Term 5 Elections Judicial Debate

This is the thread hosting the Term 5 Judicial candidate debate. Candidates are encouraged to answer the following questions, address the questions in a speech, make a free speech, or say anything they wish to make the citizens of Phoenatica a little aware of your agenda and/or personality.

Any citizen is also free to add questions for any or all of the candidates here. Note that the election polls begin on the 29th.

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) Previous terms have seen 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?

1) Do you regularly attend chat turns? If no, will you do so when elected? If not, why?
Unfortunately not. My free time in RL is about 12 hours off of the chat times.

2) What are your qualifications for the position?
I've spent over 3 terms in the Council and most of this last term in the Chief Justice position.

3) What are your overall goals for Phoenatica? How will you use your position to further those goals?
My chief goal is for the citizens of Phoenatica to enjoy themselves in a cooperative and harmonious environment. Translated from the soundbite that means I want everybody to have fun. We're at a point now where we can indulge in side ventures to an unprecedented extent. It's time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of 4 terms of hard labor. For that to happen we need rules that work well and comfortably. As Chief Justice I will continue to help people determine how to do the things they want to under the law and I will continue to help people pursue legalization of things that are not defined in the laws.

4) Which parts of the Democracy forum do you read? All of it? Cabinet threads? Citizen groups?
There was a time when I could read all of it but that was several terms ago. I now read all new threads in each forum and decide whether to subscribe to them. I read all polls and all posts in all of the official government threads. I also stroll through the citizen forum and catch up on a thread if it looks like its getting activity.

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?
Remind me to edit this question for the next term.
As a justice I will post Judicial Reviews as appropriate.

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, although this isn't too likely (see #1 above).

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?
Another question to edit before the next election
ALL leaders (and all citizens for that matter) must operate within the boundaries of the rules.

9) Previous terms have seen 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. I have served 4 complete turns from start to end with no extended absences. I will not retire or quit or leave for 2 weeks.

10) What method of victory do you advocate for Phoenatica?
Science (starship) or cultural would be great.

11) Briefly describe how your election would advance that victory condition.
I'll do everything possible to keep the rules running smoothly and consistently while other Leaders advance our cause of victory.

12) What were the high points of your administration? What did you do that would make the citizens vote for you again?
Without a doubt it was launching and ratifying the new Constitution, Code of Laws and Code of Standards. Incidentally, this created the position that I am now campaigning for.

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?
Yes. I was beginning to burn out on lawmaking and my natural urge was to pick up the pace to get it finished. The citizenry (wisely) held out for a more thorough process and I complied.

Originally posted by chiefpaco
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?

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I am currently a regular attendee of turn chats, although RL work commitments mean that I cannot stay for the duration on weeknights

2) What are your qualifications for the position?

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Persistence, relative objectivity and a willingness both to debate minutae and admit my mistakes (when necessary)

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

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My goal for Phoenatica is obviously the successful launch of a starship to visit the far off land of Apolytonia. As Public Defender I would not directly advance this aim, but try to aid our executive to achieve it by helping to maintain order and justice within Phoenatica.

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

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I read it all

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

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I do indeed vote in polls

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

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If elected to a Cabinet position I would be too busy dodging all those flying pigs to vote on anything

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?

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No, but since I'd be pretty far down the list I doubt this would ever be an issue.

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?

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The primary role of a cabinet member is to make decisions in the best interests of the people Phoenatica, however I do believe that this should always be done within the bounds specified by the Constitution

9) Previous terms have seen 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?

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Other than an unexpected misfortune befalling me, no.

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

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Spaceship, what else?

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

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Pretty sure I answered this earlier on...

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?

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I guess precipitating a debate on Article G that is hopefully going to result in a yet more coherent Constitution could be considered a highlight... as long as I gloss over the bungle than preceded it

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?

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Not so far, but I'm perfectly prepared to aid in the implementation of popular proposals with which I may not necessarily agree.

Since the debates are in combined threads, it would be helfful if candidates mentioned the office they are campaigning for.

Bill_in_PDX
Nominated for Judge Advocate
Current Office: Judge Advocate

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

No, unfortunately my work schedule precludes me from participating in turn chats that occur during the afternoon, west coast time.

This is why I gave up my position as Trade Leader after turn one, and also why the Judiciary is a more approprate place for me to spend time.

2) What are your qualifications for the position?

I am the current Judge Advocate, and invite all interested parties to review the decisions and opinions posted by me already in term 4.

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

Ensure the constitution of Phoenatica is defended and enforced. The Judge Advocate is less concerned with Cultural vs. Space vs. Domination victory, and is always focused on the laws and how citizens are using them.

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

I read the entire forum, however I only participate in a citizen group if they are posting polls which may or may not be constitutional. The judiciary should be neutral.

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

I vote in all polls, though I am not above abstaining on certain issues.

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

This would not be a cabinet position. I have held a cabinet position in the past, and always actively voted.

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?

Yes, but the consitution itself can be interpreted within the laws and stardards we all set.

9) Previous terms have seen 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 have been vocal in the past advocating a space race win, while ensuring 100% happiness among our citizenry.

In my role as Judge Advocate, I am in favor of any win achieved constitutionally.

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

I will be a strong advocate for all constitutional issues.

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

I put aside my own views on one issue to focus on the pure constitutionality of it. I also assisted a few measures by ensuring that they will past constitutional muster.

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?

Has not happened to me.