Citizens Provisional Convention - December 2017

[Lumine]

Citizens Provisional Convention
December 2017

Opening Address:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!

Thank you for being here. It has been almost two months since Citizens was founded by a group of independent-minded Atlasians anxious about the need for drastic changes in our political system, and in the course of those months we have achieved a lot. Particularly thanks to our newer, younger members we stand today as members of the third largest party in Atlasia, with able and dedicated representation both in Congress and in the Regional governments. New points of view and new ideas are being promoted and put forward, and the dream of a new political force capable of breaking the rather boring party system inherited by the permanent change in dominance between Labor and the currently dominant Federalist Party remains alive.

I, for one, am proud in having played a part in that process, even if my dreams of returning to political office haven't been accomplished yet I do not regret for a moment having run for office as an independent and as the official candidate of Citizens. Winning elections is key, my friends, but so it is to defend and promote your points of view and seeing them become law or a permanent part of the political system. If all we did was to become a personality cult based on winning office rather than on accomplishing something, fellow party members, it would not be worth the effort. That is not why we're here, that is not what brings us today to this pleace.

We're here because we believe Atlasian politics should be more than that, because we believe the people deserve much better. We believe in ideas-based politics, in standing for necessary change and for a dosis of independent-minded spirit that does not fail into the obvious, evident trap of the "moderate heroes" so often maligned for the inability to stand for ideas and not for mere personality. And so it has been my privilege to lead you for the past couple of months. It is also my privilege to stand down as Party Chairman so a different, newer generation can take my place and lead the way in our gallant struggle.

I remain at your side as a committed member of this party, but also as a member who, having been an enthusiastic newbie years ago still remembers the value and the importance of bringing new perspectives and new people, of not remaining in the same office for years and months, of leaving space for different leaderships to grow. It would be pointless, I've said it already, if Citizens became little more than a personal vehicle for me or for any other member of this party, or just a party machine to be hijacked by anyone determined to remain at the top of our political system regardless of the consecuences.

This convention is not about the past, it is about the future of this party. It will be the place were we choose new leadership, and that leadership guides us in the need for a detailed, clear platform for Atlasia, in improving our by-laws, planning our next moves, welcome new people into the party, and do what we need to do to ensure we continue to rise while staying true to the ideals we passionately believe in.

So let us enjoy this provisional convention, my friends, and take Citizens to the next level!

[Lumine]

Schedule:

We will now begin with 48 hours for party members to sign-up and become delegates with the right to vote, period which will also be used to confirm candidates for party leadership (Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary). After the 48 hours have passed voting will commence, and after 72 hours I will have the pleasure to hand over the Convention to our next Party Chairman and his team.

That's all for now, gentlemen, so sign in please!

[wxtransit]

X wxtransit

[DFL]

X DFL

[rpryor03]

x rpryor03

[PPT Spiral]

X Spiral

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Sorry all have been inactive for Christmas stuff, if you don't want me to vote for being late though, that's fine

X dfwlibertylover

[Senator Cris]

x Cris

[Lumine]

x LumineVonReuental

A majority of members present, let us begin. A 72 hour vote now follows with the declared candidates:

Party Chairman:
[ ] wxtransit

Vice Chairman:
[ ] DFL

Secretary:
[ ] Write-in:

[wxtransit]

Party Chairman:
[X] wxtransit

Vice Chairman:
[X] DFL

Secretary:
[X] Write-in: rpryor03

[DFL]

Party Chairman:
[X] wxtransit

Vice Chairman:
[X] DFL

Secretary:
[X] Write-in: rpryor03

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Party Chairman:
[X] wxtransit

Vice Chairman:
[X] DFL

Secretary:
[X] Write-in: rpryor03

[Lumine]

Party Chairman:
[X] wxtransit

Vice Chairman:
[X] DFL

Secretary:
[X] Write-in: rpryor03

[Lumine]

Leadership:

After the leadership election has finished, wxtransit is our new Party Chairman, DFL is our new Vice Chairman, and by write-in preferences Rpryor remains our Secretary. Congratulations, gentlemen! On my last act as Party Chairman, I humbly hand over the convention to you, and wish you the best of luck.

[wxtransit]

Thank you, Citizens Party members, and thank you Lumine, for creating such a dynamic party!

I won't mince words here. Atlasia has been increasingly dominated by one political party, and having only one choice at the polls is not good for democracy. Less of Atlasia is heard when only one party represents the electorate. But there is a solution, and that solution is this party. Citizens was founded upon the principles that all independents, conservatives, liberals, and centrists can find refuge in a new third party that seeks to involve the interests of all Atlasians.

But recently, it has become aware to us that many don't understand what Citizens stands for. Some think we're a Federalist knockoff. Some think we're a ultra centrist party that only seeks out a slice of the Atlasian electorate. And even some think that we're left-wing. If the general electorate doesn't know what we stand for, then how will new and old Atlasians alike know that we are an alternative to one- and two-party dominance?

DFL and I ran on a candidacy for party leadership on a promise. We promised that we would clarify what Citizens stands for. And we hope to accomplish this through a rebrand. We hope that through a new identity that stands for the same values as Citizens does, then more Atlasians will understand our position in Atlasian politics and take us for what we are: a party seeking reform and an alternative for a brighter future.

A brighter future, for all Atlasians.

Thank you, God bless Citizens, and God bless Atlasia!

[TheSaint250]

So are you guys syncretic

Also, of course, congratulations to you and DFL!

[DFL]

Much like Chairman wxtransit, I’d like to thank the party for putting their trust in us to lead Citizens. I can promise that we will do everything in our power to make Citizens a party that can truly change Atlasia’s political system. We hope that with your support, we can reimagine Citizens and reshape the party at its core.

Let’s not waste any more time, and unveil Alliance, the new face of Citizens, and the coalition dedicated to reforming Atlasia.

[DFL]

So are you guys syncretic

Also, of course, congratulations to you and DFL!

We may be divided in our ideology, but not in our vision for Atlasia

[wxtransit]

Alliance
Activity ● Progress ● Choice

   The Citizen’s party brand is in need of a complete overhaul. It is clear that throughout Atlasia, there is confusion over what exactly our coalition is, ranging from either a “Federalist-lite” knock off to a center-right party. To ensure that our coalition has a clear brand, and is respected by all parties and ideologies, we must overhaul the core of Citizen’s to make it viable. Thus, we bring you Alliance.

Alliance is an ideologically-neutral party that aims to set a higher standard for Atlasian politics. Our members are fed up with current party rule, one-party-state dynamics, and inactivity and high-turnover rates that are a trademark of our current system. A political system where parties bully each other over petty politics isn’t a more welcoming Atlasia, it’s a dysfunctional and toxic political environment. Our members, and Atlasia, deserve a party that in its rules guarantees it will not fight for itself, but fight for its country. This party will serve as the catalyst for a united alliance of liberals, centrists, and conservatives for change.

What does Alliance have to offer, then? Here are some of our major tenants:

-All presidential tickets ran by Alliance will be unity tickets. We call ourselves ideologically neutral because we mean it, not because we want to gain political clout.

-All members of Alliance elected to a legislature at either a state or regional level will be required to submit minimum numbers of legislation each session. For members of regional legislatures, it’s one every two weeks. For members of our federal House and Senate, it’s one every week. Atlasia has too many parties that tout activity and get nothing done. We have activity codified in our by-laws.

-No member of Alliance elected to a legislature, either regional or national, shall caucus with any party other than fellow independents and members of Alliance. Atlasians deserve an independent check on our current party system, not someone who blindly tows the party line.

-Alliance is a firm proponent of electoral reform and political transparency. We advocate for instituting debates before presidential and federal elections, as well as regional executive elections. We also advocate for direct democracy inspired by Switzerland, which allows for greater participation from the general public, not just the elected few.

-Alliance is also dedicated to bringing light to necessary yet ignored areas of policy. We will not be passing meaningless legislation, but legislation on issues such as technological innovation, fiscal responsibility, economic development, constitutional reform, environmental protection, and many more issues that demand solutions yet lack any from our politicians.

-No member of Alliance shall bribe or bully members of other parties. Power in a functioning democracy resides in the people, not the party bosses.

Alliance is not a coalition built off of old ideas. We are a coalition dedicated to looking past partisan blinders and getting real activity and reform done for the benefit of all of Atlasia. Many can claim it, few will codify it. The Alliance will stand up and fight for the rights and interests of all Atlasians, not just a privileged few.

Alliance. One for All.

DFL, Vice-Chairman
wxtransit, Chairman

[wxtransit]

Rebrand alternatives

Citizens was founded so that Atlasians would have greater choice. To keep with these principles, DFL and I have come up with some alternatives to the name and color of the rebrand, in addition to Alliance.

Name alternatives:
Democratic Alliance
Renewal Party
Union Party
Atlasian Party

Color alternatives (One we used is #005500):
Light green - #b5e61d
Dark green - #2E8B57
Hot pink - #FF69B4
Grey - #636363

If any of you prefer one of these options over Alliance and/or the color, or think another option might be better, then make sure to make your voice heard in this thread, if you are a Citizens party member (even if you are not a delegate in this convention). Otherwise, the rebrand will be adopted in 48 hours.

[wxtransit]

So are you guys syncretic

Also, of course, congratulations to you and DFL!

Thank you! IMO, DFL said it best:

We may be divided in our ideology, but not in our vision for Atlasia

[TheSaint250]

Acceptable answer, DFL

Good luck to the Alliance!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Practical question: will Alliance members elected to Congress abstain from voting for the speakership, even if they are the deciding vote in the chamber? At the moment the question is effectively moot, as Yankee has enjoyed pan-partisan support the last few elections, but the office was designed to be held by the majority party (ironically, this was Yankee's idea) and it's not inconceivable it would revert to that if/when he moves on to higher things. In that event, I'm curious how Alliance would reconcile this reality with a pledge to abstain from party politics.

[wxtransit]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Practical question: will Alliance members elected to Congress abstain from voting for the speakership, even if they are the deciding vote in the chamber? At the moment the question is effectively moot, as Yankee has enjoyed pan-partisan support the last few elections, but the office was designed to be held by the majority party (ironically, this was Yankee's idea) and it's not inconceivable it would revert to that if/when he moves on to higher things. In that event, I'm curious how Alliance would reconcile this reality with a pledge to abstain from party politics.

Good question. Citizens/Alliance members can vote for whoever they think will execute the office of speakership effectively, even if this means this is a member of another political party, for example, North Carolina Yankee. The whole "caucus" pledge only applies to working agreements between parties on who will hold a majority of seats. Alliance members may not, for example, enter a coalition or confidence and supply agreement with another party, however, they can vote for executives of their chamber, especially if the vote is deadlocked. The worst possible outcome would be for the Alliance party member's abstention to deadlock a vote, and we don't want to see that happen, as that would hamper the political process.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I see — thank-you, Mr. Chairman!