'Sinn For Senator'

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Afternoon Islanders,

Having seen the rapid use of the Debate thread, and the messiness that has ensued with Q and A being fired backwards and forwards all over the place, i have decided to make this thread to keep things a little bit neater.

If you have any questions about my personal ideas, UPP policy, platform etc, or innovation for the region then please use this thead as a Q and A session. I invite everyone, including fellow candidates, to voice their opinions here as well.

Thanks,
Sinn.

[XFracture]

Can't keep up in the debate thread? (Just kidding)

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

lol, but of course, it's simply a little confusing. This way debate can continue but points raised to individual candidates.

[Gluuland]

How do you want to change your responsibilities as being RRC?

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Well, thats a good question, one that obviusly bears extra relevance for me.

It is my belief that at the moment the actual physical role of the Regional Reserve Chairman (RRC) is purely cosmetic: I compile a fortnightly Rich List, and act as a funds transferal intermediary.
However, i do not possess the ability to make physical funds transferals, which i believe would be an intrinsic part of my job. The reasons i would cite to support this are as follows:
To increase efficiency of transfer, and thus encourage purchase and transaction. Grub does not have enough time to deal with every transaction quickly, especially in situations where time is a competing factor.

Additionally, Governmental wages have yet to be introduced, because of the large work load this would entail (in maintaining records, bonus distribution etc).
I believe the RRC, as head of the economy, should be granted the power to make physical funds transferals (RRCFTP). This would then mean that i could with greater ease develop the private sector i feel is just waiting to be tapped into. Of course, intense scrutiny should be invoked by the Co9 to make sure a corruption free RR is operating, but the benefits are self evident.

Skwerrels Arts Foundation, Alf's Nobel Prize Trust, Kericia's Sports league, TSNA's Various Vanity Flattering Organisations show the level of interest out there, and are failing to harness the because the RRC is powerless to directly help them.

Remember, if we get a greater Private Sector, then we can develop a better stock market, and secondary business can develop accordingly (loan Companies, Mercenary Labour Companies &c.)

The Excitement and innovation of direction is being held up at present by the lack of RRCFTP. Thus, it is my Personal stance, as well as the Manifesto pledge of the UPP to support this motion.

Any further questions on the matter?

[XFracture]

Just curious. How do you feel abotu ocnflict of interest? Do you think being a senator presents a possible conflict of interest as RRC?

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Good question.
Back in December i asked Grub this very same thing.

However his response was thus, and it was good enough for me: The RRC is not elected, and the senators are. The RRC is not a Co9 member, and a Senator is. It is my belief that far from conflicting, the two roles compliment each other: After all, who better can understand the economic implications of legislation passed by our government?

I would hope that my service to the region has only just begun, but that i have acquired the trust and respect of my peers in the last 7 months, and to such a degree that they would elect me to such a position where i can continue to contribute. Contribute in a meaningful sense.

[XFracture]

Perhaps. However, in the United Sates, the Federal Reserve Chairman is barred from ANY and ALL legislative influence. The only thing he can do is to adjust the prime interest rate at which banks borrow money. This one tool is VERY powerful, and effects all aspects of the economy. Taking that notion into the current situation with 10KI, I beleive there is a substanstial possibility for conflcit for RRC's who hold legislative powers. There must be a check an balance on that position in my mind. Perhaps the Co9 will serve to provide that balance, but maybe not. While you, personally, may not abuse the situation, some future persons holding both offices may.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

I agree, in so far as The Co9 must always excersise intense scrutiny over the RRC, and i have made my opinions on this matter clear over the months. I still feel that RRCFTP (funds transferal power) is vital for the growth of the economy, and i know there is support within the chamber for this already.
I am able to seperate the political work i do from the RR work when neccessary. Right now for example, i am dealing with advertising costs for many of the candidates. Any future RRC might have some different circumstances placed upon them, but for myself, i have no intention of leaving the job now, especially when so much is able to be achieved, and when so little has.

[XFracture]

I fully support RRCFTP (funds transferal power), which is partly why see a conflict of interest here. You mention the advertising costs for candidates. In my mind, when I got that first PM from you concerning my signature - my first, gut reaction was distrust. Of course, I was able to move beyond that initial gut reaction, but the point is that it felt funny, with you being a candidate for Senate. And the more I think about it the more I really have issues with the RRC having a seat on the Seante. It is kind of like allowing a treasurer to have a voting seat on a chruch board - it is an ethical & liability no-no.

Perhaps, the RRC should be granted the position of advisor to the Senate with no voting power.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

I will be standing for senate as i feel there is no confliction of interest.

I have always functioned within my parametres, and i hope that my service to this region can outweigh any initial suspicion people may hold.

[XFracture]

In setting this precedent, I just hope that those who follow you have the same uprightness of character.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

I have every confidence in my party members, all of whom are upstanding members of society and hold government positions in many cases themselves.
I certainly would not allow myself to be manipulated in any case.

[XFracture]

Setting this precedent is not limited to your party. It opens up the possibiity of unscrupulous behavior by future RRC's, no matter where they come from.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Then i would suggest to you that i have no intention of leaving the role for a long time, and when that time does come, i'm sure the Co9, and Grub will have the foresight to appoint a trustworthy, and diligant RRC, who is up to their full scrutiny. I think we must give the Government a little credit here.

[XFracture]

The appearance of inpropriety is often more dangerous than imprudent acts themselves.

[Assassins and Bandits]

Hmm.. how many posts that you are currently serving at 10KI? I think it should be a few, how do you could make sure you can fulfill all the responsibilitys as a Senator?

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

I am currently (in government roles) a member of IMM, Labour, Education, and RRC. It is my belief that as a senator i should continue my work in IMM regardless, but i would drop perhaps one of these government departments were i to be elected.
Labour is of the highest intensity, and it also is a good stepping stone for new nations, so i would vacate that position, both for my own benefit, and the regions.
However i am presently able to maintain all of these without falter, and i think it proves only my reliability and dedication to the region.

[XFracture]

I think it may prove your dedication - no arguments. However, when we have people who are willing to get in there and do the job, we shouldn't be hungering for even more influence.

In fact, I would submit, from my extensive experience in leadership in RL, that a good leader takes on less responsibility because he gives more away, not the reverse.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Hence i would drop one department. IMM i would continue as part of my job as a senator. There is no limit to the number of people who can work in IMM, so that wouldnt be anyones potential loss. I feel i can best help the region as a senator, and in this respect, i must do what i feel is right.

Besides, i wish to create a private sector, which would employ nations in a vastly increased number of positions. Surely to deny them that entire potential aspect of our Region would be worse?

[XFracture]

You can do that (create a private sector) as an advisor to the Co9, as the RRC - without creating a potential conflict of interest, and without potetially denying another perfectly capable citizen the opportunity to serve as Senator.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

However at the moment the Co9 is still deliberating about RRCFTP, and has been for many months. You will forgive my desire to get the ball rolling, and in my current capacity, i am without the impetus neccessary. I don't think I can say much more on the matter without repeating myself.

[XFracture]

I don't mind repeating myself

The two offices present a potential conflict of interest. No institution in the world (that I know of) has been foolish enough to openly mix power over legislation and power over money. In corporations, government bodies, non-profit institutions, political parties, etc, etc, etc, money and power is separated.

Besides, you have made it abundantly clear that you feel strongly about the issue, so whoever is elected, will be sure to put this at a priority. In fact, if I am assuming the reason behind slow action on this to be what I think it is, I have a potential solution.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

xfracture said:

I don't mind repeating myself

The two offices present a potential conflict of interest. No institution in the world (that I know of) has been foolish enough to openly mix power over legislation and power over money. In corporations, government bodies, non-profit institutions, political parties, etc, etc, etc, money and power is separated.

Besides, you have made it abundantly clear that you feel strongly about the issue, so whoever is elected, will be sure to put this at a priority. In fact, if I am assuming the reason behind slow action on this to be what I think it is, I have a potential solution.

Im not sure what you are implying with that last sentance so i will leave that.

In terms of power, I would cite Gordon Brown as chancellor of the Exchequer in Britain, who has both economic, and legislative power. Private agreement may be the cause of this, but over 8 years of economic success has proven that the right character can hold up both his own integrity, and this kind of position.

I can assure you, that if the people of this region decide to elect Skwerrel from my race, i will support that, and continue my present work with vigour and diligance. I understand his past experience, and i respect him for his ideas, and as a person.
However, I believe that in the current state of things, I am the better person for the job, and it is with this in mind that i put myself forward. There is no personal, or even surreptitious ulterior motivation behind my actions.

[XFracture]

The issue is beyond just one election and one Senator and one RRC. The establishment of a system where a conflict of interest can occur is contrary to responsible governing. The present situation is not grounds for a perpetual structure. You design structures to prevent against what may happen not around what is happening.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Well, the RRC has no official term length. When i feel it my time to move on, i will provide sufficient notice, and the Co9 can deliberate upon the best course of action. I agree it goes beyond this single instance, but in light of this we should judge each case individually. I believe that in this case there is no issue.

[Skwerrel]

Just want to wish you luck, Sinn.

[XFracture]

sinn said:

xfracture said:

In fact, if I am assuming the reason behind slow action on this to be what I think it is, I have a potential solution.

Im not sure what you are implying with that last sentance so i will leave that.

Sinn, this statement was not meant to imply anything. Amongst my skill-set is programming. I have an idea that the reason behind the slow action is that of security because of the way the taco system programming works. I think I can help with that to give the RCC ATF without sacrifices the security of the forums at large.

[Bratesbourgh]

My opinion on this,

First off Gordon Brown is the Exchequer, not the Bank of England. He has a position on the equivalence of Secretary of Treasury, which due to the lack of a true executive branch in UK falls to the legislature. Actually, it is the monarch who controls it, but by protocol grants the position to the majority party.
The position you hold is the position of the Chairman of the Federal Reserve or the Bank of England who controls monetary policy. The main reason that the holding of these two positions have is the following: As all ads and monetary transfers are based to pay, maintain, and fund political ventures, a political person holding the power causes an incredible conflict of interest. I'm not saying you would do this, but the power to move funds and regulate a system so intertwined with political speech is beyond common sense. It is like a Senator holding the Chairmanship of the Federal Reserve, the Board of Governors, Secretary of Treasury, and the Federal Elections Chairman.
I think your position should be appointed and held by someone outside the Co9, and under their governance, not part of it. Senators can appropriate funds, they should also be in charge of making monetary transfers.
Just my thoughts...

Bratesbourgh