Marokai/Purple State Platform Extravaganza!
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Author Topic: Marokai/Purple State Platform Extravaganza!  (Read 3395 times)
Marokai Backbeat
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« on: January 09, 2011, 07:05:15 PM »

Hello Atlasia. Smiley

Amidst all the campaigning, tickets say time and time again that they have a platform but they're just working on it, or we'll see the full platform in due time. Well we actually have a platform now. Not later. Tongue

The platform itself is the full breadth of our ideas as they stand. Throughout the campaign, small details will change, and new ideas will be added, and when that is the case, this thread and our campaign thread will be updated with them.

Now, without further ado..

(Post 1: Game Reform
Post 2: Domestic/Economic Policy
Post 3: Domestic/Economic Policy Continued, Improving Foreign Affairs, Closing Statements.)



Game Reform

  • A More Active Senate.

There are two major problems with the Senate as it stands. One; elections for senators largely hinge on personality, not new ideas, and in-party challenges are far and few between. Our ticket supports the implementation of a five-session consecutive limit on Senators. This equals out to a grand total of 10 months or two and a half terms (for those elected in a special election) in office before the Senators must step down for one or two sessions before running for election again.

A more active Senate requires, more voices to be heard, and this is why an 10-month (2.5 term) consecutive limit is essential. It allows more individuals to be cycled into the Senate, and given a chance. The time to step up and actually make the tough changes begins with the election of the Marokai/Purple State ticket. If senators facing term limits want to continue to participate meaningfully in the game, they are able to by running for office in their region or seeking a Cabinet position. This ensures that their experience is shared beyond the confines of the Senate. Too often senators reject Cabinet offers or dismiss regional activity because of their standing in the Senate. That is bad for the game.

Two, a Marokai/Purple State Administration will reform and streamline the rules of the Senate, making sure that debate is full and active, not a small group of senators participating while the rest watch from the sideline. This means spelling out a code of conduct for senators, outlining what level of activity is expected by their peers.

  • A Senate That Functions Better.

There is another problem with the Senate lately: it has difficult actually running itself. This problem must end and will end under a Marokai/Purple State Administration. That is why Purple State, if elected to be my Vice President, has made the following promise:

I would also like to announce that if elected as your Vice President, I will keep the Senate running under my powers as President of the Senate. This means that I will not only cast tie-breaking votes, the minimum amount of work, but I will model Bacon King during his time as Vice President: an extremely active VP starting threads for legislation, opening and closing votes and making sure the trains run on time.

This assures the body will continue to function as it should, and under our previous 10-month (2.5 term) consecutive limit proposal, assuages any worries that it will continue to simply muddle along. We are committed to a strong and active Senate, and we will do all within our power to make it happen.

  • "Game Advisors."

As I said earlier in the Campaign thread, the load on the Game Moderator has become obscene. Though I believe it to be an incredible advantage, if not an outright necessity, to have an active and consistently updating GM, that is not always possible as the demands of the real world will always distract people from the job. Therefore, we propose the following:

That's why I believe it is time for the implementation of "Game Advisors." Two GM "assistants", if you will, that assist and periodically perform the duties of GM themselves when the Game Moderator himself is unable to do so. This will allow people who do not want to or are not able to do the entirety of the duties themselves, to still participate in running the game. Considered the "Junior Game Advisor" and "Senior Game Advisor", these two individuals will be directed by the Game Moderator himself.

For example, the Game Moderator himself could divide duties between himself and the two Game Advisors, by allowing the Junior Game Advisor to handle foreign affairs, the Senior Game Advisor to handle Economic Affairs, and the GM himself handles Misc. news stories and legislative analysis. Such a division of duties, or any combination thereof, could allow a much lighter load shared by the three. By sharing the burden, I believe it is possible for much more effective and frequent updates from the office of the GM.

  • Deregistration.

The Marokai/Purple State ticket supports formal implementation of the process known as "deregistration" with efforts made to make sure that it is done carefully and doesn't cause serious conflict with any elections or court action. We support the act proposed recently in the Senate by Senator Lief to this effect, and should it fail, we will make further efforts during our Administration to implement a deregistration process.

  • Executive Legislative Agendas for Future Administrations.

This ticket believes strongly in executive legislative agendas, allowing Administrations to be more active in legislating, and proposing things on their own. The Lief Administration did a very good job of proposing ideas and working with Senators, as was the Purple State Administration that I served in.

That's why, if we are elected, a Marokai/Purple State Administration will push for an "Executive" slot in the Senate legislative que, allowing for instant and unfiltered legislative proposals from the President and Vice President. The act of simply allowing for a formal delivery system for a legislative agenda from the executive will, we hope, establish precedent that will be followed by all Administrations to follow, for introducing a formal legislative agenda on behalf of the White House.

  • Empowering Regions in Regional Senate Elections.

In December of 2009, there was a proposed Amendment that I supported in theory, that would have allowed regions to changes the means of election in their regional Senate elections. There were, however, major flaws: the Amendment did not have clear enough safeguards to prevent against abuse or poisoning democracy by altering vote requirements or candidacy rules.

A Marokai/Purple State Administration will reintroduce this central idea, with more stringent protections to make sure that the elections remain fair, and open to all, while still adding a unique flavor to each individual region's Senate election. It will empower regions to spice up their Senate elections, changing the drab predictability of regional Senate elections while having the power remain firmly in regional hands.

  • Enforcing Question Time.

During the Purple State Administration, I authored the "Regular Question Time Made Interesting Act" which would allow for a monthly venue for informative and amusing back and forth between the White House and the public. A Marokai/Purple State Administration will enforce these schedules, asking the Secretary of Internal Affairs to open these threads on time each month. We strongly believe in the principle behind this Act, and we believe we can make it work.

  • Misc. Improvements:

We will make the Deputy Secretary of Forum Affairs an "unofficial" game position with the same authority it holds now. This will ensure that current officials with experience running elections are able to help the Secretary of Federal Elections and Registrar General without giving up the ability to hold a more meaningful office.

We strongly support altering the Consolidated Criminal Justice Act to allow for "the Mint Exception;" situations where those who seek to take on a new identity in Atlasia will not be punished for honestly failing to de-register their previous identity, (should de-registration pass) or waiting for their previous identity to expire.

We strongly support and will propose new efforts to continue Wiki consolidation started under the previous Purple State/Marokai Administration, to make the Wiki more easy to navigate and easy to read.

We will propose transfering the authority over the Introduction to Atlasia Thread from random civilian appointments to the authority of the Registrar General.

We will encourage and work to create more small efforts designed to better integrate new members into the game and keep their attention:

So we will be encouraging better "new member orientation" programs, like improving the "Introduction to Atlasia" thread and promoting a mentor program for new citizens,
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Marokai Backbeat
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« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2011, 07:06:13 PM »

Domestic/Economic Policy

  • Effective Use of the SEDZI Act.

As Vice President, I authored the Social & Economic Development Zone Improvement Act, a landmark piece of legislation that can vastly improve the economic and structural future of poor and underdeveloped communities and areas all across Atlasia. There are incredible benefits to the declaration of a SEDZ:


For the most effective implementation of this Act, however, requires cooperation on both Regional and Federal ends, and the direction given by the Regional Governments of Atlasia.

A Marokai/Purple State Administration will immediately push for Regional Governments to seek out locations for the declaration of a SEDZ, and with the assistance of the GM (and hopefully, Game Advisors!) we can establish and fully fund new Social & Economic Development Zones across the country. It's time to use this underrated piece of economic law!

  • Abolishing Wait Times for Assistance.

These are tough times for many Atlasians. Many people out there need housing assistance or assistance from the Home Energy Assistance Administration (which I created as a Senator) and simply do not have time to wait.

Expansions of assistance are very good and appreciated, but a critical part of what we must do is make sure all that are need assistance can obtain it in a timely manner. That is why a Marokai/Purple State Administration will abolish wait times and daily limits on public assistance programs such as housing vouchers and the HEAA. It is immoral for any civilized nation to deny help to those who are fully qualified to receive it. These programs are meant to help people, and it's time we do just that. We promise that if you can get it, you will get it.

  • Fair Student Loan Interest Rates.

While there has been much talk of work on education in this campaign by other candidates, as Senator, I created the "Bureau of Student Finance" with the Student Loan Reformation Act which takes student loan subsidies away from private banks, administers student loans directly from the federal government, and saves money for everyone.

Student loans are a critical part of the requirements for higher education, and if elected, a Marokai/Purple State Administration will establish an official, low, across-the-board interest rate for federal student loans that will make repaying those student loans as painless as possible.

  • Credit Card Regulation & Consumer Protection.

Purple State and I have long been advocates of consumer protection. As Senator, I authored the Fair Interest Rates Act which banned "payday loan" lending and instituted a cap on credit card interest rates, and Purple State authored the Worker's Bill of Rights Act.

But now, it is time for much more widespread efforts to protect the individual consumer. The abuses of credit card companies still goes unchecked, and it is time we correct that as has been done in the real world. We promise, if elected, to propose a new set of necessary and effective credit card regulations with the following provisions as mere examples of what we intend:

  • Requires card companies give cardholders 45 days notice of any interest rate increases.
  • Gives cardholders the right to cancel their card and pay off their existing balance at the existing interest rate and repayment schedule if an interest rate increase is imposed; gives cardholders three billing cycles after the rate increase to decline these new terms.
  • Gives cardholders time to pay their bills by requiring card companies to mail billing statements 21 calendar days before the due date.
  • Requires that payments made before 5 p.m. EST on the due date are considered timely.
  • Requires the due date to fall on the same day each month. If the fixed due date normally falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal banking holiday, then the due date shall be pushed to the next business day after the date. This measure prohibits due dates to fall on a weekend or holiday.
  • Directs card companies to provide on every statement, a phone and internet address that a cardholder can access for payoff balances.
  • Prohibits card companies from charging late fees when a cardholder presents proof of mailing payment not less than 7 days before the due date.
  • Requires card companies to offer consumers the option of having a fixed credit limit that cannot be exceeded.
  • Prevents card companies from charging over-the-limit fees on a cardholder with a fixed credit limit.
  • A credit card cannot be issued to someone under age 21, unless they have a co-signer (who is 21 or over), or can provide proof of a means to repay.
  • Prohibits retailers from setting expiration dates less than 5 years after the card is purchased.
  • Prohibits retailers from charging dormancy, inactivity, and service fees unless the card has not been used for at least 12 months. If fees are charged after this period, the details of such fees must be clearly established on the card, but retailers cannot assess more than one fee per month under any circumstances.

  • Taxes & the Deficit.

As the author of the current personal income tax rates, I believe strongly in protecting them as they stand, and believe Atlasians are sufficiently taxed.

I will ask the Game Moderator to assess our current levels of military spending and deficit, and seek to make responsible cuts when most efficient, but we must not sacrifice economic growth for budget cuts. I believe the budget is in respectable shape, and due in part to my past taxation efforts, will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

From the GM’s Desk: Legislation Analysis
Fiscal Responsibility Bill: This legislation, sponsored by Senator Marokai Blue (JCP), seeks to streamline and restructure Atlasian income tax brackets.

The current bill would create new brackets for individual's income above $367,700, $1 million and $2.5 million, respectively. This would equate with a tax rate increase for the higher brackets and a tax rate decrease for the lowest brackets, with most rates remaining the same.

Previous estimates by the Office of the GM calculated between $250 billion and $600 billion in gained revenue as a result of these changes. Given the overall nature of marginal income tax, as well as the relative revenue gained through individual, rather than corporate, income taxes, the office is now prepared to predict a total revenue in-flow of $500 billion as a result of the new taxation brackets.

This would greatly help in reducing the budget deficit over the coming years. In conjunction with eventual spending cuts and other tax reforms, the Atlasian budget could reach neutrality in two years and bring the debt to zero shortly after a ten year time horizon.
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Marokai Backbeat
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« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2011, 07:06:54 PM »

  • Boosting the Automotive Industries of Atlasia.

Firstly, upon taking office, I will ask the GM to assess the current state of the auto industry as a whole, as well as the automotive industry native to Atlasia. We believe that we can easily improve the auto industry and the economy more broadly, at the same time.

That is why a Marokai/Purple State Administration will propose a sensible "Cash for Clunkers" program, designed to improve the environment, the automotive industry, and the economy all at the same time. By giving tax credits to those who own older and more environmentally unfriendly vehicles, we can encourage people to buy newer, more environmentally friendly cars, and stimulate the economy. (It has been a proven success in the real world, and we can replicate that here.)

  • Misc. Policies:

We will submit a proposal to grant a 100% tax deduction for small businesses that invest in new equipment, or replacement equipment, which will allow businesses to modernize their equipment and improve their ability to compete.

We strongly support the "Consumer Convenience in Pricing Act" proposed by Senator Lief, which will give consumers full knowledge on the price of their goods by including taxes in the price tag.

Upon taking office, my Administration will ask the Game Moderator for assessments on the current progress and impact of the Green Power Act, the Green Homes Act, and the Atlasia Clean Energy Act, and will make any effort to speed the progress and fill in any gaps of the legislation.



Improving Foreign Policy

  • General Foreign Policy Outlook.

I have always believed that we should handle foreign policy with the coolest of heads, and I believe I am the most tempered when it comes to foreign affairs and foreign entanglements among the candidates. I elaborated slightly on my feelings in general on foreign affairs in the Presidential debate:

I've always favored a more tempered foreign policy. Both extreme isolation and extreme intervention are insane and unrealistic, and get us in more trouble than good. I believe it's best as a general rule to leave nations to their own affairs as long as they don't put others in danger beyond it's borders, but these things are a very touchy issue, and foreign affairs, to me, should be handled on a case by case basis and a careful and calm mind. Military action should always be a last resort, no doubt about it.

I do not believe it is in Atlasia's best interest to be the policeman of the world, nor do I believe we are capable of such a feat without laying waste to our finances at home. I believe that defense is just that. Defense. For international concerns, we should certainly take action when the situation demands it, but we should do so in concert with other nations.

  • Improving Attention to Foreign Affairs.

The Secretary of External Affairs is a woefully underappreciated office, as is foreign affairs in general, and this ticket believes we should give much more attention to foreign matters in this game.

With the Game Advisors proposal, one of the Advisors and the Game Moderator could easily direct a portion of their work solely on foreign affairs, giving much more attention to foreign goings-on and forcing Atlasia and the world to respond with much greater focus.

We believe strongly that foreign affairs are an unused resource that can be used to get more and more people interest in the game, beyond just game reform changes and domestic policy proposals, and we have the persistence to make it happen.



Closing Remarks

This ticket is committed to a stronger Atlasia and every way, and we believe that in this platform, we have laid down merely our starting point for moving Atlasia forward. We will continue to have even more proposals as the campaign moves forward, and define those laid out here even further.

A Marokai/Purple State Administration would be among the most active and qualified in history, rivaled in past accomplishments by no others. Countless times throughout the construction of this platform, I came across many incidents where I had dealt with a portion of that issue in the past with other legislation. Can other tickets boast the same? We believe that alone makes us supremely qualified to handle the issues that plague the game.

As this campaign moves forward, we will continue to come up with new proposals, and define those we've already made, and we look forward to as much debate as possible with the other candidates. During this campaign, you should always keep asking yourself, "Which candidate is the most well versed?" "Is my candidate the one with the biggest history of dealing with Atlasia's issues?" "What candidate has the clearest proposals and most demonstrated ability to write legislation meant to address Atlasia's problems?". We believe, in all those questions, we come out on top.

We will work hard. For you.

Support Marokai Blue/Purple State, for Atlasia.



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Purple State
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« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2011, 08:43:08 PM »

So you've all got some light bedtime reading. Wink

I'm very much looking forward to the discussions on our platform. Have at it!
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Antonio the Sixth
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« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2011, 05:22:50 AM »

This is impressive. I challenge any presidential candidate to write such a detailed, comprehensive and audacious platform.

No matter how "unelectable" you are, any Atlasia who cares about policy should support this ticket.
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Oakvale
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« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2011, 02:09:51 PM »

That's quite an impressive amount of work, guys. My proverbial hat is off to you - I've got to respond to the questions I missed in the debate due to falling ill, but after I've done that I'll probably throw up some comments on what I agree/disagree with. Smiley

Rest assured I will appoint Marokai as SoIA when I am President.








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Fmr. Pres. Duke
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« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2011, 06:52:17 PM »

It's an in depth platform, but I bet it will entertain me more once I'm drunk.
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Marokai Backbeat
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« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2011, 06:29:02 PM »

This is what should be getting attention during a Presidential election, gentlemen.
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Purple State
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« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2011, 11:31:21 PM »

I go away for 10 days and we don't get any meaningful feedback (no offense Yank)? Come now, what's the point of these elections?
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Antonio the Sixth
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« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2011, 05:02:59 AM »


Drama. Wink
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MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!
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« Reply #10 on: January 21, 2011, 07:07:26 AM »

Rest assured I will appoint Marokai as SoIA when if I am President.

Fixed.
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Purple State
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« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2011, 09:08:41 AM »

Here is an example of what friendly policy discussion should look like:

Middle Class Stability: Recognizing the dire straits that the economy is in and how burdensome taxes can be, we support lowering the 14% and 25% tax rates for ten years. This is designed to put more purchasing power in the hands of Atlasia's middle class, and provide them the stability and relief they need.

National Debt: The easiest way we can solve our national debt is fixing our national deficit. I'm confident that under my administration, we won't have to raise the debt ceiling, and if it is ever proposed that we do, there's a good chance we could fix the problem by cutting back on spending. I support small cuts across the board so we can start eliminating our national debt. This won't happen over night, but will take months, and even years.

Unemployment: Some candidates are focused heavily on the past, pointing to key legislation they helped get through in the pass. While it's a great feeling to pass a bill, the effects of the bill are what's more important. And I can't really say we've been making great economical decisions in the past when we still face a high unemployment and growing debt. Our administration will look to more funding for job creation, giving tax credits, and cutting the programs that don't benefit our nation. We'll work to make entitlement reform. In such trying times, I think raising taxes should be a last resort, especially on small businesses, and I will strongly urge the Senate to not pass any tax hikes.

I'm a little curious about these three paragraphs.

First, you come out for lowering taxes on the middle class. I think I can get on board with that.

But then you heighten worry about the national debt, which is not only pretty under control in Atlasia due to legislation different than the US, but also may increase when you cut taxes.

Now one option would be to reduce spending, but the last paragraph rules that out in the short-term by promising "no new taxes" while also promising new spending.

You do promise strategic spending cuts and entitlement reform, but I'm not sure what you mean by the former and the latter is ripped from the US, which I'm not sure applies as smoothly to Atlasia as you make it seem.

So could you tell us what exactly you would be cutting/reforming to help close the under control deficit?

Would anyone like to take a crack at our proposals? I don't believe they are unassailable, after all Marokai wrote them Tongue (though that would be pretty cool.)
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Insula Dei
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« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2011, 02:12:49 PM »

What's your position on Western Seccesion Independence?
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Purple State
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« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2011, 06:05:10 PM »

What's your position on Western Seccesion Independence?

The Midwest has always been an interesting and fun region. As long as their actions don't conflict with Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 of the Constitution, they are free to act autonomously of the federal government.
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Purple State
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« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2011, 11:35:59 PM »

We really can't have a policy debate in this game? Well that's boring. It would be nice if Tmth or Oakvale or their respective running mates would at least tell us we are wrong about something or other so I can feel like this race is a contest of ideas, not just personalities.
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tmthforu94
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« Reply #15 on: January 24, 2011, 11:38:09 PM »

We really can't have a policy debate in this game? Well that's boring. It would be nice if Tmth or Oakvale or their respective running mates would at least tell us we are wrong about something or other so I can feel like this race is a contest of ideas, not just personalities.
You've ran out of things to attack us on, so you're attacking us for not attacking you and running clean campaigns??? Tongue Tongue Tongue
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Purple State
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« Reply #16 on: January 25, 2011, 12:01:21 AM »
« Edited: January 25, 2011, 12:03:11 AM by Bemused State (aka Confused State) »

We really can't have a policy debate in this game? Well that's boring. It would be nice if Tmth or Oakvale or their respective running mates would at least tell us we are wrong about something or other so I can feel like this race is a contest of ideas, not just personalities.
You've ran out of things to attack us on, so you're attacking us for not attacking you and running clean campaigns??? Tongue Tongue Tongue

I'm calling you out for not challenging us on policy. If you agree with everything in our platform then you should drop out. If you disagree then that's (hopefully) important for the game. And really, this election is really boring and purely based on personality if there are no real policy discussions.

You still never answered my question of what exactly it is you plan to cut to reduce the deficit, which seems to be a major part of your campaign.
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tmthforu94
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« Reply #17 on: January 25, 2011, 12:10:03 AM »

Find a sense of humor, dude. I was joking.

I've stated disagreements in my platform, such as term limits on Senators. With more issues now to discuss, I will be discussing those issues with both Oakvale and Marokai at our next debate, which I look forward to have soon. Your more than welcome to debate those issues with Dallasfan and Snowy, as I'm sure y'all will be having another debate as well.

I think both Oakvale and I can agree that there are similarities between all three of our political beliefs. What's extremely important here is which candidate has the leadership skills to bring all sides together working to make this nation better. Someone with a bi-partisan, independent record who has a history of getting along well with all sides. I believe that as President, I'd bring that to the table. At the end of the day (well, technically the beginning), when I think of this nation in 8 months, I'd like for everyone in the game to be able to say they're having fun playing. Because if people lose their excitment and energy for the game, the game's as good as dead.
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« Reply #18 on: January 25, 2011, 12:18:48 AM »
« Edited: January 25, 2011, 12:22:06 AM by Snowguy716 »

I'll make a simple statement.  Many of your platform positions represent an overreaching of executive power in Atlasia.

This simulation is a game based on the United States, and as such, the constitution reflects in many key ways the United States constitution.  This is not a parliamentary democracy like those of Europe.  I think the Marokai/PurpleState platform blurs the lines too much between the legislative and executive branches of government, which are separate for very good reasons.

While an Oakvale/Snowguy administration would have no problem working with the legislature (Senate) to move our own agenda forward, it is not our position, as executives, to legislate.  

I believe our administration would keep the roles of the presidency and the senate clearly defined and intact.  If we follow those guidelines already put in place by our constitution, the game will run smoothly and it makes it a simulation that everybody can be a part of instead of concentrating power into the hands of one person.
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Purple State
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« Reply #19 on: January 25, 2011, 12:22:09 AM »

Find a sense of humor, dude. I was joking.

I've stated disagreements in my platform, such as term limits on Senators. With more issues now to discuss, I will be discussing those issues with both Oakvale and Marokai at our next debate, which I look forward to have soon. Your more than welcome to debate those issues with Dallasfan and Snowy, as I'm sure y'all will be having another debate as well.

I think both Oakvale and I can agree that there are similarities between all three of our political beliefs. What's extremely important here is which candidate has the leadership skills to bring all sides together working to make this nation better. Someone with a bi-partisan, independent record who has a history of getting along well with all sides. I believe that as President, I'd bring that to the table. At the end of the day (well, technically the beginning), when I think of this nation in 8 months, I'd like for everyone in the game to be able to say they're having fun playing. Because if people lose their excitment and energy for the game, the game's as good as dead.

The debates are nice, but it kills excitement to have these discussions only every few weeks. Has this campaign been fun? Not in the last two weeks it hasn't, because no one has made an effort to seriously engage in the meat of the race. Instead it has all been about in-fighting and drama.

You can keep saying it's about fun, but this game is only fun when people have policy to disagree on. Once that goes away, all that's left is personality contests and that is when you start to see these silly dramas where people get hurt. And those don't look very fun.

Instead of calling out Marokai's character, which seems to be all you do these days, why not actually engage in a policy discussion that we are trying to start and you seem loathe to join?

So let me ask: Aside from term-limits, which I've already debated with Duke et al., what part of our platform do you disagree with? And as I asked almost a week ago, what specific programs would you cut to reduce the deficit?
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tmthforu94
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« Reply #20 on: January 25, 2011, 12:26:08 AM »

Ironic that you're questioning me for calling out Marokai on his character, when you're practically doing the same thing to me now. I'm not attacking Marokai's character at all Actually, I didn't attack him once in that post. You ask me to point out differences, yet when I do, I'm questioned for "calling out Marokai on his character". There needs to be some consistancy in your attacks.

Yes, I obviously think I'd make a better leader than Marokai, as well as Oakvale. And I'm sure Marokai thinks he'd make a better leader than Oakvale and myself, and Oakvale probably thinks he'd make a better leader than Marokai or I. Big. Deal.
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Purple State
Junior Chimp
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« Reply #21 on: January 25, 2011, 12:28:37 AM »

I'll make a simple statement.  Many of your platform positions represent an overreaching of executive power in Atlasia.

This simulation is a game based on the United States, and as such, the constitution reflects in many key ways the United States constitution.  This is not a parliamentary democracy like those of Europe.  I think the Marokai/PurpleState platform blurs the lines too much between the legislative and executive branches of government, which are separate for very good reasons.

While an Oakvale/Snowguy administration would have no problem working with the legislature (Senate) to move our own agenda forward, it is not our position, as executives, to legislate.  

I believe our administration would keep the roles of the presidency and the senate clearly defined and intact.  If we follow those guidelines already put in place by our constitution, the game will run smoothly and it makes it a simulation that everybody can be a part of instead of concentrating power into the hands of one person.

Now this is actually something I can engage with. Thank you for those remarks Snowguy. Smiley

In the view of this ticket, it comes down to how engaged the executive should be in Atlasia. While obviously our efforts require the consent of the Senate, we feel as though the executive branch should have an agenda and try to drive policy.

As you can see right now, the Senate is all over the place, addressing a host of unrelated issues with no strategic vision. A lack of strategy leads to scattershot tactics. What an active and engaged executive with a clear agenda can do is set a strategy for the Senate that really helps the game along. If you look back at the PS/Marokai administration, we had a clear cut game reform agenda that really shifted the track that the game was on in a positive way.

Now, is it possible we have over-learned those lessons? Absolutely, and we recognize that our current platform, to be enacted, will require a heavy load of working together with senators and Atlasians to find common ground. It can't be handed down from on high. But hopefully it provides a vision that will help guide debate and policy in a certain direction. And that makes the game more interesting, more exciting, and more fun.
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tpfkaw
wormyguy
Junior Chimp
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« Reply #22 on: January 25, 2011, 12:30:19 AM »

Instead of calling out Marokai's character, which seems to be all you do these days, why not actually engage in a policy discussion that we are trying to start and you seem loathe to join?

I just reviewed every post of Tmth's from the last two weeks and found that not one of them even referenced Marokai by name, much less did anything that could be construed as "calling out his character."  It seems to me that either your perceptive powers are extremely limited, or you're projecting.
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#CriminalizeSobriety
Dallasfan65
Junior Chimp
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« Reply #23 on: January 25, 2011, 12:30:35 AM »

I'll make a simple statement.  Many of your platform positions represent an overreaching of executive power in Atlasia.

I would have to agree with that.

On the subject of an Executive Slot, while interesting, I think it is unnecessary. Out of all ten Senators, one is bound to be willing to sponsor legislation for the Administration (even if merely as a proxy and not a supporter.) Bacon King and Yankee have done this in past Senates.

In keeping with the philosophy of "putting one's money where their mouth is", should Marokai or Oakvale win the Presidency, I will sponsor legislation for them in the Senate.
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Purple State
Junior Chimp
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« Reply #24 on: January 25, 2011, 12:34:00 AM »

Ironic that you're questioning me for calling out Marokai on his character, when you're practically doing the same thing to me now. I'm not attacking Marokai's character at all Actually, I didn't attack him once in that post. You ask me to point out differences, yet when I do, I'm questioned for "calling out Marokai on his character". There needs to be some consistancy in your attacks.

Yes, I obviously think I'd make a better leader than Marokai, as well as Oakvale. And I'm sure Marokai thinks he'd make a better leader than Oakvale and myself, and Oakvale probably thinks he'd make a better leader than Marokai or I. Big. Deal.

Look at how you responded to my original post... Now look at how Snowguy responded. End of story.

If you are interested in having a policy debate, now is your chance.
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