TV Debate Questions

[Marco Zimmer]

1 Alduria has many regional ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities. How should we protect them and integrate them into Aldurian society?
2 The world of Micras is very complicated. What is the role you see for Alduria in the community of nations?
3 Do you think the Law of Graces should remain?
4 Do you think Alduria should limit immigration?
5 Do you think immigrants enrich our country or harm our country?
6 What kind of health care system do you envision as ideal for Alduria and its people?
7 Oil and gas are key and strategic Aldurian industries. What do you think about government ownership of those industries?
8 Would you consider yourself tech-optimistic or tech-pessimistic? Do you think technology can help Alduria become a better and more prosperous society?
9 Do you support same-sex marriage? Why or why not?
10 Do you think Alduria should remain neutral? If not, do you think it should join the Raspur Pact or the USSO?
11What kind of educational system do you envision as ideal for Alduria?
12 Do you think greater integration and cooperation with our Euran neighbors like Constancia and the Florian Republic is a good or bad step for Alduria?
13 What economic policies would you put in place to grow Alduria’s economy?
14 What would you do to combat income inequality?
15 What are your thoughts on the recent DSP-LDP coalition and its agenda?
16 What will you and your party do in Parliament in this session?
17 With our water crisis behind us, what other measures do you think can be implemented to ensure water security for our country?

[Recks]

1 Alduria has many regional ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities. How should we protect them and integrate them into Aldurian society?
Atanasio Paredes (AP): It must be a priority to forge a common Aldurian national identity. The Aldurian National Alliance believes that this is a key priority that any political movement must address - and we will address this issue head-on. First, we must respect traditional values that underpin social norms and societal expectations. Under my leadership, we have continually sought to promote family values - something that socialists and libertine factions are unwilling to promote. While no minority should feel unwelcome in Alduria, we must also recognize that our first identity must be Aldurian!  That is why the Aldurian National Alliance supports enhancing Aldurian cultural institutions - to integrate the many backgrounds of our citizens into a single unified Alduria.

2 The world of Micras is very complicated. What is the role you see for Alduria in the community of nations?
AP: It is beyond doubt that the geopolitical situation of Micras is mired in complexity. Our solution for the Aldurian people is to put Alduria first, in all of our external affairs. This means neutrality in ongoing affairs that don't involve our homeland - or our continent, for that matter. It means re-evaluating trade deals that benefit the rich merchant class at the expense of good-paying Aldurian jobs. And this means limiting immigration and cheap imported goods so that what Alduria can be self-sufficient, reliant on ourselves and our own ingenuity. I see Alduria as a nation that embraces its potential to become a pan-Euran superpower, but which only uses its might for the betterment of our own people.

3 Do you think the Law of Graces should remain?
AP: Let me be clear on this issue: the Aldurian National Alliance believes firmly that unrestricted immigration is bad for our country and for our people. The Law of Graces, while it sounds good on paper, really amounts to nothing more than unrestricted immigration. It means anyone of certain ethnic origins can come here and rely on our system that they had no part in building. In short, the Law of Graces means the exploitation of the Aldurian people by a parasitical foreign population. We in the Aldurian National Alliance believe that those who have come here so far should be entitled to remain in Alduria, provided they continue to contribute to our culture and society. But by no means should we continue to enforce, let alone expand upon, this poorly-begotten policy which deprives Alduria of a true identity.

4 Do you think Alduria should limit immigration?
AP: Yes, I do believe that Alduria, as a sovereign nation under the rule of law, ought to restrict who comes into our nation. Step back for a second: what nation in Micras is willing to take the leftovers, the dregs, of any society? The answer is, essentially, only Alduria. We should not be in a position where we have to rely upon inflows of low-skilled, low-value migrants. Instead, we ought to enact and enforce legislation that does indeed put skills and assimilation first. And we must ensure that illegal entry is harshly cracked down on by the state to protect our territorial integrity from invasion - because unauthorized immigration really is just that - an invasion!

5 Do you think immigrants enrich our country or harm our country?
AP: I think immigrants have the potential to bring skills to Alduria, however under our current system of welcoming whoever decides to set foot in our nation as a brand-new citizen, I think it is highly detrimental. As it stands today, immigrants are a burden on the Aldurian state - we have to assimulate these people into our emerging culture. Just think of how hard it is to learn a new language, new customs, new rules - that is what immigrants rely on the government to do for them! We cannot - and should not - support massive inflows of migration here in Alduria. Only by reforming our immigration system can we harness the potential good that can come from abroad. The Aldurian National Alliance's reform would be to a quota-limited, skills-based, assimilation-required immigration plan.

6 What kind of health care system do you envision as ideal for Alduria and its people?
AP: Our ideal vision for healthcare involves a variety of options for Aldurian citizens to be able to choose from. While other parties have expressed dogmatic views on polar ends of the spectrum, the Aldurian National Alliance continues to call for private and public, for-profit and non-profit alternatives that will allow competition to determine the best plans for each individual. Let me outline each of the four programs we see as playing a role in our healthcare plan. First, private for-profit would look like traditional insurance plans. Public for-profit would be a government-run alternative insurance plan, to cut down on administrative costs and keep private firms competitive. Private non-profit would be charity-driven hospitals, often run by churches or other groups. And finally, public non-profit would be state-run hospitals and medical clinics. This plan is comprehensive, isn't ideologically-motivated, and is consistent with the highest quality care available.

7 Oil and gas are key and strategic Aldurian industries. What do you think about government ownership of those industries?
AP: Oil and gas are key resources that belong to all people of Alduria. To sell them off to the highest bidder is not only wrong on that basis, but also based upon who will benefit: trust me, friends, it will not be regular folks like you and me. No, the beneficiaries of privatization will be the big banks, the super wealthy investors, and foreign firms that will be able to get their oil more cheaply - in effect, the exploitative classes will benefit from the idea of privatization. And that is why the loudest proponents of privatization have clung to the libertarian message: like all libertarian ideas, it is because they believe that they will benefit more than anyone else! I believe in government-ownership of these industries, and to use our shared profits as a nation to invest in infrastructure that would be unimaginable without public ownership.

8 Would you consider yourself tech-optimistic or tech-pessimistic? Do you think technology can help Alduria become a better and more prosperous society?
AP: If you'll allow me to reject the dichotomy offered, I would consider myself to be a tech-realist. What does this mean? Well, I see technology as having the clear potential to ensure Aldurians are made better off as a whole. This includes making government more responsive to the people, making infrastructure investments in communications that were impossible a short while ago, and providing basic services - like healthcare and education - more efficiently. But technology cannot be used as a cure-all, because then we'd be left with a society where the only beneficiaries are the connected elites and the powerful lobbying interests who are able to get by without contributing to society at-large. Technology is a tool, and like any other tool, it can be used for ill or for good. It is up to us legislators to react to the will of the people in harnessing technology for all Aldurians.

9 Do you support same-sex marriage? Why or why not?
AP: It will come as no surprise that I oppose same-sex unions. Marriage is explicitly between a man and a woman - not between two men or two women. Sexual impurity is a real issue, and it leads to a number of deleterious outcomes. First, same-sex unions can undermine traditional families by giving unfaithful partners the opportunity to leave their existing marriage and go off on some adulterous, pretend "marriage." Second, same-sex relations lead to the spread of heinous diseases and see unusually-high levels of suicide and abuse. This isn't healthy for any society, let alone a relatively new and developing one. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, same-sex unions are a part of a post-modern agenda that would tell you up is down, east is west, and wrong is right. This attack on basic truth, on the basic definition of marriage, as understood for millennia, is bad for Alduria.

10 Do you think Alduria should remain neutral? If not, do you think it should join the Raspur Pact or the USSO?
AP: I firmly believe in Aldurian neutrality abroad. Joining up with either the Raspur Pact or the USSO would only see us relying on foreign powers, beholden to masters in faraway capitals, and unable to best serve our own interests. As I said earlier, Aldurian interests must be first and foremost in our geopolitical dealings. That includes controlling our own immigration and deciding who we want to move in to be our neighbors. That includes revisiting poorly-conceived trade deals that export jobs overseas in exchange for cheap trinkets. And Alduria first means protecting and expanding our borders without consideration of what potential overlords might think of our decisions. That is why the Aldurian National Alliance supports an official position of neutrality in the Micran conflict between the Raspur Pact and the USSO.

11What kind of educational system do you envision as ideal for Alduria?
AP: A first-class education system is a must for any developing nation. For Alduria, this means the development of not only primary and secondary education systems, but also a tertiary system that equips everyday Aldurians to become successful entrepreneurs and engineers, teachers and doctors. But, if we are being honest with ourselves, the most important type of career in a burgeoning nation must be the trades. From welders to plumbers, masons to electricians, we need more of these workers. The primary duty of any educator is to provide the skills for a successful and prosperous career, and pushing all of our children into universities around the globe is not feasible nor desirable. Let's build up Alduria's skills, and education will play a key role in this picture.

12 Do you think greater integration and cooperation with our Euran neighbors like Constancia and the Florian Republic is a good or bad step for Alduria?
AP: I do not believe in any type of integration with foreign entities, as this kind of entanglement will result in a loss of Aldurian sovereignty and impose the will of other nations onto our parliament and our people. When I hear words like integration, the inevitable outcome is the loss of our developing culture, the loss of our developing identity, and for what? For warm fuzzy feelings, that is it! What our party, the Aldurian National Alliance, does believe is in promoting Alduria's standing around the world. And this starts with economic development focused at home, not abroad. We cannot continue to export our wealth in exchange for cheap imports, and that applies here in Eura just as much as it does elsewhere in Micras.

13 What economic policies would you put in place to grow Alduria’s economy?
AP: The Aldurian National Alliance offers a third-way forward for our economy. We don't want you to be left on your own, as libertarians would have it. Nor do we want you to become nothing more than a part of a machine, as the socialists would have it. Instead, we believe in a strong mixture of state and private institutions which can support a high-quality of life across Alduria. That means investing in infrastructure and other public services, and it means tackling the big-money interests that control the government. Yes, I support a higher tax on the super-rich to ensure that we have an adequate social safety net. No Aldurian should have to worry about going hungry or without water. At the same time, by providing these types of backstops, we will grow our economy substantially - encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.

14 What would you do to combat income inequality?
AP: As I travel from my home in Corrada del Rio to the national capital in Punta Santiago, the income inequality is clearly on display. We cannot continue to be a nation where the capital district brings in untold riches while the rest of our nation lives in comparative penury. It simply is not sustainable, nor is it equitable. While many politicians decide to head to the Capital District, I believe that we should instead spread out the bureaucracy and center of power back to the states while giving special infrastructure investments to the frontiers of our nation. Where you live determines far too much about what type of income you'll end up earning - and it will take a proactive government to correct these systemic regional inequities.

15 What are your thoughts on the recent DSP-LDP coalition and its agenda?
AP: The new coalition has exposed one fact for certain: the established interests are afraid of the common people. The major parties are afraid of the Aldurian National Alliance, they're afraid of our voters and supports. In short, they are afraid of you and your voice. Their whole agenda has been one of running scared, trying to lock in policies that the voters have every right to reject down the road. Take their pledge to constitutionally-enshrine open borders policy. We just fought a general election, and nowhere is this radical idea to be found in either of their platforms. That's right: the coalition is already breaking its promises to the Aldurian people. And what of the DSP? Nobody voted for that party in the last election: but now we see their true far-left colors. Mark my words: this is an illegitimate coalition!

16 What will you and your party do in Parliament in this session?
AP: As the official leader of the opposition, it will be my job to ensure that there is all necessary scrutiny of the radical proposals coming out of the government. We will not obstruct for obstructions' sake, but we will hold the government to their manifestos that they ran on. Any deviation can only be seen as a thumb in the nose of the Aldurian voters who elected us. Meanwhile, when we have the opportunity to put forth legislation, it will be to the benefit of a common culture, a shared sense of belonging. This includes tackling inter-regional inequality, providing world-class public services, and of course standing up against the immoral scourge that this government coalition represents. In short, as the official voice of the millions of Aldurians who didn't vote for the LDP or DSP, we will stand up for your interests first and foremost!

17 With our water crisis behind us, what other measures do you think can be implemented to ensure water security for our country?
AP: National security is a huge area where the Aldurian National Alliance has a recognized advantage. And our security cannot be complete no matter how strong our armed forces are if we do not have water security. This is an area where we must continue to do more than the previous government - where we must find new and innovative solutions, not by centralized control alone. Instead, we must look to the knowledge of everyday people, and incentivize them to conserve this precious resource. Does this mean turning off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth? Absolutely. Does this mean not watering your lawn as frequently? You better believe it! But these types of small solutions can contribute to a broader, more sustainable solution for the Aldurian Republic. At the end of the day, we must remain proactive with our scarce water resources to prevent any future crises.

[Alfonso Velez]

1 Alduria has many regional ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities. How should we protect them and integrate them into Aldurian society?

Alduria is a great melting pot of diverse cultures and beliefs who have come together to forge our great Republic. Our Government will work to continue to protect minorities and celebrate our shared diversity. We recognize that our diversity makes us stronger--not weaker--and that we find unity in our differing backgrounds rather than divisiveness. One concrete action we’ll be taking is to enshrine the Law of the Graces into the Constitution to ensure that no future extremist Government will threaten immigration of future citizens who wish to contribute to our Republic. This Government will continue to protect the rights of all citizens, and encourage them to be constructive participants in society and will always stand against any attempts to suppress or limit their rights and freedoms.

2 The world of Micras is very complicated. What is the role you see for Alduria in the community of nations?

Alduria will continue to remain a vibrant trading partner in Micras. We will continue to promote trade-friendly policies that will ensure good relations with our neighbors. I strongly believe that a key component of world peace is trade. We will continue to forge new trade relationships and deepen our friendly relations with the nations of Micras. I look forward to Alduria continue to strengthen our bonds with other nations throughout Micras and continue to establish itself as a peaceful nation of trade. We will continue to avoid involvement in unnecessary foreign entanglements by putting the needs of Alduria first and foremost. We will not isolate ourselves from Micras and will always be active participants on the world stage and good neighbors--but we will always steer clear of becoming involved in entanglements that do not concern our national interests and security.


3 Do you think the Law of Graces should remain?

Yes, our Republic is made stronger by the contributions of immigrants from all across Micras. Our great Republic would not be what it is today without the hard working contributions of so many who came to these shores from elsewhere. We must ensure that the Grace that has so benefited our society remains. That is why this Government is taking the important step of codifying the Law of Graces into the Constitution so that an extremist Government could not easily undo this important Aldurian value. This Government will always welcome anyone to these shores who is committed to Aldurian values and to strengthening the Republic.


4 Do you think Alduria should limit immigration?

No. Our Republic is made stronger by immigration, not weaker. We are a country that has literally been built by immigrants and we will only be strengthened by further immigration. The only limits that should be placed on immigration are preventing persons with certain criminal records from entering our Republic or preventing individuals who represent a clear and present danger to the Republic or National Security from entering our shores. We will ensure that a common-sense immigration system is integrated and protected into the Constitution that will achieve this proper balance.


5 Do you think immigrants enrich our country or harm our country?

Again, we are a country made stronger by immigration, not weaker. The diverse views and backgrounds that people bring with them to Alduria encourage innovation and collaboration. The hard work put into this Republic by hard working business-owners, craftspersons, labourers, etc. strengthens our Republic and helps enrich our economy and culture. We must continue to welcome everyone to our shores who is committed to strengthening this Republic.


6 What kind of health care system do you envision as ideal for Alduria and its people?

This Government will ensure that healthcare decisions remain completely in your control. In order to do this, we will continue to support private insurance plans. We will take steps to ensure that the insurance market remains competitive so that the quality of these plans remains high and prices remain low. By fostering more private competition, we can drive down healthcare costs and improve the quality of service for all Aldurians. We will also take greater steps to regulate the market to ensure that citizens receive the coverage they need and deserve. We will also provide subsidies for low-income families to ensure that every Aldurian is able to obtain health insurance--but we will ensure that the decision on what insurance policy best meets their needs remains with them.


7 Oil and gas are key and strategic Aldurian industries. What do you think about government ownership of those industries?

This Government recognizes the value in private-public partnerships in all areas of infrastructure and commerce--and the oil industry is no different. This Government will work to gradually involve private companies in our oil industries, but will do so in a careful way that will give private companies shares in no more than 40% of our oil industry. This solution will have the benefit of both the public and private worlds. Our citizens will continue to control our oil supply, but we will also benefit from private investment and innovation which, in turn, will stimulate our economy and bring jobs and prosperity to our citizens. 

8 Would you consider yourself tech-optimistic or tech-pessimistic? Do you think technology can help Alduria become a better and more prosperous society?

As an owner of many technology businesses, it comes as no surprise that I’m tech-optimistic! Technology has already transformed our lives for the better in so many ways and in so many areas. Whether it’s healthcare, dating, social engagement, transportation--or anything, really, technology has impacted our lives in so many ways. I believe that technology will continue to strengthen all of us and our society. By working hard to be early adopters to technology change, we can ensure that Alduria will always be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology--and can also establish itself as a leader in job creation in this industry which can only benefit our society and our economy.

9 Do you support same-sex marriage? Why or why not?

It’ll come as no surprise that I support same-sex marriage! I haven’t found the right guy yet--I’m pretty much married to my job right now--but at some point, I want to marry the man that I hope to one day meet and fall in love with. I’m proud that our party led and won the fight to legalize same-sex marriage so that all Aldurians can marry the person that they love. I’m also proud that we have ensured that religious organizations can decide for themselves whether or not to conduct same-sex marriages. This Government respects the right of all religions to act in accordance with their tenants and convictions--while also respecting the right of all people to have their love recognized and legalized by the Government.

10 Do you think Alduria should remain neutral? If not, do you think it should join the Raspur Pact or the USSO?

I believe that Alduria should always put the needs of Alduria first. As a consequence of this belief, it has been in our interests to remain neutral yet engaged in the international community. At this time, I believe it remains in the best interest of our Republic not to formally become involved in either the Raspur Pact or the USSO. This does not mean that we should be isolated from Micras however. We can and will continue to be active in the international community and work hard to ensure that trade and peace are maintained throughout Micras. We will only break our neutrality, however, if our national security or interests are threatened.


11What kind of educational system do you envision as ideal for Alduria?

I believe that local governments are best equipped to deal with our educational system. What works here in the Capital may not work well in Susa and vice-versa. Also, greater local control of education gives parents a greater say in what their children learn and what priorities should be allocated to curriculums. I support the national Government funding locally-directed educational systems which, in my view, is the best of both worlds. We will give communities the resources to educate the future leaders of Alduria and will ensure that parents and local government have the most say about education--not unelected bureaucrats in Punta Santiago. The Government will take action to formalize this funding solution in legislation during this Parliament to ensure that every Aldurian child gets access to a quality education.


12 Do you think greater integration and cooperation with our Euran neighbors like Constancia and the Florian Republic is a good or bad step for Alduria?

I strongly support greater cooperation and trade integration with all of our Euran neighbors. Any step that we can take in furthering good relations and trade with our neighbors is good for our Republic--and this Government will continue to promote these aims in the coming years.

13 What economic policies would you put in place to grow Alduria’s economy?

We will be taking action in Parliament to help support small businesses. Small businesses form the backbone of our economy, and by strengthening these enterprises and ensuring that Alduria remains a business-friendly environment where they can thrive, we can further strengthen our economy. Legislation will be presented to remove cumbersome regulations that are expensive and difficult for small businesses to comply with. This Government will also establish a program of offering interest-free loans to small businesses to help our nation’s next generation of entrepreneurs thrive and create jobs which will further strengthen our economy.

14 What would you do to combat income inequality?

By introducing a minimum wage, this Government will take an important step in ensuring that all citizens of Alduria can share in our prosperity. The increase in wages for working and middle class Aldurians will also have the effect of strengthening our economy. Higher wages mean more consumer spending which creates jobs. It’s a cycle that benefits everyone, and this Government will introduce legislation and policies that will protect and strengthen this cycle of prosperity.

15 What are your thoughts on the recent DSP-LDP coalition and its agenda?

I’m very proud of the agenda that we have managed to agree to. This coalition takes the best aspects of both of our platforms and puts together a strong agenda that will strengthen the Republic and its people. I’m particularly pleased in the way we have been able to come together to ensure that our economy remains strong while also taking care of the poorest and most needy in our society. We can and we will come together to ensure that all Aldurians can enjoy liberty and prosperity, and I look forward to working with the DSP to deliver on our promises.

16 What will you and your party do in Parliament in this session?

We will take concrete steps to strengthen our economy and support small businesses. We will also ensure that all Aldurians have access to high-quality healthcare--and that control over their healthcare decisions remains with them and not by any Government agency. We will fight hard to enshrine the Law of the Graces into the Constitution so that future generations of immigrants can continue to strengthen our economy. We will continue to fight hard for the liberty of people to run and govern their own lives. We will take steps to ensure that the next generation of Aldurians receive the education that they deserve. We will continue to empower local and provincial governments to have greater powers to govern themselves. These are just some of the many bills that I look forward to presenting in this next session of Parliament. I look forward to working with all members of Parliament on taking steps to strengthen this Republic and the Aldurian people.

17 With our water crisis behind us, what other measures do you think can be implemented to ensure water security for our country?

One of the signature achievements of the Government during the last Parliament was the creation of the Water Crisis Act which took decisive action to not only address the immediate threat of the water crisis, but to ensure that it will never happen again in the future. We will continue to build on this success by working closely with the Central Water Commission to ensure that our water supplies remain viable and accessible to all citizens of the Republic. We will also partner closely with local Governments to promote water conservation efforts to ensure that all citizens use water wisely. Through greater public information about water conservation, we can take great steps forward to ensure that this crisis never occurs again in the future. I look forward to working with the Central Water Commission and with stakeholders to achieve this goal.

[Marco Zimmer]

1

One of the things our nation prides itself on is our diversity. We should encourage people to show their differences and be who they are and protect people of all race from hate and racism, we must let people be themselves. Our nation was founded as a safe haven for stateless people, we must protect all minorities and encourage diversity in our society. Let people be who they are no matter their race, gender, sexuality or anything else. You can’t tell people that being something is wrong, you can’t say that ‘your race is wrong’ or ‘your sexuality is wrong.’ Encourage people to be themselves on a road to make a happier Alduria. One that works for all.

2

Alduria, first and foremost, must remain neutral. We cannot interfere in wars that would put our people at risk, but we must protect ourselves by building a strong military and looking after our interests first, and it’s in our best interest to not get involved in conflicts that could put our national safety at risk. It would be catastrophic to get involved in needless violence that results in nothing but suffering and pain. We must maintain peace and protect ourselves with strong military and protecting the nations trade routs with other countries

3

The Law of Graces is what our nation is build on, to be a safe haven for all. And it has worked. Our young country is thriving and yet the far right want to close our borders which would stop high skilled immigrants supporting our economy, families joining our communities and adding diversity to our nation and building a better future for themselves, their descendants and our nation. The Law of Graces must be protect so that we can continue to build a stronger, fairer and happier Alduria.

4

Whilst I believe in protecting the Law of Graces strongly, I also believe we must protect ourselves from potentially dangerous individuals. We must welcome migrants but not let anyone who endangers our society to infiltrate our nation. There must be some limits of course to keep us safe but we must still welcome migrants with open arms.

5

As previously stated, migrants have helped our nation to flourish and our economy to grow. We are a nation built of migrants and people torn apart by conflict, now united in our passion for our nation. Migrants bring new skill and culture to our nation to increase diversity. Migrants have built our country and enrich us. Food, culture, skill all enters with migrants and a life story as well as a future to build a better Alduria.

6

I believe Alduria needs a health care system free at the point of use for all people in need of treatment, health is a right and should be free and if elected as the largest party in the future, that is what we will deliver. A National Health Service for all citizens that provides treatment and care for those in need, but it would take a toll on our economy to add extras that aren’t needed. It will be only for care and treatment. Things that you want but don’t need can’t be free.

7

I am completely opposed to the privatisation of one of our biggest economic assets, we must keep Gas and Oil in public ownership as well as other services such as electricity should also be moved to public ownership. Privatisation means less control, less control mean less safety, less safety is dangerous. Only the government can be trusted with these most important assets.

8

I think technology can help build a better Alduria but we cannot replace the working person for a robot. Workers rights must be the first priority when talking about the workplace. Their rights come before anything else. That is what we stand for, protecting the people who make Alduria the nation it is and build a better future for us all. The workers rights must come first.

9

I believe in equal rights no matter your sexuality, gender or religion and fully support same-sex marriage. People don’t control who they are but have the right to be happy. Homosexuals are like everyone else. They are no different and shouldn’t be treated as different. We must ensure equal rights for everyone, you don’t choose who you are so you shouldn’t be excluded for what you are.

10

I think it is important that we build a strong military to defend ourselves and our interests but do not get involved in conflicts that endanger our people and our economy. What is there to gain from war? We must maintain a neutral stance and protect our interests, people and economy from needless conflict and violence and hopefully one day there will be no more wars.

11

I believe in a large scale publicly owned National Education Service so that no child is excluded from any area of education. All should be able to have free education with the option for private available. We shouldn’t limit ourselves to just publicly owned services and protect free will but make sure that no one is excluded from higher education. From Nursery to University.

12

We must play an active role in the intern community to make sure our nation is safe from conflict and bringing in trade to our economy to grow and build. Our young economy is currently fragile but integration with our neighbours will help make us stronger. Military Alliances and close relations with other nations will also protect us from conflicts and protect us from needless war.

13

To help business and our economy prosper we will protect the Law of Graces to allow high skilled workers to enter our country and add something new into the workplace. New skills and more workers can only be a good thing, more people taking up vacant jobs and bringing skills into Alduria. Another thing we would do make sure small businesses do not have to pay any corporation tax and large enterprises only have to pay a small amount which will also encourage more businesses to come and set up in Alduria creating more jobs in the nation. Together we can and will build a stronger economy and help businesses to prosper in our great nation.

14

It is a huge failing of the L&D that there is such inequality between Punta Santiago and the rest of Alduria. The capital is 60% richer than the rest of Alduria. The last government left those places behind and in this coalition we will make sure things like this do not happen again. It was and is unacceptable that only our capital has really been invested in when the governments job is to protect and help the whole country be the best it can. And while large enterprises thrive, not a lot of that money is being given back to the people who create the wealth, the workers. That is why we are going to create a national minimum wage which will rise to a living wage so that the workers get a fair deal, they create the wealth, they should get the benefits of it. And to encourage business to pay a living wage we will give tax cuts to businesses that pay the workers their fair share

15

Despite disagreeing on a lot of things, this coalition is the best thing for the nation right now, we have set common goals that we believe will create a stronger Alduria but we will also hold the L&D accountable and make sure that what they do is in the best interests of our nation or we will not approve. For now, this is the nations best option, the best chance at a better future that creates a nation working for every Aldurian.

16

We are looking to achieve social justice and a fair Alduria and make sure that every bill that goes through our Parliament is good for the nation. We are looking to combat the inequality of development, make sure workers rights are protected and build a strong economy where businesses can thrive. This is what we where elected to do, to build a fairer, socialist Alduria and that is what we will do.

17

We must make sure that nothing like this happens again and ensure the safety of water which is vital. The government succeeded in dealing with the water crisis but we need to make sure that we always have a plan for the extreme. We must expect the unexpected and have clear plans for everything that could endanger our people and business. But with privatisation of water, the government would be at the demands of the water companies. Nationalisation is the best thing so that the government can safe guard all the important supplies and make sure that every citizen is safe.

[Alduria]

Better late than pregnant – I am so sorry for the delays here. I caught a nasty case of bronchitis that took me out for a couple of days. I appreciate the patience most people had with me as I recovered. Thank you for your kind messages of recovery. I'm doing much better now!

A quick note moving forward, something I want to make very, very clear to everyone. I do this for fun and for free. Let's set the right expectations here. I understand that my delays can be frustrating to some. But I want people to understand that I have a very busy job, been subjected to several different respiratory health issues lately, not to mention it is the holiday season as well. This is a game, we do this for fun. IM'ing me in private constantly about when polls and things will be out is not helpful, it makes me angry. I am the only administrator in this game, as such, people ought to take into consideration the constraints on my time, just like I do when I seek feedback from everyone on the length of elections, their timing, and everything else. All of us have lives outside of this and this is all for fun. It was especially frustrating for me to get IMs and questions on when I'd release new polls or the analysis on this while I was battling a fever of 102 F and struggling. This is the first and last time I will address this. Any more incessant nagging will result in serious penalties applied in the polls to you and your party.

Okay, with that said, let's begin.
 

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All four of the major national broadcast TV networks carried the debate on prime time - NABC, KGMN (Kerularios Group Media Network), ATVN (Alduria TV Network), and VTA (Video Tele Alduria).

The viewership numbers were very high. The debates were seen by 8 million Aldurians. This was the first political debate broadcast in Alduria's history.

ATANASIO PAREDES
Paredes had a strong performance. His answers were clear, concise, and well-written.

Your answer on health care was your strongest one, it captured the attention of voters across the spectrum as an “all of the above” option for health care. Of course, this is a debate and it is hard to put out plan details among soundbites and time constraints but Aldurians are frustrated with the complicated, virtually unregulated, expensive patchwork that is the Aldurian health care system. This sounds like a good solution to them.

The audience also responded super well to the answer to education and oil and gas. Your answer on income inequality was very strong and brought up a point about bringing government closer to the people that had wide appeal.

The performance has shined a national spotlight on Paredes and people are paying attention.

Here’s the thing though – on same-sex marriage, on the Law of Graces, and immigration (and these are big issues), your positions are not popular. But the way he delivered unpopular opinions has certainly made the ANA base happy as it has given them stronger and more appealing rhetoric for them to use. I can see key soundbites being shared massively in social media among ANA supporters, ANA youth groups, and in right-wing message boards. The messaging is good to keep the base of support happy, but it’s alienating to anyone outside of the ANA. The Law of Graces gave virtually everyone in Alduria who was not a native Euran already a home. Your base likes this policy because it would end further entry of native Eurans (which helps the EDP and undermines the “settler” majority) and end their frustration with cheaper immigrant labor. In some parts of the native Babhki community in Alduria, his socially conservative views on marriage and other issues have attracted support and interest. It is not entirely clear yet if Zurvanites would fully abandon the EDP (highly unlikely) for the ANA or that they’d break with the Agha Beg and his call for boycotting the Republic and its democratic processes.

The answer to the water crisis was weak in substance. This is a debate, of course, and when candidates don’t have a plan on something – they run the clock with stump speech fillers. You were smooth and did bring a point that consumption and looking at what people already do and expand that is okay. But I’d suggest you come up with the “new and innovative solutions” you mentioned. Alduria is a growing country and we’ll need more than never letting the water run.

ALFONSO VELEZ
The Prime Minister is very popular among vast swaths of the Aldurian electorate and his measured performance in the debate further advanced his popularity – his proposal to enact the Law of Graces as a constitutional amendment in Alduria is widely popular. Alduria was only founded 10 years ago and it has grown to be a home for many of Micras’ stateless persons. For many, it’s the first time in decades that they are living in a safe and stable place. The PM’s defense of Alduria’s “golden door”, as many call it, is remembered by everyone.

The PM’s performance was strong, his technology answer was welcome widely by the vast array of firms and start-ups that are coming/sprouting in Alduria, and certainly, younger voters are seeing that as a signal that he’s closer to them than the growing “ok boomer”-esque appeal of the ANA. I say that noting that while the ANA does have a committed and passionate young following, it does not compare to the wider “big tent” appeal that the LDP or the DSP has.

The minimum wage proposal for income inequality is very popular, but the PM will need more than that. I understand his party is more lassiez-faire than the others, but Alduria is virtually unregulated already. The narrative the LDP and the PM have crafted of “cumbersome regulations” and “building a business-friendly environment” has run out of steam and people are not responding to it anymore. Alduria has existed for 10 years. There are no regulations or laws on the books that businesses will find “cumbersome”. We haven’t even had a chance to properly set up a taxation system or much of anything else, which is normally done through Presidential orders or legislation. People are tuning out on this because they think the PM sounds like a broken record, or like the LDP is lazy, or worse, like the PM is totally out of touch and blissfully unaware of the real Aldurian reality. This is an incredibly vulnerable point for the PM.

The PM’s answer on same-sex marriage I think was his strongest – it humanized him while showing voters the distinct human side of this issue, that the LGBTQ community is no different than anyone else in that they simply seek to exist in peace, contribute to society, and be accepted. He struck a good tone by pointing out that no religion was forced to do same-sex weddings, and that does well to placate many religious concerns.

His positive view on integration and cooperation with Euran neighbors was also very welcome – it was a short but sweet answer, right to the point. While there are valid concerns to more integration and cooperation, Aldurian voters see Constancia, the Florian Republic, and several nearby neighbors in a positive light, as so much of Alduria’s trade and prosperity comes from the growing friendship and cooperation with those nations.

The water crisis answer was very strong too – it highlighted the hard work he did in the past Government to tackle a serious national crisis, and people have not forgotten how he was able to work with President Campos to rally the international community to help Alduria and throw more water conservation projects in the pipeline. Many of these projects are just starting to finish and are yielding great results. Of course, there’s more work to be done – and he may need to expand further on what else can be done to put Alduria in a sustainable path. Alduria is growing, and its water needs are growing with it too. There may be more challenges in the future, and the PM would do well to have a “water conservation plus others” solution.

The answer to education was good as well – the argument for local control and a greater share of national resources is appealing to parents in Alduria. He has laid a seed here as the country grapples with a serious education problem. The PM would do well to attack this issue along with the proposal he has outlined and end the crazy, unorganized patchwork of local school systems that have no common standards, no equivalency. Remember Alduria was founded only 10 years ago. No party has moved to create a proper education system anywhere. This is a golden opportunity for the PM.

The health care answer was a bit weak. Aldurians are experiencing a system that is not regulated at all, depends mostly on charities like the Carrillo National Health Care System, and is currently subject to crazy high prices. The subsidy idea surely rung a bell, but in comparison to the ANA’s “all of the above” option, Aldurians are scared that this LDP government will be content letting the status quo remain as Aldurians suffer from some of the highest rates of cancer and cancer-related illnesses in all of Micras. When people see their family members die bankrupt by cancer, they’re not going to be placated by the “choices in your control” talking point. The PM must do better here, this is a very vulnerable point here.

MARCO ZIMMER
Marco Zimmer is a fresh face for Aldurian voters. He’s walked into the debate with virtually almost no name recognition outside of the rebranded Democratic Socialist Party (DSP) and he has come out swinging. It’s certainly odd to see election-like ads promoting a party and its new leader *after* an election, but I get it – doing a rebrand and presenting yourself as a new leader is difficult and takes work. After all, Aldurians do like to get to know the people that purport to take part in governance.

The debate certainly was a good introduction for Zimmer. The Aldurian left is strong and energized, and they love to see a leader that is actively party building and putting their perspective on the airwaves. Alduria sometimes can feel politically like a right-wing echo chamber. You get a choice of center-right or hard right as the ANA and the LDP battle for a big bulk of Aldurian voters. This is a golden chance for the DSP to break out.

The answers on healthcare, gas and oil, same-sex marriage, immigration, and education were great for the DSP base, and for the Aldurians that are tired of the usual right-wing platitudes of “cumbersome regulations”, “tax cuts”, and all that. There’s certainly a hunger brewing in Alduria 10 years after its founding for a government that is more proactive in leading the country and enacting policies that significantly improve the quality of life of Aldurians. Many Aldurians of Alexandrian descent are used to seeing a more proactive government – even those that are right-wing.

The answer on income inequality was solid – the base of support and others were paying attention to the national minimum wage. Workers across Alduria and beyond have noted the incredible work the DSP has done to pull the LDP closer to the center or the left with the coalition. But then your base snaps out of the lovefest when you drop in something that sounds like an LDP talking point: a tax cut for paying workers well. This part is certainly not welcome among your own base and has elicited guffaws from many in the DSP that know there isn’t a corporation tax in Alduria still (this ties into the continuing LDP rhetoric that says “burdensome regulations” are killing business that comes across as lazy or completely out of touch with reality).

GENERAL FEEDBACK
The recurrence of common talking points amongst the candidates was especially notable, especially on foreign policy. This has touched off criticisms by many Aldurians that feel like "everyone is the same, with a different coat of paint". Of course, that's not exactly accurate, but that is how a lot of Aldurians feel. Of course, there will be moments in which party beliefs will overlap with others. Try to be creative in how you share your agreements and try to get to know Alduria more so you can craft unique takes on your policy and governing philosophies.

Touching again on foreign policy - I encourage all the candidates to get to know Micras, to explore MicrasWiki for information about the world and read up on other nations that are allies and partners. Foreign policy is a supremely important aspect of the simulation here. I understand wanting to have a focus on domestic policy, especially when so many of the public's concerns are based on domestic policy.

But I'd like to remind you all that national defense, which is an aspect of foreign policy, is still the #1 concern for Aldurians. Aldurians walked away feeling for the most part like all the leaders are largely weak on this issue. I do have to point out that Paredes is likely the person that did the best on this matter, as I have noticed that he's made concerted efforts of learning MIcras and even connecting with people outside of Alduria. He is a good example to follow.

All in all, these were great to read, and I am so happy with how everyone performed. I will make sure to start scheduling debates leading up to the next election! Perhaps a leader's debate before pre-polls come out that can directly impact the starting point of the parties would be a cool thing to integrate moving forward.

POLLING