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Excellent article, love the pic. Voted.

Also, I'd like to say I've never proposed anything "for the lulz" 😃

I'm glad to hear that, Bill. Congress would be viewed by the world as not so much of a joke if more people would follow your example.

Quick elections analysis:

http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/why-the-uswp-failed-to-score-a-landslide-763381/1/20

I wouldn't say the lawls proposals are super bad, but at the very least they could propose lawl proposals that don't do anything important like changing the minimum wage by 1 cent.

Great picture, great article. I'm sure Congress has its fun with these 'for the lulz' proposals, but all it does is reflect badly on that ever-prestigious law-making body and on America as a whole. Voted.

Nice article. I hate people who make proposals like that. Its only so they can get the extra XP (Yes, you do get one XP for every vote you participate in). It makes upset. 🙁
Voted and subscribed.

It gets very annoying and very scary when people do things for the "Lulz" for it is a waste of your voter's time if you propose things just purely for your advantage.

Voted and Subscribed.

Having served in Congress previously, and then being elected now to represent Florida (thank you Floridians), I can say in all honesty that the end of term lulz proposals have always irritated me.
I will point out that congressional representatives do receive experience points for every proposal they vote on, and in many circumstances, the proposals are designed more for the experience gain than their possible integrity as legislation. Usually there are several proposals that take place at the beginning of the term that are proposed based on basic lack of understanding of the process.
This is not meant to be a justification of the act as I think it does undermine the perception of Congress as a whole, and additionally reflects on us poorly as a nation...but then I'm generally regarded as being too serious about the role.
Well articulated article with some excellent points. Voted, already subscribed.

Good article, Mjdiv.

As I understand it, Tiacha is correct. These "lulz" proposals are meant to be proposed in a way that they are so absurd as to never be likely to pass, and this is just to garner xp for the Congress — a minor perc of the job. I see no harm to the practice generally, as these are only done at the tail end of a mandate, but it's all fun and games until something eventually goes wrong.

I'm more concerned about an uninformed newb congressman like "Sadam Hussien," who comes in and, with no regard for the established procedures on the congressional forum, throws out a completely absurd and nonsensical proposal to raise the minimum wage without even bothering to submit to a debate. If this had been debated, he would have likely learned that this idea is very foolish.

When these ridiculous proposals take up space and time that could be used for something real, I am very frustrated. Serving in Congress should be enough of its own reward, doing something inane for 'lulz' is just that, inane.

here here, great article

I like and hate lulz proposals at the same time...
Its a bit of conflict interest here.
Its nice to have the extra 1 xp, however it does spoil the image of congress.
I am proud to say that I did not and will not propose any lulz proposal.

The lulz proposals are getting out of hand. They used to do them every election cycle but now it seems them do them when ever. I voted No on all those lolz proposals.

Great article! I completely agree with your position. As a congressman last term, I felt annoyed that I had to go through and vote against all of these ridiculous proposals. I would like to end "lulz" proposals, but unfortunately there will probably always be someone that proposes them.

Just for the record, I have never or will never propose a "lulz" proposal.

Why do you work or train everyday? In part to maximize your experience in the game. Because of the moratorium on tax proposals in the 15th Congress many Congressmen had proposals left at the end of term -- you only get 2 per Congressmen, a maximum of 102 proposals per term. Since I have been eAlive, each term has seen it's share of "lulz" proposals --- the first impeachment of Uncle Sam was a "lulz" proposal.

While I do not agree with many of the "lulz" proposals it is difficult to forbid someone of inserting these end of term proposals to maximize their xp gain.

Something missed in the article is the number of Congressmen who make these "lulz" proposals and then resign several days before the end of term to take a "vacation" --- fighting oversea, who are then re-elected.

Frankly, as a newly elected congressperson, I was looking forward to all Congressional votes -- serious and lulz. I want to be cool too!

But you make a great & important point: These proposals damages Congress's already shaky public standing & distract from the job we were elected to do.

I will work to discourage these proposals. But if they occur, I am obliged to vote No to safeguard the public trust.

Hello there!

Thank you! We have a great set of people in congress, and I hope the ones that aren't so great, get there 🙂

Lulz proposals are simply for experience. I have never made one, but I've seen few, and the one that startled me was back in February. There was a "lulz" proposal to impeach the president, and it almost passed. I am not against these "lulz" proposals, but I think they should still follow procedure, and have a "lulz" tag.

This game also has a lot of seriousness to it, so when you can get a chance to break the serious, straight faced agenda, it makes the game more fun. Always remember, you should stop playing when you lose the fun!

Congressman Panther
Texas.

I agree completly with this article. A lot of Congressmen and women propose bills at the end of the term for the extra exp points gotten for voting. I think this is both an insult to the average voter and to the congressmen who take their jobs seriously. Voting on some of these bills irritated me greatly even on my first day.

I'm not irritated by meaningless things. The lulz proposals are just that, meaningless. Best lulz proposal ever:

Issue new currency: 0 dollars for a cost of 0 gold.

I actually did chuckle over that one. It was perfectly meaningless. Yeah, it would be better if the proposed changes were insignificant: Change min wage from $1 to $1.01.

So, to your point about what Congress should be doing: managing the affairs of state. Yes, the vast majority of senators take this as their task and take it seriously. Just visit the forums and take a look around. There is a crazy amount of activity in Teh Halls of Representin'. And 99% of that activity is serious.

So, I read your article and I agree it would be better if we didn't propose a $69 min wage, but in the grand scheme of things lulz proposals just don't matter.

Great read bro, this will be my 5th consecutive term Iv'e come to understand that every month there are 3 things that will happen.

1. Congressman will quit days after winning only to run again next month.
2. A new Congressman will go in the congress forums and demand the minimum wage increase or want Q5 Hospitals everywhere.
3. Stupid proplas will happen at the end of the month.

So they may get on our nerves but aren't worth talking about as some people do it just for the reaction they get out of it.

I'm not saying a congressman can't have fun...but do it by telling a joke in a forum, writing a "lulz" article, etc. Congress is very confident of all of the other congressmen's loyalty to their country to believe that no one would ever vote up a "lulz" proposal. If they want the XP, why not propose a bill that can actually make a meaningful difference?

It's kind of funny that you addressed this same issue in your last article -- an article about political takeovers:
"4. As unlikely as these are to pass, do not put up "lulz" proposals - these are excellent opportunities for rogue congresspeople from abroad to cast their votes for this nonsense and no one would know who voted yes or no - what would happen to your country if these ridiculous proposals actually passed?"
As if the villainous saboteurs in a TO-operation thrive on lulz proposals to do their horrendous, yet subtle damage. It's well thought out article, but when looking at your past remark: I can't tell if you're really that distressed over these last-minute proposals or if you're just dipping into the sensationalism jar.

Great read, mjdiv.

As a first term Senator from Montana, there is very little I can say about this subject. As a citizen prior to yesterday, I found the lulz to be rather annoying and immature, but at the same time harmless and a bit of a tradition. I never thought much about them as they were always voted down.

Now, I do see your point here... what if... what if, somehow, one of these do pass with 66% of the vote?! Then what?! Well, what I would think would happen would be an immediate new law proposed that would set things straight. I don't think it would be the end of the world, however, that would be a very unpleasant day for business owners (if the min wage was $69).

All in all, and I will keep this short... I don't think it is anything to really worry about at this point. I think there are far greater things to worry about with this 16th Congress of eUSA. For one, and it is a great point that *Illig Inc* brought up:

~Q5 hospitals and DS in all border states. I think this is something quite necessary at the moment... more so the Defense Structures. We lack serious security at our borders. If anyone has tips or agrees with me/disagrees with me/has something to say about the erection of DS on our boarders. Let me know and shoot me a message.

~Senator Littleton (UIP,Montana)

Voted! The LULZ proposals have gotten more annoying but people justify them on the idea that they are "fun" and that they give "free XP" to Congress. Well, so what? I don't like them because they run the risk of blocking emergency legislation and we could find ourselves back at a point where we don't have enough proposals at the end of the term (not likely but it used to happen in V1). I wish it would tone down a bit ... personally.

Then again. On my last day as President I could 1) propose a MPP with Botswana; 2) declare war against the Swiss; 3) offer to buy some construction; 4) propose to change the new citizen message to "scrabman rulz" and 5) propose a trade embargo against Spain. Just think of all the cool XP I would get!*

*note: I do not plan to do any of that.

Congressman Gable -

If it were the first time it happened, it wouldn't have bothered me that much. A once-in-a-while proposal like Issue 0 USD for 0 gold, which would have no ill effect no matter which way it went, can be funny. It just gets annoying to see it so much and then things that can really matter don't get to be proposed or passed, because it's garbage clogging up the system. I understand that this will probably never completely go away, I just think a new mentality about it could do our congress and the reputation of the eUS some good.

Good article but i can see why they do it for the extra experance points. Me personally won't propose anything just for lulz.

When I report facts and make known to the public some of our elected officials clogging up the system with nonsense, I will not be "dipping into the sensationalism jar"; I am honestly trying to bring about a change of culture.

eCongress officials are not really elected to make laws like in RL; they are elected to make it fun for everyone who voted for them. Most of the time that is what most of congress does and they work hard at it; but sometimes some of them forget that is why they were elected in the first place - to make it fun for the thousands of others who are playing the game.

You've replied to me twice, and I appreciate both comments; you explain the reason you dislike these proposals without all the hoopla, and I understand where you're coming from. What I don't appreciate is that you dedicate almost an entire section of your article (and a point in your last) to describing how 8 kitsch votes for these proposals (against the 50something against) shows that there's a chance these could ruin our country. That's not entirely true, but you mention it anyway before acting like Congressmen should be expelled for it.
Above all, the point is: I wholeheartedly agree with your message that these should be toned down (I'm already gritting my teeth at Sadam Hussien's Minimum Wage Proposal); I just don't like the life-and-death delivery you put to it. Maybe it's just leftovers from your pressing TO article?

Congressman Gable,

Like I mentioned in the article, it is very unlikely that these ridiculous proposals would actually pass although it's not impossible. The point was that, when these clog up the system, legitimate legislation may not be passed. I am also saying there should be more restraint in these types of "lulz" actions in the legislature and that the congress should remember that their constituents may wonder if a proposal like Saddam's (which could destroy domestic business) is really in the interests of the people, or just for the XP.

Complitly right!
Voted.

well i agree mjdiv i will do everything to help the nation

I am all for these proposals. Congress may NEVER discuss minimum wage, or issue money, so they are prime targets to make a joke proposal.

Its kinda annoying, but they just want their xp.

I can honestly say that I have never made a "lulz" proposal and don't intend to do so. I don't find these proposals particularly irritating, as goodness we have fought a war for "lulz".

These proposals really do get out of hand, mostly for the reasons President scrabman gave, especially the part about emergency legislation. As Congresspeople, we can justify it all we want by saying it is for the XP, but in the end, it just looks bad for us as a nation.

It's sad that it happens, but to date, I don't think any 'lulz' proposals have passed, and I work to keep it that way. I disapprove of the practice, but obviously am in the majority from what I understand. Even worse, it only takes on Rep to make a lulz proposal at the end of the month.

change the minimum wage from 1 USD to 69 USD?
stupid proposal

btw nice article

What we are dealing with is certain congress memebers who are
1) Not taking this game seriously (you don't have to)
or
2) Seeking Experience points above all us (Kenneth Sutton approach)
or
3) Persons who know that we have STRICT rules which we follow for real legislation but understand that some light hearted fun at the end of a term where the bills are guaranteed not to be passed and therefore wnat to have a little max of 1 and 2.

Now, was i worried that a stupid LULZ proposal would block our real proposal too transfer funds the other day, yes. But I knew I had to be quick and I was and made sure an actual bill got through.

But, this is a game, some fun has to be had somewhere, and as long as it does not potentially block neccesary legislation

they are meaningless, and so long as they don't pass, harmless. you're right, if they were more harmless it would be good. I think the attempt to change the min wage from 5 to 6.66 was a little too real of an attempt, and this is how Uncle Sam almost got accidentally impeached the first time.

However, lulz proposals will always happen mostly by congressman who are going out, leaving, and not coming back. The attempt is just for one more xp point, so there is SOME cause.

Haven't made up my mind if I like them or not, I made one when I first started, was informed that people didn't like it, and never made on again.

I dont' expect any to pass so they are rather harmless in my book. Some of them like One Eye said are just funny.

The leaders of Congress ensure that its members are aware of which legislative areas will not need any proposals. These areas are up for constant proposals to be made for the purpose of shooting them down and gaining 1 XP per vote. Anyone who is against this practice is essentially for allowing our enemies to have an advantage over us, because we are worried about the sensibilities of our constituency.
This is only my 2nd term, but I don't recall seeing any proposals that were in the approved "open" legislative areas that "clogged up the system" and kept "serious" proposals from being proposed. To suggest this is to not understand how the system works, and that is fine. Now you know. Hopefully.
But, I actually agree that it is more "safe" to limit the potential impact of the proposals. That is why mine was to change Min Wage from $1.00 to $1.01.
We have a set of standards in Congress whereby (most of us) will automatically vote down any proposal that didn't get 5 approvals to be put up for vote and has linked to the debate area.
So, really, it doesn't take up a ton of time for a Congressman to see the proposal in game, see there is no debate area linked and to vote no on it.

I've may have only been a senator for one day, but I take everything I do very seriously. (With the exception of getting stoned, I don't take that very seriously at all.)

I see these proposals called "lulz" proposals, yet I find nothing funny about them. If congress wants to vote on some nonsense for free XP, then they should go about it more professionally. (like the printing of 0 dollars for 0 gold--as I see no harm in that).

A great article and I have to agree..


I think what we need is a balance. What continues to happen time and time again is the inbalance of congress. We have those or we have a time where everyone is altogether too serious. This causes people to quit, get angry, and no progress to be made. We want to avoid that at all costs

On the side we have those times and those people who decide that saying "its just a game" means they can do w/e they want and screw over as many people as possible just "for the lulz". I am normally a big advocate for "the lulz", but a line needs to be drawn over what is acceptable and what is not.

This happens every term. I have never proposed any kind of those proposals. Equality though tried to get everyone who didn't use their proposals to do it.

Congress is no place for horseplay.

Great article. I agree with you 100%. Voted and Subscribed.

@ Luxor😛 I didn't try to get everyone who didn't use their proposals to use them. I tried to make sure everyone was aware of how many proposals we had left and how few categories we had in which they could be used simply for XP. Minimum wage was one, Taxes another. Next month, taxes won't be available for "lulz" or XP.
I never tried to coerce anyone into making a proposal if they didn't want to. I just wanted an organized effort so people knew where they *could* and *could not* expend here. I was as serious as a heart attack last term, but my proposals were not needed. I proposed Min Wage to $1.01 before I had to leave and didn't use my other proposal because all that was left was Presidential Impeachment. Interestingly enough, this was seriously proposed (and passed) no more than 3 minutes after I resigned.

Exactly what One Eye said. They are for the laffz. In fact, if these proposals were done every day, that would mean that 51 citizens get one extra EXP/day, because you get +1 for voting. I think that the 7 Yes votes you refer to are coincidental, and by just a few citizens who realize the invalidity of the proposal who want to get a laugh in.

Yes, congress and presidency should be taken seriously, but not to the point where the most minor of things is taken out of the game.

Here, read this:

http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/-crazy-congress-uncle-sam-pees-pants--742187/1/20

Yeah, as usual I agree with One Eye.

Great article, and well written at that.

Unfortunately I did not win my Congressional Election, but I would oppose such proposals. If these somehow managed to pass, such as one with a high minimum wage, or impeachment of the president, it could ruin our country... especially if there were infiltrators in Congress who would intentionally do such a thing.

Perhaps I could understand if they were something like One Eye said, "Issue new currency: 0 dollars for a cost of 0 gold.", but that's not usually the case as we have seen at every recent congressional election.

Hopefully we can put some more of these proposals to good use.

Voted and subbed.

Okay, I read some of it.