Southern Gubernatorial Debate Debating Thread

[PSOL]

October 2019 Southern Gubernatorial Election

Hello and welcome to the Southern Gubernatorial Debate for the upcoming elections starting on the 18th! This debate will consist of 3 rounds: Opening statements, questions and then rebuttals.

Please welcome the candidates:
State Representative Muaddib
Citizen Leinad

Candidates, you have 24 hours to make your opening statements!

(Voters, please don't forget to send me any questions you have for the candidates)

Note: Only the candidates can write here. If you want to comment, the commentary thread is here: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=339235.0
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[Leinad]

Thank you PSOL, and good evening everyone. I’m going to talk quite a lot in this debate, but I also think an important part of the campaign is listening to what people have to say. And I have been! I’ve heard people say “Leinad isn’t active enough,” that “Leinad is out of fresh ideas,” that “Leinad is too old.” Well, maybe with my back I can’t toss the ol’ pigskin quite like I used to, but I sure as hell can lift a pen! And maybe my signature isn’t the clearest writing in the world, but I like to think it’s more about what that signature represents, what the Governor represents, and well, I am going to make the case to you that I represent the everyday Southerner, and will be a catalyst for positive change!

Before we talk about "fresh ideas"--and I presume there will be a wide array of questions to address such topics--let’s talk about an idea that is not “fresh.” An idea that should not be carried any further into the 21st century than it already has been. Neoliberalism. Now, this is often used as a boogeyman word, something to get people feeling instead of thinking, so let's define it. Neoliberalism, in the sense that I'm using it, was the shift in the later parts of the 1900s that valued, above anything else, shrinking the size and scope of government in the economy. Deregulation, austerity, tax cuts that mostly favor the rich, and attitudes on both business-labor relations and trade policy that favor the profit motive of mega-corporations over a sound financial position for the world's workers. More and more things become privatized and commodified, the rich become fetishized, and as such, the gap between the rich and poor increases to the point where those under the poverty line have to work more and more to have any hope of a secure future, the rat race culture decimates us psychologically and morally, ideas like private prisons saw incarceration rates skyrocket with prisoners facing worse and worse conditions, the military-industrial complex sees an economic demand for a neo-imperialistic foreign policy agenda, resistance to systemic healthcare reform fueled by the profit motives of insurance and drug companies has led to people paying more money for worse healthcare than in just about any other industrialized economy, education becomes about job-training instead of learning due to a massive increase of college tuition prices, and all the while we have a culture that worships those who were born ahead of the starting line and looks down at those running while dragging a hundred-pound weight behind them.

Now, people might disagree with me on this. Shrinking the size and scope of government is sometimes actually a good thing--after all, too much centralized power is always an impediment to freedom for everyone without that power. But isn't the same true in our current corporate structure? With CEOs earning hundreds of times more than their workers, labor unions decimated and gutted of their influence, isn't the power imbalance between the 1% and the rest of us far larger and far more present a threat to our ability to live free and secure than the power imbalance between the citizens and government? I'm not looking to make a drastic increase to middle class taxes, or increase the number of people dependent on government--in fact, I would rather empower and increase the middle class, and reduce the number of people who require government assistance to live, by waging an aggressive yet strategic and most importantly systemic assault on poverty itself! I don't want to make the South less free, I want to make it more free by increasing our freedom from constantly being chased by insufficient funds.

Also if we're looking for "fresh ideas," why not try a fresh party? The previous Federalist Governor just barely avoiding being eligible for expulsion due to inactivity. Do we really want this to happen again? Frankly, I don't really want to talk about "activity," because honestly talking about activity is like a dog's tail chasing itself, but I know it has been brought up in this campaign and will be brought up again, so I might as well address it out of the gate. The only way to be more active is to actually play Atlasia--make proposals, run elections, debate things, and all that. I will recognize that if we really want activity making it ourselves is the best strategy, and we can never expect people who just aren't interested or have too many real life obligations to pick up the slack while all we do is talk about how inactive things are. Especially when things aren't that inactive overall--when I first became Governor back in 2015 we weren't able to get anyone to run for the old Legislature. We initiated some common-sense game reform, which helped a little, but really it's been the efforts of people who care about the game to bring it back from those dark days.

Remember, the South is bigger than it's ever been. Let's make it better than it's ever been!

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Cheers PSOL for moderating this debate.

My fellow Southerners, it has been my honor to represent you in the Chamber not only as a delegate but also as deputy speaker and now as speaker. I am first and foremost a Southern patriot. I am here to serve the South.

As a delegate I have put forward a number of bills that have had bi-partisan support. I have a good working relationship with both timturner, a stalwart of the Chamber (both as speaker and deputy speaker), and the Governor YT. I have been a supporter of small and medium business who are the biggest employer, not a supporter of the big end of town. My Tax Inclusive Pricing Scheme and Gambling Immorality Tax have sort to aid an assist all southerners and those in need. In the first instance to be able to better budget personal and family finances and in the second to help those with an addiction.

Former Delegate, Speaker, Governor and President, Leinad has been involved in Atlasian politics for quite some time, and I have a great deal of respect from him. He's obviously a top bloke. Now Leinad has already mentioned

I’ve heard people say “Leinad isn’t active enough,”

Leinad's previous session in the chamber he quit part way through. He missed a number of votes. That's not ideal. The only votes I haven't been available for have been when I was on a declared leave of absence. I have topped the non-procedural word count for both chambers I've had the honor of serving in. I have always sort the best outcome for the South. Region above party. I deescalated tension with the other regions with PragCo. I am first and foremost a Southerner and will fight for Southern interests. I have demonstrated myself to me pro-regionalism.

The Atlas Conservative Party is a new party and as their representative in our great region, I have shown that I have fresh idea's that aren't partisan. As I mentioned earlier my Tax Inclusive Pricing Scheme had bi partisan support. It would have had unanimous support had delegate Leinad turned up in time for the vote. I'm not having a go at Leinad. As I said it's obvious he's a top bloke. I am merely emphasizing that I have a proven track record of activity and an ability to produce bills that aren't partisan. I even amended TIPS to get it passed. I have always sort to make what I've seen as bad bills better (even if that means it need a total rework).

I hope that all Y'all will see that I am providing a positive vision and wont be blinded by the word Conservative next to my name. I'm here to build for the future. My plan for Regional Service will provide those struggling with unemployment. Providing the opportunity to develop skills while having the dignity of paid work. I am here to provide for the rural communities of our great region. My infrastructure program will ensure that our rural communities are not forgotten. I am here to provide a positive vision for the great region of the South. I ask for your vote come next weekend. Dave bless y'all.

[PSOL]

Economy:
>In light of the South having the highest rate of malnutrition in Atlasia, what exact path shall you direct to aide in alleviating this issue?
>What should be the role of unions in the Southern Economy?
>The South has the areas in which teachers are the worst paid in the nation, with there also being the worst rates of student participation and qualitative results, do you see a pattern there?
>How would you respond to the changing “gig economy” in the South
>With the South being at the forefront of tax decreases and Laissez-faire economic policies, where exactly will you supply these needed funds to ensure a working government?
> To Leinad: Exactly how will you tackle Neoliberalism
Law and Order:
>From mb:

What are your positions on free speech, especially requiring permits to protest and banning masks at protests?

> With the growing discontent around police brutality, boiling up in the clashes in Ferguson and St. Louis, what are your comments?
Domestic Agenda:
> What will be your relations between the government of the South and the Native Reservations situated inside?
>There has been incidents of Anti-Homeless initiatives, such as the presence of public architecture designed to prevent people from sleep and the buzzing of Homeless out of the Southern rural areas. What will your policies designed to tackle the issue of homelessness look like?
>What role should the Confederacy be recognized as part of Southern Heritage?
Federalism:
>To Muaddib: The South is at the epicenter of resistance to the federal government back at Nyman, what will your relations be with the current federal government? Will your previous career hinder or perhaps mirror these developments?

[Leinad]

Economy:
>In light of the South having the highest rate of malnutrition in Atlasia, what exact path shall you direct to aide in alleviating this issue?

Well, a lot of it is generally connected to the larger issue of inequality. I'm all ears if there's a more specific measure someone has in mind to fix the problem--one I can think of right off hand is free school lunch--but I think the primary focus should continue to be decreasing the gap between the rich and the richly screwed over.

>What should be the role of unions in the Southern Economy?

Definitely larger than they are now. Unions are documented as being a highly important determining factor to the strength of the middle class, and I support an abolition of "right-to-work laws" in order to give people the right to organize, so they have the bargaining power for fair work, so they don't have to worry about getting a second job to pay for rent and food.

One thing unions won't be doing if I'm successful is trying to get better healthcare or a living wage, as I intend to both establish the latter in the South and implement a single-payer healthcare system, which will, among many other things, give unions the ability to focus on empowering the people even further, instead of simply guaranteeing the basics.

>The South has the areas in which teachers are the worst paid in the nation, with there also being the worst rates of student participation and qualitative results, do you see a pattern there?

Absolutely! Teachers deserve more pay--I hope to take us from last to first!--and lots of schools are dreadfully underfunded. It's our responsibility to make sure kids don't get left behind due to a lack of quality education. Better schools won't solve everything, but combined with other programs it'll definitely help.

>How would you respond to the changing “gig economy” in the South

I definitely see the potential for it to empower people to earn money dependent of a traditional scheduled job. The problem, however, is how these companies often take advantage of the non-full-time status of these workers, and don't act in their best interests. In addition to supporting a healthcare system that, among other things, will remove the dependency workers have on their employers, I support legislation to protect people in the "gig economy" from exploitation.

>With the South being at the forefront of tax decreases and Laissez-faire economic policies, where exactly will you supply these needed funds to ensure a working government?

Well I think it's clear in many cases the rich have been getting away paying too little for too long. And I understand the moral argument against taxation, sure, but I don't see any good moral argument the rich should be paying merely a small amount while people die from issues relating to poverty. "Taxation is theft" doesn't apply if you're already taxing them, and really, what do we lose by making a few billionaires have to choose between a second yacht and a second vacation?

> To Leinad: Exactly how will you tackle Neoliberalism

Like a star linebacker on a particularly slow running back!

Ideas I support include things like minimum wage increases and taxes on the wealthy to reduce inequality, along with universal programs in things like healthcare and college. I plan to support all people, but especially those who are struggling in life, instead of supporting those who have already succeeded--often by default at birth--and merely hoping the growth will "trickle down." It rarely does, and frankly, I think the people are tired of those at the top trickling on them!

Law and Order:
>From mb:

What are your positions on free speech, especially requiring permits to protest and banning masks at protests?

The protection of protestors is one of the most important things to protect our republic. The idea that anyone could claim to be "small government" and have disdain for protestors is one I find particularly absurd. While a mask is not necessarily good fashion, protester bashin' is must too fascist to support when it happens. Requiring permits to exercise free speech is an absolute distortion of freedom. As a rule of thumb, if you need permission to be free, you are probably merely serving under whoever you asked permission from.

> With the growing discontent around police brutality, boiling up in the clashes in Ferguson and St. Louis, what are your comments?

The police are there, at least in an ideal world, to make people safer. In reality they often make many people feel unsafe, and the aggressive "tough on crime" strategy has seen many of these people be locked up. The fact that many people defend cases of police brutality, act as if the police are the real victims, oppose any reform to a clearly broken and often racist system, and that in the end many cops who do things like this get little more than a wrist-slap in terms of formal punishment is frankly shameful. We will have less crime and be much safer if we stop letting police be above the law, focus our prison system to rehabilitation instead of punishment, and basically change the police system to where they're working with communities all across the South instead of against.

Domestic Agenda:
> What will be your relations between the government of the South and the Native Reservations situated inside?

Hopefully good! I am aware of how dark the history is between Native Atlasians and colonialism, and how the effects of this continue to this day. I definitely intend to meet with Southern Native Atlasian leaders, and would probably support efforts in the Chamber to reduce inequality between everyone else and marginalized communities, including Native Atlasians, in addition to efforts to reduce inequality period.

>There has been incidents of Anti-Homeless initiatives, such as the presence of public architecture designed to prevent people from sleep and the buzzing of Homeless out of the Southern rural areas. What will your policies designed to tackle the issue of homelessness look like?

The homeless are not bad people, they are people the system has done bad. The fact they are treated like pests instead of people shows how sociopathic we've become as a culture. The truth is there are more empty homes in this nation than there are homeless people, it is a system we could solve if we weren't so preoccupied with greed. I definitely support legislation and a nationwide initiative to eventually end homelessness. It may not be an easy task, but it's one we must attempt!

>What role should the Confederacy be recognized as part of Southern Heritage?

As a dark era in our history. When many people--including those in my own family lineage--died to preserve the institution of slavery, which is one of the most dark practices humanity has conceived of. Combining feelings of superiority towards a marginalized group and an urge to resist change, hundreds of thousands went into battle to defend the interests of the wealthy people who benefited from such a bigoted system. This is not a story I want to erase from history, on the contrary it's one we should learn from. It's a story of a certain evil--slavery--that we put in our past as a nation, but unfortunately has left a stain that is still felt to this day.

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Economy:

>In light of the South having the highest rate of malnutrition in Atlasia, what exact path shall you direct to aide in alleviating this issue?

I believe there are a number of things that could be done. A focus on nutrition in home economics class for one. Helping people break addiction to illicit substances so that they will be able to spend more on food would be another. My plan Southern Regional Service will assist with those who are struggling financially due to unemployment put good food on the table. Food Banks are another part of the puzzle. It'll take communal action to alleviate this problem.

>What should be the role of unions in the Southern Economy?

I am not opposed to Unions. Unions have helped a great number of people in the past. In fact I pointed out in the chamber that it was a good thing that existing Federal legislation already covered what was proposed in S.19.3-12: Workers Free Association Act. Furthermore I didn't vote against the bill. It should go without saying that Unions have a part to play in the economy. I'm not here to dictate or impose what the role of labor union's should or shouldn't be. That's a matter for the Chamber.

>The South has the areas in which teachers are the worst paid in the nation, with there also being the worst rates of student participation and qualitative results, do you see a pattern there?

I think resourcing for schools in general would be conducive in raising participation and results. Teachers aids are a part of the puzzle of increasing student participation and Regional Service will also include a teachers aid program. Lower student to teacher ratios are important part of enabling better pedagogical outcomes in our education system.

>How would you respond to the changing “gig economy” in the South

Like all things there are positives and negatives with a "gig economy". It can enable people the extra freedom of flexible work. However it can also make it harder for those wanting full time work. I believe that a personal income tax credit/rebate for those who have only a part time job but who are willing to do volunteer work would be beneficial for our communities. Of course this would need to be debated in the chamber and to a small tax rise on some sectors that have enjoyed our low taxes would be required.

>With the South being at the forefront of tax decreases and Laissez-faire economic policies, where exactly will you supply these needed funds to ensure a working government?

Well my Gambling Immorality Tax was in fact a rise in taxes on a specific sector of the economy. I am willing to expand on that existing base. So I'm not ideologue hell bent on cutting all taxes. When I have advocated for cuts it's been for small and medium business to help aid them compete with the big end of town. Small and medium business are our biggest employers. They are heavily financially invested in our communities and want to see our communities flourish more than big multinationals corporations. A small increase on big business is one way to ensure an increase government revenues. Paygo and a balanced budget are very important. Our growing economy will also increase the size of the economic pie that all southerners will benefit from. Regional Service will help those in unemployment get a bigger slice of the pie and help build our region.

Law and Order:

What are your positions on free speech, especially requiring permits to protest and banning masks at protests?

I am pro freedom of speech. I was cosponsor for a resolution to lobby those in Nyman to support and defend freedom of speech on the internet. Leinad was against the resolution.

The right to freedom of expression should be absolute.

What do you define as hate speech? Do people have the right to say whatever they want? What if anything should government, society and other individuals do to prevent, respond to and or combat hate speech?

"Hate speech" can be and is interpreted in a few different ways depending on who you ask. I'm not gonna bother trying to come up with a definition for it, because the right to free speech should be absolute, no buts and no matter how hateful or offensive it may be. Sure, there are plenty of things people would be better off not saying, but unless actual crimes are committed there's no reason to restrict it.

I agree with Representative MB 100%.

I can understand that a permit makes some form of sense regarding a mass demonstration with the potential community disruption. It's not something I'm particularity in favor of. Masks aren't conducive to dialogue. If you're wearing a mask and feel the need to hide your face that's a sad state of affairs. If your breaking the law while your wearing a mask, you're admitting that you know you are doing the wrong thing and just want to escape justice.

> With the growing discontent around police brutality, boiling up in the clashes in Ferguson and St. Louis, what are your comments?

Our boys in blue have a tough job fighting crime. If there is indeed in fact an increase in police brutality I am happy to launch an inquiry into the matter. It is also on the citizenry to comply with law enforcement. Attacking police generally isn't going to end well. Violence begets violence.

Domestic Agenda:

> What will be your relations between the government of the South and the Native Reservations situated inside?

One of dialogue as it takes two to tango. There are problems with high rates of violent crime and a very low prosecution rate that needs to be addressed, higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse. Pushing for the legalization of harder drugs won't solve problems for our Native brothers and sisters. A lack of opportunity leads to many natives living in poverty. My plan for regional service would be able to work with reservations to create jobs. There needs to be a serious discussion about treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, not making these easier to obtain. I want to work with the reservations to ensure accurate reporting of crimes and that there is justice for victims. I am open to working with the federal government to either better manage the assets of these reservations, and their tribe members. However a better solution might be for the federal government to release their ownership of these lands and allow tribes to own the land for themselves. I am happy to work with members of Congress as well as the executive branch and relevant cabinet departments to achieve this.

>There has been incidents of Anti-Homeless initiatives, such as the presence of public architecture designed to prevent people from sleep and the buzzing of Homeless out of the Southern rural areas. What will your policies designed to tackle the issue of homelessness look like?

My plan for Southern Regional Service would assist in alleviating this issue by providing some income so they can find a roof over their heads. I think the odd grant to charities that's entire raison d'être is to help the homeless, would also be of great assistance. Most important of all is I think it behooves all Southerner's to be the change. Not just rely on the the government to be the sole source to solve everything. It's on all of us and help our fellow Southerners who are struggling. I'd like to thank those who are volunteering with the homeless and are helping make the South a better place.

>What role should the Confederacy be recognized as part of Southern Heritage?

It's a part or our history whether we like it or not. It's self evident that it is a part of our heritage. The Confederacy will always be recognized as a part of Southern Heritage by the people who live in the South. No amount of government involvement can change that, nor should it be the Southern government's job to erase history. To white wash it out would not be of help to anyone and would make our understanding of history that much poorer.

Federalism:

>To Muaddib: The South is at the epicenter of resistance to the federal government back at Nyman, what will your relations be with the current federal government? Will your previous career hinder or perhaps mirror these developments?

The South is different from Lincoln and Fremont. If diversity is indeed our strength, then it should matter that the South is different. I have always sort dialogue and my proposal for a Council of Atlasian Governments Act demonstrates my commitment to that. I will stand up for Southern interests and make sure the South gets the best deals possible. I am also on good terms with our current Regional Senators and with both Senate candidates, Rep. MB and Del. Deadprez. As to how those relations will look like with the white house should the President be reelected next weekend? You'd have to ask the President, I am happy to dialogue. But the South should never be dictated to.

[PSOL]

Thank you candidates. With that, we are heading into round two of the debates. Any possible rebuttals would be appreciated but I do urge civility. You have 48 hrs.
Questions:

From S019:

>do you believe that big business should be regulated?
> Exactly what is your position on a carbon tax and why?
>. what are your views on increased gun control measures?
>what is your view on abortion?

To Leinad:
> In the possibility of there being a rightist regional legislature, what actions will you take to advance your agenda?
> What measures will you take by executive order or otherwise on ensuring the benefits of workers in this gig economy.
>Mr.Leinad, Can you explain your vote here?
> Can you give us examples of actions possible in your purview to tackle income inequality?
>How would you reform the Law Enforcement system to prevent police brutality



To Southern Speaker Muaddib:
> Can you please give examples of people not following the law in cases of police brutality?
> Exactly how is taking home economics going to solve malnourishment? Related to that point , can you explain what solving things “communally” looks like?
> Can you expand on what you mean by making alcohol “harder to obtain” on reservations?
>Mr Speaker, several of those impediments to the homeless are done through the work financed by the decisions of the Southern Chamber. How would “taking government” out of the equation aide them.
> What are your responses to the argument that the Confederacy was racist against African-Americans, and the continued public support of them helps marginalize and intimidate them?

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Questions:
From S019:
>do you believe that big business should be regulated?
> Exactly what is your position on a carbon tax and why?
>. what are your views on increased gun control measures?
>what is your view on abortion?

1. Of course there should be regulations. Monopolies aren't good for anyone that isn't a shareholder. It's a matter of what aspects are regulated and how much.

2. We have a Federal Carbon Tax that was instituted by former President fhtagn. I don't believe that any further increases in carbon taxation is going to do anything beneficial for the average Southerner other than raise their power prices. Labor carbon tax money-go-rounds aren't going to solve this issue faster. We in the South are on our own path of direct action. The South has been taking direct action by moving further towards nuclear power. I put forward the S.19.2-10: SNUSNU (Southern Nuclear Utilization Scheme Next-gen Update). Nuclear power is the way to provide the most cost effective power, in a carbon friendly way. This was again passed with by partisan support. Again almost unanimously, but again Delegate Leinad failed to turn up to vote, and was yet again in favor of my bill.

It looks like a good bill, I guess unless someone points out an error I think we should pass this.

SNUSNU was designed not only to enable the existing waste to be used as power sources provide cheap power for all Southerners but further help combat climate change in a cost effective and environmentally responsible manner.

Vice Presidential candidate Wulfric is wrong when he says

...the South (which has taken no action whatsoever to address the issue).

The fact that a former member of the Chamber is now calling on imposing double the taxation on his former region over that of other regions despite the fact we are taking action is quite frankly appalling.


3. I'm a pro 2nd Amendment candidate. I've either voted in favor of, or put forward Pro 2nd Amendment bills such as:
S.19.2-2: Amended Firearm Education Act
S.19.2-14: Insurance companies can't deny you because you have a gun act
HB 19-42: Let the Hobbyists do their thing act

Anything put forward by Winfield or S019 is most likely unconstitutional and just dogmatic "gun are bad". Maybe their unconstitutional advocacy is cause they want 1776 to commence again?


4. I'm by and large a pro-life candidate.


To Southern Speaker Muaddib:

> Can you please give examples of people not following the law in cases of police brutality?

Any riot where the crowd fails to follow police calls to disperse. Key points on the issue in general are that I'm happy to launch an inquiry into police brutality and would like to see more body cams on law enforcement. Then there is recorded visual evidence of any incident that arises.

> Exactly how is taking home economics going to solve malnourishment? Related to that point , can you explain what solving things “communally” looks like?

A communal approach is a holistic way of tackling societal ills. So all levels of society at large contribute in some way to solving to alleviating an problem. For example when I wasn’t working full time I would volunteer for an organisation that ran a breakfast club at junior high schools. Many students didn’t have breakfast and the school was happy for us to operate a breakfast club. Food stuffs were supplied from donations from businesses and individuals in the local area and run by volunteers. This ensured that students had the opportunity to have a meal and have the nourishment and energy to start the school day. All because a bunch of locals decided that it was a good idea to feed the local school kids, it even got a grant from the local council. A good show case of the Jeffersonian ideal of decisions being made closest to those it effects. Now Home Economics would enable all students to learn some nutritional and culinary life skills which are handy life skills to have and will be of extra value in times of economic and family hardship. Being able to add some flavor and nutrition to an otherwise bland meal when your parents might unable to feed you or later in life know what is a good cost effective nutritional meal. It's a good life skill a part of a solution as a whole. It’s about finding long term holistic, communal solutions and not just a governmental band aid, wallpapering over greater societal issues. We the people of the South as a society need to be the change.

> Can you expand on what you mean by making alcohol “harder to obtain” on reservations?

Well what I actually said was..

There needs to be a serious discussion about treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, not making these easier to obtain.

This isn't trying to making alcohol harder to obtain, but simply recognizing that loosening existing laws will not help those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. Furthermore I said that my relationship with reservations would be one of dialogue. Any changes should be with consultation including those who want to make these substances more readily available.

>Mr Speaker, several of those impediments to the homeless are done through the work financed by the decisions of the Southern Chamber. How would “taking government” out of the equation aide them.

Well, I've already said that my plan for Regional Service would be helping them get skills for jobs and some paid work. I also mentioned with regards to malnutrition a need to a holistic communal approach. So to with this issue. For instance, religious and volunteer organisations that run things such as soup kitchens, homeless shelters, with donations from local businesses, assistance from locals and local government. It's about getting the community as a whole involved is solving issues. Not imposing a solution from on high. The only way you can get to satisfactory solutions to problems is with that holistic, communal action. The people of the South as a whole need to be the change.

> What are your responses to the argument that the Confederacy was racist against African-Americans, and the continued public support of them helps marginalize and intimidate them?

The Confederacy was a product of it’s time and context, as are we. It’s only in the last 100 odd years that racism in the western world has been on the decline. It’s still alive and well outside the west. The man who freed the slaves was also a racist by any modern standard and his name is the name of one of the regions of Atlasia. Is George Washington a racist? Is Jefferson? Both owned slaves. Should we tear down their statues? Confederate monuments are by and large monuments to soldiers. Not there to glorify slave holding or slavery. The war between the states was incredible destructive to the states of the Confederacy and those states make up a lions share of our great region. It was a historically and culturally significant event. If you're living in fear of a long gone institution we are well rid off. For well over 150 years now. I don’t know how removing statues of historic significance about a destructive time in our history is going to make things any better.

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Polls have opened and Leinad is yet to answer the second round of questions

[Leinad]

Polls have opened and Leinad is yet to answer the second round of questions

I want to make sure the answers are good! Keep in mind that I was the main one who wanted a debate in the first place

From S019:
>do you believe that big business should be regulated?

Any entity that holds power over others should, for a functioning society to exist, be regulated. Whether that's government being kept in check by an informed populace and adherence to a well-written constitution, or business being kept in check by an organized workforce and a democratic government seeking to protect workers, consumers, and the environment.

> Exactly what is your position on a carbon tax and why?

I definitely support the Carbon Tax that was passed by Congress and signed by President Fhtagn! Whether or not it should be extended in the South or not is a discussion the Chamber and myself can have if they decide to do so, but I definitely don't want to work against such a policy.

Now, the why? Well, I think there is a cost to increased CO₂ levels in the atmosphere. The costs will affect all of us, especially those on the coasts, and especially those who are poor. We're already seeing the effects with increased forest fires and hurricanes. This is the scientific consensus, and I see no reason to doubt this. And I especially see no reason to pass it off onto other countries. Yes, other countries need to do better with regards to this, but that's a ridiculous argument for inaction, considering the costs of inaction or inadequate action. A carbon tax is an attempt to make the big companies that pollute more than any other--who have no incentive not to do so because all they care about is profit--actually have to bare the costs in the short-term. Hopefully this will aid in the prevention of the long-term costs being any more catastrophic than we have already guaranteed them to be.

>. what are your views on increased gun control measures?

I am not opposed to all possible gun control legislation--obviously gun violence is a serious problem and things should be done to address it--but we need to be very careful. Make sure that we look at actual data and consider unintended consequences of proposals. Too often I see people who know nothing about guns supporting terrible ideas like far-reaching bans and mass confiscation (basically creating a second war on drugs against people who can shoot you), or people opposing any legislation without even considering it's merits due to ideological rigidity (which is absolutely insane given the damage caused by gun violence--not only mass shootings but disputes, suicides, accidents, etc.).

In addition to that conversation, I think other causes should be looked at as well. Better mental health coverage would work wonders, as well as reducing air pollution (which has been statistically linked to increases in violent behavior), and embracing a culture and political focus on people instead of profits to reduce social alienation and hopelessness.

>what is your view on abortion?

Eh, I don't particularly like the idea, but it's not really my place to decide. I'm fine with legal bans for, like, the third trimester or something along those lines--when the fetus is, y'know, more like a baby--but considering that almost 99% of abortions happen during the first half of the pregnancy I'm not sure that counts as a "pro-life position." It's all in the framing, I guess.

I would like for their to be less abortions overall, however. There are options for this, including sex ed and increased help for those struggling economically. Draconian bans work about as effectively as most prohibitive laws do--making the practice far less safe, and possibly putting people in jail who shouldn't be, or even killing women in the process. I want there to be less abortions because there's less demand for abortions, not more danger.

To Leinad:
> In the possibility of there being a rightist regional legislature, what actions will you take to advance your agenda?

For one thing, I think Peace, Labor, and unaffiliated allies have some very good candidates. West_Midlander's made an epic comeback, TimTurner of course is an established veteran nowadays, and PragPop's making a run at it, too, that's exciting as well! So, I encourage people to vote for them in the Chamber election if you want me to have success!

But in case that fails, I think I'm perfectly able to work with other people. I'll make sure Delegates supporting the same policies I do show up for votes, and I will involve myself in the Chamber debates as well as possibly personal conversations in order to bring swing voters to my side on bills.

> What measures will you take by executive order or otherwise on ensuring the benefits of workers in this gig economy.

Eliminating loopholes that lead to poorer conditions for free-lance workers, instituting a single-payer healthcare system so people aren't reliant on their job for insurance, as well as just expanding the protections for workers in general. I'd have to look at the law closer and consult with both members of the Chamber and expert consultants (very smart!) to figure out the exact contents of any bills.

>Mr.Leinad, Can you explain your vote here?

Certainly! And honestly my views on this may have changed a bit (although perhaps not exactly in the way people would like). Let me first link to the original thread here, where the debate started. I explain myself fairly well, perhaps a little bit pandering to the right-wing audience of the Chamber (know your audience!), but still I address a lot of points that they had.

And then the second bill, a resolution which was sponsored by Muaddib and Matthew27 (who also made the first bill, and it turns out ended up being a white nationalist!). This, for some reason I don't know, got more widespread support (if you notice the first bill had many people from various parties coming in to point out how bad it was, this was merely a resolution).

Read those? Good. Points I definitely still agree with include that it's an absolute BS narrative to say that we are in a free speech crisis if you're not allowed to call someone a slur on Twitter, or a couple far-right celebrities got banned. Conservatism is not under attack, unless you consider "conservatism" as synonymous with "hatred," in which case it probably should be under attack! Now, I think we know why Matthew27 thought "conservatism is under attack," because his ideology actually is based on hatred, but anyone else should know better.

Regardless, I am actually not entirely opposed to regulation of social media sites. However, if we allow that, it implies that basically the government is allowed to do whatever they want with regards to private businesses if it helps the people as a whole. It implies that businesses do not have "rights" even vaguely comparable to people's "rights."

So, basically, in a sense of left-wing economics I can certainly agree that the control these tech giants have is worrying. However, anyone thinking these things while being "pro-business" probably just want to say slurs on Twitter.

> Can you give us examples of actions possible in your purview to tackle income inequality?

Well I plan to examine the current budget and tax structure, with the possibility of increasing taxes on the wealthiest among us, should that be necessary to fund important programs. I oppose regressive taxes, flat taxes, or tax cuts & loopholes for the rich. They were made wealthy using a system that is created by the hard work of millions--government, private citizens, other companies, etc.--so I think it's fair they should predominantly fund programs to aid those who were made poor in the system (especially considering how heavy the effects of generational wealth and generational poverty are).

Many ideas I support center around the concept of addressing what makes poor people even poorer. Thus I intend to address healthcare, education, public transportation, among other things.

And of course, an increase in both the minimum wage and the power of unions will help bring the working class into the middle class.

>How would you reform the Law Enforcement system to prevent police brutality

I think the starting point has to be holding officers accountable. It makes no sense to have law enforcement if we don't enforce the law with them, too. Making it clear that we don't tolerate this behavior will lead to more trust developing between communities all over the South and those who have pledged to protect them.