20RP12/Pingvin: Announcement

[Grumpier Than Thou]

You chuckle a lot.

If I didn't laugh, I'd be crying

[Username MechaRFK]

Go Jake go! :-)

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Go Jake go! :-)

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Nashville, TN



Audience member: What would be your top priorities in your first term if you become senator?

20RP12: Above all, I'd like to see an increase in activity, bi-partisanship and interest in Atlasian politics. In terms of political issues, I'd like to see tax cuts, initiatives taken to clean up our environment and more transparency in Government.

Audience member: How do you plan to increase activity and whom would you like to see become more active?

20RP12: I dream of an Atlasia in which every elected politician is active and frequently participates in townhalls like these, not just when they're campaigning for election or re-election. Unfortunately, this isn't the case at the moment. I'd like to see more citizens like yourselves becoming active in politics.

Audience member: You mentioned cleaning up our environment, yet you oppose tax increases. How are we to go about cleaning up our environment without raising taxes?

20RP12: By cutting useless spending to make room for useful spending. There's plenty of Government programs that can and should be cut, plenty of subsidies that can be cut. Politician's salaries should be cut as well.

Audience member: Would you be willing to take a pay cut in order to help pay for programs that would benefit the environment or Atlasia in general?

20RP12: Absolutely! I'd take pay cuts, benefit cuts and such. I just fear that other politicians won't. But that's why I'm not your average politician.

That's all for today! Thanks for coming out! Spread the message!

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Would you support the following:
A flat tax of 20% starting with a $15,000 exemption, and no other exemptions of any sort
Along with the government giving everyone $15,000 a year just for being alive.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Would you support the following:
A flat tax of 20% starting with a $15,000 exemption, and no other exemptions of any sort
Along with the government giving everyone $15,000 a year just for being alive.

I like the idea of a flat tax, but I don't understand the reason behind giving someone $15 grand just for being alive...that almost sounds a tad bit socialist...I think people are plenty capable of providing for themselves, and the ones who aren't may seek proper help from the Government. It just seems superfluous to hand out money for no good reason.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Atlanta, GA



Audience member: A recent poll shows that nearly half of Atlasia opposes gay marriage. Why do you think this number is so high?

20RP12: Personally, I find it shocking and quite heartbreaking that such a large amount of people in this country oppose gay marriage. I honestly can't give a reasonable answer as to why the number is so high. Perhaps people just aren't comfortable with the idea of gays being married. I couldn't tell you.

Audience member: If your At-Large Constituents supported banning Gay Marriage altogether, would you vote accordingly?

20RP12: I can't say that I would. In the instance that there's a small bill on, say, Environmental policy or Social Security or something, I would listen to the majority of my constituents and vote accordingly. However, when it comes to gay marriage, I can't say that I'd support any bill that restricts human rights. It's just common sense.

Audience member: So if a majority of your constituents supported a tax increase, would you vote accordingly?

20RP12: Perhaps. It depends what the financial situation of the country is at that point in time. But right now, I wouldn't, no.

Audience member: For fun: What's your favorite pizza topping?

20RP12: Ah I love fun questions. I gotta say mushrooms are my favorite. You can't go wrong with mushrooms. I also like broccoli and pepperoni on my pizza. Yum.

Thanks for coming out! Drive home safely! Spread the message! Thank you!

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Orlando, FL



Audience member: What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?

20RP12: I believe my strengths are my willingness to be bi-partisan and work with members of all parties to create the best Atlasia possible. My weaknesses, I would say, is also my willingness to be bi-partisan. Politicians view me as "weak" or "soft" or "too nice." That's why I'm not a politician. I'm running for the Atlasian Senate, not the Career Politician's Senate.

Audience member: What is your opinion of the Washington Post story this morning about an 84 year old woman who was pepper sprayed during the recent Occupy Atlasia raids?

20RP12: Frankly, it's disgusting. It's pathetic. What will other countries think of us when they find out that we're terrorizing average citizens just for exercising their right to protest. They're not gonna want to trade with us or be friends with us. It's a very bad spot on our reputation.

Audience member: Don't you think it's fair that the top 1% of Atlasians pay more in taxes? It seems logical that because they have more money, they should pay their fair share.

20RP12: It's not logical at all, it's socialist. If one works hard to make a million dollars, then let them keep it. Why work hard if you know you're not going to keep what you earn? Inventors will have no motivation, employers will have no motivation, unemployed Atlasians will have no motivation...it's just not good economic policy.

Audience member: Why tour around Atlasia?

20RP12: Well I've got to build up a base outside the Northeast if I want to win! -chuckle- No that's not it at all. I love meeting regular Atlasians. I love hearing them voice their concerns and I like offering my viewpoints and alternatives. I love watching democracy working at it's finest...it's just so beautiful.

Thank you all for coming out! Drive home safely! Spread the message!

[Cincinnatus]

I object to your continuous use of the word socialist.  I do commend you on taking the initiative and campaigning however.

[Yelnoc]

Moar Silly?

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I object to your continuous use of the word socialist.  I do commend you on taking the initiative and campaigning however.

Socialism is, by definition, taking money from one group of people and giving it to another group of people. Education is socialist, infrastructure is socialist, anything that tax money goes to is socialist, in a very literal sense. Necessary socialism, if you will.

But thank you.

Moar Silly?

Without objection, the motion passes!

D: !sessap noitom eht ,noitcejbo tuohtiW

[Grumpier Than Thou]

New Orleans, LA



Audience member: You recently proposed a bill in the Northeast Assembly which would decriminalize online music downloading. When do you plan to propose a bill that would allow people to steal CDs from retail stores and not be arrested?

20RP12: Sarcasm, eh? I've been questioned about this before and my answer is as follows: I am a musician. As a musician, I understand that times are tough. I could work hard to create the greatest song ever, but if only 10 people hear it because they bought it, what's the use? I'd much rather have 100 listeners with only 10 buying the song than have 10 listeners, all of whom bought the song.

Audience member: That may be your opinion, but what about other artists? What do they think about illegal downloading?

20RP12: If any musician said that they care more about money than about their fans, they don't deserve your money. Any band that goes out of their way to have their fans arrested for listening to their music, then they don't deserve to have their music bought.

Audience member: But I thought you were a staunch supporter of "letting those who earn their money keep it"?

20RP12: I am. But times are tough. People can't afford to buy every CD they want, people can't afford to go to every concert. But a lot of people do. Kids still go out to shows and buy t-shirts and CDs. The money that's supposedly being "stolen" from these artists is still ending up in their possession thanks to concert and t-shirt and other merch sales. But if we started cracking down on kids for downloading, nobody would go to concerts anymore cuz they'd all be in jail.

Audience member: For fun: What are some upcoming concerts in your area that you're itching to see?

20RP12: Well once I get back home from touring around Atlasia, I'm hoping to go see The Devil Wears Prada on December 10th in Philadelphia, PA, Attack Attack! on February 23rd in Allentown, PA and August Burns Red on March 3rd in Philadelphia, PA.

That's all for today! Thanks for coming out! Spread the message!

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Now available: 20RP12 For Senate Bumper Stickers! Show off your support with a stylish bumper sticker!

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Y U NO use hello kitty?

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Y U NO use hello kitty?

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Dallas, TX



Audience member: Why do deserve to enter the Senate?

20RP12: I don't think I "deserve" anything, per se. But I'd like to enter the Senate so I can help make a positive impact on a national level, not just in the Northeast.

Audience member: Are you proud of your accomplishments in the Northeast?

20RP12: I'm very proud. I do wish I could have been Governor for longer than I was, but that's not the point. I've proposed a lot of great legislation, I've voted for a lot of great legislation and I've worked with a lot of great people in my time in the Northeast.

Audience member: You've run your campaign claiming that you're not a 'career politician', yet you've served countless terms in the Northeast Assembly. Are you lying just to win?

20RP12: Absolutely not. I'm not a career politician. I don't do things for political benefit, I do things for the benefit of the the Atlasian people. A career politician is someone who only does things for their own political or personal benefit. That's not me.

Audience member: Do you support term limits?

20RP12: I'm kind of in the middle on this one...not really. As much as I hate the idea of having someone being a Senator for 6 or 7 terms, who am I to tell them that they can't run? It's a matter of personal liberty and being allowed to pursue your own dream. I support Presidential term limits though.

That's all for today! Thanks for coming out! Spread the message!

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Endorsed for high preference. Don't know how high, though.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

     Endorsed for high preference. Don't know how high, though.

:DDDDDDDDDDDD

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Who wants to do polling for me? I'll repay you in delicious foreign candies and hugs.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Friends,

I had to cancel my stop in Oklahoma City, OK yesterday due to unexpected poor weather conditions. I apologize to the people of Oklahoma City. I will attempt to make it up to them some way.

[Yelnoc]

Send them a plate of brownies

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Send them a plate of brownies

I see what you mean

[Grumpier Than Thou]

St Louis, MO



Audience member: Why couldn't you make it to your stop in Oklahoma City last night?

20RP12: Unforeseen weather conditions prevented us from getting to our destination and I was really bummed out about it. Anytime I don't get to meet with Atlasian citizens for any reason bums me out. I'll find a way to get there sometime.

Audience member: Nathan was elected to the Senate after a lot of controversy and confusion. Do you think Nathan will make a good Senator?

20RP12: Sure. He's a great guy that I've had the privilege of working with back in the Northeast. I think he'll too great. Too bad he's a lefty though -chuckle-

Audience member: The son of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was captured recently. What do you believe should happen now in regards to him?

20RP12: He should be questioned, obviously. I'm not a believer in torture, so if he doesn't want to say anything, then fine. Give him to the Libyan people and let them do with him what they please. We should not be engaged in any kind of nation building. They toppled a leader that they disapproved of, great. But we should not have been engaged in their battle and we should not engage in the building of their new Government.

Audience member: Are you an isolationist?

20RP12: I consider myself to have a more non-interventionist foreign policy. We should be friends with other countries and trade with them, but we should not be involved with their military undertakings in any way. If a country is dissatisfied with their Government and decides to overthrow it, great. Wonderful. But it's not our business.

That's all for today! Thanks for coming out! Spread the message!

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Chicago, IL



Audience member: What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

20RP12: I'm thankful for my health, the health of my family and friends and for Atlasians like you all that come out here and make my job fun.

Audience member: Knowing that you're from Philadelphia, can you offer what kind of impact the Penn State scandal has had on the area?

20RP12: People are confused and outraged mostly. A lot of people back home are wondering how this could happen. They just really want Sandusky locked away.

Audience member: How do you think we can prevent things like that from happening again?

20RP12: Well, unfortunately, you can't. Bad things happen that are out of our reach. You just can't prevent these incidents from happening. Justice needs to be served more often, however.

Audience member: The bill you proposed in the Northeast Assembly that would supposedly increase participation in recycling is set to fail. Are you disappointed?

20RP12: Of course I'm disappointed. Anything to help increase participation in recycling would be great. However, I'm afraid we just don't have the funds to afford it and I can accept that.

Thank you all for coming out! Drive home safe! Happy Thanksgiving!

[Dr. Cynic]

You're running a great campaign and you're doing the SPA proud by being open, accessible and honest.