Attention Governors! A Constitutional Amendment has passed the Senate!

[Associate Justice PiT]

Gah, absolutely opposed to this.  What an awful, politically motivated Amendment.

Do you have any reason?

It would allow Regions to set the qualifications so that only one person could win.

Is there any chance of a majority of a region voting to do that?

The MW made ILV the de facto Governor for life at one point

     As is the Midwest's prerogative. The law can always be changed back at a later date.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Compared to where this amendment started, the current form is far too open to atrocious abuses. Allowing the regions to determine the qualifications of regional Senators can result in reduced post counts, single-party rule, etc.

I'm extremely disappointed in how this turned out.

That is my biggest fear.  The Dirty South, not too long ago, could have made the RPP the only eligible Party to hold the office; the Pacific could likewise do the same with the JCP.  There is too much room for abuse.

[Хahar 🤔]

Compared to where this amendment started, the current form is far too open to atrocious abuses. Allowing the regions to determine the qualifications of regional Senators can result in reduced post counts, single-party rule, etc.

I'm extremely disappointed in how this turned out.

That is my biggest fear.  The Dirty South, not too long ago, could have made the RPP the only eligible Party to hold the office; the Pacific could likewise do the same with the JCP.  There is too much room for abuse.

Er...not if they wanted any higher office, ever.

At any rate, if this is passed, I'm sure another amendment mandating that election be democratic would have no trouble passing the Senate.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

And if the US Constitution removed the ban on people born elsewhere from being elected President, the US could end up with an Iraqi President! Like I mean the instant that you, thats right you the reader, even thinks about supporting it, some fundamentalist Muslim Iraqi would suddenly become President of the US! Or maybe not. And maybe this wont mean that the RPP will take communist-style control over the south. Remember, that politics is about perception. What would the perception be of a party that bans competition? The idea of what "could" be done is just unrealistic. Possible, but not plausible.

[afleitch]

Compared to where this amendment started, the current form is far too open to atrocious abuses. Allowing the regions to determine the qualifications of regional Senators can result in reduced post counts, single-party rule, etc.

I'm extremely disappointed in how this turned out.

It is simply a bad law and a dangerous one in the wrong hands. We started off in the Senate with a debate over how Senators are elected and ended up with a law that allows regions to set different qualifications to be elected.

[Meeker]

I'm very puzzled that this managed to make it out of the Senate. It seems bad on so many levels.

[afleitch]

I'm very puzzled that this managed to make it out of the Senate. It seems bad on so many levels.

Its what happens when some in the Senate go on a 'tit for tat' regional/federal battle. Proper debate was effectively closed down with shots of 'so you're anti region then?' etc so this monster passed. I'd asked for amendments to ensure that it wouldn't allow regions to set qualifications or allow for undemocratic systems but it didn't go far.

[Franzl]

I really don't think this is dangerous. I highly doubt any region will vote to elect their senators undemocratically.

Although even if a region were to legislate that their regional legislature determine the regional senator....why would that necessarily be a bad thing?

[afleitch]

I really don't think this is dangerous. I highly doubt any region will vote to elect their senators undemocratically.

Although even if a region were to legislate that their regional legislature determine the regional senator....why would that necessarily be a bad thing?

Franzl, the amendment as it stands allows a region to vote to say that only people named 'Bob' can be Senators. It alows them to set the qualifications which ovverides Senate attempts to ensure that zombie posters are not franchised as regions could set the post quota lower. It could allow members of only one party to stand and so on.

The bill allows for anything if the will is there. I can't believe that the Senate could not see that.

[Franzl]

I really don't think it's probable that a region will legislate something like a senator being required to be named Bob.

The issue about zombie reform is legitimate....and I hadn't considered that. That is indeed true.

[afleitch]

I really don't think it's probable that a region will legislate something like a senator being required to be named Bob.

The issue about zombie reform is legitimate....and I hadn't considered that. That is indeed true.

It's not probable I agree, but it gives Regions that authority which I feel undermines the Union and the democratic process in such a manner that it makes even the regionalists balk. If it passes it makes Senate reform almost impossible; moves towards a unifying system whether all at large or all regional becomes difficult as this amendment would have to overturned.

[minionofmidas]

It is perfectly likely that a region would pass a bill disqualifying one particular likely candidate. Especially if its lawmaking powers lie with some sort of assembly rather than all the voters.

Actually, I'd say it's bound to happen sooner or later, if the Amendment is around long enough. Stuff like that happens in the real world too, you know.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Fock you, Deputy Stagg, fock you.

(quite right, actually).

[minionofmidas]

I was waiting for someone to use the full quote at me.