"UNCHAINED" Vol. 2: Pre-Election Polling, Candidates Debate

[UniversalUnion 70]

Spoiler

 

 

UNCHAINED

The Commoner’s News and the Official Publication of the Universal Union

Vol. 2

Godfrey’s Triumph, 1769

 

 

---

        “UNCHAINED” is an alternative newspaper, offering crucial political coverage to the commoner class. Our ultimate goal is to educate and inform the masses of the affairs of government, especially the happenings of the legislature, which will impact the lives of the average person. It is the official publication of the Universal Union, an organization designed to protect the rights of working people, and improve society for the many, not the few. If you wish to become a contributor for UNCHAINED, please contact the primary editor, Abeyot Okoro. ((Liam#7649))

---

 

Pre-Election Polling Breakdown

Join the Union President, Abeyot Okoro, as he breaks down data from the Universal Union’s latest and final pre-election polling data.

Spoiler

       The Universal Union placed a poll in the field roughly thirty-six Saint’s hours ago, and in that time, we’ve yielded some very telling results from a pool of forty-four respondents. We asked a series of questions, indicating how voters felt about political issues, the candidates, and who they intend to vote for.

 

Which province do you reside in?

 

       Our hope was that more respondents from the rural regions of the Empire, such as the territories or The Pale, would participate in the survey. Input from denizens of all walks of life are crucial in polling data, in order to accurately reflect the needs of those living in the most removed regions from the Empire. Regardless, the same we received seems to be fairly representative of the Orenian population, for which we’re grateful. However, the results we did receive were not quite what we expected. Seemingly, the Everadines are playing incredibly well in Haense, for a province traditionally thought of as the Josephite stronghold. Similarly, in Kaedrin, the Josephite campaign effort has seemingly tipped the scales in their favor. Helena is still very much in play, with a vast majority of the “undecideds” hailing from the Imperial capital, but the Everadines can champion a slight lead.

 

Here’s the breakdown of party preference by province;

 

HELENA:

Everadine: 45%

Josephite: 36%

Undecided: 18%

 

HAENSE:

Josephite: 50%

Everadine: 43%

Undecided: 7%

 

KAEDRIN:

Josephite: 62.5%

Everadine: 37.5%

Undecided: n/a

Which term most accurately describes your political leanings?

 

       These results were interesting, to say the least. Seemingly, the Empire is almost evenly divided when asked to describe themselves politically when their choices are isolated between progressives, conservatives, or centrists. Centrists took the smallest share of the pie, at 29.5%, and progressives garnered a narrow plurality of respondents, at 36%. Unsurprisingly, some 19% of those who described themselves as “progressive” stated that they intend to vote for the Everadines, while the remaining 81% said they’d vote for the Josephites. Meanwhile, however, only 67% of self-styled “conservatives” intend to vote for the Everadines, whereas 13% intend to vote Josephite, and a whopping 20% of conservative voters are still undecided. This would imply that the Josephites have a slightly more secure grasp on their respective “progressive” base, whereas the Everadine brand has recently shifted from conservatism to something we would typically categorize as being “economically progressive.”

 

Which political issue is the most important to you, as a voter?

 

       This question inquired as to the voters’ most important, crucial political issue. A large chunk of voters – nearly a third – replied saying that some other issue was their top priority. However, there was another extremely popular option, being the economy. Out of those who said the economy was their top priority, 43% were Josephite voters, and the other 57% were Everadines. Economics has become one of the leading hot button issues this election, with a bold Everadine economic platform and a fierce effort to dismantle that platform from the Josephites. 

 

Which party leader do you have a more positive opinion of?

 

       This question comes in the wake of the slight controversy regarding an Everadine missive, decrying Josephite leader Jonah Stahl-Elendil’s military record, which may have skewed results among respondents. However, out of those who said they had a more positive opinion of Mister Elendil, 22% said that they were voting for the Everadines. This would imply that, although Everadine voters are sticking to their party, some have admiration for the other party’s leader over their own. For comparison, among those who said they had a more positive opinion of d’Aryn, only 6% said they were voting for the Josephites.

 

Would you support the emergence of a third political party?

 

       This question asked if voters would support the emergence of a third political party – no party of a particular ideology or political stance, just a third party in general – and a whopping 63.6% of respondents said yes. The Universal Union has been striving for official party status, as is our top priority, to give the voters more choices when filling out their ballot. Orenian voters are starved for choices between the two party system, and it’s high time that we form a workers party for the commoner class.

 

Which party do you intend to vote for?

 

       Finally, we inquired as to how voters intended to cast their ballot, and the results were razor thin. A plurality – a one vote plurality – said they intend to vote for the Josephites, followed closely by the Everadines. The difference between the preferences of the two parties is well within the margin of error, and is by no means definitive. The Josephites have the home advantage, being the incumbents, but are harmed by the Everadine's admittedly impressive campaign push and resignation of popular president Terrence May. By no means, however, is this election over. No matter the outcome, we can expect the results of this election to be incredibly close.

 

 

Party Report Cards

The Universal Union has graded each party by allocating “points” to both factions, in intervals of five, depending on the party’s stance and how high of a priority that political issue is for us. We spent time combing through old legislation, campaign fliers, and responses from the most recent debate to determine the scores for each party. These are not percentages, and they are not graded out of a specific total, but are instead general evaluations of various policies provided by each party. The results were close, and a large reason for that is a lack of legislation in the House of Commons. The outcome of this report card only highlights the necessity of a third party, who will produce record amounts of legislation, and give voters an alternative to the two-party dichotomy.

By no means, are we endorsing either party. Prior to this election, before the parties produced platforms with entirely new stances on particular issues, the results would have been vastly different.

Spoiler

EVERADINES

• Support for the legalization of third parties; +15

• Promise to put an end to corporate monopolies; +15

• Progressive income tax; +15

• Support for a fiat currency backed by the mina; +15

• Oren Works program; +15

• National education plan; +10

• Empire-wide minimum wage and pay scheme plan; +10

• Passed legislation mandating that certain public servants cannot maintain business relations; +10

• Infrastructure plan; +5

• Price controls; +5

• Disagrees that primary elections should be mandated; -10

TOTAL: 105

 

JOSEPHITES

 

• Public endorsement of the Universal Union; +15

• Progressive income tax; +15

• Support for a fiat currency backed by the mina; +15

• Support for a government backed stock and bond market; +15

• Promise to end indentured servitude and wage slavery; +15

• National education plan; +15

• Increased legislative authority; +10

• Infrastructure plan; +5

• Sarkozy Commission; +5

• “Open” to mandated primary elections; +5

• ‘Laissez-faire economics’; -10

• Corporate support; -15

TOTAL: 90

 

Debate Transcript

The Universal Union, some two Saint’s days ago, sponsored a debate in Varoche Hall between party leaders Jonah Stahl-Elendil and Amadeus d’Aryn. A poll was conducted with a small sample size of twenty, asking voters who they believe won the debate, and 60% said they thought Elendil won, whereas the other 40% said they thought d’Aryn won. The debate was moderated by union representatives Abeyot Okoro and Vivaca Rutledge. The transcript is below.

Spoiler

((Big shoutout to PapiSimp for recording the debate transcript))

Leadership Debate

7th of Snow’s Maiden, 1769

Varoche Hall, Helena

 

 

Okoro: “Good evening, I am Abeyot Okoro, president of the Universal Union, joined by my co-host, Vivaca Rutledge, who shall magically appear next to me once she ceases the experience of technical difficulties. Tonight’s debate is between the leaders of both respective parties, Mister Jonah-Stahl Eldendil of the Josephite Union, and Amadeus d’Aryn of the Everadines. The debate’s format shall be as follows; we shall direct a question towards one of the two candidates, and allow the other to respond, followed by two more responses from each individual. We shall ensure that our debate does not exceed one hour. We shall also dedicate some time to audience questions. First, by way of coin toss, Mister Amadeus d’Aryn will deliver his opening statement.”

 

d’Aryn: “Countrymen, I come to you today with a simple vision: a new politics for Oren. One where we combine social responsibility with opportunity for all. Our rapid and radical plans will ensure we restart our economy and get the ball rolling again. Today we invite you to join us in our vision, and invite you to our government.”

 

Okoro: “Very well -- Mister Elendil, your opening statement?”

 

Elendil: “My name is Jonah Elendil, and I want to thank you all for being here. I also want to thank the Universal Union for organizing this debate, as I believe you all have a right hear from us. Tonight, I see people from all over the great Empire gathered to hear about our visions for the country. You represent what is beautiful about Oren. I believe, and I hope you do too, that good government and civic engagement, and the enfranchisement of all Orenian peoples is virtue that should be guarded.” 

 

Okoro: “Wonderful, I shall begin with our first question, directed to Mister Elendil -- What is the greatest challenge Oren is experiencing today? How can it be fixed?” 

 

Elendil: “Today, I think Oren is facing numerous challenges, that the provinces are all feeling differently. Haense has an invasion on the Northern shore, Helena is fighting its way out of a recession, and Kaedrin has no stable garrison or constabulary. And all around the Empire, our economy is either faulty for some, or non-existent for others. Those are fierce challenges, but the people of Oren are resilient. And a Josephite government’s gentle guidance, and focused investment, shall see to it we raise more people out of poverty. Get Oren working the right way, and see higher engagement in each province.” 

 

[A buzzer goes off.]

 

Okoro: “Mister d’Aryn, your response.”

 

d’Aryn: “I thank Mr. Elendil for repeating the platform of the Everardines, first of all. Our greatest problem now is in restarting our economy. Inflation is up higher than ever before, and prices are lower than ever before. This paradox has been created by years of mismanaged and lack of regulation on the part of the Josephites. They have not ensured stability, not gotten people back into work, they have not ensured that our nation shares in the prosperity that Helena feels, undoing this is our greatest task today.” 

 

Okoro: “Mister Elendil, you've a brief response.”

 

Elendil: “It’s always about undoing things with you, isn't it? It’s a long climb out of darkness, Mister d’Aryn and you are focusing on an aspect of a greater issue. And for one, you think inflation is up? How much is a bar of iron these days? Last I checked, seven minas. Now that’s very cheap for most folk. Yet the issue is, folks aren't buying like they used to. Folks aren't investing, we have to worry about deflation, and not inflation. It is why we are proposing an evaluation of the Imperial Mark. It is backed by a weak standard, the mina.”

 

Okoro: “And Mister d’Aryn, a brief reply?”

 

d’Aryn: “A vat of iron sells for roughly three and a half minas, give or take the varying prices around the Empire. The Josephites have no hold on our economy. They did not hold the ministers to account in the last session, they did not once hear a treasury budget either. Mr. Elendil states that I am wrong, whereas he has obviously misunderstood. Our currency is more inflated than ever, and yet prices are so low as to warrant goods being worth practically nothing. This isn't an economy, it's a Josephite farce.”

 

Okoro: “Thank you, we’re moving at a good pace gentlemen.”

Rutledge: “We will now move onto the next question. Amadeus, should those who earn more be taxed at a higher rate?”

 

d’Aryn: “Ms. Rutledge, I believe in an economy that works for every Orenian, and where taxes are fair and proportional on those who earn higher revenues. I do not believe in an income tax that makes the poor worse off, but I do believe in a levy on bigger businesses, and those who have been handed a crown monopoly. It is only fair.”

 

Cryus Basrid enters unannounced, holding a poster: “I have a question for the party known as the Everardines!”

 

Okoro: “Sir -- excuse me, sir, but please seat yourself.”

 

Elendil: “Q&A is later, Mister Basrid.”

 

d’Aryn: “Mr. Basrid, you spoke only once in the entire session of the House of Commons and only now you decide to barge in unannounced?

 

Basrid: “I will say my piece! I would like to know what gives you the right to question the military service of a man? I look upon all your faces and see nothing but green men, men that have never known the service of the military, you men do nothing but disrespect those that serve within the ISA.”

 

Rutledge: “Sit down, please!”

 

[Cyrus struggles for a bit, before being apprehended and removed from the hall by law enforcement.]

 

d’aryn: “What we have done, Mr. Basrid, what we have done is increased the power of the ISA to levy fines in minor offences, whilst your benches sat on their hands doing nothing until the diet was dissolved by his imperial majesty. Your words are shockingly offensive, I resent them.”

 

Elendil: “Gentlemen, please. This is a respectable debate on policy. You can talk about my character later.”

 

Okoro: “Mister Elendil. Please continue, should those  with a higher income be taxed more?”

 

Elendil: “Absolutely, but tax rates but be arrived at with careful consideration, and raised and lowered in all brackets, based on the needs of the realm at the time. Green Carrington needs to pay more than Otto Wittenbach. Just based on pure numbers alone. And these numbers must rise and fall with the needs of the economy and the Empire as a whole. So it’s too easy to say ‘the rich must pay more,’ because yes. What else? We need to think deeper than that.”

 

Okoro: I'm sorry, but no time for responses from either of you, we must move along following that disturbance. Mister Elendil, would you support legislation allowing additional parties to enter the electoral playing field? Currently, we’ve monopoly on the two party system, and I want to know what you both think of that.” 

 

Elendil: “You know. I think that we have gotten a little caught up in this back and forth between the parties. That we haven't really thought about that enough on either side. What I do know, is it that is not a power the Diet holds. That right alone lies with the Imperial Cabinet.” 

 

Okoro: “Regardless, would you support passing a resolution, airing your support for such political freedoms? I would like an answer on this from the both of you.”

 

Elendil: “I must admit, I do not know. Humankind shouldn't be shoehorned into two political schools of thought, as we are not a binary people. It is not my decision nor the decision of the diet. Personally, I say let’s talk about it.”

 

Okoro: “Very well -- Mister d’Aryn, your response?”

 

d’Aryn: “Original proposals for the Imperial Diet included a third faction to be mandated to the House of Commons. I am in support of such a proposal should it ever reach the light of day again, which I very much hope it does. Two parties does awfully for attendance. As we saw in the last session, the benches which got a majority failed to maintain over three individuals each sitting. A third party would change this dynamic, and increase the competition.”

 

Rutledge: “Thank you for your responses, gentlemen. We will now move onto the next question. What can you do to decrease the unemployment rate, and get more Orenians working again? Mister d’Aryn.”

 

d’Aryn: “Our economic policies are radical and massive. We will legislate for an ‘Oren Works’ program to give government backed jobs to anyone who wants it, with the aim being virtual full employment in Oren by the next session. To support these jobs and the Orenian people, we likewise propose a national wage, setting a minimum for all workers. This would be enforced and backed up to the full extent of the law. Set at a moderate 105 marks per annum, and increased by ten percent subject to review every two years.” 

 

Okoro: “Very well, Mister Elendil, a response?”

 

Elendil: “You can't pay people if there aren't businesses, Mister d’Aryn. You're advocating for government business, not small business. Oren Works won't work. Instead we in the Josephite Union, if you elect us to the majority, will launch the Sarkozy Commission. Which will look to subsidize small businesses and new start ups, with tax credits and potential loans, based on necessity. This will increase Oren’s employment on Oren’s terms, with a guiding hand from the governments. Not a boot on the neck, that can halt all mobility all together.”

 

d’Aryn: “Mr. Elendil doesn't speak for the facts. The Josephites have proposed subsidies and incentives since their foundation, and did nothing with it when they had a majority - at all. Government backed jobs would increase our prosperity around the board.”

 

Elendil: “Government backed jobs don't exist if there is nobody who can pay for the workers. The government cannot be the source of people's income, it must be the people. People for themselves. How can you talk when your party is composed of rich nobles and bishops? And not business people like us Josephites.”

 

d’Aryn: “What is the ISA, Mr. Elendil?”

 

[Incoherent rambling between d’Aryn and Elendil]

 

Okoro: “I think now we should proceed to our Q&A, please raise your hand if you have a question -- yes, you there.”

 

Karl Amador: “Mister Elendil, Mister d’Aryn. Over the past Saint’s hour, you’ve shown determination and partisanship. You’ve shown to be willing to fight for the ideals you stand for, but I believe that in the end, it is important to remember we all serve a common goal. Therefore, I’d like to call upon the bipartisanship of both of you to look beyond your differences, and tell us something good about the other candidate that you admire or respect in them and what makes them a good candidate for the job.” 

 

Elendil: “If I may?”

 

Okoro: “Certainly, Mister Elendil.

 

Elendil: “Thank you, Karl. It’s men like you who can remind us to take a break from the competition. Sometimes you need a good kick in the ass from people. So I applaud you. Amadeus, you are my friend. Your respect for tradition, and the Church, taps into an important part of the Orenian heart. It is something we all share as Orenians. But you talk about it the most, and I respect that about you.” 

 

Okoro: “Very lovely, very nice -- and you, Amadeus?”

 

d’Aryn: “I admire Mr. Elendil’s tenacity and his determination, he has big ideas and he can write a bill well, even if it does get denied imperial assent. And he is much taller than me too.”

 

Elendil: “Right… well he’s right about one thing. I am tall.”

 

Abram Stalistena, in Raevir accent: “Mister d’Aryn, your previous remarks seem to show vy have literally niet idea how economics works. Ya am Premier grocer and meat-monger of Reza, so Ya can make speaking on this. Inflation is when prices of good and services grows, it is higher, it inflates. However what we have am deflation, prices am so low that merchants can sell hundreds of their wares and still niet feed their families. Prices are universally something across empire, to point that vy wish to mandate raising them! But you call this inflations? So yam ask vy; How can we trust you to run our economy when you do niet understand this most basic concept.”

 

d’Aryn: “I’m sorry, I could not find much of a question in that. By inflation, I specifically refer to the inflated value of our currency, the Imperial Mark. Currently, a mark exchanges for one mina. The trouble about our economy is that we have such an inflated currency, but prices are remarkably low. This means that the value of goods become so low as to not have a great deal of value at all.”

 

Stalistena: “That am niet how it works. That am niet how anything works.”

 

d’Aryn: “That is why I say that our economy does not exist. I agree with you, nothing works. We have to solve it. Prices are low, the value of money is low too. We have too much of it.”

 

[The debate’s transcript ends here.]