Labor Party Standing Committee thread: Endorsement voting

[Barnes]

x Barnes

[Barnes]

*Sips Champagne*

I would like to give some kind of speech at the convention.  I'll leave it up to the bosses to choose when are where, and such.

*Sips more Champagne*

[Barnes]

*slices Stilton cheese, puts slices on Italian bread* What sort of speech would you like to make, Barnes? I had been thinking that I would give the opening speech myself, but depending on how the plenary sessions go, I should think we should be able to find some time to fit you in.

*Examines caviar*

Oh, something about coming back to Atlasia, what I tried to accomplish as SoIA and how it translates to our platform.  Lots of stuff about the working man.

* Remembers I hate Caviar; sips more Champagne*

[Barnes]

*eats some of the samosa*

We're going to. My idea was to create a theoretical framework and have planks added from the floor. The theoretical framework is that government is a function arising out of society in order to mediate between different groups within the society and is given the power to ensure, ideally, that no part of society is in a position of absolute dominance over the others. Of course, it doesn't always work that way. Redistribution is an attempt to correct for human error within this system. The human error's name is susceptibility to tribalism and greed.

I'm sure we should have more than this, but I only wanted to start us off with a basic definition of the mission of socialism and the Labor cause that I thought we might be able to, if not all agree on, at least constructively debate. I want the building of our platform to be a discursive process.

*sips port*

I agree and disagree in part.

While government should be based on the promise of egalitarianism, it must also recognize it has a mission to help those who cannot help themselves.  Namely: the elderly, children, the disabled, and those stricken with "immovable" economic poverty.  Also, government should encourage a dynamic culture throughout the nation - a permanent cultural revolution, so to speak.  Not in the sense of Maoist China (cultural annihilation), but government should accept the fact that society's ideas and values are in a constant state of flux, and that the best way to defend these values is to oppose cultural stagnation and regression.

Just my two cents. I also like idea of starting out with a base, and expanding upon it on the floor.

*Barman, my good man, another round of drinks for every Marxist-Leninist in the room! Huzzah!*

[Barnes]

Simfan, I'm eating a delicious spicy potato samosa. I actually don't respond well to red meat, though I love fish and am going to see about having some nice trout later in the night.

Barnes, I entirely agree with your assessment. How about this for the beginning of our platform:

Government is a function arising out of society in order to mediate between different groups within the society and is given the power to ensure, ideally, that no part of society is in a position of absolute dominance over the others. Of course, it doesn't always work that way. Redistribution is an attempt to correct for human error within this system. The human error's name is susceptibility to tribalism and greed.

However, within the system of a government set up to ensure a certain measure of equality in the treatment of the people through the codification of customs into theoretically blind laws, there must be a preferential option for those who do not have recourse to other means of social and cultural involvement: The elderly, the children, the disabled, and, especially, the poor. It is for this reason that a truly socialist and Labor party pursues ideas of, to a certain extent, redistribution even when it is not required to address some particularly glaring flaw. The effect of this is to among other things bring to the forefront a cultural discussion and dialectic that forms the culture and the society into an exuberant dance around ideals of freedom and justice, equality and privilege, rich poverty and wasted wealth.

Hatman, of course we are somewhat hypocritical but at the same time self-aware and hence in a way fundamentally honest and good-hearted Fabians! That's part of the fun!

I quite agree!  Let's get our "mission statement" and then put in the real meat on the floor.

[Barnes]

The cornerstone of the Labor party is the worker.  The plight of the worker is the plight of the everyday man, and it is the duty of government to treat them with the dignity and respect that their position deserves.  The enemy of the worker is the enemy of the Labor party and it is the enemy of the common man; this is namely: immeasurable greed.  Greed is the basis of unregulated capitalism and the pursuit of profit over the advancement of liberty, health, and equality, is its battle cry.  Thus, it is the mission of the Labor party to fight back the monstrous blitzkrieg of robber barons, and champion the cause of the worker.

[Barnes]

Depending on how the next couple of days of the convention go, and assuming one of us is willing to run, yes.

I know we're just getting our platform moving, but I think we should get candidate nominations moving soon so as to actual make our mark in this election.

[Barnes]

If the party doesn't mind, I would like to ask Earl (and any other possible candidates who would like our endorsement) to publish a short summary of their platform here. And, if willing, to answer a few questions from us. Just so we know exactly what we're getting in to.

[Barnes]

I agree with Nathan, thank you both ZuWo and and Earl for sharing your platforms.

That being said, I don't have as much of a concern with Earl's education policy, but I think it would be nice to address with our own platform.  I'm very pleased with the environmental platform.  I recommend that we endorse the Washburnist ticket, but of course the entire Convention will have to decide.

[Barnes]

I'd like to formally ask the convention for an up-or-down vote on endorsing the Washburnist ticket for the Presidency.

Should this need any kind of second, I give it.

[Barnes]

I'd like to formally ask the convention for an up-or-down vote on endorsing the Washburnist ticket for the Presidency.

Should this need any kind of second, I give it.

It doesn't, since I'm the Chairman and I'm making party rules mainly by setting precedent.

Ah.

Shall we begin, then?

[Barnes]

I don't think an up-or-down vote for one candidate in a race of four candidates is appropriate, we need all the candidates on the endorsement ballot.  We should also give the others an opportunity to address this convention.

I agree that we should listen to all the platforms.  I'm PMing Polnut and 20RP12 now.

[Barnes]

I would ask the Chairman to word the vote something like this:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

All members should be allowed to vote on both questions.  I'm not trying to upstage anything, but it's just what I believe.

[Barnes]

Should the Labor Party field its own ticket for this Presidential election?
[ ] Yes
[X] No

If the party does not field a ticket, which other candidate should it endorse?
[ ] 20RP12
[1] EarlAW
[2] Polnut
[ ] ZuWo
[ ] No endorsement
I know it's strange to not want to run our own candidate, but I believe that we should concentrate on building up out party and winning regional and Senate election (that way we aren't top-heavy ). Also, a united left is always good.

Once we finish the voting, I suggest we define and elect party leadership; then we can form our platform.

[Barnes]

Hi guys,

I just want to let you all know I've decided not to run for re-election as Pacific Senator, and I encourage you all to run a candidate for Pacific Senator. Sbane is cool and it's not the end of the world if you don't, but please don't assume it will be a competitive election since I'm not running.

Also, run a candidate for President... Earl is kind of a dick, I can't vote for any ticket with a cat strangler on it, and the other two are right-wingers. NOTA is looking like the best option at the moment.

Thank you for the advice, bgwah.

If it's acceptable, I would like to change my vote from No to Yes on the first question. I still think Earl should get our endorsement if we decide to not run a candidate.  I know it's going back on what I said earlier, but this is supposed to be a fresh start on Atlasia, so why not have a five-way Presidential race?

[Barnes]

So, you guys are all changing your votes because bgwah comes in here and calls me a dick?

Where does this come from? Is this because I wouldn't join the "Jesus Christ Party"... even after persistently pursuing me to do so?  Well, it's one thing to attack my policies, sir, but it is disgraceful to attack my character! Shame on you!

But, it is to be expected. When I first ran for office, over six years ago, I was a political neophyte. I was appalled at the dirty tricks of politics back then. But, I have grown a thick skin over the years and I can take it. Well, I won't personally attack bgwah, because I am above that.

Well, personally, I changed my vote because I realized that competitive elections are fun, and that's the point of this game (for me anyway) is to have fun.  So, there you go.

The reason my post appeared with me thanking bgwah is because I didn't want to clog up the thread with me over and over again.

(And if you really must know, I started to think this after Fritz voted to run a ticket of our own.)

[Barnes]

So, you guys are all changing your votes because bgwah comes in here and calls me a dick?

Where does this come from? Is this because I wouldn't join the "Jesus Christ Party"... even after persistently pursuing me to do so?  Well, it's one thing to attack my policies, sir, but it is disgraceful to attack my character! Shame on you!

But, it is to be expected. When I first ran for office, over six years ago, I was a political neophyte. I was appalled at the dirty tricks of politics back then. But, I have grown a thick skin over the years and I can take it. Well, I won't personally attack bgwah, because I am above that.

I was talking about you with someone. We agreed that you put up this faux-nice guy persona but at the end of the day you're just kind of a dick. Sorry.

Me being nice is not fake, bgwah. Sometimes I'm nice! How unbelievably hard to believe, that a human being can be nice sometimes. Sometimes I can be a dick. Sometimes if I have a hard day, and someone says something, I react in a dickish manner. Sure, it happens. Is it okay? No, it's not. And I apologize for being a dick to some people. We're all guilty of saying mean and hurtful things. But, I'm not going to apologize for being human, jeez.

I'm sure you've been a dick too, at times. But, I'm not going to hold that against you.

Not to be rude, Y'all, but if you'd like to continue this conversation, please make use of this button: .

[Barnes]

Fellow party members,

Today has been quite a hectic day, with multiple calls for both running a ticket and not doing so.  At first, I was convinced that it would not be in our best interest to do so, but as the day wore on, I began to think.  Do I want an Atlasia where the status quo once again takes hold?  The status quo in this game is the same candidates and the same parties, election after election.  My answer was a resounding no.

We have just seen a huge political realignment with all the major parties dissolving.  If we wish to become the party of the future, we must fight for Atlasia today!  Election are not all about winning, but about what is said, and what can come out of them.  I emphatically agree with Fritz:

Really, I don't think the first question should even be voted on.  If we have people who want to run, they should run.  If we don't, it's irrelevant.

Let us run someone from our party who will stand up for the worker, and for those who can not stand up for themselves! I ask you, think about what this election means for Atlasia, think about what you hold dear, and think about what our party stands for.  

Please vote yes.

[Barnes]

I am running for President.

Somebody's got to run from our party, and besides, let's all have some fun.

I quite honestly did not see this coming this Morning, afternoon, or one hour ago, but I think it's important enough to do.  I know we're kind of boiled down in this whole endorsement thing right now, but I would like to ask for party solidarity.

[Barnes]

So does anyone care to explain if we will split the vote from the socialists by nominating our own candidate? Because our first goal should be preventing the presidency from falling into right wing hands.

Well, the WSRP has three members and we have 15, but besides that, I would just like to say that this is a game about elections, so why should we sit one out?

[Barnes]

No one has to vote for me if they do not wish to, that is rather the beauty of democracy.

But, I quite simply want this to be fun (I know I keep saying that, but I can't say it enough).  Why not have a six candidate race?  With IRV it'll sure be fun.

[Barnes]

I thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. This has been a very hectic day, mainly thanks to me.

[Barnes]

Bump

Guys, we still have really important business to discuss.

Whoops, sorry everyone.

I think we should have at least a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and a Whip.

[Barnes]

Sorry I've been away; I've had Model UN stuff and whatnot. Incidentally, a number of my friends were at a Model UN conference at the University of Chicago this past weekend. Assume that everything Nathan said applies to me also, because he knows what he's doing.

I don't want too much bureaucracy with regard to organization; all that's necessary is a Leader and Deputy Leader. I still don't understand what a Whip would possibly do; if I'm not mistaken, that's an RPP invention.

I have no desire to run for Senate at this point. I would be all for Antonio.

Model UN sounds quite exciting; hope you had fun.

To be honest, I've never seen a Whip's position (in regards to Atlasian parties) clearly defined. It can easily be filled by the Chairman or Deputy.

Just to get things moving, I move that Nathan be officially declared Chairman by unanimous consent.

[Barnes]

Hey everyone!

School has honestly kept me bogged down, but, I did win two awards for Outstanding Attorney at the Mock Trial Competition!

All I ask now of our party is to go and vote.  I ask for unity with all left wing candidates - if we achieve that, we can truly help Atlasia!