The Land of the Free: American Political Roleplay (IC II)

[Greater Arab State]

Volker Town Hall
"What is the Republican plan on student loan debt?"

“Well, our approach to student loan debt is to cap lifetime borrowing limits on parent and graduate PLUS programs in order to reduce the burden on parents who are saving or nearing retirement in addition to streamlining the current income-based repayment options down to a single option which will limit monthly payments to approximately 10% of student income.”

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
Many people say it is a very good thing to have fewer housewives. Very shortsighted people see the numbers on their phones go up as the GDP goes up. But why is it a good thing to force women not to be housewives??? Women should have the choice to be housewives, that cannot happen until America destroys its obsession with the imaginary concept of GDP, and focuses on developing Americans!

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
The GDP does not measure the decline of average American happiness, it does not calculate the income inequality felt by smalltown America as Wall Street loots them dry, most importantly it does not measure the decline of the American family. The American Dream is dying and only the Republicans can revive it!!!

[Louisianan]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
Many people say it is a very good thing to have fewer housewives. Very shortsighted people see the numbers on their phones go up as the GDP goes up. But why is it a good thing to force women not to be housewives??? Women should have the choice to be housewives, that cannot happen until America destroys its obsession with the imaginary concept of GDP, and focuses on developing Americans!

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
The GDP does not measure the decline of average American happiness, it does not calculate the income inequality felt by smalltown America as Wall Street loots them dry, most importantly it does not measure the decline of the American family. The American Dream is dying and only the Republicans can revive it!!!

Liked and Retweeted By @HGLouisianaFirst

[The Orion Islands]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
Many people say it is a very good thing to have fewer housewives. Very shortsighted people see the numbers on their phones go up as the GDP goes up. But why is it a good thing to force women not to be housewives??? Women should have the choice to be housewives, that cannot happen until America destroys its obsession with the imaginary concept of GDP, and focuses on developing Americans!

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
The GDP does not measure the decline of average American happiness, it does not calculate the income inequality felt by smalltown America as Wall Street loots them dry, most importantly it does not measure the decline of the American family. The American Dream is dying and only the Republicans can revive it!!!

Liked and Retweeted By @HGLouisianaFirst

Colbert sends Gaspard a private message.
"Beware of Burgun. He wants to kind of turn our party into the Porter Party. Don't let him come down there and campaign. He will turn off any minority and moderate support you have."

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
I will only support a Cherokee delegate if the Cherokee people ELECT them into the office! You are going to destroy the integrity of the House of Representatives if you start letting unaccountable political appointees into it!

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
I have a great relationship with the Cherokee, and they are some very good people. They deserve a fair voice to send their delegate to the House of Representatives, not an unelected politician!

[Greater Arab State]

VOLKER TOWN HALL

Representative Jason Evander
@JasonFromSD

How ya doin, boss?

The House Minority Leader did a double-take as he saw who the question was from before stifling a chuckle and replying.

“I’m doing exceptionally well, Congressman, thank you for asking.”

[Kargintina the Third]

The Office of House Minority Leader Thomas Volker, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

Monday December 17th, 2019

(Image)

After what was an rather eventful week on the Hill, moreso than usual, the time came once more for Volker to hold his ‘national townhall’. He knew that questions would probably be asked of the President, and of the new administration, nevertheless, the Missourian planned what he would say as the camera was being set up and, once he knew the camera was live streaming, he began.

“Good afternoon America, I’m Thomas Volker, Congressman for Missouri’s 8th Congressional District and House Minority Leader. Next year will see the American people go to the polls and vote in one of the most significant elections in recent memory. That is why we, the Republican Party will now be holding a weekly national townhall, so you have the opportunity to have the questions that you want answering answered by patriotic citizen legislators who come from and value all of this great country, not just New York City or New England and will substantiate that each and every day of the 117th Congress. Feel free to post any questions that you have in the livestream chat and I’ll be sure to answer them.”

A Kurdish-American man in his 30s sent in a question:

Would your party do anything to help the Kurds in Northern Iraq and Syria?? Please the Turks are killing my people!

[Louisianan]

Liked and Retweeted By @HGLouisianaFirst

Colbert sends Gaspard a private message.
"Beware of Burgun. He wants to kind of turn our party into the Porter Party. Don't let him come down there and campaign. He will turn off any minority and moderate support you have."

Gaspard messages Colbert,
"I know, the man is a nut just like Porter, some of the things he says make a little sense, while the rest is just foolish and idiotic. I assure you, any attempt of Porter or Burgun coming down here will be shot down like a duck in hunting season."

[Sao Nova Europa]

December 20, 2019

Jonathan Wilson was standing before the cameras. His speech was going to be livestreamed on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Jonathan understood that he needed to make full use of the social media to bypass the traditional media that excluded him.

“Welcome,” he said with his smile shining brightly. “In the Forward Party we take seriously the climate crisis that threatens our planet. We believe in science and facts. However, we also believe that we need a functioning economy, so that people can work and make a living. We cannot address climate change without also addressing the fears and hopes of the working and middle class people. We thus oppose both the climate denialism of the right and the big government solutions of the left. Instead, we seek to address climate change through a number of market-based initiatives that will reduce drastically our carbon footprint while sustaining economic growth that benefits the American people.”

“We need incentives to encourage growth of the renewable energy sector. We should enable renewable energy project owners to avail the full value of renewable energy tax credits without having to carry forward value or share value with a volatile tax equity market. The proposal of the Forward Party is to make credits refundable, so that a project owner can receive the full value of the tax credit regardless of the amount of taxes they owe. Such a refund can be accomplished through a direct cash grant.”

“We also need to slash government laws and regulations that impede decarbonization. That is where I disagree with folks on the left; big government blocks attempts to reduce emissions with useless red tape and overregulation. For a start, we need to reduce legal requirements, permitting requirements and environmental reviews for carbon-capture projects. We also need to drastically reduce permitting requirements and other barriers to developing cleaner infrastructure.”

“The Forward Party strongly supports nuclear energy. We need to make use of nuclear plants to reduce our carbon footprint. We cannot ignore this vital source of energy due to ideological fears. The federal government should provide direct subsidies for nuclear generators. We should also expand the loan guarantee program to be far more extensive, financially aggressive, and less costly for project developers while amending the Atomic Energy Act to eliminate the fee recovery for the government review of new designs. We also need public-private partnerships to develop, license, and deploy small modular reactors.”

“Last but not least, we need a federal carbon tax. It is a tax that high growth capitalist economies such as South Korea have implemented. A tax of $49 per metric ton of carbon dioxide and rising at 2 percent above inflation could raise about $2.2 trillion in net revenues over 10 years. We can use this tax revenue to reduce existing taxes on labor and capital; a grand tax swap that will result in net economic benefit for American households!”

“With our proposed carbon tax, we can completely eliminate corporate income tax, unleashing unprecedented economic growth. Corporate taxation is unfortunately highly inefficient; it costs $140 billion annually in compliance costs and drives away businesses while highly discouraging investments. Replacing it with our tax of $49 per metric ton of carbon, we not only reduce drastically emissions and encourage rapid decarbonization, but we also ensure that American corporations and workers are benefited. The carbon tax also will allow us to reduce the federal income tax for individuals, lowering the marginal tax rates; from 10% to 8%, from 12% to 10% and from 22% to 20%. Thus the lowest tax brackets will benefit directly from the carbon tax.”

“While Republicans ignore the problem and Democrats seek to use climate change to impose socialism, Forward Party sees a chance for green growth; cutting our emissions while also cutting taxes for American businesses. We believe that combating climate change and sustaining economic growth go hand in hand.”

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
I don't know what causes climate change. Human activity might contribute a bit, but there is so much noise, I don't know!

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
Congratulations to PM not-Johnson! He won with a truly populist agenda, unlike loser Theresa May who lost so much to crazy socialist Not-Jeremy Corbyn! The future of conservatism!

[The Orion Islands]

Utah Senator Everitt Rigby Colbert and Nebraska Governor Jack Chambers block Johnathan Wilson and the Forward Party on Facebook.
Comments to themselves after blocking them.
Colbert: "Does this guy ever leave New York? At least Caroline has to listen to us and go to D.C. to do her job."
Chambers: "How much have Crooked Caroline and Crazy Karel given this man to undermine our party and Middle America? Swamp creature."

[Kargintina the Third]

Earl Tenson @MTAtLarge Congratulations to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his victory in the United Kingdom General Election. The people of Britain made the right decision in rejecting Socialism and the European Union.

[Azekopolaltion]

Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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Dr. Spellman was a brilliant voice in this presidential race, both bighearted and intelligent in designing a bold progressive vision for America. I can't wait to work with him to make that vision a reality.

[Louisianan]

(Image)
Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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Dr. Spellman was a brilliant voice in this presidential race, both bighearted and intelligent in designing a bold progressive vision for America. I can't wait to work with him to make that vision a reality.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

Tim, I think that toupee of yours is growing stupidity into your brain.

[The Orion Islands]

Chambers Twitter @GovernorChambersNE
"Bravo to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Bravo to electing a man who will resist Brussels while maintaining their Union. I hope he will make a deal with Tawney to buy AMERICAN and NEBRASKAN. Will Nate Richardson or Kimberly Dunbar stand up to the United Nations and it's horrific anti-Israel, anti-America bias? I sure hope so #NoUnRule"
"I look forward to getting on the phone with Prime Minister Johnson and see how willing he is to buy from our farmers. 67.53 million stomachs, that hopefully can be filled with NEBRASKAN foodstuffs."

[Kargintina the Third]

Nickolai Dernilski @Derni4Ohio Weapons of war have no place on our streets. Its time to stand up to the NRA and ban assault weapons, for good this time.

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

(Image) Nickolai Dernilski @Derni4Ohio Weapons of war have no place on our streets. Its time to stand up to the NRA and ban assault weapons, for good this time. (Image)

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
Assault rifles are already banned in this country. The AR-15 is THE most popular hunting rifle in the country, so many people in North Dakota use it to hunt. It is not an assault rifle it only fires semi-automatic rounds, the Democrats lie and cheat in order to start chipping away at the 2nd amendment!

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

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Diehl Press Conference
Phoenix, Arizona
December 18th, 2019

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The former vice president had just landed in the great state of Arizona, flashing his classic aviators and smiling broadly. Already, local Democrats were ready to chat him up and he was ready to get down to business. But at the suggestion of one aide, the team decided to perhaps start off with a press conference. Not much was making the news right now and with Tawney being threatened by skeptical Wolfists, why not let the media have a go at another former VP. So Vinnie sat down with a smile as he was introduced by some local Phoenix city council members before he took the podium.

"How are y'all doing?" he began, emphasizing the you all with his Midwestern connotation. "Glad to be here, real glad, now, some questions? Some questions friends, easy ones, come on! I can take 'em." he jested, laughing with the reporters crowded into the room.

(OOC: Feel free to ask Vinnie Diehl any questions!)

[Kargintina the Third]

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Diehl Press Conference
Phoenix, Arizona
December 18th, 2019

---

(Image)

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The former vice president had just landed in the great state of Arizona, flashing his classic aviators and smiling broadly. Already, local Democrats were ready to chat him up and he was ready to get down to business. But at the suggestion of one aide, the team decided to perhaps start off with a press conference. Not much was making the news right now and with Tawney being threatened by skeptical Wolfists, why not let the media have a go at another former VP. So Vinnie sat down with a smile as he was introduced by some local Phoenix city council members before he took the podium.

"How are y'all doing?" he began, emphasizing the you all with his Midwestern connotation. "Glad to be here, real glad, now, some questions? Some questions friends, easy ones, come on! I can take 'em." he jested, laughing with the reporters crowded into the room.

(OOC: Feel free to ask Vinnie Diehl any questions!)

“Mr. Vice President, what are your thoughts on the resignation of President Wolf?”

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

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Diehl Press Conference
Phoenix, Arizona
December 18th, 2019

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“Mr. Vice President, what are your thoughts on the resignation of President Wolf?”

"You know..." began Vinnie, pursuing his lips, "I think, look, here's the deal. Arnold Wolf was the leader of this country. He had an obligation to run things, to be in charge, to be competent. Now was he always? Or did I agree with him him always? But he did his job through pain, through disease, through pain, through a real challenge. And I wouldn't wish that on anyone. So I hope he can rest easy, I hope he fights his disease because he's tough, he's real tough. And I hope Senator Tawney, er sorry, Vice President...President Tawney, does a good job. He has a big plate on himself. For himself, and I hope he does a good job by working with the Senate, and with the House. Especially with the House. Our country deserves that much."

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
The radical left will no longer be allowed to conduct their brainwashing sessions in North Dakota! I will sign an Executive Order banning critical race theory derived training(so called "racial sensitivity" training) from being conducted in North Dakota's government. ENJOY!

[Louisianan]

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Diehl Press Conference
Phoenix, Arizona
December 18th, 2019

---

(Image)

---

The former vice president had just landed in the great state of Arizona, flashing his classic aviators and smiling broadly. Already, local Democrats were ready to chat him up and he was ready to get down to business. But at the suggestion of one aide, the team decided to perhaps start off with a press conference. Not much was making the news right now and with Tawney being threatened by skeptical Wolfists, why not let the media have a go at another former VP. So Vinnie sat down with a smile as he was introduced by some local Phoenix city council members before he took the podium.

"How are y'all doing?" he began, emphasizing the you all with his Midwestern connotation. "Glad to be here, real glad, now, some questions? Some questions friends, easy ones, come on! I can take 'em." he jested, laughing with the reporters crowded into the room.

(OOC: Feel free to ask Vinnie Diehl any questions!)

"Mr Vice President, what do you think about Tawney becoming interim President?"

[Kargintina the Third]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
The radical left will no longer be allowed to conduct their brainwashing sessions in North Dakota! I will sign an Executive Order banning critical race theory derived training(so called "racial sensitivity" training) from being conducted in North Dakota's government. ENJOY!

Nickolai Dernilski @Derni4Ohio The Governor of North Dakota openly supports outlawing crucial training designed to fight against the systemic racism and white supremacy that plague African-Americans on a daily basis.

[Kargintina the Third]

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Diehl Press Conference
Phoenix, Arizona
December 18th, 2019

---

(Image)

---

The former vice president had just landed in the great state of Arizona, flashing his classic aviators and smiling broadly. Already, local Democrats were ready to chat him up and he was ready to get down to business. But at the suggestion of one aide, the team decided to perhaps start off with a press conference. Not much was making the news right now and with Tawney being threatened by skeptical Wolfists, why not let the media have a go at another former VP. So Vinnie sat down with a smile as he was introduced by some local Phoenix city council members before he took the podium.

"How are y'all doing?" he began, emphasizing the you all with his Midwestern connotation. "Glad to be here, real glad, now, some questions? Some questions friends, easy ones, come on! I can take 'em." he jested, laughing with the reporters crowded into the room.

(OOC: Feel free to ask Vinnie Diehl any questions!)

"Mr Vice President, what do you think about Tawney becoming interim President?"

The first person to ask a question looks at this individual with a confused face as the Vice President basically already answered this question

[New Cobastheia]

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Diehl Press Conference
Phoenix, Arizona
December 18th, 2019

---

(Image)

---

The former vice president had just landed in the great state of Arizona, flashing his classic aviators and smiling broadly. Already, local Democrats were ready to chat him up and he was ready to get down to business. But at the suggestion of one aide, the team decided to perhaps start off with a press conference. Not much was making the news right now and with Tawney being threatened by skeptical Wolfists, why not let the media have a go at another former VP. So Vinnie sat down with a smile as he was introduced by some local Phoenix city council members before he took the podium.

"How are y'all doing?" he began, emphasizing the you all with his Midwestern connotation. "Glad to be here, real glad, now, some questions? Some questions friends, easy ones, come on! I can take 'em." he jested, laughing with the reporters crowded into the room.

(OOC: Feel free to ask Vinnie Diehl any questions!)

"Mr. Vice President, do you have any comments on the current state of the Presidental Primaries?"