Congressional Candidacy Announcement Virginia Incumbent
Joshua Tree
I hadn't planned on writing my campaign article this early, but after having seen two candidates throw down the gauntlet, I feel compelled to take a break from RL for a second and present my platform.
1- Track Recor😛
It was insinuated in a recent article by one of the aforementioned candidates that I have neglected my duties in Congress and have failed to fulfill my campaign promises. This being said, let me review my platform from the previous campaign. Aside from the obvious question of pie vs. cake, my major platform promises were:
A- War. I promised to vote for WAR. I kept that promise. Granted, support for the war has declined, largely due to poor strategic moves by the president and his staff and lack of diplomacy in relating to the general public. However, as I promised in my article, the war has provided immense opportunity for new and experienced players alike to make rapid advances in strength, skill level, and experience points. In addition, this is the first war that has been fought with the widespread use of 'tanks', decoders, food bombers and the current military structure. This has been a learning curve all around.
B- Citizen Expansion Program: Providing orientation and support for new citizens. While this has not always been at the forefront of my activity in Congress, given the more pressing issues of the economy, the widespread failure of congressional accountability/activity, and the recent hot topic of possible misuse of treasury funds being discussed in Congress, I have nevertheless fought against the removal of some of the basic resources available to new citizens, such as the National Guard (which provides both structure and social and economic support for new citizens getting on their feet in the game) and I have wholeheartedly supported a revision and improvement of the 'New Citizen Message' that goes out to everyone who joins the eUSA.
C- Economy: Yes the economy is spiking like Michael Jackson's heartbeat in the toy section at Walmart. Yes we are dealing with the effects of war on our economy and market; both good and bad. Yes there are some unintended consequences to the market. However, there has been more consumption of goods over the last few weeks than in the entire two months previous. There has been a direct stimulus to the market caused by leaps and bounds in experience levels of players and the gold that is introduced to the market as a result of new achievements by players. And I can personally attest to the fact that the average wage of the eAmerican worker has risen at least 2 dollars in the past few weeks.
There have been more proposals in Congress aimed at stabilizing the economy in the last three weeks than in the two months prior combined. There has been more discussion, debate, and energy directed at improving the market and the US dollar than ever before. We may still be a ways away from where we WANT to be, but we are damn sure further ahead than where we started at the beginning of V1.
In addition to working on the promises I made in my campaign, here are a few more things to consider:
At my inception into Congress, I quickly noticed two things: 1) there are WAYYY too many 'congressmen' getting elected and then sitting inactive. They collect the 5 gold that comes with the position, and then sit and do NOTHING to earn it. and 2) Even for those who are active, there is no way for the public to hold them accountable. One congressman actually said that they did not want to have to reveal how they voted to the public. wtf???? is all I can say to that.
I have spent a good deal of time and energy fighting for a system that will hold Congress accountable. It has been a passion of mine. But don't take my word for it. If you REALLY want to know how you have been represented in Congress, you need to look no further than this: http://erepublikusa.com/forums/index.php?board=7.0
I have seen the beginnings of a smear campaign from one of my opponents. He has implied that I have been inactive in Congress and have failed to fulfil any of my promises. I certainly hope that he does not intend to hang the merits of his campaign on my 'failures' and instead chooses to pursue his candidacy based off of an upright platform.
If any of you question my activity, please research it. You will be able to see EXACTLY how I voted on every single proposal. You will also be able to see that I have NEVER missed a vote. My vote has been cast for every proposal since my election, without fail. So I ask you to take responsibility for your vote and research my track record. THEN, if you disagree with my methods, qualifications, and results, you can base your vote off of that. If you would like to better understand anything, feel free to PM me.
Also, another candidate mentioned that he would like to take over Virginia because it 'has been a R4C stronghold since Beta' and he would like to see his party get a foothold. Yes I am a member of the R4C party. Anyone who knows me will know that I have a general distaste for the idea of 'voting party lines'. I find it to be lemming like behavior at best. I disagree with partisan politics. I like being in the R4C because they don't care about the fact that I don't care which party I'm in. I like DesertFalcon because he doesn't try to jam his policies down my throat.
Unlike RL, party politics in eRepublik are influenced MUCH more by who is Party President than by a specific moral or ethical stance. Pardon my french, but who gives two sh**s what party you are in? What matters is how well you represent the people in your state. Not everyone in Virginia belongs to the same party. Am I here to represent my state? Or my Party President?
Here are the remaining points of this platform:
2- Congressional Voting Reform. I will not stop working towards full transparency of Congressional votes. This seems important to me now more than ever, given the fact that there are allegations of Congressmen acting in their own behalf at the cost of their fellow Americans. We should be able to see whether or not somebody is voting for or against the best interest of their state and country. See my two previous articles for more information.
3- Fiscal Accountability. It has recently come to light that the president may have improperly used/provided unauthorized access for others to use Treasury funds, and has been receiving a 'government subsidy' for his weapons company in exchange for a stockpile of weapons to be supplied in time of war. While these are currently allegations and solid evidence has yet to be presented, they are nevertheless very serious allegations. Regardless of the results of the investigation into this matter, it has become a personal goal of mine to help establish a system of Fiscal Accountability.
4- Economy. I will continue to work towards stabilizing the economy. I'd like to see income taxes lowered. I'd like to see the cost of food, weapons, and gifts to go down. I'd like to see the door open for every citizen to own a house. I don't expect it to happen overnight. I hope you don't either. But I will say this: The handful of Virginia citizens who took me up on my invitation to share with me their expectations will verify that not only have I communicated closely with them throughout the process, I have also striven to fulfil those expectations.
That's it. If you have questions, comment here. I welcome a public discussion. You are also welcome to PM me.
To research my congressional activity visit the forums here: http://erepublikusa.com/forums/index.php?board=7.0
Thank you. I look forward to your replies.
Jtree
Senator
Virginia
Comments
Pertamaxxxxx!
I recently moved to Pakistan to start a company. Until then, however, I was a resident in Virginia. I have kept an eye on Joshua Tree since he first PMd me during his first campaign. Since then I have been scanning the congressional forums. I saw where he stepped on a lot of toes with other Congressmembers because he was pushing sooo hard for the congress vote transparency thing. While I didnt like his behavior at first (I thought he was a little too pushy for being so new at his job) I quickly realized that he was passionate about doing the right thing. I also noticed that he not only has the rare ability to admit when he was wrong, but he has, on more than one occasion, apologized and taken ownership of his mistakes.
I havent personally researched every single proposal to see if and how he voted. But I have seen his vote posted on several threads, and I've seen how he has influenced a lot of congress to post their votes as well.
Sometimes he is pushy and sometimes he steps on toes. Even though I think the war he voted for was a bad idea, I have to say I support Joshua Tree in his bid for reelection. I doubt anyone has been more active than he has (I saw Dubi's article and couldnt figure out where in the world he's been for the last few weeks if he thinks Jtree has been inactive) If it is a tight race hopefully I'll be able to make the move from Pakistan back to Virginia long enough to cast my vote. Jtree for Congress!!!
🙂 thanks Legende! Yes I put my foot in my mouth once or twice but I lived to tell the tale!
We had our differences, largely due to some of the same issues raised by Legende. JTree stepped on toes and acted too fast for my liking. However, I was able to analyse his behaviour and am 100% that he is just passionate about what he believes in.
I recommend that he is elected for another term to build on the work he has started.
Oh, and the last thing he could be called is inactive...
Well, that is quite hilarious. I have more than once WISHED Jtree was inactive. When a politician is pissing other politicians off, that's usually how you know he's doing his job. Whoever calls Jtree inactive, is quite simply misinformed. To that person I suggest a thorough read through the congressional forums, which you have obviously never visited.
I wonder, is 169 posts on the congressional forums and %100.00 voting record the new standard for inactivity? If so, I really need to step up my game.
I support Joshua Tree [Virginia] for a second term.
Killing Time
Mississippi Senator
Jtree has been active both politically and militarily. He stepped down from His position as a squad leader after finding a replacement due to the increased time he was spending on his political career. After stepping down he has fought repeatedly to secure our borders.
Calling Jtree inactive is like calling Benn Dover a Pacifist.
Lt. Boss_Khamzi
1st Squad/1st Platoon
"Want to nail his nuts to the wall?" eesh...
but hes still a good guy.
Jtree has been one of the most active members of Congress. He's worked hard not only for the things he believes in, but in building bridges between Congress. He's a very honorable man who always stands behind his word. It would be a same for VA to elect anyone else.
Colonel Freemantle... it does not begin or end with my uncle... or myself. We're all sons of Virginia here.
That major out there, commanding the cannon... that's James Dearing. First in his class at West Point, before Virgina seceded. And the boy over there with the color guard...
... that's Private Robert Tyler Jones. His grandfather was President of the United States. The colonel behind me... that's Colonel William Aylett. Now, his great-grandfather was the Virginian, Patrick Henry. It was Patrick Henry who said to your King George III, "Give me liberty, or give me death." There are boys here from Norfolk... Portsmouth... small hamlets along the James River. From Charlottesville and Fredericksburg... and the Shenondoah Valley. Mostly, they're all veteran soldiers now; the cowards and shirkers are long gone. Every man here knows his duty. They would make this charge, even without an officer to lead them. They know the gravity of the situation, and the mettle of their foe. They know that this day's work will be desperate and deadly. They know, that for many of them, this will be their last charge. But not one of them needs to be told what is expected of him. They're all willing to make the supreme sacrifice... to achieve victory, here... the crowning victory... and the end of this war. We are all here, Colonel. You may tell them, when you return to your country... that all Virginia was here on this day.
-Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead
JTree has voted on every issue that has come up and has been vocal in the forums debating the merits of the proposals. He has stirred the pot and enlightened some average citizens to see what their government has done for the eUSA. I think the question should be why don't we have more folks like this in the government willing to be active and work to make the eUSA better.
I am endorsing JTree for his run.
Thanks guys. Your support really means a lot to me. I think it is also fair to point out that, since the publication of this article, Dubi has done the appropriate research and as a result he has removed his original article and posted public and private acknowledgements of the mistake he made. I commend him on such standup behavior.
Please continue to show your support in the next few days, since we will need it now more than ever.
I wholeheartedly support Jtree in his reelection bid! He has been one of the most active and pleasant members of congress to work with. I was one of the few who has always been refreshed and excited by his enthusiastic nature. He has done nothing but work hard for a just deserved reelection!
PrincessMedyPi
Congressional Representative (AK - UCP)
(Also running for reelection: http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/congratulations-justinious-my-congressional-bid-710122/1)
Virginia has been a RfC stronghold. Lets keep it that way. Well, until we Federalist get the numbers to post our own members for election.
Then the Sceptre of power will be passed to us. 🙂
"Yes the economy is spiking like Michael Jackson's heartbeat in the toy section at Walmart"
Lol! Seriously, how could you not vote for this guy. He has been very active and voices his opinion. As a current congressman who works with him, I am supporting him 100%.
America is lucky to have Jtree as a Congressman - he devotes a lot of his time to it, and is always open-minded with good-intentions as to how to improve America best.
I think Jtree is one of the top 3 or top 5 congressman in eUSA. Every where i look in the forum, he is giving his input on the discussion. He is a very intelligent congressman also, because he always makes sure to bring an intelligent argument to the discussion that makes us all think. I am glad he was elected, and i think he should stay as a congressman. He is the epitome of what we need in congress; an active forum goer, someone who fights for what he believes in, and an intelligent person who won't make an idiot of himself. (i failed on that last one myself 🙁 )
Tank, I broke the unspoken rule and made an idiot of myself, which completely overshadowed a more valid point that censorship should not be tolerated especially on a forum where we discuss principles of freedom and opportunity all the time.
Now I pay the price. It's like those articles about the USWP being traitors... they went wayyyyy over the top about what was originally a legitimate gripe and it backfired in their lap. COuld have been different.
Anyway thanks to everyone who is showing their support.