Election Thread for Councilmember At-Large - Term 3

This is the election thread for the Councilmember At-Large.

The same candidates are being chosen from for the Senior Councilmember At-Large position as well.

Nomination Thread.

Candidates:

Rain
Bill_in_PDX
Shaitan
Zur

Questions from the Inquisitors:

For all candidates
1) Do you regularly attend chat turns? If no, will you do so when elected? If not, why?

2) What are your qualifications for the position?

3) What are your overall goals for Phoenatica? How will you use your position to further those goals?

4) Which parts of the Democracy forum do you read? All of it? Cabinet threads? Citizen groups?

5) Do you vote in the polls? If not, why?

6) If elected to a cabinet position will you vote in the Cabinet Polls? If not, why?

7) If you are the highest Chain of Command link present at the appointed turn chat hour are you willing to take responsibility for running the game during that session?

8) Do you feel that the primary role of a cabinet member is to operate within the boundaries of the constitution? Or do you feel that the constitution is a document open to your interpretation?

9) Term 2 saw the unexpected retirement (or attempted retirement) of several elected officials. Do you see any reason why you could not serve your full term in office if elected?

10) What method of victory do you advocate for Phoenatica?

11) Briefly describe how your election would advance that victory condition.

For current officials running again
12) What were the high points of your administration? What did you do that would make the citizens vote for you again?

13) In your past term did you have to act against your impulses to support popular (poll) decisions? When? Did you ever follow your impulses despite contrary popular decisions?

For candidates without prior elected office
14) What mistakes were made in the last administration and what would you have done differently?
Senior

1) Do you regularly attend chat turns? If no, will you do so when elected? If not, why?
No, I'm unable to attend the chat turns as my available time doesn't coincide with them.

2) What are your qualifications for the position?
I have spent two terms as Foreign Minister so have ample government experience. I've been instrumental in implementing many laws to support the rights of Phoenaticans.

3) What are your overall goals for Phoenatica? How will you use your position to further those goals?
I would like to see Phoenatica as the cultural and technological center of the world. My activities in supporting these goals will be as a citizen as the office does not give power or autonomy to affect such decisions.

4) Which parts of the Democracy forum do you read? All of it? Cabinet threads? Citizen groups?
I read all of the Cabinet threads and discussion threads as well as some of the citizen groups.

5) Do you vote in the polls? If not, why?
Absolutely!

6) If elected to a cabinet position will you vote in the Cabinet Polls? If not, why?
Absolutely!

7) If you are the highest Chain of Command link present at the appointed turn chat hour are you willing to take responsibility for running the game during that session?
Yes. If I make it to a chat and I'm the highest there on the COC, I will play the game.

8) Do you feel that the primary role of a cabinet member is to operate within the boundaries of the constitution? Or do you feel that the constitution is a document open to your interpretation?
The Constitution is an evolving document but I think it's important to obey what is written NOW, even when you are working to change it.

9) Term 2 saw the unexpected retirement (or attempted retirement) of several elected officials. Do you see any reason why you could not serve your full term in office if elected?
I've spent 2 terms in a very time intensive position. There is no forseable reason why I would retire from the At-Large position.

10) What method of victory do you advocate for Phoenatica?
I prefer Cultural or Scientific (spaceship). A UN victory would be okay but not as accomplished, in my opinion.

11) Briefly describe how your election would advance that victory condition.
It won't, as this position doesn't carry autonomous authority.

12) What were the high points of your administration? What did you do that would make the citizens vote for you again?
In my last position I created a detailed Foreign Policy with contingencies for almost every forseable occurence. We now rank our neighbors so the Designated Player will know how to react to in game actions according to the will of the people.

13) In your past term did you have to act against your impulses to support popular (poll) decisions? When? Did you ever follow your impulses despite contrary popular decisions?
I disregarded a poll result when submitting a Constitutional revision to the Cabinet. This was a choice to follow the current sentiment of the populace instead of the completed and outdated poll. My action received popular support, I was investigated and cleared of wrongdoing.

Bill_in_PDX - Candidate for Councilmember At-Large

1) Do you regularly attend chat turns? If no, will you do so when elected? If not, why?

I am unable to attend chat turns, as they normally fall during the middle of my workday. However, when turns occur on weekends, or should some of the proposed chat overhauls occur, I am certain my involvement would increase.

2) What are your qualifications for the position?

I have held a cabinet position in this government in Term 1. I have been a frequent contributor, sometimes with a diverse view from my fellow leaders. I am consistently a defender of our constitution, as it is what makes our government work.

3) What are your overall goals for Phoenatica? How will you use your position to further those goals?

Overall, I want Phoenatican culture to dominate the known world. In terms of the C-at-L position, I wish to influence all facets of the government to ensure that we adhere to the will of the people. Sometimes events transpire that make it easy to forget that this government exists to serve the citizens, and not the other way around.

4) Which parts of the Democracy forum do you read? All of it? Cabinet threads? Citizen groups?

I read all threads once a day.

5) Do you vote in the polls? If not, why?

Yes

6) If elected to a cabinet position will you vote in the Cabinet Polls? If not, why?

Yes

7) If you are the highest Chain of Command link present at the appointed turn chat hour are you willing to take responsibility for running the game during that session?

Yes

8) Do you feel that the primary role of a cabinet member is to operate within the boundaries of the constitution? Or do you feel that the constitution is a document open to your interpretation?

I originally posted this question to the Inquisitors group. I feel the constitution is our set of rules, and when problems are found, they should be addressed, not worked around at someone's conveinence. I commend Shaitan, also running for a C-at-L postion, for his work in this direction.

9) Term 2 saw the unexpected retirement (or attempted retirement) of several elected officials. Do you see any reason why you could not serve your full term in office if elected?

I will serve my full term if given the honor of being elected.

10) What method of victory do you advocate for Phoenatica?

I support cultural victory, and feel the government as a whole should direct their efforts toward that attainment.

11) Briefly describe how your election would advance that victory condition.

While the C-at-L position does not directly control our efforts toward victory, I think the role is vital in terms of keeping the big picture goal in mind. I pledge to drive us toward cultural victory.

The other questions here do not apply. I hope that you will consider my contributions to the founding of our great nation, and my desire to drive Phoenitca toward a victory we can take pride in. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Bill...in PDX

For all candidates

1) Do you regularly attend chat turns? If no, will you do so when elected? If not, why?

Yes

2) What are your qualifications for the position?

Experience in civ and RL government

3) What are your overall goals for Phoenatica? How will you use your position to further those goals?

The country should strive for maximium culture and happiness. All other actions should be subordinated to these goals which are those which most directly concern our citizens.



4) Which parts of the Democracy forum do you read? All of it? Cabinet threads? Citizen groups?

5) Do you vote in the polls? If not, why?

Yes

6) If elected to a cabinet position will you vote in the Cabinet Polls? If not, why?

Yes

7) If you are the highest Chain of Command link present at the appointed turn chat hour are you willing to take responsibility for running the game during that session?

Yes

8) Do you feel that the primary role of a cabinet member is to operate within the boundaries of the constitution? Or do you feel that the constitution is a document open to your interpretation?

To operate within the bounds of the constituion.

9) Term 2 saw the unexpected retirement (or attempted retirement) of several elected officials. Do you see any reason why you could not serve your full term in office if elected?

No

10) What method of victory do you advocate for Phoenatica?

Culture

11) Briefly describe how your election would advance that victory condition.

I would do my best to influence such outcomes as would support increased cultural development

For current officials running again
12) What were the high points of your administration? What did you do that would make the citizens vote for you again?

N/A

13) In your past term did you have to act against your impulses to support popular (poll) decisions? When? Did you ever follow your impulses despite contrary popular decisions?

N/A

For candidates without prior elected office
14) What mistakes were made in the last administration and what would you have done differently?

I do not feel that criticism of previous administrations is a constructive process. The focus should be on future tasks not revisionism.

1) Do you regularly attend chat turns? If no, will you do so when elected? If not, why?

Yes.

2) What are your qualifications for the position?

I was Trade Deputy last term and have always strived for ways to enhance the game for citizens and make more people feel at home here.

3) What are your overall goals for Phoenatica? How will you use your position to further those goals?

I aim for Pheonatica's citizenship to grow in strength so that more citizens could contribute to a greater nation and a more fun place to hangout! I will work closely with other departments and Senior Councilmember At-large to ensure that citizens' views are heard by the government.

4) Which parts of the Democracy forum do you read? All of it? Cabinet threads? Citizen groups?

Most of it. As far as time allows.

5) Do you vote in the polls? If not, why?

Yes.

6) If elected to a cabinet position will you vote in the Cabinet Polls? If not, why?

Yes.

7) If you are the highest Chain of Command link present at the appointed turn chat hour are you willing to take responsibility for running the game during that session?

Yes.

8) Do you feel that the primary role of a cabinet member is to operate within the boundaries of the constitution? Or do you feel that the constitution is a document open to your interpretation?

The constitution should always be followed as far as possible. Due to its continuing evolution, there may be differing interpretations.

9) Term 2 saw the unexpected retirement (or attempted retirement) of several elected officials. Do you see any reason why you could not serve your full term in office if elected?

No, barring unforseen circumstances.

10) What method of victory do you advocate for Phoenatica?

We seem to be headed for a cultural/spaceship/diplomatic victory and I am fine with all types of victory but will support that which most citizens desire.

11) Briefly describe how your election would advance that victory condition.

By involving more citizens in the decision making process, a greater generation of ideas would spur the growth of Pheonatica.

For current officials running again
12) What were the high points of your administration? What did you do that would make the citizens vote for you again?

I was fortunate to take part in the golden age of trade when foreign trades all became possible. I have always advocated the rights of citizens and was the first person to call for power to the people.

13) In your past term did you have to act against your impulses to support popular (poll) decisions? When? Did you ever follow your impulses despite contrary popular decisions?

I will always act according to poll decisions since I believe citizens should wield the power to control the game. I do what I feel is best if some actions are not restricted by my duties in office.

For candidates without prior elected office
14) What mistakes were made in the last administration and what would you have done differently?

Given the hindsight that we now have, errors such as restricting voice in turn chats would not have been made. However, I believe the administration has always acted in the best interests of Pheonatica.