Join the new world

It is almost election time again, in a week the Liberals and members of other parties will be electing their new leaders. I have not decided who to vote for, and will even possibly run for Party President. However, there are a few issues to address.

1. Current Events Regarding Foreign Relations
The shifting of alliances may occur in the next month or so. Although powerful eNations such as eRomania and eIndonesia will obviously remain dominant, many countries are talking about forming third alliances, whether they will replace the current alliances (ATLANTIS and PEACE) or not.

eKoreans, eSingaporeans, and eJapanese have all been discussing the formation of an Asian alliance within each of the countries for a long time. However, the possibility is fairly low at the moment as we are stuck in a difficult situation. We are, in fact, holding a wolf by its ears. No proclamation of neutrality will be enough to convince either of the super alliances, and a regional alliance will not be strong enough to defend ourselves.

Personally, I support a non-military Asian alliance, with indirect military aid exchanges. As of now, we can only hope for ATLANTIS to crumble first before we can make any safe changes.

2. Relationship between Citizens and Parties
President Kokawayoshi Makoto had, in the past, said many times, we have to think above party lines. The only way we move forward is if we move together. However, this absolutely does not mean the elimination of political diversity. In fact, this encourages the healthy development of it. Kokawayoshi's successful campaign as member of a minor party is the proof.

Previously, I have talked about how political parties are formed by people of similar interests under one or few common causes. This is not the case in eJapan. Many people join a party as a bandwagoner. This trend may be a threat to the political diversity of this great country but another factor is more serious: the internal takeover of political parties.

If a party does not suit your views, why would you join it? Why not join a party that does? Some people in eJapan are using party affiliation as a means to gain political advantages. How is this different from actions of foreign intruders?

3. Situation in the Liberal Party
The points made in the above section all leads to the current situation in the Liberal Party. A former politician who had made countless controversial remarks and garnered much criticism has decided to run for Party President. In order to understand how outrageous this campaign is, one needs to comprehend the background of this party.

The Liberal Party of Japan is a hybrid of The Bushido Party and new center-leftists. The old Bushido Party was founded by legend Yamoto Suzuki who establish the party's center-left orientation. When Hitoshi Makoto took over the party, he changed the orientation to center-right, and lost trust of many members. Party membership decreased dramatically and it made the Bushido Party (called United Bushi of Nihon by Hitoshi) one of the weakest party of eJapan.

Obviously when Hitoshi joined the Bushido Party, he did not agree with the party's philosophy. And now, after Seixo and I have finally normalized and strengthened the party, he wishes to run again and change the party to suit his own philosophy? I do not think so. He claimed that he would be helping the party after his last failed campaign, obviously he was lying, a political tactic he has been using for months.

It is time to rebuild for the future. In the next few days, I will be deciding whether I will run for Party President or not, but whatever I do, we should never again employ a failed attempt. Hitoshi had his chances to lead and his chances to change. But he has already given up those chances, and why should we Liberals vote for a quitter?

Tadahito Kato
Vice Party President of the Liberal Party