Vote for Twobagger: Senator 7/07

[Twobagger]

Since you're reading this, you're likely either wondering who to vote for in the upcoming Senate elections, or wondering "Why on Earth would anyone vote for Twobagger?" Either way, here's why I think I would make a good Senator. I ask that you read and consider each of my reasons, but if that seems like too much, just skip to the bold part at the bottom.

First off, I am currently your Taco Island Mayor. While this is not such a prestigious job, it reflects a good deal of involvement both with the region and with the people of the region (i.e. you guys). These characteristics are, in my opinion, key to making informed decisions that best serve the region and the people in it.
I have also spent quite a bit of time with TITO. As a member of the EF, I reject the notion that those of us Stateside who aren't awake during update time can't help with our region's most prestigious institution, TITO.
Also, during my time here, I have done my fair share of IMM volunteer work. In fact, I was a member of the first IMM Team Battle, and will be a Captain in the one to come. As our region is nothing without its people, adding to the region's population through IMM work is, I believe, indicative of my devotion to the region.
Finally, I have also volunteered with the Education Department to teach a class at the University. While this may not seem like such an important contribution at first, I believe that it underscores my goal to improve every part of this region.

If you've been skimming, please stop here. There's not much left to read, I promise.
To close, a short list of the reasons to vote for Twobagger: TITO service, IMM work, Education Department volunteering, and Taco Island Mayor.

Twobagger: A Regionwide Commitment to Quality

[Mutanatia]

The Press Corps would like to know:
What class are you teaching at the University?

[Twobagger]

I teach XKI World Religions.

[Estayland]

Why do you say Mayor isn't that prestigious?

Would you be interested in the Speaker seat of the AoN?

[Twobagger]

I say Mayor isn't that prestigious because the jobs and duties involved are restricted to just one part of the region (even if it is a pretty big part). However, some of the other positions (IMM volunteer and TITO member) reflect on the region as a whole, as well as the whole region.

Also, I would be interested in the Speaker seat. I've been a part of AoN for quite some time, and though I will likely be forced to resign my AoN position if elected, it would be nice to still be involved in such a large and influential body of nations.

[Mutanatia]

TTICP: What will you do as speaker, if elected to the senate and then elected as speaker?

[Twobagger]

Well, those are a couple of pretty big "ifs." However, if elected as Speaker I will do my job exactly as outlined in the AoN charter.

(= Got you.

[Mutanatia]

TTIPC: Are you confident going into this election?

[Twobagger]

Depends. Confident about what? I'm confident that I'll be able to carry out my promises. I'm confident that, if elected, I'll serve my constituents and my region to the best of my ability.

I'm not yet confident that I'll be elected. I do, after all, have an opponent.

[Hockeynutville]

If I am Joe six-pack here in the islands, what will you do for me or any islander if we give you our votes. Forget any AoN business, or regarding some odd agenda to do with the warped politics that have gone on around here. What will you do for the islanders, who beyond the C09 or administration, make or break this community?

[Twobagger]

naslund said:

If I am Joe six-pack here in the islands, what will you do for me or any islander if we give you our votes. Forget any AoN business, or regarding some odd agenda to do with the warped politics that have gone on around here. What will you do for the islanders, who beyond the C09 or administration, make or break this community?

I take it you want things simple?
If elected, I will listen to those who petition me and allow them to bug me to get me to vote a certain way.
I'll vote for things I think will help the region, and against what I perceive to be useless changes.
I can't control what will be put to a vote, but one thing I will strive for is paid jobs for longtime volunteers in each department. I think more people would commit more time and effort to ensure quality in our State, Education, and Labor departments if they didn't have to do it for nothing.
Did you have anything in particular you'd like to see done?

[Hockeynutville]

Nope, I just wanted to see if you could drop a unique answer to a generic question.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Mr. TwoBagger,

I always feel some senators get past the polling dates, and then go to sleep. They feel they've achieved as much as they want, and then they coast for 4 months, voting in the Co9, but mostly just enjoying their new 'blue' look and 5 rank. To be honest, this isn't good enough.

So, my question:

I'm going to ask you what you think the job description is for a senator. To me, it's never been that clear cut. Also, are you happy with the current job description, and what should it be?

[Twobagger]

sinn said:

Mr. TwoBagger,

I always feel some senators get past the polling dates, and then go to sleep. They feel they've achieved as much as they want, and then they coast for 4 months, voting in the Co9, but mostly just enjoying their new 'blue' look and 5 rank. To be honest, this isn't good enough.

So, my question:

I'm going to ask you what you think the job description is for a senator. To me, it's never been that clear cut. Also, are you happy with the current job description, and what should it be?

Based on what I've seen during my comparatively short stay?
Here's how I've seen it:
"Senator: must stay active during term and stay close to campaign promises."

But that's a bare minimum. Let me preface this long, boring rant with the message that I don't think the current Senate is guilty of this.

I think that any elected official should align themselves with at least one department (usually IMM), and work consistently to better that department. Senators should also be required to respond the people, and their ideas on how to make XKI better, under penalty of being voted out next election (the best punishment for poor performance). I know the ideas are out there, but for some reason, whether our Senators are unapproachable (I don't think this is it) or whether the people don't want to put themselves out for fear of rejection, they aren't being put forth. It's been said that for every twenty ideas put forth, only one will work; but people will forget the other 19 failures in favor of the one huge, smashing success. So, I would like to see people come forward with their ideas in hopes of finding their successes. If the Co9 decides that everything would be better if left as is, that's one thing; but to see people stick their heads in the sand and hide from change is quite another. Not that we need a total overhaul, to that matter: most things (including, in my opinion, the Constitution and the AoN) would be better off left as is for now, but there's always something that could be made better.

In short: our Senators should work closely with the rest of the islanders, because the only thing that seperates Senators from Islanders is this two-week period that happens four times a year. Our Senators should stick with what works in the most important cases, but at the same time be open to what might work better.

And Sinn, I hope there's something in that long, winding ramble of a response that answers what you asked. </politician>

[Assassins and Bandits]

twobagger said:

Estayland has mentioned a marked lack of time earlier, so I won't make him waste time dealing with unsupported accusations.

As you had said it is an unsupported accusations, i wish that you checked the posts clearly between Estayland and I as Estay mentioned GirlsandBoys and myself is the 'twins' going to overstep the boundary between the Council and AoN. Is it not a accusation? Or you think Estayland has strong and valid reasons to category G&B and I? I will like stated this also an unsupported accusations on G&B and I, what do you think?

Only the candidates can say what they like to say, and G&B and I are supposed to be shut up and listen. I strongly disagree!

If lack of time then quit and do not run for senate like Chelodia had done. Lack of time is not a reason for people to run for Senator.

twobagger said:

I think we can agree that making a blacklist would, if true, be extraordinarily poor judgement.
With that in mind, can you produce this so-called "blacklist"? Your whole argument is based on a sensational assumption that defies everything I know about Estayland and what Grub has gone on record of saying about Estay's "top notch decision making." Your closing statement in this paragraph is almost more uncalled for than everything else, but trying to compare any of your above unjustified accusations to any other would be like comparing the shininess of two oversized pieces of fecal matter on my front porch: no matter how you dress them up, they're still pieces of you-know-what that stink up the place and would be better off out of sight.

You have made quite a few unjustified accusations and your entire post stinks of loaded language, bias, and a noted refusal to read or consider facts and truth. I have never known you to say something like this, but I will close by asking you to either support your accusations or withdraw what seems to be a one-man smear attempt, as the UPP has (in my time) never bothered with your apparent cronies:

Messrs. Strawman:

Ad Hominem:
(the insinuation made here) (which implies you think Estay is not loyal)

Again, let me make my point clear. You mentioned that New Islandia made an unjustified accusation for accusing Estayland is not loyal and asking him either support your accusations or withdraw what seems to be a one-man smear attempt. From your this statement, i myself personally think you agreed with Estayland's accusations on G&B and I (because im one of the parties in the inccident so im so sensitive now ), thus i aslo asking you to either support your accusations or withdraw what seems to be a one-man smear attempt.

[Twobagger]

defenderofhonours said:

As you had said it is an unsupported accusations, i wish that you checked the posts clearly between Estayland and I as Estay mentioned GirlsandBoys and myself is the 'twins' going to overstep the boundary between the Council and AoN. Is it not a accusation? Or you think Estayland has strong and valid reasons to category G&B and I? I will like stated this also an unsupported accusations on G&B and I, what do you think?

I think that the very idea of calling it a "blacklist" to imply that he will hold it over your head and use it to your personal detriment is wrong. Perhaps you and Estay differ on some idealogical points, but I don't think we have any reason to believe that Estay hold the differences in thought that you two have on this one matter, against you in other matters.
That's what I was attacking, and I think that's quite clear.
Estayland had the following to say:

There are some, and I feel both of you are included, that want the Assembly of Nations to be a lower house of government.

This seems to be the statement in question. In fact, there are some who want the AoN to be a lower house of government. Whether or not you two are in that group remains to be seen, but I think this idea has been brought up before and people did support it. I don't know whether or not Estayland is correct in his thinking, perhaps you two could clear that up for me? But I do however respect his judgement. You're correct that he has not brought up any supporting evidence thus far for his statement. Whether or not Estay's thinking is fallacious, then, remains to be seen.

But speaking of fallacious:

Only the candidates can say what they like to say, and G&B and I are supposed to be shut up and listen. I strongly disagree!

You know what, mate? I strongly disagree too. I bet Estayland would too. The fact that both of us have posted these threads and replied to every post made is a testament to that.
So I'd like to ask: who are you attributing that argument to? Who said that "candidates can say what they like to say, and G&B and (you) are supposed to be shut up and listen"?

If lack of time then quit and do not run for senate like Chelodia had done. Lack of time is not a reason for people to run for Senator.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have insinuated that Estayland had a "lack of time" that would prevent him to run for Senator. I'd like to retract that statement now, it was a mistake of mine and I don't think it should be held against Estayland.

Again, let me make my point clear. You mentioned that New Islandia made an unjustified accusation for accusing Estayland is not loyal and asking him either support your accusations or withdraw what seems to be a one-man smear attempt. From your this statement, i myself personally think you agreed with Estayland's accusations on G&B and I (because im one of the parties in the inccident so im so sensitive now ), thus i aslo asking you to either support your accusations or withdraw what seems to be a one-man smear attempt.

That's very clever of you, using my own words to attack me. Bravo. However, I don't quite think it's applicable here. In that little snippet of text, which you referenced, I characterize NI's argument as sensational, since I believe it has little base in reality and was instead rooted in language that seems as if he'd stretched the truth quite a bit in order to go way out on a limb and condemn Estayland. I also reference Grub's voucher of Estayland's fine decision-making abilities.
However, I never agree or disagree with Estayland's "accusations" that you two would like to see a certain change made in government. This AoN business has gotten way out of hand. I personally do not feel it should be made a part of XKI government, but I do not and have not condemned anyone who feels otherwise, and I don't think Estayland has resorted to the same thing.
In closing, I say that I have no "one-man smear attempt" to withdraw, since I don't seem to have put one up. I have been nothing if not respectful to both you and GnB, and I did not intend for my disagreements with NI to be construed as insults towards the two of you.

Thank you, though, for voicing your opinion on this matter. It is much appreciated.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

Sorry if you've already posted this in your thread earlier.

Can you give me a quick 5 bullet point summary of your aims/goals/policy if you are to be elected senator, and also give me detail if you have any, of how you will go about achieving this.

Thanks
Sinn.

[Twobagger]

sinn said:

Sorry if you've already posted this in your thread earlier.

Can you give me a quick 5 bullet point summary of your aims/goals/policy if you are to be elected senator, and also give me detail if you have any, of how you will go about achieving this.

Thanks
Sinn.

No problem.

1) Increase involvement in other departments by paying the longtime volunteers
2) Increase regional forum participation by mass PMs and a RMB message or two monthly
3) Don't mess with the Constitution unless we have to
4) Keep the AoN as it is now... a breeding ground for ideas, not a body of government
5) Don't do drugs

I couldn't really think of a fifth point, but I think we can just about all agree on that last one to some extent.

[Mutanatia]

TTIPC: If elected, what reforms do you anticipate will happen in the AoN and would you support such reforms?

[Twobagger]

mutanatia said:

TTIPC: If elected, what reforms do you anticipate will happen in the AoN and would you support such reforms?

I can't help but feel that I've answered this question before, but I can't recall where. Deja vu all over again, if you will. To be honest, I don't support most of the internal reforms that the AoN makes. With the exception of Estay's Technical Corrections proposal, which would ensure that AoN-proposed amendments garner a Constitutionally approved number of citizens, I don't really like internal changes. It isn't broke, and it's worked fine, and there's really not a better way to do things... so why are we going to reform the AoN again?

[aleeproject]

twobagger said:

mutanatia said:

TTIPC: If elected, what reforms do you anticipate will happen in the AoN and would you support such reforms?

I can't help but feel that I've answered this question before, but I can't recall where. Deja vu all over again, if you will. To be honest, I don't support most of the internal reforms that the AoN makes. With the exception of Estay's Technical Corrections proposal, which would ensure that AoN-proposed amendments garner a Constitutionally approved number of citizens, I don't really like internal changes. It isn't broke, and it's worked fine, and there's really not a better way to do things... so why are we going to reform the AoN again?

If ALP may,

Twobagger, which would you prefer more of?
Greater Co9 influence on AoN internal affairs, or less.

[Twobagger]

aleeproject said:

If ALP may,

Twobagger, which would you prefer more of?
Greater Co9 influence on AoN internal affairs, or less.

On AoN internal affairs?
I think that, unless the AoN has become so consumed with internal affairs that they have lost sight of their original goal to make the region better, the Co9 should in most cases just let them be, when it comes to internal affairs.