Re-Elect Afleitch

[afleitch]

To play with an old quote for a minute; A day is a long time in Atlasian politics

I am very impressed with the effort put into the proposal to shake up Atlasia and to put forward a new constitution; it is something that is long overdue. I also like the broad approach because it combines the familiar (the procedures those who play the game that are second nature) with the innovative (some of the things we've wanted to do but can't!) My own concern is that it is tied to one campaign.

It looks like Purple State and Marokai's Consititition, not the Third Constitution.

Any changes to the campaign will require the consent of the people and must be through a Constitutional Convention. These are long and drawn out processes and as most of us know are very frustrating so I can see why the campaign has decided to grab the bull by the horns. However getting people to come with you is a different matter. Implementing this will be just as difficult as past efforts have been because people will oppose it, people will want to change what's in it. I don't however think that PS/Marokai should be concerned if people want to alter their proposals; it actually shows that they want change to the system albeit of a different kind.

However I put it to voters now that I am not the status quo candidate. If you don't want anything to change I'm not the man to rally round. Over the past five years when people take the initiative like this I've always supported it and I've always wished for reform.

Which leads me to proposing what I would do given that PS has presented something unexpected to the table. I support a change to the constitution and to the game if the wind is behind it. I would welcome this proposal as the basis for that change and call for a Constitutional Convention and ask for the input of our 'old lions' in the game (you know who you are) some of whom lmade their mark on the Second Constitution to assist. I do however think that the basis of the constitution, the changes, the opposition to change and all the 'nitty gritty' of this sort of thing needs to adressed after the election rather than during the campaign.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I don't mean to clutter up your campaign thread with a flurry of bickering, but I wouldn't be Marokai Blue if I let something like this get by me. Besides, if there's something this campaign needs, it's a bit more fire, and I do love to provide.

To play with an old quote for a minute; A day is a long time in Atlasian politics

I am very impressed with the effort put into the proposal to shake up Atlasia and to put forward a new constitution; it is something that is long overdue.

I'm glad you think so. It's a shame you were never in some sort of position of power or something to make progress on that front.

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Personally I'm genuinely a bit insulted by the implication that this was our little campaign document where we dreamed up all what we wanted and we don't want anything in it to change. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hell, I've openly admitted to wanting to work with everyone, even the Populares, in working to improve it to something we can all agree on, but is a bit different from the current system.

We had to take the initiative because if we didn't, no one else would. We've been through this before, you, me, Purple State; we were all there. We get to a Constitutional Convention with no foundation for what we're trying to do, and it splinters of into a dozen different directions where no one does the heavy lifting and no one can agree on how to change anything. We're trying a different approach, a singular proposal that all of Atlasia works on.

Not in this entire time have we ever given the indication that it's our ideas and we don't want anything to change it, and suggesting that, even vaguely sorta-kinda implying that is incredibly dishonest. If this is about my response to Morgan where I badmouthed the idea of a bicameral legislature, you should know I've always personally opposed a bicameral system and it runs contrary to what the idea was in the first place: Something that can actually pass. You change too many things and the forces of the status quo don't want to touch it, and we fall apart.

The ConCon failed precisely because of an approach that was far too broad and required the presence of far too many people. Let's be mature and honest about this.

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Let's not kid ourselves, you will get all 'status quo' votes whether you campaign for them or not. You seem to flirt with the idea of changing the system, but you favor a way of getting there that is incredibly difficult and a logistical nightmare doomed to failure.

The sad fact is you have quite literally nothing to run on, so you've gone down to the level of implying that PS and I are trying to steal spotlight or something as if we're such fame whores that we don't want anyone to change our proposals. You have lived up to about 5% of your campaign promises from Feb. (Increased use of executive orders? Regular question time periods? Regular State of Atlasia speeches?)

You've had perhaps one of the most horrendously inactive (or just plain boring) Administrations in the past couple years in Atlasia and by far the worst in my time in Atlasia. Your Vice President is nowhere to be found, and here you are, showing up just a couple days before the clock strikes June with empty hands to woo the electorate. Your campaign represents what I consider to be the worst of Atlasia: Personality contests and votes based on likability as opposed to getting things done, and then everyone wonders why everything tends to end up rubbish.

Well I think people are smarter than that and can clearly see the choice here. Hard workers with a vision vs. the do-nothing Administration. This is the "I'll do better next time" campaign pitch.

[afleitch]

Personally I'm genuinely a bit insulted by the implication that this was our little campaign document where we dreamed up all what we wanted and we don't want anything in it to change. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hell, I've openly admitted to wanting to work with everyone, even the Populares, in working to improve it to something we can all agree on, but is a bit different from the current system.

That isn't what I was saying at all. All I said (and I go on to explain it in my post) is that it looks (note the italics) like it's 'your' consitutution. I don't believe that for a second and never said that I did. The only reason it could be seen that way by some (and you can probably guess who) is that you've made it part of a political platform; this draft constitution is part of the PS/Marokai campaign. It's harder to sell the model if people see it an extension of it. I very much hope they don't.

The sad fact is you have quite literally nothing to run on, so you've gone down to the level of implying that PS and I are trying to steal spotlight or something as if we're such fame whores that we don't want anyone to change our proposals. You have lived up to about 5% of your campaign promises from Feb. (Increased use of executive orders? Regular question time periods? Regular State of Atlasia speeches?)

No, I'm not standing for this. 'Fame whores'?  Nonsense. You do this every time Marokai and I've yet to work out why; you act as an attack dog and for someone who said in my annoucement you didn't want this to be about personality that's exactly what you're alluding to now. I've already said that I don't believe things have been as successful as I would have liked. There was a Cabinet meeting; nothing was acheived. There was a Question Time; questions were posed and answered but nothing further. I did not have the clout to get the Cabinet on board or the people on board. I'm not here to pretend otherwise.

People asked me to run. I'm running to provide opposition. I've done nothing but compliment Purple State who I think is outstanding and give backing to this idea. If the only reason you were so keen to have me declare was so that you could do this then I'm gobsmacked.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Yeah, the trouble with trying to make the executive active is that no one cares what you actually do. I have - essentially - ordered a large city to be destroyed in order to house nuclear waste. Hardly any reaction. Hmm...

What's so striking to me - and note that I'd not had a post in fantasyland for ages until I was appointed SIA - is how inactive (sleepy, comatose, dead, whatever) the Senate is. On one occasion I pointed out that an extremely bad (and utterly uneeded) piece of legislation was on the books and suggested it be repealed. No action on that yet. Atlasia at a government level is fundamentally boring because we've created government ghettoes. This was a massive problem a few years ago, and is again now. Blaiming it on a particular administration isn't particularly productive, especially when the last few administrations were pretty yawn-inducing themselves.

[afleitch]

Yeah, the trouble with trying to make the executive active is that no one cares what you actually do. I have - essentially - ordered a large city to be destroyed in order to house nuclear waste. Hardly any reaction. Hmm...

What's so striking to me - and note that I'd not had a post in fantasyland for ages until I was appointed SIA - is how inactive (sleepy, comatose, dead, whatever) the Senate is. On one occasion I pointed out that an extremely bad (and utterly uneeded) piece of legislation was on the books and suggested it be repealed. No action on that yet. Atlasia at a government level is fundamentally boring because we've created government ghettoes. This was a massive problem a few years ago, and is again now. Blaiming it on a particular administration isn't particularly productive, especially when the last few administrations were pretty yawn-inducing themselves.

True. No one can force anyone to do anything in this game; so you can set up small initiatives but I can't force people to attend them. The alternate is to be a complete arse; make unpopular choices for cabinet, veto everything in sight and generally wreak as much havoc as you can. Most Presidents become rubber-stampers in the end. In all honesty that's pretty much all the constitution gives you to do.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Where is your fancy schmancy campaign banner?  In the Gallery?

[ilikeverin]

Yeah, the trouble with trying to make the executive active is that no one cares what you actually do. I have - essentially - ordered a large city to be destroyed in order to house nuclear waste. Hardly any reaction. Hmm...

You know the best way to fix this?  An active GM!  You know the only active GM in the history of Atlasia?  Purple State!

Vote for Jas: so anything can ever happen. (and afleitch as second preference)

[Marokai Backbeat]

Yeah, the trouble with trying to make the executive active is that no one cares what you actually do. I have - essentially - ordered a large city to be destroyed in order to house nuclear waste. Hardly any reaction. Hmm...

You know the best way to fix this?  An active GM!  You know the only active GM in the history of Atlasia?  Purple State!

Vote for Jas: so anything can ever happen. (and afleitch as second preference)

A GM is one piece of the puzzle, and Purple State isn't going to be our permanent GM even if we lose this race. If an active GM was a cure-all then we wouldn't be having problems you think could be so easily remedied. If you don't vote for something different, I hope you don't complain when nothing's different.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

You know the best way to fix this?  An active GM!

Except that it isn't. He drew attention to the story, but hardly anyone reacted to it (and no one in the way that anyone would in realityland). Mostly people only pay attention to the GM (if they do at all) when he gives them the numbers that they want for their part of the game.

[ilikeverin]

You know the best way to fix this?  An active GM!

Except that it isn't. He drew attention to the story, but hardly anyone reacted to it (and no one in the way that anyone would in realityland). Mostly people only pay attention to the GM (if they do at all) when he gives them the numbers that they want for their part of the game.

Shush, you, stop speaking sense.

[Psychic Octopus]

Of those announced, you have my support.

[Vepres]

Yeah, the trouble with trying to make the executive active is that no one cares what you actually do. I have - essentially - ordered a large city to be destroyed in order to house nuclear waste. Hardly any reaction. Hmm...

You know the best way to fix this?  An active GM!  You know the only active GM in the history of Atlasia?  Purple State!

Vote for Jas: so anything can ever happen. (and afleitch as second preference)

Jas for Prez!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Yeah, the trouble with trying to make the executive active is that no one cares what you actually do. I have - essentially - ordered a large city to be destroyed in order to house nuclear waste. Hardly any reaction. Hmm...

You know the best way to fix this?  An active GM!  You know the only active GM in the history of Atlasia?  Purple State!

Vote for Jas: so anything can ever happen. (and afleitch as second preference)

Jas for Prez!

Vepres for President! You know of course the reason I'd love to see you win, right?

[afleitch]

On The Presidency

One of the most interesting aspects of Atlasia is the monolith that is the Presidency. We have undergone as a nation piecemeal reform that has affected the Senate, the regionals and even the Cabinet but the office of the Presidency remains pretty much what it was.

The power and the authority rested in this office has been chastened and tamed as indeed it should. The past few months have demonstrated how little power it has. I do not intend to draft a huge and extensive legislative programme; it is the perogrative of the Senate to do so. If the Senate is found to be lacking then this office steps in.

I am happy with the Senate. The 2009 agenda to ensure that we dealt with the economic crisis is behind us now so much of the excitement of that era has gone. The Senate legislates on what inspires them and I am pleased to sign the result of that inspiration.

[Purple State]

I welcome you to the race Afleitch and I look forward to facing off against you. And thank you for supporting mine and Marokai's initiative to consolidate and update the Constitution and refresh the game.

You know the best way to fix this?  An active GM!

Except that it isn't. He drew attention to the story, but hardly anyone reacted to it (and no one in the way that anyone would in realityland). Mostly people only pay attention to the GM (if they do at all) when he gives them the numbers that they want for their part of the game.

And I made it so easy too for anyone to get upset about. Oh well.

[Badger]

Yeah, the trouble with trying to make the executive active is that no one cares what you actually do. I have - essentially - ordered a large city to be destroyed in order to house nuclear waste. Hardly any reaction. Hmm...

In fairness, Al, the choice of city to raze, due to one particularly execrable troll poster residing there, actually did bring a widespread reaction---of support!

PS Could you please reiterate the unnecessary piece of legislation on the books you referenced previously? Thanks.

[President Mitt]

Here's a big time question from me that could very well sway my vote. The Mideast recently has passed an Abortion Ban as you may very well know. If I'm correct, that would mean three out of five regions have severe restrictions against a Woman's right to an abortion. Will there be any Federal Attempt to overturn these laws in a Afleitch government?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Give me just one good reason why the hell should I vote to reelect totally inactive and unimpressive President like you.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Give me just one good reason why the hell should I vote to reelect totally inactive and unimpressive President like you.

My greatest beef with him is that we don't know who his running mate is.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Give me just one good reason why the hell should I vote to reelect totally inactive and unimpressive President like you.

He's been more active than has been usual of late, fwiw.