At Large Senate Q&A

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

A moderator of sorts would potentially help to make things run more smoothly?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I understand, but it might make it a bit more difficult... unless it's just an open forum kind of thing?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Firstly, a quick thanks to Clarence for participating and Napoleon for moderating.

In relation to the questions,

1. I would never regard myself as superior, but I believe this current time of flux in Atlasia is, as I said in my formal announcement speech, both an opportunity for tremendous positive change, but also poses risks.

I'm supportive of the changes underway, and I agree with those who need to see a break from the current system. As someone who wrote legislation in the Mideast as Governor when no-one else would, I served as a pragmatic member of the Northeast Assembly at a time when it was dominated by an extreme faction, and then worked with Senators from across the spectrum as President to get valuable pieces of legislation passed, I know how to get things done, often at the most difficult times. So what I'm offering the Atlasian people is that experience when it most needs the stability.

I believe this time needs people with that experience of working for the benefits of the Atlasian people. Clarence is right that new blood is needed, in fact, I always have argued that point. I just happen to believe at this time, I'm offering a set of knowledge and experience that will be of greatest benefit to those I would serve.

2. Before I left the presidency, I was starting to get the ball-rolling on several key issues.

The first is the streamlining of our tax system. I believe that having two systems of income taxation is both cumbersome and complex. So, this is an issue that the Senate should be focusing on, in association with the regional governments and the President.

The second is to give foreign policy the place is deserves in our national discourse.

The third is to promote greater equality, and opportunities for upward social mobility at a time when for some many Atlasians  it seems further away than ever before.

3. I believe the Senate is representative of Atlasia as a whole, however, during my time as President, I saw a lot of spending going ahead, but combined with a lack of desire for fiscal restraint on other sides. So, I appreciated the pledge from President Snowguy to limit new spending without accompanying savings.

In fact, I got in trouble from my own party for forging ahead with cuts to both low-income personal taxes as well as small-business corporate taxes, and trust me, the Atlasian Senate doesn't require conservatives to be there for fire-filled debates to take place.  

On the health question...

I've made it known that I support a strong public health system. I believe that a good healthcare system that is not dependent on wealth should be the cornerstone of decent public policy. When I hear arguments which suggests that public health systems are inefficient or costly is largely based on misinformation.

Personally, I would need overwhelming evidence to show cause for the partial privatisation of our health system, as I would never support full-privatisation. I know of some options along the lines of comprehensive basic coverage with a private option for specialist, non-essential services.

...considering my time-zone, (and it's 2am) I may have to step out for the time being and catch up. Apologies.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Thanks Clarence for the question, and your patience.

I believe there are a number of option in relation to sorting out the tax system to make it easier to manage, without decreasing the effectiveness of vital services.

I understand that this will be a process driven by the regions determining what alternative would be appropriate. I have examined a few options myself, but a more detailed study would be required. But there are a number of conditions that I would put on any alternative, the first would be the average cost impost would not be increased overall, but with special attention given to the lowest incomes and that each region would individually administer any new system within existing bureaucracies.

I'm not interested in using spin-terms like 'fair tax', but a consumption tax is something to consider as an alternative, but I would stress I'm not wedded to the idea personally. I think this would require a convention to discuss the most workable options.

I believe that at this current phase of financial recovery, tax cuts must be strategic and focused carefully. When President, I combined a set of targeted tax cuts with a desire to promote a sustainable trajectory towards a surplus. Any surplus created should have gone first and foremost to paying down the debt, this is something I still hold to.

As to the issue of foreign policy. I believe Secretary Ben can attest to my commitment to a thorough foreign policy discussion in Atlasia. I came into office, with a clear decision to get us out of all of our theatres of war, appropriately and decently. Now, I know that issue caused a lot of rancour among my fellow progressives, but we took a while longer to get an agreement than was probably necessary, but it was a good plan and achieved our aims.

But I think we need to get out minds away from the idea that foreign policy equal military entanglement. I told the world as President that Atlasia would be there in we were needed, and as Senator I would continue in that spirit. But foreign policy also includes humanitarian and trade issues that do deserve attention.

I would like to ask Clarence what specific circumstances would be amenable to get your approval of the deployment of Atlasian forces externally?