Democracy in Action: A Governmental NRP

[Byrd Man]

So, for political alignment I would say Wernher's candidate is kind of a moderate conservative with a little libertarian streak, just my take on it, where would everyone else want their political alignment's ally? Presumably a conservative president will have a conservative cabinet, and at least one legislative body will be led by the conservatives.

[Rare]

I don't care personally I'm just a vice president and have to deal with their bullshit anyway (if I'm).

[thorgili]

Hmmm a interesting ally no matter the outcome of the elections as my character is a Ayn ran objectivism/libertarian (or at least what I am shooting for) so either way we have the same beliefs although I may be a bit more absolutist in them.

[Rising Sun]

I have to admit Werner is going to be tough to beat. Someone is going to have to just spend as much time on their app as him to have a shot.

I researched the Secretary of Treasury responsibilities and although its going to be tough I will do it.

Now, I have a very important question. How I am I going to view all the important financial information I am going to need to know? Such as public debt, who we owe money to ect.

Would people consider going back to the gold standard? I am a firm believer of not spending that we don't have. I guess it depends on who's in power I guess.

[Byrd Man]

Yeah, the relevant financial data is going to be the hardest part of this. I know for sure we'll have the GDP as a stat to use. Figure along with that we can have income, expenses, tax percentages, industrial and agricultural base, along with an import/export stat.

[Byrd Man]

Here's the stats I want to do, based on the USA economy from 2011 to 2013:

GDP: 16.8 trillion
Industry (% of GDP): 19%
Services: 80%
Agriculture: 1.2%
Income: 2.7 billion
Expenses: 3.5 billion
Two highest expense:
Social Security & Medical Care: 22%
National Defense: 19%
Debt: 17.26 trillion
Budget deficit: 680 billion
Export: 1.56 trillion
Import: 2.30 trillion
Unemployment. 6.7%
Population below "poverty line": 14.8%
Tax rates:
Upper class income: 33-40%
Middle class income: 25-28%
Lower class income: 15%
Small business corporate tax: 15%
Medium business corporate tax: 25%
Large business corporate tax 25-39%

[Wernher]

Byrd Man said
So, for political alignment I would say Wernher's candidate is kind of a moderate conservative with a little libertarian streak, just my take on it, where would everyone else want their political alignment's ally? Presumably a conservative president will have a conservative cabinet, and at least one legislative body will be led by the conservatives.

Ironically, in real life I am a pro-big government communist leaning faggotron, but I think this kind of person would have been funny to RP.

Background wise I imagined the man to be a big name in Intelligence, the kind that's CIA from father to son since it has been founded, so has a great reputation as an intelligent and knowledgeable man regarding international matter as well as understanding of the military, but civilian administration seen with some distrust since he's the kind of guy that likes to keep his involvement as absolute as possible and do without congress or Senate as much as possible, things like using executive orders abusively or try to move a cargo boat of a mega-bill so huge it contains many loopholes and way to interpret a million things differently as to give him a lot of room by using the vagueness of the law.

Popular since his things 'Seem to work', but with crippling controversies on things like the NSA or homeland security. I'd say:

+Economy: Actually manages to get his bet of making a surplus, although a lot of it would have to do with rising global economy as well.
+Foreign Policy: The US stop getting in wars and be the world police while maintaining a presence in NATO.
+Security: Probably 1 highly publicized 'Good job' of intelligence showing his policies are working.

-Welfare: If you want to be on welfare join the army policy making unhappiness among the poorest who were used to higher entitlement.
-Secret Services Black Hole: Something like 200% increase in 'Confidential budgets' about top secret projects which cannot be debated into congress as well as unwillingness to discuss about things like the NSA and PRISM.
-CONTRA-like scandal: The CIA restarting to topple small governments again, maybe something in Venezuela?

Many other things I'd develop on later.

His Face

[MrShoe]

President Shoe enters the race.

Foreign Affairs

Is China an economic or military threat to the US?: I do not believe their economy to be a threat to our country, I do however fear the military threat they pose, especially considering their relation to North Korea. We will have to either make sure we keep China on our side.

Should there be an independent Palestinian state?: Yes, definitely. Think of our own country's history. We too were once rebels fighting for our own cause and look how far we have come. I believe that they are entitled to their own state if they are able to get it.

What is your stance on the War on Terror? Are you in favor of endorsing the Bush Doctrine (pursuing nations that harbor or sponsor terrorism) or are you in favor of a more pragmatic approach to terrorist organizations and the countries in which they operate?: I do not believe that countries that harbor terrorist organizations are our enemies. I suggest a pragmatic approach to the war on terror. We shouldn't see countries that house terrorist organizations as threats or enemies, the terrorist is the enemy not the state in which they live.

Are covert drone strikes on terrorist and suspected terrorist locations a policy you would endorse?: The tactic of covert drone strikes is a risky one, we could inadvertently injure or harm civilians in the area, which is not a goal of mine. I believe in the use of drone strikes only after extensive and concrete evidence of the terrorist location exists and does not house civilians.

Is the authorized arresting and indefinite detaining of suspected terrorists, including US citizens, without charge good for America?: No. Distrust is not something I wish to stir among the people. If we continue to detain suspected terrorists, and American citizens indefinitely it will only lead to finger pointing and witch hunts, harboring a population that does not trust its government.

Domestic Affairs

Should nonviolent drug users be jailed?: No. If an individual is caught with drugs but their record shows no prior history of violence or abuse then they should not be jailed. However, if their criminal record comes back with a violent history of assault or theft and it is connected to drug use then they should be punished.

Should the federal government increase direct financial aid (loans/grants/debt relief) for college students?: Yes, the pressure on college students is high enough already and the threat of bankruptcy or having their lives destroyed by debt should not be a fear that they have.

Are more federal regulations on guns and ammunition needed?: No. I believe that our country's current restriction of firearms and their ammunition is sufficient.

Should gay marriage be legal?: Yes. Even though our country is founded on Christian beliefs we still have a separation between our church and state and we should not deny our gay population the right to marriage because marriage is considered Christian.

Should the US Constitution and Bill of Rights be amended or updated in any way?: No. I don't think it's our place to go and change the fundamentals of what our country's founders thought to be true if their thoughts are not outmoded or are no longer relevant to out lives.

Should drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) be allowed?: No. The area is a wildlife refuge and we should not defile it by drilling for oil and risking polluting the the area. It is one of the last places on Earth that is safe from the harm humans can cause.

Are federal health care reform laws good for America?: Well that depends on the purpose of the law. If the law inhibits or otherwise denies a person of health care services then it is obviously not in the best interest of the people and ultimately that's what the president and the government as a whole should be focused on.

Economy/Taxes/Entitlement

Is outsourcing jobs to other countries good for America?: Is it good? No. Is it needed? Yes. Ideally I'd like to have all products that are sold in America be made by Americans. However, at this point in time it's just not practical but it is a goal to reach for.

Should the federal deficit be reduced without raising any taxes?: No. As much as the people don't like it we cannot lower our deficit without supplementing its income with some other kind of revenue such as taxes.

Does the US need welfare and food stamp reform or abolishment?: The welfare and food stamp system is one of the last hopes American's on their last legs have so I do not think we should abolish it. However, in my presidency I do plan on taking a closer look at the system and making the needed changes.

Are illegal immigrants a net gain to the US economy?: This is a difficult question because it changes depending on the individual. Many immigrants send their money out of the country and to their families in their home country. However there are illegal immigrants that keep their money in the U.S. And these immigrants are a, if small, benefit.

Do lower taxes provide incentive for employers to hire more workers?: Perhaps. It very much depends on the industry in question and the amount of revenue they generate. However, if there is a strong correlation between lower taxes and workers employed then we may have a to take a serious look at lowering taxes.

Should Social Security be privatized?: Definitely. If an individual chooses to keep a portion of the paycheck for themselves rather than have it go to social security then they should be able to choose that at their discretion.

[Rare]

You got my vote, President Shoe ;)

[MrShoe]

Thank you valued citizen.

[Byrd Man]

I think Thorgili mentioned he wanted to post a Presidential CS as well. I'll give him until tomorrow to do that and then we'll vote. Everyone votes, this is a democratic government RP after all.

[MrShoe]

I think we should get a bigger voting pool. Since most people here are running for president.

[Byrd Man]

At present we have nine people who've shown interest in joining the game, whether their still around is another question, but even if the three candidates vote for themselves that leaves six voters. Right now I'm including myself among the nine, but I may only vote in the event of a tie-breaker. Go all 2000 election and have the Supreme Court decide the presidency.

[MrShoe]

Ok. Well hopefully those who have shown interest will show back up to vote. I'm really excited to start this.

[Rare]

I just want to be Vice President :3

[Wernher]

MORE CONSERVATIVES!

And what's that, a shoe got more vote than me!? It actually has 100% of the votes at the moment?! This will not do!

[Byrd Man]

I mean, if you guys want to do attack ads against each other. I'm not saying I approve... but I don't quite disapprove either.

[Pepschep]

May I?

While the idea is interesting I don't think the scenario of the US works that well. The most succesful RPs of this kind I have seen are set in a scenario where the country being run is highly instable, facing a crisis or needs to be maneuvered to it. All my criticism of the American political system aside, it's functioning as designed. Which makes it more...dull, than say an RP where Stalin can purge you, parts of your country may break off, and other things.

[Byrd Man]

That's a good point, but I do want to do crisis stuff. Nothing on the scale of WW3 or another Great Depression, but there are going to be adversities ranging from economic recession, terrorists, spying scandals, potential war and the always reliable sex scandal. The stakes won't be as high as something set in the Cold War, but I'm gonna try. That, plus the congressional gridlock I hope we'll have to deal with will hopefully make it entertaining.

[Wernher]

You know, now that I think of it the post of Intelligence Director, of some kind at least, could be an interesting PC to have.