[NSG Senate] Senatorial Database

[MERIZoC]

The Senator should really answer the questions publically, it's not only the point of having questions here but it damages one's credibility and transparency.

OOC: He's saying he answered it in his bio.

OOC: It's still rather annoying to have to go back to the bio to look for it. Everyone else is answering questions the normal way.

[Geilinor]

I am open for questions.

[Divitaen]

As an individual raised as a Catholic who converted out of the religion in the university before converting back in adulthood, I have to say that the pro-life dogma, as well as the Church's stance on contraception and homosexuality, were all key reasons for me desiring to leave the faith at an early age. As a liberal Catholic, I believe that the Bible clearly allows for abortion, as Exodus 22:21 states that the punishment for killing a foetus while leaving the mother unharmed is clearly only a fine, and the fact that this law was under a list of laws involving property and theft suggests that foetuses were considered, in God's eyes, the property of the mother rather than an independent human life. Biology also tells us that a foetus does not fit the biological and physiological definition of personhood as its basic anatomy is still in development. Most importantly of all, the Catholic faith is not one that can be imposed on the people of Calaverde who are of a diversity of faiths, and women ought to have sovereignty over their bodies to make their own choices on reproductive health.

So you dont accept the teachings of the church's magisterium?

Unfortunately, I don't, and there are many Catholics, especially women, who find themselves unable to reconcile their faith with the Church's stance on abortion and contraception, as well as many gay Catholics who find themselves torn because of the Church's strict stance on homosexuality. As a liberal Catholic I believe the church authorities have a responsibility to be more inclusive. I am hopeful that Pope Francis will move towards a relaxation on these areas, but until then devout, faithful Catholics will continue to be torn on these issues.

[The Union of the West]

Senator Aaldrik Reijnders is open for questions!

[Divitaen]

I am open for questions.

Apologies if this questions is rather personal, but do you believe that the tragic demise of your uncle Francois at the hands of the brutal military junta played an impact in your desire to enter politics?

[Divitaen]

Senator Aaldrik Reijnders is open for questions!

Senator if you ever had the chance to implement a voucher system of healthcare, would the distribution be for universal coverage or means-tested?

[The Union of the West]

Senator Aaldrik Reijnders is open for questions!

Senator if you ever had the chance to implement a voucher system of healthcare, would the distribution be for universal coverage or means-tested?

It would be universal.

[Divitaen]

Senator if you ever had the chance to implement a voucher system of healthcare, would the distribution be for universal coverage or means-tested?

It would be universal.

Why not implement a state-run universal health care system then, since it would be more cost-effective? Isn't there a risk of private sector healthcare using increasingly expensive medical procedures, safe in the knowledge that consumers do not feel the cost?

[The Union of the West]

It would be universal.

Why not implement a state-run universal health care system then, since it would be more cost-effective? Isn't there a risk of private sector healthcare using increasingly expensive medical procedures, safe in the knowledge that consumers do not feel the cost?

I hardly see how it would be more cost-effective.

[Divitaen]

Why not implement a state-run universal health care system then, since it would be more cost-effective? Isn't there a risk of private sector healthcare using increasingly expensive medical procedures, safe in the knowledge that consumers do not feel the cost?

I hardly see how it would be more cost-effective.

Wouldn't it produce the problem of supplier-induced demand, with private hospitals taking advantage of the system to prescribe excessive medical procedures for profit? Since you support universal coverage, why not implement a universal healthcare system like the NHS?

[The Union of the West]

I hardly see how it would be more cost-effective.

Wouldn't it produce the problem of supplier-induced demand, with private hospitals taking advantage of the system to prescribe excessive medical procedures for profit? Since you support universal coverage, why not implement a universal healthcare system like the NHS?

I recognize the advantages of a state-run system, however, the benefits of a voucher-system outweigh those of the state-run system.

A voucher-system allows the free-market to 'take it's course', you could say. It gives the consumer a choice between various healthcare providers. If a hospital is prescribing excessive medical procedures, the patient can go to a different hospital and receive treatment at a lower, fairer cost. To keep patients, healthcare providers must remain competitive, by keeping their prices low. This, in my opinion, supersedes the issue of supplier-induced demand.

[Dendart]

So you dont accept the teachings of the church's magisterium?

Unfortunately, I don't, and there are many Catholics, especially women, who find themselves unable to reconcile their faith with the Church's stance on abortion and contraception, as well as many gay Catholics who find themselves torn because of the Church's strict stance on homosexuality. As a liberal Catholic I believe the church authorities have a responsibility to be more inclusive. I am hopeful that Pope Francis will move towards a relaxation on these areas, but until then devout, faithful Catholics will continue to be torn on these issues.

But taking this stance is a grave mortal sin, do you intend to receive the holy Eucharist?

[Divitaen]

Unfortunately, I don't, and there are many Catholics, especially women, who find themselves unable to reconcile their faith with the Church's stance on abortion and contraception, as well as many gay Catholics who find themselves torn because of the Church's strict stance on homosexuality. As a liberal Catholic I believe the church authorities have a responsibility to be more inclusive. I am hopeful that Pope Francis will move towards a relaxation on these areas, but until then devout, faithful Catholics will continue to be torn on these issues.

But taking this stance is a grave mortal sin, do you intend to receive the holy Eucharist?

Of course I want to receive the holy Eucharist, I believe in my religion and my God but like many other Catholics I cannot relegate women to the role of unthinking, unfeeling artificial wombs. They are human beings with free agency like any other and the denial of bodily sovereignty and self-ownership is the denial of their independence and humanity, and I cannot vote against a woman's right to choose and feel right about it the next day. Look at Brazil. When Catholic women there protested Pope Francis's decision to keep the Church's stance on abortion. Polls in the US which show less than 15% of Catholics agreed with the Church's stance that abortion should be illegal under all circumstances. And many bishops, including those in Calaverde, but those around the world as well in the US, UK and Canada, have launched a campaign to censure, deny the Eucharist to and even excommunicate Catholic politicians such as myself who would vote the right and just way on abortion. Many Catholics find such dogmatism from the pontifical leadership a grave injustice in the institution. As a member of the Liberal Catholic movement I am fighting to change this reality. It makes it hard for Catholic women who undergo abortions to speak candidly and openly about their experiences, for fear of public harassment. What I think is a grave mortal sin, Senator, is the fact that the Catholic Church has chosen to use God to vote against women and shame them and anyone who would stand up for them and for their rights.

[Free Republics]

Arber Racine - INDEPENDENT

Account Name: Free Republics
Occupation: Senator, Right-Wing Activist, Attorney
Party Position(s):

Senator

Positions in Government:

N/A

Constituency: N/A
Political Ideology: Libertarianish Conservatism
Family: None
Background: Arber Racine was born in southern Calaverde, the son of a wealthy entrepreneur. He attended exclusive boarding schools and an elite university, where he double-majored in history and political science. While on campus, he became well-known as a right-wing agitator who was always coming up with novel ways to irritate the campus left and a regular columnist for the campus's right-wing student newspaper, where he wrote numerous articles criticizing the left-wing. After graduating with a 3.7 GPA, despite being retaliated against by several professors for his political opinions, which he did not shy away from, Arber attended an elite law school and graduated toward the top of his class. However, he turned down job offers at several prestigious law firms, choosing instead to work for a right-wing legal organization infamous for filing politically-motivated lawsuits. After building a reputation for himself as a very shrewd lawyer, Arber decided to run for the Senate from a very conservative constituency and was elected after running a campaign on an extreme platform. In his personal life, he is a well-known playboy who refuses to settle for "just one" woman and has no interest in children.
Faith: Agnostic
Likes: Capitalism, controversy, equal rights under the law for all, nationalism, patriotism, flag-waving, sex, pleasure, women, free markets, alcohol, law and order
Dislikes: Socialism, Communism, anti-consumerism, radical environmentalism, equality of outcomes, "social justice", political correctness, globalism, foreign aid (especially to "BongoBongoLands" and "Terroristans"), hippies, recreational drugs (other than alcohol), anarchism, children, (immature) teenagers, civil disobedience, leftists in general
Any Questions from the Public to be answered?

• Open for Questions

[Bojikami]

I am open for questions.

[Jeckland]

MATHEUS PINTO MARTINS - FREE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Account Name: Jeckland
Occupation: Senator
Party Position(s):

Cheif Whip

Positions in Government:

N/A

Constituency: N/A
Political Ideology: Economic Liberalism, Progressive Conservatism
Family: Leila Martins (Spouse)
Background: Born as a middle child of five to mother Gabrielle and father Kai, Matheus graduated from the University of {PLACEHOLDER] at the age of twenty two. After spending fifteen years trading on the stock exchange, Matheus has now switched his attention to politics.
Faith: Atheist/Agnostic
Likes: Capitalism, Free Markets, Civil Rights, Dogs, Sport, Strawberries, Conservatism
Dislikes: Socalism, Facism, Authoritarianism, Fizzy Drinks,
Any Questions from the Public to be answered? Open to all questions.

[Dendart]

But taking this stance is a grave mortal sin, do you intend to receive the holy Eucharist?

Of course I want to receive the holy Eucharist, I believe in my religion and my God but like many other Catholics I cannot relegate women to the role of unthinking, unfeeling artificial wombs. They are human beings with free agency like any other and the denial of bodily sovereignty and self-ownership is the denial of their independence and humanity, and I cannot vote against a woman's right to choose and feel right about it the next day. Look at Brazil. When Catholic women there protested Pope Francis's decision to keep the Church's stance on abortion. Polls in the US which show less than 15% of Catholics agreed with the Church's stance that abortion should be illegal under all circumstances. And many bishops, including those in Calaverde, but those around the world as well in the US, UK and Canada, have launched a campaign to censure, deny the Eucharist to and even excommunicate Catholic politicians such as myself who would vote the right and just way on abortion. Many Catholics find such dogmatism from the pontifical leadership a grave injustice in the institution. As a member of the Liberal Catholic movement I am fighting to change this reality. It makes it hard for Catholic women who undergo abortions to speak candidly and openly about their experiences, for fear of public harassment. What I think is a grave mortal sin, Senator, is the fact that the Catholic Church has chosen to use God to vote against women and shame them and anyone who would stand up for them and for their rights.

Women are integral of the church, the church is not trying to insult women, but guarantee the rights of sovereign individuals within their mothers womb. After all a woman,Holy mother Mary, is higher than even the apostles, higher than peter himself. The polls you speak of are irrelevant, if there where polls 2000 years ago what would be the approval rating of Jesus? Abortion is not a right but the most immoral murder of the most innocent humans.

[Argentarino]

Women are integral of the church, the church is not trying to insult women, but guarantee the rights of sovereign individuals within their mothers womb. After all a woman,Holy mother Mary, is higher than even the apostles, higher than peter himself. The polls you speak of are irrelevant, if there where polls 2000 years ago what would be the approval rating of Jesus? Abortion is not a right but the most immoral murder of the most innocent humans.

Just as God entrusted the Virgin Mary with His Son, the Lord entrusts to all women their unborn. It is for them, and them alone, to decide what is best. We men - either of the cloth or laymen - know not the burdens of pregnancy or to be entrusted with a child within the womb.

[Divitaen]

Women are integral of the church, the church is not trying to insult women, but guarantee the rights of sovereign individuals within their mothers womb. After all a woman,Holy mother Mary, is higher than even the apostles, higher than peter himself. The polls you speak of are irrelevant, if there where polls 2000 years ago what would be the approval rating of Jesus? Abortion is not a right but the most immoral murder of the most innocent humans.

Senator, to this I can only reply that women are free agents of their womb, they are not baby-making machines or artificial incubators. To hook them up and force them to support and maintain and house a developing foetus inside them against their will is an immense violation and intrusion on their right to privacy and bodily sovereignty, and that is the greatest insult a woman can be dealt. When you speak of the immoral murder of human beings, you are asking for the unborn to be granted a right the born are never given, and that is the right to use another person's body as a shelter without consent. We do not force organ donations that could save a life. You may expel someone from your home even when there is risk from death from exposure. To deny a woman the same right to abort is to deny her ownership of her body.

[Dendart]

Women are integral of the church, the church is not trying to insult women, but guarantee the rights of sovereign individuals within their mothers womb. After all a woman,Holy mother Mary, is higher than even the apostles, higher than peter himself. The polls you speak of are irrelevant, if there where polls 2000 years ago what would be the approval rating of Jesus? Abortion is not a right but the most immoral murder of the most innocent humans.

Senator, to this I can only reply that women are free agents of their womb, they are not baby-making machines or artificial incubators. To hook them up and force them to support and maintain and house a developing foetus inside them against their will is an immense violation and intrusion on their right to privacy and bodily sovereignty, and that is the greatest insult a woman can be dealt. When you speak of the immoral murder of human beings, you are asking for the unborn to be granted a right the born are never given, and that is the right to use another person's body as a shelter without consent. We do not force organ donations that could save a life. You may expel someone from your home even when there is risk from death from exposure. To deny a woman the same right to abort is to deny her ownership of her body.

Senator, the woman chose to get pregnant, so why should she be allowed to displace that responsibility.

[Argentarino]

Senator, to this I can only reply that women are free agents of their womb, they are not baby-making machines or artificial incubators. To hook them up and force them to support and maintain and house a developing foetus inside them against their will is an immense violation and intrusion on their right to privacy and bodily sovereignty, and that is the greatest insult a woman can be dealt. When you speak of the immoral murder of human beings, you are asking for the unborn to be granted a right the born are never given, and that is the right to use another person's body as a shelter without consent. We do not force organ donations that could save a life. You may expel someone from your home even when there is risk from death from exposure. To deny a woman the same right to abort is to deny her ownership of her body.

Senator, the woman chose to get pregnant, so why should she be allowed to displace that responsibility.

And what of those who are raped? Who are victims of incest? And tell me, Senator, of those who will die if they continue with the pregnancy?

[Divitaen]

Senator, the woman chose to get pregnant, so why should she be allowed to displace that responsibility.

No, she chose to engage in sexual intercourse. Contraception could have failed, or circumstances at work or at home could have changed from when intercourse occurred such that the woman changes her mind and believes that she is not ready to take on that responsibility. Remember that men can engage in sexual intercourse but not worry about the responsibility of getting pregnant, so abortion is really just to give women the same rights as men currently do. It is about gender equality.

[Dendart]

Senator, the woman chose to get pregnant, so why should she be allowed to displace that responsibility.

No, she chose to engage in sexual intercourse. Contraception could have failed, or circumstances at work or at home could have changed from when intercourse occurred such that the woman changes her mind and believes that she is not ready to take on that responsibility. Remember that men can engage in sexual intercourse but not worry about the responsibility of getting pregnant, so abortion is really just to give women the same rights as men currently do. It is about gender equality.

does that still make it? is murder a justifiable end, what about other options?

[Ainin]

No, she chose to engage in sexual intercourse. Contraception could have failed, or circumstances at work or at home could have changed from when intercourse occurred such that the woman changes her mind and believes that she is not ready to take on that responsibility. Remember that men can engage in sexual intercourse but not worry about the responsibility of getting pregnant, so abortion is really just to give women the same rights as men currently do. It is about gender equality.

does that still make it? is murder a justifiable end, what about other options?

Please look up the definition of murder. The argument that abortion is murder isn't just misleading, it's outright wrong.

Murder isn't the act of killing someone, it's the crime of killing someone. In no reasonable jurisdiction does abortion count as murder.

[Belmaria]

does that still make it? is murder a justifiable end, what about other options?

Please look up the definition of murder. The argument that abortion is murder isn't just misleading, it's outright wrong.

Murder isn't the act of killing someone, it's the crime of killing someone. In no reasonable jurisdiction does abortion count as murder.

Technicalities are always fun.