Antonio the Sixth
Antonio V
Atlas Institution
Posts: 58,326
Political Matrix
E: -7.87, S: -3.83
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« on: September 23, 2014, 04:34:18 AM » |
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Fellow Atlasians,
It has been years since I have last sought elective office, and if someone had asked me about my plans just last week, I probably would have repeated what I've been saying throughout this time: I'm done with Atlasia. I know it is a common cliché for politicians to claim that they did not want to run but felt a duty to do so, but I think that I might be able to say that with a bit more credibility.
Over the past few days, I have seen the dire state of the Atlasian left. I have watched my party, the Labor Party - a party that, since its foundation, has represented my ideals - as it became engulfed in petty personal feuds, insulated itself from the rest of Atlasia, embarked in an empty quest for power, refused to engage with its opponents on policy and ideological matters, and finally was brought to near collapse.
I refuse to see my party suffer this fate. But so much damage has been done, that revitalizing the party requires pushing aside the traditional leadership that has embodied it in the past months and years, and allow "new" faces to emerge. This is why my old-time comrade Marokai has asked me to be his running mate in this presidential campaign. This is why we are running to present Atlasia with a serious, pragmatic and open-minded left-wing alternative.
I have had, and still have, major disagreements with Marokai, both on game reform and on real-life issues. But whatever you may say about him, there were very few people in all of our history who were as committed than he is to make Atlasia better. He has always been "in it" for the game, for its most wonky policy aspects, for its most heated exchanges of ideas, but never for the ego contests and the petty squabbles. Marokai is the person you can always rely on when Atlasia needs a fresh new start. And I believe that's exactly what it needs right now.
What I would like to add, as a proud Laborite, is that there is more to this party than what it has shown in these past months. There are many dedicated Atlasians who work every day to advance ideals they believe in. These people must not be forgotten. I am running because I sincerely believe in the principles upon which this party was founded. I believe that there is a way to advance leftist policies without shielding ourselves in partisanship. I believe that we should engage with those who disagree with us, to try to convince them, or at least to convince them that we put actually thought in our worldview. You won't hear me make apologies for my beliefs - you know where I stand politically and I am not going to change it. But you always will hear me explain why I believe something is right or wrong.
I have no intent to engage in personal drama because, simply put, I don't have time for it. The position of VP demanding few duties, I think I can commit to it and still do a decent job. I will do my job, and nothing more. No backroom scheming, no pointless flame wars, no bullsh*t. Only constructive debate - which ultimately is what Atlasia should be about. I have no doubt Marokai has the same commitment, and together, we shall prove you that Labor still has something good to offer to Atlasia.
Let us cling together, let us put the bitterness behind us. Vote for Marokai/Antonio this October!
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