Notice of ILP endorsement vote for District 1

[Peter]

As Secretary of the ILP, I hereby give notice that there will be an endorsement vote in the election to the vacancy created by Senator Defarge's resignation from the District 1 Senate seat.

The vote will open some time Monday.

If candidates wish to direct anything specifically to ILP voters, they should do so here.

[The Dowager Mod]

Well i suppose that since none of my opponents is either Liberal or Independent I should be endorsed.
But of course it's all about personality.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

But of course it's all about personality.

Isn't everything around here these days?

[The Dowager Mod]

Projecting yourself into the voting reform debate does not make you any more qualified than anyone else in the race.

[© tweed]

I am the only ILP member running for Senate in District 1.  I am closest to collective ideology of the ILP and its past nominees for president, as I am slightly right of center economically and center-left socially.  Texasgurl is a socialist, at best; Fezzy is a conservative; and it's impossible to get a read on the beliefs of the Hon. Ben Meyers.

[The Dowager Mod]

Ben was a conservative but he seems to be in between ideologies right now.

[Ben Meyers]

I believe both Boss and Texasgurl are mistaken, as I am a known populist. 

To ILP Voters:

I am willing to cooperate with people of all ideologies.  I share liberal views on issues such as free trade, in which I am a protectionist, supporting keeping jobs here at home rather than giving them away overseas.  I am a strong supporter of business regulation for the environment, and am strongly against drilling in the ANWR.  I also support the right for gays and lesbians to be married.

I am one who is open to all beliefs and will work with the Independent Liberal Party and its members as Senator.

Thank you.

[© tweed]

Of course, the Hon. Meyers is a populist TODAY, but what about in days past?

Ebowed News Network Interview

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"Populist" Ben Meyers says "I'm a big support[er] of free trade."

[Ben Meyers]

Of course, the Hon. Meyers is a populist TODAY, but what about in days past?

Ebowed News Network Interview

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"Populist" Ben Meyers says "I'm a big support[er] of free trade."

What a coincidence, Boss Tweed, because in that interview, probably a couple months ago, I said the same thing about free trade that I do now.

See my campaign HQ in the "Ben Meyers for Senate" thread, and I say in my free trade speech exactly how I support free trade, but that it needs regulation in order to minimize job loss here in Atlasia.

[© tweed]

Of course, the Hon. Meyers is a populist TODAY, but what about in days past?

Ebowed News Network Interview

You must be logged in to read this quote.

"Populist" Ben Meyers says "I'm a big support[er] of free trade."

What a coincidence, Boss Tweed, because in that interview, probably a couple months ago, I said the same thing about free trade that I do now.

See my campaign HQ in the "Ben Meyers for Senate" thread, and I say in my free trade speech exactly how I support free trade, but that it needs regulation in order to minimize job loss here in Atlasia.

Nice try, but there's a fundemental difference in what you said then and what you say now.

Then: "I'm a big supporter of free trade"
Now: "I'm a protectionist"

If you just would say "I've changed my mind", that'd be fine.  But you don't and try to say polar opposite views are synonymous.

[Ben Meyers]

Of course, the Hon. Meyers is a populist TODAY, but what about in days past?

Ebowed News Network Interview

You must be logged in to read this quote.

"Populist" Ben Meyers says "I'm a big support[er] of free trade."

What a coincidence, Boss Tweed, because in that interview, probably a couple months ago, I said the same thing about free trade that I do now.

See my campaign HQ in the "Ben Meyers for Senate" thread, and I say in my free trade speech exactly how I support free trade, but that it needs regulation in order to minimize job loss here in Atlasia.

Nice try, but there's a fundemental difference in what you said then and what you say now.

Then: "I'm a big supporter of free trade"
Now: "I'm a protectionist"

If you just would say "I've changed my mind", that'd be fine.  But you don't and try to say polar opposite views are synonymous.

Please do not only include some of what I said.  This would be a more appropriate comparison.

Then: "I'm a big supporter of free trade"
Now: "I support free trade in theory"

Both of those times, I supported regulation in order to minimize job loss.  My position hasn't changed.

[© tweed]

You called yourself a protectionst a few hours ago.  If you can't see how that's any different from being a "big supporter of free trade", have fun.

[Ben Meyers]

You called yourself a protectionst a few hours ago.  If you can't see how that's any different from being a "big supporter of free trade", have fun.

While I didn't use the specific word "protectionist" in my interview with Ebowed, the views I stated conveyed the same meaning.  I have always supported free trade, but have responsibly realized that it needs regulation.  End of story.

[© tweed]

You called yourself a protectionst a few hours ago.  If you can't see how that's any different from being a "big supporter of free trade", have fun.

While I didn't use the specific word "protectionist" in my interview with Ebowed, the views I stated conveyed the same meaning.  I have always supported free trade, but have responsibly realized that it needs regulation.  End of story.

No, that's not the end of story.  These are not the words of a man who supports free trade: (!)

I share liberal views on issues such as free trade, in which I am a protectionist, supporting keeping jobs here at home rather than giving them away overseas.

Have fun selling that as a position of 'free trade'.

[Ben Meyers]

You called yourself a protectionst a few hours ago.  If you can't see how that's any different from being a "big supporter of free trade", have fun.

While I didn't use the specific word "protectionist" in my interview with Ebowed, the views I stated conveyed the same meaning.  I have always supported free trade, but have responsibly realized that it needs regulation.  End of story.

No, that's not the end of story.  These are not the words of a man who supports free trade: (!)

I share liberal views on issues such as free trade, in which I am a protectionist, supporting keeping jobs here at home rather than giving them away overseas.

Have fun selling that as a position of 'free trade'.

Boss Tweed, one can support free trade and still support regulation.  It's the same way many support gun rights but regulation on guns.  There is not just a black and white; there is a grey area in between, and it is within that area that my opinion on this issue falls.

[Peter]

Free trade is almost by definition the antithesis of protectionism. Of course there may be a few limited circumstances where protectionism is appropriate in a policy generally centred around free trade, but these are few and far between.

For members who care it is worth noting that the platform itself addresses the issue:

The Independent Liberal Party supports free trade with all free, democratic nations provided that such nations do not engage in excessive protectionism. We support free trade with fledgling democracies on continents such as Africa, but only where there is sufficient evidence that these governments are willing to engage in further democratic reforms.

[Peter]

The Independent Liberal Party has now endorsed Boss Tweed.

[KEmperor]

The Independent Liberal Party has now endorsed Boss Tweed.

How evil.

[© tweed]

The Independent Liberal Party has now endorsed Boss Tweed.

I'd like to thank you, the ILP, and its constitutents for voting to endorse one of their own.