[Banach]~~An Obvious Solution to an Obvious Problem~~
Day 1,176, 07:42
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Published in Canada 
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by
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by Banach
The Problem?
We seem to be getting a lack of active MPs is the parliament as of late and many have already raised the issue of minimal attendance not being met as a failure of this parliament's legitimacy and the failure of the electoral process.
Fair enough indeed, if we're electing individuals who can't be assed to show up and vote, then we've fucked up hard.
Here's the thing though, this isn't a crisis or unsolvable task. In fact, its easy. Or it should be.
The Solution.
For one, to tackle the issue of bad candidates falls to the party first and foremost. Don't blame the electorate because for the most part, the electorate IS uninformed and will vote along party lines. That's the reality of the game. If you disagree, go play neopets or something.
Like I said, the party should control those who run on its ticket. It is a concept called party discipline and if you lack it, you belong at the bottom of the spectrum, and not in office.
Each candidate should be approved by the membership and cleared to run in a region. Surprise candidates with no platform should be automatically blacklisted and the party should clearly get the message out that these are not true candidates.
It is the responsibility of each party leaders to thoroughly plan their parliamentary campaigns in order to present only the most qualified, active and efficient candidates for parliament. Make sure they have platforms, make sure they have experience in the game, make sure they are active and on the eCanada forums.
Simple checklist right there. If they meet it, go ahead and support their legitimate run on behalf on the party.
Next, an added feature pioneered by the CPF actually.
Before (or after if you trust your party members) they get elected to Parliament, require that they give a portion of their GOLD back to the party. This signifies commitment and will weed out stupid people/noobs who think this isn't a job, just a one day event to win GOLD.
If done before, every candidate has to pay up. If they get elected, they lose the money. If they don't, send it back to them. In done after, make it on a contractual basis. If they win and don't pay up, blacklist them from the party and let other parties know about their douchebaggery.
What else Banach? Tell me more.
Right. On the note of party discipline, a real proper feature is the party whip.
For some reason, as I have previously lamented, the party politics have gone to shit and people regressed on ideas and concepts that were once common place.
Each serious, dedicated party should have a party whip. This would be a member of parliament that was elected. His/her task is to "motivate" (bitch at) other MPs to show up to votes and vote (along party lines or otherwise). This is an indicator of organization and will lead to results in the Parliament in your parties favour. So get a whip. Seriously. Now.
Another Idea...
Aside from a whip, there should be a way to message and contact MPs concerning votes. Weekly/bi-weekly PMs and Top 5 Articles from the government explaining the current situation in Parliament would be fantastic or the public and for lawmakers.
In the eCanada forums, one could hold mid-term roll calls or reviews of MP behaviour and attendance/activity held by a third-party that would be published on the forums and in the media.
This can praise good MPs and stigmatize bad ones. It will provide the public with a progress report on the people they elect and may influence party leaders and future voters.
Right on.
See, it wasn't so bad. Just takes a little innovation and thought.
I welcome any additional comments/criticisms/suggestions!
Good luck and good day.
Cheers,
Banach
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Comments
good stuffs
Parties without clear direction or a codified set of policies will find it hard to police their members. After all, if there is no partisan line to toe, how can you force people to toe it?
Unfortunately, with a dwindling population, party leaders will find it more and more difficult filling slots for election day. IT is easy for anyone to 'sneak' onto the ballot.
Unfortunately, with a dwindling population, party leaders will find it more and more difficult filling slots for election day. IT is easy for anyone to 'sneak' onto the ballot.
x2
Congress, like any other institution in this country is full of role playing redundancy. People don't want to show up because it's such a bloody hassle.
This is indeed a problem. I read the article aeriala wrote, and if that's true, then we are in trouble.
and to respond to pimp dollaz comment, yes people probably don't show up because it's a hassle, or perhaps RL is getting in the way, but regardless of the reason, the candidates who ran and are now congressman/women, need to understand that they ran for eCanada as a whole, and that eCanada expects them to be active. I think it's time for some NEW congressman, if inactivity is a problem.
Low population and less votes make it easier for the bad apples (or the disgusting chocolate candy) to sneak in. I don't see why the population should take the blame for that.
the candidates who ran and are now congressman/women, need to understand that they ran for eCanada as a whole, and that eCanada expects them to be active. I think it's time for some NEW congressman, if inactivity is a problem. x2
There are 40 spots to fill correct?
Each party in the Top 5 should easily be able to field 8 candidates with decent experience and training.
I'm not saying we'll get 40 pros every time, but we can do MUCH better.
I agree with you on this initiative, inactive representatives is very disrespectful, and drains the efficiency out of any system, the problem should be addressed.
alaricus, I agree Canada needs new people in Congress. The usual suspects just haven't been up to par for a long time. But also, we need a better way of doing things.
tbh, it's just the same revolving door of mediocrity in this place, maybe we need a legitimate military threat to come to our shores again before we smarten up.
but I do give some allowance that some congress people actually want to be there to help out. There could be more of them if the system they use to conduct themselves while they are there is streamlined, however. Too much emphasis is placed on procedural fluff and "doing things the right way". The system is bogged down with rules upon rules, which have no place in the game and sap the fun out of being in congress. Political red tape takes away enthusiasm, so you can't really blame people when they take a look at the place and declare the political stuffiness to be worthless.