Would you like a functional Parliament?
Day 2,087, 08:31
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Published in United Kingdom 
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by
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by Pfeiffer.
I'm sitting in my little office here, typing away like it's the end of the world. Bitching back and forth with ACroc, and generally just being frustrated that the Parliament of the UK is incredibly nonfunctional.
Sure, we pass the required NE and MPP every so often. We vote down the impeachments and tax changes that get proposed every so often by the barely active members we somehow get saddled with, and then we do...really not much. Why is this?
Right now, Parliament functions as follows:
1. Get elected, take office on the 26th
2. Set to electing a Speaker
3. Speaker opens up two group PMs so as to get every member in at least one of them
4. Bickering
And that's about it.
Now, I'm not going to pretend that I don't enjoy some of the bickering, and wholly take part in it. I point out how bad the system we use (dual group PMs? really?) is, and advocate rather loudly for more forum use. Very loudly.
Why do I do this? Because the forum is the best tool we have for meaningful discussion and engagement in this game. Instead of just saying that, I'm going to back it up a bit.
- The forum allows for threaded discussion.
- The forum allows for you to easily quote others and respond to them line by line (or multiple people).
- The forum allows for active moderation to cut down on disturbances.
- The forum allows for Parliament to have discussions that include the public and that are government only at the same time, in the same place.
- The forum archives everything. Forever.
Those are just some really basic advantages to using it. Now, I understand not everyone enjoys forums, and not everyone has the time to use them. To that concern I say, 'then don't volunteer for a job that will require more than basic two clicking'. There isn't a job in this government (nor MU or party) that doesn't require some use of things outside of the eRep site itself.
If you have 10 minutes a day, you can keep up to date with the forum discussions going on right now. Less, really, but I built in time for you to respond to a few posts. Asking for 10 minutes from Congressmen doesn't seem like a stretch to me.
This is basically Parliament right now
Not to mention that having a permanent record of our discussions can be incredibly handy. I quite often hear suggestions from new players that I've heard before, and we've tried before. Being able to link them to the discussion on their idea, and showing that it has been tried and found to either work or not work, would be really helpful. Having to spend time (sometimes days, given new players don't log in as much as us older folk do) explaining every step of when and how something was done and why it did/didn't work is an incredible pain in the butt...and not an uncommon one.
Also we would always have a record of people's position on things. Think of it as another means to hold people accountable for what they say and do.
I could go on, but I'm going to stop there. I've done every job in this game, and my experience has shown me that forums are essential. Please drop by and join the conversation, I've opened a discussion thread there soliciting for input on how Parliament can be more active, and what people want to see from it.
Discussion here.
Hope to see you on the boards.
various titles and whatnot here
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Comments
begin the shitstorm
Great article to be honest, the forums are necessary for a parliament to work well. And that comes from someone who can't go on the forum. Then again, I actually can't access it due to a ban and I don't just sit here going "Nah forums are bad nah nah nah"
Pffeiffer has made some great points here.
This makes sense.
The forums aren't evil, despite what some people suggest. They are a very useful tool and incredibly handy for public discussion (far better than the current split group in game PM system).
You can start using them slowly too...lurk for a bit, read stuff, then go mad and post like a buffoon if you see fit.
Good article. o7
Very well written article, and I agree with the points you made. o/
In this article, Pfeiffer brings civilization to the redcoat savages xdxd
1.prior to the speaker act all we had was the forums now the speaker act has passed the option of discussing things on the forums has not gone away it's just rarely used.
in a perfect world 40 congressmen would check the forums regularly but they just don't.
all your advantages of using the forums are true if people check it
2.'Sure, we pass the required NE and MPP every so often.'
that's our whole job what else would the forums have us doing, you make it sound like congress is very ineffective but it isn't we do everything that needs doing
3. you can indeed check the forums in 10 mins once a day but that's just it ONCE a day i check my in game stuff 6-7 times a day meaning i can reply to discussion 6-7 times a day
i'm not saying if the congress wanted the discussion in forums i wouldn't participate a few of my previous terms have been forums only and i did my best to use them but i really do prefer the new system with in game messages as the prefer method of communication
just my opinion
And it is a valid one, but it also prevents you from talking to everyone in Congress without having to use cutouts and middle men.
Even if you only check the forum once or twice a day, it's more efficient (and arguably effective) than in game means.
And I've always been of the opinion that if you don't have the time and inclination to use means of out of game discussion, you shouldn't volunteer for jobs that require them.
There is nothing that happens on the forums that can't be accomplished in game, I have stopped checking the eUS Forums because of trolls like Henry Pfeiffer Arundel; forums are also the easiest way for this snake to get access to information he has no right to access....
Very true. So very true. Forums were created to improve communication: using our current system is nothing but a step backwards.
Pfeiffer is right. I've been saying the same thing since before it was decided to change to this ridiculous system we currently have.
The problem stems from the selection process and CPs attempts to absolve congress into a single entity. Moving the bickering to the forums isn't going to magically solve the issues.
No, but it does encourage more organized debate, which would hopefully lead to better results.
You mean better for you to control things, other than role playing at being Congress members forums are worthless and dangerous; next he will be asking for a private "parliament' thread where he can bribe, coerce or threaten citizens into supporting his cause of Young Henry, Protector of the Realm for King....
Remember that I'm at Congresses disposal for making the forums a usable place for you, that's my job after all. Every congress member with a forum account has been given their access and award and received a mail after their election to let you know what we offer here. As I've said before, I'm more than happy to create a new board that allows congress to discuss and the public to view, a speaking floor as you will. That will leave us with
1. Public discussion, anybody can suggest things and discuss stuff, moderated by the speaker and global moderators
2. Sensitive discussion, congress and cabinet only, moderated by speaker and the CP
3. A public discussion where only congress can post, this allows all congressmen to communicate easily in a publicly viewable area whilst keeping the discussion limited to those elected. Moderated by the speaker
You can collapse all the forums apart from the erepublik related one too which means that you don't have to deal with anything extra if you don't want to. Feed me suggestions and I'll tell you what I can do
If I need an Admin, I'll go to Frerk.
There is the first stooge in his lineup of yes men, sounds to me like Butjam has offered to create publicly view able 'congressional' boards; problem is 'Fluffer' wants them private so they can be hidden from the common Redcoat citizens - he knows Frerk will do what he is told to do....
I agree with MWCerberus and have made some similar points in the in-game PMs.
The single greatest failing of the forums is that they are outside the game. There are some of the advantages that have been mentioned but take up is low. I don't think that suddenly moving discussion to the forums would change the nature or quality of discussion.
'And I've always been of the opinion that if you don't have the time and inclination to use means of out of game discussion, you shouldn't volunteer for jobs that require them.'
The point is that the jobs don't 'require' them. Discussion has happened as and when required among those who are inclined to contribute. We have voted on the MPPs, NEs etc and voted down rogue proposals. The business of congress has continued.
PMs are imperfect but the forums aren't perfect either and don't change the nature or quality of debate.
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The forum allow for more organized and cogent argument, simply by allowing people to quote and thread responses, create discussions for each topic instead of people cross talking over each other, and because they can be moderated with ease.
Mechanically, the job doesn't require the forums. Doing the job well in a game where every serious Foreign Affairs, Financial, and Military decision is made during out of game discussion does require it.
edit for grammar
'... and because they can be moderated with ease.'
What he means is it will be easier to troll and belittle those who disagree with him, they can also be banned from the forum when -like me- they refuse to be silenced; watch the Jewels cause this guy is like a slick weasel up a dirt road....
If congress wants it then they will go to the forums without some refugee American role player telling them too.
Given what little power there is in the political module why bother?
Sexagenarian 4 CP
Henry Pfeiffer Arundel is no refugee instead he is a Redcoat who defected to America, through the control of the eUS Forums he became a pseudo Patriot and then the greatest American Traitor in America's history; all accomplish through the forums....
Please don't insult the Redcoats MU
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Just like to point out we were arguing over your approach to discussing with people, not your ideas themselves.
I actually agree that the forums are better suited to inclusive and constructive debate than splitting congress into two ingame pms.
Beware the snake in Parliament...
shut up for god's, allahs, buddahs or what ever power you believe in sake, you go on about trolling only to demonstrate how hypocritical you truly are by doing exactly what you accuse him of doing
And no one more richly deserved every word....
Nothibg stopping the 'speaker' from opening forum threads and having in game PMs. Its laziness on the speakers part.
Weve had this convo as a nation many times...
The forums are there for any congressman who wants to use them.
A proactive speaker can ensure that both PM groups are aware of what is being discussed in each group and can share the entire conversation if wanted.
Far too much time has been wasted in the last two terms alone on forums vs PMs.
I'd love to see the discussion on the forum announced via PM, and a weekly (or thereabout) 'summary' type article from the Speaker, or someone who volunteered to do it.
Translation:
Keep discussions on the forums so that vocal 'Congress' members who disagree may be blocked from responding, out of sight so that what the common Britisher reads is controlled by Young Henry; for him weekly is acceptable but he would prefer silence....
Christ in this reply you sound like a german, 'britisher' indeed maybe we need a translation of the drivel you keep posting
Nothing stopping you from doing that...
As a matter of fact I am Irish-German, both of whom are enemies of the UK; you're just mad cause your puppet master is a traitor who defected from the UK to America and now has defected back to the UK -Pfeiffer is mad cause he likes anonymity and I keep pointing out what a snake he is....
Great article o/
So essentially revert to the old system that was proven to work to begin with?
Crazy, I know.
Crazy like a fox, you simply want to tie British politics to a forum that is easily controlled by a few well placed well bribed 'sock puppets'; first you betray the United Kingdom then America and now wanna stick it to the British again...if you Redcoats do go to the forum the first act of Parliament' should be to ban Henry Pfeiffer Arundel....
I'm not sure whether you are deliberately trying not to be constructive or your reply was just out of pure spite against Pfeiffer.
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Ah, poor Henry can't defend himself, guess he was insulted that I hate his guts; had to run to 'daddy' Plato crying like a sissy that the mean man insulted him and won't leave him alone - here's an idea...don't be a TRAITOR....
I agree. Erep has antediluvian tools for communication :/ Forums are great except for the double login required but that is just a minor discomfort. Collaboration software are way cooler.
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Antediluvian
noun
1) of or relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible
2) a) made, evolved, or developed a long time ago
2) b) extremely primitive or outmoded
ROFLMAO...since chisels and stone tablets were used during biblical times I am pretty sure the communication tools provided by eRepublik are fairly up to date....
lol yes if u take the first literal meaning in which case I'm not really sure if automobiles fit in either 😛 Pfeiffer mentions a few things that makes it inconvenient for us to collaborate better and hence we resort to using external tools. Granted that, erep wants to keep it all lightweight, but a few tools especially when it comes to finance module would be great. As a SE by profession, I can say that it doesn't cause much overhead and is fairly easy to code.
I would like to see Plato reopen 'National Congressional Forums' in game and monitored by him, the lack thereof allows citizens like Arundel to slither their way into power; bring them back into the game and all that 'meta gaming role play' disappears....