Afleitch for President...again

[afleitch]

My fellow Atlasians I'm running for President again - why? Because it's only a game. And no, I don't think i'll win However because it's only a game, and an elections sim, rather than a government sin in my view. 'The voting booth should never close.'

I've had enough of tweaking with the system. The system, for such a small nation is self protecting and sustaining on a micro scale that emulates the macro-state.

My key platform is simple but far reaching.

1. Transform Atlasian politics with a constitutional amendment to allow for frequent popular referenda on Senate legislation putting people power between the Senate floor and the President's desk.

2. Abolish the regions and allow the people to vote on the size, structure and powers of new federal institutions. You can choose to have a larger or a smaller government.

3. Call for more active public pressure groups and forums on political issues.

4. Maintain financial stability - protect savings and savers.

5. Serve one term only.

And in this new spirit of the open voting booth, I would like anyone who wishes to be my running mate to PM and I'll open a vote on it. If I'm too late or whatever then I will encourage a write in campaign.

[Hash]

Would that happen to be an hermine on that banner?

[Хahar 🤔]

Would that happen to be an hermine on that banner?

An ermine? I think you're mixing languages.

[afleitch]

Would that happen to be an hermine on that banner?

Yes. It's on my family coat of arms (the fur rather than the animal)

[minionofmidas]

*reads platform, goes from undecided to weak lean Afleitch*

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

*reads platform, goes from undecided to weak lean Afleitch*

Me too! 

(Good luck, and glad to see you in the race!)

[DownWithTheLeft]

2. Abolish the regions and allow the people to vote on the size, structure and powers of new federal institutions. You can choose to have a larger or a smaller government.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Hash]

Would that happen to be an hermine on that banner?

Yes. It's on my family coat of arms (the fur rather than the animal)

And it's my family name and the national symbol of Brittany.

Breizh Atao!

[ilikeverin]

2. Abolish the regions and allow the people to vote on the size, structure and powers of new federal institutions. You can choose to have a larger or a smaller government.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

At least he's in favor of abolishing something rather than keeping the wishy-washy status quo.

[afleitch]

A few developments

Referenda.

Here's how this will work.

As the heart of government is the Senate, I believe that decisions made in the Senate (with the exception of specific emergency legislation and declarations of war) should be subject to public approval through referenda. These referenda should be held at the end of each month (and in occassion co-inciding with federal and national elections) in which the legislation approved by the Senate during that month is put to the public vote.

This will require significant amendments to the Constitution, particularly as these bills will remain 'unsigned' by the President for much of this time. The President will be given authority to sign emergency legislation without a public vote (the conditions for this will be defined later)

The President will still hold the power to veto legislation that is approved by the Senate or to send it back to the Senate (and the Senate will still have the power to over rule). If the veto stands it stands and the Bill dies. Therefore the public will have the right to vote on the approval of all legislation passed by the Senate and not subject to a veto.

If the public votes in favour of the legislation, it is signed by the President. If they do not approve, the President will invoke his right to veto the legislation on behalf of the people. Senate procedure will continue as normal. If the Bill is presented to the President again, it will go to a referendum again. If it is again rejected, it will be vetoed again and the Bill will be effectively dead.

[minionofmidas]

Have you got any running mate contenders so far?

[afleitch]

Have you got any running mate contenders so far?

I've had no takers

[Torie]

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So any legislation subject to a veto, is not subject to referenda?  If so, isn't that the case now, ie constitutional amendments?  Your prose is a bit confusing to me. What is being changed from the status quo?

[afleitch]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

So any legislation subject to a veto, is not subject to referenda?  If so, isn't that the case now, ie constitutional amendments?  Your prose is a bit confusing to me. What is being changed from the status quo?

I'm sorry if I didn't make myself clear. It's not about legislation subject to a veto (ie all bills coming from the Senate) but basically all legislation that is passed in the Senate and ready and waiting for the President's signature. (i.e he doesn't exercise his veto over a bill he has objections to etc) Instead of signing it and it becoming law, it goes to a referendum to be voted on. Which is why the constitution also has to be amended so that unsigned bills don't automatically become law, as bills may wait up to three weeks until the referendum. If the people vote for it, the President then signs the bill. If they vote against it, on behalf of the people (and the result of the vote) he uses his veto.

[afleitch]

Come on - no one wants to run for Veep?

On another note, I'll be out of the country with no interwebs until Saturday.

[DownWithTheLeft]

Come on - no one wants to run for Veep?

On another note, I'll be out of the country with no interwebs until Saturday.

Do what should have been done over a year ago and pick Naso

[Hash]

You have my full support and endorsement with Moderate out of the running.

[AndrewTX]

Yes, without President Moderate running for re-election, you have my full support.

[afleitch]

I'm back. What's been happening?

[afleitch]

Might as well make Afleitch/Write-in: Mr. Moderate official.

Would that be the first ticket where both have already served as President?

In light of failing to find a VP, I support this arrangement.