[Background: i'm trying to make it as a fiction writer so I'm not in the habit of posting fanfiction for free, I prefer to horde my ideas. That said I'm a super-involved RP-er and I get really into my games, so it's hard not to communicate them sometimes. I thought it would be fun to do a series of election-themed threads where you got to decide who would become the next president in my game, and set the agenda for the UN. I thought it would be more fun to do so in a way that was largely context-free, so you didn't know the backstory at all. I am out of the business completely now but I worked for two years as a campaign finance and opinion poll analyst tracking federal and state elections, and I previously worked as an APUS teacher, so I can't help but flavor my idealistic sci-fi with nitty-gritty cynical politics, like the west wing in space. So, who do you vote for after seeing this one exchange, which historians later that century believe to perfectly encapsulate that election season:]
Moderator: Hello and Welcome. This debate will be the last in this election cycle, between Mr. Mitchell Powell of the Utopian party, and and Senor Filipe Almanzo Coronado of the Colonial Defense League. Both candidates have requested the debate be conducted in English. Questions have been selected by the UN Council on electoral affairs and directed at a specific candidate, candidates will have 2 minutes to respond to a question followed by a 1 minute rebuttal from their opponent. As this debate is for the benefit of duly-elected UN Electors and not the general public, I would remind the candidates NOT to direct statements toward one another, and to eschew introductions. Instead I will formally introduce the candidates using descriptions authored by them and cleared by the UN factfinding comission:
Mitchell Powell: Is a former executive, An avowed pacifist, and techno-utopian. He has campaigned on an agenda of expanded scientific research, peaceful development of offworld colonies of UN member states and the creation of a "science corps" to better understand and possibly placate the hostile threat posed by the Automated Clan Remnant, in hopes of one day establishing peaceful contact with them. Mr. Powell opposes the libertarian agenda of NATO-Russo politicians, especially in their offworld colonies, and endorses national plans on offworld colonies to better regiment and organize offplanet society, particularly in the area of manufacturing and scientific research.
Filipe Almanzo Coronado: Is the incumbent executive, a pro-defense, pro-unity candidate with prior military and gubernatorial experience. He has campaigned on an agenda of greater military protection for the most distant colonies and a resumption of hostile action against the Clan, as well as increased research into defense technologies. He has served two terms as executive, and argues that the threat posed by the clan is so great he should be allotted another term to complete his agenda. Senor Coronado opposes overreach by NATO-Russo member states but generally endorses their plan to relax laws governing offworld colonies and opposes plans to regiment or direct their free-market economies.
Mr. Powell, by virtue of a coin toss, the first question is for you.
Powell: Well, that's just my luck
*Laughter from assembly*
Moderator: Mr. Powell, as a native martian you were the first assemblyman, and later executive, to hold office on earth without actually being born there. If elected you will be the first executive to serve non-consecutive terms and, some would argue, the first president to serve with an openly "colonialist" agenda. Your opponent, the incumbent executive Senor Coronado, has accused you working toward a "martian century", and you have repeatedly denied this. What would you say is the place of Earth in the 22nd century?
Powell:Well uh...that is a complicated question, and I am an academic man by nature. Let's unpack it. First, the 'martian century' phrase is a dis-ingenious one proffered by my opponent. It was drawn from an essay I wrote more than two decades ago, while still at the Academy (on earth, let me remind you), and taken largely out of context. I encourage electors to read what I actually wrote before rushing to a decision. I have made my political opinions very clear: while I do support expanded rights for the off-world colonial holdings of UN member nations, I do not in any way support the "global siezure" or "independence" of these colonies. The courts have ruled several times that UN Member states have just ownership to these colonies by the Trobrian Accords of 2077. However, it's a simple demographic fact that Mars' population has recently exceeded that of Earth's, but the planet has no independent mineral depots, no fuel production sites, no local control over utilities, no independent army or navy....
Coronado: Excuse me but I really can't let that point go unaddressed
Moderator: Mr. Powell, I would ask you...
Coronado: no, no, you can't seriously suggest that Martian colonies of China, Russia, and the United States be allowed to develop their own navy. With space as dangerous as it is?
Powell: I'm sorry but the fact is martians do not believe they are being afforded adequate defense against the Clan robots, I would think the defense and safety candidate would understand that but..
Moderator: Gentlemen please, it is Mr. Powell's question and...
Coronado: Martial law is still in effect sir! I'm entitled to speak on matters of defense! We are at war and this man is proffering suggestions tantamount to sedition.
*Coronado's microphone is cut. He continues...*
Coronado: Now, answer me this! Are we going to divide our forces nationally, like in the pre-directorship days, or are we going to face the clan united? As one force?
*powell hesitates*
Powell: Well, at the academy they would have called that a false dichotomy *chuckle* however, you are right: you, as executive, have been granted military powers to face the threat we currently face, however, I want to point out that it was YOUR decision to do so in an offensive capacity. You had no mandate for that, and casualties at luyten would most likely have been lower if you adopted a defensive position as my scientists advised...
Coronado:Your scientists? Your "global xenology panel" was a collection of partisan hacks all of whom advocated a solidly Anti-earth agenda...
Moderator: Gentlemen please...
Powell: I'm sorry sir, but I think I speak for the people of mars AND the lesser colonies when I say that we won't join you in supporting a third term for you, or a return to the directorship, excused once again by some vaguely-defined military threat...
Coronado: Vaguely defined? Your vaguely defined threat has killed more than FIVE HUNDRED people, including crews of YOUR SCIENCE VESSELS, Sir! Our men our DYING in the outer colonies and you sit here and claim to be on their side. Need I remind you I governed mars for 2 terms, and the Ross mining conglomerate before that. Now, I want you to face those electors and say, here and now, that YOU aren't the Kuzmin candidate, seeking to undermine the military might of the UN in deference to some utopian agenda.
Powell:Well I should remind you that Kuzmin and her directorship were solidly anti-utopian, however
Moderator: GENTLEMEN!
*both candidates are finally quiet.
Moderator: I would remind both of you that these debates are required by law, you will not be eligible for candidate status until you complete them. We will recess for 15 minutes while the candidates compose themselves, then we will resume with new questions. To our electors, I apologize on behalf of the general assembly...
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Topic: Election 2114: Cast Your Vote! (Read 2373 times)
