Economy:>In light of the South having the highest rate of malnutrition in Atlasia, what exact path shall you direct to aide in alleviating this issue?
I believe there are a number of things that could be done. A focus on nutrition in home economics class for one. Helping people break addiction to illicit substances so that they will be able to spend more on food would be another. My plan Southern Regional Service will assist with those who are struggling financially due to unemployment put good food on the table. Food Banks are another part of the puzzle. It'll take communal action to alleviate this problem.
>What should be the role of unions in the Southern Economy?
I am not opposed to Unions. Unions have helped a great number of people in the past. In fact I pointed out in the chamber that it was a good thing that existing Federal legislation already covered what was proposed in
S.19.3-12: Workers Free Association Act. Furthermore I didn't vote against the bill. It should go without saying that Unions have a part to play in the economy. I'm not here to dictate or impose what the role of labor union's should or shouldn't be. That's a matter for the Chamber.
>The South has the areas in which teachers are the worst paid in the nation, with there also being the worst rates of student participation and qualitative results, do you see a pattern there?
I think resourcing for schools in general would be conducive in raising participation and results. Teachers aids are a part of the puzzle of increasing student participation and Regional Service will also include a teachers aid program. Lower student to teacher ratios are important part of enabling better pedagogical outcomes in our education system.
>How would you respond to the changing “gig economy” in the South
Like all things there are positives and negatives with a "gig economy". It can enable people the extra freedom of flexible work. However it can also make it harder for those wanting full time work. I believe that a personal income tax credit/rebate for those who have only a part time job but who are willing to do volunteer work would be beneficial for our communities. Of course this would need to be debated in the chamber and to a small tax rise on some sectors that have enjoyed our low taxes would be required.
>With the South being at the forefront of tax decreases and Laissez-faire economic policies, where exactly will you supply these needed funds to ensure a working government?
Well my Gambling Immorality Tax was in fact a rise in taxes on a specific sector of the economy. I am willing to expand on that existing base. So I'm not ideologue hell bent on cutting all taxes. When I have advocated for cuts it's been for small and medium business to help aid them compete with the big end of town. Small and medium business are our biggest employers. They are heavily financially invested in our communities and want to see our communities flourish more than big multinationals corporations. A small increase on big business is one way to ensure an increase government revenues. Paygo and a balanced budget are very important. Our growing economy will also increase the size of the economic pie that all southerners will benefit from. Regional Service will help those in unemployment get a bigger slice of the pie and help build our region.
Law and Order:What are your positions on free speech, especially requiring permits to protest and banning masks at protests?
I am pro freedom of speech. I was cosponsor for a resolution to lobby those in Nyman to support and defend freedom of speech on the internet.
Leinad was against the resolution.
The right to freedom of expression should be absolute.
What do you define as hate speech? Do people have the right to say whatever they want? What if anything should government, society and other individuals do to prevent, respond to and or combat hate speech?
"Hate speech" can be and is interpreted in a few different ways depending on who you ask. I'm not gonna bother trying to come up with a definition for it, because the right to free speech should be absolute, no buts and no matter how hateful or offensive it may be. Sure, there are plenty of things people would be better off not saying, but unless actual crimes are committed there's no reason to restrict it.
I can understand that a permit makes some form of sense regarding a mass demonstration with the potential community disruption. It's not something I'm particularity in favor of. Masks aren't conducive to dialogue. If you're wearing a mask and feel the need to hide your face that's a sad state of affairs. If your breaking the law while your wearing a mask, you're admitting that you know you are doing the wrong thing and just want to escape justice.
> With the growing discontent around police brutality, boiling up in the clashes in Ferguson and St. Louis, what are your comments?
Our boys in blue have a tough job fighting crime. If there is indeed in fact an increase in police brutality I am happy to launch an inquiry into the matter. It is also on the citizenry to comply with law enforcement. Attacking police generally isn't going to end well. Violence begets violence.
Domestic Agenda:> What will be your relations between the government of the South and the Native Reservations situated inside?
One of dialogue as it takes two to tango. There are problems with high rates of violent crime and a very low prosecution rate that needs to be addressed, higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse. Pushing for the legalization of harder drugs won't solve problems for our Native brothers and sisters. A lack of opportunity leads to many natives living in poverty. My plan for regional service would be able to work with reservations to create jobs. There needs to be a serious discussion about treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, not making these easier to obtain. I want to work with the reservations to ensure accurate reporting of crimes and that there is justice for victims. I am open to working with the federal government to either better manage the assets of these reservations, and their tribe members. However a better solution might be for the federal government to release their ownership of these lands and allow tribes to own the land for themselves. I am happy to work with members of Congress as well as the executive branch and relevant cabinet departments to achieve this.
>There has been incidents of Anti-Homeless initiatives, such as the presence of public architecture designed to prevent people from sleep and the buzzing of Homeless out of the Southern rural areas. What will your policies designed to tackle the issue of homelessness look like?
My plan for Southern Regional Service would assist in alleviating this issue by providing some income so they can find a roof over their heads. I think the odd grant to charities that's entire raison d'être is to help the homeless, would also be of great assistance. Most important of all is I think it behooves all Southerner's
to be the change. Not just rely on the the government to be the sole source to solve everything. It's on all of us and help our fellow Southerners who are struggling. I'd like to thank those who are volunteering with the homeless and are helping make the South a better place.
>What role should the Confederacy be recognized as part of Southern Heritage?
It's a part or our history whether we like it or not. It's self evident that it is a part of our heritage. The Confederacy will always be recognized as a part of Southern Heritage by the people who live in the South. No amount of government involvement can change that, nor should it be the Southern government's job to erase history. To white wash it out would not be of help to anyone and would make our understanding of history that much poorer.
Federalism:>To Muaddib: The South is at the epicenter of resistance to the federal government back at Nyman, what will your relations be with the current federal government? Will your previous career hinder or perhaps mirror these developments?
The South is different from Lincoln and Fremont. If diversity is indeed our strength, then it should matter that the South is different. I have always sort dialogue and my proposal for a
Council of Atlasian Governments Act demonstrates my commitment to that. I will stand up for Southern interests and make sure the South gets the best deals possible. I am also on good terms with our current Regional Senators and with both Senate candidates,
Rep. MB and
Del. Deadprez. As to how those relations will look like with the white house should the President be reelected next weekend? You'd have to ask the President, I am happy to dialogue. But the South should never be dictated to.
