Green denotes Bill Money (LN)- Reformer (SDP) ‘s Answers
Yellow denotes Lea Carmody and James Matthews (LR) ‘s Answers
1. What do you plan on doing to increase activity in Titulia? Would you plan any off-site activities to increase participation and interest in Titulia?
Well, I am not certain what you mean by off-site activities, but simply put, a Money-Reformer administration will have two areas of emphasis: immigration and development of Titulia City.
By development of Titulia City, I mean development of more a wider range of experiences for the citizens. As head of the Citizen Services department during President Brady’s first term, I introduced a citizen activities grant program to encourage entrepreneurs to develop more entertainment options for the citizenry. I conducted a poll and the republic expressed definite interest in having other activities, such as a cinema, a chess club, a bowling alley, etc.
To encourage use of Titulia City, as part of our makeover plan for the Titulia home page, we are proposing that a live, slightly scaled-down version of the city map be embedded at the top of the home page.
I know you have a question specifically about immigration, so I will address our immigration plans there.
Both campaigns are in sync with the policy of approach to the issue of immigration. Unless the expected gains are realised there isn't much point devising an immigration policy at all. I can only assume this was envisioned by President Brady by not having an Immigration department. So far no one has found mass pools of potential new citizens to tap into and this will be the sticking point for any government immigration policy or legislatived approach.
There is a new word coming into the immigration debate that I think has been long overdue and that's the word "retention". Generic citizen popularity trends show that fewer minority parties exist compared to previous months due to massive emigrations and citizens having enough of the fighting and the perception of biases towards individuals and collective groups.
Whether it exists or it doesn't is hardly the issue when that's what some think and they leave or go inactive. The end result is the same and it's hurting Titulia's prosperity as a place for all and many more people should be here when they're not. Each citizen carries their pride and honour on their sleeve but it has no place when human costs keep racking up and we start placing a greater value on our social stature and not enough to our whole picture. If we can succeed in birthing a new way for citizens to be made to come to the table in a mature way and don't get up until they've arbitrated their grievances, we have taken a step forward in addressing the retention issue and the root causes for net losses in immigration strategy.
My belief is before we attract new citizens we need to reform the environment. I have no doubt there will be more emigrations down the way unless we can find agreement on how to found a fair,truly independent and effective dispute resolution system to keep more citizens in Titulia and have their right to be heard protected by their government in a better way.
2. What would your Government do on the highly debated issue on a legislature? Would a Pijanowski-type legislature be created or would there be a quota up for debate?
I personally do not feel we need a legislature at this time, but I supported, and still support, the plan introduced by Codex which ultimately won overwhelming approval, and which is currently awaiting action by the site administrators. So, there is no need for debate. The plan for how a legislature will be implemented has already passed.
Codex's plan calls for a lower house made up of the citizenry, and an upper house comprised of elected representatives from five divisions. I strongly favor maintaining the current public proposition system in some form or another, and Codex's plan does that.
Each citizen comes from a different place in the world and has given the republic a good understanding of how their own countries and states make and pass laws. From that sharing we've seen some different legislative models put up,most recently from Sec Pijanowski and Mr Codex.
Countries that bare different electoral selections choosing heads of government versus legislatures will say that it is conventional wisdom to have a President or Prime Minister of one party and a parliament of another. If you ask the Titulian governments that benefited from their own systems they will tell you they like the system the way it is. Titulia today struggles with the idea of putting absolute power in one place,whether it be Liberty House, the direct legislature or the court and that's what happens where the officials come from a singular frame.
To aim for perfection is senselessly shooting the moon and someone's always going to be unhappy with the model for the first fully elected legislature. On the question of approach I'd say that I'm not comfortable with Liberty House or the party in power controlling its fate as it would be seen as the executive trying to mold the people's branch of government. The President centainly has an important role to play and I see that role as assisting the citizens in their quest for an elected legislature. That will be my approach if I am elected.
I have no lack of confidence in the debate continuing and it will continue until we achieve a system with real checks and oversight.
3. On Immigration, What would your administration do to bring in more new citizens? Would government money be used? If yes, how would it be spent?
Here are the basics of the Money-Reformer immigration plan:
1. We will beef up the Immigration department, by adding two undersecretaries, who will help the secretary manage a paid team of recruiters, the size of which will be determined later, based on need and interest in the positions.
2. Instead of placing emphasis on volume, we will emphasize quality. By quality, I mean the quality of sites targeted for posting links. It is important to target sites whose clientele not only might be interested in Titulia, but whose clientele would likely be interested. The Secretary of Immigration, and his undersecretaries, will be charged with creating a list of sites with the strongest potential to yield immigrants to Titulia.
3. We will also place an emphasis on the quality of the message accompanying the links being posted. It is a competitive world, and our message must be competitive. We will enlist the help of the professional writers who are citizens of Titulia to create attractive messages to be posted with the links. I use the plural of message because we will need more than one, each tailored to some degree for the audience targeted.
4. We will structure our plan to be an ongoing effort, spanning multiple presidencies, because for the foreseeable future, concerted efforts to attract new immigrants will be required. By structuring our efforts in this area to exist beyond a Money-Reformer administration, we will provide a framework for there to be continuity in the republic’s immigration strategies.
If we are elected, Greg Hock will spearhead our efforts to attract new immigrants as Secretary of Immigration, and I thank him for his willingness to take on this critical position. Greg has already shared with me some of his ideas, and I am excited to get started. One of his key ideas involves targeting groups of potential citizens who will help us grow; people such as law students and web designers and programmers.
One other action we intend to take in the area of immigration is to reach out to a number of the former citizens who made strong contributions during there days in Titulia and ask them to consider rejoining us.
4. Government Funds are reportedly low (in some areas). Would you consider a tax? If not, what are your plans for raising/increasing capital gain for the government?
I am not aware that government funds are low, quite the opposite. There is a rather large government surplus of more than T$40,000. So, no, I would not consider a tax. I believe you are referring to some confusion over the funding of the Culture department, but as I understand it, that was simply a misunderstanding. The government has ample funds, and will receive more at the start of the next presidential term. That said, I certainly support the government charging for certain services, just as real-world governments do.
Taxation: I am completely opposed to the introduction of a taxation,a user fee system or government charges for services of any kind.
Capital expenditure: The LRP's JEN Initiative will increase citizen opportunities for study and its cost will be offset by the citizens paying it off once they're in gainful employment. Employers will have the added confidence to expand their workforces by being able to offer decent salaries under the employment component of the plan.
The cost of the employment component will be offset through renewed consumer confidence in the long term viabilility of trading provided through the JEN Initiative and we should start to see steady growth in production that will also improve life in Titulia and the drive of citizen participation.
Tender and contract transparency: Over the last two terms in office the cost of government infrastructure carried the majority of budget and and internal executive appropriations. It was a one off expense to the republic and has benefits for greater citizen engagement opportunities in the long term.
Under a Carmody-Matthews govt we will use the Nolan Rules system for government tenders. In short the Nolan system works on an independent panel system that sorts through the tenders received and makes a shortlist for the Minister. It will be based on cost,ability to deliver on schedule and a commitment from the contractor to bring all costs in on budget. It takes the government out of the initial receiving line and and creates further transparency to the selection of all government contracts.
Public accountability: The govt receives 10000 tollars per month that adds on to the existing state capital and the citizens have every right to expect that is soundly managed. To add to the checking system at the Bank of Titulia,my government will publish a blog every time money is paid from government accounts, transferred between government accounts and the reason for that transfer of money.
Financial growth: I don't disagree that the government should look for ways to increase the public capital but I wouldn't commit to anything before knowing how it would work and what impact it could have later on. This isn't based on one government's choices but a line of choices that happens over time.
There's a different approach to realising good financial management than a government making money to reach the line. My goal as President will be responsible spending and work to keep a surplus for later need. Through continued diligence, good economic management and added transparency in reporting the public will be the beneficiaries of improved confidence in the state of the public accounts.
5. What services and policies would continue from the previous Administration? Do you plan on introducing new policies? Perhaps any similar to FDR's New Deal? or any other Progressive reforms?
There will be no Money-Reformer New Deal. As we stated from the beginning of our campaign, our intention is to continue the good work of the Brady-Reformer administration. Therefore, we will continue a number of the programs begun under President Brady, including the citizen services grants. Also, we will review the government-run lottery, and possibly continue to fund that program. The Law Review Commission definitely will continue its activity, should we be elected, with Attorney General William Tvarivich as its chair. Drmanhaton has agreed to serve with William on the LRC.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all the people at TC MediaCorp for the opportunity to answer your questions.
The Carmody-Matthews campaign have pledged to continue the policy work of the Sec Pijanowski's arts program.
TADF: We will protect the Titulian Arts Development Fund (TADF) from ever running low again by working with the Minister-designate responsible to alter the budget structure. Part of the added problem has been the change to election convention in this cycle creating a longer time in office for the Brady govt. That isn't the fault of the TADF program and our campaign rejects that assertion.
Instead of budgeting based on an election expectation of 28-37 days, we will put forward one of two solutions leading up to the drafting of the Titulian Arts Development Fund Readjustment Act 2010.
Option A: To approve the same award figures but on an individual award certification basis. So instead of appropriating a fixed (4 x 300 t) + (1 x 400 t) package, ask the citizens to convert it a running authorisation to make award dispersements of same value.
I would endorse this way as it would allow the program to continue during transitions without interruption by the incoming govt's budget hold ups. If the new govt wants to scrap the program all they would need to do is move a bill to repeal the act.
Option B: To put forward a new bill when the balance is in danger of running low, but before it runs out. If any balance exists at the end of each government's term it will be transferred back to the trust account as per new laws.
TC-TNC SUPPORTS AIDSWALK NYC. PLEASE CLICK THE BANNER BELOW TO DONATE FOR FINDING A CURE. ALL CURRENCIES MUST BE CONVERTED INTO USD. ANY AMOUNT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
No comments:
Post a Comment