Junkie for At-Large Senator (Special Election)

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

One question...

I know that there are important national debates to have... but what are you going to do for the region... you are running as a regional senator, not an at-large one?

[Junkie]

Hmm, interesting. I think you have some ideas worth discussing. I thought about replying right here, but perhaps we should have a "debate" or something instead. Wanna?

I would love to.

Will get to the other questions tomorrow.

[Junkie]

I have done some research on the issue of posting requirements for registration.  It is not scientific, as figuring who is a new register, who was invalid, and who is an older poster coming back was a little difficult.  By the way, Hans is doing a great job.  But here is what I came up with since December 2010:

Posters that attempted to register but were invalid: (10)
- CJMiller 12/7/10
- HeyThatGuy 12/9/10
- Taft4Prez 12/18/10 (successful on 12/21/10)
- Tnowacki 12/28/10
- Jake Matthews 1/8/11 (successful on 1/16/11)
- Jackson 2/15/11
- OKUSA 2/16/11 (later banned)
- BenKenobi 4/19/11 (successful on 5/10/11)
- Elyski 4/20/11 (Successful on 4/30/11)
- Brian Murphy 5/21/11

So of the new people that tried to join the game, only 40% stuck around to later join.  I will admit, higher that I expected.

Successful Registrations 21
- MJH 12/16/10
- Winfield 12/22/10 (past voter)
- Yates 12/26/10 (I think past voter--banned)
- Clay 1/2/11 (past voter)
- Ernest 1/2/11 (past voter)
- Cash 1/19/11
- The Economist 1/29/11
- Freepcrusher 2/7/11
- Napoleon 2/8/11
- Chairman Sanchez 2/9/11
- Reaganfan 2/9/11 (past voter)
- East Coast Republican 2/10/11
- BoomerSooner 92 2-14-11 (could not vote in closest election)
-JbGator 3/13/11
-homelycooking 3/20/11
- Teddy 3/24/11 (past voter)
- CarlSchulz 4/9/11
- JBach 717 4/29/11
- Long Island Born 5/16/11
- Nation 5/22/11 (past voter)
- Pingvin99 5/23/11

Of those 21 successful registrations, 7 of them (or 33%) were old posters coming back to the game.  This is almost the exact number of individuals that did not decide to stick around.  Does that mean that every one of those missed opportunities would have stayed or participated.  No.  But, it is a real possibility.

That is why I believe registration should not have a posting limit.  Voting, however should.  That would eliminate the concerns of zombies.  Let them join.  If they are active, then they have deserved the right to vote.  View it as citzenship.  You can be a citizen, but not eligible to vote until you have reached a level with which the nation trusts your ability to make an informed decision.

[Yelnoc]

I like that idea.  Anyone can be a citizen but voting rights are not granted until two weeks and 75 posts after registration.  Or something along those lines.

[tmthforu94]

Junkie, this is an excellent idea - I can't believe I didn't think of it before.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Lord knows I'm no fan of fiddling with posting requirements around these parts, but you've made it clear in public and as well as to me privately, that you care about the reform of elections and making changes to the game that make it more interesting in an appealing and region-minded way. That, to me, is more important than anything, and you've come up with ideas (like allowing regions the option of choosing their Senators through their regional legislature, if that region so desires) that even I hadn't thought of before.

For that, I endorse you. And I hope the Pacific region will take a chance on you. But you need a lot of luck.

[Fritz]

That is why I believe registration should not have a posting limit.  Voting, however should.  That would eliminate the concerns of zombies.  Let them join.  If they are active, then they have deserved the right to vote.  View it as citzenship.  You can be a citizen, but not eligible to vote until you have reached a level with which the nation trusts your ability to make an informed decision.

I tried to get this through as President: Pre-Registration Act

[Junkie]

One question...

I know that there are important national debates to have... but what are you going to do for the region... you are running as a regional senator, not an at-large one?

I have not forgotten your question, nor was I ignoring it.  However, seeing one of my ideas getting a little bit of play over in the Senate, I spent a little bit of time participating in the debate.  You are right, I am running for a regional senator spot, but the way I view it, I will representing the Region in the Senate.  Thus my duty is to do what is best for the Region and Atlasia as a whole.

Attempts to reform the game, keep old members, make elections competitive, and make it easier for dedicated new members to join helps Atlasia, but it also helps the Pacific.  The Pacific suffers from the exact same problems as the nation as a whole in this regard.  Thus by trying to save the nation, I will also try to save the Pacific.

Being a game on the internet, promises to provide infrastructure, aid, grants to the region, etc., are great items to bring out in theory, but they don't address the issues plaguing the region.  Reform needs to happen, I believe it will happen, maybe not in the way I want, but it will because it has to.

I believe in the written word of the Constitution that gives specific enumerated powers to the Senate and everything else to the Regions.  I will jealously guard that power for the Pacific Region.  I will make sure that the Federal Government does not legislate in ways they do not have the power to do so.  That will help the Pacific more than anything else.  While it may stop a bill that our citizens like, it will also prevent very social conservative measures that are offensive to our citizens.  Whether I like a bill or not, I will not vote nor support any bill that allows the Senate to legislate in areas where it is not specifcally given power.  I will protect the power given to the Pacific by the Constitution so long as I have breathe in my body, strength in my fingers, and the power to hit "Post."

Hope that answers your questions.  If it does not, hit me up again.

Within the next to days, I will release my platform in areas of justice and foreign policy.

[Junkie]

I announced some time ago that I would be running for Pacific Governor.  I have finished my representations of Tmth and Dallasfan.  With those two high profile cases under my belt, I am probably one of the more expensive defense attorneys in Atlasia.

So why am I running for Governor.  Recently I ran for Pacific Regional Senator and was crushed.  My campaign focused on restoring competitive elections and game reform.  Two very noble causes in order to keep this game fun.

However, through the recent disagreements that have come forth from the recent special election, I was struck by a very interesting comment.  I believe Meeker (I could be wrong) or Yankee (again I could be wrong) noted that real policy arguments don't really happen here.  Whoever said it is right.  Very right.  I still remain committed to game reform and will support it and continue to fight it, I do believe that in order for the reform of the game to be worth it, we must have legitimate political discussion return to the game.  Marokai is doing his part as GM, and President Polnut is doing a rather fantastic job.  I do believe that his new tax plan will generate a lot of activity that this game sorely needs.

So in order to put my money where my mouth is, I pledge to average one new bill a week as Governor for a people to consider.  My initial plan is as follows:

[Junkie]

Whoops cut off.  Well, to reconstruct my previous post, I notice we have the highest unemployment in Atlasia.  Our largest single employer is the government.  This is clearly not a recipe for success.  We need to encourage business to flock to our region that so many believe is the most exceptional in the land.  Well lets prove it.

TAXES:  Our tax code has a number of different statutes.  I will work with any citizen that want to on consolidating these taxes into one single tax.  Identifying new areas of tax base and attempting to lure businesses through targeted tax cuts or credits.  I also believe that the ban on cars is a little extreme.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:  As someone who has been tazed and has seen three incidents where the tazer was deployed, its banning I believe puts officers and citizens lives in danger.  I vow to repeal it.  I do believe that strict gun control measures are appropriate.  Felons and the mentally disable should not possess weapons.  Short-barreled shotguns/rifles, fully automatic weapons, and armor piercing bullets have little to any legal purpose.  A brief review of our laws did not show a ban on these specific weapons and I would push for it.

ATTORNEY REGULATION:  This is one area where I believe that there should be very strict regional regulation.  This may not be sexy or inspire much debate, but it is an issue close to my heart.  People convicted of felonies while lawyers should not be licensed as lawyers (there are currently five in Wisconsin that I know).  Stricter guidelines on making it into the bar, but also very tough enforcement.

These are a few areas I have decided to work on.  Will come up with more.

[Junkie]

To Continue on the issue of taxes, as well all know, President Polnut is proposing the following federal taxes:

Percentage of:   Single Individual
0%   $0 - $9,500
13%     $9,501 - $35,000
24%   $35,001 - $80,000
28%    $80,001 - $170,000
35%    $170,001 - $367,700
41%      $367,701 - $1,000,000
49%*   $1,000,001 - $2,500,000
58%*   $2,500,001+

Now from my review of the 2006 Pacific Budget, and other tax statutes passed, it appears we have the following taxes:

0 - 300,000                       11%
300,000 - 50,000,000       16%
50,000,000 +                    49%

Now this could be wrong on the lower two brackets, there might be other brackets but the tax laws I have found reference higher and lower brackets.  Only the most recent stimulus bill mentions some numbers, but not many.

I do have a concern, under this scheme it would appear that our residents making:

* 367, 701 to 1,000,000 would pay a combined 57%
* 1,000,001 - $2,500,000 would pay 65%
* 2,500,000 to 50,000,000 would pay a combined 74%
* and the big one, over 50,000,000 would be a combined 107%

Now I realize that a lot of this come down to deductions, whether regional taxes can be deducted from federal taxes (which I think in some US states they can be), and since we are dealing with marginal rates, they would in some cases be lower.  However, incomes over 50,000,000 would actually result in people owing the government money.

I would be surprised we have any higher earning residents left in the Pacific.  I am not a believer in trickle down economics, but these rates are way to high.

I believe that our tax code should simplified and in the higher ranges lowered.  I will work to do so if elected Governor.  I will work with the GM to determine effects on our budget and deficit and attempt to minimize any effects.  Hopefully, a lowering of our tax rates will encourage top earners to return to our paradise of a region.

[Sbane]

How about just getting rid of the 49% tax bracket? I would also like to lower the other rates but that should be contingent on what sort of spending the state engages in. Not a big fan of starving the beast. The 49% tax bracket seems to be completely useless though and should be gotten rid of.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

We should institute a flat tax of 10%, and then add progressive surtaxes on top of that.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a general tax revolt out there. IRL only a couple states have an income tax above 10% on the highest bracket.

[Napoleon]

Basically, the Pacific has an 11% flat tax (for the overwhelming majority of taxpayers fall into such a bracket). That's is, I believe, double the Northeast. Quite shocking IMHO.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Does anyone actually make over $50,000,000/year in taxable income? CEOs make most of their money in capital gains, so movie stars are the only real candidates for the top bracket that I can see. Even then, they'd still have to be A-listers making movies like crazy.

[Junkie]

     Does anyone actually make over $50,000,000/year in taxable income? CEOs make most of their money in capital gains, so movie stars are the only real candidates for the top bracket that I can see. Even then, they'd still have to be A-listers making movies like crazy.

That is a good question.  I looked up some data, but it gotta a little confusing for this non-math kid.  Here it is:

http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/article/0,,id=203102,00.html

Then again, if there is someone making that much, I doubt they live in the Pacific.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

How a flat+sur tax would work, using the first two brackets.

a 10% flat tax for all incomes

A surtax of 10% on all taxes.
A surtax of 30.9652% on all taxes above $33,000

The end result of this would be identical to the current system of bracketed taxes, but with surtaxes, it is much easier to "remove a bracket"

[Marokai Backbeat]

I agree with sbane; that top bracket is practically useless. I don't see how the Pacific seriously makes money off of that and frankly, getting rid of it would almost certainly make the Pacific more money. Though it would be negligible I imagine.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

I'd support changing the entire tax system so that...

$0-$60,000 = 0%
$60,000+++ = 33%

[Yelnoc]

I'd support changing the entire tax system so that...

$0-$60,000 = 0%
$60,000+++ = 33%

Ouch.  Someone making 60,001 pays 33% of their income to the Pacific plus 24% of Federal Income taxes.

I humbly suggest something like the following...

$22,999 and under: 0% (I believe 22,XXX is the poverty line.  Don't tax them!)
$23,000-$49,999: 5%
$50,000-$74,999: 7%
$75,000-$99,999: 10%
$100,000 and over: 15%

Those figures are completely ball-parked.  I will need to analyze your budget to make sure this brings in enough revenue and not too much.

[Junkie]

Tomorrow I will address the issue regarding the unrest over our potential new state.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Tomorrow I will address the issue regarding the unrest over our potential new state.

I'm glad someone in the Pacific finally will.

[Associate Justice PiT]

I'd support changing the entire tax system so that...

$0-$60,000 = 0%
$60,000+++ = 33%

Ouch.  Someone making 60,001 pays 33% of their income to the Pacific plus 24% of Federal Income taxes.

I humbly suggest something like the following...

$22,999 and under: 0% (I believe 22,XXX is the poverty line.  Don't tax them!)
$23,000-$49,999: 5%
$50,000-$74,999: 7%
$75,000-$99,999: 10%
$100,000 and over: 15%

Those figures are completely ball-parked.  I will need to analyze your budget to make sure this brings in enough revenue and not too much.

     It's a marginal tax rate, so such a person would in fact be paying 33 cents in income tax to the regional government.

[bgwah]

Tomorrow I will address the issue regarding the unrest over our potential new state.

I'm glad someone in the Pacific finally will.

We actually passed a bill recently, kthx. And your story is kind of ludicrous anyway.