Discussion: Amendment - New Types of Elections for President and Vice President

[Apocalypse]

The thread discussing what the best time for turnchats got me thinking. Once school starts up again (in two weeks for me), people's schedules will be far more fixed. If the President and the Vice President are from the same area, then all the turnchats will geared toward that specific area. People from other locations around the globe would have a hard time making the chats.

Here is what I think will fix this problem. Scrap the different elections for Pres and VP. Set up two new different elections. One for the Americas and one for the rest of the world. After the winner is decided from each of these elections, the two will run head to head. The winner would become President and the loser VP. Theorectically, one of them could just concede early, but the change over would happen on the same date as if there was an election so there is little point to mention this in an amendment.

With the two people of this branch in two areas, that would ensure everyone would still be able to attend at least a few turnchats a month. Turnchat times can also be set up around the ministers. For example, if we are at war, the person who is closest to the timezone of the military advisor would be in control for a time. Many ministers do not need to be at every turnchat and can give orders beforehand.

If you need it, here is what the constitution says about the President and Vice President:

President:
The President shall physically play the game after referring to his advisors, and generally checking with the people.

Once the turns are played the president shall send out the save game file via e-mail only to all the members of his cabinet and any Apolytonia member who specially request it. The Historian and Reporter must receive saves from the end of each turnchat.

The President is required to host at least one turnchat a week.

The President must have a 2/3 majority before he can change our Government type or mobilize our economy for war.

The President has control over drafts.

Vice-President:
The right hand of the President; he may assist the president in any way currently needed (holding polls, consulting ministers, distributing the save files, etc). In the event the President is unable to play his turn, the Vice-president shall play the turn instead.

[GodKing]

no objections per say. Just wondering how it would work in practice however.

[Apocalypse]

I don't think we would run into too many problems. There should probably be something in there to allow the runner up of one election to be VP if no one runs in the other election.

Also, we have gotten along fine so far with heavy use of the VP. Timeline has filled in quite a bit over the past two terms.

[GodKing]

True, with the people we have now I don't see any problems, and I do see the large benifits it could with your system. However, instead of a prez and VP, I was thinking of something along the lines of Prez Western hemisphere (north & south america), Prez Eastern (Europe, asia, africa & australia) and Vice Prez of antartica or something like. Have people run for all three positions with the VP being from anywhere..... Just kinda rambling on, so I will stop and go home to visit my girlfriend now.... perhaps we will go boating.....
later. GK

[Apocalypse]

I originally thought of having two presidents, but that was brought up in the Trip/Ninot election and few liked that idea. There are just some powers only one person should have. Maybe there could be one presidential election and two VPs. I don't know.

I'd like everyone's input as quickly as possible. It would be very nice if we could get this amendment passed by next election (though that is highly unlikely).

[jdd2007]

america vs the world? cmon, i dont think thats going to sell (or work, for that matter.) i say, keep the current system. there will always be conflict be for some people, and this will not help this. suppose this, there are two very good candidates for president from the western hemisphere, lets call them Nenot and Uberr, and the only other challenger is a second rate candidate from, i dont know, tibet, lets call him hAngIng_chAd842 (dont want to offend anyone) and that means that either Uberr or Nenot will have to give up the race, making hAngIng_chAd842 the vice prez.

theoretically speaking that is. my point. what if we cant find a good candidate from each hemishphere. we will have a VP a step below someone who wanted to run, but couldnt.

*Strength and Honor!*

[Apocalypse]

Not America in the US but Americas as in the two continents.

I just don't believe the current system would work well later on. Maybe two VPs would be better, but I believe we need two people who can run turnchats from different locations.

[jdd2007]

i know what you meant. (theoretically of course) Nenot is Canadian...

*Strength and Honor!*

[notyoueither]

I believe it is clear. We elect the President to lead us and to physically play the game. When Spiffor's or SirRalph's times come, then the turn chat schedule would depend on their needs first, then everyone elses.

I do not see a dilution of leadership to be a good idea as of now. Perhaps real problems will be encountered. We should build that bridge when we get to that river.

[jdd2007]

my thoughts exactly, nye, only i didnt word them as eloquently as you

[Apocalypse]

The thing is, school starts for many during the next term. People may lose interest and never come back.

[jdd2007]

i wont be here much (if at all) but next summer, you bet i will be back...

*Strength and Honor!*

edit: i meant when school starts. i will be very active when/if im FM

[Ninot]

its a good idea in principle, and i thought of it actually not too long ago, but i shot it down for only one reason. maybe you can find away around it

you say the loser of the presidential election would be VP. Now, in principle, that is a beautiful way to do it. But in practice, what if the loser truly is not worthy of a position, but ran in any case, and lost tremendously BECAUSE the public does not think them worthy for the job?

Thats my problem.. what if the election loser truly is a loser?

[jdd2007]

there is no -good- way to get around it. i dont like the idea...

[adaMada]

I'd be against it... The political issue of having a president and vice president from different parties would be too damaging, especially if (later in the game) there was a real splitting in what the different parties wanted to do. It also doesn't totally solve the time difference problem -- there's also a time difference depending on whre you are in America... it's not as large as with the Americas vs the rest of the world, but it does make a difference, especially when considering people who go to school -- even a single hour too early and some won't be able to make it, and if you go too late, things just get more complicated... Also, having someone else represent 'the rest of the world' is even a bigger logistical headache for that person -- the rest of the world is a big place (dispite what some americans seem to believe ).

Personally, I'd like to try for more turnchats on the weekend (maybe one a day for sat and/or sun) and reduce the importance of the weekday turn chats (maybe by timing those chats towards turns where few decisions will have to be made besides basic unit movements).

Just my suggestion...

-- adaMada