Public Office of Frémont FM Scott [Resignation Statement]

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

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MP Scott announces candidacy at his ranch in Jackson, WY

My friends,

When I first moved to Fremont in February of last year, our region was in dire straights.  Our First Minister at the time had gone MIA, and Parliamentary business came to a halt, which then ensued in a snap election and a brand new active government under the leadership of our current FM YE.

Over the past year, great progress has been made.  We've established a public bank.  We expanded high-speed rail.  We've provided more funding for farms, parks, and urban areas.  We've fought human trafficking and fought for the rights of victims.  And that was only in July.

But now we must look forward.  Wyoming, much like the rest of Fremont, is a place with humble beginnings but a strong, undying spirit.  We are a place where everyone is welcome, no matter their race, their gender, their sexual orientation, or their creed.  (They don't call us the Equality State for nothing!)  It is a place where forward-thinking people prosper and a love for individual liberty is shared by all.  And today, it is where our campaign begins.

Most people, I realize, prefer short and sweet campaign speeches as opposed to long-winded ones, so I'll keep my remarks as brief as possible.  In terms of experience, I have been involved with Atlasian politics for many years, starting out as an Assemblyman for the former Northeast Region in June of 2011, later being elected its senator, and then governor for two terms.  I was also a legislator in the former IDS for a brief period, and then went on to serve as its Emperor.

After a long hiatus, I returned to the game and served as Lincoln's senator for four terms, before settling here in Fremont, which at the time I believed needed fresh energy and reform.

And there is still much work to be done.  As part of this announcement, I will outline three of my top priorities.

First and foremost, the top priority for our next government must be the budget.  It is imperative that the region passes an annual budget by next session, especially with our last fiscal year having ended months ago.  Working with Parliament and the new GM on this task will be my first priority as First Minister.

My next priority is to eliminate cash bail, as California has recently done.  Under the current system, those who are awaiting trial and are wealthy may buy their freedom, while those who are poor and cannot afford bail are forced to sit in jail.  My bill, which may be read here, replaces the current bail system with a three-tier scoring system that evaluates the accused on the charges made against them, regardless of their ability to afford bail.  These reforms are essential to making our justice system fairer and work for all people.

My third priority, which I intend to further research and pursue once our current budget crisis is solved, is the creation of the nation's first-ever "cradle to career" savings plan, to take direct aim at the growing inequality and poverty ravaging Fremont.  Poverty comes at a high cost to individuals, families, communities, states, and to the region as a whole.

The new program will create an account for children of working poor families at birth and seed an initial investment that must be used for post-secondary education expenses.  We are also going to amend the tax code by offering families $4,000 tax deductions for college savings.

A new initiative would also work with schools and nonprofit companies and seek private funding to promote financial literacy among Fremonters.

In addition to those proposals, these will be my guiding principles as your First Minister:

✓ The right to drink clean water and breathe clean air.
✓ The right to quality healthcare.
✓ The right not to be discriminated against because of who you are or who you love.  On day one of my administration, I will sign an executive order prohibiting state agencies from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, disability, or age.
✓ The right for all law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms for sport and self-defense.
✓ The protection of our public lands.
✓ Protecting women's healthcare, including the right to choose.

I believe in this great Commonwealth of ours, from the Golden Coast out west to the farms and prairies in our nation's breadbasket.  Rural or urban, rich or poor, young or old, we are all Fremonters.  This campaign is not about one individual, it is about all of us.  And I'd like to ask you to join with us - volunteer, donate, or just pass the word on to a friend.

Thank you.  Dave bless Atlasia, and Dave bless this great Commonwealth!

Endorsements
Parliament candidate JacksonHitchcock
Speaker Jimmy7812
Secretary of State Lumine von Reuental
Former Deputy GM Encke
First Minister YE
Lincoln Deputy Speaker Peanut
Former MP AustralianSwingVoter
Senator Sestak
Secretary of Internal Affairs Ninja0428
Parliament Speaker ON Progressive
Fmr. Game Moderator Harry S Truman
Fmr. Senator Siren
Parliament candidate RFA09
Rep. Razze
Former MP and Parliament candidate Galaxie

^{1 PBS News interviews Mark Udall
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Thank you all for the support!

Additionally, I would like to use this opportunity to formally endorse Senator Sestak and First Minister YE for President and Vice President in February.  I have had the privilege of knowing both of them very well throughout their service in Fremont, and I am confident that they will usher in the kind of leadership and activity that Nyman sorely needs.

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It was my honor to serve together with Scott in the Senate. He's one of the nicest, most committed, and intelligent people around these parts. And more importantly he's my friend. It don't get much better than that!

Thanks, co-mod!

Out of appreciation for Siren and Mr. R's kind remarks, I will be including free hugs and 'butt stuff' as part of my economic revitalization plan.

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Statement on the conclusion of the North Korean Civil War

Earlier today it was announced that the year-long war in East Asia has finally come to an end.  Today marks a great day for international peace, but also for the thousands of Atlasian service members who will soon be returning home to be reunited with their families for the new year.

With our military objectives having been fulfilled, our mission now is to ensure that our returning service members are treated with due recompense for the sacrifices that they and their loved ones made, as well as to honor the sacrifice of those who will not return.  It is imperative that we as a nation, and a Commonwealth, not fail on our commitment to our men and women in uniform.  President Franklin Roosevelt famously described war as young men dying and old men talking.  Now is the time for action, to see that not a single veteran in our country goes without adequate shelter or healthcare.  As elected officials, that obligation falls on all of us, from the federal government on down.

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This week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by thumb21, where we discussed an array of issues affecting Fremont and the nation.  I also unveiled my newest proposal to reform licensing laws in the region, which in many states punish our poorest citizens as well as those with low-skilled jobs.  You may read the interview here.

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Polls are open!  Get out and make your voice heard and vote for candidates who will be active and diligent during these next few months.  We've accomplished many great things under the YE Ministry and we're going to continue that legacy under a new administration.

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Thank you all so much!

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I stand here as the First Minister-elect, and I am so proud to be your First Minister-elect.

Last year, we started a movement to fundamentally transform politics in our great Commonwealth, as we launched a new party to represent those who are seldom acknowledged by the political mainstream: farmers and cultivators of our earth.  We had a mission to fundamentally change the state of politics in Fremont by addressing those we felt the Denver elite had long ignored.  And at this time, many Fremonters felt that they were ignored, by a government that was inactive and answered to no one.  People were tired of politics as usual, and this little party quickly grew to become a noble voice in our region's capital.

People wanted us to go to Denver to get things done, and we did exactly that.  We passed new bills that invested in infrastructure, established a regional bank, made community college tuition-free, took on climate change, and preserved our national parks.  We delivered on these things while staying committed to fiscal responsibility, and today we have a surplus that stands at over $180 billion.

I would like to thank our outgoing First Minister (and incoming Vice President!) YE for putting our commonwealth on the right track.  He has been a tremendous leader for our region, and we will follow his example of active leadership in the days ahead.

I would also like to thank Speaker ON Progressive for his leadership in Parliament, and I look forward to working with him as we soon begin the new session.

I must also thank Deputy GM Encke for his hard work in finalizing the new budget, which finally passed Parliament this past weekend, and ending months of fiscal uncertainty.

And I would like to thank all of you who came out to support our campaign this weekend.

The people of Fremont have given me more than I could ever hope to give back to them.  They have given me hope, faith, and optimism for our future.  And never for a minute will I forget about the people who sent me to Denver to lead for them.  The biggest thing I have learned about leadership is that leadership is much less about talking than it is listening: bringing people together, treating one another with respect, ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table, whether they agree with you or not.

And that doesn't mean you don't have principles.  We have many.  I have stood and fought for the same things I intend to fight for as your First Minister, to protect civil liberties, to conserve our environment, to reform a broken criminal justice system, to promote higher education, and to make sure that we create opportunity for all Fremonters regardless of their zip code.

I believe that over the past year we have laid those foundations.  I believe this election has showed that people understand we have laid those foundations, and want to build on them.

So let's keep moving in the right direction.  Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work!

Thank you, Dave bless you, and Dave bless the Commonwealth of Fremont!

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ATTENTION FREMONTERS

We currently have a vacancy in Parliament due to the deregistration of MP Thunder98.  Please PM me if you have any interest in serving until the special election.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

ATTENTION FREMONTERS

We currently have a vacancy in Parliament due to the deregistration of MP Thunder98.  Please PM me if you have any interest in serving for the rest of the session.

There's a special...

Oh, I know - should have said until the special election.

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Tonight I shall appoint LumineVonReuental to the position of MP.

A special election for the seat will be held February 8-10.

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Statement

I am deeply saddened by the news of Senator Sestak's deregistration from the game.  During his service, Sestak represented Fremont honorably and actively.  His absence will be felt by all as we reach the end of a highly rigorous and contentious presidential campaign, and I hope we might see him return to Atlasia soon.

His departure leaves me with the task of appointing a temporary replacement, and in accordance with our region's Constitution, a special election shall be held this Friday to coincide with the special election for Parliament.  For the interim, I will appoint Representative Devout Centrist to fill the vacancy, who during his time as MP and Congressperson has proven to have the vigor and dedication worthy of taking Sestak's place in the Senate.

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Statement

The presidential campaign season is finally at end, and the people have spoken.  Congratulations to President-elect Tmth, Vice President-elect Lumine, Senator-elect Ontario Progressive, and to all other victors of last weekend's contests.

As a result of the election, Fremont is in for quite a legislative shuffle, with the successful recall of MP RFA09 having taken place as well as the ascension of MP Lumine to the Vice Presidency and Speaker Ontario Progressive to the Senate.  A total of three Parliamentary vacancies will have to be filled soon, and our MPs will soon be tasked with electing a new Speaker.  As of today, RFA09's seat is now vacant and a replacement will need to be selected.  I would also like to find replacements for Lumine and Ontario Progressive before the next government is sworn in.  Please PM me if you would like to serve in Parliament or if you intend on running in upcoming special elections.

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I hereby appoint AustralianSwingVoter to the position of MP.

A special election for this seat shall be held February 23-25.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Australian Swing Voter and Jimmy7812 are hereby appointed to the positions of MP.

A special election for both seats will be held March 1-3.

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Statement

Moments ago, I issued my first veto of the Parliamentary session.  Under our constitution, this means that a public referendum shall be held on the legislation on whether to approve or reject the bill in question.

The "Protecting Children From Smoking in Vehicles Act," as it is so named, bans the smoking of tobacco - and even e-cigarettes - in cars with passengers under 18 years old.  While the intention to reduce the exposure of potentially harmful chemicals to minors is good, the bill as written is a perfect example of government overreach that would hurt Fremonters, and have devastating consequences for the poor who would be charged under this law.

Would kids really be better off if their mother loses her drivers license and is unable to pick up her kids from soccer or transport them to medical appointments, simply for blowing smoke out her car?  And if an 18-year-old high school student drives his 17-year-old classmate to school in his convertible while vaping, they would be prosecuted in a similar manner that we punish drunk drivers.

And why stop at cars?  Under this law it would still be legal for adults to smoke indoors or in close quarters with their minor children.  This law would put us on a very slippery slope towards further restricting personal choice just for the sake of making a statement.

Therefore I urge Fremonters to reject this proposal when it comes to a public referendum next Friday.


Here is the text of the bill:

Protecting Children From Smoking in Vehicles Act

To prohibit individuals from smoking in a vehicle with passengers under the age of 18

Section 1. Short title

This Act shall be cited as the “Protecting Children From Smoking in Vehicles Act”.

Section 2. Definitions

As used in Act, unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context:

(1) The term "smoke" shall mean the inhaling and exhaling of a vapor produced by the burning, heating, or lighting of a tobacco product or drug in a cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other device, or the use of such device. (2) The term "electronic cigarette" shall mean a device that produces a nicotine vapor that can be inhaled.

Section 3. Rules

(a) In general. -

It shall be a summary offense for an individual to smoke or use an electronic cigarette in a vehicle that has one or more passengers that are under 18 years of age.

(b) Penalty. -

An individual caught violating subsection (a), upon conviction, shall:

(1) on the first offense within a 5 year period, be required to pay a fine of $250; (2) on the second offense within a 5 year period, be required to pay a fine of $500 and have their license suspended for 30 days; (3) on the third offense within a 5 year period, be required to pay a fine of $750 and have their license suspended for 90 days; and (4) for any offense thereafter within a 5 year period, be required to pay a fine of $1000 and have their license suspended for 1 year.

Section 4. Implementation

This Act shall take effect immediately upon its passage.

Parliament of the Commonwealth of Fremont
Passed

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With the recall of MP Galaxie having passed, I have appointed bruhgmger2 to fill the vacant seat.  A special election will be held this weekend.

bruhgmger2 is hereby appointed to the position of MP.

A special election to fill the vacancy created by the recall of Galaxie will be held March 22-24.

Eventually I will be issuing a full statement on the result of the recent veto override referendum, but I have important RL obligations to fulfill for today and tomorrow.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

https://twitter.com/FirstMinScott/status/1108019128814788608

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Statement on FT 10-18 Referendum Outcome

This past weekend, Fremonters came to the polls and voted to override my recent veto of FT 10-18: the Protecting Children From Smoking in Vehicles Act.

Obviously, I am dismayed that voters came to a different conclusion on this act.  However, I am proud that we were able to conduct a spirited debate about the issue at hand, which affects so many people on a personal level.  Despite what certain supporters of the bill have said, however, I did not veto the bill because I "sid[e] with the big tobacco lobby over the health of children."  As a matter of fact, I despise tobacco and have witnessed firsthand the damage that tobacco addiction causes so many individuals and families.

Though I must also confess I am somewhat alarmed by the growing sentiment that we can only promote healthier living by directly policing the private choices of others.  Most of us recall when New York City tried to ban Big Gulps.  And one of the most vocal supporters of FT 10-18 recently pushed an effort to ban McDonald's in his home region.  Read that last sentence again, folks.  I wish I was joking.

Smoking is a vice that I believe should be stamped out by society through means of personal choice and education on the harmful effects of tobacco, rather than by force of the state.  I also remain, in principle, opposed to punitive suspensions of drivers license unless the suspension is related directly to unsafe driving.

FT 10-18 as it stands enables police officers to further harass innocent citizens and make more unjust arrests, which troubles me as someone who's personally been affected by police officers overstepping their authority.  The law also punishes individuals with license suspensions of up to one year and imposes hefty fines for repeat violators.  Again I ask, how do children - and especially those who come from poor families and one-parent homes - supposedly benefit from having a parent who cannot drive to work, run errands, or transport their kids to and from medical appointments and extracurricular activities?

Furthermore, the wording of one particular section of this bill is vague.  As written, it is unclear if teenagers who are under 18 years of age might be charged for smoking or vaping alone in their own vehicle.

Even some supporters of the bill concede that the law is imperfect and have expressed support for Parliament amending sections of it, particularly the prescribed license suspensions.

With all this being said, I recognize that the people of Fremont broadly reject smoking in vehicles in the presence of minors.  I also contend that most opponents of the legislation are informed enough to know that secondhand smoke is not good for the health of young children.

Therefore, while I will not seek to repeal the act, I will be proposing sensible changes to it.  I also intend on using an amended version of the law to increase state efforts on educating people on the harmful effects of tobacco.  I will submit my proposed changes to Parliament soon as it is my hope that our representatives will reach a consensus on how to best reduce exposure of young people to secondhand smoke without imposing unreasonable punishments on victims of addiction.

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https://twitter.com/FirstMinScott/status/1110319046141071362

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Shortly after I took office as First Minister in January, Fremont was met with a territorial crisis, as certain individuals had made claim to the state of Alaska and attempted to declare its independence from our Republic and Commonwealth.  It was at this time we discovered that our government had neglected to fund the Fremont National Guard in previous budget negotiations, which ultimately compromised our region's ability to defend our region from foreign and domestic threats and preserve our territorial integrity.  An emergency funding bill was quickly passed, and with the help of then-Secretary of State Lumine and the Weatherboy Administration, the secession effort ceased without unnecessary bloodshed.

And the National Guard has been a tremendous asset to our region.  Just recently I had the opportunity to tour with our service members in Nebraska as it has endured heavy flooding.  Last week, I had the honor of surveying the devastated areas of Nebraska and Iowa with President Tmth.  And now these flooded lands are getting the help they need to rebuild and people to relocate.

National Guard funding and disaster relief are two out of a long list of accomplishments by our government over the last three months.  Even in the face of constant recalls for inactive MPs, our government has remained functional, diligent, and responsive to the people it serves.

We funded parks and rural hospitals.  We passed a uniform building code to prevent tragedies like the collapse of the Wyoming ski lodge during New Years'.  We have reformed licensing laws to remove barriers to entry in our economy and provide relief to thousands of poor and middle-class Fremonters who are unfairly penalized for student loans.  We've expanded labor protections for pregnant women.  We formally adopted new standards for our region's curriculum to promote civic education.  Now we are tackling healthcare reform, transportation, and more.

And every dollar spent, and every dollar taxed, by this government, has been carefully tracked in preparation for the upcoming budget, which will be deliberated in a few months.

Thanks to Speakers Ontario Progressive and Jimmy, former First Minister and Vice President YE, Deputy GM Encke, and so many more, we have kept what was once an inactive region working at a steady pace.

No doubt our Commonwealth has made great strides these past few months, but our work does not end there.

As such, I am running for reelection as your First Minister.

I welcome all candidates, both those who have announced their entry into our Parliamentary elections and those who plan to, and would be open to having debates to outline our visions to the public.

My platform is as follows:

- Expanding labor protections (such as the Pregnant Workers Support Act)
- Protecting the right to keep and bear arms
- Protecting women's healthcare, including the right to choose
- Preserving our environment and supporting rural areas and farming communities
- Reforming education, increasing teacher pay, and making higher education affordable and universally accessible
- Cost transparency for healthcare providers to ensure accountability and to lower costs, while preserving FremontCare
- Exploring further sentencing reform measures, such as ending "life without parole" and making our prisons more rehabilitative
- Supporting Fremont veterans
- Keeping the game sustainable
- Standing for our rights as a region

Endorsements
- MP AustralianSwingVoter
- Parliament Speaker Jimmy7812
- Former Vice President and First Minister YE
- Governor Peanut (Lincoln)
- Former First Minister Harry S. Truman
- Former President dfwlibertylover
- House Speaker Razze (South)
- Vice President LumineVonReuental

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https://twitter.com/FirstMinScott/status/1114295219762204674

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Endorsed!

Thank you!!!

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Endorsed!

Thank you, Mr. Speaker!