Vote Twobagger for Himes West

[Twobagger]

Hello all.

For those of you that don't know me, here's a quick outline of who I am and what my plans are for this position.

A Brief Introduction
I first came to this region in 2007. I was appointed Taco Island Mayor shortly after my arrival, due to my high levels of activity (read: spamming Taco Island). However, I've done things other than spamming. During my first stint here circa 10 years ago, I recruited over 60 nations to this region. This was back before the creation of the Accelerator (which we all should use, of course), back when messages had to be copied and pasted in by hand. I'm proud to say that one of my recruits has even been knighted. I've also spent time as a buddy, helping to encourage new nations to become more familiar with the region.

To put it mildly, I have some experience in the Senate. At last count, I've served five terms. When I first ran for Senate, I campaigned on introducing wages for workers in the various Ministries, and I played a large role in crafting and passing legislation that accomplished this goal. While the legislation has since been replaced, the idea lives on and is still in effect in our region today.

Finally, during my time here, I joined TITO (although I am not currently active), was knighted, accumulated over 150 battle stars, and held command positions within TITO.

Plans
If elected, I plan on overseeing the casino for the time being. I'd like to see the casino return to being played weekly, and I believe that many of the tasks under the purview of the casino could be automated somewhat to make them easier to do for less technically proficient people. I may also research and test other casino games; however, I don't think that it's appropriate to make large changes to the casino during an abbreviated two-month term. For the time being, I would view my role as Senator as being more of a steward/caretaker for this position.

Thank you for your time. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have for me.

[Jabberwocky]

Do you plan to be active in TITO?

[Louisistan]

1.) What is your stance on the Transaprency Act? 10000islands.proboards.com/thread/36520/ns-284-transparency-act-passed
2.) How would you have voted on the latest treaties with Yggdrasil and TRR? 10000islands.proboards.com/thread/36457/10000-islands-yggdrasil-treaty-passed and 10000islands.proboards.com/thread/36334/282-xki-treaty-friendship-passed
3.) We recently saw the first invocation of the Senate Vacancies Act. Are you content with how it played it out or do you believe it should be improved? 10000islands.proboards.com/thread/35801/275-senate-vacancies-act-passed
4.) Knowing that non-secure Council Debates will now be made available to the public eye. Will that impact your behaviour during such debates compared to previous terms you served on the Council?

[Twobagger]

Thanks to both of you for your questions.

Jan 7, 2019 10:10:43 GMT -5 Jabberwocky said:

Do you plan to be active in TITO?

Eventually, I would like to make a return to TITO. However, I am currently in a busier period in my personal life. If I were to return to TITO in the near future, it would have to be in an EF role, as I anticipate not being able to make the major update on most nights in the near future, and for my own health reasons. Additionally, I would like to demonstrate a period of continued involvement in the region over a period of time before I apply to join TITO.

Jan 7, 2019 10:20:28 GMT -5 Louisistan said:

1.) What is your stance on the Transaprency Act? 10000islands.proboards.com/thread/36520/ns-284-transparency-act-passed
2.) How would you have voted on the latest treaties with Yggdrasil and TRR? 10000islands.proboards.com/thread/36457/10000-islands-yggdrasil-treaty-passed and 10000islands.proboards.com/thread/36334/282-xki-treaty-friendship-passed
3.) We recently saw the first invocation of the Senate Vacancies Act. Are you content with how it played it out or do you believe it should be improved? 10000islands.proboards.com/thread/35801/275-senate-vacancies-act-passed
4.) Knowing that non-secure Council Debates will now be made available to the public eye. Will that impact your behaviour during such debates compared to previous terms you served on the Council?

1.) I believe that our region is stronger when more of its citizens are participating in the debates and discussions that help shape our region. That's one of the benefits of the political party system in theory, and one of the benefits of having dedicated areas (like offices) for citizens to approach their elected officials with their concerns and hopes for the region. I believe that the Transparency Act is a good way to achieve this aim while avoiding the pitfalls that other changes have fallen into.

I believe that the Transparency Act will lead to greater citizen involvement in government. I hope that it does indeed play out like that - that citizens take it upon themselves to weigh in on some of the issues being discussed that are important to them. Personally, I appreciated the chance to discuss the potential changes to the Himes West Senate seat; before this act, however, I wouldn't have been able to do that, and would just have to voice my pleasure/displeasure about any potential changes to my senators - if they ever happened.

2.) I would have deferred to the Delegate and Chief Executive on Yggdrasil, and I would have voted in favor of the treaty with TRR.

I believe that Yggdrasil is a close and valued friend, and our formal friendship with them is a decade old. Ordinarily, a treaty of friendship with them would be a no-brainer. However, the fact that we already had formal ties with them complicates things somewhat to me. To me, the main important changes from the old treaty to the new treaty seem to be:
a) the removal of military language, like the requirement to host each other's military officers and come to each other's aid should war be declared, and
b) the addition of more civilian language, like permitting citizens to participate in each other's events.
I have not been involved in TITO in quite some time, and I honestly don't know what effects, if any, these changes will have (particularly the first). However, I understand that my role as a Senator would not have been to negotiate, but to either accept or reject. With this in mind, I'd have deferred to the Chief Executive or the Delegate, or voted FOR this treaty (if that was not possible for some reason).

To me, the treaty with TRR is more open and shut. I think that it is regrettable how the feeders and sinkers seem to have fallen more and more under the influence of raiders. Some of them have formal raider armies, and others have raiders in highly placed positions of leadership. But these regions are all among the largest in the game. Their Delegates' votes count for a lot in the World Assembly, and they have the potential to host large, active militaries.

To that end, I think that a formal treaty with TRR is a pretty big deal. In my mind, this further solidifies TRR as a big exception to the rule that feeders and sinkers lean raider if they have an alignment at all. I am also pretty happy with the clause regarding WA voting.

On the whole, I think this treaty is a boon for our region, and I would definitely have voted FOR.

3.) I'm content with the process we are seeing now: that our Chief Executive was empowered to choose a candidate to fill the seat in the short term, while allowing the citizens of this region to choose their representative as soon as the next election cycle rolls around. I don't have a lot to say on this topic, and I don't have any suggestions to improve it - I'm fine with how it's playing out for now.

4.) I don't think so, at least not consciously. In my previous terms on the Senate, I sought out feedback from citizens, and brought it to the Council on occasion... although, I must say that I didn't receive all that much feedback. For the proposed changes we discussed during my terms, I didn't say much in private that I wouldn't have been fine with saying in public.

Of course, there are going to be a few unavoidable differences - I'll have to tailor my arguments to a different audience, and citizens will have the opportunity to convince me of their arguments. But on the whole, no, I don't think it will affect my behavior that much: I'll still weigh in where I can, and when I feel I'm qualified to do so like I would have done otherwise.

EDIT: to expand on this, I specifically want to add that I would not wait for other citizens to chime in on a certain issue before adding my own feedback if I feel that I am qualified to add my own feedback to the discussion of an issue. I foresee that some senators could be tempted to do this, and I would want to weigh in early where I feel that I have something to add.

[Louisistan]

Twobagger, I would be very happy to see you return to the council. I'm happy to endorse your candidacy.

[Twobagger]

Jan 12, 2019 11:19:05 GMT -5 Louisistan said:

Twobagger, I would be very happy to see you return to the council. I'm happy to endorse your candidacy.

Thanks very much for your support, Louisistan. It's greatly appreciated.

[A Lee Project]

For all those who have interests in Cromwell/A Lee Project...

I have been informed of the following by virtue of the Cromwell Parliament and the Office of the Consuls....

——————
The Government of Cromwell, through an Act passed by the Cromwell Parliament and receiving Consular Consent through signature, instructs it’s WA nation bloc (A Lee Project) to vote FOR the nation of Twobagger as Senator to the Council of Nine (Co9).

Motioned by: Jeanna Siddall, MPS for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo

Seconded by: Emelia Espinosa, MPS for Kensington

First Reading Passed: 9 January 2019
Second Reading Passed: 11 January 2019
Final Reading Passed: 12 January 2019
Enacted by Consul: 13 January 2019

[Twobagger]

Jan 13, 2019 17:45:48 GMT -5 A Lee Project said:

SPOILER: Click to show

For all those who have interests in Cromwell/A Lee Project...

I have been informed of the following by virtue of the Cromwell Parliament and the Office of the Consuls....

——————
The Government of Cromwell, through an Act passed by the Cromwell Parliament and receiving Consular Consent through signature, instructs it’s WA nation bloc (A Lee Project) to vote FOR the nation of Twobagger as Senator to the Council of Nine (Co9).

Motioned by: Jeanna Siddall, MPS for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo

Seconded by: Emelia Espinosa, MPS for Kensington

First Reading Passed: 9 January 2019
Second Reading Passed: 11 January 2019
Final Reading Passed: 12 January 2019
Enacted by Consul: 13 January 2019

Thanks for your support, ALP! I appreciate it a ton.

[Paffnia]

Congrats Twobagger!

[Louisistan]

Wooo!

[Twobagger]

Thanks Paffnia and Louisistan.

I'd also like to express my gratitude to the voters, for electing me to this office. I will do my best to live up to the ideals and expectations of this office.

A special thanks goes out to all of you who supported me publicly on the forums or discord. I could not have won in this election without your support, and I am honored that you chose to support me. I hope that, over time, I can be the Senator that you had in mind when you threw your support behind me.

As always, all of you are welcome to come to me with your thoughts, ideas, and hopes for the region. I look forward to serving each and every one of you.

[A Lee Project]

On behalf of the people of Cromwell, we congratulate Twobagger in their election to Senator!

[Siuts]

Many congrats on winning the election Twobagger. I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job.