Office of Senator-elect Barnes

[Barnes]

The decision to run for Senate was not one I took lightly - I have had a tremendous amount of fun over the past two months in the NE Assembly and I truly have enjoyed my time there - however, I stated that when I first ran for assembly that I needed to start my political career from the bottom up again, and I believe I've done that.  In the past two months I've accomplished the following:

• Authored and passed The Clean Government Act, which will allow the Northeast's government to go completely green.
• Proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow for a "right to a clean environment" for all citizens.
• Took a leading role in the NE budget process, and authored two separate continuing budget resolutions to keep the government running in the interim.
• Passed a constitutional amendment that would allow for the special elections for governors, thus introducing an interesting new facet to the game.
• Authored and passed the Bi-Lingual Education Act, which will provide comprehensive, bi-lingual education to all NE students.
• I was also co-author of the Governor's School Act, which will establish a prestigious summer institution for the Northeast's best and brightest.

I mention this list of accomplishments not only because that I am proud of them, but because I believe they show my ability and my aptitude for legislating.

However, one needs more than just a record to run on, one needs ideas; I have a plan that is concentrated in three specific areas: game reform, the environment, and social reform.  I'll briefly outline these goals here, and go further in depth throughout the campaign.

I. Rejuvenate Game Reform
All Atlasians believe in some form of game reform, in that regard it's almost become a Cliché, but I want to do more than just to believe, I want to change the way we go about game reform.  

First, we must build consensus, and I will work from day one to do that in the Senate.  There is so much more to keeping our game fresh and lively than the same recycled ideas that have never been successful and probably never will be.  To be honest, there are parts of this game that have become overlooked and forgotten about - or never really used to their potential to begin with - and I will work to identify those areas and work to fix them.

Secondly, we must remember that this is a game, and games must change to stay relevant - especially one like Atlasia where there is no winner, it simply goes on and on.  To keep this game fun we must always be in the mood for reform, not just for short spurts that then quickly putter out.

Lastly, we must act immediately on the issue of wiki reform - the wiki has become so chronically out-of-date that legislating, especially for the regional government is being seriously impeded.  All of us have a part to play in this effort, but the Senate must show real leadership on the matter and set the standard for the rest of Atlasia to follow.

II. A Green New Deal
(And, yes, I completely stole that from Jill Stein. )

I have always been intensely passionate about the environment and the need for real green reforms.  We have to break this disgusting cycle of small reforms and broken promises when it comes to truly sustaining our environment for ourselves and future generations.

I want to make the environment a top priority for the Senate, and whatever committee I have the privileged of serving on, I will make our public officials accountable for the safety and security of our natural world.

III. A Just Society
As a Laborite, the plight of the people is a cause near and dear to my heart.  I want to act to help so many different issues, ranging from education to homelessness to unemployment.  

I have always been on the side of the people and of the worker, however, that does not mean that I think all of my ideas are the best ones for the job, no I believe in compromise, and on such crucially important issues as these, compromise is the only way to achieve any real victory.


I thank you all for your time and would welcome any comments or questions.  I look forward to the race.

[Talleyrand]

Endorsed for some top 5 preference.

[Barnes]

I'm not completely sure where you'll be on my ballot, but I very much hope to see you elected anyway!

Endorsed for some top 5 preference.

I thank you both for your support!

[Barnes]

Endorsed. I enjoyed working with you when I was Northeast Governor, and I am sure that I would enjoy working with you again in the Senate.

Thank you very much, Senator; serving together in the senate will indeed be great fun.

[Niemeyerite]

Endorsed. We need you in the Senate.

[Barnes]

Endorsed. We need you in the Senate.

Thank you very much, Senator!

[Cincinnatus]

Damnit, you're not allowed to leave the Assembly

[Barnes]

Resume of sorts

Political offices held:
Lieutenant Governor of the Northeast (July - December 2009)
Member of the High Authority for Ethics in Voting (December 2009 - January 2010)
Attorney General (March - May 2010)
Mideast Assemblyman (July - October 2010)
At-Large Senator (October - November 2010)
Secretary of Internal Affairs (July - August 2011)
Northeast Representative (October 2012 - present)

Failed political attempts:
Candidate for an At-Large Senate seat (December 2009)
Candidate for Northeast Regional Senate seat (February 2010)
Candidate for President (February 2012)

Other positions:
Under-Secretary of The Alliance for the Rights of Newbies in Atlasia (2009)
Founder and President of the Green Lobby (2010)
Founder and proprietor of The Atlasian Regional Star (2010)
Author of the Third Midwest Constitution (2011)

[Barnes]

Damnit, you're not allowed to leave the Assembly

But I'm running for both offices, so if I loose the Senate race, I'll still be around, and even if I win, I plan to remain in the Assembly until the last minute I can.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Endorsed for second preference!

[Adam Griffin]

[LastVoter]

Endorsed.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

How would you vote on my legalization of poker legislation?

[Zanas]

Socialism and ecology : you're the whole package... Even brony Snowstalker might not get above you on my ballot...

[Barnes]

How would you vote on my legalization of poker legislation?

From looking at the debate in the Senate, I'm honestly undecided as to how I'd vote on the bill. While I acknowledge that poker cards are randomly distributed, the game requires a large amount of skill to be successful. However, does this mean there should be a separate self of rules for such a game? I'm not sure.

At the moment, I'd abstain.

[Gass3268]

Endorsed!

[Barnes]

Thank you all for your very kind support! I will try and expand upon my three pillars (that sounds very EU; not sure how I feel about that ) sometime tonight or tomorrow.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Representative Barnes, you have my most enthusiastic endorsement   You have a great deal of experience and more importantly, I know you'd make a great Senator!  I know you're technically the competition, but I know that you would make an outstanding Senator.  Best of luck this December, hopefully I will have the privilege of working with you in the Senate

[Barnes]

Representative Barnes, you have my most enthusiastic endorsement   You have a great deal of experience and more importantly, I know you'd make a great Senator!  I know you're technically the competition, but I know that you would make an outstanding Senator.  Best of luck this December, hopefully I will have the privilege of working with you in the Senate

Thank you very much for the stirring endorsement, Mr. X!

[Franzl]

I'm very happy to endorse your candidacy! Excellent platform.

Just don't disappear after a couple of weeks!

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Endorsed, obviously.

[Northeast Rep Snowball]

Endorsed

[Barnes]

I'm very happy to endorse your candidacy! Excellent platform.

Just don't disappear after a couple of weeks!

Thank you, Franzl!

And I'll try!

[Barnes]

Heya, everyone!  The election is drawing nearer, so this week will mark the big push for votes!  My thanks go to everyone who has already stated their support for me, and I hope I will be able to keep your confidence throughout the rest of this race!

[tmthforu94]

How long is a week, in your opinion?