The Atlasian Sentinel

[Vepres]

The Atlasian Sentinel

Dan Has Won the Mideast Senate Race
By Vepres

We can now project that Dan will win the Mideast senate race.

[Vepres]

Guys, regional Senate elections, as evidence by the ones currently happening, are boring and awful. Why do we want more of them again?

^^^
Again, another series of tired, uncompetitive regional elections.
They haven't worked for years.

I don't like that there are so many safe seats in the Senate and I don't like systems which allow that to thrive.

Every PR-STV election so far has went down to the final minutes. Few candidates have been safe in those elections until late into balloting. By comparison, many of this weekend's races were effectively over before official polling began. -_-

Our senate race is competitive, so not all are boring. The Mideast's would've been had Persepolis not been Ogis. The Northeast's would've also been competitive if Smid endorsed Ronan, the candidate from his party. Something needs to be done about the Southeast and Pacific. I think we should redraw the regions, reduced them to five, and draw them so there are no safe elections.

Edit: What about senatorial term limits? This would not only cycle newbies into the system but also prevent uncompetitive elections.

Yes, the Midwestern race is competitive. That's 1 of 5. IMO, that's not good enough.
If you review the election results in regional (and district elections) for the past couple of years, you'll find that that's about average. (I'd also bear in mind that Fritz entered the race ostensibly for the purpose of having a proper election.)

I disagree with your analysis of the Mideastern and Northeastern elections. Given the declared candidates, neither race was ever likely to be competitive. Your analysis in the Northeast is, I think,  particularly wide of the mark as I'd suggest that Smid runs far ahead of his party there, as indeed he would in just about every region. Few other RPPers could get close to winning there.

On Senatorial term-limits, I would suggest that that would only exacerbate the problem of uncompetitive elections as you're simply reducing the likely number of competitors.

Thereis nothing you can do about the Southeast or Pacific - they are one party regions. The Pacific having been so for quite some time now; the Southeast having slowly seen its non-RPP membership scuttle off into anonymity. The idea that reducing the number of regions will solve anything seems to me to be flawed - it admits that the current set-up isn't working but presumes a small increase in population will revive activity. However, there is no relationship as things stand between the population of the various regions and their activity levels. The regions have failed both as a system of government and as a basis for allowing competitive elections to the Senate.

I'm newer, so I wouldn't know that Smid was more electable.

Anyway, let's say we completely redrew the regions so that there were only three with roughly a 33:33:33 ratio of moderates, conservatives/libertarians, and liberals.

Besides, the only alternative to regions is a European-like system (which I personally hate the whole concept of a parliamentarian system, but that's another debate) as there wouldn't be enough positions for newbies in our current system without regionalism.

If we decrease the number of regions to 3, and perhaps decentralize our government so the regions have more power, than regional elections would matter more. For example, education should be more of a regional responsibility than a federal one as it is in real life.

Why does your "Old Senate" only have 9 members?

By the way, relating to the whole Constitution problem, I've offered a major Amendment for consideration by the Senate. Feel free to tear it apart. Seriously though, I invite you all to jump into the debate when MasterJedi opens up the thread in the Government board. You guys are allowed to post in those deliberations and this is an important Amendment (that you will all, hopefully, ge tot vote on).

He forgot one of the JCP Senators. It should be 4-3-3.

Indeed I did, fixed.

I confused the pre-Marokai senate numbers with the post-Marokai ones.

[Vepres]

The Atlasian Sentinel

Regional Elections Update
By Vepres

As you may or may not know, two regions are having elections other than the senatorial elections. The Midwest has its race for the lieutenant governor, and the Southeast has two initiatives. One prohibits the use of cameras for the purpose of catching drivers breaking speed limits or traffic signals. The other removed speed limits for divided highways in rural areas. What constitutes rural and non-rural is up to the region's government. It would still allow officers to arrest people for reckless driving.

Current Tallies

Midwest Lt. Gov.
GMantis: 2
Vepres: 2
Randy Jones' Salad Bar: 2
ilikeverin: 1

Southeast Traffic Photo Enforcement Ban Initiative
Aye: 6
Nay: 0

Southeast Speed Limit Modification Act Initiative
Aye: 5
Nay: 1

Update: The Northeast voting booth has also opened. The current elections are governor and lieutenant governor. Nobody has voted, so no point in giving numbers.

[Vepres]

I just want to publicize a constitutional amendment I have introduced in the Senate here. Because of the wide-scale changes this would create in our system of government, we really need to hear from all citizens before we pass anything on to a public referendum. Post in the thread and air your thoughts, suggestions, etc.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=97801.msg2042922#msg2042922

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The following shall be included in Article I as Section 2: The House, with subsequent sections renumbered accordingly:

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Article I, Section 5 shall hereby be renumbered Section 4 and read as follows:

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Article I, Section 4 shall hereby be renumbered Section 5 and read as follows:

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All instances of the words "Senate" or "Senator(s)" in Article I, Sections 5 and 6 shall hereby read "Congress" or "Congressmen," respectively.

Article I, Section 8 is hereby removed.

Article IV shall hereby read as follows:

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[/quote]

If this passed, do you think the constitutional convention be shut down? I don't think we can support a twenty member congress. What if the house was 10 members? That would be more reasonable.

I like that regions can be redone, so a region like, say, the Pacific can be made more competitive.

The Sentinel (I) will be following and subsequently writing about the debate in the senate concerning this.

By the way, if anybody would like to write an opinion article about this amendment or anything else in Atlasia, feel free to ask me to put it in the Sentinel.

[Vepres]

I support having a 10 member House. Maybe elected the 5 Senators based on Regions, and have a 10 member house elected based on STV (or better yet, MMP) with 2 month terms.

What's MMP?

[Vepres]

I just want to publicize a constitutional amendment I have introduced in the Senate here. Because of the wide-scale changes this would create in our system of government, we really need to hear from all citizens before we pass anything on to a public referendum. Post in the thread and air your thoughts, suggestions, etc.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=97801.msg2042922#msg2042922

Thank you, but what thread are you referring to? This one, or the thread where the amendment is being debated?

I believe he means the link he posted at the end of the message. This is a newspaper, not a debating thread.

Though I am glad it is stimulating debate.

[Vepres]

I just want to publicize a constitutional amendment I have introduced in the Senate here. Because of the wide-scale changes this would create in our system of government, we really need to hear from all citizens before we pass anything on to a public referendum. Post in the thread and air your thoughts, suggestions, etc.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=97801.msg2042922#msg2042922

Thank you, but what thread are you referring to? This one, or the thread where the amendment is being debated?

I believe he means the link he posted at the end of the message. This is a newspaper, not a debating thread.

Though I am glad it is stimulating debate.

My personal thoughts...(I'll write something up later probably and post it in the official thread for it)
It could potentially confuse a lot of people. I think we should allow plenty of time for people to understand it. I would recommend it taking effect on Jan. 1, 2010, so people won't have an excuse for being confused.

Well, a public awareness campaign by the government as well as the Sentinel's coverage should be sufficient.

[Vepres]

I just want to publicize a constitutional amendment I have introduced in the Senate here. Because of the wide-scale changes this would create in our system of government, we really need to hear from all citizens before we pass anything on to a public referendum. Post in the thread and air your thoughts, suggestions, etc.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=97801.msg2042922#msg2042922

Thank you, but what thread are you referring to? This one, or the thread where the amendment is being debated?

I believe he means the link he posted at the end of the message. This is a newspaper, not a debating thread.

Though I am glad it is stimulating debate.

My personal thoughts...(I'll write something up later probably and post it in the official thread for it)
It could potentially confuse a lot of people. I think we should allow plenty of time for people to understand it. I would recommend it taking effect on Jan. 1, 2010, so people won't have an excuse for being confused.

Well, a public awareness campaign by the government as well as the Sentinel's coverage should be sufficient.

I think a delay clause would be appropriate, possibly to the next presidential election, to ensure that people know what's going on and we allow the regional offices which are eliminated to serve out their terms. It would also give the regions time to reform their constitutions in anticipation of the offices they will likely want to fill.

I see a problem. If there is no regional legislature, will they get no representatives? Or will they be decided by public vote?

[Vepres]

The Atlasian Sentinel

School Standards Reform Bill Passed in Senate; Heads to the Pres.' Desk
By Vepres

Today, the School Standards Reform Bill passed in the senate with 5 ayes, 1 nay, and 2 abstains. The bill set federal standards for all public schools in Atlasia. The bill includes standards for classes that must be offered, mandatory physical education programs, and requires all public elementary schools to offer pre-k.

Among those to not vote for the bill was Senator HappyWarrior(DA-MD), who said, "I like the bill but I think it violates the powers of the regions." He voted abstain. The only senator to vote nay on the bill was Senator Marokai (JCP-AZ) who, when questioned as to why he voted nay, said,"The bill, I think, unfortunately falls victim to the idea that if we make kids work, we can make all children scientists, mathematicians, astronauts, historians, football players, and so on, rather than giving all kids a basic education in all subjects, and focusing on what kids are most proficient in."

The supporters of the bill cited the physical education requirements as a way to help combat Atlasia's obesity problems. Senator PiT(RPP-LA) pointed out that those who don't like the standards could go to private schools.

The bill was introduced by Senator PurpleState.

[Vepres]

I would like to request that everybody continue this debate in the official thread over in the government board. While I don't mind debate in this thread, I would like to move on from this topic and get back to reporting/commentating.

Edit: Here's the link.

[Vepres]

Among those to not vote for the bill was Senator HappyWarrior(DA-MD), who said, "I like the bill but I think it violates the powers of the regions." He voted abstain. The only senator to vote nay on the bill was Senator Marokai (JCP-AZ) who, when questioned as to why he voted nay, said, "The bill, I think, unfortunately falls victim to the idea that if we make kids work, we can make all children scientists, mathematicians, astronauts, historians, football players, and so on, rather than giving all kids a basic education in all subjects, and focusing on what kids are most proficient in."

I appreciate you putting that in.

No problem.

[Vepres]

Guys, regional Senate elections, as evidence by the ones currently happening, are boring and awful. Why do we want more of them again?

^^^
Again, another series of tired, uncompetitive regional elections.
They haven't worked for years.

I don't like that there are so many safe seats in the Senate and I don't like systems which allow that to thrive.

Every PR-STV election so far has went down to the final minutes. Few candidates have been safe in those elections until late into balloting. By comparison, many of this weekend's races were effectively over before official polling began. -_-

Our senate race is competitive, so not all are boring. The Mideast's would've been had Persepolis not been Ogis. The Northeast's would've also been competitive if Smid endorsed Ronan, the candidate from his party. Something needs to be done about the Southeast and Pacific. I think we should redraw the regions, reduced them to five, and draw them so there are no safe elections.

Edit: What about senatorial term limits? This would not only cycle newbies into the system but also prevent uncompetitive elections.

Yes, the Midwestern race is competitive. That's 1 of 5. IMO, that's not good enough.
If you review the election results in regional (and district elections) for the past couple of years, you'll find that that's about average. (I'd also bear in mind that Fritz entered the race ostensibly for the purpose of having a proper election.)

I disagree with your analysis of the Mideastern and Northeastern elections. Given the declared candidates, neither race was ever likely to be competitive. Your analysis in the Northeast is, I think,  particularly wide of the mark as I'd suggest that Smid runs far ahead of his party there, as indeed he would in just about every region. Few other RPPers could get close to winning there.

On Senatorial term-limits, I would suggest that that would only exacerbate the problem of uncompetitive elections as you're simply reducing the likely number of competitors.

Thereis nothing you can do about the Southeast or Pacific - they are one party regions. The Pacific having been so for quite some time now; the Southeast having slowly seen its non-RPP membership scuttle off into anonymity. The idea that reducing the number of regions will solve anything seems to me to be flawed - it admits that the current set-up isn't working but presumes a small increase in population will revive activity. However, there is no relationship as things stand between the population of the various regions and their activity levels. The regions have failed both as a system of government and as a basis for allowing competitive elections to the Senate.

I'm newer, so I wouldn't know that Smid was more electable.

Anyway, let's say we completely redrew the regions so that there were only three with roughly a 33:33:33 ratio of moderates, conservatives/libertarians, and liberals.

I'd like to see that attempt (and indeed there is plenty of fresh data from this election to work with) -  bearing in mind that any change will require the approval of 4 of the 5 regions already in existence including the 2 that are effectively one party regions.

Besides, the only alternative to regions is a European-like system (which I personally hate the whole concept of a parliamentarian system, but that's another debate) as there wouldn't be enough positions for newbies in our current system without regionalism.

The ConCon is there to propse and debate alternatives and they produced many more than 1.

At any rate, i disagree with your suggestion that we have newbies all that involved in regional Government.
In the Pacific we have CultureKing and Alcon.
In the Midwest, GMantis and Lewis.
In the Northeast, Andrew and Moderate.
In the Mideast, Inks.
In the Southeast, Duke and Daniel Adams.

How many of these are newbies? Close to 0.

If we decrease the number of regions to 3, and perhaps decentralize our government so the regions have more power, than regional elections would matter more. For example, education should be more of a regional responsibility than a federal one as it is in real life.

I've heard regionalists moan for quite some time now about their lack of power (and proceed to do nothing but moan about it at any given election). The truth is that the regions already have substantial power. Indeed in your own example, I would put it to you that education is something almost entirely within the region's remit.

Personally, as long as our system has regions and a US style government, I don't care what reforms are made.

[Vepres]

The Atlasian Sentinel

Senator PiT Appears to Have Won the Presidency
By Vepres

Despite some claiming certain votes for PiT invalid, most, including JCP members, have already congratulated PiT on his apparent victory. The election was a close one, with PiT garnering 51.1% of the vote, and Lief receiving 48.9% of the vote. Unless something unforeseen happens with some of the votes, PiT is our next president.

The DA Seizes Control of the Senate
By Vepres

The DA now has a majority in the senate with five members. While this is less significant than a takeover by one of the more ideological parties, it shows that the moderates have a hold on the legislative branch. Our incoming President, PiT, is a staunch libertarian RPP member, and may have trouble getting the more partisan parts of his agenda through the now moderate congress. Unlike the DA, the RPP took a relative beating in this election, losing two seats if you include the special election earlier this month. The JCP's power is about the same, with three members.

President Bgwah Gives Some Final Thoughts as President
By Vepres

President Bgwah delivered a few thoughts to the public in his last days in office. He expressed a great deal of excitement about the turnout, which was double last year's. His address was not very partisan, though he did admit disappointment that his party's candidate, Lief, lost. He did note that it was impressive Lief came so close to winning, given the fact he had a partisan ticket, but added that it was good for Atlasia as it created a close election.

He also stated that he viewed the constitutional convention, probably the most important thing he did in second term, as a mistake.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Notice that he criticized those who wanted to move towards a parliamentary system of government, but also those who wished to add more seats or even another house to the legislative branch.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

All in all, he expressed satisfaction at the increased activity during his tenure as president, and wished PiT the best of luck.

[Vepres]

Ugh, not that "RPP is dead" drums again.  I had some problems and for that I apoligize, but my seat is easily winnable back in the next cycle.  There is little to no chance that the RPP cannot win back at least 1 at-large senate seat.  I have no idea who won in the Northeast (election coverage is awful), but I hope Smid will be back for the next cycle and I have give him a great chance to win his old seat back if he wants it.

And hello, we just won the presidency for the first in our history.  As we approach our one-year anniversery, don't think we are dead at all.

I didn't say you were dead, I said your President would have trouble getting his agenda through a more moderate congress (though some parts are nonpartisan).

[Vepres]

President Bgwah Gives Some Final Thoughts as President
By Vepres

I would just like to point out that, while bgwah at first criticizes the sudden influx of new members as "mysterious" and a "strategy" he does not approve of, he goes on to pat himself on the back for bringing in so many new members and says that reform is unnecessary because "competitive elections cause candidates to register people."

Some consistency from the President (and a critical eye from the press) would be greatly appreciated.

Sort of hard to be critical when you enter Atlasia in a Presidents last month, if you understand what I mean. I'll be much more critical (if justified) of PiT and the incoming congress.

By the way, Bgwah said he was proud of the increased activity, so it doesn't contradict his remarks about the newbies. However, you're right in that it has nothing to do with his work as President.

[Vepres]

Vepres, first of all, this paper is excellent. Keep up the good work.

How do you think all of these controversial votes should be resolved, and who do you think should, and will become the next President?

Personally, I think some in the JCP are trying to win through a technicality, and that PiT won. However, what matters is the legal opinion of the justices, should it get that far. Whatever they decide, the Sentinel will support (however, I personally may not). In the end, I think PiT will win, but we'll have to see.

[Vepres]

Vepres, first of all, this paper is excellent. Keep up the good work.

How do you think all of these controversial votes should be resolved, and who do you think should, and will become the next President?

Personally, I think some in the JCP are trying to win through a technicality, and that PiT won. However, what matters is the legal opinion of the justices, should it get that far. Whatever they decide, the Sentinel will support (however, I personally may not). In the end, I think PiT will win, but we'll have to see.

Electoral laws are not technicalities.

Nobody doubted their registration until the election turned out to be close.

[Vepres]

Anyway, does it matter if they registered before of after the 25 post achievement? In practical matters it doesn't, and legally, well we'll have to see.

[Vepres]

I think we need a concrete interpretation of that law, but either way, I do agree they need to be looked into, though the motives of some are suspect. But that in no way means they're wrong of course.

Edit: On reflection, I do think these votes may not be legal and should be challenged.

[Vepres]

The Atlasian Sentinel

Supreme Court Rules Senate's GM Replacement Act Unconstitutional
By Vepres

The supreme court has ruled that the Removal of the GM Act that was passed in the senate, which would forcibly remove the GM, unconstitutional. Sam Spade, who delivered the courts opinion, stated that the GM was a constitutional executive office, and therefore couldn't be eliminated or transformed into a new executive office by the senate, save a constitutional amendment.

The court also found in a previous case, Sam Spade v. Porce, that the power to appoint the GM was vested solely in the President, thus the removal of the GM also is vested solely in the president. The senate was infringing the executive branch's power by removing the GM due to inactivity. Thus, they found the Removal of the GM Act unconstitutional. They stated that any present or future attempts by the senate to remove the GM will be deemed invalid.

[Vepres]

It took awhile, but it's an excellent decision. I'm quite happy that the Supreme Court made this ruling to say only what myself and others have been saying since the beginning.

While at the beginning I sided with the senate, the court's opinion is fool-proof, and therefore I side with them.

[Vepres]

Vepres, first of all, this paper is excellent. Keep up the good work.

How do you think all of these controversial votes should be resolved, and who do you think should, and will become the next President?

Personally, I think some in the JCP are trying to win through a technicality, and that PiT won. However, what matters is the legal opinion of the justices, should it get that far. Whatever they decide, the Sentinel will support (however, I personally may not). In the end, I think PiT will win, but we'll have to see.

Electoral laws are not technicalities.

Nobody doubted their registration until the election turned out to be close.

Their registration is not in question (though I still believe that question marks hang-over some of these individuals). Their legal ability to vote in this election is at issue - and to my mind is open-and-shut.

I highlighted the issues as I noticed them. At any rate, even if one were to believe I was acting in some malign fashion - that doesn't take away from the veracity of my arguments.

Indeed, motives are meaningless if your arguments are sound.

[Vepres]

The Atlasian Sentinel

Lief/Bacon King Elected
By Vepres

The SOFA certified the official election results, which elected Lief/Bacon King President and Vice President, respectively. It was a tie at 41 to 41 in the final round, however, because Lief/Bacon King had one more first preference vote, they were deemed the winners of the election.

This is, of course, after the Atlasian Sentinel reported that PiT had won. In Franzl's count, he did. However, the SOFA, who is more familiar with election laws and thus better qualified to determine which votes are valid and which aren't, and his results showed Lief winning. We apologize for the error.

[Vepres]

The Atlasian Sentinel

Lief/Bacon King Elected
By Vepres

The SOFA certified the official election results, which elected Lief/Bacon King President and Vice President, respectively. It was a tie at 41 to 41 in the final round, however, because Lief/Bacon King had one more first preference vote, they were deemed the winners of the election.

This is, of course, after the Atlasian Sentinel reported that PiT had won. In Franzl's count, he did. However, the SOFA, who is more familiar with election laws and thus better qualified to determine which votes are valid and which aren't, and his results showed Lief winning. We apologize for the error.

Where can I find official results ?

SOFA thread, second to last page.

[Vepres]

The Atlasian Sentinel

BrandonH Nominated for GM Position; Confirmation Underway
By Vepres

President Bgwah appointed BrandonH to fill the GM position after Ebowed resigned. Yesterday marked the beginning of his confirmation hearing with the senate. Though the hearing has just begun, we do know that BrandonH's two biggest concerns will be our relations with foreign nations and the economic situation in Atlasia. He has also stated that he hopes to provide updates at least weekly, and that he can dedicate enough time to fulfill the duties of the GM.