N. Caulder's Atlasian Voters' Guide August '04

[Niles Caulder]

This questionarre was sent out to all candidates for Regional and Federal Office in the upcoming elections.  Those candidates lacking any statements of position (i.e. failed to post any) did not reply to the questionnaire.

1.  World Crises seem to be accelerating every day.  What is your opinion of the Gustaf's administration's handling of Atlasian foreign policy?  If elected, what will you do influence world affairs in these historic and dangerous times?

2.  Specifically, what is your opinion of the controversial Secretary of Defence John Ford's aggressive lead in the world today?  What is your position on the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq?  The intervention in Sudan?  The handling of assaults on civilian population centers in New England?

3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?

4.  What is your opinion of the highly controversial legislation passed by or being entertained in the Senate, such as:

a.  The Boss Abortion Act

b.  The Death Penalty Abolition Act

c.  The "Life" Bill

d.  Concealed Firearm Act

5.  What is your opinion of President Gustaf's successful nominations of Emperor (as Chief Justice) and Former President Nym90 to the Supreme Court?

6.  What is your position on the formation of ten-state regions as dictated in the Constitution?

[ilikeverin]

This questionarre was sent out to all candidates for Regional and Federal Office in the upcoming elections.

No it wasn't.

[StevenNick]

Okay.  Here are my answers to the questions:

1.  In general, I feel that the Gustaf administration has handles foreign policy crises very competently.  This is due in great part to Sec. Ford's very level-headed approach to foreign policy.  He's a great Secretary of Defence.

It's hard for me to say in any great detail what I will do to influence foreign affairs should I be reelected.  After all, I have no more idea than anyone else what the circumstances of future crises will be.  However, I can promise that I will approach each question of policy carefully, cautiously, and with an appropriate amount of deliberation and consideration of the consequences of every possible course of action.

2.  As most careful watchers of Senate deliberations know, I recently voted against the bill authorizing the use of force in the Sudan.  This is an issue that I have grappled with for a long time.  I remeber first becoming aware of the genocide in the Sudan a couple of years ago and wondering in American intervention to bring about a regime change might be the best course of action.  However, I am a conservative.  I do not believe the United States should rush into a war unless it is certainly in our national interest.  I am not entirely convinced that the proposed incursion into the Sudan adequatly meets that criteria.

That being said, I fully appreciate John Ford's aggresive approach to foreign policy even though I may disagree with him on some particular issues.

3.  We should never abandon new technologies that will make Atlasia and its people safer.

4.

a.  I favor the Boss Tweed Abortion Act.

b.  I opposethe abolition of the death penalty.

c.  I oppose the "Life" bill because it includes an abolition of the death penalty.

d.  I support the general concept behind the Concealed Firearm Act, but I have some major qualms about section 3.

5.  While I favored KEmperor's appointment as Chief Justice, I opposed Nym's appointment as Associate Justice.  I feel that Nym, although more acceptable than Migrendel, will continue to push the court too far to the left.

6.  I do not feel that there is any real need to change the regions as they currently exist.

[7,052,770]

1.  World Crises seem to be accelerating every day.  What is your opinion of the Gustaf's administration's handling of Atlasian foreign policy?  If elected, what will you do influence world affairs in these historic and dangerous times?
The Gustaf administration is doing pretty well.  I like the AG's go-get-em attitude, but I hope he doesn't go too far.  I have reservations about having two hawks in high positions of his cabinet, but that's his choice.

2.  Specifically, what is your opinion of the controversial Secretary of Defence John Ford's aggressive lead in the world today?  What is your position on the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq?  The intervention in Sudan?  The handling of assaults on civilian population centers in New England?
John Ford's not done anything to anger me.  I hesitate to do anything overseas without foreign support.  I support using US troops for humanitarian causes {Sudan}, but only if there's international support and we aren't doing all the work.

3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?
Obviously our military should be top-notch, but there's better things to spend money on than constant upgrades.

4.  What is your opinion of the highly controversial legislation passed by or being entertained in the Senate, such as:

a.  The Boss Abortion Act support it

b.  The Death Penalty Abolition Act support it

c.  The "Life" Bill I would support it if there were no exceptions to the death penalty outlawing

d.  Concealed Firearm Act I don't feel comfortable allowing people to have concealed weapons that they may use to kill me.  We need less guns on the streets, not more!

5.  What is your opinion of President Gustaf's successful nominations of Emperor (as Chief Justice) and Former President Nym90 to the Supreme Court?
Obviously I'm enthusiastic about Nym90 being on there, and I understand that kemperor was the only real choice for CJ.

6.  What is your position on the formation of ten-state regions as dictated in the Constitution?
We should follow the constitution, so I support it.

[KEmperor]

Excellent idea for a survey.

[Akno21]

1.  World Crises seem to be accelerating every day.  What is your opinion of the Gustaf's administration's handling of Atlasian foreign policy?  If elected, what will you do influence world affairs in these historic and dangerous times?

I think we need to find a balance and realize we cannot invade every country in which there is a crisis. Our military is simply not that big. Gustaf's Administration has done a good job in handling tricky situations.

2.  Specifically, what is your opinion of the controversial Secretary of Defence John Ford's aggressive lead in the world today?  What is your position on the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq?  The intervention in Sudan?  The handling of assaults on civilian population centers in New England?

If we are not doing it alone, and it's a real coalition comprised of able nations, we should not be scared of being aggressive. John Ford has done a good job in these trying times, and the intervention in Sudan will likely save many lives, which is a main goal of military intervention.


3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?

Obviously, totally abandoning new weapons systems will hurt us in the future and we should be developing new weapons at a reasonable cost and pace. However, in Iraq (real-life) we have the best weapons but yet many of our soldiers have been killed. Having good diplomacy when nation-building and dealing with terrorists is just as important as having the best weapons. However, new weapons are making the war on terror easier for us, and limiting innocent casualties.

4.  What is your opinion of the highly controversial legislation passed by or being entertained in the Senate, such as:

a.  The Boss Abortion Act

Keep the government out of personal lives.

b.  The Death Penalty Abolition Act

I really struggled on this one, deciding what side to support, but I don't think the threat of death really makes would-be criminals any less likely to commit the horrible crimes they do.
c.  The "Life" Bill

Since it would ban abortion in most circumstances, I am against it.

d.  Concealed Firearm Act

I am against it, because I don't think more guns in public places and on the streets make us safer. I do believe people should be able to have most guns in their homes, to protect agaisnt burgalars or other people of the like.

5.  What is your opinion of President Gustaf's successful nominations of Emperor (as Chief Justice) and Former President Nym90 to the Supreme Court?

I have no problem with it. I think unless there is something terribly wrong with the nominees, we should focus on more important issues.

6.  What is your position on the formation of ten-state regions as dictated in the Constitution?

We should follow the Constitution.

[Niles Caulder]

This questionarre was sent out to all candidates for Regional and Federal Office in the upcoming elections.

No it wasn't.

I do beg your pardon:  I was intending that post to be its own submission to candidates--and interpreted as such.  It didn't even occur to me to attempt emailing this thing--figured this was easier on everyone.  Sorry for the confusion.

*Ahem*

Candidates!  You may now consider yourselves questioned!

[The Dowager Mod]

Against the boss abortion act.
I oppose any infringement on a womans personal choices.
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against abolishing the death penalty
it just needs to be applied equaly.
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against the life bill as unamended
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for the concealed weaopons act
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i approve of both nominees.
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whatever the constitution says about regions is good
enough for me.
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And i am all for john fords sterling leadership in foriegn problems.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

1.  World Crises seem to be accelerating every day.  What is your opinion of the Gustaf's administration's handling of Atlasian foreign policy?  If elected, what will you do influence world affairs in these historic and dangerous times?

I believe that Gustaf's administration has done an admirable job of handling the nation's foreigh affairs.


2.  Specifically, what is your opinion of the controversial Secretary of Defence John Ford's aggressive lead in the world today?  What is your position on the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq?  The intervention in Sudan?  The handling of assaults on civilian population centers in New England?


John Ford has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his service as Secretary of Defense.  I fully support taking agressive action in Sudan to stop the enslavement and human rights abuses occuring there.



3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?


They're doing what???



4.  What is your opinion of the highly controversial legislation passed by or being entertained in the Senate, such as:

a.  The Boss Abortion Act
I'm all for the act of aborting Boss.  Not aborting fetuses after a certain point in gestation is nice too.


b.  The Death Penalty Abolition Act
I'd vote against it, though I am not in complete opposition of the concept.  We need a moratorium and some tweaking, but terrorists should still be fried.


c.  The "Life" Bill
I'm opposed to Life in all its forms.  I support reasonable compromise positions on both abortion and the death penalty.


d.  Concealed Firearm Act
100% Support.  People have a right to protect themselves.


5.  What is your opinion of President Gustaf's successful nominations of Emperor (as Chief Justice) and Former President Nym90 to the Supreme Court?

Excellent choices.


6.  What is your position on the formation of ten-state regions as dictated in the Constitution?

Sounds good to me.

[The Duke]

3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?


They're doing what???

We're doing no such thing.  We cancelled the deployment of the Stryker troop transport.  The Stryker lacks the armor the survive the modern battlefield and places US troops in unnecessary danger.  Anything greater than a .50 caliber bullet penetrates the armor.  It is also very difficult to deploy the Stryker over great distance.

Instead, we are investing in a new artillery piece called the Crusader.  It will make all other cannon artillery obsolete.

[ilikeverin]

Ah, I get it now.  I thought this was emailed

[ilikeverin]

1.  World Crises seem to be accelerating every day.  What is your opinion of the Gustaf's administration's handling of Atlasian foreign policy?  If elected, what will you do influence world affairs in these historic and dangerous times?

I support Gustaf's pro-active foreign policy, tackling countries that need to be tackled.  Sure, he appoints hawks, but so far they're been 'smart hawks'.

2.  Specifically, what is your opinion of the controversial Secretary of Defence John Ford's aggressive lead in the world today?  What is your position on the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq?  The intervention in Sudan?  The handling of assaults on civilian population centers in New England?

a) I think it's good; he's a 'smart hawk' so far.
b) I think we need to bring in more UN support, especially from Arabic countries.  However, we should stay in Iraq as long as needed.
c) It's good.  Humanitarian purposes pwn
d) We need more information.  NOW!

3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?

Make the military smarter

4.  What is your opinion of the highly controversial legislation passed by or being entertained in the Senate, such as:

a.  The Boss Abortion Act

Opposed.  I support abortions up to the record for earliest birth that survived, and after that for life of the baby and/or mother, incest, and rape.

b.  The Death Penalty Abolition Act

Support!

c.  The "Life" Bill

Oppose, for reason a)

d.  Concealed Firearm Act

Oppose.

5.  What is your opinion of President Gustaf's successful nominations of Emperor (as Chief Justice) and Former President Nym90 to the Supreme Court?

Great choices for balance!  An AFIPer and a scary economic conservative.

6.  What is your position on the formation of ten-state regions as dictated in the Constitution?

*yawn* Whatever.

[The Duke]

I think Verin just invented a great term: "Smart Hawk".

[ilikeverin]

I think Verin just invented a great term: "Smart Hawk".

[Niles Caulder]

3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?


They're doing what???

We're doing no such thing.  We cancelled the deployment of the Stryker troop transport.  The Stryker lacks the armor the survive the modern battlefield and places US troops in unnecessary danger.  Anything greater than a .50 caliber bullet penetrates the armor.  It is also very difficult to deploy the Stryker over great distance.

Instead, we are investing in a new artillery piece called the Crusader.  It will make all other cannon artillery obsolete.

I agree that question was ambiguously worded:  didn't intend to make it sound like they were abandoning ALL such programs with the same intent...but I didn't word the question to exclude such a reading either.  I take full responsibility for the slanted tone.

[George W. Hobbes]

::cracks knuckles::

1.  World Crises seem to be accelerating every day.  What is your opinion of the Gustaf's administration's handling of Atlasian foreign policy?  If elected, what will you do influence world affairs in these historic and dangerous times?

The President seems to have lead Atlasia onto an even-kneel and kept the ship of state afloat, which I commend him for.  If elected, I will press for a resolution to shift Atlasian foreign policy to encourage the promotion of liberty and democracy abroad, which I call the Hobbes Doctrine.  

Meanwhile, I will also fight for a declaration of war against the "nation" of terrorism; which includes all organizations, charities, persons and nation-states that endorse terrorist activities.  As we have seen with the recent mortar attack in New York City, we must destroy the terrorists, before they destroy us.

2.  Specifically, what is your opinion of the controversial Secretary of Defence John Ford's aggressive lead in the world today?  What is your position on the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq?  The intervention in Sudan?  The handling of assaults on civilian population centers in New England?

I believe that America must[/b] take agressive stances in the rapidly changing modern world, if nothing else 9/11 proved that being seperated from the rest of the world by two oceans does not isolate us from foreign affairs.

On Iraq, I believe that Atlasia must stay and help support the government to train an independent military and police force, as well as fight the constant threat of terrorism in the country.  There has been friction, but we will overcome that, and lead our Iraqi brethern into an age of peace and democracy.

I fully stand by Secretary Ford's position that the United States of Atlasia should have intervened in the Sudan.  History has given us the power and potentional to liberate nation-states from the threat of genocide, senseless state-sponsored murder, and tyranny.  I myself as an American would not wish to live under men of evil, and I see no reason why anyone else should.   I am thankful that the African Union seems to have provided peace to the region for now, but as we remember from Rwanda in 1995, that is not always the case when the US refuses to intervene.

Meanwhile, concerning assaults on New England population centers, I can only hope that the Defense Secretary is taking all necessary actions to bring the evildoers to justice.

3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?

I absolutely oppose the President's decision to abandon the necessity of a technologically superior military.  Technological advances can allow us to limit the number of Atlasians we actually have to place on the ground in wartime.

4.  What is your opinion of the highly controversial legislation passed by or being entertained in the Senate, such as:

a.  The Boss Abortion Act: Unconditionally favor.

b.  The Death Penalty Abolition Act: Favor, although I believe the Life Bill more accurately explains when the death penalty may be used.

c.  The "Life" Bill: Favor

d.  Concealed Firearm Act: Favor, only because it requires that the handgun must be registered first.  I am a major proponent of gun licensing and a national gun registry, and this bill could be a stepping stone in that direction.

5.  What is your opinion of President Gustaf's successful nominations of Emperor (as Chief Justice) and Former President Nym90 to the Supreme Court?

I must confess that I am not entirely up-to-speed on the actual positions of Mr. Emperor and Mr. Nym, however, since the Senate has already confirmed both of the nominees, I believe the question is naught.

However, as a Senator, I must express my first belief that I will only endorse justices who demonstrate that they will follow the Constitution exactly as written, and not take it upon themselves to craft the law.

6.  What is your position on the formation of ten-state regions as dictated in the Constitution?

I believe that the Constitution must be followed exactly, and if there is disagreement amongst Atlasia as to portions of the document, there is a procedure to amend the Constitution.

[Niles Caulder]

We interrupt this survey for a test of the post scripting system:

This is only a test.

This is only a test.

This is only a test.

This is only a test.

This is only a test.

This is only a test.

This is only a test.

This completes our test.  We now return you to our regularly scheduled survey.

[King]

The test scared me

[Niles Caulder]

The test scared me

LOL  I thought 7 may be a bit much.  Still getting my bearings around here....

[migrendel]

1. I disagree with the administration's foreign policy. To me, we are intervening in places where we have no business, and wearing the mantel of unilateralism. We need to bring in greater world support, pick our battles carefully, and not radicalize Middle Eastern opinion.

2. I am compelled to oppose much of our defense policy. Once again, I believe we are subverting diplomacy and attempting to change foreign governments in a bully-like fashion. I oppose intervention in Sudan. I promise the voters that I will only support a war based upon human rights if the country in question is violating a treaty commitment (in other words, doing something it said it wouldn't do), only if we have exhausted the other options, such as the World Court, and only if part of a multilateral force. I would like to share the authority of Iraq stabilization with other willing nations immediately, and try to get the UN Security Council to change the focus into one handled by UN peacekeepers. I would withdraw military ground forces from Iraq once we get the international support we need. I do view the attacks on New England as a casus belli, but we must be very prudent about who we attack and what the collateral damage will be.

3. I support decreasing funding for arms development and build-up so we can tackle more urgent priorities.

4. I oppose the Boss Act, because I believe it violates the social, privacy, and equal rights of women. I support the Death Penalty Abolition Act, but I oppose the Life Bill. It is a more important to me to make sure that women have access to safe, legal abortions than that we abolish capital punishment. I oppose allowing the concealed carry of firearms.

5. I enthusiastically endorse both nominations. I have known KEmperor to be a stellar associate justice with an excellent grasp of legal issues, and Nym to have a fine legal mind of his own. I can rest assured that the Supreme Court is in good hands.

6. I support following the Constitution and creating the ten districts.

[TheWildCard]

1.  World Crises seem to be accelerating every day.  What is your opinion of the Gustaf's administration's handling of Atlasian foreign policy?  If elected, what will you do influence world affairs in these historic and dangerous times?

I think the Gustaf Administration has done a fine job. As Governor you don't exactly have a lot to do with the above question but if elected I would as always voice my opinions to the administration when I disagree with them.

2.  Specifically, what is your opinion of the controversial Secretary of Defence John Ford's aggressive lead in the world today?  What is your position on the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq?  The intervention in Sudan?  The handling of assaults on civilian population centers in New England?

I think Secretary Ford has also done a fine job. He's exactly the type of person we need at that position at the moment.

3.  What is your position on the new administration's intentions of abandoning new weapons programs intended to increase the technological agility and speed of the Atlasian military?

I feel that strength is just as important as speed and agility and it sounds like most of these new weapons(such as the Stryker) are weaker than what we have now.

4.  What is your opinion of the highly controversial legislation passed by or being entertained in the Senate, such as:

a.  The Boss Abortion Act
I am for abortions in the first trimester only(except in the case of rape, incest, or if the mother's life is in danger)


b.  The Death Penalty Abolition Act

As always I feel that if a jury has found that a person has killed someone in cold blood beyond a reasonable doubt then the Death Penalty should at very least be an option.

c.  The "Life" Bill
Read my anser to b.

d.  Concealed Firearm Act
Studies have shown that concealed weapons lower crime and normally save more lives than they take. That is enough for me.

5.  What is your opinion of President Gustaf's successful nominations of Emperor (as Chief Justice) and Former President Nym90 to the Supreme Court?

KEmperor for the last few months has been the most active Justice and I feel that he is the right person for the job.

I also feel the appointment of Nym90 is a great one. He was President when the Constitution was being written, signed and passed and so there are few people better than him for this job.

6.  What is your position on the formation of ten-state regions as dictated in the Constitution?

I think it is essential and I have already encouraged the Senate to pass it as soon as possible