PJ FOR THE PACIFIC SENATE SEAT: congrats to senator Sbane!

[Maxwell]

I am glad you were willing to debate me/accept my badgering with grace .

[PJ]

I am glad you were willing to debate me/accept my badgering with grace .

Thanks. If no one debated each other it would be pretty boring.

[PJ]

I was a pretty brief on Syria in the Senate Debate. Let me know if you have any questions about it.

I support humanitarian aid and help for Syrian refugees, but no military or financial aid for the parties at conflict.

I'll keep it simple. I agree with this.^^^^^^ Sorry to make it boring but I don't have much to say on Syria. Unless one of the candidates is willing to debate me of course.

[PJ]

Senator Sbane has recently critiqued my position on drug laws, as you can see in the inserted quote. He compared Portugal to a model of what Atlasia should move towards. I wholeheartedly support Portugal's model, because Portugal DECRIMINALIZED all drugs, they did NOT legalize them. Read this article to understand my reasoning. You must read BOTH PAGES to understand!


http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/evaluating-drug-decriminalization-in-portugal-12-years-later-a-891060.html

12 years after Portugal decriminalized all drugs, the amount of teenagers who tried drugs went down, the amount of drug users who got AIDs went down, and the amount of drug users that went to rehab went up. Unfortunately, the amount of adults who tried drugs went up during this time period. That is why I support a similar version to the Portugal model, where marijuana is legalized and taxed and all other drugs are decriminalized. I differ from the Portugal model that we should more broadly encompass drugs into education, create an agrresive ad campaign against the use of drugs, possibly even more than the anti-tobacco campaign, and slightly more restrictions against drug possesion. However, I believe very strongly that we should treat drug users as victims of illness, not criminals. With a program similar to Portugal, Atlasia can bring down drug use in teenagers and adults.

There is a good debate going on right now about drug policy and where to draw the line. My opponent buys into the argument that legalization will automatically lead to greater drug use and I wholeheartedly disagree with that. There is no evidence to suggest that legalization leads to greater use, it is greater societal acceptance that leads to greater use. We must distinguish between the two. Yes, in the real world greater acceptance of Marijuana use has led to a much stronger legalization movement (along with greater use), but it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. In Portugal they legalized all drugs without increasing social acceptance of its use and actually running an informational campaign against drug use. The result is that abuse of hard drugs is down by half.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/07/05/ten-years-after-decriminalization-drug-abuse-down-by-half-in-portugal/

[PJ]

Another debate excerpt that further explains my position on Atlasian infrastructure.

Earlier in my campaign, I already addressed infrastructure, as you can see in the inserted quote. But to sum up my original point, I believe that a great way to get areas with economic problems back on their feet is to increase their tourism industries. I believe a great way for many areas to have great economies is to build more bike trails. They increase the tourism industry, reduce carbon emissions, increase public health, and provide jobs.

On bridges, I absolutely agree with Governor Scott. When bridges are collapsing, "Should we fix them?" should not be a controversial issue. 

(Portland Oregon)

BIKING

One of the primary components of the success of Atlasian Infrastructure is biking. That is why, if I am elected, I will personally push for more federal funding for the creation of bike trails. Biking is an enjoyable activity that benefits us in more ways than one. The reasons are as follows:

1. The environment: if we create bike trails that people can use to travel to work, we are reducing carbon emissions from gas guzzlers. An environmentally sustainable society is an essential goal for the future of Atlasia, and the creation of more bike trails can help lead us to that goal.

2. The economy: bike trails are popular with many people, and building new bike trails will locally increase the economy due to the tourism that the bike trails will generate. Many areas of Atlasia are quite beautiful, but have low tourism levels. Bike trails could change that.

3. Health: With obesity being a common problem, today it is important to allow the public to have as many easy options as possible when it comes to exercise. That why the bike trails must be accessible for anyone in Atlasia.

4. It's FUN!!! Everyone in Atlasia should have access to a local bike trail.

[PJ]

I will have limited/no access June 14-25. I will get on the forum when I can.

[Adam Griffin]

You put a lot of work into your campaign and had a respectable showing - particularly for someone who just joined the game a short time ago. It's hard to run for the Senate, so don't be discouraged. I know you have a bright future in Atlasian politics ahead!

[PJ]

Thanks griffin! I would like to formerly congratulate Senator Sbane on his reelection. I look forward to great things from the pacific senator. I will continue to work to make the pacific an active region, and I was glad to help make a competitive election.

[Sbane]

Thanks griffin! I would like to formerly congratulate Senator Sbane on his reelection. I look forward to great things from the pacific senator. I will continue to work to make the pacific an active region, and I was glad to help make a competitive election.

Thank you very much and I enjoyed running against you. Hopefully you will stay active. I could use your help as we try to get our region back on track.

[PJ]

Thanks senator, that's exactly what I am aiming to do in the next few months.

Thanks griffin! I would like to formerly congratulate Senator Sbane on his reelection. I look forward to great things from the pacific senator. I will continue to work to make the pacific an active region, and I was glad to help make a competitive election.

Thank you very much and I enjoyed running against you. Hopefully you will stay active. I could use your help as we try to get our region back on track.

[TNF]

Congrats on a good run, PJ. I hope you stay involved in the game.

[PJ]

Congrats on a good run, PJ. I hope you stay involved in the game.

Thanks I definitely will, and right now I am focused on the IDS's invasion and how to stop it.