Join the new world

There have been people saying they got a "recruitment" mail and some weapons. So (probably initially) Libertas actively advertised their party, and did this a bit too actively...
However, indeed like you say, at the point where Libertas became a top-5 party, they switched to a more noble course of recruitment: interesting more people in eRep via ref-links.

I don't really like their system for this. The people voting on eRep on these sites are the ones doing the work, and get nothing...

I think most of the criticism came from the fact that initially they published a string of articles bashing every ministry in the Netherlands but offered up no program until recently. Not to mention I've been asking for their party to get more involved in the government but have gotten no word back. But I did congratulate Notie on his accomplishment, pay respect when its due.

As provided by eRepTrader when the bribery issue came up:

http://i50.tinypic.com/kamw07.png

Offering rewards for joining is bribery, plus I think eRep mentioned he got a donation of tanks along with that message. Pretty it up all you want, but it's not very clean. 🙂

"In fact, they have grown considerably these last few weeks."

A party that was created 10 days ago or less is not a few weeks, nor is it really a couple weeks. It's hardly a week and a half to become a 4th place party.

I got the recruitment mail plus a gift in weapons. The gift was a free gift, regardless of if I would join or not. I would not call that a bribe. I asked some questions and received a polite answer on topic.

I joined because of the people in the new party and because in the last election there was only one candidate. I did not vote. I believe in opposition.

@Jeroen van Laar: To quote broersje who apparently has access to the "Grote Van Dale [...] the following definition: 'op een ongeoorloofde wijze beïnvloeden, voor zich winnen door het geven van geld, geschenken enz.'" is given for "omkopen".
So influencing by giving something. So if I'd give some well-known politician something and he listens to me for a minute (comparable to you reading the recruitment mail), I would be bribing him, even if he does not change his policies.

For this reason, people in power shouldn't accept random gifts. The act of accepting it is already equivalent to being bribed.
Of course this is still quite a harmless incident, but suppose that politician has to vote the next week (similar to you having to vote for congress) on some issue you play a role in. He will subconsciously like you better, because of the gift, and may act more in your favour.

So even by giving without additional requirements, bribing is possible.

There is nothing wrong recruiting people by the means of advertising. Notie has done that before successfully when founding the predecessor of TPP. Congratulations on doing it again are in order. What I'm wondering about though is the long term effect. If you're party program, and previous statements as well, state that subsidies should be skipped (with flawed argumentation since it barely cost us) you won't have the effect I'd like to see; Continues and prolonged growth in players and strength.

As for the approaching of people in game and the handing out of weapons along with it that was brought to my attention within TPP as well, i'd say its part of the game, but ain't neat. I'd say you need to gain members on what you do and accomplish for eNL, not by handing out weapons or other means.

Obviously everyone has his/her own opinion on this, wich is good.

But do take a look on the streets when there are Elections around the corner in lets say Netherlands as an example right now. Parties give roses, Party caps and keychains to people to attract their attention even more. Don't see anyone complain about this. People take these things because its part of it.

I wish there were Roses in this game so we could send those instead of weapons but there isnt.

Its a gift that you get either you join or not. Don't you like it? Return to sender.

Things being normal in RL, doesn't make them right in RL nor in eRep. People have to decide for themselves if they want to send or accept gifts in a political context, and whether or not to publicly crucify people whose practices they don't agree with.

First of all,
I'd like to thank missingno to shade a more neutral light on our party and our course, which will hopefully allow us to really work for our political plans and ideals

It is true that I have (initally) actively recruited people from the whole eNetherlands, regardless of their party. It was my one chance to promote Libertas when it was unknown, just started and had no access to the publicy the top 5 automatically receives.

I think every political party should participate in actively advertising and recruiting people (the new citizens), as political parties is one of the major things that get people hanging on, and maybe even active in the community. I see gifts as an help in getting players into these parties and progress further into the game, because they wouldn't otherwise (or they would already have joined one!), not as an way of satisfying powerhunger.

If NoTie wants to give supplies to all his party members isn't that also something we should be promoting? Actually sounds like a good idea.

Lol! Ok so maybe by definition it was a bribe. But forgive me please.... I live in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A bribe has other proportions here. Society and development are completely in the stranglehold of corruption. From getting any license, trafficpolice, courts, lawyers, tendering for jobs, immigration, you name it and you need to pay a bribe for people to just do their jobs or to get things that are officially not possible.

Well damn.. I could have gained as many members as Libertas has with the same method. But I won't attach gifts and the reward of giving out supplies to whoever joins my party. That's dirty.. simple. I won't become one of those people who do anything for support. If you enjoy my ideas and the ideas of my party, feel free to join. If you don't, I'm not gonna hand out weapons or promise supplies for everyone in my party. That's for MU's and communes, not for political parties. But I suppose buying

I also do think that if this really was the "norm" that the richest parties would get the most support, as it is in America. Which is why Democrats and Republicans get all the publicity and business and the other parties get a damn debate on Youtube. Fairness and equality, eh?

But I suppose buying support is normal to many, many people.* Damn ps3 cutting off my text.

This is how Tonie/Notie works, he tends to use questionable methods. He has created a lot of buzz and activity by mobilizing younger players, and having older players rush to point out the shortcomings in his past. And that might be great for the eNetherlands, but let us remember what happened last time Tonie had a powerful position and try to learn from that.

"let us remember what happened last time Tonie had a powerful position and try to learn from that."
X2

What is to learn from that? It's an unfortunate coincidence that something like a robbery happened to my presidential term.. Not something I could influence at all.

Not everyone is easily influenced by your words NoTie.

Whether you are guilty or not, you've handled the situation poorly. You neglected to provide critical information to congress, sent only a single support ticket. And did not install a group researching the exact proceedings.

As president you have a huge responsibility towards your country, and that includes dealing with crisis situations.

Both NoTie and Xyrrath are now in the gov.
I think NoTie is doing his best to prove he has the best intentions for the eNL and i think that's got to count for something.

Wasn't this about bribery? Funny how the conversation has changed.

That few minutes of research really paid off, though.