User:Semyon/Patrick West interview

'''Exclusive interview with RTP leader Patrick West


 * October 12th, HURBANOVA - TNCT this week presents a unique scoop - an interview with the small and little known Christian party, the Reformed Traditional Party (RTP). Often lampooned as 'hard-core CCPL', our journalists sent the leader Patrick West a request for an interview with little hope of a response. To our astonishment, however, we received a letter of agreement, and yesterday TNCT met up with Patrick over a beer in That Varen.


 * TNCT: Mr. West, good morning and thanks for taking this time to come and talk to us. I have to confess, I was surprised when I saw you had agreed to this interview.
 * PW: Yes, in general, we're opposed to the media, but we decided to make an exclusive exception this time as TNCT is our country's leading newspaper.
 * TNCT: We'd like to start with some discussion of religion and its relation to the RTP. One of the most interesting policies is the splitting of the Church of Oceana from the Catholic Church. What are the RTP's reasons for this?
 * PW: Well, the main reason - among financial reasons - is the fact that the Roman Catholic Church embraces modernism. RTP believes that a split would result into lower prices for masses and baptism.
 * TNCT: Do you think you can really get support for such a controversial idea among Lovian Catholics?
 * PW: First of all, support among Oceana Catholics is what we need, as we only desire to break off the Oceana part of the Roman Catholic Church. As you say, we do not have support among Lovian Catholics but a growing group of Oceana Catholics desire this split and support our aims.
 * TNCT: It seems most RTP members are Catholics.
 * PW: Yes, our official denomination is Roman Catholic, and all members have to subscribe to our views. Therefore, they have to be Catholic or at least they have to agree to the proposed split and the creation of a Oceana Catholic Church.
 * TNCT: Another of your most controversial policies is that God should be made head of state, which is slightly vague. How would this be carried out, in practice?
 * PW: In our opinion, God can be part of our government and his verdict can't be refuted. God is with us.
 * TNCT: Let me rephrase that. How would God, legally, fulfil that role? Would it be ceremonial, or would a priest fulfil the role on behalf of God, so to speak?
 * PW: Neither. As I said - God is with us. A law wouldn't change that.
 * TNCT: You coöperate with other conservative Christians in congress. What's the RTP view on coöperation with other parties to pass laws?
 * PW: With regard to parties which are far from our views, we will only vote pro for laws which are going for the Christian course. If we find ourselves unable to coöperate with parties such as LDP, so be it. As for the CCPL, they could be considered a lighter version of the RTP; while our viewpoints are very different, therefore, we support Ilava in the State Elections. We do like the efforts of CCPL concerning the marriage act and the abortion act, but it is not enough. Christian conservatism doesn't mean anything in Lovia.
 * TNCT: You're unwilling to compromise on your principles, then. In a political environment which is so hostile to your views, how does the RTP propose even to survive, let alone flourish?
 * PW: It's true that all other parties lie at the other side of the political spectrum, so although we can count on occasional support from CCPL, our biggest goal has to be to get more seats in Congress. We are fully aware it is difficult to get things passed in Congress. Nevertheless, the future looks promising. Last elections the RTP vote went up about 0.2%, so maybe there is a second seat for us soon.
 * TNCT: Yes, even the major parties have struggled to pass laws. Do RTP have anything at all to show for their time in Congress?
 * PW: Our major achievements have been helping to pass the labor act and keeping off a military in Lovia. In fact, simply winning a seat is a great achievement for us, so our voice can be heard in all of Lovia. Speaking for myself, my main achievement as chairman has been to make the party ready for the Federal Elections and winning a seat.
 * TNCT: That brings me to another interesting point. RTP is probably the oldest surviving Lovian political organisation, but it took part in elections for the first time in 2012. What caused you to take this momentous decision?
 * PW: We felt that Lovia was heading the wrong direction and none of the parties that were there represented our ideas. Also, we couldn't break through to Congress until the recent enlargement to 100 seats, because we only have a small, though stable, voting core.
 * TNCT: What makes up this voting core, then?
 * PW: Christians, mainly. RTP voters are to be found across the nation, but most notably Amish Kinley, Oceana, and East Sylvania. Roughly 75% of our voters are male and most voters are between the age of 25 and the age of 50.
 * TNCT: It probably won't surprise most of our readers that few of your voters are women. In fact, your party is viewed as being anti-women.
 * PW: On the contrary, modern society oppresses women. It's practically impossible, for instance, for women not to work without starving their families. RTP will protect and liberate women across Lovia, and our plans for the future include subsidies for women who want to be a housewife instead of working, as well as illegalization of prostitution.
 * TNCT: One final question. Overall, is your view on the future of Lovian Christianity and Christian conservatism in Lovia positive or negative?
 * PW: With the coming of a new series of immigrants from Europe, America, and Mäöres and the revitalization of Christian morals and believes in Oceana, we can see Lovian Christianity is a booming business. Lovia was known as one of the most atheist countries in the world, but now, the Christian and Christian-based parties have 27 seats in Congress. I have to say that not all voters on Christian parties are in fact Christian, just as not all Christians vote for a Christian party, but a general trend can be concluded. Though I cannot tell whether Christianity is peaking right now or whether it's just the beginning, I can tell that religious tolerance among all groups of Lovia is growing and people look for concessions to please both demographic groups. It's true, Amish Kinley is perhaps the only place which is truly conservative and RTP is the only true Christian conservative party, but it isn't that strange. There are temptations everywhere and living the Christian way of life is difficult in modern-day society. Nevertheless, we will always stand for our principles: Christianity, family, and above all we stand for God.
 * TNCT Mr. West, thanks again for talking to us.