Mideast Assembly Thread

[Purple State]

I have just registered as a proud resident of the Atlasian state of Virginia, sticking me in the Mideast region. I was wondering if anyone could help me with getting better acquainted with the region and its politics.

[Purple State]

I'll be running for Mideast Assembly and thought I would ask for any of your thoughts or questions. I would like to breath some life into this region and pass legislation that addresses the clear and present dangers of inactivity and corruption. I bring a fresh and progressive view to Atlasia and I hope to represent you all.

[Purple State]

It's like a ghost-town here.

[Purple State]

I guess I will make a formal request of the Governor.

[Purple State]

I am introducing the following legislature:

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Possibly widen the scope to the Troll Resistance Act, including the statues of Gustaf and MasterJedi slashing at an army of trolls and January 3rd as Troll Resistance Day.

[Purple State]

Ok so proposing two bills for the Assembly's consideration:

1. Troll Resistance Commemoration Act
Whereas Gustaf, MasterJedi and other brave souls have shown excellent decisions in moderating the Fantasy Elections board and suppressing the troll wave,
Be it resolved that the following actions are taken:
A. A statue of Gustaf and MasterJedi shall be erected in the Mideast's capital with the inscription Viva la resistance!.
B. January 3rd shall be declared Troll Resistance Day.


2. Emergency Proposition Amendment
The following shall be included as a sub-section of the Mideast Constitution Article III, Section 2, Clause 3:
(i) In the event that the Governor finds it necessary to call for an emergency Proposition to be immediately presented before the People, the Governor may do so with the consent of the Lieutenant Governor or a majority vote of the Assembly.
(ii) The voting on emergency Propositions must take place within 72 hours after approval and remain open for 72 hours after opening or until a majority vote of the People has been reached.

[Purple State]

So let's have a vote on the Troll Resistance Commemoration Act.

Aye


Don't Amendments have to be proposed by the Governor or Assembly? How do we put it before the people? Voting Booth?

[Purple State]

Okay understood. So I guess we have a formal request of the Speaker to call a vote in the TRA and a request of the Governor to open a booth for the Amendment.

[Purple State]

*Smacks head on keyboard*

So lets get one. Is it done by the Governor or the Assembly?

[Purple State]

I'll take it if it will help get agendas through. I tried searching the laws and couldn't find anything on the Speaker. Are there any statutes addressing it or is it just making sure that things run smoothly.

So motion to make me Speaker...

Aye

[Purple State]

I don't there are any statues or guidelines. We just sort of make the rules as needed as we go along here in the Mideast.

And I'm such a micro-manager and always need rules. Will make it work.

[Purple State]

Yeah I'm on break and bored. I'd be happy to shove a whole bunch of laws and amendments through.

[Purple State]

So nominated.

[Purple State]

So because he isn't here yet, Aye to Inks for Speaker.

Now let's get some stuff passed.

[Purple State]

If we get enough interest in forming a Third Constitution it is definitely worth consideration. I give you my word I would help considerably to make things work, as I believe the Governor seems like one to be active in such a process. I would support this if it were to be carried out.

[Purple State]

If we get enough interest in forming a Third Constitution it is definitely worth consideration. I give you my word I would help considerably to make things work, as I believe the Governor seems like one to be active in such a process. I would support this if it were to be carried out.

If I see that actions will actually be carried through, I'll support it.  But we've had promises for action in the past that have often fallen through.

As I said, I'm bored and am very into the whole government scene. I know I'm new in Atlasia but I bring passion and time.

[Purple State]

I would have supported Inks or Peter (no disrespect to Purple State, though).

None taken.

I have been asked to give my input surrounding the current discussion over the Amendment. I tend to lean towards the Governor's position and would be happy to lend help to a Convention process as necessary. Some have called for an immediate set of Amendments to be proposed to the people as soon as possible to rectify certain faults that have been identified - I have to disagree: a more considered approach is needed if we are to avoid patching one problem but creating another. This is not the time for a backroom discussion between 2 or 3 key players, but time for the whole Region to come together.

So how do we get there? We should try to avoid having anything more than the January elections under the current Constitution if consensus does, in fact, decide to hold a Third Convention.

[Purple State]

Now, on to official business: I bring the following legislation to a vote:

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Aye

Due to the fact that we now have at least 3 people committed to getting us a new Constitution, I will support the movement.  However, I do so cautiously - this is not something that we can just start and stop when we get bored.  It must be completed, and completed well, otherwise we'll find ourselves back in this position in another 6 months.

Now, the process for a Constitutional Convention (and this is the same as last time): The Constitution offers no provision for a CC.  This means that we need to simply pass the Third Constitution as an "Amendment" to the 2nd Constitution (for those of you who find this weird sounding, it's what we did when we voted on the 2nd Constitution).  This means that for the 3C to pass, we need a 2/3 majority support of the Constitution/Amendment.

The Assembly could pass legislation allowing for a convention, but we must remember that anything done in that convention is not legally binding.  The only thing that will be legally binding is the vote by the people.  I think we can get this done for the January election, which means it would go into effect AFTER the January election.

So, my question to the Assembly is, how do we want to do this?  Do we want to set up some kind of non-binding convention or do we want to do it some other way?

It is definitely best, I believe, to start with the non-binding convention to ensure that, if things fall apart (not that they will), there is still a semi-workable Constitution left. It would also, if I understand correctly, allow us to move forward on forming a new Constitution without waiting for a delay on passing an Amendment, meaning we could start immediately.

Just want to state, to ensure that I do not forget later, that I recommend including provisions for calling an official convention in the 3C so that wasteful delays on Amendment voting is not necessary in the future.

[Purple State]

Just laying out some ideas (I've never been here for a Convention so these are just thoughts):

• Separate thread
• Setup clear bylaws (some ideas below)
• Rolling presiding officer to ensure all voices are heard
• Secretary to take down all motions passed and organize the Constitution in a presentable fashion
• Any member of the Mideast can be involved (propose ideas) and serve as presiding officer (with some requirement on activity in the Convention to ensure that only the most active can serve)

Most of it should be worked out through the bylaws and guidelines for the Convention. There will need to be provisions for voting on motions as well (must be voted on by at least one-third of all members of the Mideast?, simple majority or two-thirds approval?).

[Purple State]

Should we begin to construct legislation to call for a 3CC?

[Purple State]

Mideast Constitutional Convention Bill

Be it resolved that:

A) Upon passage of this bill, a Convention to review and rewrite the Constitution of the Mideast region shall be convened forthwith.
B) Results of said Convention shall hold no legal bearing on the governance of the Mideast without a two-thirds vote in favor of implementation. The vote must be held in an official voting booth for no less than seven days. Additional voting requirements shall be determined by the Convention.
C) The Convention shall be chaired by a presiding officer as determined by a majority vote of the People of the Mideast.
D) All elections required by this law shall require the participation of 50% of all current Mideast residents to be valid.

[Purple State]

Mideast Constitutional Convention Bill

Be it resolved that:

A) Upon passage of this bill, a Convention to review and rewrite the Constitution of the Mideast region shall be convened forthwith. All voting citizens of the Mideast may participate in said Convention.  Upon convening, members of the Convention shall set down rules of order, which will be passed by simple majority of those present at the convention.

B) Results of said Convention shall hold no legal bearing on the governance of the Mideast without a two-thirds vote in favor of implementation. Said vote shall be held according to the regulations of Article VI, Section 1, Clause 1 of the current Mideast Constitution.

C) The Convention shall be chaired by a presiding officer as determined by a majority vote of the People of the Mideast.
           1) Any citizen of the Mideast shall be eligible as a candidate for presiding officer as long as:
                      i) They are eligible to hold office under Atlasian law.
                      ii) Candidacy for the office of presiding officer is supported by no less than two other
                          citizens of the Mideast before the election is held.
           2) Elections for the presiding officer will be held every seven days throughout the duration
               of the Convention. There is no limit on consecutive or total elections to the seat of
               presiding officer.
                      i) Elections for the presiding officer shall always have the option of write-in for
                         voters.
                      ii) In order to write-in a candidate or option, the voter shall not need to explicitly
                          specify that their vote is for a write-in candidate or option.
                      iii) In order for write-in votes for a candidate for election to qualify as legal votes,
                           the person written-in must formally accept the write-in candidacy before the end
                          of voting in the given election.

D) All elections and votes required by this law shall require the participation of 50% of all current Mideast residents to be valid.


That is what I have so far. Because the entire Convention is not actually legally binding the format and procedure does not need to be done through formal means such as a voting booth. All of it can be done within the Convention thread except for the final vote before the people. This way we don't need to avoid any problems with who is allowed to do what in the legal realm of Atlasian or Mideastern governance. It is sort of a fact-finding committee to reform the Constitution. We just need guidelines to make sure the new Constitution is a) an improvement over the current one and b) crafted with the voice of the people to ensure that it passes and serves the constituency.

Regarding delegates vs. anyone, I think it is best to leave it to everyone. There aren't even 20 people in the region and I presume the bylaws that we pass at the start of the Convention will include a provision that would require only 50% of all citizens of the Mideast to be involved in the vote. If it becomes a problem we can always revise the bylaws to create elected delegates that would be voting instead.

Also, in Section B the additional voting requirements was more for in the Convention itself which will be more elaborately and explicitly laid out in the bylaws and procedural rules that will have to be implemented.

So let's keep revising this and see where we can get.

[Purple State]

How about the Speaker of the Assembly just to make it quick and easy. After that we can setup bylaws to possibly open other bureaucratic posts like a Secretary to make sure everything is taken down and organized.

So this is what we are looking at:

Mideast Constitutional Convention Bill

Be it resolved that:

A) Upon passage of this bill, a Convention to review and rewrite the Constitution of the Mideast region shall be convened forthwith. All voting citizens of the Mideast may participate in said Convention.  Upon convening, members of the Convention shall set down rules of order, which will be passed by simple majority of those present at the convention.

B) Results of said Convention shall hold no legal bearing on the governance of the Mideast without a two-thirds vote in favor of implementation. Said vote shall be held according to the regulations of Article VI, Section 1, Clause 1 of the current Mideast Constitution.

C) The Convention shall be chaired by a presiding officer as determined by a majority vote of the People of the Mideast. Until such a time as the presiding officer shall be elected, the Convention shall be conducted by the current Speaker of the Assembly as chosen my a majority vote by the Mideast Assembly.
           1) Any citizen of the Mideast shall be eligible as a candidate for presiding officer as long as:
                      i) They are eligible to hold office under Atlasian law.
                      ii) Candidacy for the office of presiding officer is supported by no less than two other
                          citizens of the Mideast before the election is held.
           2) Elections for the presiding officer will be held every seven days throughout the duration
               of the Convention. There is no limit on consecutive or total elections to the seat of
               presiding officer.
                      i) Elections for the presiding officer shall always have the option of write-in for
                         voters.
                      ii) In order to write-in a candidate or option, the voter shall not need to explicitly
                          specify that their vote is for a write-in candidate or option.
                      iii) In order for write-in votes for a candidate for election to qualify as legal votes,
                           the person written-in must formally accept the write-in candidacy before the end
                          of voting in the given election.

D) All elections and votes required by this law shall require the participation of 50% of all current Mideast residents to be valid.

[Purple State]

How about the Speaker of the Assembly just to make it quick and easy. After that we can setup bylaws to possibly open other bureaucratic posts like a Secretary to make sure everything is taken down and organized.

By "we" do you mean the convention participants?  I'd like to keep the Assembly out of this as much as possible.

Yes, sorry for not making that clearer. I meant the entire group participating in the Convention. For all intents and purposes current legal positions in the Mideast are not maintained as part of the Convention. The only carry-over is a brief tenure for the Speaker to hold an election for the presiding officer. After that the Assembly has no significance in the Convention. We are all just citizens there.

I suppose.

And I wholly admire Gustaf and MasterJedi's efforts.  But to declare a day as "Troll Resistance Day" mere days before one of the worst troll onslaughts seems misplaced.

I'd still advocate something honoring our two moderators (can the president simply give them a medal of honor each?).

But the resistance did start to fight back on that day. That upset the balance that had been in place and so the trolls went crazy.

I agree with a presidential medal to the two, but it should be commemorated each year and the resistance should be recognized by every region.

[Purple State]

Go for it Mr. Speaker. If it passes do we start right away or must we wait the three days after passage to begin implementation?

I do wish we received more input from the rest of the people of the Mideast. If it is hard to get a quorum present and voting the Convention may crash and burn relatively quickly. Can we assume that people will swing by and cast votes at some point?