My last will and testament (1)
Broersje
Dear citizens of the eNetherlands,
This is it. My last will and testament. Yes, I'm leaving, and this time I'm serious. Since my return, a couple of weeks ago, I've discovered that perhaps I shouldn't have bothered returning at all. I've served another Congress term and had a job at my beloved Ministry of Home Affairs, but playing eRepublik just doesn't satisfy me in any way anymore.
So there really is no other option for me but leaving and never coming back. In a few weeks' time, I will be officially dead.
But I don't want to leave without saying a few last words. First, let's look at my history in the eNetherlands.
I was born on Augustus 15th, 2010, day 999 of the New World, more than three years ago. After a month of playing, I entered the political arena and candidated for Congress for the LSD party. My first political issue was making sure that the government communicated in English as well as in Dutch. I've always thought that the government should be transparent and accessible.
I got into Congress on my first try. During the first few months, I was very active and made a lot of friends. I'd like to name here Shakerr, Daniel Parker, ArtemIvanov, Dennis Baks, NoTie112 (then known as Tonie112), and Prutser. I served with or under some of them in several governments in the departments of Recruitment & Coaching and the Ministry of the Interior (which was also responsible for the government's external communication).
Three months after I started playing, in November 2010, a group of active LSD politicians, including me, founded a new political party, Democratisch Nederland, or DemNL for short. We founded the party on the principles of democracy, transparency, and constructive debate. From the start, the party was a primary opponent of both the LSD and I&W parties, which had dominated the political landscape for some time. Unfortunately, the party ceased to exist after a successful PTO, followed by an ePolish invasion. In order to improve the unity of the eNetherlands, it was agreed that for the months afterwards, there would be only one political party, Verenigd Nederland.
The April 2011 CP elections were a disaster. After a disputed forum election to select the only official candidate, the political community was split asunder and new political parties were founded. DemNL rose to be the biggest party in the eNetherlands, and I continued serving in government, primarily as Minister of the Interior. I also served a long term as Chairman of Congress. In the months succeeding the re-emergence of DemNL, I served multiple terms as its party president.
I decided to get some broader experience by serving in the Finance department for a couple of months. Also in this period I was at my most influential, occupying the position of Vice President under Daniel Parker and ArtemIvanov.
During this time, I also put a lot of effort into re-writing the eDutch Lawbook, the old version of which was truly offensive to people like me who like clean, clear, and properly spelled texts. The CRAP committee (Constitutional Reappraisal and Amelioration Program), consisting of myself, my brother Hindrik/Viglius, and Garmr, delivered a substantially improved Lawbook, which, save for the Senate chapter, which I'm not going to talk about ever again, has been in use ever since.
In September 2011, I had a go at the Country President position. Unfortunately for me, the other serious candidate was MaartenW, who, due to his outstanding qualities and great standing within the community, defeated me by a wide margin. So I became Vice President again. The election was both the logical conclusion of my work so far and the beginning of the end.
You see, what I lost in those elections was not merely the highest public office, but also a crucial part of my motivation. I had the feeling I had done enough, and I didn't really know what I should do now. In the years after that election, I haven't ever thought about running for CP again, nor have I been a consistent part of the eDutch community. Yes, I served multiple terms both as Congressman and as member of the Government, but I wasn't nearly as dedicated as I had been before.
What didn't help, was the increasingly antagonistic atmosphere within the community. Being the eternal plaything of the ePolish oppressors, having no chance in hell to restore our country to its former glory, the only people we could turn on were other community members. Don't misunderstand me, being a politician for lack of another description, I really like sharp and tough debates, but these debates had a habit of ending up in personal disputes, which did nothing useful. Thus, my motivation to actually participate in the community continued to steadily decrease, and I didn't show up very often. By the way, the fact that this is, essentially, fairly crappy game didn't help either.
And then, a month ago, I finally returned to the fold. I got a Congress seat and went back to active mode, but that was for only two weeks. I realized that I didn't enjoy the game as much as I should, and that feeling was amplified by RL business. I got the feeling that I had much, much better things to do than playing a mediocre browsing game without proper satisfaction, and that's why it has come to this.
Now, I've got some practical matters to take care of. I've dissolved all my companies and as a result, I've got some Gold to spare. I'd like to donate it to the government with a specific purpose, but I haven't made up my mind about this purpose yet. I've got some ideas on how to spend it, but I'd like to hear your ideas, as well.
For now, I'd like to thank the entire eDutch community, both living and dead, for giving me such a good time during the last couple of years. I will miss you, but that won't be enough to come back this time. This probably won't be my last article, as the goal for my money has not been decided, so stay tuned.
Kind regards and wishing you the best,
Comments
\o/
Although I'm not an eDutch citizen anymore, it's sad to see you leave.
You're one of the people in eNL I respect most.
Personally, I think you shouldn't leave until you get that long awaited CP medal 🙂
Thanks for everything you've done for the Dutch community, you will be missed but not forgotten.
o7
Very sad to see you go.
Unfortunately, the party ceased to exist after a successful PTO, followed by an ePolish invasion.
Small mistake there buddy, we got wiped a couple times and back then a wipe meant all political parties were transferred to the victor (UK x1, Serb x1, PL x1). The Croat PTO was largely unsuccessful.
PS to bad you never got that much deserved CP medal.
You're absolutely right, but DemNL was, in fact, successfully taken over. 🙁
Ah, right on. I just thought it failed because I&W kept them out, vaguely remembered LSD failed (no surprise)
sad to see you leave
I will miss your flawless articles and the challenge to find at least one spelling mistake 😛.
Oh, and I will miss you 🙂
eNL is losing one of it's statues with your e-dead. You'll be missed for sure!
All the best in your RL, and who knows we ever meet again in some other game. (this game has to die once)
sad to see you go, but good luck
"In September 2011, I had a go at the Country President position. Unfortunately for me, the other serious candidate was MaartenW, who, due to his outstanding qualities and great standing within the community, defeated me by a wide margin. So I became Vice President again. The election was both the logical conclusion of my work so far and the beginning of the end.
You see, what I lost in those elections was not merely the highest public office, but also a crucial part of my motivation. I had the feeling I had done enough, and I didn't really know what I should do now. In the years after that election, I haven't ever thought about running for CP again, nor have I been a consistent part of the eDutch community. Yes, I served multiple terms both as Congressman and as member of the Government, but I wasn't nearly as dedicated as I had been before."
I know that feeling all too well. When you almost get to the top it's easier to fall than to get to the summit. Once you fail it's hard to muster the strength to get to the top again, but I certainly did it and I'm grateful I didn't quit before I accomplished my ultimate goal - getting that special medal, and honor to serve the people in the highest position. However, what I find to be the most disappointing of politics in RL and in-game is the unappreciative attitude towards those who do not always hold high office, get in hot debates/arguments/slandering or those who don't have bigger egos than brains. Unfortunately the selfless don't get enough opportunity to show their greatness.
Im very sad! Hope it will turn out as a AItje.
So long m8, thanks for all your great work for eNL and DemNL!
o7
sad to see you go m8 , but best wishes IRL
grtzzz & take care , till the nest time that our paths will cross eachoter again .
o7
Respect for you and everything you did for our country o7
o7
sad to see you go 🙁
I saw it long coming, but still find this to be sad news indeed! Back in the day we sure had a lot of fun 😁
I would vote for you in the CP election.
Oh well, all good things come to an end.
I hope you don't hold it against me 😐
Good luck in real life, maybe we will meet again when you pull an AItje some day 😉
Sad to see you leaving. Didn't got to know you that good but still I can understand why everyone here are sad too 😉
Best of luck in real life!
Once more, one of our finest is leaving! 3shots and salute!
Thank you for everything.
Really sad to see you go but also understandable. Goodluck in real life and take care!
You will be dearly missed...
Good luck in real life.
Big love from your good ol' pal Joep.
The peace treaty with Poland will kill many more, its just a matter of time. If peace with the tyrant Poland is what we want we need to find a different enemy quickly so we can be united again in a common cause.
are we really at peace with poland.... at their weakest point!! why so they can pick off one country at a time?? Should we be standing up together against such an evil tyrant.. i will certainly be moving also.. I am not a polish pawn.. and never will be... i never thought things could be worse when we where region-less.. it is now worse! do we have any pride as a people!
Unfortunately I don't know you, your name is well known btw. I'm pretty sure it'll stay known for a long time reading your story and replies to it. Good luck irl! Thanks for all you've done and we are all taking benefit from now.
o7
As I have myself been inactive for over a year now, I only read this article now. I still feel the need to say something, however.
Brother, you have been one of the few truly altruistic and upright statesmen we have had in this country. Your record speaks volumes more than words can express. Your wit, eloquence and sincerity will be duly missed. The Netherlands will be worse off without your presence. I admire, salute and thank you! But you know that.
"En ma fin git mon commencement." - Mary, Queen of Scots
That last sentence is creepy. You know that, don't you?
I do know that, yes! 😃