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Running for Prime Minister from the Radical Freethinkers Alliance:
AltmerVampire


Running for Prime Minister from The Unity Party:
Karacticus

Let's begin, shall we?

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Domestic Affairs

AltmerVampire:
AltmerVampire proposes that the newly-appointed Director of Communications and Strategy will be responsible for coordinating information-gathering from all cabinet members and ministries. This information would then be presented to the Prime Minister.

He proposes bringing back Prime Minister Questioning, which will be held every Wednesday night (presumably on IRC); as well as a list of FAQ's that will be published on the wiki.

Something new he is proposing is the establishment of a commune in the United Kingdom. The proposed non-profit commune would be a coordinated effort between the Minister of Economics and the Minister of Work.

Karacticus:
Karacticus proposes that every government department issue at least one brief weekly statement; each of which will be compiled into an official release from the Home Office or Prime Minister. The newly-appointed DCS will be tasked with ensuring that said weekly statements are released (diligently on-schedule).

Kara also proposes the creation of a National Information Hub (presumably on the wiki) where players can access frequently asked questions which will link to articles and wiki pages answering said questions.

In addition, he proposes the creation of a “Brain Trust” compiled of discreetly-selected elder citizens. The “Brain Trust” will be tasked with preparing the United Kingdom for the implementation of v2. The “Brain Trust” will also work with the Ministry of Home Affairs to prepare guides for new players upon the implementation of the very complicated third phase of eRepublik.

My take:
AV’s communications proposal is very simple. He proposes that communication will largely remain the same as it has been; except with the pledge that all ministries will update the citizenry every two weeks (twice per term) and the reintroduction of PMQ's. Karacticus has pledged mandatory weekly updates to better coordinate a functional and streamlined government. Both propose establishing a FAQ resource for public access.

Personally I favor more frequent communication between the government and the citizenry. While I think PMQ's are, in theory, a good idea I don’t believe holding a weekly meeting once a week will be effective—namely because trolling is inevitable and not everyone lives in the same time zone (I’m Pacific Standard myself). I also love the idea of a National Information Hub because it really can be a pain to find the right answers to your questions. The NIH would do much to build up the uneducated masses to a standard of involvement (largely because of the living links); one in which the idea of how involved government officials have to be in order to be successful isn’t so out of this world.

I love the idea of implementing a government-run commune in the UK. Such an endeavor, if responsibly-operated, would enrich and expand the British experience while at the same time making this game just a tad more enjoyable for those not involved in the daily affairs of the government and/or military.

Kara’s proposal of a “Brain Trust” to help prepare us for v2 is attacking what is, in my opinion, the foremost oncoming dilemma for us and all nations: v2 and how to make it work for us rather than being overwhelmed by it.

Favor: Karacticus

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Foreign Affairs

Altmer Vampire:
AV proposes changing nothing in terms of our allegiance to Phoenix. His plans for the military are to keep fighting “as hard as physically can” for our allies in the world.

He proposes that we continue being supernaturally-gentile toward Ireland. He says that Ireland is free to make whatever policy decisions they like (including joining EDEN) without fear of retribution from us. However, he warns that if Ireland chooses to make a second go-around at Northern Ireland he has no qualms in taking the offensive and going after their medium iron.

AV proposes the creation of a War College to better educate young citizens on “the basics of the war module, how to succeed in the military and be a successful Military officer, along with teaching basics about foreign affairs—diplomacy, current events and historic foreign events to understand the present.”

He favors entertaining the formation of a regional, sub-Phoenix alliance between the United Kingdom United Netherlands, France, and Germany.

Furthermore, he proposes a full effort to “tank” people up to General and Field Marshal ranks and maintaining our military’s reputation as one of the most organized in the world.

Karacticus:
Kara asserts the necessity for a liberated Germany as well as continuing to protect Turkey from Greece. He also asserts the importance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ efforts to study and research how other nations go about their own domestic and foreign policies.

He proposes the “idea” of expanding the armed forces (in preparation for v2). This would include the re-creation of the Royal Air Force, which would effectively be ranked just below the Royal Paratroop Regiment. He proposes the formation of a Military Improvement Council, in order to extend the preparation for v2 to the armed forces. He also proposes “tanking” citizens up to General and Field Marshal.

Furthermore, he has proposed to commission the Ministry of Defence to be more communicative on a regular basis with Parliament as well as getting us involved in a training war for all citizens to participate.

My take:
AV has immense experience in the armed forces and is spot-on in asserting our continued involvement in Phoenix as military priority #1. Though I don’t agree with his optimism regarding foreign relations with Ireland, I do agree that we should continue to retain the moral high ground in regards to our relentlessly-belligerent neighbors.

I like the idea of forming a regional sub-alliance with the UNL, France, and Germany, however I don’t see it as anything of a priority. I also like the idea of a War College to better educate younger citizens. However, I’m not sure why such an idea can’t be included in the proposed FAQ wiki page.

Kara is a bit more specific in how he sees our involvement in Phoenix for the immediate future however that is merely a formality as the Phoenix General Council will decide priorities for the alliance. I also like his interest in the idea of researching how other nations operate. Appreciating the way other nations function (regardless of their status as ally or enemy) is, in my opinion, essential to the continued development of the United Kingdom.

But, most importantly, I endorse the creation of a Military Improvement Council. With the oncoming implementation of v2, the UK has a prime opportunity to exponentially vault past some other nations if we’re fully prepared for v2. My fellow RFA members claim that we don’t know when v2 will come and so, theoretically, we shouldn’t consider preparation as an extremely high priority. I would argue the fact that v2 could come at any time and, consequently, we should begin immense preparation immediately.

Favor: Karacticus (by a hair)

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The Economy

AltmerVampire:
AV has proposed to set aside a budget for the Department of Work for the purpose of allowing said department to immediately set up an economic model once v2 begins.

Regarding taxes AV wants to keep them at their currently-high levels in order to help the rebuilding effort of our post-war economy. His entire economic platform is aimed at strengthening the economy to pre-war levels.

Karacticus:
Kara proposes a government ministry aimed at creating a national profit. According to his platform, “the government will either own or sub-contract deals with various companies to sell abroad at fixed prices backed by government contracts.”

He proposes the diversification of the Bank of England. This would involve creating two new branches of the Bank. One would be for the purpose of civilian banking and investments. The other branch would be responsible for creating national loans that can be taken out by other nations for the purpose of war, among other things.

My take:
I like both platforms. Kara’s idea of creating a new ministry to increase federal profit is attractive, but shaky considering the lack of research on such an endeavor. That portion of his platform is presented as more of an idea than a plan. His idea of diversifying the Bank of England is equally attractive and, in my opinion, would be much more effective in terms of helping to rebuild our economy.

AV is more interested in preparing our economy for v2, however his platform in that regard is planned to be implemented after v2 begins. I’m not too crazy about jumping into the pool without having checked the water first. I am firm in my opinion that we need to buckle in now, while we have a national advantage. I do, however, agree that taxes should remain at their current rates for a little while longer. I don’t see us tinkering with tax rates—without knowing how it will affect v2—as a good policy for the United Kingdom.

Favor: Karacticus

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In Conclusion

Surely much to the detriment of my party and my fellow party members, I will be ignoring my distaste for The Unity Party and voting for Karacticus. I think it’d be foolish and selfish (at this particular time) for us to cast a partisan vote simply because we want to “break” the stranglehold that TUP holds on our country.

I think AltmerVampire’s military credentials far exceed Kara’s, however Kara’s domestic credentials far exceed AV’s. Consequently, I consider this election to be a referendum on preparation for v2 versus going about the rebuilding and expansion policies according to v1 logic.

I believe that the United Kingdom would be better served with complete dedication to the national preparation for v2, and I will be voting accordingly.

*wipes forehead*

This is the longest article I've ever written.