These are the traditional duties and powers of all councilmembers:

Post polls and discussions to determine citizen desires for departmental policies, plans and agendas.
Cast a tie-breaking vote in the polls determining their departmental policies, plans and agendas.
Formulate departmental policies, plans and agendas based on citizen feedback.
Formulate departmental policies, plans and agendas of their own in the absence of citizen feedback (forum outage, low participation, etc).
Convey these policies, plans and agendas to the President for play in the game.

These are the duties assigned to the culture leader:

(Note - old DG1 and 2 rule if we wish to pass this measure - Can supercede a provincial build queue with cultural improvements under certain circumstances.)
Assess the cultural influences of national and foreign borders
Assist with the Military Department in determining how the territory will be controlled.
Assess the growth or decline of national and foreign culture.

Please Accept or Decline any nominations you receive.

I nominate Curufinwe, Chieftess, Fier_Canadian, and Civanator

I second Curufinwe

I second Fier Canadien (someone beat me to it, drat) and Accept my own.

I Third Curufinwe

I nominate Strider

I third Fier

Unfortunatly, I won't be able to fullfill any official position this term, because of college. Thus, I decline my nomination here.

i second Civanator!!!! go civ and of course curu cant forget about him :D

I D Decline this nomination.

Fier- I am deeply sorry that you couldn't run. I respect your decision, and will miss you as a deputy, and wish that you could be again, or perhaps even a leader. Good luck in college.

Minister Curufinwe, what, pray tell, are you going to do for us next Term that you didn't do for us this Term? :lol:

Last term I did, effectively, nothing. I am prepared to admit that. There is ridiculously little to do. I started a few discussions, and while I could have done more, I didn't. For Term 2 I propose the reinstation of the Justus II type cultural review, to be carried out by myself or one delegated that responsibility (potentially though not neccessarily the deputy) and to examine cities in which we can produce cultural buildings etc.

I also remind the Right Honourable Cyc, Chief Justice of Japanatica (to use Canadian naming convention) that wit is more then welcome, and I enjoy his use of it. Thank you.

:thumbsup: Good, I'm glad you didn't take that too seriously. I believe the the only difference between my "first Term" Culture work and your's was my active Culture Report (and maybe my campagning against Pop Rushing). Good luck.

Well, as it seems that Curufinwe has no compitition or anyone to be deputy, I nominate myself and Accept. I am simply aspiring a deputy position in this election under Curufinwe, and I plan too assist him and Japanatica in any way needed. I will also strive for a larger presence of culture in our cities and make sure the people are always in tune to our current cultural staus.

Well, as it seems that Curufinwe has no compitition or anyone to be deputy, I nominate myself and Accept. I am simply aspiring a deputy position in this election under Curufinwe, and I plan too assist him and Japanatica in any way needed. I will also strive for a larger presence of culture in our cities and make sure the people are always in tune to our current cultural staus.

Such a strong campaign :lol: :lol: :lol:. Really, you should run with the goal to win, not to get 2nd place.

I'll second snipelfritz.

All right, fine, I'll put some effort into this, but I have to go now (busy day), so for now:

Huzzah! Snipelfritz for Minister of Culture

To all candidates for Cultural Minister:

1. This office has been often described as useless and minor. As a candidate for this office, why do you think this statement is wrong?

2. For the next term, what are your goals for this office? How do you plan to accomplish them?

3. Why should I vote for you?

-- Ravensfire

1. This office has been often described as useless and minor. As a candidate for this office, why do you think this statement is wrong? Useless and minor, that is absolutely absurd. Anyone who thinks that is either an inbred hick or a barbarian from a far off land (OOC: that was a joke, I detest xenophobia) I have taken countless cities via culture in my games, and they've greatly aided in my aims. Think of that, your greatest foe is losing cities to you every couple of turns without any cost to you. Marvelous, isn't it? And the same never happens to you. As well, there is the less tangible, more symbolic benefits. Haven't ever played the game, looking more for an aesthetic victory, as such as say dominating all of one resource, regardless of whether you win or lose? Those are the reasons that culture is important.

2. For the next term, what are your goals for this office? How do you plan to accomplish them? My goals are to get the rudiments of culture in a few main cities, and to ensure we are first or second among all of our contacts by the end of the Term. In general I'll have a still relatively minor position, as now is not the time to have culture as a first priority. But it must exist as part of the whole, and I'll try to ensure that it is not brushed off to the wayside, and that is remains important and ever in mind.

3. Why should I vote for you? I have substantial experience in this department, first entering in DGI Term 2, and being in off and on for all of the DG's (I think, I'll check later) where we had a department for Culture. Coincidentally enough, when I was gone, we didn't have a department. In addition, I'm comitted to following the will of the people in al things, and should a poll be requesting my resignation, I will resign. As well, should a poll state that I do anything relating to my office, then I will do so.

Wow. I just figured it out and I've spent 10 terms in culture, as a deputy or Minister or chat rep. If I make it to Term 2, that'll be 11 terms. Sweet.

Sadly, I have to Decline my nomination, because I am agressively running for the MA position, but I'll come back next term to give Curu a good run for his money, and that's a promise ;).

Ravensfire and the people of Japanatica,

1. This office has been often described as useless and minor. As a candidate for this office, why do you think this statement is wrong?
Culture affects everything about our nation. Our borders are directly linked to the amount of culture in our cities. The more culture we have, the more access we have to the land and its bounty.
Many of the public will take the culture we get for granted. The common thought process is to build a temple or other source of culture and thats all there is to it. Unfortuanetly, thats not all there is to it. If we have someone monitor and update the people of our cultural standpoint, then we can together optimize the culture in our nation.

2. For the next term, what are your goals for this office? How do you plan to accomplish them?
My goals for the next term is to take informitive action. I wish to keep the people in touch with the amount of culture we have, the amount of culture we are gaining, and posibilities to gain more culture. I plan to do this through a full update in congruance to each turn chat. Also, I will find the best source of culture and make a strong effort to get that.

3. Why should I vote for you?
Well now there's a tough one :lol: . I feel that you should take into consideration my above views on culture and my goals. Also, I believe that in a democracy such as this that the Will of the People is the best decider. If, as Minister, I am faced with a decision that will strongly affect our nation of Japanatica, I will turn to the people and look to what they decide after informing them of all the options that thay have. Overall I'd have to say that in my views, The will of the people is the will of Japanatica.
:goodjob:

As well, if I elected I'll be pushing hard for an expansion of the powers of this department. For example, the reinstatement of the old power where this department could over ride queues, power over wonders, etc. I'll formalize this all after the election.

As well, if I elected I'll be pushing hard for an expansion of the powers of this department. For example, the reinstatement of the old power where this department could over ride queues, power over wonders, etc. I'll formalize this all after the election.

Thanks for making my decision easier. At the very least, I will not vote for Curufinwe as they oppose democratic principles. A leader that wants to override with or without discussion, concern or poll matters within another leader's area is nothing less than a dictator.

Also, you seem to be unfamiliar with the very office that you are running for. Look in the Constitution about who leads discussions on Wonders - ignore the description in the nomination thread.

I urge all citizens to carefully consider Curufinwe's position on this matter. That position is not example of Democracy in action, but of dictatorship.

-- Ravensfire

Come on Ravensfire, it's one thing to be like Cyc and make fun of me in a friendly manner, and it is a far cry different to take something out of context and exaggerate my claims. Look at the other things I have stated, in other questioning I stated that I would always follow a poll, regardless of my own feelings. Furthermore, when I stated principle, having culture certain area over wonders and build queues like this department once did, you ignore, and if this is not purposeful I'll be astounded, the fact that I've yet to actually put the details. Ravensfire, I welcome criticism, but something so insulting is ridiculous, poorly thought through, and I request that you retract your statement.

To the citizens, I oppose in all shapes and forms dictatorship, and promote in its stead democracy. When appointed Governor of Serlienore last game, I immediately posted a poll asking if people accepted me as the Interim Governor. Had the poll stated that I was not accepted, I promised to resign. When I put forth my plans, I had meant to have it this departments right to initiate discussion and polling on the over ride of build queues. As well, I'd be an elected official, the amendments to the Constitution would require the consent of the people, the discussion would involve the people, etc. I know that there is no evidence that the plans I would put forward were in my original intentions to involve obeisance to the will of the people, but I request that you trust me in this. Should I fail you, I urge you to post a poll recalling me, which I promise to obey. Let's hope that this little unpleasantness can be put behind us.

Curufinwe,

I'm actually being pretty blunt on this matter because a few people keep bringing it up, and it keeps getting shot down.

You wanted "reinstatement of the old power where this department could over ride queues". To me - that's completely and totally against the concepts of the Demogame. You are saying, in effect, the heck with the Governor and their reasons for the queue, it's going to be done my way! Sorry, that's a Bad Thing (tm) in my book for any leader to support.

A good leader would use reason and logic to persuade the leader to change the poll. That's the way it is, and the way I think it should be. As you advocate otherwise, I plan to use it as an issue against you. It is, for me, a litmus issue - for otherwise I think you are, and would continue to be, an excellent leader.

It doesn't matter if you have, or have not proposed such expansion - you proposed such a discussion in your response. My statement, and my advocacy against you based on that issue, and your support for that issue, stands.

Finally, as the Cultural Minister, you are already responsible for "the construction of wonders." (Con Article D.6). Hence my comment related to that - why seek to expand the CM's powers to something they already have. It just confused me a bit.

-- Ravensfire

I agree with Curufinwe, the cultural minister should have the power to over ride a build queue if a city is in considerable (10% or more) danger of a cultural flip.

Ravensfire- I agree taht personalized power of the sort you misguidedly claimed I was promoting, and still are from the content of your post, apparently showing that you either didn't read my post or are purposely ignoring what I said, is an abomination and should be always subject to the appropriate checks and balances. What I find interesting is that you reserve these attacks on the Cultural Ministry alone, despite the fact that the personalized power you discuss belongs in the hands of the governors in this current time. They can, while blatantly ignoring anyone else, post a build queue that goes against the will of the people. Yet, I do not hear you assaulting that, I do not here you trying to place checks and balances on that power. I request once more that you read my post and either agree with me, or continue this hypocrisy where power in my hands is wrong, even when I'd always go to the people, but power in the hands of a Governor greater even then that is okay. You have every right to advocate that I do not have this power but governors do, but it is still hypocrisy.

To the people, once more I reiterate that all elected officials are to be your servants, never your masters, and I hold to this. It is checks and balances and the will of the people that are the spirit of the demogame, not hypocrisy. I urge you all to read through my posts and remember that I will never advocate personal power unless subject to checks and balances, in both real life or the Demogame. I remind everyone as well that I am a proponent of the representative recall, and to always obeying article J of our constitution. Look at the facts, and then decide for yourself.

After Civ dropping out of this race i support curufinwe wholeheartedly. :D

Well, BCLG, me beingn second choice is better then last, I'll give you that.

well you were first anyway just civ never seems to get much support so i was supporting him as i knew you had more than enough supporters.

Curufinwe,

Governors have been, and continue to be, subject to the will of the people.

Having said that, a few have posted instructions far enough in advance for citizens to comment. Still fewer actively seek citizen involvement in setting queues. Those that do tend to reap the benefits of citizen input. Yet this isn't taken into account during elections, nor is it often demanded by the citizens. It is a failing, but of all of us - we continue to elect Governors (and other leaders) that believe passively seeking the advice of the people is sufficient.

Now, about the "miguided" part of you comment. Let's see,
As well, if I elected I'll be pushing hard for an expansion of the powers of this department. For example, the reinstatement of the old power where this department could over ride queues, power over wonders, etc. I'll formalize this all after the election.
Tell me, where am I "misguided"? You want to override another leader. Period. You don't want to bother with persuading that leader about the wisdom of your approach as balanced by other needs. Leader's are elected to distinct areas of control that often intersect. Right now, these intersections are managed by the leaders cooperating on the demands of the scarce resources. As we enter a more military phase, the Minister of Defense will seek more and more troops, even as Domestic seeks defensive troops and settlers for escorts. All of this must be balanced by the Governor. Now you have a proposal that would scrap this, allowing a Leader to scrap that careful balance.

Sorry - that's wrong and goes against the concepts of Democracy. Your arguement about governors "not seeking the will of the people" is a nice diversion, but is just that - a diversion. Anytime a leader dictates to another how to perform their core duties is a perversion of tenants of democracy. You have more than demonstrated skills of persuation - use those to move the leader towards your position.

This desire to stomp over the area of another leader is not democracy.

-- Ravensfire

Ravensfire- Read my posts, and read them well. Instead of insulting me and ignoring what I really said, you could actually go over what I said and come up with a good defense, not some false accusations. So, if you'd care to actually read everything I write instead of having a selective memory, then I'll be happy to argue my case with you. Until you post something of merit, I'll deal with more important issues. But, as any good debater knows, you go through everything and tear apart your opponents arguments. First of all, you say that governors are subject to the will of the people. Equally so is the Cultural Ministers, making that a moot point.

When I call you misguided it is because you either misunderstand what I write or willfully ignore it, either of which would be misguided. Please cease these incessant attacks which repeat the same thing over and over again while ignoring all of what I said.

As for the governors, it wasn't a diversion, it was an arguing tool, to point out the hypocrisy you're promoting. As for interfering in the affairs of other leaders, I seek to only serve the people, and follow their will alone, and nothing more, regardless of what accusations you may make.

Seeing as how some people have misunderstood my intentions, once more I will clarify them. Under my proposals, it would work like this. If the Minister of Culture, who by happy coincidence is periodically elected, sees a place that should be producing a cultural improvement, and meets certain criteria to be decided by the people, not myself, then the Minister would post a poll, which must meet the criteria of the Consitution, which were as well decided by the people. Should that poll pass, again representing the will of the people, then, and only then, would it be changed.

Ahh, your ability to argue is met only by your ability to spin the truth into your own reality.

Apparently, we are both misrepresenting each other, placing different words in each other's posts. Strange, isn't it?

I see a land where a leader can make decisions, post polls and seek the guidance of the people within their area, and not worry about others trying to circumvent their effort. You see a land where a Governor must always look over their shoulder to see if the Cultural Ministry, or Defense Ministry will toss all their effort away.

In your own way, you believe that your position is correct. Likewise, I firmly believe mine is correct.

Yet you refuse to accept that, continue to confuse and distract from the issues I raise with unrelated points. You disregard points, misread comments, then with extreme outrage claim that I am doing that, with an innocent face.

So as you closed with, let me also state my position. A Governor, who is by happy coincidence periodically elected by the people sees his Province as a land of opportunity and promise. He sees the demands placed upon his land by a variety of ministers, and attempts to devise the will of the people regarding his province. This is through requests from other, comments from citizens (who by some strange happenstance include the other leaders of the land), the mayors appointed and other means. From that he should be able to create a plan, a build queue, that he knows will be followed.

-- Ravensfire

I have to agree with RF on this.
Unless explicitaly defined in the constitution only governors decide their BQs(guided by the wotp) the only department that might(and i say might) have the power to change bqs is the domestic advisor and i highly doubt that, the constitution gives power to governors and not the ma or ca, so if the ma or ca did attempt to ovveride the queue this would be strictly outlawed by the legislative article(havent memorized letters yet :p)