Atlasia Chronicle - Presidential Debate

[Sirius_]

I would like to thank Clyde for hosting this debate, as well as my fellow candidates for attending. I hope that this debate will paint a clear picture of this election for all of the voters.

I've decided to run for president because it is high time that we had a renewed sense of activity and progress here in Atlasia. We have now had a Federalist in the White House since January of last year. That's over 16 months now. This has a resulted in a 16 month period in which our ability to make progress as a nation and pass major policy to help us all has been greatly inhibited. By electing me president next month you can end this period in favor of one in which we can finally fix our problems. And take note of the fact that it was Mr. NC Yankee himself who ushered in this period.

My opponents may talk about their experience. They may talk about their greater levels of experience. But what I have is the experience that counts. I have served in the Lincoln assembly and the House of Representatives and in my tenure I haven't been afraid to tackle what is important. A lot of big issues, such as wages, gun control, and criminal justice get candidates elected, but I have contributed to successful solutions to all of these. Both my running mate and I have expireance creating reasonable and creative policy initiatives and you can have no doubt that I will continue to do this, more successfully than ever, as the president of Atlasia.

Recently our White House has been quieter than ever. Our presidency should be more than a signature. In order to pass successful policy we need a policy leader. That is the kind of president that I would like to be. We need a person who helps lead the congress, and works with all of the members of congress, to solve our problems. Working with my fellow legislators is something that I have done ever since I was first elected to office. Everyone has good ideas that lead to some wonderful legislation when it is all put together, and encouraging ideas from everyone is another way in which I want to lead our government.

I hope that everyone who wants a new direction for Atlasia and a White House the leads us towards functional solutions to our problems goes out and votes for Governor AZ and I. We're here to lead a government for everyone, because we're on everyone's side.

What's your view on a parliamentary Atlasia and do you believe that it would make a difference to Atlasia to change the system of government?  I neither see a parliamentary system as a necessity nor as a horrendous idea. I do believe that switching to a parliamentary system would help the executive branch lead our policy initiatives, which is something I would like to do, and possibly increase activity, but I'm not here to force that system on everyone. I wouldn't be opposed to holding a referendum on the topic to determine if this is something that we as Atlasians really want, but I don't want anybody to vote for another candidate because of my position on this issue.

How would you attempt to get the regions to be more involved in Atlasian politics? Being a former regional legislator and likely future member of Lincoln's cabinet I certainly understand the importance of regional government. One idea I've had is holding a summit of the regions to discuss policy, functions, and activity. This creates a new way for regional governments to find ideas for legislation and increase activity within their governments. Despite now being a member of federal government I would be entirely willing to contribute as a policy leader to our regions, and I would help encourage Atlasians, especially new Atlasians, to run for regional offices.

[Sirius_]

How Would You Approach Foreign Policy?
     I would like to carry out our foreign policy in a way that is peaceful and beneficial. While I do not deny that wars are inevitable, under a Ninja administration there would have to be a solid reason, which poses a legitimate threat us or our allies, for us to go to war. There have been plenty of wars in the past which we had no business being involved in, such as the 2003 Iraq war started by the old United States, and those would not happen if I am elected. I did mention our allies, who I do believe are important for us to stand by. We put our trust in having allies across the globe, and it comes with numerous benefits for us, but we will lose our benefits if our allies lose their trust in us. If we let them down if they come under attack, it would be easy for our close relationships to be ended.
     In general, I much prefer to look at ways where we can use diplomacy to settle our differences and to make partners, not enemies, in this world. Foreign policy creates results, and they can be positive and negative. The results we've seen from war are death, life altering injuries and mental states, and long, hard periods of recovery. Isolation cuts of the benefits that the many other people around the world have to offer. Clearly, neither not optimal. But we don't have to see these things. When nations research together, we make great discoveries. When we trade with each other, our economies grow and more jobs are created. It is clear that we work best together, which is why I want to push for more global cooperation.  

How involved should Atlasia be in international issues?
     I believe that we should be involved in global affairs, but in a positive way. Our involvement should help people, not harm them, and build our nations, not destroy them. As I stated before, working with other nations across the world benefits everyone, in numerous ways. The ideologies of isolationism and protectionism have not shown results in the past, and are becoming increasingly impractical in the present. We also have a responsibility to work towards having a better world as a wealthy nation. We can spare some more money to other places with less wealth, and we should also help respond to natural disasters in countries that can't help themselves, even if it didn't impact us directly. The world should be good for all people, including but not limited to Atlasians.

(I'll do domestic policy I promise!)