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An Official Outlet of the eUS Government

27 September, 2009, Day 677 of the New World - Blah blah

Domestic Programs, Q&A

The following is a candid Questions and Answers session conducted by The Report's own Senior Correspondent, Michael Hunt, towards Vice President Jewitt. The topic is something that has been ignored by the mass media - the U.S. Domestic Programs.

What domestic programs exist out there for our citizens?
Right now there are three very popular domestic programs, not including multiple smaller or disenfranchised projects. One of these is the highly-reviewed Meals on Wheels ("MoW") which gives a few day's worth of free food to newer players that request it. Something that has been a criticism of the Richardson and Emerick Administrations was the U.S. Training Division for interested future soldiers, as well as a mixed-results Mentoring Program.

Tell me more about MoW, why have we not heard a whole lot about it?
MoW was designed to give our citizens free food, even though they did not need the aid, to help keep them interested in the game. It has proven to be an extremely cheap and efficient service by the U.S. Government with a retention rate around 50% or so - much higher than expected. You have not heard a whole bunch about it because it essentially runs itself. It makes its own food and buys usually American-made products. It has not requested funds throughout the entire war due to the fact that it is so efficient that its previous one-month budget now has lasted over three months.

What is the deal with the Training Division?
The U.S. Training Division ("USTD") was designed to be a replacement of the National Guard, which is now known as the Home Guard. Built for low-strength citizens with intent to become soldiers in the U.S. Army, U.S. Mobile Infantry, Airborne, or Marines, this branch of the military began as a great success. Due to the war and the constant issue of not having a large supply of trustworthy commanding officers, the USTD has been unable to process the influx of newer players interested in a soldier's life.

How does the Julius Administration plan to resolve this?
Beginning with the Emerick Administration, which myself and Gaius Julius were heavily involved in (State and Economy Departments), we had began work and discussion on reforming, reworking, irresolution, or even disbanding the USTD. Every suggestion with merit has equal amount of opposition, and what the Joint Chiefs of Staff agree on, the President or various Generals do not. It is a quick process to start a branch of the military, but an excruciatingly slow process to change it. Myself and President Julius have the viewpoint to make one of two changes: Reform its communication to handle its massive demand of newer soldiers, or disband the branch altogether and merge it with the Mentoring Program.

What is the Mentoring Program?
Starting sometime in March, it gained popularity in the U.S. as a way for active and knowledgeable citizens with experience in the game to talk and teach newer players how to play. It is essentially a more civil version of the USTD.


Honestly, I just wanted to break up this wall of text that we call an interview; it has no underlying meaning.

We have heard some complaints about the Mentoring Program. Would you mind elaborating?
Of course not, and I myself have heard many of these complaints throughout the Emerick and now Julius Administrations. The problem with both the USTD and the Mentoring Program is the fact that trustworthy and dedicated personnel is hard to find. The Mentoring Program demands and average of thirty unique and hand-written private messages on a daily basis. So far, we have around ten or so mentors able to handle this while we have about forty more which are either unmotivated or just plain out lazy. This has caused a few applicants to not receive mentors, or some to notice their mentors not responding to messages.

How does the Julius Administration plan to address this problem?
It is a difficult one. I personally would like to see the USTD disbanded and the personnel dedicated to the Mentoring Program to give it a boost in personnel. It is no secret that I look at things from a mechanical perspective within the game, and when it comes down to it the majority of questions are about one of three things: Congress and Politics, Military and the War Module, other Social-based topics. This means that one third of the conversation covered is about the military, war module, and its bugs. This is the mission of the USTD - by merging there is now the correct personnel that can address these issues. Not to mention many in the USTD also are former or aspiring politicians as well as socially-active within the eRepublik Community. Gaius Julius, however, seems to side with the "if we can fix it, do it" side and which is one I wish the best of luck in. If it is possible to gain more mentors in both the Mentoring Program and the USTD then that would be ideal.

Is there anything else worth mentioning?
Yes, the Department of the Interior has released a new program designed to create a larger influx of new players. I am sure that this looks odd, as we are having mentor issues, but with these new players we may get more and more players such as Yeng Wenli and the majority of our active politicians who are interested enough to find their own way around the game without mentoring help. Also, myself, Gaius Julius, Leroy Combs, Woxan, Zcia, and countless other recognizable names within the United States have pledged to always take in questions and concerns from anyone and have promised to either answer or address the issues, or direct the person where they can find the answers.

That concludes our Questions and Answers section.

Results of First Public Opinion Poll

The results of our first Public Opinion Poll has come in, with a total of 61 participants - our largest to date.



Only one mess up during the polling, in which case Zoli was admitted to California National Hospital.

Do you agree with a Presidential Primary System?
Yes - 36 (59😵
No - 25 (40.9😵

If there was an election today, who would you vote for?
Gaius Julius/Jewitt - 42 (68.8😵
Woxan/Cerb - 14 (22.9😵
Desertfalcon/? - 1 ()
Mattoze5/? - 1 (1.6😵
Neither - 1 (1.6😵
All Are Awesome - 2 (2.1😵

What do you think the U.S. Government needs to improve upon?
Listed in order of frequency.
Foreign Policy
Military Training
Media and Disclosure
Social Welfare
Education

There is a heavy bias for the Presidential Election topic, due to the fact that the majority of the subscribers to The Report are more than likely supporters of Jewitt and the Gaius Julius/Jewitt campaign. Therefore this poll is not considered appropriately factual.

Report Considers Format Change

Due to The Report's content becoming increasingly filled with multiple topics, Chief Editor Jewitt and Chief Technician WahooBob have begun thoughts on making a major change to The Report's format. This would include an interactive table of contents at the top of each issue similar to the latest White House Press Releases. We ask that everyone who reads say "yes" or "no" to this considered change. We would only do this if it would be easier for our readers to pick and chose what they want to read and have the ability to select without having to scroll through the mess of other subjects.


Former President Harrison Richardson trying to navigate a beta version of our table of contents project.
For some reason, Journey is capitalized. Mr. Richardson, are you a fan of the band?


» Killing Time has been elected Speaker of the House, with The Report's favorite Tiacha being Deputy Speaker. Astra Kat G will continue to act as Congressional Whip. For more information on Killing Time's first address, see here.

» Discussion has begun on whether or not the mass citizenry care about voting records being made public or not. This comes as an outcry for disclosure was met with heavy resistance from those arguing that, "votes cast do not make anyone elected or reelected...their party popularity and vote moving does." The debate is well underway if Congress should mandate vote records or leave them optional.

» Debate and discussion is taking place both in public and behind closed doors on a revival of the Red Cross-esque organizations. The main intent is to gift up those who ask for the aid for extra fights, wellness relief, or other hardships. There seems to be a majority of approval, but the discussion remains to who would manage it and what its main intent would be.


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» Presidential elections are only three days away. Check out these selected campaign-based articles from President Gaius Julius and Presidential candidate and Director of the Economic Council, Woxan.


-Jewitt, Chief Editor
Vice President of the United States