NationStates Jolt Archive


It's that time again...elections in New Genoa

New Genoa
29-12-2006, 05:39
That's right, it's that time again in New Genoa.

The past few years in New Genoese politics have seen the introduction of a new political contender in the nation's multi-party system, the Neoliberal Party, which was formed by ex-Liberal and current presidential incumbent Derek Jackson. With members coming from both major political parties (Liberal and Conservative) and by forming cunning political alliances (Liberals on social, Conservatives on fiscal), the Neoliberals were able to manage to push forth many of their proposed reforms despite a minority in the House and Senate.

Despite these new reforms (including the elimination of the income tax), many New Genoans are quite disgruntled with the incumbent contender.

"I voted for a Liberal, not a Conservative in Liberal clothing," says one Blue City resident, Dan Amelio.

"It's disheartening that Mr. Jackson would neglect the millions upon millions of New Genoans who put their trust into him, and then turn on them by forming this new party...without their consent!" says talk show commenter Randy Sanjo.

"Jackson is a nut. He's not a small government advocate, he's an advocate for anarchy, and that is something I cannot put any political faith into," says local Conservative member and Southport resident Nicholas Harrison.

Despite lower approval ratings than his predecessor, Alexander Carter, Jackson still has many supporters.

"It's about damn time someone decided to break the left-right paradigm and introduce a bit of economic and social freedom!" says Jennifer Henson, resident of East Genoa.

"Mr. Jackson has done so much more for Conservative New Genoans than their own party, and despite the whining of a few old grouches about 'anarchy,' the best choice for a fiscally responsible government would be in the Neoliberals. No doubt about it," says ex-Conservative and mayor of New Venice, John Howell.

This year's race promises to be an interesting one, especially with polls indicating that the centrist Blue Party is poised to make significant gains. With New Genoans tiring of the heavy tax burden from the Liberals, and the no social welfare whatsoever propositions from Conservatives and Neoliberals, the centrist party has become an appealing choice for the first time in over twenty years.

Now, onto the candidates:

Liberal Party: Dan Wolfson
On the issues:
-more social programs and increased spending on public health care and education
-continue to cut spending on the military
-increased funding on environmental issues
What he says: Derek Jackson was elected to serve this nation's interests, and those interests were of Liberal origin. Unfortunately, he's betrayed his constituents. Social spending has hit an all-time low, and with that, more and more New Genoans are slipping into poverty. His increased cuts to public health care have aided the boom of the private health care system, but have all but demolished the poor New Genoan's access to quality health care as the public system struggles to make end's meet with its inadequate funding. It's time to reintroduce the New Genoa way. We are not a nation of "every man for himself" - we are a modern liberal democracy, and we ought to start behaving like one.

Conservative Party: Richard Stevenson
On the issues:
-fiscal responsibility (cut public spending, environmental spending, etc)
-increased funding of the military and police
-cracking down on "hard" drugs (criminalizing meth, cocaine, heroin, etc.)
-banning partial birth abortions
-harsher penalties for convicted murderers, rapists, and pedophiles
What he says: President Jackson may be correct on one thing: New Genoa needs small government. What he's wrong on is everything else. When we speak of "small government" we do not mean total and utter anarchy. In addition to cutting public spending, Mr. Jackson has also cut spending on providing our boys in uniform with quality training and equipment. He's supported cutting federal support of provincial law enforcement. Since then, crime in Blue City and New Genoa has skyrocketed. He's become a fanatic in his non-spending spree such that he wishes to leave this nation a nation of crime and anarchy, rather than a civilized nation of freedom and justice.

But this isn't the only issue I wish to address. For too long social issues in New Genoa have been a taboo subject. We are the pinnacle of social freedom, after all. But it's time to end the political correctness and address the real issues at hand. We claim to be a free nation dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For the most part, I agree. In very few other places around the world will you find a nation with freer speech, or freer ability to do as you please. But we seem to be lacking on the first freedom on that list: life. Every year, thousands of children are killed in abortion clinics, and it's high-time somebody stood up for them as well. The Liberals may try to make it seem like it's a "woman's right," but there is no right to murder. Every year, we are allowing the murder of thousands of children, but spare the lives of rapists, murderers, and pedophiles. Why? What injustice have these children done? Their conception was not their choice, and yet we decide they are unworthy of life...while at the same time, murderers who made the conscious choice to kill are treated like royalty. It's time to crack down on these people, and it's time to start standing up for those who cannot defend themselves. Additionally, I'd like to address something that may shock many of our younger New Genoans: drug laws. If there's a drug, you can bet that it's legal in New Genoa. In theory, that is fine...your body, your choice, victimless crime, right? Unfortunately, for "hard" drugs like cocaine and heroin, it isn't a victimless crime. It becomes a crime that affects the user's family and community. When you rob a store to feed your habit, it is no longer victimless. In fact, in Blue City, where these drugs are proliferated at the most, crime is higher than anywhere else in New Genoa. Strange coincidence? I doubt it. It's time to crack down on drugs to keep this great nation safe and free.

Neoliberal Party: Derek Jackson
On the issues:
-fiscal responsibility (cutting spending in social programs, environmental programs, military, et cetera)
-maintaining the status quo on social freedoms
What he says: I would like to thank those who have supported me, and still support me. I have nothing but respect for you. And as for those new supporters, I say: "Welcome!" It is true that the Neoliberal Party is a party that New Genoa has never seen before: a party that fuses the concept of social and economic freedom. My own interest in this philosophy arose two years into my term, after I had spent a large sum of time reading into this idea of "neoliberalism." It intrigued me, so I endeavored to meet several important neoliberal characters so I could personally understand their politics. I was instantly hooked. Before, I was regarded as a moderate Liberal due to my capitalist sympathies, now I can claim to be a soft Neoliberal, due to my old liberal sympathies! (laugh) Anyway, I would like to dispel several myths propagated by my opponents. As is expected, they have both predicted doom and gloom for our great nation. Nevertheless, since our tax reform and the elimination of the income tax, inflation has been put under control and New Genoans are funneling more money into the economy now more than ever. Incomes have increased significantly, and we've maintained the socially free image that we are so proud of. The reason the less fortunate New Genoans have yet to reap the rewards is simple: the system is still not purely capitalist, and the government is hindering private enterprise from extending the same benefits to all. Logically, the best way to resolve these problems is not to introduce their old causes (democratic socialism), but to remove it further! Replying to my Conservative opponents on the military...I would like to know why New Genoa needs such a robust army...who are we fighting? We've benefited infinitely more from a diplomatic, pacifistic stance more than a militaristic one. Our military is designed to defend, not to go on the offense. Remember the last time New Genoa engaged in a major war...Melkor Unchained...tens of thousands died. Our economy was hit hard after the war. Tensions flared even after the war with Melkor and our own land was threatened with invasion. We see no reason whatsoever to continue a militaristic policy.

Blue Party: Sarah Marinozza
On the issues:
-centrist economically -- NO EXTREMES
-slightly liberal socially (diverse opinions and more focused on economic centrism)
What she says: My message will be brief, because it is clear what New Genoans want: moderation. Both Conservatives, Liberals, and even Neoliberals claim New Genoa needs their version of economic harmony, but they forget that the economy is maintained by human forces, and that economic theory is therefore imperfect. We see no reason to constrict our economy from growing; we encourage it! But at the same time, we do not see a need to cut off our more unfortunate citizens from the money that they need to get back on their feet and successfully compete in a modern society. The Blue Party will anyone from any side of the spectrum socially so long as they agree on economic moderation... it is time to stop thinking about party politics and utopian visions, and to start thinking about New Genoa first.

Other minor candidates include the left-wing environmentalist Green Party (Deborah Raines), the nationalist Purity Party (Donald Sampson), and the Communist Party (Vladimir Putin).

We promise to include more updates on the election in the future, so stay tuned!
Steel Butterfly
29-12-2006, 05:56
[OOC: Vladimir Putin running as the Communist Party candidate? Lol...apparently Russia isn't enough...now he wants New Genoa! You should put him as the KGB party. They run Russia anyhow, and are basically the prime example of a party in a one-party state...er..."democracy"]

"Sir," an aide said, stepping into the open door of the Emperor's office and knocking on the door frame. "Elections are occuring in New Genoa..." The aide walked to the desk and placed a PADD with the election information in front of the Emperor.

A smirk slowly crossed Emperor Dave Bivens's face. Many in the Empire secretly thought it wasn't right for the Emperor, an official for life, to mock the electoral process which they didn't make him deal with, however Bivens couldn't get enough of the sport of it. He loved how the candidates would fight it out over the months of campaigning, and would often make bets with those in his inner circle on who would win.

"Hmm," Bivens mumbled to the aide. He was really talking to himself, but 'luckily' for the aide, he would have to stay and listen. "I like the concept of socially liberal and financially conservative, but obviously I'm an advocate for a large, powerful federal government." He paused, thinking of what to do. "Aide, prepare a statement to the New Genoese in support of either incumbant Derek Jackson or challenger Richard Stevenson. If you can, try to get this statement on the air in New Genoa...radio...television...before movies...whatever..."

"Yes, sir," the aide replied, exiting the Imperial Office. Bivens leaned back in his chair. It was more than beneficial that the Empire remained on friendly terms with New Genoa. For Bivens, he was simply trying to chose his friends.

http://209.85.48.8/237/117/upload/p698781.png
Emperor David Bivens
The Star Empire of
Steel Butterfly in
the Orion Sector
Vrak
29-12-2006, 11:14
ooc: holy crap! New Genoa is back?
Knootian East Indies
29-12-2006, 14:50
OOC: zomg *votes liberal*
New Genoa
29-12-2006, 19:02
For a comparison, here are the standings of the political parties in New Genoa:

Liberal:
Economic Left/Right: -5.13
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.15

Conservative:
Economic Left/Right: 6.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.15

Neoliberal:
Economic Left/Right: 9.13
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.74

Blue:
Economic Left/Right: -2.63
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.79

Green:
Economic Left/Right: -5.13
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.15
(add more environmental focus)

Purity:
Economic Left/Right: -1.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 5.05

Communist:
Economic Left/Right: -9.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.46

OOC: yes, we're so liberal that our conservatives fall in the negative area for social libertarian...but the test isn't 100% accurate either...also remember that religion does not play a role in our politics at all...
Steel Butterfly
29-12-2006, 22:43
ooc: holy crap! New Genoa is back?

OOC: Holy crap! A fellow Order member is alive? (I guess I did talk to sketch too...)
New Genoa
31-12-2006, 04:11
The results are in:

Senate: 35 seats
Liberal: 13 seats [17]*
Conservative: 13 seats [12]
Neoliberal: 1 seat [3]
Blue: 8 seats [3]

House: 700 seats
Liberal: 300 seats [324]
Conservative: 280 seats [263]
Blue: 100 seats [43]
Neoliberal: 20 seats [58]
[Green Party: 12 seats]**

Presidency:
Conservative: Richard Stevenson (42%)
Liberal: Dan Wolfson (41%)
Neoliberal: Derek Jackson (8%)
Blue: Sarah Marinozza (8%)
Green: Deborah Raines (0.6%)
Communist: Vladimir Putin (0.2%)
Purity: Donald Sampson (0.2%)

Victors:

Conservative Richard Stevenson wins the presidency.
Liberals win plurality in House.

*[brackets] indicate prior standing.
**The Green Party did not win any seats this election.