2013 August At-Large Senate Debate

[Maxwell]

I will stick to my principles by proposing ideas that are reflective of my ideas, meaning I will look into regulatory loopholes and eliminate them, as well as making Atlasian government more efficient. I will, however, work with others to allow legislation to become more workable and better. I will also find common ground, like drug legislation for example, where I can work with my fellow legislators. My answer will be short, because the question is kind of simple in this case, but I think working with others involves being about to take and give constructive criticism on legislation.

[Maxwell]

Well, I'd like to mention that I proposed a lot of ideas early on that were eventually put into practice by the administration's budget, and I appreciate that they did that. I particularly like the way the President has pushed to make the Corporate Tax rate 25%, making Atlasia more competitive globally, putting an investment in our big companies.

That being said, I am concerned about a top bracket of 60% for millionaires. I would like a top rate of 50%, but seeing as that won't be in the  numbers and would result in a $100 Billion dollar or so deficit, I would at least like to see some sort of extra brackets in order to ease that pain on people that are in high paying jobs like being an incredibly skilled surgeon. I would break it up possibly to 1M-5M get a 50% rate and 5M - 10M get a 55% rate, and only the top of the top get a 60% rate.

This would, of course, require spending cuts, and so I've brought forth the idea that we should look at regionalizing education, as that would give Regional Executives and legislators more power to create great ideas to help our kids but also free up some of the Federal budget. We could also scale down on Housing, as we spend there a tremendous amount more than we spend in the imaginary America.

Either way, I actually like this budget so far, but with small changes, it would get a more enthusiastically Aye from me.

[Maxwell]

Well, as you know, I proposed Education reform for my region, and I believe more specific ideas on Education should be pushed on the regional level. I didn't disagree with that much in the Education Modernization Act, at least the first draft , but I was concerned that the Feds were taking part in detailed education policy that should be a regions responsibility. That being said, Polnut's bill is better in a lot of aspects: for example, he allocates money to the regions in order to fund education reform.

My concern in the legislation is the part that requires a student, by law, to complete a Atlasian Education Clearance Report. My concern about it is it puts force on students, and I think that, in some cases, students need to take the initiative on their futures after school. In my Midwest Education bill, for example, we create Job Search agencies in High Schools (colleges already seem to help with that), where the students can take the initiative to go search for work. In order for education policy to work, I think there are places where Schools can reign heavy over students, future employment, however is not one of them.

I think I am a bit more approving of the Sex Education bill, as it kind of outlines what the Feds expects, but leaves regions a bit of room. I think my votes would be Aye for the Sex Education Bill, and, as of the moment, a Abstain on the Education for the Future Bill.

[Maxwell]

This is an interesting situation, and I would like to preface this by saying that any negiotiation I would be in would require certain strengthening of regional government.

That being said, I have felt a change of heart as of late on the issue because I took a look at my own record and realized that I don't want the Midwest or any other region to fall into regional catastrophe again. It's no fun for anyone. You can combat that on a non-permanent level by throwing some up and comer in a decaying region. However, like with Spamage and Wolfentoad and the Pacific, what comes up seemingly comes down. I'm starting to think that five regions is unsustainable. The only way I think one can combat that on a permanent scale is to lower the number of regions. I hate to say that, but I believe it to be true.

Whether that's to 4 or to 3, that's the argument to have in the Senate, because I'm not entirely sure, but we need to seriously evaluate our pluses and minuses of the five region system and ask whether or not we wish to continue.

[Maxwell]

Let's put it this way: The Senate needs leaders that are dedicated to the best of Atlasia, every day working diligently to put people, not their own interests, on top. I will make this pledge, If you feel as if I am not doing the job you people sent me here to do (through approval ratings or messages and such), I will not be running for a second term. Simple as that. I want full honesty about my performance, and most importantly, I will want to hear from each and every one of you, because I believe the Senate needs more participation from those not within its chambers. It's not healthy for the general public not to be aware of the Senate's doing, and I think everyone is to blame for that.

I think dedication, alone, is half of the battle in the Senate, and the rest is the issues. I will fight on behalf of those wanting our government to run efficiently and effectively to do the deeds of the people. That means adjusting healthy reform so that it is more cost effective, so we don't transfer costs to our children, that means fixing regulations so that they don't hurt our small businesses, that means protecting our national parks. It means a lot, and as a Senator, I will work wholeheartedly on those issues. I think Atlasia should elect me Senator because I have the experience, as a two term Governor of the formerly crumbled Midwest, and skills to be Senator.