Issues (Sen 01/06)

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

So, what do people propose about the recent decline in population? (I'm more interested on this issue.)

Furthermore, what are people's ideas on the possible salary system?

[Jesioneka]

Thanks for opening the debate! I was afraid we wouldn't be having one for a while there.

On immigration, I think part of the problem has been that the 10KI has lacked a strong identity in the NS world lately as TITO has become less active. Even though overall NS population has declined recently, regions that stand for something have fared better (ex: anti-UN regions like Gatesville and Change, or real-life geography-based regions like Europe and England). Still, a lot of the population we lost last month was puppets, as Fleeb's 90 UN endorsements remained unchanged.

So what do I propose? We need to sell our region better overall. If TITO stays less active, then we need to craft our identity around other unique 10KI features. Specifically here, I think our taco system is unique, and further innovation and taco usages could attract and keep nations. I really think that tacos are a key to our region's future, as long as we keep developing the system and making them useful. In addition, the 10KI Magazine is another selling point that needs further development. Many other regions have "news sources," and I'd like to see ours gain more NS notoriety. Lastly, although this isn't a Senator's business, revitalizing TITO and making it more active remains our strongest suit. Hand in hand with this is improving our foreign relations, something I've started with the emissary program, though it needs more work.

On salaries, I think this is the key to motivating our immigration assistants. Actually, the Council has made a lot of progress in developing the salary system. The problem has been how time-consuming it is to implement. Thus, I would propose that, if the boards allow it, the Regional Reserve Chairman (Sinn) be granted the authority to make taco transfers for salaries. This would relieve Grub of some of this work and get the ball rolling.

[Gluuland]

We are fairly certain that imm. is just in a quiet period, and will regain what has been lost in time. I have firmly believed that our region needs a stronger public image, just like the other senators. Jesioneka has done a great job in the emissary program, and i believe foreign relations will be key to making a comeback. We will investigate immigration strategies, role plays, and create stronger relations with other defender regions so we will never be "out of the loop" on a mission.

I have proposed a reorganization of the forums to make them easily accessable and friendly. Going along with our "international image," this refurbishment would add more themes to the forums and expand the government to allow more members to have their say.

The Theme: Our unique currency will be played in this idea, putting emphasis on a strong government, but the question remains, what kind of a region is governed? Ideas are still welcome in what the xki citizens would like to see, but it seems logical to give the 10000 Islands a beach theme or the like. Perhaps a region dedicated to travels with owned terratories for which we could charge people to have residence in, thus putting tacos to use. A NationStates tour company is also an exciting idea.

The Government: The UPP is for an expansion of the Co9 for more seats. The council recognizes that more involvement would be better, yet expansion does not seem feasable until we have a bigger poulation in which we can establish a firm chain of command. TITO would remain seperate under grubs control, but we would certainly clean up the headquarters and reform our ranks. The government itself would be split into an Upper council (much like the current Co9) and a lower council (run by the upper council senators, but also including other representitives.) Again, we cant do this straight away, but it will grow along with the population.

Stock: Immigration stock has not dominated our lives, but i feel that diversifying into TITO stock, or even stocks from other regions can heighten activity.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

As Gluuland is a fellow candidate using the UPP platform I am in agreement with the policies outlined, and with regards to the theme divulged, The taco can play a large roll. It has always been a desire of mine as RRC to make it inter regional. A tourist program with some of the larger regions could be organised, where the is viable in their forums as well, thereby increasing the flow of activity between the regions, creating further business opportunities here in 10KI, and passing word about our region to other nations.

The Magazine, as Jesioneka says, is a selling point we are failing to harness. I hope that the work the Dept. Education is currently doing in re-invigorating the university will bring a student culture to our forums, allowing at least a partial take-over as Union paper, as both a resource, and outlet of expression.

In addition, i am in agreement with Jesioneka regarding the RRC's ability to make the funds transfers for salaries. Independant advisory committees could exist to regulate these transferals from time to time, just to make sure that (I) the RRC doesnt get corrupt or lazy.

I believe that given the decline in population, we must make a return to consensus politics, as opposed to adversarial politics. This way we can focus on the issues at hand as opposed to expedience for personal gain.

[Estayland]

sinn said:

I believe that given the decline in population, we must make a return to consensus politics, as opposed to adversarial politics. This way we can focus on the issues at hand as opposed to expedience for personal gain.

When have you experienced adversarial politics in this region? Can you give us any examples?

jesioneka said:

So what do I propose? We need to sell our region better overall. If TITO stays less active, then we need to craft our identity around other unique 10KI features. Specifically here, I think our taco system is unique, and further innovation and taco usages could attract and keep nations. I really think that tacos are a key to our region's future, as long as we keep developing the system and making them useful.

What ideas do you have for the tacos? How could our citizens use them other than investment and the lottery?

js1490 said:

The Government: The UPP is for an expansion of the Co9 for more seats. The council recognizes that more involvement would be better, yet expansion does not seem feasable until we have a bigger poulation in which we can establish a firm chain of command. TITO would remain seperate under grubs control, but we would certainly clean up the headquarters and reform our ranks. The government itself would be split into an Upper council (much like the current Co9) and a lower council (run by the upper council senators, but also including other representitives.) Again, we cant do this straight away, but it will grow along with the population.

How would two houses improve the government? What's wrong with just one council?

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

Jesioneka, (slight aside) you mentioned a problem with the transfer of Tacos? Would you be for a Global Moderator having similar powers to change bank balances?

To all the candidates, there is talk in Canada of monetary system, and I would imagine other regions have had similar ideas. However, I believe we are the first to actually creat an economic system. Do you have any ideas how we could make use of a trend to further our region? I see the possibility for the 10000 Islands perhaps handling exchange rates, loaning services, and "detectives" (people who find specific craftspeople for interested buyers, such as flag-making), but how do we achieve this?

[Gluuland]

Estay:
The two houses of government would not be created until we have a bigger and more active region , but they would help make people active on different levels... During our debates over a courst system, we recognized it wasnt the right time... Adding a lower council adds a more distinct heirarchy...

TSNA, lol, perhaps there will be "accountant" positions...

[Jesioneka]

To TSNA: I'm not sure what level of access it requires on the forums to be able to do taco transfers. If that level is Global Moderator, then yes, I would support making the RRC a Global Mod. If the taco transfer power is just a power that can be added to the RRC's current access level on the boards, then I would choose that instead. I think, like you suggested, it requires becoming a Global Mod -- and I'm fine with that because I think payroll is that important. I hope that's not too confusing.

On taco ideas -- I think private companies will be the next wave of taco development. Examples:

1) Companies that come up with items to sell in the 10KI Shop for RP'ing.
2) Private enterprises for immigration and education, whose stock prices are affected by how well they bring in and/or keep nations here. (This would also help the government's attempts at rebuilding and maintaining our population. I should also give credit where it's due, as this is a UPP idea which I support.)

Other ideas:
3) Advertising (by companies or individuals) on the WFE or the scrollbar on our boards here.
4) Tacos as prizes for winning future treasure hunts or Taco Cup sports tourneys. There could be admission fees for these eventually (but I think to encourage participation they should remain free for now.)

Really, versions of these ideas I like have floated around in one form or another. The problem, as TSNA suggested, is in implementing them. If our taco system becomes as large as it could be potentially, the RRC will definitely need assistants, sooner than later I hope. Assistants could also help the taco system grow quicker than it has so far. This is just an idea -- maybe Sinn can speak more to whether he needs assistants right now or not. In the future, though, I think they'll be necessary.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Just to let everyone know, and i will comment on the issues raised later, that as of now, thats about 7:40pm GMT, i am PULLING OUT of the Race with Jesioneka in. And infact out of the election all together. I have good reasons, and i can assure you all that this is the best way for me to help the region.

[Gluuland]

Just because the race is "over" does not mean we should stop talking about issues... Elections are a way of bringing up issues for the candidates to answer... Please continue to ask questions of your senators so we can serve you better...

[Estayland]

I'd still like Sinn to give me an example of adversarial politics and using politics for personal gain in our region.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Right, yes sorry. Well, adversarial politics. Let me recall the context:

"I believe that given the decline in population, we must make a return to consensus politics, as opposed to adversarial politics. This way we can focus on the issues at hand as opposed to expedience for personal gain."

Right. Adversarial politics obviously doesnt have much of a place at present in our region. If anything here is at fault, it is my wording. I mean we must make a greater move to consensus politics -even though we are not at the other extreme right now-, especially in the area regarding IMM. Just this morning another 7 nations CTEd. Only by working together and going ahead with certain ideas -which under normal circumstances we might be at odds on- for the sake of the region, as opposed to our own personal notions of what would be successful, and which might benefit us.

I of course use broad terms, and rather than this being a contentious point, it is a re itteration of why the policies described previously should be used. I think the key issue is IMM. This is what the whole 'adversarial' and 'consensus' bit is about.