Special Election Debate for 2nd District

[Akno21]

Welcome to the first and most likely only debate between the three candidates for the Senate Seat vacated by Migrendel. From the Harvard University, there shall be a group of moderators who shall ask questions of the candidates. Myself of the Mid-Atlantic News Network, and ColinW of The National Atlasian have already consented to moderate. If GM Niles wishes to participate, he would be welcome, and outgoing Senator Nation would be welcomed as well, to provide poltical balance. As soon as all the candidates and moderators have arrived, the debate will begin right here.

[badnarikin04]

I am ready for this debate. Good luck to Governor Siege and MAS.

[MAS117]

Great to be here, Governor & Mr. Badnarkin, good to see you again.

[King]

*raises hand*

I would like to ask a question to the candidates Siege40 and Badnarikin04:

How would you have voted on the following acts/bills/amendments?

Education & Care for Children In Poverty Act
Missile Defense Iniative
F22
Family Planning Amendments Acts of 2004
Income Tax Bill
Civil Liberties Amendment
National Energy Act
Marriage Equity Act
Repeal of Taft-Hartley
2nd Education Equipment Act

[MAS117]

Even though I posted how I would vote in another thread, which both candidates for some reason refused to post in, I will put up again for the voters of the 2nd District where I stand on these senate bills.

Education & Care for Children In Poverty Act - Aye, w/ some provisions
Missile Defense Iniative- Aye
F22- Aye
Family Planning Amendments Acts of 2004- Abstain
Income Tax Bill- Nay
Civil Liberties Amendment- Aye (Clause 8 is unclear)
National Energy Act- Aye
Marriage Equity Act- Nay
Repeal of Taft-Hartley- Aye
2nd Education Equipment Act- Aye

[A18]

I'm running. I think.

[MAS117]

I'm running. I think.

? I already have to endorsment of the AFRNC.

[A18]

n/m. I'm waiting until the December elections.

[7,052,770]

<Senator Harry is in the audience in a disguise>

[King]

<Senator Harry is in the audience in a disguise>

You could have picked a better disguise than this, Harry:

[Bono]

n/m. I'm waiting until the December elections.

To do what? Run against me?

[Peter]

n/m. I'm waiting until the December elections.

To do what? Run against me?

Actually he would be running in the termly election for the same seat if he ran in December. Your seat does not face mandatory election until February. There is also the possibility of a special election in NE Governorship should Siege win.

[Akno21]

*raises hand*

I would like to ask a question to the candidates Siege40 and Badnarikin04:

How would you have voted on the following acts/bills/amendments?

Education & Care for Children In Poverty Act
Missile Defense Iniative
F22
Family Planning Amendments Acts of 2004
Income Tax Bill
Civil Liberties Amendment
National Energy Act
Marriage Equity Act
Repeal of Taft-Hartley
2nd Education Equipment Act

I asked Badnarikin04 this question using PM, and he gave the following answer:

1. Nay. It's not up to the government to dictate parenting.
2. Nay. I can only see this being used overseas.
3. Yea. This is one way in which we can improve defense at home.
4. Yea. I am a pro-choice libertarian.
5. Nay. I want to eliminate all invopluntary taxes.
6. Yea. Outlines very well the rights in the criminal justice system.
7. Nay. I have a beef with the billion for hydrogen fuel cell research.
8. Yea. Get the government out of our bedrooms.
9. Yea. Individuals have rights, corporations do not.
10. Nay. We need to privatize education.

[Siege40]

Sorry I took so long gentleman Hollowe'en is an important holiday to my family. I'd like to thank Harvard for hosting us, the moderators and welcome my opponents to the debate, MAS, Mr. Badnarikin.

1. Education and Care for Children in Poverty - Aye
2. Missile Defense initiative - it's a hot topic where I'm from and there's no proof that this is an effective defense strategy. Nay.
3. F-22 - Aye.
4. Family Planning - Aye.
5. Income Tax Bill - Aye.
6. Civil Liberties - Aye.
7. Atlas Engergy Act - Aye - but I have some reservations on some points.
8. Marriage Equity Act - Aye.
9. Repeal of Taft-Hartley - Aye.
10. 2nd Education Equipment Act - Aye.

Siege

[Colin]

This is a question to all candidates:

What would be your first priority in the Senate and what is a major bill that you would like to propose?

Questions to individual candidates:

Badnarikin04:
You have often been critical of ,what you say, is the continued growth of the Atlasian government. What reforms would you put in place to achieve this smaller government?

MAS 117:
You have said yourself that you are on the left-wing of your party and your opinions are close to that of Gov. Siege. What distinguishes you from your opponent and what do you offer to more conservative voters?

Gov. Siege:
Governor, you have often said that as Governor you worked across party and ideological lines to try to be a moderate. You give the example of tax cuts in the Northeast region. What would you do to work with members of opposing parties?

Also for the Governor:
Governor, you belong to a party that has long favored socialism and populism and has strong connections to the labor movement. Would you support tax increases or a government-run healthcare system and other socialistic programs while Senator?

[Siege40]

I hope this answers your questions.

What would be your first priority in the Senate and what is a major bill that you would like to propose?

My first priority would be learn about the ins and outs of the Senate so I can get to work. This first major bill would be on encouraging funding for stem cell research and pressing the science for breakthroughs. I’d try to let my friends on the right bring in their beliefs as well, so that perhaps the use of fetal stem cells won’t be used. But that’s for a later date.

Gov. Siege:
Governor, you have often said that as Governor you worked across party and ideological lines to try to be a moderate. You give the example of tax cuts in the Northeast region. What would you do to work with members of opposing parties?

I’d be open to their suggestions in the Senate, I’d suggest some of my legislative ideas to them and see if I could get their support. If I view legislation as pandering too far to the left or right I will do my best to moderate it unless that conflicts with the best interest of most of all of the citizens of District 2. Also, if I view ‘right wing’ legislation as good for the nation I will not hesitate to support it. I care about results, not partisanship.

Also for the Governor:
Governor, you belong to a party that has long favoured socialism and populism and has strong connections to the labour movement. Would you support tax increases or a government-run healthcare system and other socialistic programs while Senator?

Firstly, I’d like to say that sometimes increasing taxation is necessary. Increasing taxes for ‘Everyone get a flag Bill’ is not justified, but small increasing to keep up with expanding programs and population is warranted, on the same basis, so are tax cuts, you don’t give tax cuts if you have a huge deficit. In terms of social programs, I don’t think I would support government-operated healthcare. Each social program would have to be taken one at a time, in the end my decision would depend on what’s best for Atlasia.

Siege

[Akno21]

Question to MAS117:
Throughout your campaign, you have recieved support from the right and center, and courted that of the left, the AFDNC. Do you realize that once in the Senate, you will alienate much of your supporters somehow, and will you take a stand on issues, or just attempt to please as many people as possible?

Question to Gov. Siege40
You had said you would have voted against the Missile Defense Iniative. How do you plan on ending the North Korean threat without having sufficent protection agaisnt them, in the event they strike?

[badnarikin04]

*raises hand*

I would like to ask a question to the candidates Siege40 and Badnarikin04:

How would you have voted on the following acts/bills/amendments?

Education & Care for Children In Poverty Act
Missile Defense Iniative
F22
Family Planning Amendments Acts of 2004
Income Tax Bill
Civil Liberties Amendment
National Energy Act
Marriage Equity Act
Repeal of Taft-Hartley
2nd Education Equipment Act

I asked Badnarikin04 this question using PM, and he gave the following answer:

1. Nay. It's not up to the government to dictate parenting.
2. Nay. I can only see this being used overseas.
3. Yea. This is one way in which we can improve defense at home.
4. Yea. I am a pro-choice libertarian.
5. Nay. I want to eliminate all invopluntary taxes.
6. Yea. Outlines very well the rights in the criminal justice system.
7. Nay. I have a beef with the billion for hydrogen fuel cell research.
8. Yea. Get the government out of our bedrooms.
9. Yea. Individuals have rights, corporations do not.
10. Nay. We need to privatize education.

Thanks for saving me the typing, Akno.

[badnarikin04]

To Colin: A variety of things has to be done. I am yet to see a significant marijuana legalization bill proposed, which would be among the first things in my mind. Most of the crime in this country is because junkies have to go through so much trouble to get a fix. It's worse to have violent cartels in our neighborhoods than weed alone.

We also need to work on cutting spending on everything except defense. It is not the government's job to cuddle with it's citizens and hand money to those who don't work for it. Elimination of the welfare system and public social security should be eliminated and shall give way to charity.

I trust Atlasia to be able to conduct themselves without government help.

[MAS117]

The question from ColinW:

My first priority for the Senate when they reopen for business is to deal with the problem of regional rights and federal rights. The Southeast and its Governor has nullfied Senate approved bills, as they see fit. We as a people must not let them do this. We do not need another South Carolinaian Nullifcation crisis on our hands that can lead to a civil war. We must learn from past mistakes.

Q#2:

Yes, my opinions are similar on some issues to that of the Governor. I think what distinguishes me from my opponent is that of my experience here at the Atlas Forum. During my time here, I have filled various federal posts including, Sec. of Defense, Attorney General, and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. My opponent has only seen action at the regional level, and for a time only governoring that region, half of the time. I think that I can offer not just conservative voters, but all voters of the 2nd District, my assurance that I will always do what's best for the Forum, and whats best for my region, even if that includes going against my party, or voting the party line.

Question from Akno21:

In the human course of doing whats right, you also have to alieniate someone. I have been endorsed by the UAC, and the AFRNC. I am seeking the endorsement currently of the Atlas Forum Democratic Party. When voting in the Senate, you can not please everyone all the time. Like I said in the previous question, I will always do whats right for the Atlas Forum and the 2nd District, not and just vote on something because everyone else in the party is. However, the job of a real life Senator, or what they are suppose to do is, researching a bill, then bringing it back the district, and see what people think about it. I will try to do that as much as possible as your next D2B Senator.   

[Colin]

Mr. Badnarikin04 you did not answer my first question that was posed to all the candidates.

[badnarikin04]

Oh, sorry Colin. Like I said, one of the first things on my mind is marijuana reform. It is my belief that the Atlasian crime rate will decrease significantly if we once and for all allow sale of marijuana by any retail establishment to every Atlasian over the age of 21.

I would also start or be a guiding force in movements repealing acts that spend in an unnecessary manner, acts much like the Education Equipment Act and the Education & Care for Children in Poverty Act. Charities or private orgs. run by those who are experienced in thier fields need to be emphaisized as the primary source of funding for these sorts of things instead of cheap, badly arranged government establishments.

Any bills promoting both social and economic freedoms for the individual are bills you can be sure i'll give a Yea vote for.

[Siege40]

Question to Gov. Siege40
You had said you would have voted against the Missile Defense Iniative. How do you plan on ending the North Korean threat without having sufficent protection agaisnt them, in the event they strike?

Sorry I took so long. Ok. The reason I don't support missile defense is that it is not proven to be affective, at all, seriously. 1/4 controlled tests with no anti-missile defense succeeds, and recent anti-missile defenses have been proven to work.

North Korea will become a greater threat if Reagan continues his abysmal policy to pull out, then we'll be much worse off. I suggest international pressure, and weapons inspectors, if that fails we pull an Osarak and blow their nuclear power plants and refineries to kingdom come. I don't fear use of force.

Siege

[Akno21]

Question to Badnarikin04:
Could you explain how withdrawing government support will make the lower classes of Atlasia better off?

Question to Badnarikin04:
Do you believe that all those who are poor and living off government assistance are people who don't work hard, or will you admit that some of them started out disadvantaged and it is not all their fault?

Question to MAS117:
Which decisions on the court have you made that you think show you to be qualified to have a vote in the Senate?

Question to Gov. Siege:
Do you feel you are betraying the contract on which you were elected by not serving out your entire term as governor, when the people of your reigon elected you to serve them for the designated term?

[Colin]

Badnarikin04:

Mr Badnarik, you have been highly critical of the Iraq war and said that it was a major policy mistake. What would you do in Iraq and how would you execute the war on terrorism?

MAS 117:

MAS, you have been calling yourself a left-leaning candidate. Can you please elaborate specifically what is your stance on taxes and the national budget? What would you propose in the way of government programs?

Siege 40:

Governor, do you think that you have enough experience for this post? Your only major public office is that of Governor and you have only been the sole Governor for around 3 months.