| Welcome to Europeia! So what the heck is Europeia anyways? Can I join? So, I came here representing another region? I do not want to become a citizen. Where should I go? What offices are there for people to be elected into? What is there for me to do in Europeia? That answers most of my immediate questions. What if I have any more? |
| One-on-One with Jusduckria no. 1 | |
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| Topic Started: May 14 2010, 03:45 AM (428 Views) | |
| PhDre | May 16 2010, 12:23 AM Post #16 |
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Rt. Hon. OG PhDre DMV AF1
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The latest activity in the Senate and Grand Hall centers around President Rougiers's veto of the Presidential Election Procedures Act. While I continue to believe that the reason given for the veto was perhaps not enough for the Senate to work with, the President is entitled to sign or not sign whatever legislation he like. I'd like to see a President who is actively involved in the legislature, at least behind the scenes - this could involve a simple PM to the Speaker which includes qualms regarding proposed legislation, or perhaps a statement in the Senate. That being said, we've got nowhere to go but forward, and the Senate has taken up discussing the Act once again. Specific issues with the legislation would allow us to fine tune the Act, but once again I stress that I feel a President is within his right to veto an Act just because he doesn't think it will work, or is unnecessary. Of course this Vetogate (Ha! I coined Drunkengate, and now Vetogate! FEAR ME!!) will be brought up in the Presidential campaign; probably with the platform that the President should be more intimately involved in the Senate... if so, you heard it here first :P. In all seriousness, there was a lack of professionalism on the Senate side, and what could be seen as a failure to communicate on the President's side. Europeians have a long memory, but we also have a tolerance for forgiveness. I expect that Vetogate will not be the factor that makes or breaks the President or any Senator. |
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| Jusduckria | May 16 2010, 12:40 AM Post #17 |
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Formerly Honourable, Usually Right
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What do you think the next steps will be? And what are your opinions on Senate elections reform?
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The Right Honourable Jusduckria Current Associate Justice of the High Court Been in and out of government since January 2010 (At one point, Vice President, Senator, Senate Speaker, Deputy Senate Speaker, Associate Justice, Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Interior, Deputy Mayor) "With your continued support, and your participation, we can continue to put out." - Inaugural EBC Director announcing the overhaul of the organization "If you want to cut your own throat, don't come to me for a bandage." - Margaret Thatcher | |
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| PhDre | May 16 2010, 12:59 AM Post #18 |
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Rt. Hon. OG PhDre DMV AF1
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The next step will be to re-look at the Act, and see what we can improve. As I've stated, it's difficult when the reason the Act was vetoed was because the President does not feel that the legislation is necessary, however it is the responsibility of the Senate to weigh the benefits and negatives of each proposed piece of legislation. I believed that this was achieved in a relatively amicable manner prior to the veto, but now we're back at square one as far as support for the Act is concerned. It's all part of the process as far as I'm concerned, and I'm glad to be a part of it. Regarding Senate reform - I'm less sold on the concept, frankly. Additionally, if the Senate is unable to pass legislation, that the President will sign, that forces a candidate to receive a majority of cast votes in order to become President, I see no hope for Senate reform in the near future. |
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| Jusduckria | May 16 2010, 01:43 AM Post #19 |
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Formerly Honourable, Usually Right
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What policy issues do you think the Senate should tackle if and when electoral reform is done? |
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The Right Honourable Jusduckria Current Associate Justice of the High Court Been in and out of government since January 2010 (At one point, Vice President, Senator, Senate Speaker, Deputy Senate Speaker, Associate Justice, Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Interior, Deputy Mayor) "With your continued support, and your participation, we can continue to put out." - Inaugural EBC Director announcing the overhaul of the organization "If you want to cut your own throat, don't come to me for a bandage." - Margaret Thatcher | |
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| PhDre | May 16 2010, 02:35 AM Post #20 |
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Rt. Hon. OG PhDre DMV AF1
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There are always a variety of issues for the Senate to tackle - one issue that I've wanted to look at for some time is the Chief of Staff position. I feel that this position is generally an obstacle to Presidential communication with the citizenry - it creates a barrier between citizens and the President by delegating one of the Presidents main responsibilities, which is holding himself accountable to the people. Something that I've seen throughout my time in Europeia is a decisive lack of communication on the part of all our Presidents - we have 'Press Conferences' and 'The Open Offices,' but they do little to alleviate the concerns of the general population. Often, I would wonder "what are we doing as a region?" This term, being in the Cabinet has opened my eyes to the fact that there is (or at least, should be) something going on all the time. Projects and ideas are hammered out - and I think one of the best ways to show the citizens that you're doing something as a President is to go ahead and address that yourself. The Chief of Staff position, in my mind, is an obstacle to a great presidency - I'd like to bring this issue up in the Senate once we're done with electoral reform. At the same time, I acknowledge that the CoS position has been created to help alleviate much of the pressure for a relationship with the region from the shoulders of the President, and he would of course be welcome to give his input on the matter. In fact, perhaps the CoS position should exist for no other reason than a President's desire to continue the program, and I'm comfortable with that. However, it's something that I'd like to raise, and something that could have an impact in the dynamic between a President and the citizens who elect him. |
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| Jusduckria | May 16 2010, 02:39 AM Post #21 |
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Formerly Honourable, Usually Right
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That's an interesting issue you bring up. I know that there have been people who have decried the Chief of Staff position, mostly because it's seen to be a placeholder, not really involving much, or at least appearing to be that way. You mentioned communication, and the "Press Conferences" and issue of "The Open Cabinet". What is your opinion on those? The one press conference so far this term was, in my opinion, somewhat lackluster. Tell me your thoughts on that. |
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The Right Honourable Jusduckria Current Associate Justice of the High Court Been in and out of government since January 2010 (At one point, Vice President, Senator, Senate Speaker, Deputy Senate Speaker, Associate Justice, Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Interior, Deputy Mayor) "With your continued support, and your participation, we can continue to put out." - Inaugural EBC Director announcing the overhaul of the organization "If you want to cut your own throat, don't come to me for a bandage." - Margaret Thatcher | |
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| PhDre | May 16 2010, 02:49 AM Post #22 |
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Rt. Hon. OG PhDre DMV AF1
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I don't have a strong opinion about the first Press Conference of the term, beyond that it failed to meet my expectations as a citizen to keep me informed - I didn't like how there was no interaction between the President and the citizens. Again, I think removing the CoS position as well as the "Press Secretary" position would force the President to 'do the dirty work' and engage with the people. |
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| Jusduckria | May 16 2010, 02:51 AM Post #23 |
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So, are you saying that, personally, you don't like the concept of the Executive Staff? |
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The Right Honourable Jusduckria Current Associate Justice of the High Court Been in and out of government since January 2010 (At one point, Vice President, Senator, Senate Speaker, Deputy Senate Speaker, Associate Justice, Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Interior, Deputy Mayor) "With your continued support, and your participation, we can continue to put out." - Inaugural EBC Director announcing the overhaul of the organization "If you want to cut your own throat, don't come to me for a bandage." - Margaret Thatcher | |
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| PhDre | May 16 2010, 02:59 AM Post #24 |
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Rt. Hon. OG PhDre DMV AF1
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Speaking as an outsider of the Goldenblock, I do feel that the executive staff is unnecessary. This is highlighted by EO0050, which placed the Senate Clerk under the Speaker of the Senate and removed him as a member of the executive staff. It's clear that the executive staff's functions could be performed by other members of the government, preferably the President or Vice-President. As I see it, I've elected a President, and I want to hold that President responsible, not a Press Secretary or Chief of Staff. |
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| Jusduckria | May 16 2010, 03:54 AM Post #25 |
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Is there a way that would make the President more accountable while also keeping the Executive Staff? |
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The Right Honourable Jusduckria Current Associate Justice of the High Court Been in and out of government since January 2010 (At one point, Vice President, Senator, Senate Speaker, Deputy Senate Speaker, Associate Justice, Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Interior, Deputy Mayor) "With your continued support, and your participation, we can continue to put out." - Inaugural EBC Director announcing the overhaul of the organization "If you want to cut your own throat, don't come to me for a bandage." - Margaret Thatcher | |
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| PhDre | May 16 2010, 04:39 AM Post #26 |
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Rt. Hon. OG PhDre DMV AF1
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The best way for the President to be held more accountable is, not surprisingly, his own attitude. I believe that a President who holds himself accountable will actively connect with citizens through direct Press Conferences and Open Office discussions, rather than enlist a liaison such as the Chief of Staff. So yes, it's possible to keep the Executive Staff while the President interacts more directly with the people - but then I ask, what does the Executive Staff do? If the President holds himself accountable for communication to the Senate, to the CC, to the People... we see more communication, an understanding between the people and the President, and a more successful region. Frankly speaking, the President is the highest elected authority in the land, but that doesn't give him an excuse to be distant or removed from the everyday politics and discussion in the region. I'd like to see self-accountability from Presidents in general (indeed, this is an observation of past Presidents as much as it is one of President Rougiers), as I think this would go a long way towards strengthening the relationship between the Office of the President itself and the citizenry. One possible way to achieve that is to force accountability by eliminating the Executive Staff. At the same time, I guess it comes down to - do you want to be held accountable? If so, communicate directly to Europeians, and not through an Executive Staff... because we deserve it. |
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| Jusduckria | May 16 2010, 11:11 PM Post #27 |
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I assume that you, and our viewers, have seen the President's latest press conference. Do you think that the media is finally starting to come into its own? |
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The Right Honourable Jusduckria Current Associate Justice of the High Court Been in and out of government since January 2010 (At one point, Vice President, Senator, Senate Speaker, Deputy Senate Speaker, Associate Justice, Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Interior, Deputy Mayor) "With your continued support, and your participation, we can continue to put out." - Inaugural EBC Director announcing the overhaul of the organization "If you want to cut your own throat, don't come to me for a bandage." - Margaret Thatcher | |
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| PhDre | May 16 2010, 11:31 PM Post #28 |
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Rt. Hon. OG PhDre DMV AF1
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I think the media's always had a special, fuzzy place in the heart of Europeians, and while I'm sure you'd love to streak around and say it's the media which is responsible for this Press Conference, and perhaps other changes in Europeia, I see the role of the media in Europeia as a stage on which individuals may comment on legislation, the policies of the Administration in power, on decisions made by the President, and in this case, on the lack of communication between the current and past Administrations, and the people of Europeia. More than the media 'coming into its own' here, I think we're seeing another example of how Europeians can effect change if they voice themselves intelligently and clearly. I also think that this technique of effecting change is sorely underused, as seen through name calling, threads directed at the 'effect' of other individuals, and general back and forth. Europeians can and have conversed intelligenctly, debated eloquently, and communicated with their leaders in the past - I think it's never too late to return to this direct and effective form of communication. |
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| Jusduckria | May 16 2010, 11:40 PM Post #29 |
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Would you agree that instead of "more communication" necessarily, "smart communication" should be promoted? |
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The Right Honourable Jusduckria Current Associate Justice of the High Court Been in and out of government since January 2010 (At one point, Vice President, Senator, Senate Speaker, Deputy Senate Speaker, Associate Justice, Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Culture, Minister of Interior, Deputy Mayor) "With your continued support, and your participation, we can continue to put out." - Inaugural EBC Director announcing the overhaul of the organization "If you want to cut your own throat, don't come to me for a bandage." - Margaret Thatcher | |
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| PhDre | May 17 2010, 12:30 AM Post #30 |
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Rt. Hon. OG PhDre DMV AF1
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I've used the terms interchangeably, but certainly I'd like to see more smart communication rather than a stream of anger directed at the President. That being said, a stream of anger is better than nothing. ![]() Smart communication can be fostered through mature discussion, direct communication on the part of the President, and in particular, keeping the people of Europeia up to date with what is going on. The term "behind the scenes" is one that you could argue has defined past Administrations as well as President Rougiers's. It's been brought up that many of the policies and programs that are to be implemented by President Rougiers's team (including my own) are not discussed with Europeians until they are unveiled. Without breaking Cabinet confidentiality, I can confirm that many of the events we've planned, and the policies we implement, could have been strengthened by enhanced communication between the Administration and the citizenry. At the same time, we've just seen the start of what could be a new chapter in the Rougiers Presidency, starting with Veto-Gate. Perhaps this was the wakeup call that Rougiers needed to recognize that communication with the other branches of government, as well as with the people, needs serious improvement. |
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