[PiZ] A Screed for the eUSA
PigInZen
It would seem that the eUSA is caught in an endless cycle of recriminations and political payback. I'm not going to belabor the current state of affairs by recounting the numerous steps that have dropped us in the present nor am I going to rehash the latest outrage. Chances are if you're reading this that you're already aware of what's going on and chances are you're probably reacting in a predictable manner.
My advice: STOP
Stop thinking about it.
Stop having feelings about it.
Stop trying to get even.
Stop trying to get over.
Think about what is most important to you in this game.
Find others that share that in common with you.
Commit yourself to a different course.
This won't work if we don't break the cycle. The disappointing aspect is that there are many players who aren't committed to change and aren't truly committed to collaborative play that might result in a more positive outcome in the game. We'll have to face that challenge together but we cannot face this together if we don't commit to a few things first.
My fellow eUSA citizens and readers, many of you might know me from my play many years ago. This isn't the first time I've seen this stageplay. What is important is HOW WE REACT and HOW WE CHOOSE TO REACT, not what is happening. That is how true change occurs. We cannot control the actions of others, not even in a browser game, but we can control our thoughts, mitigate our emotions, and gain some control over the situation.
Congressional Recess Declared
I have resigned my position as a member of the Constitution Party and as a member of its Executive Board. I have no dog in this fight other than that of the eUSA in whole and in particular its collective strength teamwork and consensus. This has been lost and as of now a power struggle has ensued in which there will be few winners and many losers. I take personal responsibility for this action; it is mine and mine alone and one that I take only with the aim of improving morale among the eUSA populace and in particular, those that are involved in its politics. In furtherance of this goal I am imposing a maximum 24-hour moratorium on further posting in the Congressional Subforums on the eUSA forums. I realize that this will be met with anger and resentment. Take some time off to establish what is important to you in the eUSA and organize your priorities.
The Congressional Recess of 2018 will commence tonight at 8:30 PM Eastern Time. It will be lifted at the same time tomorrow evening at the latest.
We Need to Grieve or at Least Accept the Reality That the Old eUSA is Dead
Almost everyone is familiar with the Kübler-Ross model AKA the five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I would have thought that the eUSA would have progressed past the anger stage long, long ago but evidently we haven't. Let me share with you a personal story from many years ago. You see, I served one term as eUS President. ONE TERM. Why only one term? The game SUCKED for me, hard. I wasn't prepared for what I was going to encounter, which was that at that time, the Presidency was nothing more than a glorified cheerleader and button pusher for the JCS. I wasn't prepared to have a large, influential, and critical group of people ignore my wishes and concerns regarding the foreign and domestic policy of the eUSA. I believed that I had a mandate and ran headlong into a brick wall of players who REALLY held the power strings and weren't prepared to share them.
How did I react? I quit. Mentally at first, then finally physically. I ended up leaving the game, only periodically logging into the forums, and distanced myself from the community. There were periods of re-involvement but nothing like that heady time that lead up to my election. Do I regret it? Hell yes I do. Not the election, I used to regret that, but now I seriously regret my reaction. Many of our fellow players believed in me, believed in what I said and wrote, believed in my idealism. I ran away from eRep, taking a little of that enthusiasm and idealism with me. I thought at the time that I had progressed all the way through the grief cycle to acceptance - that I had accepted the truth, didn't like it, and just cut it all out.
DON'T DO IT. They will win if you do and we'll all lose in the long term.
Accept the situation. The old eUSA is dead. It's up to us to chart the course from here. But we can only do it together. Continuing in the old manner will bring us more of the same.
The Only Way to Win
As banal and insulting as it sounds, the only way to win is to not play at all. Don't play their game. Commit yourself to a different game. A game that includes collaboration, support, camaraderie. A game where E Pluribus Unum is the motto, where E Pluribus Unum is the goal. From Many, One.
You're a part of that goal. A part of that ideal. We all are. But only if we don't let them divide us. Once we're divided they win.
It's going to get rough in the eUSA in the next several weeks. We all need to decide if we care or not. As for me, I can definitely tell you that I know what my choice is going to be and this time I'm not taking my enthusiasm elsewhere.
E PLURIBUS UNUM
Comments
I agree with the overall sentiment but this comes as a surprising twist as I thought your stance was not to get involved.
This is a cooling off period.
Amen.
It's needed.
Thank you, PiZ
Only done with the highest of ideals in mind.
^ That is why I've always respected you.
Come here and let me kiss that shiny bald head.
ilysm
you know I like that
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I am not on the boards but it sounds crazy
You should come join.
nah my mom is there and that would be weird. besides, occasionally we still are at the same IP
a lot of truth in what you wrote
take a breather from the ole eUS, come to Ireland, the politics might be more ridiculous (no policies beyond trolling fodder)
This might happen, one never knows what the future will bring.
ilu
ilu2
Thank you PIZ.
I saw no end to what was happening today even if I was a major contributor. I couldn't pull back because I felt/feel these things being discussed were over the top crazy and couldn't be allowed to take place. Maybe I'm wrong maybe I'm right, but I'm sure glad I don't have to think about it for at least 24 hours.
You're welcome. I don't expect everyone to support this decision.
Let me know if I can be of any help.
There's a place for old guys like us
Just let me know what you need.
Dang, long time no see, Leroy.
I can't help but support this, it's a well reasoned and rational move.
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Not gonna lie, it was suggested by someone else but my decision alone.
I love this. Pretty sure I got an eBoner.
Not gonna lie, it was suggested by someone else but my decision alone.
I love this. Pretty sure I got an eBoner.
so much you're going in for seconds?
Not gonna lie it was a pretty big boner
Hugs to Piggy.
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ty babe
Right on target.
Not gonna lie, it was suggested by someone else but my decision alone.
Zero understanding frum me but very interesting.
Guess I'll just keep spying between this paper and Cubby's "paper forum".
https://www.erepublik.com/en/article/public-congressional-proceedings-2674782/1/20
Let's just say that we take political feuding to the extreme
If you need anything let me know
ilu < 3
I will come calling for that promise someday
You're the best of us, Pig. I'm sad to lose you from TCP.
I'm not far.
A moratorium on Congress was needed and I am glad you implemented it. We all tend to forget that this is a game and meant to be an enjoyable experience not only for ourselves, but also for everyone around us. Remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If we all were to treat everyone else with the respect and dignity that we each deserve, we would all be happier. Be excellent to each other.
I could not have said it better myself.
Thank you PigInZen. Ridding of forum congress for 24 hours was the best decision you could have made. A small victory you and for many of us in the eUSA.
You're welcome.
PigIn Za Best 😃
Just tryin' to Be Best
E Pluribus Unum
Ah, Murica.