Question from a citizen to the delegates

[Vepres]

It is my understanding that this convention was called for by the President because he believed that the entire system of government in Atlasia needed to be looked at because of the low activity. Perhaps activity was a problem in the past, but look at the turnout for the special election. Look at the regional senatorial races, 3 out of 5 of the races are contested. Yes, all regions but the Mideast are dead, but regional reform is needed, not a new national constitution.

I would also like to express my uneasiness about the new constitution. I mean really, parliament? Ministers? Dissolution of congress? This all sounds more like a European style of democracy, not a US style.

So my question is, do we really need such a radical overhaul of the system? For reasons I stated above, wouldn't it be quicker, easier, and better for Atlasia as a whole if some constitutional amendments were passed? For example, minimum GM activity levels, or shorter senatorial terms.

[Vepres]

So my question is, do we really need such a radical overhaul of the system?

No.

The collapse of parties within Atlasia and the lack of Presidential elections with distinct ideological differences between the major candidates are what can really hurt Atlasia. Neither of those seem to be a problem lately, but they could arise again in the future.

Ok then, how would a new constitution prevent the collapse of parties in the future? Seems to me that the RPP and JCP are here to stay, and the DA isn't looking too bad either.

[Vepres]

I still fail to see what benefit abolishing the regions will bring.

It might hurt activity because newbies will have no offices to enter into. Their only choice would be a congressional race, most likely against a well known member of Atlasia.

[Vepres]

The Constitutional Convention was called because the problems with Atlasia are systemic; a bunch of Constitutional Amendments won't do, because they would essentially only enact cosmetic changes.  In order to get at the actual problems with Atlasia, we need to change the core.

What are these systemic problems? Can you give a few examples? And what do you mean by change the core? I don't think abolishing regions or switching to a parliamentarian system *shudder* would solve any problems, they may even worsen some.

[Vepres]

Considering every new member clamors for the maintenance of the regions, I don't understand why you continue to deny their ability to help orient people to the game.

Because it's easy to imagine new members orienting to the game anyway.  You'll notice that the vast majority of replies to Vepres's Senatorial declaration were from either non-Midwesterners or me/Lewis trying to educate him on the culture of the Midwest (efforts entirely rebuffed ).  Very little input was given from Midwestern citizens.  In fact, the response to his PM campaign to Midwesterners-only was apparently so negative that he quit the campaign rather than keep running.  The fact that he stayed in the race for so long and remains active despite what he considers his cool reception from Midwesterners testifies to the fact that it is Vepres—emphatically not the Midwestern Region—that is the reason that Vepres is so active.

I understand and support the Midwestern culture now. In fact, I entirely support the state names I was once opposed to.

You should've seen the results of my PM polling. It was 7 to 9 "I won't vote for you" and 1 undecided.

I'm not talking activity. I'm talking introduction and orientation to the game. Without that you have new members running for federal office before they are ready.

This would help significantly. I think a lot of newbies would be more active if they understood what it took to run for national office, and how to run for any office, national or otherwise.

[Vepres]

I think universalism is a bad choice. Atlasia is about elections first, then government. Universalism would essentially flip that, which most Atlasians would not support.

Oh, and the regions aren't totally dead. The Mideast is always active, and the Pacific region has its periods of activity every few weeks.