Join the new world

With the imminent Party Presidential elections, one finds one self considering the possible developments of the next 30 days; How will the party be effected by a new leadership? Or will the party benefit from the continuation of it's current administration?

These questions, plus several other questions, were what ran through my head as I considered.

I thought of how Lynari, the current president and Party President of my chosen party, won an electoral landslide in the presidential elections. I considered how the country has benefited under his office and thought of his much deserved status as president.

I did, however, fail to see any good he was doing as Party President.
I thought: "Yes, he's done great things as president, but, perhaps, there is someone better to serve as PP."

I then realized that maybe I, Robert Knotsworth, was the man for the job.
I've had a lot of experience in politics and economics, and I also hold the definite plus of knowing exactly what I want to see in this nation.

I wouldn't like to challenge Lynari's presidency or person, however I do believe that I could perform a better service to the party, it's members and indeed this nation than him as Party President (Possibly mainly because of the less divided attention I can offer) .

I've prepared a little manifesto (featured below) to inform the public of my plans for Rot Weiss Rot.

First up is quite a simple reformation I'd like to initiate; namely, A change of name.

Rot Weiss Rot has been the name for the party for a long, long while now and I believe it is becoming somewhat antiquated.

I'm convinced that it was the best name for the party when Metallon founded it; The very undeveloped state of post-union Austria needed political unity and undivided attention to developing Austria, rather than facing problems with inter-party conflict too.

Rot Weiss Rot, literally translated as Red White Red, is the first part of our national saying 'Rot Weiss Rot bis in den Tod' and is thereby a strong name for a party in which politicians and citizens of varying ideologies joined hands in a common, patriotic, aim.

We've come to a time in our development where other political parties (most prominently the People's Socialist Party) have been created in order to split the members in Rot Weiss Rot who share one common ideology away from Rot Weiss Rot's jumble of a bit of everything.

This has reached a stage now that I believe this jumble of everything and anything is no longer really a jumble of everything and anything. Rot Weiss Rot has clearly become a party for advocates of Libertarianism and Liberalism and so should named accordingly.

I believe this Party is built on the theory of non dogmatic liberalism and has a unifying aim for Austria to become a society in which all individuals attain excellence and are fulfilled under the guidance of a minimal but enabling state.

This involves an unrestrained free market economic structure, which only suffers state intervention when exploitation of workers needs to be stopped or complete monopolies broken.

The last two points, as stated, are together the philosophy of Rot Weiss Rot. Liberalism/Libertarianism (though I must stress those two ideologies are not the same in real life) share those philosophies with Rot Weiss Rot; Therefore, Oh look, Rot Weiss Rot is a liberal party!

I would, as stated, like to name the party accordingly. The 'Austrian Liberal Party' springs instantly to mind, though something like the 'Austria Liberal Front' or indeed simply the 'Liberal Party' may provide more imaginative options.

Secondly, I believe the party needs to be more effective in, well, being a party.
Some organizational structure may be in order.

Whilst I do not agree with the Socialist Party's policy of having a Congressional director, I do think that some sort of active leadership and structure should be implemented.

Party President excluded, I think their should be two members in the leadership team.

(1) A Party Vice-President, to take control of the party and act as PP (more duties of which I will explain below) whilst the PP is away and
(2) A PR officer to update the members on political developments and where the shadow cabinet (something that I'll explain later) /Cabinet stand on the issue/crisis/reformation/policy.

I was going to add this in with a section of it's own, though actually I think this is an opportune moment for it now. Basically, the shadow cabinet would comprise of the current president's ministers if a member of RWR (or whatever it will be called then) is in office, or several members chosen by the PP with specialties in certain areas (i.e. Finance/Economics, Internal and Foreign Affairs, Defense, Media and Culture).

As a cabinet member, you would have to report to the PR officer on any new policies and you would be expected to defend you decision from criticism; You would also be obligated to answer to the PR officer's messages asking to comment and reveal your opinion on any issue/crisis/reformation/policy and answer questions from other members of the party or indeed the general public too.

Members of the Shadow Cabinet would do almost the same thing, but instead of implementing and defending policies you must criticize and attack any policies implemented that contradict personal and party philosophy, or comment on why you agree with it's implementation if you are in favor of the policy.

That's pretty much it for the second point, so now on to the final, and most important, policy I wish to implement.

It's common knowledge that the PP picks Congressional and Presidential candidates for election. It is, in essence, a very simple process.

It should not, however, be that simple. The fate of the nation rests on the congressional and Presidential officials and so choosing candidates should not be taken lightly.

I intend to pick candidates for congress who comply to a set of expectations:

1) Are actively involved in politics already (A number I hope to increase through the PR officer);
2) Have presented a clear and coherent manifesto that doesn't announce any intention to implement policy that breaches party policy;
3) Have promised to donate 3 gold to the Central Bank once elected;
4) A promise that any proposals Candidate makes should have a debate area (on this forum) with clear opinions on why Candidate decided to propose said proposal and when Candidate votes on any proposal they should record when and why in the debate area.

I can't enforce they keep their promises once elected, but several breaches will result in definite non-reselection if they stand for congress again.

A slightly more complex procedure should be implemented in the case of our executive's, the president's, party endorsement.

The president must be endorsed by the majority of the party (a vote which the PR man will organize)- and at least one member of the cabinet.

Before this vote, the president must prove himself/herself through their manifesto to the PP and the Cabinet/ Shadow Cabinet. He/She must then respond to any criticism from the cabinet and party members before the vote takes place.

Whilst this process may look straight forward written down, do not be disheartene😛 The process of proving him/herself is a timely and complex one.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was Robert Knotsworth's short manifesto.

Premeditate a decision before visiting the polls, then go through it again once you've arrived.

Thank you and very best regards,

Dr. Robert Christopher Knotsworth
Minister of Finance
Governor of the Austrian Central Bank