Presidential Manifesto Final Part

Day 1,109, 16:29 • Published in Ireland Ireland • by James Ferrin


Gather round the fire my Irish friends. It’s been a mighty cold week and a fairly eventful one at that. This will be my final manifesto before the big elections on Sunday the 5th, so take a moment if you will to familiarize yourself with what I’ve talked about over the last week and take the following to heart.

I don’t want this to be long-winded and emotional (eww, no thanks) but over the past month we’ve been through a lot. Both ‘sides’ as well as everyone in between. Hell, after the first week I joined this game I had lost all sense that there even was a middle. Truth is, I got wrangled into left vs. right etc. since then (start the cycle, rinse repeat you all know how it is). Point being, I’ve talked to many new faces this week. Some are folks I’ve never seen, some are folks I’ve seen but had always just been on the ‘other side’, and so I never cared to know.

Those of you that know me or think you know me already have your minds made up about what I ‘represent’ or who my ‘friends’ are, and you know what? That’s fine. I’ve hardly met anyone (IRL or otherwise) who I’ve disliked to the point where I won’t at least hold polite conversation with them. Folks can say what they will about me or of me and those people are completely entitled to their opinion, I hold no grudges.

I will admit, I dislike it when people judge others by what they’re associated with and not for what they do or their representation of character. Before you call me a hypocrite, I know I’ve been pretty damn guilty of the same thing this year I’ve been here in eRepublik. The fact of the matter is that I’ve had lots of time to reflect this week and I’m sick of some things I’ve said and done earlier in the month (of November) as well as seeing what exactly led me to that point in the first place. If I’ve offended anyone by my stubbornness I do apologize. It’s not you, it’s not me, and it’s not even the UK (God forbid). It’s the stupid notion that people are all 100% on different sides. You can draw lines where you want but the idea of people being completely on one side or the other is just stupid antics invented by God knows who to keep us from working together on goals and aspirations that would benefit everyone in the long term!

For some reason this is the first week I’ve really taken the dive to look around and see just who it was I was always struggling with. And you know what? They aren’t evil. Hell, some of them ain’t even bad people. I kind of even like a few. So where does all this violence and hatred come from? Well, it’s my opinion that it comes from our own ignorance. This may sound like a simple idea but did you ever stop to think that the simplest of ideas are the hardest to follow? Life’s never easy. If you take one thing away from this, let it be that no matter what others tell you, no matter what the system tells you, no matter what your feelings tell you, those people on the ‘other’ side are just. Like. You.

I have been one of those people for as long as I can remember, but I’ve found hope out there. People willing to set aside what makes them different and unite under what makes them similar. Sure we’ve got plenty of diverse things to be proud of in this country (including 11 political parties atm) but shouldn’t our number one priority be that we are all eIrish through and through? I’m just sick of the fighting. I know I’m not the only one. Aren’t you all sick of it? Aren’t you tired of hearing that we aren’t worth our stones unless the UK invades us? Put aside your differences and start working together for a change. Whether you elect me or not, it must stop somewhere. I’m choosing to stop it right here and right now.



That’s from the heart, take it or leave it, your choice. Unfortunately, now comes the time where I have to do something I abhor—showing off shinies. Yes, lots of people only vote based on Medals and positions and not on merit or ethic, but that’s their choice. To those of you who don’t know or would rather just me tell you, here you go:

Hard Worker: 5
Congressman: 6
Super Soldier: 2 (almost 3)
Battle Hero: 1
Minister of Information: 5
Minister of Education: 1
Minister of Foreign Affairs: 2
Ambassador to USA: Lost count.

Also, if I am elected my Minister of New Citizens will be Jacques Cousteau.

It’s amazing to think I became a Congressman in the North West of Ireland in just one month after joining this game. Guess I went on and never looked back. I’ve never played something so intriguing that drags you in and never lets you go. I wish it were easier. Truth is, it isn’t easy. I love this place, I love the people in this place, and no matter how much we toss and turn and hate on each other, we’re all still one big (disturbing) family. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Have some fun this weekend, and try not to get too caught up in this race, it just never ends well. I hope you’ve found some truth in what I’ve said today and over the week, and I urge you to vote for me if you have. Otherwise, the future is yours, be careful what you do with it.




"Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry"