Post by Cormac on Jan 7, 2019 11:41:39 GMT -5
Introduction
This would normally be where candidates would talk about their experience in NationStates. I have a lot of experience in NationStates, but I'm not going to go on about it, because I think it's often less relevant than it's made out to be. I was making an impact on this game when I was still relatively new, and it has always been my belief that the importance of experience in NationStates is overrated. The characteristics that are actually important in a leader are passion, vision, and determination. I hope I've already demonstrated to many of you that I have those characteristics. Many of you have certainly demonstrated to me that you have those characteristics as well, and in that sense, I think we are all leaders. This is a democratic republic, and though we elect officials to act on behalf of the regional community, we all participate in the leadership of Pacifica through the Regional Congress. So it's important for each of us to have those characteristics -- passion, vision, and determination -- whether we are new players or veteran players. The mark of a good Pacifican should be whether they have those characteristics, and not their longevity in NationStates.
With that in mind, I would like to dive right into my platform, and lay out exactly what my vision is for Pacifica. I hope it's a vision you'll share.
Liberty, Sovereignty, and Self-Determination
In foreign and military affairs, it's vitally important that we maintain our regional independence. We should always pursue our regional interests, which are defined by the principles of our community. First among these principles is a commitment to liberty and self-determination for native residents of regions throughout NationStates. Pacifica was founded by Topid, a native of St Abbaddon driven from his home by a Delegate who agreed to a coercive protectorate arrangment with the New Pacific Order. The tyrant of St Abbaddon entered into this agreement to keep himself in power by surrendering St Abbaddon's sovereignty and self-determination, which were not his to surrender. Pacifica was created by someone whose liberty and right to participate in his region's self-government were denied to him by an imperialist power and its puppet regime. We must stand against that, not only in St Abbaddon, but throughout NationStates.
We must speak out and act, clearly and consistently, in favor of regional sovereignty expressed through native self-determination. This won't mean we're a defender region, opposing every invasion, nor will it mean we'll insist democracy is the only valid choice a region's native community can make. What it will mean is we won't engage in destructive invasions against other regions that have given us no just cause to do so, and we will oppose unjustified and destructive invasions against regions with established native communities. We will not concern ourselves with chasing raiders or forces of other alignments across NationStates to defend inactive regions devoid of communities, but we will insist that the sovereignty of regions with established communities be respected. We will not oppose moderate invasions that don't aim to do any lasting damage to regions, but we will oppose destructive invasions which seek to subjugate native populations to rule by another region, or worse yet, seek total destruction of regions and displacement of their communities. Just as we work now toward the eventual liberation of St Abbaddon, we will work to liberate other such regions when their sovereignty is violated.
War against the New Pacific Order
The first and most important priority of our foreign and military affairs agenda in the coming months will be our de facto state of war against the New Pacific Order, the most dire threat to regional sovereignty NationStates has ever known. As President, one of my first actions will be asking the Regional Congress to formalize our state of war by passing an official declaration of war against the New Pacific Order, which will include an express commitment to the liberation of St Abbaddon. To pursue the liberation of St Abbaddon and the eventual liberation of the Pacific itself, we will continue to work with other communities that are at war with the New Pacific Order. We will continue to pursue relations with such communities, of any alignment, and to seek closer diplomatic, military, and cultural cooperation with them as appropriate, to build the lasting bonds that will be required in order to take on one of the oldest and most deeply entrenched regimes in NationStates history. We will not waver in our commitment to the destruction of the New Pacific Order and an end to the threat it poses against peaceful communities.
It must be noted that in recent days plans to violate the sovereignty of the South Pacific have been brought to public attention. Ever-Wandering Souls, Field Marshal of The Black Hawks, is the primary person responsible for these plans. To be clear, despite the heated rhetoric of recent days, this situation substantially differs from the actual flagrant acts of aggression committed by the New Pacific Order against multiple regions. But given Ever-Wandering Souls' role as an Organizer in the Anti-Pacific Coalition, the situation must nonetheless be addressed. As Acting President, I'm already working through official channels to ensure that the Anti-Pacific Coalition decides on a responsible and proportionate course of action to address this situation. We will continue to work through those channels and closely monitor the situation, but it must be emphasized here and now that Pacifica will not sacrifice its commitment to regional sovereignty and native self-determination on the altar of pragmatism. Like other regions with established native communities, the South Pacific has a right to be free from the threat of destructive subversion and invasion. The Anti-Pacific Coalition must address this situation in such a way that it's made clear to the world that the tactics of our enemies will not be tolerated within our ranks. We will insist on a response that makes that clear, in a proportionate way that does not unduly disrupt the war effort, and we will settle for nothing less.
Fighting Fascism and Other Out-of-Character Threats
Another important component of our foreign affairs agenda will be pursuing our regional anti-fascist policy on the world stage. We will work hand in hand with other anti-fascist communities to invade fascist regions, and even more importantly, to liberate regions that have been invaded by fascist forces. Fascism is always and everywhere an out-of-character threat to the liberty of every individual, and to the self-determination of every community that fascists seek to oppress. Pacifica will be unyielding in our commitment to oppose fascism throughout NationStates. We will also not hesitate to take action against regions that prove themselves to be an out-of-character menace to NationStates players in other ways, such as harboring individuals who have been blacklisted for serious out-of-character offenses.
Diplomatic Outreach
No foreign affairs agenda is complete without a mention of diplomatic outreach. As President, I will immediately work on establishing a diplomatic corps, the members of which will serve as our ambassadors to other regions and assist in development of our foreign updates. Foreign updates will be delivered to our embassies in other regions no less often than once per month, and more often should it be warranted and practical. We're going to lead by example and revive the practice of clear, public communication of our regional activities and our positions on various geopolitical issues, and hope that other regions will follow our example and resume the practice of public and transparent diplomacy.
Engagement with the World Assembly
Finally, as President I will seek to make engagement with the World Assembly one of our top regional priorities. We will work to go beyond the passive voting in which most regions engage, and instead be active and responsible participants in both chambers of the World Assembly.
I will continue to vote in the General Assembly according to votes cast on the regional forum or, should there be fewer than five votes, the majority vote of WA nations in Pacifica. For the most part, this will also be how my vote in the Security Council is determined, though I will reserve the right to vote in the established interests of Pacifica in the Security Council at all times. Examples of such established interests include, but aren't necessarily limited to, voting according to the war effort on any resolution related to the New Pacific Order, consistent anti-fascist voting on any resolution addressing fascism in NationStates, and voting against resolutions that negatively target allies or war partners. I will introduce legislation into the Regional Congress to establish this voting policy as regional law, so that the President will always be accountable to the citizenry for World Assembly voting.
I will also seek to develop a voting recommendation program, so the global public will be better informed in regard to World Assembly votes. Whenever possible, we will endeavor to deliver voting recommendations before a proposal goes to vote, so we can have an early impact on the voting outcome. Here at home, we will endeavor to open forum voting before a proposal goes to vote, so I can cast our regional vote early as well. In pursuing these efforts, we will reach out to authors and other active participants in the World Assembly to share their views with us and engage in healthy, respectful dialogue. We will also seek to join with like-minded regions to enhance our World Assembly efforts together through collaborative World Assembly projects.
Conclusion
While this is an ambitious platform, with a lot to accomplish in the next few months, I believe all of us have the passion, vision, and determination to see the projects I've laid out through to their full implementation. I will be spearheading these efforts as President, but I'm going to need help from you, the citizenry, to accomplish all of this. I'm standing in this election to ask not only for your mandate to pursue these plans, but more importantly, your full and active participation. If you cast a vote for me, please also make that vote an enthusiastic endorsement of this platform, and a commitment on your part to helping me pursue it. It's going to take all of us together to build Pacifica into the regional community we want it to be, and to make Semper Pacifica -- Always Pacifica -- a reality, by building a solid foundation upon which this regional community will stand for years to come.
I'm happy to take any questions you have as well.
This would normally be where candidates would talk about their experience in NationStates. I have a lot of experience in NationStates, but I'm not going to go on about it, because I think it's often less relevant than it's made out to be. I was making an impact on this game when I was still relatively new, and it has always been my belief that the importance of experience in NationStates is overrated. The characteristics that are actually important in a leader are passion, vision, and determination. I hope I've already demonstrated to many of you that I have those characteristics. Many of you have certainly demonstrated to me that you have those characteristics as well, and in that sense, I think we are all leaders. This is a democratic republic, and though we elect officials to act on behalf of the regional community, we all participate in the leadership of Pacifica through the Regional Congress. So it's important for each of us to have those characteristics -- passion, vision, and determination -- whether we are new players or veteran players. The mark of a good Pacifican should be whether they have those characteristics, and not their longevity in NationStates.
With that in mind, I would like to dive right into my platform, and lay out exactly what my vision is for Pacifica. I hope it's a vision you'll share.
Liberty, Sovereignty, and Self-Determination
In foreign and military affairs, it's vitally important that we maintain our regional independence. We should always pursue our regional interests, which are defined by the principles of our community. First among these principles is a commitment to liberty and self-determination for native residents of regions throughout NationStates. Pacifica was founded by Topid, a native of St Abbaddon driven from his home by a Delegate who agreed to a coercive protectorate arrangment with the New Pacific Order. The tyrant of St Abbaddon entered into this agreement to keep himself in power by surrendering St Abbaddon's sovereignty and self-determination, which were not his to surrender. Pacifica was created by someone whose liberty and right to participate in his region's self-government were denied to him by an imperialist power and its puppet regime. We must stand against that, not only in St Abbaddon, but throughout NationStates.
We must speak out and act, clearly and consistently, in favor of regional sovereignty expressed through native self-determination. This won't mean we're a defender region, opposing every invasion, nor will it mean we'll insist democracy is the only valid choice a region's native community can make. What it will mean is we won't engage in destructive invasions against other regions that have given us no just cause to do so, and we will oppose unjustified and destructive invasions against regions with established native communities. We will not concern ourselves with chasing raiders or forces of other alignments across NationStates to defend inactive regions devoid of communities, but we will insist that the sovereignty of regions with established communities be respected. We will not oppose moderate invasions that don't aim to do any lasting damage to regions, but we will oppose destructive invasions which seek to subjugate native populations to rule by another region, or worse yet, seek total destruction of regions and displacement of their communities. Just as we work now toward the eventual liberation of St Abbaddon, we will work to liberate other such regions when their sovereignty is violated.
War against the New Pacific Order
The first and most important priority of our foreign and military affairs agenda in the coming months will be our de facto state of war against the New Pacific Order, the most dire threat to regional sovereignty NationStates has ever known. As President, one of my first actions will be asking the Regional Congress to formalize our state of war by passing an official declaration of war against the New Pacific Order, which will include an express commitment to the liberation of St Abbaddon. To pursue the liberation of St Abbaddon and the eventual liberation of the Pacific itself, we will continue to work with other communities that are at war with the New Pacific Order. We will continue to pursue relations with such communities, of any alignment, and to seek closer diplomatic, military, and cultural cooperation with them as appropriate, to build the lasting bonds that will be required in order to take on one of the oldest and most deeply entrenched regimes in NationStates history. We will not waver in our commitment to the destruction of the New Pacific Order and an end to the threat it poses against peaceful communities.
It must be noted that in recent days plans to violate the sovereignty of the South Pacific have been brought to public attention. Ever-Wandering Souls, Field Marshal of The Black Hawks, is the primary person responsible for these plans. To be clear, despite the heated rhetoric of recent days, this situation substantially differs from the actual flagrant acts of aggression committed by the New Pacific Order against multiple regions. But given Ever-Wandering Souls' role as an Organizer in the Anti-Pacific Coalition, the situation must nonetheless be addressed. As Acting President, I'm already working through official channels to ensure that the Anti-Pacific Coalition decides on a responsible and proportionate course of action to address this situation. We will continue to work through those channels and closely monitor the situation, but it must be emphasized here and now that Pacifica will not sacrifice its commitment to regional sovereignty and native self-determination on the altar of pragmatism. Like other regions with established native communities, the South Pacific has a right to be free from the threat of destructive subversion and invasion. The Anti-Pacific Coalition must address this situation in such a way that it's made clear to the world that the tactics of our enemies will not be tolerated within our ranks. We will insist on a response that makes that clear, in a proportionate way that does not unduly disrupt the war effort, and we will settle for nothing less.
Fighting Fascism and Other Out-of-Character Threats
Another important component of our foreign affairs agenda will be pursuing our regional anti-fascist policy on the world stage. We will work hand in hand with other anti-fascist communities to invade fascist regions, and even more importantly, to liberate regions that have been invaded by fascist forces. Fascism is always and everywhere an out-of-character threat to the liberty of every individual, and to the self-determination of every community that fascists seek to oppress. Pacifica will be unyielding in our commitment to oppose fascism throughout NationStates. We will also not hesitate to take action against regions that prove themselves to be an out-of-character menace to NationStates players in other ways, such as harboring individuals who have been blacklisted for serious out-of-character offenses.
Diplomatic Outreach
No foreign affairs agenda is complete without a mention of diplomatic outreach. As President, I will immediately work on establishing a diplomatic corps, the members of which will serve as our ambassadors to other regions and assist in development of our foreign updates. Foreign updates will be delivered to our embassies in other regions no less often than once per month, and more often should it be warranted and practical. We're going to lead by example and revive the practice of clear, public communication of our regional activities and our positions on various geopolitical issues, and hope that other regions will follow our example and resume the practice of public and transparent diplomacy.
Engagement with the World Assembly
Finally, as President I will seek to make engagement with the World Assembly one of our top regional priorities. We will work to go beyond the passive voting in which most regions engage, and instead be active and responsible participants in both chambers of the World Assembly.
I will continue to vote in the General Assembly according to votes cast on the regional forum or, should there be fewer than five votes, the majority vote of WA nations in Pacifica. For the most part, this will also be how my vote in the Security Council is determined, though I will reserve the right to vote in the established interests of Pacifica in the Security Council at all times. Examples of such established interests include, but aren't necessarily limited to, voting according to the war effort on any resolution related to the New Pacific Order, consistent anti-fascist voting on any resolution addressing fascism in NationStates, and voting against resolutions that negatively target allies or war partners. I will introduce legislation into the Regional Congress to establish this voting policy as regional law, so that the President will always be accountable to the citizenry for World Assembly voting.
I will also seek to develop a voting recommendation program, so the global public will be better informed in regard to World Assembly votes. Whenever possible, we will endeavor to deliver voting recommendations before a proposal goes to vote, so we can have an early impact on the voting outcome. Here at home, we will endeavor to open forum voting before a proposal goes to vote, so I can cast our regional vote early as well. In pursuing these efforts, we will reach out to authors and other active participants in the World Assembly to share their views with us and engage in healthy, respectful dialogue. We will also seek to join with like-minded regions to enhance our World Assembly efforts together through collaborative World Assembly projects.
Conclusion
While this is an ambitious platform, with a lot to accomplish in the next few months, I believe all of us have the passion, vision, and determination to see the projects I've laid out through to their full implementation. I will be spearheading these efforts as President, but I'm going to need help from you, the citizenry, to accomplish all of this. I'm standing in this election to ask not only for your mandate to pursue these plans, but more importantly, your full and active participation. If you cast a vote for me, please also make that vote an enthusiastic endorsement of this platform, and a commitment on your part to helping me pursue it. It's going to take all of us together to build Pacifica into the regional community we want it to be, and to make Semper Pacifica -- Always Pacifica -- a reality, by building a solid foundation upon which this regional community will stand for years to come.
I'm happy to take any questions you have as well.