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**UPDATE 2/24/09**
Please visit the following article for an Independent recommendation on who to vote for (Independent Congressional Recommendations), as well as information on a particular state's candidates.

Hello eCitizens of North Dakota. I hereby announce my candidacy for congressman to represent the fine state of North Dakota. I am running as a member of the United Independents Party (UIP), formerly known as United Constitutionals Party (UCP).

My eLife
I have been an eCitizen of this world for 26 days now. I was born in Wisconsin, joined the eNational Guard, and lived there until the recent battle with Portugal. At that time I moved to Florida to make use of the Q5 hospital, where I resided until recently. I am an active member of the eNational Guard, hold the rank of Lieutenant, and am the current commanding officer of the 1st Platoon in the Second National Guard Division. Although considered new by most current members of eCongress, I feel the time is right to make myself known to the people of this country. I feel that North Dakota is a good ground for me to run in, as it is a smaller state that makes it easy to hear my constituents. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to send me a private message, I will be happy to respond.

Activeness
I am still learning the ropes of being an eCitizen. However I am fairly active. I have posted on the eUSA forums and check them daily. I also can be found in the eUSA chat room and the eUSA Congress chat room. I am an active member of the National Guard, and as a commanding officer am responsible for sending out and receiving messages daily.

Basic Platform
Because I check the forums and chat rooms I feel that I am up to date on the current issues facing our great nation. I also feel that I am active enough to make a difference – I will be there to voice my opinion and those of the people of North Dakota. I also feel that I am fairly open minded, and will be open to working with eCongressmen of other parties and beliefs. I understand how important it is to have a working eCongress, and as such promise to not propose bills without getting support first, to not walk out on eCongress in mid-term, and to work with the other members to get out country moving forward. I also will keep track of my voting record and publish how and why I vote in my press releases.

Taxes
Everyone has read about the current taxes facing our country. Nobody wants to see taxes raised, but most people know that funding our government is required. Because of recent actions regarding the eUSA treasury eCongress was forced to raise the tax rates to build up a savings. Current legislation also has plans to raise the tax rates to found our military branches. While I support funding for the military I do not believe that drastic increases in the income tax will be beneficial to the average citizen. My involvement in the National Guard reminds me daily how hard it is for the new eCitizen to make a living and balance their wellness. Increasing the income tax will only further complicate things. I wish to stand for fiscal responsibility regarding our nations funds, which means tracking and documenting where those funds are directed. Instead of raising the income tax I support raising the import tax as protection for American companies against foreign ones. This will keep the market competitive and keep eAmericans working.

Military
War is an essential part of eRepublik - regardless of your stance on war in real life. It helps stimulate the economy, increases wellness for newer eCitizens, and prevents against boredom. Being pro-war does not mean that I want the eUSA to blindly attack other countries. We need to pick our fights carefully. I am in full belief that a war should be fought for not only those reasons listed above, but also to raise morale. Entering into a war that we have no hope of winning is not good for the country. Rather, I believe in coordinating battles with our allies in an attempt to increase our country’s standard of living (gaining resources we do not have). I do support and advise newer eCitizens to join the military, as it provides not only a means of networking but also can increase interest in eRepublik.

Foreign Policy and Alliances
I believe that a strong eUSA is one who works with its allies. Coordination not only for defense but offense will help our great country grow. The eUS is currently a member of the ATLANTIS peace treaty organization. While I do not fully believe nor support this organization, I do feel it is a stepping ground to something better. The eUSA needs to re-evaluate its Mutual Protection Pacts (MPPs) and alliances in an effort to better ourselves. Getting drawn into a hopeless war because of an outdated alliance is not something I approve of.

Party
I am currently the United Independents Party Welcome Director. As new members join I am responsible for welcoming them and setting them up on a successful and healthy career with the party. I will not use my election as representative to eCongress to recruit members to this party, as I view doing so as an abuse of power. I do advise eCitizens to fully explore and research all parties before joining one.

Closing
I would once more like to open my door towards being contacted. If you have any questions please ask! I will happily reply, and hopefully explain my stance. Thank you for your time.

Joshua Hoss
Editor of “Colorblind Press”
Lt., eNational Guard, 1st Platoon 2nd Division
Welcome Director, UIP