Hamilton for Lieutenant Governor of the Pacific

[Alexander Hamilton]

I'd like to urge my supporters now that we must stand our ground for this election. This race is the only statewide race rated toss-up by the National Weekly Atlasian and polls show a very close race. We must not let our guard down, and we must remain humble and focused. Remember, we can not afford another Lt. Governor who doesn't serve the citizens of the Pacific.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Please don't spam my campaign, Alcon.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Since you've decided to completely lack a sense of humor, I'm going to take this as an opportunity to challenge you publicly to a friendly debate.  If I am satisfied, you will receive my endorsement and I will withdraw from the race.

Otherwise, I will run a campaign under the promise that I will abolish the office of Pacific Lt. Governor upon election, as it is completely and totally useless.

I am open to a debate. What will the subject be?

[Alexander Hamilton]

The Lt. Governor's office is not an effective redundancy. The elected post is an important check on single executive power, allowing voter's to choose their next Governor should the current one become incapable of performing. It is a much better alternative to having a "running-mate" Lt. Governor, lest we end up with a Palin in line of succession. It is also necessary in the Pacific because we lack an elected legislature, therefore, we do not have any other elected official that would be a suitable replacement in a timely manner without resulting in chaos, or at the very least, controversy.

I propose the Lt. Governor be given a broader role in government, including the job of notification, which in my view would serve as a form of GOTV that will allow more activity and healthier debate. Inactivity is a problem that affects the Pacific more than any other region, and is a problem that would be solved by the end of my term as Lt. Governor.

I have promised active and committed communication with whoever the Governor may be, most likely Meeker, unless a write-in candidate wants to go for it. Either way, most likely Meeker. On the note of being replaced by an Elections Director- that is a notable proposition, however, as I highlighted in my initial premise, we need the Lt. Governor to be ready to step up should anything happen to the Governor. If you believe the "Elections Director" should have that power, I see no reason for not referring to it as "Lt. Governor."

I do not think this office is useless. Obviously you had to perform tasks regarding elections during your term. And I also don't believe that you voting for yourself, and possibly getting elected, would give you the power to abolish this office.

As for the Legislature, it has been entirely inactive during my time here in the Pacific. I will be glad to get involved should other members revive it, though I think waiting until the election will be better for our region.

[Alexander Hamilton]

No, but with the current administration consisting of yourself and Culture King we haven't seen much activity. The legislature hasn't seen any debate since early July. I already said I plan on waiting until after the election, win or lose, to open the legislature to debate once again. I am working on some possible propositions currently, but I would prefer to introduce them from the Lt. Governor's office, where they will have more support behind them.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Here's the problem with your rationale, though.  You state that you're waiting to push form until after you're elected because, apparently, the legislature is inactive.  You also claim you're going to revitalize the legislature upon election.  But becoming Lt. Governor is going to give you no powers to revitalize the legislature than do not already exist, because of the impotence of the Lt. Governor as it stands.  Do you understand what I mean?  Being elected Lt. Governor is completely irrelevant to any of the reforms you're advancing, and you could have advanced them long before your election.

Getting elected Lt. Governor is not going to give you any additional support on your propositions, and introducing them now is not going to lessen their chance of success.  Let's not kid ourselves.

I am not finished with my proposals at this point in time, which is really why they would have more support later. I have a lot more work to do with regards to them. Remember, I have only been in the Pacific since July, yet I have already encouraged other members to join the Pacific and have contacted many of the senior members asking for input.

I want to know why you assume I will be unable to smoothly communicate with the incumbent Governor. And cost-benefits, I believe, will point you towards myself. I do not believe we should allow Ebowed to put his GM skills to use in the Governorship should that situation ever arise.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Alexander, there once was a second party in the Pacific, but we merged with the JCP. I wouldn't really call the Pacific "divisively partisan" just "heavily JCP."

Can you please not lie? It's not very nice, you see.
Very serious time:

You promise "unity". Yet you hold membership in the RPP, which is led by Fluffy, who is known for recruiting zombie voters and demanding the most intense loyalty to the party line. How do you reconcile this?

Note: This question does not involve the questioner; therefore, kindly avoid any reference to the questioner in your answer.

DWTL is a friend of mine but I am not his minion and I do not take orders from him or other RPP members. I am not a "right-winger." DWTL knows that I have disagreements with many of the party's platform. Senator Marokai Blue has voiced approval of my economic stances. He is not exactly a mainstream RPP member. I have received numerous endorsements from moderates in the Democratic Alliance, and even LNF members such as Sewer Socialist. I have promised to work hard for the Pacific and feel I deserve a chance to do so. Ebowed had his shot when he was GM and he let us all down. I feel that I have provided a broad list of credentials that set me apart from being a hardcore and partisan RPP member.

The RPP is the party of regional protection. Here in the Pacific, we stand alone with the most unique qualities of any region, as seen by our independent streak, our legislature, and our socially liberal attitude. I believe in protecting these qualities, and the RPP gives me breathing room to stand for such.

[Alexander Hamilton]

CAMPAIGN NOTICE

I would like to announce to the citizens of the Pacific my recent efforts lobbying on their behalf to the Atlasian Senate. Currently, a number of vital bills are being debated and the government should know what the people demand. I have been attempting to find Senate support for provisions that allow more students to go to college and at lower costs of tuition, more responsible tax codes and trade agreements, and encouragement of fine arts/performing arts for young Atlasians, in order to preserve our unique culture. I am also working on proposing a constitutional amendment that will ban general sales tax and food sales tax. These taxes disproportionately affect the poor, working, and middle classes because they have to spend a larger percentage of their income. I also believe that it is counterproductive to regional commerce. Another initiative I am working on at the moment involves increased funding for the environment. The Pacific region has the most beautiful and varied environments in Atlasia with many diverse ecosystems. However, we can do more to preserve these precious areas, by slowing urban sprawl. Hopefully, with these ideas, we can see real change.

[Alexander Hamilton]

I want to know why you assume I will be unable to smoothly communicate with the incumbent Governor. And cost-benefits, I believe, will point you towards myself. I do not believe we should allow Ebowed to put his GM skills to use in the Governorship should that situation ever arise.

I don't believe I said that you'd be unable to smoothly communicate, just less so than with me, although I suppose that point would be moot when the Governor changes.

I'm glad you've actually provided a specific proposal now, even if it doesn't actually have much to do with the Lt. Governor's office at all.  I'll vote for you on the presumption that you will find a use for the Lt. Governor's office beyond a title.  If you don't, I will be openly disappointed.  I do think you seem genuine.

However, I really wish you wouldn't pretend to have specific reform ideas that you don't seem to   We're a culturally casual kind of region and we don't take none of that.

Thank you. I promise to you and all other Pacific citizens that you will not be let down by performance.

[Alexander Hamilton]

I would be a little less on the cusp of being let down if I had some idea of what the legislation you were proposing was, before casting my ballot.  What kind of legislation are you in the process of writing?  I would like to get the ball rolling on this.

Edit: Not intending to be pissy, I'm sleep-deprived, but my question still stands...

I want to reform tax codes, one of my key positions being the elimination and banning of a general sales tax and food sales tax (anywhere I can check up on the status of this?), and before any "liberals" get all up in arms, sales taxes are harmful to commerce and disproportionately affect incomes as the income gets lower. To clarify, someone making $20k a year has to spend the same amount on basic necessities as someone making $50k a year. To me, that is not a fair tax system. Also, I want more environmental protections and specifically, some legislation that will help out the rapidly decreasing bee population, a keystone species. As well, protections for our rare bird species that may include anti-reflective road surfaces in certain areas to stop the birds from flying into them. This occurs a lot and may be part of the reason our rare and diverse birds in the Pacific region have dwindling populations as of late.

[Alexander Hamilton]

I would be a little less on the cusp of being let down if I had some idea of what the legislation you were proposing was, before casting my ballot.  What kind of legislation are you in the process of writing?  I would like to get the ball rolling on this.

Edit: Not intending to be pissy, I'm sleep-deprived, but my question still stands...

I want to reform tax codes, one of my key positions being the elimination and banning of a general sales tax and food sales tax (anywhere I can check up on the status of this?), and before any "liberals" get all up in arms, sales taxes are harmful to commerce and disproportionately affect incomes as the income gets lower. To clarify, someone making $20k a year has to spend the same amount on basic necessities as someone making $50k a year. To me, that is not a fair tax system. Also, I want more environmental protections and specifically, some legislation that will help out the rapidly decreasing bee population, a keystone species. As well, protections for our rare bird species that may include anti-reflective road surfaces in certain areas to stop the birds from flying into them. This occurs a lot and may be part of the reason our rare and diverse birds in the Pacific region have dwindling populations as of late.

Sales tax revenue is also the most prone to declining due to an economic downturn. So if you have a Surplus and 8% sales tax with no or little income taxes, you would be among the first to see that surplus turn into a deficit in a recession. In NC in RL there was talk of short-term increases to help balance the budget but long term cutting it significantly. One enlightened Democrat in our legislature even said that if we expanded the tax base by including many services which are exempt from it we could lower the overall Sales tax rate in NC from almost 7% to 4%. Another suggestion would be to exempt food and clothes from the sales tax like PA did at least till 2002 when I lived in that area.

The only taxes on individual sales that should be allowed are specific "excise" taxes, such as on cigarettes or gasoline. A general sales tax, and any food sales tax should be removed, for the reasons both of us provided.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Thank you.

[Alexander Hamilton]

I am proud that so many new Atlasians have chosen to join the Pacific region over some of our other fine regions. I hope that they, too, agree with my core message of unity and bipartisanship. I'm sure that together we can bring reform to Atlasia and the Pacific.

[Alexander Hamilton]

What sort of reform?

Tax code reform and additional environmental protections, as my first priority.

[Alexander Hamilton]

What would this tax code reform entail?

Eliminating any general sales tax because they disproportionately affect poor people.

[Alexander Hamilton]

I am still working out details. I will introduce it in the legislature as soon as I feel it is complete.

[Alexander Hamilton]

What would this tax code reform entail?

Eliminating any general sales tax because they disproportionately affect poor people.

Excellent. But how do you plan on recouping this lost revenue?

A restructured income tax, as well as basic income tax revenue increases that will come with the jobs created by the freer flow of commerce. Without sales tax, poorer people and everyone else as well, can afford just that much more purchasing power, and jobs will be needed to produce goods to keep up with broader demand.

[Alexander Hamilton]

What would this tax code reform entail?

Eliminating any general sales tax because they disproportionately affect poor people.

Excellent. But how do you plan on recouping this lost revenue?

A restructured income tax, as well as basic income tax revenue increases that will come with the jobs created by the freer flow of commerce. Without sales tax, poorer people and everyone else as well, can afford just that much more purchasing power, and jobs will be needed to produce goods to keep up with broader demand.

What would a restructuring entail?

I am still working out those details in the legislation but I am considering raising higher income taxes just a bit, and also expanding the lottery. Nothing is for sure yet though.

[Alexander Hamilton]

What would this tax code reform entail?

Eliminating any general sales tax because they disproportionately affect poor people.

Excellent. But how do you plan on recouping this lost revenue?

A restructured income tax, as well as basic income tax revenue increases that will come with the jobs created by the freer flow of commerce. Without sales tax, poorer people and everyone else as well, can afford just that much more purchasing power, and jobs will be needed to produce goods to keep up with broader demand.

What would a restructuring entail?

I am still working out those details in the legislation but I am considering raising higher income taxes just a bit, and also expanding the lottery. Nothing is for sure yet though.

I see.
Moving this discussion where it belongs:

I'm sorry but Xahar is someone who's initial encounter with me involved personal attacks for no reason.

Did it really? Was it the Hitler/Stalin deal? My apologies if I did, though I don't think I fired any attacks.

No, it was because I decided to run for this seat.

Those weren't personal attacks. Those were advice.

I must say I disagree with your previous contentions about this race.

Fine, but they weren't personal attacks. Agreed? As for your disagreement, the same thing happened to me in my first race. The problem is that most of your support lies outside the region. You may end up winning, but remember that all those endorsements from prominent Atlasians don't really mean a thing in the voting booth. If you want any real chance, you'll need to be doing work behind the scenes.

I know that only the Pacific matters. I think that Pacific voters will see that I am truly the best candidate for this office in the end.

[Alexander Hamilton]

What would this tax code reform entail?

Eliminating any general sales tax because they disproportionately affect poor people.

Excellent. But how do you plan on recouping this lost revenue?

A restructured income tax, as well as basic income tax revenue increases that will come with the jobs created by the freer flow of commerce. Without sales tax, poorer people and everyone else as well, can afford just that much more purchasing power, and jobs will be needed to produce goods to keep up with broader demand.

What would a restructuring entail?

I am still working out those details in the legislation but I am considering raising higher income taxes just a bit, and also expanding the lottery. Nothing is for sure yet though.

Why not eliminate income tax so people are not penalized for working harder and instead raise the sales tax so people pay more if they buy more? Does that just not make it easier, work harder you can keep your money, spend a lot we'll take some of it

Because income taxes aren't penalties for working harder. Lower wages are. Income taxes are only fair way for a government to raise revenue from individuals. Sales taxes hurt commerce, causing job losses, as well as disproportionately affecting poor people, who spend at least as much as they earn, meaning that after income taxes, an additional 7-10% general sales tax is applied to the majority of their expenditures.

[Alexander Hamilton]

How do you plan to turn the Pacific region into a RPP-favored area?

By proving to the region that we are the party of common-sense solutions, tireless work ethic, and pragmatic reform.

[Alexander Hamilton]

This campaign will not be defined by divisive remarks, regardless if my opponent is choosing to do so. Atlasia may have been better off if he had put the effort he has put in this campaign into his Presidency and position as GM. Which poses a real question... What does a former President want to be a simple Lieutenant Governor for?

[Alexander Hamilton]

What do you look for in your elected officials?

Honesty or mischaracterizations?

Unity or divisiveness?

Dedicated or do-nothing?

Active or incompetent?

In this race, you have two options. You have a fresh, new face promising reform and class. And you have a disgraced former elected official who was motioned for removal by even the most patient of Senators, including PurpleState, MasterJedi, and Franzl. We in the Pacific need our Lt. Governor to be honest, promote unity, have a tireless work ethic, stay active, broaden personal freedoms, and represent us well. Hamilton is the ONLY candidate in this race that can meet the Pacific region's highest standards of qualification.

After seeing the GMantis debacle in the Midwest, I am certain that the Pacific needs someone dependable ready to take on the role if need be. Together, we can bring change to Atlasia.

[Alexander Hamilton]

I would like to officially thank everyone who has been supporting my campaign, including all of our Pacific citizens who are ready for change. This election is out with the ideas old and in the with the leadership of the new. It is time we applaud ourselves for coming this far, and remain focused on election time so that we pull it through.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Over the week, there have been many false claims raised regarding my candidacy. I'd like to take the time to clear things up officially, and reach out to voters who may be undecided or considering another candidate.

My opponent seems to think that because of my party, I can not be a true progressive candidate. This is a ridiculous claim. Party membership is not an ideology. Zell Miller may be a Democrat, but is he a liberal? I have proposed numerous progressive policies during my campaign, have voiced positions in the Senate that were dismissed by the right, and pledge to truly represent the electorate of the Pacific.

There have been claims that I am trying to radically change the Pacific's electorate into a  right-wing bastion. This is false. My recruits have been socially liberal, as is our region's proud reputation. I have made numerous attempts to gain input from across the aisle, and generally am glad to work with members of any party. I have not advocated implementing any kind of Religious Right policies, nor would I ever vote for such.

I denounce these untruthful claims raised by my opponent's campaign.

I'd like to point out to everyone that Ebowed's candidacy is based wholly on his "experience." But what does that "experience" entail? The most catastrophically horrible GM Atlasia has experienced, including bringing up constitutionality questions when the Senate attempted to remove him from this position. Even after being asked by bgwah to step down, Ebowed wasn't ready to go. He didn't want to give Atlasians a chance to have a GM that could fulfill duties, and refused to perform the duties required of him. We cannot let him do this to our region.

What does Ebowed want to be Lieutenant Governor for? He has attacked me numerous times, yet hasn't specified any reasons to vote for him besides "not being Hamilton." I know that the Jesus Christ Party has many good members, and I think that in the end, they will see that Ebowed is not one of them. All Ebowed has going for him is his party and his "experience" and mischaracterizations of my candidacy.

I stand here today to urge all citizens of this great region to support my candidacy, to vote for the new, not the old. To vote for a job well done, rather than a job not done. To vote for the truth, not dishonesty. To vote for a fresh look on Atlasia, not someone who's already made it to the Presidency and for some reason he hasn't yet stated, wants to serve in an entry level position. Vote for Hamilton. Thank you!