Alternative Constitutional Convention

[ilikeverin]

Given that the other has been essentially a wash for advocates of reform, would true-minded proponents of reform like to have a get-together here?  Would help both in suggesting alternatives and in making sure we know who all of us are (in case you don't want to join the LNF for some rason).

Obviously, creating a whole constitution would be rather boring, so I propose we come up with some points to create a MANIFESTO.  Because "manifesto" is an awesome word.  I propose we title it "Ostend Manifesto Part II", because, really "Ostend Manifesto" is a pretty awesome name for a manifesto, and it would be a shame to let it go to waste.

This "Alternative Constitutional Convention" is primarily geared towards proponents of reforms such as the abolition of regional senate seats and the like.  Obviously, I'm not saying that no one else can participate, but since this isn't actually the convention it doesn't make sense to be trying to demolish our every argument in this thread.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Lord have mercy.

[Хahar 🤔]

Lord have mercy.

If you've got something worth saying, please say it now.

Shall we have members sign in?

[Hatman 🍁]

I apologize, but I personally oppose abolish regional senate seats.

Here's something I would like to see:

I remember someone suggesting adding a house of represenatives? That's something I would love to see. Maybe have a Congress of 15 or 20 members. The Senate could be elected by STV while the House could be represented by districts (created from regions).

I understand there's an issue of competitive elections, but I don't think that's the fault of the system. We need to be more anti-establishment with our votes, encourage people to run, etc...

[Хahar 🤔]

Now, that's interesting, but what if there were multi-seat regional constituencies? This would require larger regions, of course.

[Marokai Backbeat]

A House of Representives is entirely unnecessary. It's change for change's sake.

[Sewer]

It's change for change's sake.

...So?

[Marokai Backbeat]

It's change for change's sake.

...So?

Well, there's no need to rock the boat with 133 citizens just for the hell of it.

[Hatman 🍁]

A House of Representives is entirely unnecessary. It's change for change's sake.

It would make the game more fun. I'm trying to make the game more fun. I think this game could be more than just elections. I miss when we used to have redistribution, there would always be a lot of fun redistricting. When we abolished that, we lost a fun part of the game.

I just created a proposal map for a possible House. I know what the complaints will be (districts are too small, yadda, yadda). But, it was fun, and I think we can have fun doing it.

I used the formula for apportioning of the US Congress based on our current voter rolls.

[Хahar 🤔]

There could be a unicameral legislature, which each of those districts electing three members.

[Fritz]

I really tried to get a "re-regioning" procedure past the ConCon, but I faced nothing but opposition, so I dropped it.  I really would like an element of proportional representation (with gerrymandering being a potential issue) to be re-introduced to the game.

[ilikeverin]

I would be more supportive of a return to districts or a bicameral legislature if it were accompanied by the abolition of regions, but that's pretty much unfeasible in the current political climate.

However, one thing that I brought up during the Convention was the idea of self-determined regional boundaries.  This would go a step further than Fritz.  My idea would essentially be for another "election" every few months.  Citizens would be allowed to vote on either whether to remain in their current region or move to a new one or on what region they want to be a part of (the difference seems like one of semantics, but it likely would lead to different voter behavior—there's a reason I changed the Midwest Constitution to a retain/not retain gubernatorial election when I attempted to create a constitutional amendment to comply with the ilikeverin Governor for Life Act).  Within each state a tally would be made and the region with the most votes would be joined by that particular state (ties and states without residents would have to be resolved somehow...).  That way there would be the introduction of a healthy level of competition between the regions (so people who wanted an assembly could be with others who wanted an assembly and so on).

[Purple State]

I apologize, but I personally oppose abolish regional senate seats.

Here's something I would like to see:

I remember someone suggesting adding a house of represenatives? That's something I would love to see. Maybe have a Congress of 15 or 20 members. The Senate could be elected by STV while the House could be represented by districts (created from regions).

I understand there's an issue of competitive elections, but I don't think that's the fault of the system. We need to be more anti-establishment with our votes, encourage people to run, etc...

The idea of a House is the current proposal in the Convention. Feel free to participate and check it out.

[Хahar 🤔]

Here's something for you: dual office-holding.

Here's another thing for you: unfixed legislative terms.

Here's a third thing for you: governmental responsibility.

[Hash]

Here's something for you: dual office-holding.

Can I be the Arnaud Montebourg of Atlasia, launching a crusade against dual office-holding and later being holding three?

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Endors'd

[Хahar 🤔]

Here's something for you: dual office-holding.

Can I be the Arnaud Montebourg of Atlasia, launching a crusade against dual office-holding and later being holding three?

Only after it gets passed.

[minionofmidas]

Hm hmm. I've more or less given up on meaningful reform. But this thing is certain to be at least as relevant as the official Convention, not that it would be possible not to be.

Also, Ostend is a boring little commercial port.

[Lief 🗽]

Here's something for you: dual office-holding.

Here's another thing for you: unfixed legislative terms.

Here's a third thing for you: governmental responsibility.

1) No one wants it.

2) No one wants it.

3) No one wants it.

[minionofmidas]

True, Mr President.

[ilikeverin]

It's true that only I want the last two, but I thought there were more people in favor of dual office holding than just me.

[Хahar 🤔]

I believe there are.

But let us start with an analysis of the current system. What is wrong, and why?

[Purple State]

I believe there are.

But let us start with an analysis of the current system. What is wrong, and why?

Non-competitive elections for important positions because there are too many higher offices and too few lower seats. Also, inactivity is an issue, but that is cured by sparking interest and hasn't seemed to be much of a problem of late.

Really, regional legislatures, simply to create more avenues for new members to learn and participate are the best solution to it all. They tend to serve as refining mills and launching pads for new members to gain prominence and eventually fun for higher office. So the next question is how can a federal amendment spur the formation of regional legislatures. That's what needs to be answered.

[Meeker]

I support dual office-holding. Unfixed legislative terms could be interesting.

I have no interest in governmental responsibility.

[minionofmidas]

I believe there are.

But let us start with an analysis of the current system. What is wrong, and why?

Non-competitive elections for important positions because there are too many higher offices and too few lower seats. Also, inactivity is an issue, but that is cured by sparking interest and hasn't seemed to be much of a problem of late.

Really, regional legislatures, simply to create more avenues for new members to learn and participate are the best solution to it all. They tend to serve as refining mills and launching pads for new members to gain prominence and eventually fun for higher office. So the next question is how can a federal amendment spur the formation of regional legislatures. That's what needs to be answered.

Oh great, even more uncompetitive elections.

[DownWithTheLeft]

Most regional legislatures have uncompetitive elections (although not the Mideast for the first time which is a great sign), but they later to more competitive elections higher up because they produce more viable candidates