And my election vote will go to.... ....
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by Mr Knee
I surely cannot be the only one who will probably take the view that voting in the next election is largely a pointless affair. From looking at the general manifestos of the major parties, I don't think there is a single eUK politial party that represents my general views.
I get the general feeling that the winners of the election will lead to very little change in the government as more or less the same people as now will be elected - and there seems to be very little difference in terms of their policies and views. I'm sure some people standing might be able to write some sort of rhetoric as to why they believe themself different but at the end of the day, they all seem to be working together with no real debate as to the government's actions. All those standing for election all have nicely prepared election essays as to why we should vote for them, but I've not seen any members have a serious debate about the policies of the policies and actively critisise or critique other's actions. I don't expect to see some sort of PM's Question Time, but never the less....
Not that I think raising serious points of disagreement matters that much anyway. From reading responses to numerous articles of which leading members of the eUK political system have commented, there seems to be a general trend that if a eUK citizen offers an opinion that flies in the face of our beloved leaders, then (s)he is branded a troll and in some cases are told they are idiots (or whatever). Anyone who disagrees is waved away as insignificant (or so it seems).
I think the issue of the actions of PEACE and where we stand in it is becoming an increasing concern for some people. Personally I agreed with the attacks on eUS on the basis of their previous actions but since the eUS is basically on its knees, I am getting increasingly concerned about the general direction that PEACE is now taking. I'm sure my view will be dismissed as EDEN / ATLANTA propagander. Despite this, all the parties and their leaders are happy to scratch each other's back and not rock the boat.
I'm sure some will be thinking - "Why not set up your own party and try to get elected ?". I really don't see the point as the main parties will rally together and such isolate any smaller parties. Not that the whole PEACE thing is the whole issue here, although our position in it is probably going to become a bigger issue as times goes on.... Maybe next month I can set up a "Protest Party" with no policies but use it as a forum for those who don't agree with any of the main parties to waste their vote...
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Pepsimaxxx
Back when the parties were truly in opposition to each other, there was a lot of bickering. The UK used to be largely about trying to recreate a RL Parliament via the forums (creating endless legislation that did nothing in-game). It caused disunity and harmed the country.
From Kumnaa onwards, that has been largely dropped in favour of a streamlined, more effective Government.
Also, the reason anti-PEACE sentiments tend to get ignored or mocked is because
a) the majority backed us joining.
b) some people who make a lot of protest noise simply don't know the game well enough to be taken seriously(and some really are trolls and article/ad spammers).
c).....it's politics- biters will get bitten back.
So if you want to be taken seriously, do your homework, make sure you know how the game works and the eHistory behind it, and don't start ranting when people try to counter your arguments.
Good article Mr. Knee...I hope I can be one of those people standing who have debated some of the issues, particularly regarding PEACE. Check out these two articles;
http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/standing-for-congress-in-enorthern-ireland-898367/1/20" target="_blank">http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/stan[..]1/20
AND
http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/enorthern-ireland-congressional-debates-908664/1/20" target="_blank">http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/enor[..]1/20
I know its not much use if you don't live in eNI (you could always move over here lol). However, it is good for us all to support each other.
Free Britain
I hate trolls as they ruin genuine debate, but it does seem as if anyone who is not pro-PEACE are automatically categorised as a troll and is informed of that fact. There seems to be no debate from the government as to why the view might be wrong, as it is easier to brand the person a troll. If the non pro-PEACE person uses bad language or insults then they are a troll. But to those who try to have a well reasoned debate about it, but are then being dismissed as such is inappropriate. There seems to be at times a case that government people look down at some people with a “In the government, we know things you don’t so therefore our view is better”.
Which leads to your third point that “biters will get bitten back”. There are ways of ‘biting back’ and name slinging doesn’t strike me as the best way. In the real life Parliament, a politician might want to call someone who claimed too much expenses a cheat / fraudster or whatever, but common rules of decency (in Parliament) means that the debate should be civilised where possible. Dismissing another’s view as being the work as a troll simply because you (plural) disagree with it makes the person doing the name calling as much as a troll.
In terms of your last paragraph which reads “So if you want to be taken seriously, do your homework, make sure you know how the game works and the eHistory behind it, and don't start ranting when people try to counter your arguments”, is your underlying message that as a relatively new player whose opinion clearly differs, I should basically shut up and not express my opinions until I learn how the game works (translation: ie, until I agree with the government). If you look at my previous articles, I’ve expressed an opinion, but I’ve hardly gone into a rant….
"In terms of the majority backing PEACE, there was a poll in the forums which came out something like 70-80% in favour."
Things change, and we would be in error to just leave it at that-thus those of us who dissent are calling for constructive and continued debate. We have had some time to be in PEACE, and maybe people didn't think it was all it was cracked up to be, or maybe they love it even more! However, we must keep this debate close to the public consciousness.
"This again paints a negative picture of dissenters as 'unpatriotic'..."
I make no secret of the fact I fought red in Canada, but still consider myself a patriot! I fought red because I thought PEACE's war of aggression on Canada was wrong and was quite frankly ashamed we had any part to play in that. However, if one Yank or Canuck sets foot on sovereign British soil with as so much as an evil gleam in their eye, I will be the first to raise up arms in defence of my country!
"Full Parliamentary Government has been suspended until the time comes when we can relax our guard and argue about things more fully."
A very slippery slope to be on (whether in the New World or RL). The government of the people should not be suspended in any shape or form. The nation is the people, the people are the government, and if you curtail the rights and freedoms of the Parliament, then you begin to erode liberty for the whole nation. And what if we can never relax our guard? What then? We have an elite cabal who make all the decisions for us, and if you disagree you become an enemy of the state?
At least you have been reasonably and articulate in your responses. As a dissenter I have been shown disrespect many times (and by people who are held in high regard in this nation), and it is refreshing to see those who, whilst not in agreement with our dissenting views, at least respect our right to hold them and debate them openly.
Thank you!