Stop this madness in our Senate NOW!
Day 1,710, 22:24
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Published in Australia 
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by
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by H.Nelson
Proposal to reform the Senate to reflect eRepublik game mechanics
¤ The Problem
For those who regularly visit the national forums and have an open mind recent events clearly showed that our current forum system needs a radical change if we don't want eAustralia to suffer the serious consequences of a situation we created for ourselves.
I have to admit I myself used to be one of the role-players responsible for the current situation.
Over-regulating simple processes clearly defined by game mechanics has resulted in dangerous situations in which the integrity of our country is at risk today.
By now, unnecessary protocols have evolved to a degree that is a threat to national security. Compulsory discussions followed by forum votes before even proposing something in game, or just simply the constraint of waiting for someone (i.e. a member of the Speaker team) to turn up and put something to a forum vote when quick in-game action is needed is just insane.
The game has become faster than ever. In today's eRepublik you cannot afford the luxury of making up imaginary rules and create a fantasy world. If you do so, you intentionally make your country less competitive than others and that is, my friends, nothing but plain treason in my book. Remember, we have neighbours that are keen to get eAustralia wiped on every occasion they set their sights on our border.
¤ The Solution
As an elected member of the in-game Congress I propose the following changes to our current system.
1) Revoke all existing laws with immediate effect.
This also means all imaginary rules and positions become void including Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Inspector-General.
Note:
This is where I expect fierce resistance because it means less non-existing positions and shiny medals to give out.
2) The 'Senate board' is to be called 'Congress board' from now on and serves as a discussion area only.
It shall be a place for elected officials i.e. members of Congress and the Country President to debate in-game proposals (should the proposer or any member of the Congress chose to do so) and discuss matters in relation to the running of the country.
Note:
The Country President has to take more responsibility. He needs to be a part of these discussions in order to garner support for his agenda and not hide from the public for days (weeks?). He can have as many ministers as he sees fit to help him but at the end of the day, he is responsible for the executive as a whole.
The CP position is a full-time job. If you study at university, have exams or a job in RL, don't run for CP.
3) Create the position of Moderator.
The Moderator shall be elected by in-game Congress members with a simple majority after the Congress elections. The only requirement to the position of Moderator is to be an elected member of the in-game Congress.
The task of the Moderator is to close and archive threads that have run their course and to grant elected officials access to the Congress board.
He is also a link between the executive and the Congress, with the right to post on behalf of Ministers and/or to allow them to participate in discussions relating to their portfolio.
Note:
This is the only part where we are compelled to stick to the structure of the forums. We simply need someone to perform the above duties.
¤ To conclude
Before commenting, think about the current state of the nation for a while and how the game has changed over the past few years. Then think a bit more to see why it is crucial to adapt ourselves to these changes.
Now is the time to take action and make eAustralia competitive once again.
¤ TL
1) No more imaginary laws just pure game mechanics
2) Forum Senate is to be called Congress and serves as a discussion area only
3) No more role-playing just a Moderator in the Congress board
Sincerely,
Former Prime Minister of Australia
Commander of the Order of Australia
¤ The Problem
For those who regularly visit the national forums and have an open mind recent events clearly showed that our current forum system needs a radical change if we don't want eAustralia to suffer the serious consequences of a situation we created for ourselves.
I have to admit I myself used to be one of the role-players responsible for the current situation.
Over-regulating simple processes clearly defined by game mechanics has resulted in dangerous situations in which the integrity of our country is at risk today.
By now, unnecessary protocols have evolved to a degree that is a threat to national security. Compulsory discussions followed by forum votes before even proposing something in game, or just simply the constraint of waiting for someone (i.e. a member of the Speaker team) to turn up and put something to a forum vote when quick in-game action is needed is just insane.
The game has become faster than ever. In today's eRepublik you cannot afford the luxury of making up imaginary rules and create a fantasy world. If you do so, you intentionally make your country less competitive than others and that is, my friends, nothing but plain treason in my book. Remember, we have neighbours that are keen to get eAustralia wiped on every occasion they set their sights on our border.
¤ The Solution
As an elected member of the in-game Congress I propose the following changes to our current system.
1) Revoke all existing laws with immediate effect.
This also means all imaginary rules and positions become void including Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Inspector-General.
Note:
This is where I expect fierce resistance because it means less non-existing positions and shiny medals to give out.
2) The 'Senate board' is to be called 'Congress board' from now on and serves as a discussion area only.
It shall be a place for elected officials i.e. members of Congress and the Country President to debate in-game proposals (should the proposer or any member of the Congress chose to do so) and discuss matters in relation to the running of the country.
Note:
The Country President has to take more responsibility. He needs to be a part of these discussions in order to garner support for his agenda and not hide from the public for days (weeks?). He can have as many ministers as he sees fit to help him but at the end of the day, he is responsible for the executive as a whole.
The CP position is a full-time job. If you study at university, have exams or a job in RL, don't run for CP.
3) Create the position of Moderator.
The Moderator shall be elected by in-game Congress members with a simple majority after the Congress elections. The only requirement to the position of Moderator is to be an elected member of the in-game Congress.
The task of the Moderator is to close and archive threads that have run their course and to grant elected officials access to the Congress board.
He is also a link between the executive and the Congress, with the right to post on behalf of Ministers and/or to allow them to participate in discussions relating to their portfolio.
Note:
This is the only part where we are compelled to stick to the structure of the forums. We simply need someone to perform the above duties.
¤ To conclude
Before commenting, think about the current state of the nation for a while and how the game has changed over the past few years. Then think a bit more to see why it is crucial to adapt ourselves to these changes.
Now is the time to take action and make eAustralia competitive once again.
¤ TL
😉R version
1) No more imaginary laws just pure game mechanics
2) Forum Senate is to be called Congress and serves as a discussion area only
3) No more role-playing just a Moderator in the Congress board
Sincerely,
Former Prime Minister of Australia
Commander of the Order of Australia
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Comments
I note your proposals, but what steps of action do you propose would be required to realise it?
@infin:
It doesn't require too much further action. The incoming Speaker will put it up for a vote and if it passes we'll have a new system in place that reflects eRep game mechanics to the maximum degree possible.
Your proposal is fully in accord with game mechanics and I endorse it 100%. It is essential that nothing is ADDED to it!
In Nelson we trust.
I was going to propose a Minister of Imaginary Positions in my August cabinet
Voted.
The present system is slow and inflexible.
Interesting. Very interesting.
Well done, sir Nelson, well done indeed
how about we just ask XG to delete the forums and we all go and use only the in game mail system to get stuff done.
voted and agree
Eyebrows brings up a very interesting point. Wasn't XG begging for people to get involved and help pay RL cash to keep the forums going? Perhaps we should look at just moving everything in-game, unless people want to fork out some money.
Voted
Well said H. Nelson and every word says the truth
the forums provide an invaluable service for communication and teamwork. I am certainly in favaour of retaining the forum. But the way we use it has to change. It need to be less rigid and more a place to share ideas quickly so we can respond to urgent threats.
I have discussed with Nelson that some of the inconsuistencies I see in his current proposal. The current debate system is actually quite good and there are times where eaus laws are handy e.g. Budget and Defence management.
why infin clearly the forums themselves have lead to this problem of people role playing get rid of the problem at its source.
@ lancer/eyebrows: in game comms are so shithouse, nothing would ever get done, a forum makes things so much easier. Even if we do away with the financial burden of the current forums, there are very good free options available, that can be used after a move.
As for the article, Im really not sure what to think tbh. A moderator or a Speaker? Same thing in my books. The Speaker is really only a mod, and shouldnt be a hindrance to the Congress like a couple of the last few Speakers have been.
I for one am not comfortable with doing away with the entire system, because apart from a few exceptions, the system works. It is there to keep Congressmen in line, and correct me if Im wrong, for the most part, it works.
I say no more role-playing at all. Ministers are not elected and therefore there is no need for them imo. Congress should do what they are meant to do along with the CP.
@witherd1 Then we should move to free forums then if the communication is so invaluable. But, I don't think we should continue to expect XG to have to pay to keep the current ones running.
witherd1 forums created the problem with roleplaying and a elitest groups of people in the first place that have lead to this whole mess get rid of them and work inside the game mechanics instead of the metagame which is clearly the problem.
What you are proposing, will leave us with no options. We will have a lax modded forum with a shitload of arguing, and no way to "attempt" to discipline a rogue Senator/Congressman.
I would be in full support of creating a much much much more simplified Legislation, and one that ties in well with game mechanics, but I like the rules, and most people that get elected here respect them and are happy to work by them.
Congress and the CP appropriate and govern, not unelected Ministers with no in-game powers. They can easily do what the meta-game officials do now.
but that is just it you have the roleplaying of a moderator/speaker who is elected though the metagame still elaveing you at the same point you were at the start of this mess.
oh and if we get rid of all the roleplaying in Congress might as well drop the ADF system we have as well as the Cabnet, and just leave it all in game so people are only allowed to use in game mechanics to prevent any forum of Rping.
If you want a team of people without forum communication, Eyebrows, you're in for a big surprise. We will suck even worse than we do now. I have run very big guilds, like 100+ player guilds in other games, and without forums, there is no reliable communication. In game comms are never ever good enough to rely on, or else there would be no such thing as a gamers forum to start with. When you have players that play at all times of the day, in different time zones, you MUST HAVE A FORUM FOR COM
Just cos you have a forum, doesnt mean youre RP'ing. Heres a little secret for you, if you're playing a game, you're RPing. Unless its your physical body walking around and talking, then you are RPing. SHOCK!!!!! I know. If you say do away with all RP, then turn the game off and walk outside.
The forums are there as an organisational instrument. It is designed so that we may all talk and communicate and even get to know one another better.
If you dont want to be a part of the community... find another community you do want to be a part of. Perhaps a 4wd club, a golf club, book club, or a knitting club will suit you. No one is forcing you to be a part of the forums, but for those of us that are putting an effort into running this country, it is a must have tool.
Its about time. Well done Nelson!
Voted and agree
Clearly you are for roleplayign then withered1 because you do not see the problem that the forums have caused. Clearly 100+ guilds in some other game have done well considering this community is less then 50 people and cant handle a small forum.
"I say no more role-playing at all. Ministers are not elected and therefore there is no need for them imo. Congress should do what they are meant to do along with the CP.-Lancer450"
I am totally stunned you typed this. Especially as an IG, I would have expected so much more. You expect the CP to run the country solo? There is such a war between the 2 branches of govt its not funny. Each branch blames the other, it needs to stop. But, the CP needs ppl that are good at certain things to help.
eyebrows, it may surprise you, but there is more than 50 in this community. Im not going to argue with ppl that dont take part in running this country all night, but Im not for RP, I am a skill grinder from way back, but I do enjoy being a part of something bigger than just myself. In this case, it is eAustralia. I will do whatever it takes to protect it the best I can, and that means putting in hours of work, which I have done, continue to do, and will do more in the future.
very nice, article. hope the elected members and your current cp take note of this. good luck!
voted~
PUSH THE SHINY RED BUTTON ALREADY !!!!!
No.
I used to think it was crazy but the more I've seen how the flaws in the system work out and the lack of skill set it requires to be a 'congress' member, I've been convinced its in everyone's best interests to abolish the entire branch of government. At the end of the day congress doesn't do the day to day running of the country and with respect would have no clue what it takes to make things happen. Unfortunately, it takes exp in congress to realise how ineffective it is before being convinced.
Exactly my thinking too TJ. WOW My time in congress was an eye opener and I rarely saw anything constructive being done. Just a lot of time ill spent on making proposals, debating the hell out of proposals, and ending up taking too long to discuss proposals to the point no one gave a flip in the end. And the ridiculous role play, and fighting over forum medals, and silly nonsense like that.
Still believe Congress should run all domestic departments to actually give them something to do and to correlate with their in-game powers. Immigration, New Player Relations, and Security should be Departments staffed/appointed by thm
I would go a step further in the Senate reform and abolish the Public Gallery. Allow all citizens to post in Congress, but restrict voting to Congress Members. Keep the Sensitive Issues board as Congress only for now as a place for private discussion if needed.
As to the ADF comment, Eyebrows - come up with a better way to organise and arm Aussies and I will push the destruct button myself.
when i read your proposals it seems senate is problem, no, this month main problem is inactive government (not all members, some like Sheraz, etc do their job but some important members are completely inactive) and senate is very active as usual.
As usual, H.Nelson is being his populist self. He is one of the main people who have engaged in creating these ridiculous roleplaying laws in the past and revelling in ridiculous complexities and now all of a sudden he is against it.
Just trying to get popularity as usual.
Here's the problem with your half way suggestion Majester - it doesn't work mate.
Buy a mixer set for the Mrs - there's an instruction manual with it.
Get a driver's license - there's rules with it.
Doesn't matter if you call them 'laws', RP or w/e - if you give out powers you have to restrain those powers or things go pear-shaped really quick. E.g. hmm .. well .. the Senate as is
Well done Nelson!
The APP will commit every energy to prevent this demolition of eAustralian democratic government.
This proposal is anarchy.
😁 teehee
A basic form of structure is required but it has to primarily follow erep mechanics.
EVERYONE should be able to talk in congress, but only congress members vote.
I like the congress member to be mod.to regulate, but then we would also need a full time mod to regulate forums as whole.
You have to allow flexibility to allow reactive situations to develop, not hide behind rules and red tape, which we know cause frustration and slow down the decision making process.
this is a bold move, and one i feel is required.
Good luck h.nelson i hope it gets through and am glad it is now open for a serious debate.
But a bet it gets watered down and you still have some RP bullshit.....
@Majester the ADF already has everything at its disposal to keep functioning as an MU. As for you're position Marshals are none elected officials meaning Roleplayinging i'm sorry but with H.nelsons proposal Marshal, all ministers any and all funding to the ADF goes goodbye as well as MMPs because MMPs are also roleplaying.
@Eyebrows:
That's not true, please don't twist my words. If you don't get what this proposal is about, then I suggest you re-read my article. Or at least the title of the proposal.
There is Marshal, ministers, ADF, etc., they are a vital part of our community functioning reasonably well for years now. The proposal does not affect them at all, merely changes how Senate makes business.
Indeed, there are laws about Cabinet, MPP's etc. but they are simply unnecessary.
Everyone knows what their job is, we can function fairly well without artificial constraints paralysing the nation.
Why not reform the laws to make them more flexible? It is just plain reckless to tear it down, game mechanics alone we will lose all over the board. Senate helps in organising the country so we can actually maintain a certain standard of structure to survive.
You can preach lets go game mechanics all you want but that will not go anywhere. It is like life, though the world does not define any form of human law, we create our own to protect and survive. Much like in erep.
Hobbes and Locke anyone?
H.Nelson will do ANYTHING to get popularity. H.Nelson is one of the people who helped make all these ridiculous laws/rules and he continually revels in complexities and unnecessary roleplay. Now he is saying it's all wrong?
What a hypocrite.
I also find it amusing that he is going off at witherd1 for "abuse" and "attacks" when that's pretty much all H.Nelson does throughout erep. He thinks he can get away with it because he is popular.
This kid is a joke.
"Everyone knows what their job is, we can function fairly well without artificial constraints paralysing the nation."
Then why did you help create them and engage in 10 page complexity discussions about them in the past?