Clarity Regarding “Forthcoming Reform Efforts”
Jul 3, 2019 19:00:00 GMT -5
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Twobagger, Paffnia, and 2 more like this
Post by Dominion of Compassion on Jul 3, 2019 19:00:00 GMT -5
For starters, to have such a contentious, combative, and conniving race for delegate this go around is truly upsetting. We’re a team, and we should all be working together, me included. Our region is fantastic, and so are the people within that region. I’ve had the pleasure to work with a lot of them over the course of my career here, and to see it come to this is saddening.
That brings me to my next point: there have been wild, outrageous, and frankly inane rumors circulating, both implied and public and openly stated behind closed doors that “massive reforms are coming to the XKI.” As a show of good faith, let’s discuss together.
First, back on May 13, at 1:42 in the morning, I had an idea for potential reforms to the political system. They were radical, and will be posted further on down below. I approached Mark several hours later with it, to see if it was even a feasible idea to work within the region. At this time, I still had no intentions of implementing them if it was determined to be detrimental or not feasible. Mark shared his thoughts with me, in which he thanked me for the work I had put into planning it, but informed me that the idea was not feasible for our region. I thanked him for his feedback, assured him I had no hard feelings, and explained this is why I get a second opinion for things like this, and went on my merry way.
Shortly after, as I was discussing the political party inactivity with Sargon, I mentioned I had an idea, and shared the same message I shared with Mark, minus the pleasantries. I wanted to see if there was any one detail out of the whole thing that could be pulled to maybe be implemented and begin revamping the political energy around the region. I also shared the idea with Flemingisa, although never received any feedback. Sargon and I talked about the idea for a while, before deciding that it was far to big a task, far to big of a reform, and far to difficult to implement- even in pieces just to boost activity. We eventually moved on to discussing an idea that was the precursor to the coalition idea. We discussed a ‘reformist caucus’ and a merger (which we determined was not realistic) at first to ensure that there was a balance of people who weren’t afraid to move the region forward, even if it was incrementally. At approximately this time, news broke of the formation of The Circle Party during our discussion of a caucus/merger. That discussion evolved into: what if TIP and MSPP formed a coalition?
This coalition was meant, from its roots, to reignite political activity in our region. My overall goal was to boost activity again. Thanks to The Circle Party, whatever their motivation for founding, we moved in the right direction. I also became more convinced than ever that a coalition would help further activity, especially between the two largest parties. So, we continued discussing what that would entail, what it would look like, and who needed to be contacted on both sides.
Let me be very, very clear: there are currently NO plans to reform anything that would damage the Islands, or the foundation of the region. The plan for the renovation of our government system has been abandoned in all forms. I didn’t even share it with my full party until today, as I didn’t consider it relevant anymore. I don’t know what people claim is happening behind closed doors, but this is not the case. Be VERY clear on that.
Furthermore, I’m astounded that I do not appear to have been taken on face value when I said I was okay with my idea not going through. I was more angry over the culture of battles having to be fought for reforms, and the formation of TCP appearing to be a slap in the face to Sargon and I personally than I was about my idea falling flat.
Lastly, regarding the accusation that I can only assume was leveled at me about discussing things behind closed doors, this is exactly why. I didn’t want to start a fire over nothing, and didn’t feel the need to torch the entire region over a wild idea I had at 2 in the morning. My goal in being hush hush about this was not to subvert the region, but to stop an implosion over a measly idea, which I see now I failed to do, miserably.
Personally, I’m still shocked the situation has devolved to this level. Let’s work together to get back on track.
Here is the original idea that set the powder keg off apparently.
What if we moved to a parliamentary system, rather than a council with nine people?
I know, that’s fundamentally changing how the government here works. But here’s how I look at it:
First, by creating a parliament (with, for hypothetical sake, 21 voting members, not including the delegate or chief executive) we expand the representation of the islands. We now have a more diverse group of opinions to better represent all people. The chief executive office would remain untouched. The former ministerial roles could either be absorbed into the parliament, kept separate (and therefore be unable to vote on legislation) and used as committee chairs for their respective duties and sectors with members of parliament assigned to each committee, or kept as ministers entirely separate from the workings of the parliament and operate as they do now, just outside of the realm of the parliament. Same with the former senatorial seats, although a better idea for them would be keep each senate seat as a committee chair (the chairs of whom are nominated and voted on by parliament) and then assign parliament members to serve under them.
Second, this solves the unchallenged election issue: all active members of each political party are put up to vote, and are eligible for any of the 21 seats. Let’s also say for hypothetical sake that no one can join or start a party until they’ve been around long enough to join TITO. Now we have all eligible, trustworthy individuals in the bucket running each election. No more uncontested elections. It could be done something like this: “Seat 1, choose your representative; MSPP, WP, TIP” all the way to seat 21. Rules of activity would need to be updated to consider active members anyone who’s been online for party roll calls before each election. And 21 is just an arbitrary number for an example, it would be actually proportional to active forum member numbers.
Third, this solves the islander engagement issue. This puts higher stakes on the election (you’ll hear why next), and changing the way we run elections and politics here will be bound to draw attention and create new energy for our elections.
Fourth, it increases the stakes on each election, because now we can run delegate elections like this: the top two parties with the most members nominates a party member for delegate and the parliament votes on the next delegate. Removing the delegate from direct election will increase islander engagement in each election to be sure their views are represented in the parliament each term.
Fifth, it fixes the inactive party issues. Parties will now have massive motivation to stay active and engaged, and recruit around the clock to ensure they have enough members to run and fill the majority of parliament.
I know this is a far cry from how things are now. But big situations require big, bold solutions to fix. If we keep running uncontested, disengaged, and uninterested elections, eventually we’re not going to be able to run elections at all, because it’ll essentially be handing the positions off to whoever we want, which is borderline what’s happening now.
Is this idea crazy? Maybe, but it’s one that would solve all of the issues we currently face.
Please let me know what you think about it and how feasible you believe it to be.
Respectfully,
DoC
Your’s,
DoC
That brings me to my next point: there have been wild, outrageous, and frankly inane rumors circulating, both implied and public and openly stated behind closed doors that “massive reforms are coming to the XKI.” As a show of good faith, let’s discuss together.
First, back on May 13, at 1:42 in the morning, I had an idea for potential reforms to the political system. They were radical, and will be posted further on down below. I approached Mark several hours later with it, to see if it was even a feasible idea to work within the region. At this time, I still had no intentions of implementing them if it was determined to be detrimental or not feasible. Mark shared his thoughts with me, in which he thanked me for the work I had put into planning it, but informed me that the idea was not feasible for our region. I thanked him for his feedback, assured him I had no hard feelings, and explained this is why I get a second opinion for things like this, and went on my merry way.
Shortly after, as I was discussing the political party inactivity with Sargon, I mentioned I had an idea, and shared the same message I shared with Mark, minus the pleasantries. I wanted to see if there was any one detail out of the whole thing that could be pulled to maybe be implemented and begin revamping the political energy around the region. I also shared the idea with Flemingisa, although never received any feedback. Sargon and I talked about the idea for a while, before deciding that it was far to big a task, far to big of a reform, and far to difficult to implement- even in pieces just to boost activity. We eventually moved on to discussing an idea that was the precursor to the coalition idea. We discussed a ‘reformist caucus’ and a merger (which we determined was not realistic) at first to ensure that there was a balance of people who weren’t afraid to move the region forward, even if it was incrementally. At approximately this time, news broke of the formation of The Circle Party during our discussion of a caucus/merger. That discussion evolved into: what if TIP and MSPP formed a coalition?
This coalition was meant, from its roots, to reignite political activity in our region. My overall goal was to boost activity again. Thanks to The Circle Party, whatever their motivation for founding, we moved in the right direction. I also became more convinced than ever that a coalition would help further activity, especially between the two largest parties. So, we continued discussing what that would entail, what it would look like, and who needed to be contacted on both sides.
Let me be very, very clear: there are currently NO plans to reform anything that would damage the Islands, or the foundation of the region. The plan for the renovation of our government system has been abandoned in all forms. I didn’t even share it with my full party until today, as I didn’t consider it relevant anymore. I don’t know what people claim is happening behind closed doors, but this is not the case. Be VERY clear on that.
Furthermore, I’m astounded that I do not appear to have been taken on face value when I said I was okay with my idea not going through. I was more angry over the culture of battles having to be fought for reforms, and the formation of TCP appearing to be a slap in the face to Sargon and I personally than I was about my idea falling flat.
Lastly, regarding the accusation that I can only assume was leveled at me about discussing things behind closed doors, this is exactly why. I didn’t want to start a fire over nothing, and didn’t feel the need to torch the entire region over a wild idea I had at 2 in the morning. My goal in being hush hush about this was not to subvert the region, but to stop an implosion over a measly idea, which I see now I failed to do, miserably.
Personally, I’m still shocked the situation has devolved to this level. Let’s work together to get back on track.
Here is the original idea that set the powder keg off apparently.
May 13, 2019 7:41:45 GMT -5 Dominion of Compassion said:
Alright, here we go! And it may sound crazy, but just stick with it and you’ll see what I’m talking about! 
What if we moved to a parliamentary system, rather than a council with nine people?
I know, that’s fundamentally changing how the government here works. But here’s how I look at it:
First, by creating a parliament (with, for hypothetical sake, 21 voting members, not including the delegate or chief executive) we expand the representation of the islands. We now have a more diverse group of opinions to better represent all people. The chief executive office would remain untouched. The former ministerial roles could either be absorbed into the parliament, kept separate (and therefore be unable to vote on legislation) and used as committee chairs for their respective duties and sectors with members of parliament assigned to each committee, or kept as ministers entirely separate from the workings of the parliament and operate as they do now, just outside of the realm of the parliament. Same with the former senatorial seats, although a better idea for them would be keep each senate seat as a committee chair (the chairs of whom are nominated and voted on by parliament) and then assign parliament members to serve under them.
Second, this solves the unchallenged election issue: all active members of each political party are put up to vote, and are eligible for any of the 21 seats. Let’s also say for hypothetical sake that no one can join or start a party until they’ve been around long enough to join TITO. Now we have all eligible, trustworthy individuals in the bucket running each election. No more uncontested elections. It could be done something like this: “Seat 1, choose your representative; MSPP, WP, TIP” all the way to seat 21. Rules of activity would need to be updated to consider active members anyone who’s been online for party roll calls before each election. And 21 is just an arbitrary number for an example, it would be actually proportional to active forum member numbers.
Third, this solves the islander engagement issue. This puts higher stakes on the election (you’ll hear why next), and changing the way we run elections and politics here will be bound to draw attention and create new energy for our elections.
Fourth, it increases the stakes on each election, because now we can run delegate elections like this: the top two parties with the most members nominates a party member for delegate and the parliament votes on the next delegate. Removing the delegate from direct election will increase islander engagement in each election to be sure their views are represented in the parliament each term.
Fifth, it fixes the inactive party issues. Parties will now have massive motivation to stay active and engaged, and recruit around the clock to ensure they have enough members to run and fill the majority of parliament.
I know this is a far cry from how things are now. But big situations require big, bold solutions to fix. If we keep running uncontested, disengaged, and uninterested elections, eventually we’re not going to be able to run elections at all, because it’ll essentially be handing the positions off to whoever we want, which is borderline what’s happening now.
Is this idea crazy? Maybe, but it’s one that would solve all of the issues we currently face.
Please let me know what you think about it and how feasible you believe it to be.
Respectfully,
DoC
Your’s,
DoC
