Mideast Assembly Debate

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Too Franzl, I'm a lazy person by nature. But when it comes to serving the people of the Mideast, I'll listen to their calls and act on them immediately.

What exactly do you mean by this?

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Too Franzl, I'm a lazy person by nature. But when it comes to serving the people of the Mideast, I'll listen to their calls and act on them immediately.

What exactly do you mean by this?

I'm a procrastinator. I like pushing things off til the last possible moment. Take for instance this:
TEACHER-You've got a project due next Friday, but you can turn it in to me anytime between now and then.
Me- I'll do it tonight.
-----Next Day-----
Me- I'll do it tomorrow.
-----Next Week-----
Me-Screw it, I'll do it the morning of.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

To answer Franzi's question, I believe it Thomas Jefferson who first said that an armed populace is a bulwark against tyrrany. In history this has borne out. When Hitler disarmed the civilian populace of Germany it allowed for the atrocity we all know as the Holocaust. So the current law is fine. What we need to do is make it part of our education system as a high school course for seniors on the proper use and upkeep of a firearm. As for the prevention of crime, its also shown proven that gunowners are less likely to be victims of any sort of crime. Do you know why crime rates are so high in places where the gun control laws are extremely authoritarian? The governmnet itself is to blame. In Chicago, a place with some of the most draconian gun laws I know of, last year they had over 500 criminal  homicides. How many of these people would still be alive if they were able to have a gun?

I don't assume that its always the father doing the work. I know of many situations where its the mother, grandparents or other members of the family stepping in. So your claim of sexism is totally unreasonable.

How are my views on the environment relevent to the question of abortion? However I will give my views. I believe in a market led solution to our enviromental issues. That's why both enviromental groups and businesses (particularlly the oil industry) need to work together for solutions to maximize utilization of resourses while at the same time minimize enviromental impact.

On tax reform, the current policy is a reasonable compromise. What I'd like to see is the elimination of the regional income taxes.

I will be as active as my real life obligations allow.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Too Franzl, I'm a lazy person by nature. But when it comes to serving the people of the Mideast, I'll listen to their calls and act on them immediately.

What exactly do you mean by this?

I'm a procrastinator. I like pushing things off til the last possible moment. Take for instance this:
TEACHER-You've got a project due next Friday, but you can turn it in to me anytime between now and then.
Me- I'll do it tonight.
-----Next Day-----
Me- I'll do it tomorrow.
-----Next Week-----
Me-Screw it, I'll do it the morning of.

But what do you mean by "I'll listen to their calls and act on them immediately"?

[Talleyrand]

I'm a strong supporter of a progressive tax system, and I won't deny it, but our federal tax rates are highly progressive, with the highest income bracket paying 60%. Combined with the 6.5% tax rate for our highest bracket, some citizens of our region are playing 66.5% or more in taxes, at least. While this obviously does not affect those citizens as much as those making less than $50,000 a year, for example, I still think we need to move cautiously with any major changes to our tax system. We can make it more progressive, but the highest tax rate I'd support for any bracket would probably be 8%, and that's pushing it too. If the next Presidential administrations cuts federal taxes, then I would definitely work on making our system more bracket-based, with higher rates.

I do support a carbon tax or emissions trading scheme, and this would be an excellent source of revenue and simultaneously work to make our regional air and environment cleaner for future generations. We need to preserve the health of our citizens, scenic beauty, and natural resources. This is in the best interest of The People. However, it is my understanding that the federal government has existing carbon legislation in place, so I will need to look at that to see what our options are more clearly, but the aforementioned will be a priority if I am elected.

In addition, I am in favor of increasing taxes on tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and other substances of that variety to around 60-65%. While normally this would be an extreme rate, for items as harmful as those I've mentioned earlier, this could potentially lower usership rates of those substances or increase revenue, perhaps both it works out well. Regardless, the current rates, especially on cigarettes, are much too low, IIRC.

As for the sales tax, I am open to lowering it somewhat if we have sufficient revenue, but I do not believe it harms middle-class and lower-class families as much as it is portrayed to do so. In the Mideast, taxes on lower-income citizens are quite low, and combined with the low federal rates, families are losing only about 20% of their income to taxes (I'm not keen on raising this). I think a 6.3% sales tax is fine for now, and it was the key to balancing our budget. From my experiences talking to working class families, including a single mom in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as retirees in Maryland, the People would rather pay more in sales tax than in income taxes.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

1. I don't plan on being very lazy in the Assembly.  In fact, there is a lot I want to get done that I have been meaning to fight for for the past few months since I have been out of the Assembly. 

2. I understand that taxes are a very necessary part of government, and I am very pleased that the Assembly has balanced the region's budget.  I believe that we should maintain the sales tax but, if conditions allow it, reduce the rate.  Things such as food, clothing, and medications should be exempt if they aren't already.  I also support cutting the income tax for all individuals, if the budget situation permits it, and cut spending where feasible.  Before I commit to any specific numbers, however, I believe we need to read and analyze the budget.  Personally, although I oppose legalized marijuana use, I realize it is legal in the region, and we should consider raising taxes on that if necessary.  I hope to be a voice for low taxes and economic prosperity while maintianing a sustainable budget for the region.

[Talleyrand]

On tax reform, the current policy is a reasonable compromise. What I'd like to see is the elimination of the regional income taxes.

How would we make up the revenue in that case?

[Franzl]

Unfortunately, for time reasons and due to a general lack of participation among several debate participants, we have not been able to really discuss many issues. Despite that, I hope that the Mideast voters have gained a good impression of where the candidates stand and will use what they've seen in this debate, not only including their policy views, but also how much energy (or lack thereof) they have devoted to informing the voters of our great region about their views.

At this point, I invite those candidates that feel they can spare the time to give their closing statements to the voters.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Thank you, Franzl, and thank you to those who actively participated.  Mideasterners, I ask for your vote this weekend.  I'm sure I do not align with all of your views, but I have proven to be a strong leader in the Assembly who has kept it active and moving.  We have had massive amounts of legislation move through the Assembly.  I am proud of my 100% AYE or NAY record for the past 2 sessions (that's when we started tracking statistics... in all honesty, I don't remember the last time I voted ABSTAIN... it's been a long time, if ever.

I think we need active people in the Assembly.  I hope that you would first and foremost consider those of us who participated in this debate as contenders for your vote.

[ZuWo]

Thank you for moderating, Senator Franzl, and thank you for showing interest in what we had to say, fellow citizens.

So, why should you consider casting your vote for me in the upcoming elections for Mideast Assembly? Well, first of all I can guarantee that I will be an active legislator, someone who will not only regularly participate in debates but who will also introduce his own bills. Secondly, I worked both as a member of the legislative and the executive branch. Just like Inks, I know what it means to legislate and what it means to govern. Since I had both roles in the past, I believe that I can be an effective member of the Assembly. Thirdly, I love the Mideast. Since I joined Atlasia I've always been registered in this region and I can say that I know our constitution as well as the mechanisms and procedures of the Mideast Assembly pretty well. You may rest assured that I will not take the job as Mideast Assemblyman lightly. On the contrary, as legislator I will work hard not to let the citizens of our region down.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Thank you, Franzl.  I apologize that we have not been able to have much of a debate, but I hope we have gained a good impression of where each of us stand.  When you cast your vote in this election, you will face a choice.  We can choose to go forward, to a future of economic prosperity, stability, and liberty and equality for all Mideasterners, or we can go backwards to a future of partisanship, stagnation, and disarray.  As an Assemblyman I hope to help lead the Mideast to the former rather than the latter.  I realize that I am a very polarizing figure in the region, but I hope you, the voters, will put the good of the people of the Mideast over ideology.  That is what I plan to do in the Assembly, and I am asking for your vote to ensure a better, brighter future for the Mideast.  Thank you.

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

How are my views on the environment relevent to the question of abortion? However I will give my views. I believe in a market led solution to our enviromental issues. That's why both enviromental groups and businesses (particularlly the oil industry) need to work together for solutions to maximize utilization of resourses while at the same time minimize enviromental impact.

First of all, I congratulate you on your platitudinal density. I shall presume you are, in general, against strong governmental regulation.

Point is…
"Our society as a whole has been adversely affected by the blight of species loss. The quality of a civilization is often judged by what it does -- and doesn't -- leave behind. Our parents generation via deforestation and other forms of habitat destruction have stolen hundreds or thousands of entire species of plants and animals, many of them with untold potential from us."

I don't assume that its always the father doing the work. I know of many situations where its the mother, grandparents or other members of the family stepping in. So your claim of sexism is totally unreasonable.

Here is, again, what you said:

What's more difficult, the months the woman bears the child in her or the 20-25 years the father works to provide for that child?

I'll let that speak for itself, and I stand by my accusations.

I don't mean to be mean, but it is a bit disheartening that not all candidates have actively participated in this debate.  For the most part, I have a strong record of activity and decisiveness in the Senate.  I can't remember the last time I voted ABSTAIN on anything there, and I don't really see the point in doing so.  Either a bill is more good or more bad for the region - there is not really an instance where it's exactly 50-50.  There's always something to tip the scale.

Hmm… I'd personally prefer a candidate who knew which office they were running for.

I would encourage people to look at who participated in this debate, and vote accordingly.  I'm not saying use it as a litmus test, but that should be one of the things voters look at: how active has this person been in the Assembly and in getting out their view on the issues?

Considering there are at least two candidates who've never been in the Assembly, I do hope people don't use this criterion.


Anyway…

Thank you, Mr Franzl, for hosting the debate; thank you, Messrs Inks, ZuWo, JCL, &al, for performing better than me in the debate; thank you, citisens of the Mideast, for following the debate -- if you did, of course.

I considered closing with some fiery rhetoric of the "tomorrow, you have a choice in which direction to lead the Mideast, left towards a bright future or right towards a gaping abyss" sort; I can't deny that it would have entertained me, nor that in some small corner of me, I believe it myself… But really, it would be false. While I disagree quite a lot with the Federalists, they're not going to bring about some sort of dystopia -- and I'm not about to try to convince The People that they are.
I believe that The People, especially after this debate, can very well figure out for themselves who will best govern their region, and I now await their decision.
Thank you.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

I'm concerned about things like species loss and deforestation as well. However is governmental regulations the best way to go about preservation? If we had a more libertarian or market driven environmental reforms they would actually be stricter than what government could do. The difference is that these matters should be voluntary. Retired Congressman Ron Paul has often talked about property rights and environmental issues being linked.


With that I'd like to close with this. If elected I will work to free the market, protect life and make the Mideast the Hope of Atlasia.

Thank you all for the debate

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

If we had a more libertarian or market driven environmental reforms they would actually be stricter than what government could do. The difference is that these matters should be voluntary. Retired Congressman Ron Paul has often talked about property rights and environmental issues being linked.

Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Libertas, but do you trust the "free market" to regulate the environment on its own? Pollution pays, so...

[Talleyrand]

Thanks for moderating, Senator Franzl, and thanks for participating, fellow candidates.

First off, I would like to reiterate that this election will be one of the tightest in recent history in our region, and I implore my fellow citizens to cast a ballot for me to return to the Mideast Assembly. I've been a fairly active, reasonable legislator who's been able to work with people all across the political spectrum; Laborites, Liberals, and Federalists alike. I promise to improve upon my performance this session if it has been adequate, and I can easily say I am dedicated to the Mideast Region. I understand I haven't pleased everyone, and I will work to gain your trust if you have not already placed it within me.

If elected, I will work to pass the Lieutenant Governor's amendment, establish firmer gun control laws within our region, reduce the penalties for violation of the abortion statute, work for an emissions trading scheme, ban cruel battery cages, introduce campaign finance reform, and increase taxes on substances such as tobacco. While not all of these can be passed or passed in the form I would like, the Mideast needs a mature, intellectual discussion on these policies for the good of the The People, and I fully intend for that to occur.

On Friday, I will have served in our Assembly for three months. I hope you will put your faith in me for another two.

Thanks, TexasDem

[Gass3268]

Thanks Senator Franzi for moderating the debate! Also thank you to the other participants. I'll keep this brief as I think everyone knows what I stand for. If elected I will help pass a carbon tax to help protect our environment, expand high speed rail in the region, do what is necessary to eliminate the draconian abortion statue that infringes on the rights of all Mideastern women, help establish a more progressive tax system, Adjust the harmful "Welfare Responsibility Act" and in the wake of Sandy Hook the Mideast should be a leader in preventing gun violence.

After getting four months in the Assembly, I hope you all consider me for another two!

Thanks!

Gass3268