Social Liberal Union: Election for Regional WA Delegate

[Ainland]

The Social Liberal Union is a region of liberal socialist and social liberal nations.

We are now holding an election for the regional WA Delegate.

The election will take place by public ballot and member nations will have two days to vote by stating their first and second preference candidate. If no candidate receives a majority of first preference votes cast, the second preference votes for the top two candidates will be counted. The candidate with the most total votes will then win the election.

The WA Delegate will be elected for a term of one month, and will be able to stand for one re-election.

All candidates wishing to stand for election should post their proposals here. The deadline for submissions is 11th Jan 2011 20:00 GMT.
Once the deadline has passed, candidates will have the opportunity to engage with nations here and answer any questions about their proposals they may have before the ballot takes place.

[Teshuva]

The People's Republic of Teshuvá, through it's People's Power Ministry for Foreign Affairs, understanding the importance of regional unity and the remarkable democratic and economic advances may be achieved by the coordination of efforts between the national governments of the Social Liberal Union, announces it's candidacy as WA Delegate.

The SLU being a new region, still lacking structures of integrated government, we present the following proposals:
1. Creation of a Regional Economic Comittee, comprised of SLU nations interested on the subject and that volunteer to the post, with the objetive of guiding nations on answering to internal issues to reach relevant economic level, from "good" to "frightening". The Economic comittee shall make suggestions to nations of how to deal with economic issues, but those will NOT be mandatory.

2. Creation of a Regional Security Comittee, comprised of SLU nations interested on the subject and that volunteer to the post, with the objective of indentifying possible foreign threats agains the SLU, guiding regional action on international threads of interested (suggesting the SLU makes a collective statement against a given nation that uses slave work, for example) and drafting the resolutions the delegate shall present to the WA Security Council to commend or condemn foreign nations.

3. Creation of an external Forum to the region, more appropriate for long discussions than the RMB.

As a representative on the WA, Teshuvá, if elected, compromises to discuss with all it's members the approval of resolutions to be voted at the General Assembly; the same with our vote on any isse: regional consensus or vast majority shall be reached before the delegate vote is casted.

[Eggy216]

Eggy216, as a member of Social Liberal Union, hereby announce their intent to run for the position as World Assembly Delegate for the region.

Realizing the region is still quite young, I have a few proposals:

-Currently the nation is working on setting up a website to be used by the regional WA delegate to vote properly for proposals that have been presented to either council of the Assembly. We would like to complete this with a forum and a polling area in order to get definite responses and conversation on the various topics presented to the Assembly.

-The establishment of other positions within the region when it grows larger, in order to allow various nations to concentrate on various tasks. Some such positions I believe should be instituted would be a foreign ambassador, to aid in persuading other nations and/or regions to vote similarly to ourselves when presented with various WA proposals, and a secretary of homeland security in order to aid in the recruitment of foreign nations to our region.

Understanding that this is a democracy, I will not vote for any issues, either in the proposal state or being presented to the entire assembly, until conversing with my fellow nations and it appears that a general consensus has been reached.

Eggy216 thanks their fellow nations in Social Liberal Union for their consideration for this position.

[Tennisplayers]

I am presently serving as our WA representative and would like to continue to serve. My proposals include: 1. creation of an ambassador who would act as an advocate with similar socialist regions for our regional positions when proposals are made in the WA to explore potential for bloc votes. 2. creation of an ongoing working committee to make recommendations to the region after they have met to discuss new WA issues. 3. Formulation of a set of social liberal union positions that would guide present and future WA representatives in creation of WA proposals. These would include but not be limited to basic socialist tenets, including egalitarian economic policies, protection of all citizens rights, reduction of conflicts and arms, advocacy for minority right, advocacy for abolition of blatantly capitalistic predilections in outcome of national issues (not every socialistic choice should have an adverse affect our economies!) 4. Appointment of a regional counselor service to recruit new member nations and retain present members. 5. Creation of an extensive dossier review program to examine potential developments in other regions that present a danger to our region.

Peace and freedom for all! Thanks for your consideration.

[Ainland]

The deadline for candidates to make their proposals has now passed and I confirm the candidate nations to stand for election to WA Delegate are as follows:

1. The Free Land of Eggy216
2. The People's Republic of Tennisplayers
3. The People's Republic of Teshuva

Nations and regions may ask questions and engage with the candidates here until voting opens at 20:00 GMT on 13 Jan. At which point the candidate nations will be re-confirmed and all nations eligible to vote will be listed. The electorate will then have until 20:00 GMT on 15th Jan to cast their vote by stating their first and second preference candidate. (Second preference vote is optional).

When voting has closed, first preference votes will be counted and the candidate nation which receives a majority of votes cast will become the Delegate. In the event that no candidate receives a majority, the top two candidates will have their second preference votes added to their first preference votes and the candidate nation with the most votes will become the Delegate. This means that the new Delegate will officially take office on 18th Jan, and candidacy submissions for the 13th Feb election will open on 8th Feb.

[Azerzia]

So a question to all the candidates: If the region were to be invaded without provocation, what would you do?

[Tennisplayers]

Many of the SLU members maintain armed forces. Armed responses by member nations should be coordinated by the SLU. Notification to the WA and a request for condemnation of invader should be sought.

[Eggy216]

So a question to all the candidates: If the region were to be invaded without provocation, what would you do?

I would request troops from all member nations. The number of troops requested would be a general proportion of each nation's military force, not a constant total number of troops (Ex. 1/10 of the total military force). The military forces would then be combined into a temporary regional military, to defend the region against any and all attacks that may result from the invasion, and to drive out the invaders. The exact proportion of troops would depend on the size of the invasion force.

[Tennisplayers]

Can the candidates for representative please say what heir stance is on victimless crimes such as gambling, prostitution (non-coerced and non-exploitative) , and recreational drug use? Could we also hear their views on religious beliefs/practices that flaunt accepted social or legal norms ? (IE- Jehova Witnesses not having an appendectomy done for their 3 year old daughter or not having being immunized against possibly contagious diseases? Thanks.

[Teshuva]

So a question to all the candidates: If the region were to be invaded without provocation, what would you do?

First of all, there are ways of preventing invasions, such as providing heavy support to the WA-D -- if, say, 19 nations endorse the Delegate, there would be needed 21 invaders to take over the region. At the same time, a delegate with four or five endorsements could be overthrown by half a dozen rogue nations, which is way more insecure. Also, quick communication with the regional founder at the sight of uncommon movimentation of incoming nations (nazi, capitalist-anarchist or clearly conservative nation arriving massively) should be done so it removes the administrative powers from the delegate. This way, invading nations would have no way to expel nations and lock the region with a password.

Thus, we reinforce our proposal of creating a Regional Security Comittee, that should be responsible to foresee such actions.

If invaders succeed, we would need to trigger ideologically allied regions (say, the of influence The Proletariat Coalition or Communist International League) to endorse a Resolution over the WA to liberate our region. In cases of blatantly cruel and unfair invasions, such proposals should find no trouble getting approved, specially if authored by respected nations. Therefore, it is important to have contant dialogue with such possible allies, and promove as much trade and diplomatic agreements as possible with them.

Meanwhile, regional military forces must unite and resist as much as possible to the invaders on battlefield. Although we should note that liberal nations like those of the SLU usually don't have strong, high-tech armies, in opposition to nazi or conservative nations -- so diplomatic ways to free the SLU could be the fastest, safest option.

[Teshuva]

Can the candidates for representative please say what heir stance is on victimless crimes such as gambling, prostitution (non-coerced and non-exploitative) , and recreational drug use? Could we also hear their views on religious beliefs/practices that flaunt accepted social or legal norms ? (IE- Jehova Witnesses not having an appendectomy done for their 3 year old daughter or not having being immunized against possibly contagious diseases? Thanks.

First of all, we regret the withdrawal of Tennisplayer from our elections, and offer all needed help with possible internal affairs that might have led to that decision.

About the questionings, here goes a list of Teshuvá's internal postures towards such issues:
- Prostitution is legalized in Teshuvá, although not encouraged by the government. Prostitutes have social security and special protection laws to avoid aggressions from clients. Pimping, however, is illegal -- under the law against slave work and traffic of people.
- Gambling is also legalized, with several restrictions on location, advertising and specific legislation for the payment of taxes, to avoid such business is used as money washing.
- Recreational drug use is currently under discussion on which drugs are "safe" to legalize and which could do even more harm to society after legalization. There's not an official position on this subject.

- All religious cult is deregulated, and no medical treatment is done if it goes against the beliefs of the individual. ALthough, in the specific cases you mentioned, legal action on child abuse could be pulled.

[Ainland]

Voting is now open

The discussion period has ended and voting is open from now until 20:00 GMT 17th Jan 2011.

This is the election for the regional WA Delegate for The Social Liberal Union. The candidates are as follows:

1. The Free Land of Eggy216
2. The People's Republic of Teshuva

As there are only two candidates, nations will vote by stating their preferred candidate and the candidate which achieves a majority will win the election.

All member nations of the Social Liberal Union at 20:00 GMT 13th Jan 2011 are eligible to vote. The nations eligible to vote are as follows:

The Republic of Ainland
The Republic of Azerzia
The Democratic States of Countrydonia
The Allied States of Destorio
The Free Land of Eggy216
The Free Land of Einzigia
The United Socialist States of Eorld
The Democratic Republic of Greater Margate
The People's Republic of Greater Newcastle
The Liberal Paradise of Haroutito
The Community of Long Forgotten Sons
The Republic of Padsaria
The Imperial Federation of Prusso-Egypt
The People's Republic of Tennisplayers
The People's Republic of Teshuva
The Rickenbacker Jangliness of The Byrds
The Federal Republic of The Electronic Future
The Democratic Republic of The Floridian Coast
The Republique des bananes of Valoriapoli

This is a public ballot. Please vote by stating your preferred candidate below. For example:

The United States of Social Liberal Union

Voting is open now and closes at 20:00 GMT 17th Jan 2011.

[Eggy216]

Can the candidates for representative please say what heir stance is on victimless crimes such as gambling, prostitution (non-coerced and non-exploitative) , and recreational drug use? Could we also hear their views on religious beliefs/practices that flaunt accepted social or legal norms ? (IE- Jehova Witnesses not having an appendectomy done for their 3 year old daughter or not having being immunized against possibly contagious diseases? Thanks.

The Free Land of Eggy216 believes as follows:

-With respect to gambling, our nation has legalized it. We believe that it is the right of the people to do what they want with their money, even if the person views of our leaders do not agree with it's use.

-With respect to prostitution, our nation has not yet, and will not in the future, formulate a direct position on the issue. We believe that, so long as what is at issue does not constitute rape, it is up to the men and women involved to decide what they choose to do with their bodies, again, even if our leaders do not agree with the actual practice of prostitution.

-With respect to drug use, our nation is completely against the use of drugs for any reasons other than those that are medicinal.

-As far as the religious beliefs go, our nation will not get invovled in the people's religion. If we do get involved with small things (like those you stated with Jehova's Witnesses) there is always a potential the government will go to far, therefore we choose to leave the issue well alone. Similarly, we will not implement a religion onto any persons. We believe once again that it is the people's right to decide what to follow.

[Greater Newcastle]

The People's Republic of Greater Newcastle casts its vote in favour of The People's Republic of Teshuva.

[Einzigia]

The Free Land of Einzigia casts its vote in favour of The Free Land of Eggy216.

[Prusso-Egypt]

The Imperial Federation of Prusso-Egypt casts its vote for the People's Republic of Teshuva.

[Destorio]

The Allied States of Destorio casts its vote for the People's Republic of Teshuva.

[The Electronic Future]

The Federal Republic of The Electronic Future casts its vote for the Free Land of Eggy216.

[The Floridian Coast]

The Democratic Republic of The Floridian Coast casts its vote for the People's Republic of Teshuva

[Tennisplayers]

Tennisplayers votes for Teshuva

[Eggy216]

Eggy216 would like to concede the election for WA delegate to Teshuva, with the interest of providing a united front in this election. We congratulate Teshuva, and wish them well in the coming term as WA Delegate.

[Prussian Egypt]

Prussian Egypt votes for The Imperial Federation of Prusso-Egypt.

[Tennisplayers]

A gracious concession on Eggy's part and congrats to Teshuva. Can we now ALL endorse Teshuva to increase her stature at the WA? Thanks.

[Destorio]

The Allied States passes on its congratulations to the The People's Republic of Teshuva for their victory in this election, we trust that you will provide a stable and strong front for the SLU during your time as delegate.

We would also like to commend The Free Land of Eggy216 for their mature handling of the situation and thank them for their desire to help build and forward the union.

[Ainland]

I’m delighted to congratulate The People’s Republic of Teshuva on becoming the Social Liberal Union’s first elected World Assembly delegate.

Thank you to all nations who participated and special thanks to The People’s Republic of Tennisplayers for serving as our delegate during the election process, and to The Free Land of Eggy216 for graciously giving their support to The People’s Republic of Teshuva.