DPU Candidates and Platform - January 2010

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Sonja Strom
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DPU Candidates and Platform - January 2010

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☆ ☆ ☆ DPU CAMPAIGN STATEMENT AND PLATFORM ~ JANUARY 2010 ☆ ☆ ☆

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Candidates: Jimmie McMahn, muhammedyussif Wikinger, Pip Torok

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* * * * Now Celebrating 5 Years in the CDS!!! * * * *

☆ ☆ 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 problems in the CDS. The DPU supports:

* Freedom of speech and expression
* Tolerance for cultural diversity, including a due regard for standards of behavior and a respect for places of worship, mediation, and contemplation, and other publicly accessible buildings and spaces, irrespective of their ownership, or religious connections
* Prudence in financial management and expansion
* Persistence of the CDS as a community about which we can be proud
* Commitment to the continuity of the present high standards of CDS building and development
* The government having an important role in the provision of civic improvements and services
* Availability and growth of economic opportunity


☆ ☆ A RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT ☆ ☆

Beginning in January 2005, the DPU has led and participated in many projects that have made the CDS a better place:

* Clarification and reform of the Artisanal Collective branch (now the New Guild)
* Electoral reform, including conception of Referendum voting
* Judiciary consensus and implementation
* Changes to the Constitution to transform our government into a confederated system
* Economic expansion, including a Commerce Commission and Chamber of Commerce
* Consolidation of the various existing CDS-related websites into a coherent web portal
* Establishment of diplomatic relations with other SL entities in order to foster cooperation, mutual support and goodwill
* Improved attractiveness of Neufreistadt Marktplatz
*Completion of the Monastery sim and joining of the Al Andalus sims.

☆ ☆ AN ONGOING PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENT AND PROGRESS ☆ ☆

A Vision of the Future the DPU calls for:

Listening to the Public

In addition to 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 members from different factions, and to 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 if CDS legislation and institutions are meeting their desired goals.

Openness and Accessibility

DPU public meetings are open to all.

DPU Office Hours for RA members
DPU RA members will have defined, announced in-world office hours. They will also be available via IM/email.

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

Transparency in Government
The DPU calls for openness in governmental decision-making, which should always be placed before trust where possible. It therefore urges that, wherever practicable, government proposals for both changes in working policy, and plans that involve public land, should be published at an early stage.

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 tourist offices, info centers and live events. The government should attempt to provide government documents in languages other than English, upon request, for CDS citizens not proficient in English.

Cultural Themes
We call for an equal recognition and presentation of the differing cultural themes within the Confederation, in particular those of the Al Andalus sims.

Event Support

The DPU supports events throughout the CDS, and works closely with the Chancellor and Public Information Officer (PIO) to help these events to be successful. We also promote working together with outside groups to coordinate larger events, such as the SL-wide Metanomics lectures broadcast in the Colonia Nova Ampitheater, the Grand Tour, Oktoberfest and Winterfest.

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, Fleamarkets) and improvements to make them more attractive to visitors.

History Commission

The community must work to preserve the early history of the CDS. We support the History Commission project to document the history of the CDS and manage a repository of its historical artifacts (documents, images, multimedia, etc.). We propose a public structure to house these artifacts, including a library section with a written history that can be accessed in-world.

Controlled Territorial Expansion

New Sims
The DPU proposes ongoing purchase and development of private simulators, in order to expand the CDS and continue to make it even more interesting. We would like future development to include mountains made of open space or homestead sims either to the east or west of Neufreistadt, including a ski area. In general the DPU believes community planning should be dynamic and allow for open discussion of future expansion, allowing for revision of the Regional Masterplan. Particular changes to the Master Plan the DPU will bring are to include Neufreistadt in the Alpine theme cluster and to strenghten the Alpine theme cluster both by advocating mountainous terrain and by adding more Alpine sims for a better balance of demand and supply for alpine plots.

Alliances

The DPU encourages working together with other communities of all kinds, especially if they are interested in democratic forms of governance. We support the hosting of embassies from other SL communities in the CDS, and the creation and support of CDS embassies in other areas. Included in this are the CDS Infohub in Anzere, and the Europa Embassy in Neufreistadt. We would like to see equal representation handled as simply as possible.

Optional Local Autonomy
The DPU calls for a local administrator for each sim in the CDS. Election of government Representatives from different geographic areas of the CDS can be taken into consideration as the community grows.

Commercial and Social Expansion

Active and Attractive Retail in the Marketplaces
Entrepreneurs need steady income and good shopping attracts tourists. The DPU will work with the Chancellor and all others interested 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 opinions on critical matters from sources outside as well as inside 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 growth and organisational development of such institutions, and would be happy if the CDS became a part of their studies.

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.

☆ ☆ ☆ We are here for YOU - How about U in the DPU? ☆ ☆ ☆

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