(https://i.ibb.co/HgW82XL/open-society.png) (https://ibb.co/nkHJ0Rq)
Open Society policy placeholder
29 May 2024:An active head of state: We are pragmatic as to whether Talossa remains a kingdom or becomes a republic. But we do demand an active and unifying head of state. And are proud of our contribution to the recent multipartisan breakthrough on this issue. On this note, we will support the elevation of
@Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB as King John's successor.
30 May 2024:Making Talossa more than a political playground: An election season every 8 months leads to constant political fevers. We would like to pursue electoral reforms which extend Cosa terms to one year while expanding the Civil Service to address any increased burden from this subsequent increased government terms. We also support a unicameral legislature.
30 May 2024:Immigration-Regular, standardized catchment area review: During my term as Immigration Minister I was proud to help enact the
first catchment area reform in nearly a decade. I also initiated a successful catchment recompensation for Vuode (Florencia <3's Vuode Act). I'd proposed a regular review and updating of catchment areas but
this was rejected without reason.* Recent discussions have reasserted the wisdom of this idea. We will resubmit this legislation to the Hopper at the first clark.
*Corrected, as there was a reason provided by Ian...it would apparently be too time-consuming to review catchment areas every five years. :)
31 May 2024:An apolitical Chancery/Civil Service: Some call it a crusade, some call it a hobby horse. I call it defending the norms that underpin Talossan democracy. And that is something for which I will never tire. In the absence of any internal policy to address the precedent set by the current Secretary of State I will resubmit previous legislation concerning an apolitical Chancery. If it comes, as a part of broader Civil Service rules, all the better but this issue ain't going anywhere just like me.
31 May 2024:Culture-Talossan Literature Shop: Ever since Danihel Txechescu mentioned it I've wanted to make it happen. I'd like to start an online print-to-order bookshop for Talossan writers. We have quite a few published authors and it would be great to have a centralized spot for purchasing their works.
1 June 2024:A Commitment to Open & Transparent Institutions: I am the author of the Second Talossan Government Transparency Act which mandated the archiving and eventual publication of internal cabinet discussions. And I opposed the establishment of a private Organic Law (and Chancery Reform) Committee by the then leaders of the TNC and FreeDems because it was designed, in my view, to stifle the Ziu's legislative activity. When I did participate and proposed the Nonpartisan SOS Act this suspicion would unfortunately be proven correct.
Here's the thing: Norms are not applicable only to those we dislike. And we should be confident enough in our positions and in Talossan democracy to use the institutions we have worked so hard to build.
2 June 2024:Minor Government Reform-A-X Advisory Opinions: During the last term there was opposition to allowing the Government's chief legal advisor, the Avocat-Xheneral, the ability to seek advice from the Judiciary. An eminent Talossan or two have agreed that the A-X, at the least, should have the ability to do so. I will be resubmitting this legislation as I believe it is an obvious role of the A-X. These common-sense fine-tuning reforms will be a hallmark of Open Society's participation in debates next term and we look forward to proposing them for public debate.
For voters, please feel free to review the Hopper debate on the previously proposed CpI Advisory Opinion Expansion Amendment (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=3056.0). It appeared to have some multipartisan support.
30 May 2024:
Making Talossa more than a political playground: An election season every 8 months leads to constant political fevers. We would like to pursue electoral reforms which extend Cosa terms to one year while expanding the Civil Service to address any increased burden from this subsequent increased government terms. We also support a unicameral legislature.
30 May 2024:
Immigration-Regular, standardized catchment area review: During my term as Immigration Minister I was proud to help enact the first catchment area reform in nearly a decade. I also initiated a successful catchment recompensation for Vuode (Florencia <3's Vuode Act). I'd proposed a regular review and updating of catchment areas but this was rejected without reason.* Recent discussions have reasserted the wisdom of this idea. We will resubmit this legislation to the Hopper at the first clark.
*Corrected, as there was a reason provided by Ian...it would apparently be too time-consuming to review catchment areas every five years. :)
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 30, 2024, 10:20:17 AMI'd proposed a regular review and updating of catchment areas but this was rejected without reason.
Well, no, not no reason. Free Democrats gave plenty of reasons (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=2216.75), whether you liked them or not.
There does seem to be cross-party consensus for some kind of major review, despite your specific proposals from last time not getting the vote.
Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on May 30, 2024, 04:34:47 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 30, 2024, 10:20:17 AMI'd proposed a regular review and updating of catchment areas but this was rejected without reason.
Well, no, not no reason. Free Democrats gave plenty of reasons (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=2216.75), whether you liked them or not.
There does seem to be cross-party consensus for some kind of major review, despite your specific proposals from last time not getting the vote.
Ian alone expressed opposition
specifically to regular reviews of catchment areas by the MinImm. And the idea was resurfaced later with no opposition expressed so, as I mentioned, I will resubmit this at the first clark.
On review, Ian did actually elaborate on his opposition here:
Breneir
QuoteYou are suggesting that a future MinImm will ignore a statutory requirement. And that no Opposition will be active enough to call them on it.
Ian
QuoteYes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting. It's a silly report and no one should spend time putting it together or complaining that it hasn't been (unless there is a real need for it).
31 May 2024:
An apolitical Chancery: Some call it a crusade, some call it a hobby horse. I call it defending the norms that underpin Talossan democracy. And that is something for which I will never tire. In the absence of any internal policy to address the precedent set by the current Secretary of State I will resubmit previous legislation concerning an apolitical Chancery. If it comes, as a part of broader Civil Service rules, all the better but this issue ain't going anywhere just like me.
31 May 2024:
Culture-Talossan Literature Shop: Ever since Danihel Txechescu mentioned it I've wanted to make it happen. I'd like to start an online print-to-order bookshop for Talossan writers. We have quite a few published authors and it would be great to have a centralized spot for purchasing their works.
Azul,
Sign me in ;)
Mximo
Quote from: mximo on May 31, 2024, 12:01:57 PMAzul,
Sign me in ;)
Mximo
Yayyy, delighted to have you, Mximo! Welcome!
1 June 2024:
A Commitment to Open & Transparent Institutions: I am the author of the Second Talossan Government Transparency Act which mandated the archiving and eventual publication of internal cabinet discussions. And I opposed the establishment of a private Organic Law (and Chancery Reform) Committee by the then leaders of the TNC and FreeDems because it was designed, in my view, to stifle the Ziu's legislative activity. When I did participate and proposed the Nonpartisan SOS Act this suspicion would unfortunately be proven correct.
Here's the thing: Norms are not applicable only to those we dislike. And we should be confident enough in our positions and in Talossan democracy to use the institutions we have worked so hard to build.
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 31, 2024, 12:30:55 PMYayyy, delighted to have you, Mximo! Welcome!
Does this mean that the OPEN party endorses the performance in office of the outgoing Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs? And his attitude to Terpelaziuns?
Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 01, 2024, 03:37:58 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 31, 2024, 12:30:55 PMYayyy, delighted to have you, Mximo! Welcome!
Does this mean that the OPEN party endorses the performance in office of the outgoing Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs? And his attitude to Terpelaziuns?
I really want to know more about the history between you and Mximo.
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 01, 2024, 03:43:39 PMQuote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 01, 2024, 03:37:58 PMDoes this mean that the OPEN party endorses the performance in office of the outgoing Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs? And his attitude to Terpelaziuns?
I really want to know more about the history between you and Mximo.
That's not an answer, but I'm happy to give some information. Here is some background. (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?msg=26884)
The only other thing I can add is that he was once an MC for the ZRT (https://wiki.talossa.com/47th_Cosa) (Republican predecessors of the Free Democrats); if I remember right, what happened is at the end of that Cosă term I called for volunteers for the next Party list, Mximo didn't respond for whatever reason, and, well, I didn't pursue the issue very hard for reasons detailed in the above link. You'd better believe he didn't take that well.
In general Mximo has a record of doing 180-degree political turns based on perceived personal slights, which seems to be a theme these days.
Now. I know that you've been a big fan of the power of Terpelaziuns to hold Ministers to account; and that you're not a big fan of inactive ministers, or Ministers who rudely dismiss polite questions; so I'll repeat my initial question.
Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 01, 2024, 04:28:19 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 01, 2024, 03:43:39 PMQuote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 01, 2024, 03:37:58 PMDoes this mean that the OPEN party endorses the performance in office of the outgoing Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs? And his attitude to Terpelaziuns?
I really want to know more about the history between you and Mximo.
That's not an answer, but I'm happy to give some information. Here is some background. (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?msg=26884)
The only other thing I can add is that he was once an MC for the ZRT (https://wiki.talossa.com/47th_Cosa) (Republican predecessors of the Free Democrats); if I remember right, what happened is at the end of that Cosă term I called for volunteers for the next Party list, Mximo didn't respond for whatever reason, and, well, I didn't pursue the issue very hard for reasons detailed in the above link. You'd better believe he didn't take that well.
In general Mximo has a record of doing 180-degree political turns based on perceived personal slights, which seems to be a theme these days.
Now. I know that you've been a big fan of the power of Terpelaziuns to hold Ministers to account; and that you're not a big fan of inactive ministers, or Ministers who rudely dismiss polite questions; so I'll repeat my initial question.
I will repeat my answer from the Political Discussion thread, Miestra, since you've asked the question previously. Questions to or about Mximo seem to be a current theme of yours. The fact that there was not more progress on LOSS was regrettable. Whether he was rude to you is something you should hash out with him directly.
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 01, 2024, 04:42:54 PMWhether he was rude to you is something you should hash out with him directly.
Well, no. It's a question of how Ministers should react to Terpelaziuns. Decorum, honesty, respecting the opposition's role in seeking accountability, etc. If I refer to one Minister, it's because no other Minister in the previous two TNC governments has behaved this way.
While Free Democrats were in government we got a whole lot of what we considered annoying and bad-faith TERPs, but I think we at least
attempted to answer all of them and didn't say "it's a secret" or "I'll tell you later" to any of them - I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm remembering wrong.
The standpoint where we won't condemn bad behaviour (even if we've railed against it ourselves) if our political allies do it is a menace to Talossa.
Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 01, 2024, 06:24:57 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 01, 2024, 04:42:54 PMWhether he was rude to you is something you should hash out with him directly.
Well, no. It's a question of how Ministers should react to Terpelaziuns. Decorum, honestly, respecting the opposition's role in seeking accountability, etc.
While Free Democrats were in government we got a whole lot of what we considered annoying and bad-faith TERPs, but I think we at least attempted to answer all of them and didn't say "it's a secret" or "I'll tell you later" to any of them - I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm remembering wrong.
I'd recommend taking that up with Mximo directly if you genuinely believe he was lacking in decorum or not respecting your role as the Opposition. Sorry to hear you were annoyed by some of those terps we sent your way though.
Well, if the Open Society is welcoming people with such a track record as new members with a "Yayyy", then surely the party becomes politically responsible for that record? I should emphasise that this doesn't just refer to your party - the Red/Green party, as the party of the outgoing Seneschal who also thought there was no problem with that way of dealing with TERPs, faces the same question.
I just realised that the haughty refusal to answer a simple question ("do you think that style of answering TERPs is appropriate, or don't you")... kind of answers the question in and of itself. It seems that we have to start all over again with the question of whether political differences in Talossa justify outright rudeness and hostility.
Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 01, 2024, 06:39:41 PMWell, if the Open Society is welcoming people with such a track record as new members with a "Yayyy", then surely the party becomes politically responsible for that record? I should emphasise that this doesn't just refer to your party - the Red/Green party, as the party of the outgoing Seneschal who also thought there was no problem with that way of dealing with TERPs, faces the same question.
I just realised that the haughty refusal to answer a simple question ("do you think that style of answering TERPs is appropriate, or don't you")... kind of answers the question in and of itself. It seems that we have to start all over again with the question of whether political differences in Talossa justify outright rudeness and hostility.
Ok, Miestra.
2 June 2024:
Minor Government Reform-A-X Advisory Opinions: During the last term there was opposition to allowing the Government's chief legal advisor, the Avocat-Xheneral, the ability to seek advice from the Judiciary. An eminent Talossan or two have agreed that the A-X, at the least, should have the ability to do so. I will be resubmitting this legislation as I believe it is an obvious role of the A-X. These common-sense fine-tuning reforms will be a hallmark of Open Society's participation in debates next term and we look forward to proposing them for public debate.
For voters, please feel free to review the Hopper debate on the previously proposed CpI Advisory Opinion Expansion Amendment (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=3056.0). It appeared to have some multipartisan support.
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 31, 2024, 01:24:01 AM31 May 2024:
An apolitical Chancery: Some call it a crusade, some call it a hobby horse. I call it defending the norms that underpin Talossan democracy. And that is something for which I will never tire. In the absence of any internal policy to address the precedent set by the current Secretary of State I will resubmit previous legislation concerning an apolitical Chancery. If it comes, as a part of broader Civil Service rules, all the better but this issue ain't going anywhere just like me.
We just might reach some agreement on this issue?
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 02, 2024, 02:25:44 PM2 June 2024:
Minor Government Reform-A-X Advisory Opinions: During the last term there was opposition to allowing the Government's chief legal advisor, the Avocat-Xheneral, the ability to seek advice from the Judiciary. An eminent Talossan or two have agreed that the A-X, at the least, should have the ability to do so. I will be resubmitting this legislation as I believe it is an obvious role of the A-X. These common-sense fine-tuning reforms will be a hallmark of Open Society's participation in debates next term and we look forward to proposing them for public debate.
For voters, please feel free to review the Hopper debate on the previously proposed CpI Advisory Opinion Expansion Amendment (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=3056.0). It appeared to have some multipartisan support.
I am wondering if there is any opposition to this Amendment still?
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 05, 2024, 01:12:41 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 31, 2024, 01:24:01 AM31 May 2024:
An apolitical Chancery: Some call it a crusade, some call it a hobby horse. I call it defending the norms that underpin Talossan democracy. And that is something for which I will never tire. In the absence of any internal policy to address the precedent set by the current Secretary of State I will resubmit previous legislation concerning an apolitical Chancery. If it comes, as a part of broader Civil Service rules, all the better but this issue ain't going anywhere just like me.
We just might reach some agreement on this issue?
Folks, choosing to not engage will also not cause this issue to go away.
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 30, 2024, 05:12:22 AM30 May 2024:
Making Talossa more than a political playground: An election season every 8 months leads to constant political fevers. We would like to pursue electoral reforms which extend Cosa terms to one year while expanding the Civil Service to address any increased burden from this subsequent increased government terms. We also support a unicameral legislature.
We plan to propose an Electoral Reform bill on the legislative terms specifically at the start of the next session. We believe that if we are to open space for non-political Talossans then we might want to reduce the frequency of election seasons.
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 05, 2024, 01:12:41 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 31, 2024, 01:24:01 AM31 May 2024:
An apolitical Chancery: Some call it a crusade, some call it a hobby horse. I call it defending the norms that underpin Talossan democracy. And that is something for which I will never tire. In the absence of any internal policy to address the precedent set by the current Secretary of State I will resubmit previous legislation concerning an apolitical Chancery. If it comes, as a part of broader Civil Service rules, all the better but this issue ain't going anywhere just like me.
We just might reach some agreement on this issue?
@þerxh Sant-Enogat Congrats on bringing Sir Briga back to politics as that is a big get. Will the Progressive Alliance be supporting Open Society's effort to ensure a nonpartisan Civil Service and Chancery?
I have an answer from the FreeDems on the Chancery but they seem open to a larger initiative covering all of the Civil Service. No word from COFFEE, Dien, the Independent Party or Reform Party though.
Cross-posting...
Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on February 04, 2024, 04:19:26 PMThere is indeed a fundamental difference in principle between the parties. We agree that there is a real need to make sure that the Secretary of State, the Chancery and the whole Royal Civil Service act without any hint of partisan bias. We do not agree that limiting the civil rights to free association of the Secretary of State are necessary or justifiable in that regard; nor that, when the Secretary of State briefly served as Free Democrats Party President during a crisis, he behaved improperly or even criminally.
This is you from February 2024. If the bolded part is still your stance then it is a reasonable potential distinction between the FreeDems and the Progressive Alliance. Certainly between Open Society and the FreeDems.
I also wanted to check as to why "you needing a break" (Txec's words) is considered a crisis on a scale to cause an appearance of partisanship for one of the nation's most powerful civil servants?
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 11, 2024, 03:48:12 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on June 05, 2024, 01:12:41 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 31, 2024, 01:24:01 AM31 May 2024:
An apolitical Chancery: Some call it a crusade, some call it a hobby horse. I call it defending the norms that underpin Talossan democracy. And that is something for which I will never tire. In the absence of any internal policy to address the precedent set by the current Secretary of State I will resubmit previous legislation concerning an apolitical Chancery. If it comes, as a part of broader Civil Service rules, all the better but this issue ain't going anywhere just like me.
We just might reach some agreement on this issue?
@þerxh Sant-Enogat Congrats on bringing Sir Briga back to politics as that is a big get. Will the Progressive Alliance be supporting Open Society's effort to ensure a nonpartisan Civil Service and Chancery?
I have an answer from the FreeDems on the Chancery but they seem open to a larger initiative covering all of the Civil Service. No word from COFFEE, Dien, the Independent Party or Reform Party though.
I am deeply disappointed in the inability of other parties to take this issue seriously.
Especially when the solutions are rather straightforward and quick.
I look forward to continuing to advocate on it during the coming Cosa term.
Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 11, 2024, 05:25:16 PMSeparation of politics from the Royal Civil Service. Talossans have to be able to do jobs for the Kingdom without having to join/agree with the party of Government. But to require civil servants to renounce political activity would require most Talossans to make an impossible choice, and reduce activity. We support an explicit Code of Conduct for civil servants, enforcing penalties for allowing partisan politics to interfere with their work.
Open Society will withdraw its own legislation should a coalition of parties propose legislation creating a Civil Service-wide code of conduct that is enforceable without the nebulous qualification of "interfering with their work." This is not about work interference it is about the reasonable "appearance of impropriety." There is no question as to whether Txec allowed his service as FreeDems Party President to infere with his work as Secretary of State. The question is whether the taking of the position created a reasonable appearance of partisanship for a Civil Service official. The answer to the latter is far clearer than the one to the former.
QuoteI will say again that norms in democratic society apply even to our friends. They apply even if they've not committed other infractions. And they should be defended even if the one doing the defending is hated.
In recognition of the emergency going on with Txec and his family Open Society will discontinue campaigning during the election on the Civil Service. Our concern on the issue is well-known but it is connected with something involving Txec as SoS. Further discussion of the issue would add no benefit to advancement on the issue and has the risk of adding to any potential stress. We do not want to do that and wish Txec and his family well during this emergency.
Open Society itself is new but its members have a history of getting things done. Did you know that two of the three recent efforts to revise catchment areas for the provinces were authored by the Open Society party leader? The first updates to the areas that determine which province new citizens go to was done by Breneir Tzaracomprada. Part of this update was to enlarge the catchment area of Vuode. The second update which compensated Vuode for its loss due to a Benitian catchment area change was also authored by Breneir and supported in the Florencian parliament by another Open Society member
@mximo When we say we get things done we mean it. And we think you can easily see in the two actions above. We look forward to working with other parties on another Open Society idea: making the regular review and updating of catchment areas mandatory.
I agree, where should I sign?
Quote from: Aleksandr Belkin on June 23, 2024, 04:12:01 PMI agree, where should I sign?
@Aleksandr Belkin Thank you to the moon and back for your support!
You can vote in the Database here (you are Citizen 556 and need to use the code found in the ballot emailed by the Secretary of State): https://www.talossa.ca/files/vote.php or if you are comfortable voting publicly you can vote on Wittenberg here: https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=3299.0
If you run into any difficulties just let me know and I am happy to help.
Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on June 23, 2024, 07:42:00 PMA Lot of people are coming to me and saying that they might not vote Free Democrats because they think we have the election all sewn up and they don't want us to have a bulldozer supermajority.
It's precisely that kind of complacency which sunk the Government in the last election and might well sink us.
If you like the FreeDem candidates and programme best, vote FreeDems. Don't engage in weird game theory which might lead to people you don't want forming the next government. If you're really worried, vote for one of our alliance partners (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=3304.0).
I want to echo
@Miestră Schivă, UrN here.
If you support the Open Society but are worried about us having a bulldozer majority then I am here to reassure you we will not be getting one...so please vote Open Society :)
Our agendas are public. You know where we stand. And our little hearts are in the right place...
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on May 29, 2024, 05:37:24 PM31 May 2024:
Culture-Talossan Literature Shop: Ever since Danihel Txechescu mentioned it I've wanted to make it happen. I'd like to start an online print-to-order bookshop for Talossan writers. We have quite a few published authors and it would be great to have a centralized spot for purchasing their works.
This is a piece of our platform we've not discussed as much. We hope that as we create additional space for non-political activity in Talossa it is filled with projects like these. Or like Talossa Talks.
Congratulations to the AVANT coalition on achieving enough seats for government. I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of voter support for the platform of Open Society. Sincere thanks to each and every voter for your support for our party, our message, and our principles. We look forward to working with the incoming government on a nonpartisan Chancery/Civil Service, electoral reform, and in other areas.
I also want to express thanks to the Secretary of State for discharging his duties with competence and dependability during what must be a difficult time personally.
@Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB Hello Mr. Secretary, would you please set up a board for Open Society under the Registered Political Parties area and move this thread to the new board?
Quote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on July 03, 2024, 03:24:39 PM@Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB Hello Mr. Secretary, would you please set up a board for Open Society under the Registered Political Parties area and move this thread to the new board?
Done
Quote from: Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB on July 03, 2024, 04:13:32 PMQuote from: Breneir Tzaracomprada on July 03, 2024, 03:24:39 PM@Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB Hello Mr. Secretary, would you please set up a board for Open Society under the Registered Political Parties area and move this thread to the new board?
Done
Merci beaucoup