Join the new world

As regular readers of my column know, I try to dedicate one day a week to interviewing various members of the community, be they political players of note or even rank-and-file members of the Fed Party. Today we're going to be talking with with former Congressman Joe Lansing, a man who currently messages for Retention; he was instrumental in Fed History and in helping to set up and launch FOP.

Joe has strong opinions on the economy, buying gold, gold mines, and so forth. Read along...

1) How did you first find eRepublik?

Joe: I believe I was just searching for free online strategy games, and the political nature of eRepublik really caught my eye.



2) How long have you been a Fed?

Joe: I honestly can't remember exactly how long it took me to join, but I want to say it was within weeks of signing up. I remember Wingfield and Bill Brasky reaching out to me to mentor and train me, and I got involved with the Federalist Party for the first time through those relationships. That's why I've always loved messaging newbies so much!



3) You took a brief absence. Now that you are back, what are your plans as a FED?

Joe: Well after being gone for two and a half years or so, I don't really think my role in the Feds will change much. I really enjoy playing the support role where I do the necessary grunt work that runs important operations like recruitment and retention.

That said, I would like to use my experience to help new players in leadership make the best decisions for the party.

I'm very comfortable with the nature of Fed affairs, and I'm happy to say that it stands the test of time, so I am looking to continue playing a part in the execution of new ideas that come along. Having a blend of old experience and new charisma is a strong attribute of our party, so I'd like to do my part to strengthen that.



4) Do you have any ambitions or things you want to do on the national stage?

Joe: At the moment, none come to me. I think that's in part because I've been really focused on getting back into the Feds rather than the broader eUS so far.



5) Has it been tough getting used to all the changes in eRepublik? What do you miss from your previous time here?

Joe: It's been extremely tough!! I am noticing that buying gold is even more of an advantage than ever before, and that's kind of sad for me because it discredits other ways of playing the game. The military/strength system is dominated by career soldiers, and old players don't have that luxury, so our opportunities in it seem to be limited. Fortunately, the character and strong community of eRepublik is still here, so I feel right at home in that regard.



6) What do you think of the new stuff, like Gold Mines and Guerrilla Fighting?

Joe: I haven't even touched Guerrilla Fighting! I'm still adjusting to everything else.

Gold Mines are an interesting addition, but I wish they would've done more to draw the US into some military action. I really don't know enough about the state of the economy to say what effect they could be having there.



7) Right now, EnterAwesome has just won the Fed Vote and is running for Party President. Any thoughts on her or on Fingerguns, the outgoing PP?

Joe: I will preface this by saying that I don't know EnterAwesome very well, but am trying to get to know her and her leadership style better. My first impression has been a positive one, though, and I'm excited for the energy and motivation she's bringing. No matter how impressive EA's term is, fingerguns will always hold a supreme place in my Fed heart. She's somethin' else 😃



😎 Any thoughts on the Fed Party, EZC and Shield?

Joe: Well I'm a member of both the Feds and EZC, and I've felt great as part of both! Shield is still important to have, though, since the Feds make such a priority of training and education. As long as Shield sticks to those values, it'll be serving a crucial purpose that the Feds should stand strongly behind.



9) Right now, there is a 6th-Party-Coalition forming in the eUSA; what do you think of that?

Joe: I don't think they are entitled to the extent of privileges they seem to think they are. I was part of the Feds in the very early days and the key to our rise was the noise we were making on a national scale and the passion with which we fought to gain a Top 5 position. I don't see either of those qualities in a coalition, because it doesn't have any principles it's guided by and it intrinsically cannot have the same drive a singular party can.



10) P/H?

Joe:P/H!