A Call for Political Involvement
Day 798, 19:16
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Published in USA 
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by
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by Rheinlander von Phalz
26 January 2010, Day 798 of the New World. It is no surprise that there is a certain level of disdain for and a large amount of apathy about Congress in the eUnited States. These opinions are rather overt even among active citizens:
“I had no idea. I have no idea who I voted for today already. Why? The only people going to win is whoever the big parties want to win anyway.”
”Elections don't really matter, It's all about which party moves the most people.”
”I vote where I’m asked to. I don’t give two ****s about politics, ‘cept POTUS.”
A recent poll on the eUS forums indicated that only about a quarter of respondents knew who the Senator from their region was. Almost half openly admitted to not caring. It is obvious that Congress is widely seen as unimportant, and the methods used to elect Congressmen have discouraged some voters. Unaligned are largely withdrawing from mobile voting to the wasteland, wasting their votes in fortresses at worst and helping international anti-PTO efforts when they occur at best.
Citizens, it is time to realize that you do have a say in your Congress and a voice in your government. It is true that some races are decided before the polls open, but many are not. Even those that are but have multiple people on the ballot (blockers, wasteland two-clickers, etc) can go sour. We cannot afford to be complacent and think that the big parties can solve every race. We cannot assume that we can not be politically taken over because of our population; votes will prevent a PTO, not population.
Yesterday, there was a massive effort in Belgium. Many Americans participated and are being repatriated. The operation is being considered an EDEN victory. That news is encouraging, and securing a friendly government in Belgium is certainly worthwhile. What is discouraging is that two hundred seventeen people voted for Devon Kronos in Karnataka, four hundred four voted for Woxan in California, and four hundred nineteen people voted for Zcia in Florida. These wasted votes are particularly distressing in the context of the events of last night.
With about three and a half hours left in the election, District of Columbia candidate on the Federalist ticket Esmond_Gr pulled significantly ahead of United States Workers incumbent Dodgercatcher, eventually winning 26-14. Throughout the day, Nevada candidate on the America’s Advancement ticket SchwarzViper either led or was very close to Libertarian incumbent sydiot. SchwarzViper fought for the United Kingdom against Poland and Sweden recently and somehow obtained United States citizenship in time to sneak onto a ballot. The United States was the target of a political takeover while we were sending voters to Belgium. Nevada was eventually won by the United States. Dodgercatcher and sydiot both had the endorsements of America’s Advancement Party, the United States Workers Party, the Libertarian Party, the Democratic Republicans, the Federalist Party, and the United Independents Party, but this does not decide a race – voters do.
The results of several other races were suspicious throughout the day, but did not raise a national alarm. In the final half-hour of the day, it became clear that we were the target of an organized attack, and the parties and people still awake gathered for a nationwide defense of their Congress as discussed in this article published by the UIP. Nevada was won by the multi-partisan coalition, but Dodgercatcher’s chances were too far-gone by the time the coalition formed. Other races affected include:
- Oregon saw fagus, a candidate on the United States Workers ticket who also recently fought to defend the United Kingdom from Sweden, jump from zero votes to nine votes while United Independent incumbent on the America’s Advancement ticket Illithian had seven votes. That situation was able to be turned around, and the United States won 12-9.
- The region of Andhra Pradesh, originally Indian, saw htbambala on the America’s Advancement ticket jump from a 1-1 tie to a 4-1 lead over Libertarian incumbent (from a different region) Iasov. The coalition managed to save that race and won 12-5.
- In Illinois, Federalist candidate Talio Extremist was defeated by lora devis on the Libertarian ballot 15-11. devis claims to be a two-clicker, and English is not her first language.
- In Alaska, Zeddicus ZZ on the Democratic Republican ticket crept up to America’s Advancement incumbent Maxx Johnson to tie the race 3-3, then jumped ahead 5-3. The race was saved and won on a 5-5 tie.
- In South Dakota, ukkuz on the Federalist ticket defeated Libertarian incumbent Indrae 7-5.
- In Rhode Island, Amilcar Demetrio, a man of unknown intentions, defeated Libertarian incumbent mjdiv 11-9. This election did not follow the pattern of the known PTO’s, though.
- In New Mexico, Federalist incumbent Rekeri was leading 4-1 when Kardos Bela on the Libertarian ticket jumped to five votes. The coalition mustered another vote for the United States, but lost on a 5-5 tie. Kardos Bela also recently fought for the United Kingdom to defend it from Sweden.
- In Jharkhand, Libertarian candidate Zartemax was leading when giessimld on the America’s Advancement ticket jumped up to seven votes. The coalition managed to send just enough votes to win the region 7-7 in the final seconds.
The fact is that some United States regions are currently represented by someone who does not have our best interests in mind. At most, we have lost five seats in our own Congress.
If you, the eUnited States citizens, do not care about the eUS Congress, Phoenix certainly does. If you lose your Congress, you lose your country. To say that your vote doesn’t matter and that you do not care is just like not fighting in an important battle. One person fighting rarely makes a difference in a major battle, but we all fight to contribute to our team effort. Even if you aren’t into politics or affiliated with a party, start caring about your Congress and help ensure that it will be there next month.
Rheinlander von Phalz
United States Congress, Michigan
P.S. While they were not part of the late-night coalition, I want to give a special mention to the Bull Moose Party, who, having an uncontested race in Washington, donated many mobile voters earlier in the day to turn around regions with unsanctioned candidates or blockers winning.
“I had no idea. I have no idea who I voted for today already. Why? The only people going to win is whoever the big parties want to win anyway.”
”Elections don't really matter, It's all about which party moves the most people.”
”I vote where I’m asked to. I don’t give two ****s about politics, ‘cept POTUS.”
A recent poll on the eUS forums indicated that only about a quarter of respondents knew who the Senator from their region was. Almost half openly admitted to not caring. It is obvious that Congress is widely seen as unimportant, and the methods used to elect Congressmen have discouraged some voters. Unaligned are largely withdrawing from mobile voting to the wasteland, wasting their votes in fortresses at worst and helping international anti-PTO efforts when they occur at best.
Citizens, it is time to realize that you do have a say in your Congress and a voice in your government. It is true that some races are decided before the polls open, but many are not. Even those that are but have multiple people on the ballot (blockers, wasteland two-clickers, etc) can go sour. We cannot afford to be complacent and think that the big parties can solve every race. We cannot assume that we can not be politically taken over because of our population; votes will prevent a PTO, not population.
Yesterday, there was a massive effort in Belgium. Many Americans participated and are being repatriated. The operation is being considered an EDEN victory. That news is encouraging, and securing a friendly government in Belgium is certainly worthwhile. What is discouraging is that two hundred seventeen people voted for Devon Kronos in Karnataka, four hundred four voted for Woxan in California, and four hundred nineteen people voted for Zcia in Florida. These wasted votes are particularly distressing in the context of the events of last night.
With about three and a half hours left in the election, District of Columbia candidate on the Federalist ticket Esmond_Gr pulled significantly ahead of United States Workers incumbent Dodgercatcher, eventually winning 26-14. Throughout the day, Nevada candidate on the America’s Advancement ticket SchwarzViper either led or was very close to Libertarian incumbent sydiot. SchwarzViper fought for the United Kingdom against Poland and Sweden recently and somehow obtained United States citizenship in time to sneak onto a ballot. The United States was the target of a political takeover while we were sending voters to Belgium. Nevada was eventually won by the United States. Dodgercatcher and sydiot both had the endorsements of America’s Advancement Party, the United States Workers Party, the Libertarian Party, the Democratic Republicans, the Federalist Party, and the United Independents Party, but this does not decide a race – voters do.
The results of several other races were suspicious throughout the day, but did not raise a national alarm. In the final half-hour of the day, it became clear that we were the target of an organized attack, and the parties and people still awake gathered for a nationwide defense of their Congress as discussed in this article published by the UIP. Nevada was won by the multi-partisan coalition, but Dodgercatcher’s chances were too far-gone by the time the coalition formed. Other races affected include:
- Oregon saw fagus, a candidate on the United States Workers ticket who also recently fought to defend the United Kingdom from Sweden, jump from zero votes to nine votes while United Independent incumbent on the America’s Advancement ticket Illithian had seven votes. That situation was able to be turned around, and the United States won 12-9.
- The region of Andhra Pradesh, originally Indian, saw htbambala on the America’s Advancement ticket jump from a 1-1 tie to a 4-1 lead over Libertarian incumbent (from a different region) Iasov. The coalition managed to save that race and won 12-5.
- In Illinois, Federalist candidate Talio Extremist was defeated by lora devis on the Libertarian ballot 15-11. devis claims to be a two-clicker, and English is not her first language.
- In Alaska, Zeddicus ZZ on the Democratic Republican ticket crept up to America’s Advancement incumbent Maxx Johnson to tie the race 3-3, then jumped ahead 5-3. The race was saved and won on a 5-5 tie.
- In South Dakota, ukkuz on the Federalist ticket defeated Libertarian incumbent Indrae 7-5.
- In Rhode Island, Amilcar Demetrio, a man of unknown intentions, defeated Libertarian incumbent mjdiv 11-9. This election did not follow the pattern of the known PTO’s, though.
- In New Mexico, Federalist incumbent Rekeri was leading 4-1 when Kardos Bela on the Libertarian ticket jumped to five votes. The coalition mustered another vote for the United States, but lost on a 5-5 tie. Kardos Bela also recently fought for the United Kingdom to defend it from Sweden.
- In Jharkhand, Libertarian candidate Zartemax was leading when giessimld on the America’s Advancement ticket jumped up to seven votes. The coalition managed to send just enough votes to win the region 7-7 in the final seconds.
The fact is that some United States regions are currently represented by someone who does not have our best interests in mind. At most, we have lost five seats in our own Congress.
If you, the eUnited States citizens, do not care about the eUS Congress, Phoenix certainly does. If you lose your Congress, you lose your country. To say that your vote doesn’t matter and that you do not care is just like not fighting in an important battle. One person fighting rarely makes a difference in a major battle, but we all fight to contribute to our team effort. Even if you aren’t into politics or affiliated with a party, start caring about your Congress and help ensure that it will be there next month.
Rheinlander von Phalz
United States Congress, Michigan
P.S. While they were not part of the late-night coalition, I want to give a special mention to the Bull Moose Party, who, having an uncontested race in Washington, donated many mobile voters earlier in the day to turn around regions with unsanctioned candidates or blockers winning.
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Comments
First
first
man I got beat
Thank you for the mention of our party. Bull Moose will happily work to prevent all PTO's on our soil.
Hmmm interesting voted. Keep up the nice articles, maybe you can give me a few pointers.. 2 thumbs up
Great stuff as always, Rhein. And thank you for the recognition of the Bull Moose Party.
Lt. Scheisskopf
http://www.erepublik.com/en/newspaper/stars-and-stripes-journal-191155/1" target="_blank">http://www.erepublik.com/en/newspaper/st[..]155/1
I eat PTO's for breakfast, along with pancakes.
Rheinlander <3
I agree that American's need to vote smart. We all can see that a little coordination has a big impact on countries. The decisive numbers aren't huge. Your single vote matters at home or abroad, with your party or your military, and most importantly with yourself. Buy a moving ticket and vote smart.
This is a great article, required reading IMO. Keep up the good work Rhein 🙂
Good points for everyone to keep in mind.
Rheinmaxx
Do you need a blocker next month? I'd love to run as a blocker.
In all the post election talking-headery today, one thing seems clear to me, MOST of the fault lies with the political parties in the U.S. for allowing UNKOWN persons onto their parties ballots without challenging them, the party leaderships should be held to higher standards, there IS some other blame to go around however, HOW were foreign nationals allowed to obtain citizenship on the day of the election, where were the congressment who approved the citizenship requests and why were they not 'vetting' the applicants or for that matter turning down ALL applicants on the day of the election.
Mostintensesnipingevermaxxxxxx!!! 😉
a two-clicker running for congress? wtf?
and English isn't my first language either 😛
Of course we have had people whose first language is not English and whose real-life country is not the United States serve in the eUS Congress admirably. I did not mean to imply that the sole piece of evidence for why this is a bad situation was the individual's language competency. The fact that their native languages appear to be Serbo-croatian is cause for concern, I would think, but mostly their lack of connections to the eUS.
@ X-Spectre: It was not the fault of the Party Presidents, actually. If one person has declared as a candidate in a region in your party and no one else did, you have no choice but to use that person as an official candidate. Many people who were not vetted by the parties (most of the major parties DO have a vetting system) always appear on the ballot, and it is usually not a big deal.
The method they obtained citizenship in the United States is a concern. The approved immigrants list has been reviewed, and these people do not appear to be on it for the time frame searched.
Rheilander, that's what I'm saying about Party leadership, they should MONITOR who is running under their political banner and if they are unknowns or suspicious they should make an effor to BLOCK them by putting up an alternate and getting the word out... It seems to me that this should be the RESPONSIBILITY of a Party's leadership as good citizens.
Either the above OR the Federal Govt. should have a Federal Election Comission which can monitor candidates and inform party leaders when there is a problem.
Also, in regards to citizenship, why not just place a moritorium on citizenship requests the day of elections, no one gets in on election day.
Good article, the issue is definitely important for all citizens to be aware of.
moritorium = moratorium My bad.
Another thought that occurs is this:
There are Laws in the RL U.S. requirements to run for public office, would it be possible within the Erep game mechanics or the political system to require that a 'person' be a citizen of the U.S. for X number of days or months before they are 'allowed' (I know within current game rules anyone can run as long as they are citizens) what I'm talking about is a way to weed out people who apply for candidacy and if they don't meet the 'time requirement' then the party leaders are automatically informed and can block.
I'm getting verbose here, I maybe need to start my own paper. 😉
Another thought, The eUS should have a Quick Political Reaction Force for elections whose members votes can be held in reserve until late on election days and then be dispatched to quash PTO attempts or possibly (though we do it in the name of freedom) launch our own PTOs vs Phoenix.
Parties could do more to have secure elections. It's really just a matter of focus.
Like when one of the top 5 parties regularly tries to pit good candidates against each other to draw fire away from their own elections? That's wasted energy and wasted votes.
I know the idea of all the parties communicating and working together to make elections smooth doesn't appeal to everyone. The current broken system works fine for the right kind of person. But it's not working for the country.
Americans will cross the ocean to fight for Freedom
But won't cross the street to vote..
To be honest I'm just waiting for; "If we had hospitals in every state..." 😛😛😛
We really do need more organization. I thought for sure that I was going to take Andhra Pradesh with no difficulty and then it was actually 5-1 in the last 30-40 minutes or so....
Thanks to Rheinlander and all of those who helped secure my seat.
Don't the party presidents screen their candidates before approving them?
Very nice coverage, thanks!
ZZZzzzZZZzzz..hrrr...hrrr...ZZZZZzzzZZZZ Zzzz.....
Home state citizenship or regional politics as I lay them out here could help prevent PTOs by us being able to live in the fortress states, but vote in our home states without having to physically move there.
http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/first-week-in-v2-1170459/1/20" target="_blank">http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/firs[..]/1/20
ragemaxxx
>😢