Scott for Senate [Take... 9?)

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

As I prepare to hand over my seat to Senator-elect Devout Centrist, I recognize that our region and our nation are in tumultuous times.  Fighting a pandemic while confronting systematic racism in our criminal justice system, and in our institutions, will take the hard work of both citizens and our elected officials from the city council to the Atlasian Congress and the White House.

Frémont recognizes this, and that is why I'm pleased to see our Parliament deliberate over policies that will demilitarize the police and restore civil liberties to the people.  These conversations are necessary to have.  And while our proposals to achieve those ends may differ, we all should agree that we need radical change, not more of the same.

To do that, my plan is to implement all planks of the 8 Can't Wait campaign.  To summarize, those planks are to:

1. Ban chokeholds and strangleholds - Minneapolis did not ban this practice until more than a week after a police officer slowly killed George Floyd by suffocating him in a chokehold
2. Require de-escalation - Officers must try to calm a situation down when possible, rather than immediately use force.
3. Require warning before shooting - In many places, an officer can fire a gun as soon as they perceive a threat, without warning.
4. Exhaust all other means before shooting - This policy exists in just over 40 cities according to Campaign Zero.
5. Duty to intervene - Police officers must hold themselves, and each other, accountable, and intervene when they see inappropriate use of force.
6. Ban shooting at moving vehicles - Firing at moving vehicles is rarely effective and often dangerous for passengers, officers, and any bystanders.  Fewer than 20 departments explicitly ban shooting at a moving vehicle.
7. Require a use-of-force continuum - A force continuum is a set of steps for determining an officer's initial reaction, their weapon choice, and when to escalate or de-escalate a situation.
8. Require comprehensive reporting - This is the standard for most officers who use, or threaten to use, force against civilians, but the authority to implement and enforce these policies varies by state.

In addition to the above, civilians who call for medical attention, get medical attention.

I am asking for your support as we continue to fight for real reform, in our neighborhoods, in our cities, in our states, in our regions, and in our nation.  As your senator, I have kept record of my proposed legislation, amendments, votes, and floor speeches in the 23rd and 24th sessions.  I never shy away from where I stand, and I will always put the people of Frémont first.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Polls are now open, so go out and make your voice heard!  Best of luck to my two opponents.  At the conclusion of this election, I look forward to working with the Parliament on reforming our police practices.  With the events currently happening in real life Portland, it is more important than ever that we elect leaders who are conscious to the needs of peaceful protestors as well as the public safety.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Who says Frémont elections aren't interesting?!

DDNN has called the race and it appears we are victorious.  Thank you to all my supporters and volunteers.  Thank you to those who PM-banked and campaigned on my behalf.  I would also like to thank my opponents, Laki and Harpercanuck, for giving the voters a real choice in this election.

In this campaign, I capitalized on the issue of police reform.  I want to use this opportunity to emphasize that, while I am not a single-issue candidate and never have been, we have a duty to respond to these pressing matters that affect ALL Frémonters, regardless of race.

At this time, we need bold leadership more than ever.  I believe that Parliament and First Minister Truman's guidance will enable us to combat the two most pressing concerns at this time: COVID, and systematic inequality.

We are also in the early stages of drafting a budget for the fiscal year.  While it is generally my policy to oppose sales taxes or VATs, it must be acknowledged that the Commonwealth is facing a steep budget deficit and that all options must be on the table.

Parliament will need to make these hard choices in the days ahead.

Thank you, Frémont.  Dave bless this great Commonwealth.

I'mma head off the stage before the Lyrica makes me say something dumb

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Our police reform bill is on the floor and the election is now ongoing!  Like in July, this election will be very close, so please be sure to vote this weekend and don't forget to vote Ted for Senate!

Vote now

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

What a race, my friends.  At the end of Friday it looked very well that I could be the odd man out in this election, and with the election finally concluded it appears I received a plurality in first-preference votes!

Congratulations to all the winners of this weekend's elections, and especially to those who will be joining this next government in Denver.  My condolences go to Koopa for her loss this evening.  Koopa has long been a dedicated public servant to this Commonwealth and in every capacity she's served.  I certainly look forward to seeing her involvement again soon.

Now on a minor note with regard to civility, I will only say that it would be nice if some of us could be as graceful in victory as some of us are in defeat.

Moving on from that, I have decided that I will be running for Speaker as MP Oregon Blue Dog prepares to hand over the gavel next session.  With only the budget and a new police reform bill currently on the floor, it is imperative that we dedicate this session to activity.  We are still in the midst of a great plague, and the trust between communities and those entrusted to protect them are yet to be mended.  And police reform, in particular, is something I feel confident in saying we might find unanimous agreement in entering this next session.

Congratulations to FM Truman, Senator-elect Ted, and all of our victors this weekend.  And I wish the best of luck to Vice President Sestak as he steps down from his job at the White House.  I trust that President Pericles will pick a successor qualified to take his place from this point forward.

Dave bless you, Dave bless this Commonwealth, and Dave bless the Republic of Atlasia.  Thank you all, and good night.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Since Yankee is keeping track of all government offices, including ones for regional legislatures, I suppose I'll be using this thread for my office as MFP and Speaker as well as my campaign thread.

First Minister Truman was sadly unavailable to open the voting booth for this weekend's by-election, so I have invoked my constitutional powers to open the booth on his behalf and extend the voting deadline.

Cast your ballot here

This election is competitive, so hopefully we can close the weekend with some good turnout!

To both our candidates, I wish you the best!


Additionally, I would like to thank both the Parliament and the Atlasian Congress on quickly and unanimously passing urgent relief funds for the states in our Commonwealth affected by the ongoing wildfires. These companion bills, which both await executive action, will provide matching funds to states to both extinguish current fires and devise a forest-thinning strategy for the prevention of future wildfires.

I would like to especially thank MP Oregon Blue Dog, for drafting the original bill in Parliament.


Parliament Speaker

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

_{1
Scott tours Cheyenne, Wyoming, and holds a socially distanced, livestreamed rally for an official announcement}

Folks, it's good to be back.

As most of you know, I have had some setbacks in my personal life. This ultimately led to me abandoning my post as Speaker of the Frémont House of Commons and deregistering from the game. But during my absence, I realized that Atlasia embraces something that the people of small states and cities are very familiar with: family, and a shared sense of brotherhood.

I am therefore officially announcing my intention to again seek the office of MP. While I understand some might prefer not to run as a kind gesture to my recent trauma, I realize that no one is entitled to this seat. And whether I receive an opponent or not, I fully intend on running a 100% positive campaign on my return to Denver.

Wyoming Labor knows its people. Wyoming Labor supports the right of the people to own and carry firearms, for sport, for protection, and for hunting. Wyoming Labor supports building the infrastructure necessary to accommodate the people who inhabit this great state and embrace this unique lifestyle. Make no mistake: Wyoming has a friend in Labor.

And I'd like to use this opportunity to talk about a certain bill being considered in Nyman - one which would set a federal 15% tax on cannabis in addition to regional taxes. And this law would make it increasingly difficult for Denver to resolve its budgetary issues if Nyman chooses to double-tax regions where cannabis is already taxed.

But overtaxing any product will easily drive it down to the black market almost as much as outright banning it. Make no mistake: we cannot afford this tax. The people of Frémont cannot afford this tax.

I fully intend to use my position as MP to advocate for the interests of our state and region both locally and federally. With the help of Oregon Blue Dog, I fought for both regional and federal relief to areas affected by wildfires.

The city of Cheyenne, along with the rest of our state, has much to offer. And we need advocates who will protect our natural resources and conserve the Wyoming way of life.

This October, vote Labor up and down the ballot. Vote for the people and the party who know the state best.

And if I am fortunate enough to return to Denver, I can assure you that I will never abandon my roots.

Dave bless you all. Dave bless this state. Dave bless Frémont. Dave bless this great Republic.

_{1. https://www.budgettravel.com/article/cheyenne-wyoming-guide}

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Polls are now open! While both the Senate and Parliament by-election are currently uncontested, I urge all Frémonters to go to the polls and make their voices heard. And don't forget to stick with proven leadership and vote Labor up and down the ballot!

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Thank you all!

Today, we continue the work of the people and hold Denver accountable to the public it serves.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

While a special election is yet to be called, today I am officially announcing my candidacy for Vice President Ted's vacant Senate seat. I intend not be appointed in the interim, but to earn this seat by way of election.

This month I intend to tour the Commonwealth, as well as other states, to promote Labor candidates up and down the ballot in addition to my bid for the Senate race. I believe at this time that my positions and priorities are well-known, but I open the thread to any questions, comments, endorsements, or birthday presents.