate resources for the establishment of our local Leaning Haberdashery Lounge. Neither are yet slated for establishment in spite of their inclusion in our constitution. Please do not make me introduce the legislation myself; the wisard is kept quite busy enough as it is with handling other pressing matters of state. Assuming that these measures are (against all odds) implemented within the next week, construction will still take several months. During which time, all throughout the winter, I will be stuck either in the local, public library or out here:


Do not leave me out in these snowy wastes forever. You will suffer blunt force trauma to the head. Inflicted by my staff. If I have to ask ya'll again, I may have to begin training Wobbles in the ways of castrating Folk Representanter. She is cute... yet has sharp fangs.

Surely I jest. Surely. Now everybody form a neat line. Come closer. I need to hug each of you. Feel the legend of our nation's story - that legend still flowing forth from the follicles of my magnificent but nevertheless rather uninspiring facial stubble! *hug hug hug* >:(

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For the enrichment of citizens in the Midwest, I hereby disclose all of the following information...

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Basic Information

Date of Birth: May 18, 1981

Ideology: Conservatism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism_in_the_United_States)

Religion: Catholicism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism)

Region: Imperial Dominion of the South (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Dominion_of_the_South)

Party: Imperial Bloc (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Imperial_Bloc)

Corruption Status: Clean


Public Administration

Q: Which is more important: excellent results or an excellent process?
A:  Excellent results.

Q: Who should have more power in federalism: the nation or regions?
A:  Regions should have greater power than the nation.

Q: Would a potent, highly-effective executive do more good or harm?
A:  Harm, I believe in checks and balances per Montesquieu.

Q: Should public officials be accountable to each other, or the people?
A:  The people.

Q: Should public officials be expected to implement the people’s will?
A:  Yes, absolutely.

Q: Are checks and balances, and separation between powers desirable?
A:  Yes, absolutely.

Q: Which is best: governing from the bottom-up or from the top-down?
A:  I support grassroots governance

Q: Should governments be organized hierarchically, or egalitarian-like?
A:  I'd have to ask you to define both terms.

Q: Should a government delegate its duties to private service providers?
A:  Constitutionally, powers like national defense are reserved to government.

Q: Is it okay for a leader to award their supporters preferential treatment?
A:  Yes.


Political Worldview

Q: What is the correct role for good or legitimate states?
A:  I am at the core a supporter of Hobbes, not Rousseau. A government governs best that governs least. I believe that a government should have the foremost interests of her peoples in mind and that a legitimate government should be elected by the people. I believe the people have the right to depose a government that has become corrupt. So taking all that together - a government has the duty of being the servant to the people.

Q: What makes a leader or elected official good or bad?
A:  Competence - the ability to discern between good decisions and bad decisions.

Humility - the ability to place the needs of his representatives above his own desires.

Passion - the ability to inspire others towards a greater goal.

Diligence - the ability to work at a task until the task is completed.

Accessability - the ability for the people to be able to reach me and express their concerns and desires.

Q: Are people beholden to some form of human nature?
A:  Yes, I believe in Hobbes, that there is a fundamental human nature and that that nature is evil. Ergo - government should have severe constraints to prevent them from oppressing the people and abusing the trust granted to them.

Q: Are people bestowed with natural, inalienable rights?
A:  Yes, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I do not believe that rights are granted by the state, but by God, and that the state cannot create new rights out of whole cloth, nor can they take away existing rights.


Political Convictions

;D (Yes), >:( (No), 8) (Other)

;D Can coercion of people by government ever be justified?
;D Do good people have reasons to be wary of government?
;D Is “limited government” an attractive notion to embrace?
>:( Should interest groups be made part of the government to help craft policies?
8) Are people supposed to bring honor and be loyal to the community?
>:( Do the needs of the many mostly outweigh those of the few?
>:( Is government the ultimate authority in society?

>:( Would we all be better off without any economic regulation?
;D Will competition and a market economy help workers flourish?
;D Is self-reliance an important value for our society to promote?
>:( Does redistributing resources make an economic order fairer?
8) Should the workers themselves own the means of production?
8) Is “social utility” a better objective for producers than profits?
>:( Would we all be better off if private property were abolished?

;D Should people seek to conquer nature and bend it to their will?
>:( Will humanity eventually exhaust its supplies of crucial resources?
>:( Do environmental challenges threaten our material standards of living?
8) Does it suffice to simply manage natural resources for sustainable use?
8) Is it worthwhile to preserve other life forms and their habitats, as well?
;D Are animals entitled to any privileges that infringe on human interests?
>:( Should the interests of all animal species be valued equally?

;D Is it ever alright for one group of people to culturally dominate another?
;D Do you think the Republic of Atlasia is an “exceptional” country?
;D Should the state promote a culture that is uniquely Atlasian?
;D Are you willing to tolerate and coexist with groups of different people?
;D As natives, can we justly demand that any newcomers assimilate?
8) Can more than one cultural nation peacefully coexist within a country?
>:( Do people have enough in common to live under a global government?

;D Would you describe yourself as more conservative than progressive?
8) Generally speaking, are you more pragmatic than idealistic?


Additional Comments

Q: Would you care to divulge any other political views? Please elaborate.

A:  I think you've covered the broad basics. As a Conservative Catholic, I believe in the humanity of the unborn and the preservation of traditional marriage. I do not support the death penalty, as I believe the state should not have that power. I support the rights of the individual over those of the community. I believe in religious freedoms and the fundamental equality of all people. I believe that men and women are equal in value, but not equal in form or function. We should not expect men and women to desire the same things, or to perform equally in all tasks. I believe that Atlasia was founded as a Christian nation and that other religions should respect the Christian basis for Atlasian society.


For Further Reference

N/A

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     Greetings, Wisard Extraordinær Redalgus I. The South has recently passed a bill to lobby Dave Leip to create a board for our own region, where we may engage in our own business without confusion and lost threads. I encourage you to consider joining us in our quest for a doctrine of one region, one board. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

     Sincerely, Emperor PiT.

Fascinating reading! ;D

I consider this good policy and will urge the passage of such legislation in due time!

As at least some folk may already be well aware, I've now been inactive here for one month.

It seems quite unlikely that my level of engagement with the fantasy government will increase within the foreseeable future - which brings me to the point of why I am posting. As of this time I encourage somebody to replace me for serving in this office because I will probably be dropping out of the simulation altogether so that I can concentrate what little time I can set aside for visiting the U.S. Election Atlas from time to time on other boards. Though perhaps a major inconvenience to some people - especially in the Midwest - the only alternative to this I can think of at this point is being inactive and non-responsive to PMs most of the time for several weeks at a stretch, which is not at all conducive to things getting done around here.

There were a lot of unrealized ideas I had for improving the quality of experience here in the Midwest, and what few projects I did embark on where never really seen through to fruition. In my typical fashion, I eagerly took on more responsibilities than I could realistically maintain enough motivation to satisfy over the long-run. You have my sincerest apologies for that, and I'll try to visit at least a couple times per week, but I'm quite busy on most days and am kind of in a process down-scaling the number of activities I try to juggle at once. If anyone needs anything please let me know and I'll respond as soon as I can, but please understand that I have far less energy and willpower to bring to the table than was the case a long while back.