Presidential Debate Debating Thread

[Lincoln Republican]

Thank you Thumb for sponsoring and hosting this debate.

I am pleased to be on the stage with my fellow Presidential candidates.

Public debate by candidates for any office is informative and an integral part of the electoral process.

As you well know by now, I have been in this campaign the major voice for the security and safety of our citizens.  I do not apologize for proposing a strong and forceful gun control policy to meet this end.

If and when the security of Atlasia is threatened by foreign powers or groups, I will not hesitate to take quick and decisive action and to take the appropriate steps in order to protect our republic.

I am a pragmatist and a realist.  As President, I will work with the regions and the legislative bodies in order to achieve results for the people of Atlasia. 

As an Independent, I am not beholden to any group or party.  I am not indebted to the big money interests.  To be precise, I am in nobody's back pocket.

I am absolutely committed to peace, prosperity and security at home and to our interests abroad.

And now, I say to you, my fellow Atlasians, let us move forward and never look back.

Should I be so honored with election to the Presidency, I won't let you down.

   

[Lincoln Republican]

Thank you Thumb for giving the candidates the opportunity to directly address the people of Atlasia on these important and pertinent issues.

Economic Policy:
> In 2018, 38 million Atlasians lived in poverty. How can this be addressed?

Poverty is a scourge on society.  It is an absolutely tragic and heartbreaking situation.

Your question talks about poverty specifically in Atlasia.  There is, of course, poverty affecting hundreds of millions of people world wide, but that is a whole other story.  Today, I shall address the situation in Atlasia.

First of all, Atlasians must be made aware that this problem exists right here in our own country.  Poverty is not only something that happens in third world countries, it also rears its' ugly head here at home in a very advanced and prosperous society.  So the Atlasian society must be educated as to this matter.  

I have always been of the belief that the best way to break the cycle of poverty here at home is education.  When one is educated, that will put him or her in a position that instead of being part of the problem of perpetuating poverty in society, they can be part of the solution.

Now, regardless of the long term matter of "educating" oneself out of the poverty cycle, there are practical and immediate steps to be taken to help the situation in the short term, and, indeed, for as long as necessary.

The regional and national governments should be releasing more funds to provide immediate assistance to those who need it.  These assistance resources would  be in the form of food, clothing, shelter, and to be what I would see administered as a "hand up" and not a "hand out."
This program would be administered by a Poverty Relief Agency.

I would take steps to immediately clamp down on welfare fraud, thereby freeing billions of dollars to redirect to poverty relief.  

When I was Governor of the Northeast and a Representative in the Northeast Assembly, I authored a ground breaking program, for the time, called "The Assistance For Those In Need Act," which addressed, in part, the problem of poverty.



>Technological changes are constantly reshaping the economy. How should policy be adapted to deal with these changes?

Of course, as a modern, progressive nation, Atlasia must keep up with all technological advances and improvements.  We do not want to be left behind the rest of the world.  The brightest and best in this field would be employed in order to keep Atlasia on the cutting edge of technology.

> What changes, if any, would you like to see to the tax code?

My concern about the tax code would be to ensure that above a certain level income, all Atlasians, except for those under a certain level, are paying their fair share of taxes.  The rich and the super rich would be taxed to reflect their high incomes.

> From PSOL: What is your opinion on the Federal Gas Tax Reform Act? Would you support its passage and do you see similar tiered sales taxes as being a good measure to appropriately tax individuals based on their parallel “felt” taxes?

As long as the act treats Atlasians fairly and equitably, that is the important thing.

Sales taxes have their place, and should not be over used.

Social Issues:
> From S019: What are your views on stricter gun control?

My policies on gun control are well known, which would impose the strongest gun control policy in the history of Atlasia.

Please refer to my first campaign speech.


> From S019: What are your views on abortion?

I am pro life, and believe abortion should only be used where necessary in order to save the life of the mother.


> What would be your administration's policies on immigration?

Legal immigration is always welcome.

> How will your administration approach foreign policy?

The interests of Atlasia and Atlasians at home and abroad will always be defended.

Game/Reform Issues:
> What is your view on how the relationship between regional and federal government should be?

Equal partners in the republic.

> There have been many complaints about the lack of stories from the GM. What are your thoughts on this and the role of Game Engine more broadly?

I am satisfied with the performance of the GM.

> What are your views on campaign finance reform?

As long as an individual or a party cannot be compromised, this is fine.

Individual Questions:

> To Winfield: A major theme of your campaign has been security. What would be your administration's strategy when it comes to violent crime?

Violent crime should be treated more harshly than non  violent crime.

[Lincoln Republican]

> To Winfield: You mentioned that you believe education is the best way to break the cycle of poverty. How can education be improved?

Thank you Thumb for sponsoring and hosting these debates.

I trust the citizens of Atlasia have been well informed.  

There are a couple of sayings applicable to this issue.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
-Mamonides

Knowledge is power, information is liberating.
-Kofi Annan

Statistically, the lower the levels of education, the higher the rates of unemployment and the lower the rates of income.

It follows then that the obvious answer to poverty is to improve and expand the income levels in our society.

In order to achieve this result, clearly we must reinvest in our most valuable resources, our human resources.

Post secondary education must be expanded.

As President, I will cut out waste in government, cut waste in the health care system, and increase taxes on multi millionaires and billionaires.

A certain portion of these resources will be redirected to both secondary and post secondary education.

Programs in the professions, medical, technological, the trades will be expanded.

Those who cannot afford to go to secondary education institutions will be subsidized, or, where necessary, fees would be paid by the government.

It would not take too long, relatively, for the vast increase in education spending, and the positive results to filter down through the economy, and to improve the lives of the poor, as well as the rest of the nation.  

 

[Lincoln Republican]

Closing Remarks

Thank you Thumb for organizing and moderating these debates.  You have done a great service for Atlasians from coast to coast.

I will keep my closing remarks short and to the point.

First of all, I wish to acknowledge my running mate, Wulfric.  He is a very intelligent, capable, and talented public servant.  It has been my honor to have him on the ticket with me.  He has a bright future ahead of him in Atlasia.  

A Winfield/Wulfric administration will introduce the toughest gun control, registration, and background checks in the history of Atlasia.

This will keep our people safer and more secure.

We support a complete ban on e-cigarettes and vaping in Atlasia.  This practice is harmful and addictive, and can cause death.

We will boost and revitalize our education system so that more Atlasians will have access to post secondary education, in the professions, technology, trades, which will have the effect of bringing down the poverty level.  

Education is the answer to poverty.

And now, if you will allow me to conclude my closing remarks with a statement that I made in my campaign launch.

"From the rugged coasts of the Atlantic to the foam crested coasts of the Pacific, from the southern boarder of Canada to the northern boarder of Mexico, from the majestic mountains of the west to the rich red earth of the south, from the golden corn fields of the midwest to the bustling industry of the northeast, we, as a safe and secure nation, shall shout with one accord,"

"FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY WE'RE FREE AT LAST!"

Thank you my fellow Atlasians.