Siren/Muad'dib: Hope & Adventure! - (End of an Adventure)

[Dipper Josh]

The experience and detailed positions brought forth by this ticket have me very excited. Enthusiastically endorsed.

[Anna Komnene]

Love seeing talk of supporting small businesses - this is especially important to rural Atlasians who continue to face obstacles as communities lose population and lack resources. One of those resources lacking is rural broadband, which is especially critical during COVID-19, with more and more Atlasians working and learning from home.

To my knowledge, I don't think any substantive action has been taken in Atlasia on the subject, at least federally. I hope you'll consider adding it to your platform!

Thanks for your suggestion Tmth. I couldn't agree more. We owe it to rural Atlasians to provide the broadband infrastructure that allows access to the same resources as everyone else for school, work, and entertainment. After you suggested it, Muad'dib and I included it in our infrastructure development plan.

I stan this ticket.

Sunriso endorses Siren/Maud'dib.

Our very first stan!    Thanks Sunriso.

The experience and detailed positions brought forth by this ticket have me very excited. Enthusiastically endorsed.

Thank you Josh. We truly appreciate your interest in our proposals and your support.

There will be more coming soon.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Endorsed without needing to read the platform. Highest quality public servants right here.

[Anna Komnene]

A Holistic Approach to Foreign Policy: Peace, Prosperity, and Security

Some of you might remember I'm a big fan of Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman 1984 was supposed to come out tomorrow, but it's postponed for months due to covid-19. That makes me sad! In her honor, we'd like to present our foreign policy approach. "Only love can save the world," says Diana Prince. It takes that sort of mindset and commitment to foster peace around the world. We believe that it requires a holistic approach with multiple strategies to fit the circumstance. By applying these principles in given situations, Atlasia presents to the world in a spirit of cooperation toward the goals of achieving peace, prosperity, and collective security.

Building Peace: Addressing Root Causes

This level of the peace process is going on all the time. By addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, resource scarcity, lack of access to health and education, and lack of inter-community dialogue, peacebuilding seeks to create the type of world where conflict is less likely to happen. Reducing violence is good in and of itself, but it's also a win-win. With less violence, trade relationships also improve and we achieve collective security by diminishing hate and misunderstanding toward Atlasia. We propose to do this by reforming Atlasia's foreign development assistance in two ways.

Invest in NGOs

By redirecting a portion of money currently allocated to certain foreign governments which can be wasteful or corrupt, we can instead provide it to a list of NGOs, civil society organizations, and nonprofits working on issues such as poverty, health, education, necessities such as food and water, and gender empowerment. These are organizations working on the ground, sometimes even risking their lives, to improve conditions in countries around the world and react to disasters. They have the expertise and passion to provide the outcomes that we want better than many governments and train to know the needs of the people and causes they serve. Perhaps, with more support, they could have even helped shield us from the impact of covid-19. Examples of such organizations are the American Red Cross, Doctors without borders, charity : water, Heifer International, and the Jane Goodall Institute.

Establish an Atlasian Microloan Bank

In many areas of the world, people living in remote, rural areas lack access to local banking infrastructure to finance their livelihoods, with no other option but to look to neighbors for help or rely on local predatory lenders. By redirecting a portion of the foreign aid budget, we can establish a microloan bank to provide low interest loans to people in developing countries to help them become self sufficient. This would especially help women who normally lack access to opportunity to gain the tools they need to better provide for their families. For example, a farmer who needs to take goods to market can get access to money to buy transport, enabling her to get more of her food to the market, and provide both for her family and for her community.

Conflict Resolution

In relations with states at war, we believe in using all of the diplomatic avenues available, in concert with the international community to achieve conflict resolution. When possible, we would bring parties to the table to negotiate terms through promoting mutual understanding, compromise, concession, and bargaining between the aggrieved parties. However, we view war as a last resort usually reserved to self defense and extreme cases in which the world must come together to prevent a humanitarian disaster like the holocaust.

Post-conflict Peacekeeping

Peace is difficult work, but the effort is well worth it to achieve prosperity and collective security. This is especially true when you consider that nonprofit and NGO workers put their lives on the line to work in dangerous areas. Therefore, Atlasia should take a greater role in UN peacekeeping missions to ensure that lasting peace is maintained in post-conflict situations, such as election monitoring and power sharing agreements. By joining more peacekeeping missions, Atlasia can improve the missions' chances of success and increase the legitimacy of the UN. It can improve Atlasia's standing in the world and increase Atlasia's diplomatic leverage at the negotiating table during conflict resolution. It can also win hearts and minds on the ground by showing Atlasia is committed to peace and committed to working together with the world to maintain it.

--

Applying all of the above principles to the Atlasian situation of war-torn Korea could uplift and build bridges between communities, thereby promoting mutual understanding. If we can help them see that they all have a role to play in improving their community, they are more likely to begin the slow process of healing. As in most situations of conflict, optimism toward a better life can be the best medicine. It would encourage everyone involved to negotiate in a spirit of compromise, while the international community monitors the situation to keep tensions low, facilitating their peaceful transition.

[Thunder98 🇮🇱 🤝 🇵🇸]

Endorsed!

[Former President tack50]

While I have criticized this ticket in several occasions, when playing Mario Oddisey the other day I found this quote and was instantly reminded of this ticket lol

I'm making an introspective travel to find myself and while I am at it, I am traveling around the world

Tbh I had already thought about the Siren=Captain Toad comparison before I found this quote, but this just makes it even better

Guess you can use the Captain Toad theme as your campaign theme

[Anna Komnene]

Endorsed without needing to read the platform. Highest quality public servants right here.

Thanks for this great comment Mr. R. We really appreciate it.

Endorsed!

Thanks for the endorsement Thunder. Glad to have you along for the ride!

While I have criticized this ticket in several occasions, when playing Mario Oddisey the other day I found this quote and was instantly reminded of this ticket lol

I'm making an introspective travel to find myself and while I am at it, I am traveling around the world

Tbh I had already thought about the Siren=Captain Toad comparison before I found this quote, but this just makes it even better

Guess you can use the Captain Toad theme as your campaign theme

I am always trying to find myself for sure. For this post, I award you a power moon!

[Anna Komnene]

Environment: Clean Air and Water for the Whole Community

There are many reasons to be passionate about environmental policy. Some want to preserve the world's natural beauty: its plants, animals, and ecosystems. Others are concerned about the pressing concern of climate change already being felt around the world with drying rivers and resulting famine. And for some, it's simply a matter of the basic dignity of access to clean air and water in their communities.

Either way, environmental policy, maybe more so than any other policy, requires commitment from the community to succeed. Without actions taken by our ancestors over the past century, we wouldn't have places like national parks and many species like brown bears, bald eagles, chimpanzees, and gray wolves would likely be gone forever. We owe it to them, to ourselves, and to future generations to continue that commitment.

Unlike many other things in politics, the community benefits from its collective action. Clean air and water, thriving ecosystems, pristine lands, and quality food products are things that can be shared by all through tourism, photography, film, and markets. And for some people, especially in rural areas, the environment is central to their way of life. Helping the environment isn't just about plants and animals. It's about the community with live in. For the time being, Earth is the only home we have. We should treat it that way. “Indeed I have not seen them roused like this for many an age. We Ents do not like being roused; and we never are roused unless it is clear to us that our trees and our lives are in great danger.” -Treebeard from Lord of the Rings

Clean and Healthy Communities

Everyone should have access to clean air and water, but sadly, many still live near major pollution centers, dumps, and toxic rivers. These are almost always the poorest communities, including predominantly African American and Latino areas. Places like Flint, MI, Newark, NJ, and Fresno, CA. When you compare it to the staggering over representation of the African American and Latino communities when it comes to covid-19 transmission and deaths, it becomes clear that while many factors are involved, it's likely that the pollution these communities encounter every day is further endangering them to the pandemic. We believe Atlasia should respond to this tragic situation, and when it comes to environmental policy, we propose a comprehensive water supply infrastructure update to ensure that all Atlasians have access to clean water. This would go hand in hand with our infrastructure development plan and ensure that Atlasian reservoirs and sewage systems are updated with modern technology and monitoring systems for lead and other toxic chemicals. In addition, we would direct the EPA to prioritize enforcement of regulations in the communities experiencing the worst levels of pollution.

Innovation and Advancement in Green Technology

While we've made good strides in pursuing green technology, we still face problems of efficiency and geological suitability in certain areas with what we currently have. We support making use of available funding to research, develop, and support innovative green technologies to help move us to a cleaner future. One example of a promising project worth developing is soil carbon. Soil is very effective at storing carbon in the right conditions. By using sustainable farming practices such as planting crops year round with cover plants, farmers can both increase the soil's ability to store carbon to reduce emissions and increase the soil's fertility and ability to produce more crops. This is good both for the environment and for agriculture, but it requires research and investment into the best ways to accomplish it. We support innovating new soil carbon techniques, along with other new green technologies which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Protect Public Lands

Atlasia has a long and proud tradition of protecting public lands going back to 1872 when Yellowstone became the first national park. National parks and monuments provide places for community recreation, appreciation of Atlasia's natural beauty, and protection of endangered wildlife and plants. In the case of wetland ecosystems, they can also be another solution to help reduce the effects of climate change. Wetland ecosystems, while often overlooked, are more efficient at storing carbon than the typical forest ecosystem, storing as much as ten time more. This makes it critically important to identify and protect wetlands, especially in areas with rare plants or wildlife where a protected lands area could serve all of the above purposes at the same time. We would prioritize the protection of wetlands, identifying areas to potentially serve as new national parks or forests.

Find Solutions that Fit the Regions

Many aspects of environmental policy depend on the climate, geography, and topography of specific regions. For instance, some green technologies like solar work better in certain areas of the country than others. Some areas of the country face water infrastructure problems, while others face water scarcity problems. Environmental policies should be tailored to fit the communities they serve. We would work with the regions to create solutions specific to their needs, bringing everyone into the policymaking process.

Get the World Onboard

There is much we can do to live in a cleaner, environmentally friendly community, but it only goes so far if we can't get the international community on board with our efforts. It truly will take a worldwide community effort if we are to achieve the results we need. We support the negotiation of a new comprehensive treaty with binding commitments from all parties in the vein of the Kyoto Protocols but fitting of modern science and technology. This treaty would represent a bold new commitment by the world to the goal reducing emissions, addressing deforestation, and investing in innovative green technologies. If it works, this could provide an exciting new twist to the roles of the presidency and the GM. Either way, taking the lead on the environment presents Atlasia as a symbolic leader for the world to follow on environmental policy.

[Devout Centrist]

Siren, this is a pretty good platform. I'm just not sure why you're running on a ticket with Muad'dib. Most of these ideas seem antithetical to the Conservative/Fed Alliance. I’m glad that Muad'dib is offering you public support for your policies, but what do you offer them in exchange?

[Anna Komnene]

Siren, this is a pretty good platform. I'm just not sure why you're running on a ticket with Muad'dib. Most of these ideas seem antithetical to the Conservative/Fed Alliance. I’m glad that Muad'dib is offering you public support for your policies, but what do you offer them in exchange?

Thanks DC.

Muad'dib and I spent quite a while chatting and brainstorming for pretty much all of the policy posts we've made so far. There's elements from him and elements from me in each one of them. It's truly been a collaboration. If we were elected, that would continue like with any president and vice president pair. I'm not afraid to stand up for what I believe in when necessary, but sometimes there's more to be gained by listening to each other. For the federalists at large, there's the vice presidency. They might feel more comfortable bringing their ideas to us with a representative in the administration. And the same thing I've always tried to offer everyone in Atlasia: my willingness to engage in the issues in good faith to try to find the best solutions. But there wasn't any backroom deals that led to our ticket, if that's what you're asking.

[Devout Centrist]

Forgive me Siren, I didn't mean to imply any shady deals or backroom shenanigans on your part. I'm just curious if there are any Federalist or Conservative policies you support.

[Anna Komnene]

Forgive me Siren, I didn't mean to imply any shady deals or backroom shenanigans on your part. I'm just curious if there are any Federalist or Conservative policies you support.

No worries. I didn't really think you did but just wanted to be sure.

I feel like there's some good things in our platform that Federalists could get behind. Our main street revitalization program, for instance, has gotten some good feedback. It's all about trying to create the best conditions for small local businesses to succeed. We tried to think of the best things govt can do to help, but at the end of the day, it comes down to the individuals running the stores and working for the stores making good decisions.

In some of our proposals to reform foreign aid, some of the money goes to nonprofits instead of foreign governments or helps poor people grow their businesses. Both of those things are encouraging individuals to take action and promote entrepreneurial spirit rather than relying on foreign governments to do it for them. It's just a bottom up approach to innovation rather than a top down approach. In our infrastructure program, it gives unemployed an option to do volunteer work for a higher bonus payment. There's lots of stuff in there that I think promotes individual responsibility but at the same time also community engagement.

I'm also very libertarian when it comes to personal privacy/surveillance. I think govt should get out of people's bedrooms (assuming no violence of course!), their computers, and their phones, which I think federalists of a certain stripe would appreciate. And I do think that religion has an important place in society and that people should be free to worship how they please, provided that people aren't being discriminated against. I'm not an expert on Federalist policies, but I feel like they might appreciate those things.

[alancia]

Endorsed!

[Former Lincoln Assemblyman & Lt. Gov. RGN]

This is a wonderful ticket! I am proud to endorse you both for the White House! It's long overdue for our country to have a real opportunity for some hope and adventure.

[Anna Komnene]

Endorsed!

This is a wonderful ticket! I am proud to endorse you both for the White House! It's long overdue for our country to have a real opportunity for some hope and adventure.

Thank you so much alancia and RGN. I really appreciate your support!

[Anna Komnene]

The election is almost here!

When I started this race, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I took a step into the unknown to see where it might lead. It's been a wild ride, and I've really enjoyed sharing it with everyone involved. I'm very thankful to everyone who's expressed their support and well wishes and for Muad'dib for being patient and spending countless hours chatting about our proposals and how to go about this adventure together.

I'm happy to say that we've run an old fashioned Atlasian campaign, filled with speeches, policy proposals, conventions, and interacting with so many wonderful people both in public and in private. It has been a lot of fun.

If you like what we have to say and want to join us on this adventure, we would love to have you with us.

I want to express my very best wishes to all of the candidates for every office. Let the fun begin!

[Fmr. Representative Encke]

Forgot to do this earlier, but endorsed!

[Anna Komnene]

The polls are open!

Here's a handy link to the voting booth.

Forgot to do this earlier, but endorsed!

It's never too late! Thanks so much Encke.

[Anna Komnene]

End of an Adventure: Concession Speech

Congratulations are in order for President Pericles and Vice President-elect Sestak on their victory.  You guys ran a strong campaign and clearly earned the respect of the voters. I wish you the best of luck in your next term. To HCP and Ted, it was fun competing with you two as well. The race wouldn't have been the same without you. Congrats to everyone else who won other races tonight too. I hope you enjoy your time serving in office.

This is the third time I've had the honor to be on a presidential ticket, first as running mates for Clyde and Lumine, and now on my own ticket with Muad'dib, which means I've paired myself with three different parties on a presidential ticket! More importantly, three fascinating and fun people that helped me grow as a person and three active, passionate, and detailed campaigns. Weirdly enough, all three of these races happened in June (17, 18, and 20). The first two were announced on the same day! Another fun fact: when I ran with Clyde, we led a few polls heading into the election only to get like 32% of the vote on election day. So to have it happen again this time in pretty much the same way seems like a strangely fitting capstone to my Atlasian career. The good thing about the result being clear is that I was able to write this speech last night since today was father's day.

I'm proud of our campaign regardless. We highlighted issues that I think are really important. Building strong, inter-connected communities, helping local stores and businesses, reviving town and city centers, lifting people out of poverty, providing basic necessities like clean water and broadband, and trying to find innovative ways to improve the world we live in without settling for a boilerplate platform (not referring to anyone here – just speaking about what's important to me). I did the best I could to emulate the old fashioned Atlasian presidential campaigns that I came to love during my time in this game. And I think I stand in good company among a lot of fantastic people who I admire that also lost big time in national races but who had a big heart! I hope I might have inspired some of you to do what you can to help your own communities outside of Atlasia and bring a little happiness to your friends and neighbors even if you didn't vote for me.

For all of my supporters, thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did. Whether it was offering words of support, endorsements, suggestions, or taking a more active role in the campaign, I appreciated everything. Some of the things you said to me in public and private were truly inspiring and heart warming. To my friends who stuck with me through thick and thin, I'll never forget that either. A special shout out to Muad'dib for being a wonderful running mate and to LT, fhtagn, NC Yankee, tmth, Encke, and many more for all your help. I could not have done this campaign without you. I'm sorry that I couldn't give you all a more exciting election weekend, but hey, all we can do is our best. I feel like we did that. I hope you enjoyed following our campaign over the last month. Don't lose hope. Maybe next time, one of you will succeed where I failed.

Despite the result, I really enjoyed this. It gave me a chance to connect with people, have fun, and learn new things. It also gave me a new found respect for anyone who's ever run an active presidential campaign because this is a lot of work! For me personally, this was also about facing a fear I've always had of putting myself out there. I don't care so much about the outcome. Fitting of adventure, I care more about the journey than the destination. Rather, it's that I had the confidence in myself to actually go through with this and the knowledge that that confidence remains stronger than ever even after being thoroughly beaten. It's quite a liberating feeling to be honest. The journey of this campaign, for me, was well worth it. For anyone who's thinking of running a campaign for president, no matter what party you're in, my unsolicited advice is to go for it. You never know where it might lead or what treasures you might gain along the way.

Godspeed Atlasia.

Sincerely,

Siren