The Light Party

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

"For A Brighter Atlasia"

We of the Light Party are guided by our ten principles: equal opportunity, integrity, honesty, personal responsibility, fiscal responsibility, justice, cooperation, liberty, progress, and the general welfare of the socially and economically disadvantaged.

Government has a vital role in a civil society.  While it should not be considered the arbiter of economic and societal development, we believe it is a tool to propel the ongoing advancement of our world.  We recognize that at the heart of progress is not the powerful few, but the working majority of the citizenry.  Our party proudly represents the commonwealth and believes all people are entitled to a life of prosperity.  We believe that the least of society must come first, and though we may not always agree on the issues, we must approach every conversation with a sound and open mind.

In order for a party to grow, it must be a voice for progress.  We lend our name not only to the vision of a brighter society, but to one of the most common inventions known to man: the humble light bulb, and all of the technological advancements that have come with it.  Likewise, we must recognize that Atlasia is forever changing, and that cooperation is the only way it will move in the right direction.  This is why we are a party of diverse interests and opinions, and we believe that independent thought inspires rational solutions.

These are the tenets which unify us as liberals, conservatives, libertarians, populists, and moderates.  These are the values which enable us not to dwell on the dark days of the past, but march together for a brighter society.

Read our full platform:
Part I
Part II

View our wiki page

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

PRESS RELEASE

The official color of our party will be yellow.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I am proud to be a member of this party.  I look forward to a shining future.

Welcome, Senator!  It is an honor to have one of our boldest and brightest members of the Senate join this party.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

While I don't plan on getting involved in party politics like I used to, I feel that over my time in the game, I have been an advocate for many of the things described in the makeshift platform (), and agree with it essentially.

Glad to have you on board, Governor!

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I'd like to welcome Sjoyce to the party!  We are now only one member away from major party status!

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

 

Aaaaaaaaaand with Idaho Blue Dog Dem...

THE LIGHT PARTY HAS REACHED MAJOR PARTY STATUS!!!
THANK YOU!!!

 

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

As in Labor Light, or Liberal Light?

Neither.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Talleyrand has been kind enough to provide us a wiki page!  Thanks, Tallyrand!

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

As in Labor Light, or Liberal Light?

Neither.

That's too bad. If it's not less filling, then I'm not sure it's the healthiest option.

Let me amend that statement.  Officially, the Light Party is not meant to be "Liberal light" or "Labor light" or "Federalist light" or anything other than what its members see it as.  Even if someone closely aligns themselves with one of the two other leftist parties, some (such as myself) opt not to be a member of them, for one reason or another.  That is what this party is for.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Nice logo, those graphics were awfully trippy.

Hypothetical: does this party accept dirty conservatives such as myself?

Thanks!

Ultimately, whether or not you join the party is up to you.  Anyone who agrees with some or all of our planks, or the goals we seek to accomplish, is welcome.  And we'll be glad to have your input when we draft an official platform.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Nice logo, those graphics were awfully trippy.

Hypothetical: does this party accept dirty conservatives such as myself?

Thanks!

Ultimately, whether or not you join the party is up to you.  Anyone who agrees with some or all of our planks, or the goals we seek to accomplish, is welcome.  And we'll be glad to have your input when we draft an official platform.

Thanks for your swift response! Well, I'm not sure of a move right now since I only just lost my previous independent tag; though I shall be watching with much interest.

Thank you for your interest!

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

What are the party's stances on spacer exploration and/or space missiles?

None yet.  We can get to those things once we begin the official drafting, which we, now that we're a major party, should get around to soon.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Speaking of which, how do you guys think we should format our platform?  Paragraph style like Labor, or bullet style like Liberal?  Labor uses paragraph style and has been a very successful party, as we know, but a bullet list of positions would make our platform comprehensive and simple.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I'd think we could do both: large bullet points with our position clearly stated in bold, with smaller paragraphs below each clarifying and expanding.

I like that idea.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Since we're still a small party, now might be a good time to begin officially proposing and voting on our positions.  Because there are less people, we won't have to wait on as many people to vote on things.

I propose we use the list below to decide how we move forward.

• Economic policy
• Social policy
• Environmental policy
• Education policy
• Foreign policy & Immigration (this one might take a while)
• Preamble
• Final Vote

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I'm going to start with a few of my proposals.

Rural Businesses and Communities
A prosperous agricultural economy is vital to the affordability of our food, the independence of our energy supply, and the security of Atlasia's rural communities.  Lightists support government policies that subsidize and aid small farms that feed the world community.  We support a strong farm safety net with increased availability of insurance and conservation programs, expanded Internet access, and infrastructure.  We believe that in order for the Atlasian economy to truly prosper, rural communities must enjoy similar benefits as urban ones.

Fiscal Responsibility
As Lightists, we believe that the people are best served by a government that proves it is capable of aiding its citizens and spending within its means at the same time.  We value balanced budgets that is accompanied by cuts in bureaucratic red tape, but all spending reforms must be implemented fairly and with concern for all members of our economy.  We must also pass budgets that are comprehensive and specifically address who and what they are allocating funds to.  We call on regional governments to pass amendments to their Constitutions requiring a balanced budget except in times of emergency, and a mindful distribution of funds each fiscal term.

Helping Poor & Working Families
Too many Atlasians live without a better hope for the future or are forced to work low-wage jobs to support their families.  We believe that while self-sustainability is a vital goal for working families, the government bears an important role in ensuring equal opportunity and maintaining a social safety net for those who need it.  That is why we support expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, as well as developing a comprehensive approach to eradicating poverty by providing grants to urban and rural communities and empowering local governments to address their constituents' needs, for we believe that reform can best be achieved by tackling and critically analyzing policies established at the local level.

Feel free to critique it.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Someone should propose our position on workers' rights.

A party named after Carlos Luz?

I don't get it.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Party color? White, unfortunately, is not an option.

Yellow.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Would space then fall under foreign policy?

Sure.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Feel free to contribute, guys!

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Taxes

The Light Party believes a heavy tax burden is hard for hard working citizens. The Light party in most cases will vote against tax raises on working/middle-class Atlasians except for economic emergencies. If more money is needed for welfare programs, the first priority should be to scale down other programs.

Personally, I think this is the most appropriate form of that plank for this platform.  Perhaps we can vote on which proposals are included if they conflict with other ones.

When I see the name of this party, I think of the Jedi and it makes me feel giddy inside.  Oh God I'm such a nerd. 

Haha.  Well, join the bright side.  We have cookies.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I'm going to start drafting our social planks.

Haha.  Well, join the bright side.  We have cookies.

Cookies convinced me.  I hope they are warm and gooey, just out of the oven. 

Only the best.   Welcome aboard!

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Abortion & Reproductive Health
Our members are split on the issue of abortion, as is the rest of the country.  The Light Party respects each individual's opinion on this deeply emotional issue, and we therefore represent a diversity of both pro-choice and pro-life voters.

At the same time, we encourage federal, state, and local governments to consider additional funding for adoption centers, family-planning facilities, and education, so that fewer women are faced with the challenge of bearing an unwanted pregnancy.  We represent and support all women with these challenges, and value them as members of society whether they opt to abort or not.

Same-Sex Marriage
In keeping with the tradition of upholding justice and equality, we fully believe that members of the LGBT community are entitled to the same rights and privileges as every other Atlasian citizen.  We support marriage equality on the national level, as well as the movement to secure equal treatment under the law for same-sex couples and individuals.  We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to minister marriage as religious sacraments without government interference.

Firearms & Crime
We recognize the right of every individual to keep and bear arms.  Lightists, however, are split on the extent to which firearms may be regulated by federal and local governments.  We believe there ought to be an open and rational conversation on how this issue ought to be addressed and how crime can be deterred best, be it via gun legislation, mental health legislation, or otherwise.

Freedom of Speech and Religious Exercise
Lightists believe that Atlasia has forever shined as a beacon of free speech and religion, and so it must remain.  We believe that speech shall only be regulated to protect the rights, privacy, and security of all citizens.  We also believe that the freedom to practice one's religion or to abstain from any religious activity is a fundamental right, and that all school students should be allowed to pray in accordance with their religious beliefs.  However, in no way shall teachers or school administrators influence how a student prays, or endorse any particular religious faith or view.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

So here's what will happen.  We'll vote on planks that contradict each other (such as Zac's and Person's), but planks that don't will be automatically added to the platform.  Then we will vote on the final platform.

Until then, keep making your proposals.  We'll vote when everything's covered.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

SJoyce, I'm a little confused by your immigration proposal.  If someone enters the country illegally, should they receive grace time or be deported?