Platform - January 2008

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Claude Desmoulins
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Platform - January 2008

Post by Claude Desmoulins »

☆ ☆ ☆ DPU CAMPAIGN STATEMENT AND PLATFORM ☆ ☆ ☆
- - - January 2008 - - -

Party/Group: Democratic Pragmatist Union (DPU)
Faction Founder: Claude Desmoulins
Other contacts: Dnate Mars, Sonja Strom, Flyingroc Chung

☆ CORE PRINCIPLES ☆

We of the DPU believe politics is first and foremost an exercise in collective problem solving. The DPU is committed to seeking compromise and finding common ground to solve CDS problems. The DPU supports:

* Freedom of speech and expression,
* Prudence in financial management and expansion,
* Persistence of the CDS as a community in which we can be proud,
* The government having an important role in the provision of civic improvements and services,
* Availability and growth of economic opportunity

☆ A RECORD OF PAST ACCOMPLISHMENT ☆

Beginning in January 2005, the DPU has called for many projects that have made the CDS a better place:

* Completion of the Colonia Nova Expansion
* Clarity, Role and Reform of the Artisanal Collective branch (Guild).
* Mainland Subsidiaries (Franchulates)
* Electoral Reform
* Judiciary Consensus and Implementation
* Changes to the constitution to transform our government into a federal system
* Economic Expansion, including a Chamber of Commerce
* Eventual transition to a wage-based economy with civil service jobs filled by competent citizens
* Establishment of diplomatic relations with other SL entities in order to foster cooperation, mutual support and goodwill

☆ AN ONGOING PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENT AND PROGRESS ☆

A Vision of the Futurethe DPU calls for:

Listening to the Public

In addition our support of government openness and accessibility measures, we support polling and canvassing the population. This can be done in-world or through use of the forum polling feature in the CDS forum. We want the views of *ALL* citizens heard, considered and respected.

Cooperation

The DPU is committed to cooperate with RA memebers from different factions, and accomodate as much as is practical the diverse concerns and priorities of all CDS citizens. We understand that democracy requires listening, flexibility and compromise. We strive to create understanding between all parties, and work together to arrive at a consensus such that bills passed have as broad a support as possible.

Action through Effective Problem Solving

Finding a compromise is not enough alone. Systems must be effective and work as advertised or be fixed. This includes simplification where possible. The DPU calls for standing workgroups, accountability and consistent evaluation to determine is legislation and institutions are meeting goals.

Openness and Accessibility

DPU public meetings and membership are open to all, and actively encouraged. All DPU public meetings will have transcripts posted to the forums.

DPU Office Hours for RA members
DPU RA members will have defined in world office hours. They will also be available via IM/email, and have off-world office hours where they are available by chat. Office hours will be a minimum of 2 hours per week for each member elected.

Standing Commissions and Workgroups
Certain areas require constant attention. These include the Guild and commerce. The DPU calls for standing commissions/workgroups for these important topics.

A Thriving CDS Community

Immigration
Attracting productive new immigrants requires a feeling of community; affordable and attractive zoned land; education, cultural, employment and business opportunities; and attracting tourists through community efforts such as the tourist office.

Event Support
The DPU will pass legislation for events for each of our sims/territories. We will work closely with the Chancellor to ensure that these events are both a reality and a success

Traffic
Traffic management is important. The DPU calls for increased traffic in commercial zones to drive traffic to our retail and service businesses. Commercial traffic can be enhanced by working with the Chancellor and others on events and event promotion (for example, the Fleamarket). Excessive traffic does cause lag, so event location and impact will be studied as part of the event planning process.

Tourist Office
The DPU calls for increased use of the Tourist Office through the use of HUD tours and a public transit build (such rail, barge, chariot). Public transit along with teleport points in the office (near the telehub) provide for fast access to any part of the sim while maintaining the community and commercial advantages of a town center (telehub). The goal of the tourist office is to bring in tourist $L and to convert tourists to citizens by promoting the advantages of CDS citizenship.

Controlled Territorial Expansion

New Sims
The DPU proposes ongoing purchase and development of private islands, in order to expand the CDS and continue to make it even more interesting. The DPU also believes that community planning should be dynamic and allow for open discussion of future expansion, including allowing for revision of the existing Regional Masterplan adopted February, 2007 (for a reference, see http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?p=6028).

Franchulates
The DPU proposes a Mainland expansion goal of 5 franchulates, with a combined area of one sim equivalent (64km2).

Commonwealth
Treaty agreements would allow a Commonwealth of Democratic Nations to exist. Those democracies that own their own land or who rent Island or Mainland from non-CDS estate owners may join in a commonwealth, and sign agreements with the CDS to promote trade, share ban-lists and/or enforce laws.
Tools and expertise will be shared with communities who wish to form their own democratic governments within Second Life.

United Virtual Nations (UVN)
The DPU recognizes that successful Second Life communities are not always democratic. Membership to the UVN should be made available to identifiable SL communities. We favor the creation of a United Virtual Nations based on early work done by the Local Government Study Group (LGSG). The DPU hopes to work with Caledon, Port Neualtenburg, The Furries and Goreans (and others) as possible members of the UVN.

Optional Local Autonomy

Local Administrators
We have already passed legislation for Moon Adamant to be the Praetor of Colonia Nova.
The DPU calls for a local administrator for Neufreistadt, and for each future territory acquired by the CDS.

Chartered Regions
The DPU franchulate bill allows mainland subsidiaries control over immigration, taxation, covenant/zoning, electing representation and the creation and enforcement of local bylaws. This is a substantial amount of independence offered with the CDS. Those who require democratic full independence are welcomed in joining a Commonwealth of Democratic Nations.

Commercial Expansion

Implementation of Incorporation Act
The DPU will work toward full implemention and regulation of the Incorporation Act.

Banking and Financial Services Roadmap
The DPU fully supports the Mirabeau Banking Roadmap, and will work to implement it as part a strategy to turn the CDS into a financial services center of Second Life.

Active Retail in the Marketplaces
Entrepreneurs need steady income and good shopping attracts tourists. The DPU will lobby the Executive to improve retail infrastructure in the CDS.

External Advice
We have not made enough use of external advice in financial and governmental matters. The DPU would like to solicit opinion on critical matters from sources inside as well as outside the CDS and SL.

Academic Interest
The CDS is a valuable experiment in creating democratic institutions and government systems, especially within virtual worlds. We encourage the participation in/and study of our community for academic purposes.

Attracting Corporate Headquarters in Second Life
RL-SL business headquarters would make excellent corporate citizens of the CDS. The DPU proposes attractive outside investment and promoting corporate relocation to within our borders.

Increasing CDS Revenue
In addition to land tier fees, the DPU would like to study alternate ways to increase government revenue without resorting to burdensome taxes. Issuing of CDS and sim/project bonds would be a way to attract outside investment similar to our successful loan program funding for Colonia Nova.

Promotion of Democratic Self-Government in Virtual Worlds
Town Hall in a Box
Academic Events
Blogs/Press/Forum postings

Promotion of Education and The Arts
Continued support of the MoCA
Use of the Neufreistadt School for training and possible accreditation
Reform and revitalization of the Guild for clarity of role and purpose
Attracting skilled labor and community participation
Published governmental policies and procedures

Overall, the DPU works toward a valuable experience of life in the CDS as well as in SL.

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