Join the new world

Now... Step up and pitch in!

Interesting times ahead, eh muchachos?

With PEACE GC disintegrating, both the New World and the eUSA are a cross-roads. There's mondo opportunities, as well as some great dangers, lying in wait on the road ahead.

It's a good time for everybody to step up and pitch in.

I'd like to do my part by representing North Dakota in the next Congress. So please get out there and rock the vote for Phoenix Quinn.

I'm running on the Federalist Party ticket in North Dakota. Please contact me if you need help to temporarily re-locate to ND to support my candidacy.

Here's the key elements of my platformage:
* A Government Clear as Crystal
* Information You Can Use
* An Empowered Citizenry
* An Open Mind
* A Mindful Eye


A Government Clear as Crystal



Yay! The current Congress made government more transparent by posting voting records on the US forum and publishing the budget.

I'd like to work with good folks like Jude Connors and others to keep enhancing democratic transparency. An informed citizenry makes for the best kind of players.

I want to help the Gov't work even harder to bring value to the customer --> that's You!, the citizen. Making sure the citizens know what the government's doing is first step.



Informati on You Can Use



Let me say very clearly: Citizen PigInZen rocks! If you aren't a regular reader of his paper, The Irregular Repertoire, you're missing out on some of the freshest, most insightful thinking going on in the eUSA.

As a real-life IT guy myself, I'm especially happy with the initiatives he's launched regarding a US InfoHub. This kind of stuff has my full support, whether I'm lucky enough to be elected to Congress or not.

I've dabbled a bit in eRep API's myself. You can see a prototype of a service I'm working on over here at eRep Demographics and I was recently asked to contribute an API monitor I wrote to the eRep Labs API repository. Those of you know me from my work with Bear Cavalry have also seen RWarnet, a tool I put together to help with the organization and communications for a citizens militia.

The eRep Demographics and API Monitor efforts grew out of some great feedback received and articles read following the last election cycle, especially in response to my little article called Fortresses and Hospitals: A Guide for the Perplexed. People like system0101, dreaeuh, Sydiot, Rheinlander von Phalz, Osmany Ramon and many others want to improve our ability to derive models and plans from actual data. So I'm already helping to build some tools to assist with that.

As I member of Congress, I'd encourage support for better e-living through better e-technology!



An Empowered Citizenry



I'm a member of the Socialist Freedom Party, a small but energetic "6th party".

The SFP started its life as a "lulzy" alternative to the bigger parties. Then it grew into a respectable home for players who enjoy being part of a community of critical thinkers. I've always liked the SFP's dedication to empowering young citizens and regular players.

Some of the cool things the SFP has done:
* Helped promote the idea that a citizen militia could play a vital role in the nation's defense with the SFP Bear Cavalry
* Pioneered a co-operativist approach to getting you the resources you need in the game (food, moving tickets, weapons) directly, by working in a Commune instead of scrambling after wages.
* Making party-to-party and people-to-people connections around the New World via the Internationale
* Mentoring new players via the Young Socialists.

I plan to take the can-do spirit of citizen empowerment into Congress and work with others who feel the same way.



An Open Mind



This being the e-United States and all, some folks reading this might (a) freak out a little at the word "socialist" and (b) wonder why I'm running on the Federalist Party ticket.

First off, the Socialist Freedom Party. It provides an intelligent, independent voice and it's something of an idea factory. The SFP also collaborates with other parties and takes a non-partisan approach on areas of mutual interest. So, say whatever you want about "socialism" (people in the SFP certainly do!), the SFP is both a fun place to hang out and has done the country some good, imho.

Next, the Federalists. Despite the difference in "official" idealogies, in fact the Feds and the SFP have a good bit in common. The running joke is that the SFP are "left-wing Feds" (and vice-versa). Not only did the original founders of the SFP emerge from the Federalists, but the two parties have long shared an independent streak -- that "idea factory" thing -- in terms of how they relate to the development of the game in the eUSA.

Of course, there's bright independent minds in pretty much all of the parties. (And I'm still grateful to the AAP for sponsoring my run last month!) But the Feds (like the SFP) have something special going on: a strong commitment to having an open mind. And that fits me to a 'T'. So I'd be pleased and honored to run on the Federalist Party ticket.

For that matter, I'm quite happy to have friends from many different parties -- indeed, from all over the world -- and I plan to work together with others in Congress regardless of their party affiliation, or lack thereof.



A Mindful Eye



Every election season, some goofball or cheat sneaks into Congress. Last election season, I got out-voted by one vote by a multi. Argh! My supporters and the state of South Dakota got cheated by this goon (who's since been righteously ban-hammered).

But it's not just slackers and cheats who threaten Congress. Even with the new citizenship module, a danger is posed by zombies and enemy agents trying to sneak into the US Congress to wreak havoc.

For these reaons and more, I support efforts like the Alliance for Good Government and others who keep a mindful eye on the quality of candidates for congress, the civil service and the military.

==============================

Well, that's it. I hope you find me qualified and urge you to get out the vote on Nov. 25th in North Dakota to support my candidacy.

Oh!... one more thing...

Whether you liked my platformage or not...

I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to step up your game and spread your wings!

If you've been considering volunteering to help with a program like Meals on Wheels, or apply to join a militia, or join the diplomatic corps -- do it!

If you're into writing and story-telling, consider adding a new chapter to this "travelling story": The Gypsy Caravan.

If you've been wanting to get more active in a party, or in an organization, or a forum -- just do it, citizen!

Check out the new chat rooms. Visit a foreign country. Read an article you might have otherwise skipped over and post a thoughtful comment. Check out a new forum or IRC channel.

'Tis the season to make some new friends!