Regional legislatures are an awesome way to get people involved in Atlasia. Normally people will be more active if they have a position or title, some sort of responsibility. This gives them just that. We've had some great members get their start in the Assembly and go on to even be President!
You're 100% right. I can personally testify about that.
Yes, you are a great example. I mean, I even got my start in the Assembly (though I was promoted to Senate a couple days later due to a vacancy). Some of our greatest Atlasians were in the Assembly, such as Purple State, HappyWarrior, Franzl, Peter, and Badger. I mean seriously, for all we know, Badger may never have gotten as active and productive to the game as he is now if he hadn't had that opportunity to serve in an elected legislature.