The Official January 2016 Southern Legislative Debate

[Kingpoleon]

"Hello, fellow Southerners. I am here to debate my honorable opponents, and so I ask that all candidates refrain from name-calling and negative tactics so that all here are recognized as the honorable and upright citizens and politicians they are. I appreciate the moderator, those who read this debate, and my opponents for participating in our debate.

"The problem before us today is not rallying your bases by 'standing by values' and begging for moderate votes the second before with 'bipartisan acts'. The problem before us is this: A lack of people actively participating in government, a lack of economic prosperity, a lack of regional control, and a lack of a truly independent voice in the Assembly. I am here before you today to declare this: if you elect new leadership, if you want real change, then the buck will not pass me or the South by. If you elect me, I promise you: The buck stops here!"[hits fist on podium

"I promise I will be specific. I support true reform, true change, and unity throughout the South. We need to understand that the compromise and maverick stances I strongly urge and push for isn't just being wishy-washy, go-along-to-get-along 'moderates'. I stand strongly on the issues, and I stand strongly for the South. I will never caucus with partisans, and I will be an independent voice to the South! I will ensure that our best days are not behind us, where the incumbents talk about their records. Our best days are ahead of us, and if I am elected, the South will rise to its zenith once more!"

[Kingpoleon]

"I propose a loosening of economic regulations on labor unions, cutting corporate taxes on companies with under fifty employees, cutting taxes 10% on the poorest tax bracket, and 5% on the middle tax brackets. Additionally, a new sales tax of 5% will be created to pay for these cuts, which will be exempted for those who make $50,000 or less. Those who make $25,000 or less or have been unemployed for less than 120 weeks or cannot be employed due to disabilities will be provided with food stamps, clothing stamps, and $500 a month. Most additional welfare programs will be streamlined and cut slightly. We will probably follow other regions on high speed rail.

"My proposals allow for an economic loosening on small businesses and labor unions, which will cause growth from the working poor and middle class up and down. I am confident that this will work, and that our employment will be driven up. Once it does so, we can combat any inflation with raising the minimum wage and a balanced budget when the economy stabilizes.

"I will also consider ways to encourage inter-regional and international commerce without undermining our regional interests. Under a Kingpoleon-encouraged Assembly, I promise you our employment will be down at least to the national average as soon as I can get my economic plans passed and in action for a few months."

[Kingpoleon]

I request permission to offer a rebuttal to these two comments, particularly the parts in bold.

Its a very sad that all what fellow Southerners heard till now about this main issue is cut taxes, throw out government from jobs and private sector and so on. My opinion about this is very simple, those who exploit our resources (people, land,  natural resources etc. ) must pay for it.

How to bring jobs to the Southeast?
We must improve our infrastructure, this is main condition for making Southeast competitive for investments. Also what i heard here from my opponents, how we must reduce labor rights. This is absolutely intolerable and i will always be a staunch fighter against this.
We need to improve and subsidies green jobs and energetic jobs from renewable resources and that is only sector when we need to cut taxes for those who make jobs.

"Good question. For the south this is completely unacceptable, and whoever wins has a responsibility to fix it. I believe the way to create jobs is to get the government out of jobs, our private sector. We needa ease tensions on businesses. I believe that with low taxes, and a small government without all these tight regulations, our businesses will thrive. I am also putting forward a Clean Energy Plan, which shall be hopefully voted on once all the other things are put up to a final vote *smiles*. It would create thousands of solar panels and wind mills, something I believe will drastically increase employment, and is easily bipartisan. And I as a former worker and a small businessman from Tennessee, I know what it's like when people can't get jobs. I know how to create jobs. Get the government out. Once, before I ran for office, I saw a man, an employee of a fast food restaurant, wont say which one of course, but he couldn't afford a dollar for cheese on his burger. They're treated so badly then this? It's an outrage. I've seen these things, and I've helped. We're gonna help the Southern worker and get the people jobs! I solemnly swear to do what is good for the Southern Worker. Thank you."

[Kingpoleon]

"Good question. For the south this is completely unacceptable, and whoever wins has a responsibility to fix it. I believe the way to create jobs is to get the government out of jobs, our private sector. We needa ease tensions on businesses. I believe that with low taxes, and a small government without all these tight regulations, our businesses will thrive. I am also putting forward a Clean Energy Plan, which shall be hopefully voted on once all the other things are put up to a final vote *smiles*. It would create thousands of solar panels and wind mills, something I believe will drastically increase employment, and is easily bipartisan. And I as a former worker and a small businessman from Tennessee, I know what it's like when people can't get jobs. I know how to create jobs. Get the government out. Once, before I ran for office, I saw a man, an employee of a fast food restaurant, wont say which one of course, but he couldn't afford a dollar for cheese on his burger. They're treated so badly then this? It's an outrage. I've seen these things, and I've helped. We're gonna help the Southern worker and get the people jobs! I solemnly swear to do what is good for the Southern Worker. Thank you."

"Mr. Speaker, you are the legislative leader of the South. If this is truly unacceptable, why is it that you only talk about fixing it during elections? I ask for you to support my economic reforms, push our Senators to allow regional currency, to be allowed in over time so as not to destabilize the economy, and to introduce your own ideas if you truly want to fix it. Your platitudes are unacceptable, and I call on you to step down as Speaker to whoever wins first place if it is not you."

Its a very sad that all what fellow Southerners heard till now about this main issue is cut taxes, throw out government from jobs and private sector and so on. My opinion about this is very simple, those who exploit our resources (people, land,  natural resources etc. ) must pay for it.

How to bring jobs to the Southeast?
We must improve our infrastructure, this is main condition for making Southeast competitive for investments. Also what i heard here from my opponents, how we must reduce labor rights. This is absolutely intolerable and i will always be a staunch fighter against this.
We need to improve and subsidies green jobs and energetic jobs from renewable resources and that is only sector when we need to cut taxes for those who make jobs.

"I've suggested cutting taxes for the middle and lower class and small business while creating growth and a new sales tax our poorest are exempt from. If it was legal, I'd suggest major currency reform and a Southern Regional Bank. Unfortunately, you wish to let the federal government dominate our monetary system and our trade. I am for the South first and foremost in fixing our economy, but are you?"

[Kingpoleon]

"A stand against individual freedom due to my personal beliefs is something I am strongly against. All too often people are quick to speak and slow to listen. My fellow Southerners, there is no doubt in my mind that abortion is as much a sin as it is wrong to ban abortions. This belief that a child molested by family members should have to bear the baby is a direct contradiction to my religious beliefs.

"I intend to ensure abortions are accessible, legal, and rare. A small monthly grant for eighteen years, half or more of their college tuition as long as their ACT score is >24, and subsidized maternal leave for three months, with another eighteen months of partially working part time paid maternal leave is what I intend to enact. I propose an Inspector General of Human Services preventing coercion for abortions, corruption in childcare programs, and the DHS for adoptions. This person would have thirteen staff members(with one heading the state department) and a secretary in each state of the region. They would have an additional twenty staff members and a secretary to oversee the regional operations.

"To be clear, I personally oppose abortions, and I legislatively oppose banning them. I support individual choice over my personal beliefs in the state, but I intend to make sure that we spend every penny we can lowering their number without undue regulation. So yes, I do intend to fight this bill at all costs, though I intend to respect the views of my opponents with views both to my left and right."

[Kingpoleon]

"This is a big threat to individual liberty by the government under the guise of a civil liberty. There are no rights to refusal, exemptions for mentally partially unstable kids, or ability to use the weapon without threatening other kids. I am fine with each classroom having guns which require the principal, the teacher, and the superintendent to press a button. The teacher enters the password, or if no teacher is present the intercom may be used to inform kids of it(it would be changed afterwards, of course). A teacher and two students should each receive a gun, three rounds of ammunition, and bulletproof vests.


"Also, every child would have the right to refuse to participate in such a program. Those that refuse would be taught to throw everything nearby at a shooter, as it's harder to shoot when being hit by many things than when both dodging bullets/having a bulletproof vest and shooting. No uniforms and no mass uniformity for students, please. We cannot afford such a threat to individual liberty disguised as protecting he safety of children. That is an awful lie to fall for. Mark my words: anyone who would give up even a speck of one own's or any individual's liberty for any number's safety deserves much. Anyone who is willing to sacrifice liberty for safety deserves neither."

[Kingpoleon]

"Yes I can. I believe that commerce may be regulated both federally, for stability, and locally, as local concerns know better. I believe a sales tax, a small progressive income tax, and a business/union tax may be used by the federal government. However, the federal government should only be allowed to regulate businesses and labor unions with more than a certain number of members in any one region. All other taxes should be left up to the states, as should most non-military spending.

"I am fine with government providing welfare and healthcare, to a small extent, but I don't want any federal individual mandates on any one section of trade. Social issues should be decided on an issue-by-issue basis. Anything requiring inter-regional cooperation must be approved by all regions involved, or a majority of every region is involved, while any regions co-operating can be prevented if the government so wishes.

"To be clear: I support a strong defense, a federal overseement of protection from crime, and some welfare programs. Most other issues should be decided by a balance between the two. Perhaps the executive branch, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch federally needs something resolving disputes between regions and the federal government.

"I would not mind a body for each region and federal result. Each regional "Federal Congress" would have two congressmen appointed by the President and two congressmen appointed by the President. Another one would be elected by the regional legislature. That's five per region. Another federal one would have a member each appointed by one of the Governors and approved of by at least three-fifths of their legislature. The same number would be appointed by the President and approved of by the federal legislature. A final member would be elected federally by all the regions legislatures and approved of by either half or more of the Governors and the President or at least two-thirds of the Governors."

[Kingpoleon]

"The good Governor has informed me I am mistaken by referring me to Article 10, Part 1 of the bill. I remind him that none of my other ideas are incorporated, which I shall strive for, and under the current bill, no minor may object. I charge this as being a refusal by the legislature to acknowledge that minors have rights, too. Furthermore, grades 5-8 need the safety elements I proposed, while 8 would also have the gun training idea so they could transition into it. I would also like a partnership program if possible for students.

"I ask that all other debaters privately message me if my points have weakened their resolve at all, or if the rights of children should not be a concern when the bill itself is supposed to defend our children."

(Bill in question: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=225661.msg4847088#msg4847088 )

[Kingpoleon]

"Our background checks need to be very deep and efficient - both for refugees and guns. I believe the South should show a heart of gold. We will welcome these people fleeing for their lives. I declare to the governments of these nations to send us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses who want to breathe free, free to not fear, and free to hope once more.

"To those who wish for freedom for themselves or anyone at all, I tell you that we must accept these refugees, just as we would wish to be accepted. I remind you that we may either hang separately or all together in regards to the liberty of these our brothers and sisters. I would gladly hang with them now than watch them hang now and be hanged later myself."

[Kingpoleon]

"While I generally support it, I would consider cutting five to ten offices from the legislative branch to create a Triumvirate(one appointed by the President, one elected by the Governors, and one elected by the higher legislative branch), or Pentavirate(one elected by each region's legislature), or Heptavirate(five elected by each regional legislature of the five nominated by the Governor, one elected by the national higher legislative body of those nominated by the President, and one elected by the other members, with the leader of the Lower House acting as a tiebreaker in the case of a three-three vote). This branch would act as the balance between the two if one branch supported a law the other didn't. Of course all legislative nominations is ballot-by-ballot, with the lowest nominee receiving votes being eliminated, and no more than two of the five an executive nominates could be from the same party as any of the five.

"It is important we use innovative ideas when creating our government, as otherwise we may fall into the trap of any one branch having ultimate power. We cannot allow something like A New Start to threaten our very existence again, and so I propose another branch. I propose change not along ideological lines but along new lines. Modern and innovative ideas against the very stable traditions and ideas must have a balance between the two, and I firmly believe I am that balance, which is what the South truly stands for."

[Kingpoleon]

"I would support it, but I'd prefer a creation of a legislature composed of four members, who elect a Lieutenant Governor by ballot. A two-to-two tie would result  in the Governor breaking the tie if there is no incumbent Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor would break a tie vote in the legislature and succeed the Governor. Furthermore, the legislature would add or subtract two members for every four voters in the last election.

"That said, if our voting base grows to, say, fifteen or so, I would support creating a bicameral legislature, or a five-person legislature with a triate(one member elected statewide, one elected by the legislature, and one appointed by the Governor) balancing a disagreement between the majority of the legislature and the Governor. This allows for separation of powers between the various branches.

[Kingpoleon]

"People of the South, I am not an ideologue. I am an independent voice, a maverick. I am an independent voice for the South, which is what we need. We, the people, cannot afford another term for all of this legislature. I wish to be your first choice, not your second or third. I pledge to vote for whoever is deemed as first place for Speaker, or at least to nominate them.

"I ask you: Do you want another, fairly active legislator instead of me? If so, I ask you vote for one of my opponents instead of me. If you want an annoying, busybody person as a legislator, who is willing to compromise, and will work hard no matter how annoying he can be, if you want an independent voice, not dedicated to a party but to the people, if you are not satisfied with the status quo, then I humbly ask that you consider voting for me.

"This is a very clear choice to me: We can choose a fairly active, normal legislator ahead of me, or you can demand an annoying busybody, demand someone willing to compromise, demand someone not so wishy-washy that they are always changing, but demand someone willing to build bridges. You, the people, can choose an independent voice for, of, and respectful of the South. God bless you, the people, God bless my fellow candidates and the moderator, God bless the South, and God bless Atlasia!"