Taijitu
Forum Meta => Election Records => Archive => Elections => Topic started by: Sovereign Dixie on January 25, 2008, 07:22:41 AM
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Ok, here's the deal folks. I truthfully hadn't planned to be running for Delegate again. Certainly not this soon after coming back. But, It definitely seems to me that the region, and NS as a whole, has some very pressing challenges ahead of it.
1) The future of NS itself is in jeopardy. While I can't say I can heroically charge in and resolve things with Max Barry, I can say that between myself, the team I would assemble to govern Taijitu, working in concert with other major players in other major regions, I feel we can get things done that will help to ensure the future of our little simulated world here, and with it, our community.
2) Our region had deteriorated and is a fraction of it's former size. I was under the impression that Toaster was broken, It's not, and there's a queue of over 14,000. This is negligence, and apathy (damn you Flem's party!) plain and simple. Shit needs to get done, and I know I can do it, 'cause I've done it before. This is not a slump, this is not a decline in the game over all. This nations that weren't recruited, nothing more. If it was a slump, a decline, there wouldn't be that large of a queue to go through. I've already started working my way through it, and will do so single handedly if need be, whether elected as Delegate or not. But in the exec's chair, I can have the clout to get the job done.
Those are the two major problems we've got right now. I've got the experience and the know how to address them and achieve results. For proof with our regions population issues, just look to my previous terms, in which Taijitu was at it's peak of power.
I realise that I'm coming into this race with a heavy hadicap against me. having resigned 2 months into my previous term, and then retiring from NS for a while. I did what I felt was right then, just as I'm doing it now.
With that in mind, probably a question that's going to be thrown at me will be "how do we know if you're elected that you will serve your entire term?" The answer to this, of course, is that I don't have a crystal ball. But what I do know, is that given our regions circumstances right now, I would need the full three months to fix it. That being said, it's not in me to do something half assed. I'll finish the job I start. I haven't lied to you all before, I'm not going to start now.
The next major issue that is facing me, is the fact that I've been away from NS for 3 months. How do you know I've still "got what it takes" or how do you know I haven't "lost touch with the region" or what have you. Not much has changed about running a region in this game. The game mechanics are still (sadly) identical, and the political spheres are still the same. There are new members here in the region, of course, and each one of you are welcome to ask me anything at any time. I know Taijitu, and right now, I'd say we all want pretty much the same things. We want our region back the way it was, and we want to still have a game to play.
There it is, that's pretty much my platform. We've got some huge obsticles ahead, send me up to the exec's office, let me put my experience to work in getting this place back up to where it should be. Let me use my experience and know how work with others to find a way to ensure that NS, and with it, Taijitu, will be here as long as it's got players like you and I who call it home. Let's get shit done, people.
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To put it bluntly, in its simplest terms, this nation needs a kick in the ass.
Yes, I've been away for a while, but I've kept myself up to date on the happenings of this region. I have to say, it's probably a good thing I've been away for so long. If I hadn't taken a break from it all I might have fallen into the state of mediocrity that plagues this region today.
No, I'm not bashing the members of this region. There are good people here, good NS members. But to deny that an inflated bureaucratic style of government hasn't manifested itself is to deny the reality of the situation. We need to clean this region up. We need to get it back on track. We need to get it back to the point where a trial in the courts doesn't take a up to three months. We need to get back to the point where there was a true sense of community here. We need to get back to the point when the Delegate was simply the first among equals, not a useless figurehead.
We need action.
Taijitu needs a jump start.
Vote SD and I-S. Vote for simplified government.Vote for a return to NS Greatness.
Taijitu deserves it.
Campaign song (we had it first Soly!)....
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=XRLEUFLSKBw
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(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/IC79/Inglo-Scotia/sdisdelegateposter.png)
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This nation? And by the way, I'm dropping out and you're getting my vote. When your competition is Allama, any other candidate just has to give up.
Though I regret not being able to smash Bara myself.
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For those newer to the region, please describe your political history in NS.
PS. These guys are awesome... and would get my vote if I still had a nation.
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How do you propose to simplify government?
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I welcome back the SD-IS ticket, good luck with it guys, I'll pop back in to shoot some questions at ya. ;)
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For those newer to the region, please describe your political history in NS.
Be my pleasure. I started in the Lex, and rose to the position of Minister of RP/Top RP mod, a post I held until "The Exodus" that resulted in the creation of Taijitu.
I was one of Taijitu's founding members, I've been here since day one.
I've been a consistent RPer, and prior to my latest respite I provided the service of free flag/coat of arms/etc.... creation for any RPer interested.
On a region wide scale, I've served as Minister of Finance/President of the Bank, a term that was marred by a sudden drop in interest in the Lottery as well as the Tai currency in general. I responded by creating visual representations of the currency, trying to inject a bit of fun into something that had more or less died away.
I've served in the Senate and run as a VD candidate twice before, once as SD's running mate and once as Myroria's. During my VD campaigns and my service in the Senate, I advocated for the separation of powers, hoping to bring real balance to Taijitu's political system.[/quote]
PS. These guys are awesome... and would get my vote if I still had a nation.
Well thank you, your support is appreciated non the less.
How do you propose to simplify government?
See, this is the interesting part. I guess "simplify" really isn't the best term to use. For the Taijitu government to function efficiently we don't have to do much in the way of changing the structure. The structure isn't the problem. We've seen this government work efficiently on this system before, and we believe it can do so again. The problem isn't the government's structure, it's the attitude, and in some cases the people, behind the scenes.
We need efficiency. We need commitment. We need community. We need to jump start the workings of the government, not rebuild the government.
So how do we do this? Simple; Action.
Lets take the recruitment situation as an example. The current situation is abysmal. We need to aggressively recruit recruiters. Find those who are willing to do the job, and then make sure they do the job. If they're not doing what they're suppose to do, they're kicked off the recruiting team, and we find someone who's willing to contribute.
An other example, the courts. Lets face facts folks, the Govinda trial was and continues to be our source of humiliation in the NS community.
Under a SD/I-S Administration a trial tacking three months just to start won't be tolerated. If we see a defendant is trying to dictate terms to the court we'll take action. If the Prosecutor is allowing the dependent to get away with dictating terms to the court we'll simply dismiss him and bring in someone else who's willing to do the job. If the Justices are allowing the problem to continue we'll sit them down and tell them to get the damn trial on the road. No ifs ands or buts.
I promise you one thing. The Govinda Trial would have been over in a month at the most if a SD/I-S administration had been running things.
Action, the willingness to simply put the bureaucratic BS aside and GET THINGS DONE. That's how we plan on simplifying the Taijituan government. That's how we plan on jump starting this region.
I welcome back the SD-IS ticket, good luck with it guys, I'll pop back in to shoot some questions at ya. ;)
Glad to be back. Still feels like home. I look forward to the questions.
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Thanks to those who have given us well wishes, my history in NS is as long and winding as a Tennesee backroad.
I started NS in May of '06, joinging the Lexicon. Starting at the bottom, I worked my way up through the ranks, making friendships and establishing working relationships in game that still last to this day.
In October of '06, I was elected as the first non founder Delegate of The Lexicon, where my team and I accomplished the followig.
1) Declaring and end to the 6 month long Lex/TNP war.
2) Implementing a recruitment initiative which netted 100 new members in a week. (work was halted in this due to "The Revolution")
3) Began laying the ground work for Senate Reforms (which never saw completion)
My term in the Lex was cut short by the banningz of myself and my cabinet, which led to the formation of Taijitu, in January of '07. In taijitu, I have served as it's first delegate, was responsible for working with the other founders in structuring the government which is still in use. I worked closely with Pragmia in writing the constitution.
Since that time I have served as MoD and again as Delegate serving a second and non consecutive term.
So, I've definately got the experience, and in fact, crisis management is my specialty
As far as government simplification is concerned, I tend to agree with IS on that one, actually. Though i will not be advocating seperation of powers this term, if elected, because frankly, I think we've got bigger fish to fry. Recruitment and ensuring the future of the game itself would be my top priorities.
In tackling government simplicity, I would like to have a sit-an'-chat with the Speaker of The Senate and discuss some ways we could "trim the fat" in a manners both practical, and in keeping with the founding principles of the region.
On the whole, my overlying philosophies regarding regional management have not changed
1) Personal accountability
2) Empowerment of subordinates
3) Common sense solutions, with simplicity as a guildeline
4) Co-existance with other regions in a peaceful manner if possible
5) The advocation of responsible government, both at home and abroad.
6) Strength
Using these guidelines as the halmarks of my governance has never proved wrong, and in that sense members of Taijitu who have been around a while know what they can expect from me.
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will i not be kicked around in your government?
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"Don't start nothin' won't be nothin'" :)
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how about free gummy worms?
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Yanno, as much as I love those damned things, I shoulda already thought of that, good idea! Gummy worms all around!
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I is a good smatry...
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You've got my vote, scruples of bribery through promises of giant fighting robots not withstanding.
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What are your feelings about cross-over in roles; ie.Members of the Executive, serving in the Judiciary, or in more than one role in the Executive? How do you feel about Ministerial roles being defined or elaborated-in such a way that areas like the Zocalo might be governed by a Minister rather than an Administrator?
What ideas do you have for jump starting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if any?
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Thanks for the question!
The my feelings on the matter are mixed, idealism vs. practicality and the reality of our online environs. The idea of a member of the executive, say a cabinet member or deputy, serving in the judiciary bothers some. I see their point, and to some extent I agree with it. The fear is that a Delegate will "pack the courts" to push forth their own agenda, thus maginalising the Senate.
However, the reality of the situation, at least in my opinion, is that there are only so many qualified individuals to go around. Choosing justices is difficult for this reason. If, say, you've got 6 people in mind for cabinet roles, and need or want to install 2 justices, you've got to find 8 people who meet the following requirements.
1) Trustworthy
2) Active on the forum (and hopefully, IRC as well)
3) Familiar with the laws of Taijitu (this requirement more important in the case of justices, for say, an MoC, that's really not all that crucial)
4) Either are experienced in the roles you have them in mind for, or, have shown themselves to be a "quick study". Also, not everyone is suited for every job. I'd never appoint an MoC who didn't post much in the General area. In an MoD, I look for a rigid steadfastness and if not experience, then at least a very sound understanding of NS military strategy. A lot of thought goes into it.
Due to this, a Delegate may find themselves with an available talent pool. I've ran into this problem myself before (though, in my last term in delegate, I was immensely fortunate in this respect, and had the most kick ass cabinet possible in this game!)
So, in theory, I think a delegate should *try* to have at one justice who is not a member of the executive branch. Though, the people should not be alarmed if it does not always play out that way, and know that other, non malevolent forces were probably at work.
With regard to FA, I do actualy have a plan. We need to reach out. I've said that before, and we've done that before, but this time I feel we have a more urgent sense of purpose.In september, the domain and hosting for NS as a whole comes up for renewal, and it's future is by no means certain. I want Taijitu to take the forefront in going to other regions, large and small, defender and raider, and forumlating ways to make sure NS does not die.
There is currently a "conference" underway, with representatives from many regions participating. The problem with it is that it's so broad in it's scope, that nothing is coming of it save for an exersize in semantics. It's long on ideas, and short on consensus.
What I would assemble would be much different, focusing exclusively on the issue mentioned above, contacting Max Barry, and doing all we can as players to resolve any issues he may have with the game continuing. We can save the more abstract concerns about game mechanics and what not for later.
This would in some ways be an OOC outing, of course, due to it's nature, but the in game FA aspect cannot be over looked. In approaching these regions, talking to them, and building a coalition, we will forge very real relationships with our would be partners, using our common ground to reach new understandings about each other.
I know that this is only January, and September may as well be a universe away for many. But if we're going to do something, best to do it sooner, then later. It could very well take that long to make sure everything will pan out in an acceptable manner.
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Do you still plan to make me Minister of Taijituan Truth and give the people all the latest...hrm, facts?
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I am now, as always, committed to the highest standards of truthiness and balldacity.
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what do i get to do?
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Um, not sure, I'd have to find out more about what you're strengths and weaknesses are. But, I know we'll need all of the talented people we've got. So i'm sure we can put you to very good use!
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i can Spam
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What do you think of the recent purge/mass ejections by Ivan? Good or bad for the game? As a player, what do you think of him and what he has done?
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There was a time when such an action would have enraged me. But, to be honest, given the current state of the game, I think we could use more dramatic actions. Something to make people talk, and have a reason to play this game other than just bullshitting with their friends (which, is great, but you can do that on any forum, you don't need NS for that)
Though I've often disagreed with Ivan, he's always been a captivating personality, and definately someone who adds something to the game. He, like IP, is an asshole, but, we need assholes. They serve a purpose, because without them, all we've got is WWPN. NS needs it's heroes and it's villains. it seems now that everyone is trying to wear the white hats and all that's happening is people sitting 'round with our thumbs up our collective ass.
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What do you plan to do to people who just fucking piss me off?
I hope it involves a nine iron.
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Worse, it involves Rosie O; Donnell