Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is a Lovian liberal think tank that was set up by the Progressive Democrats after they started their 2010 federal elections campaign. It is named after Cassiopeia who was the queen of Ethiopia in Greek mythology. Her name means 'she whose words excel'. The think tank is part of the new party strategy and is expected to be a forum for discussion between party members and, occasionally, outsiders.

New Party Line
''If you have any comments or suggestions on the new party line, style or strategy you can start a topic here. This forum is meant for decent critics and any inappropriate remarks shall be removed. This forum can also be used by non-members.''


 * I have second thoughts on the party's proposal to introduce "civil teachings" in class. We should not teach our children to be civil, we should teach them to be critical, academic, and open-minded. -
 * Please note that the subject of Civic Teachings is a combination of economy, sociology, etc. (Civic Teachings) and not a lesson in politeness. I am certain the subject will make a good basis for critical and open-minded thought. -
 * Oh. In that case! I have good news for you, concerning this matter. In the Primary Education Act, our King has included a course called 'Everyday Life', which includes teachings on food, relations and all kinds of things. For Secondary Education, there's no such plan yet - but there will be a council deciding on the courses that are to be taught. I am positive the Lovians will agree on a more academic 'Everyday Life' course, more like 'Civics'. - 14:39, December 5, 2009 (UTC)
 * Our image must be rather 'left' with such a party emblem. Not that I mind, but I believe we are clearly centrum -left. Perhaps we could make clear what other parties are our 'natural allies'? -
 * Why did I have to pick that color again? Never mind, I will just have to keep saying we are a centre party. It seems pretty obvious that all democratic parties are 'allies'. Besides, in Lovia political parties are merely platforms from which the politicians can (co)operate. -
 * This seems like a complot against some parties - Pierlot McCrooke
 * I am sorry if I expressed myself wrong Pierlot, I just meant that this party (Progressive Democrats) has no problem to work together with other parties that defend a democratic system where the people can decide. -
 * Ill thought it was your rivals Pierlot McCrooke
 * On the contrary, only parties that want a dictator, absolute monarch, etc. are 'enemies' to us. I don't believe Lovia has such parties, though I am not certain what the position of the LCP is. -
 * This party should seriously think about changing its logo, the left image it gives scares a lot of people Harold Freeman
 * I am getting tired of explaining that this is NOT a socialist party. Since tattooing our foreheads isn't such a good idea we should consider changing the color of the logo. I'll organize a poll, non-members can vote too. (Voting) -
 * It will hardly be a surprise that I have my regrets, right? Nonetheless, I know you act in the best interest of the party. -

2010 Campaign
''If you have any comments or suggestions on our program or campaign for the 2010 federal elections you can start a topic here. This forum is meant for decent critics and any inappropriate remarks shall be removed. This forum can also be used by non-members.''


 * It would be best if we (party members) all support one candidate to become Prime Minister, someone from our party of course. -
 * No doubt it would be nice, but every member should be free to decide on his own shouldn't he? -
 * It came to my attention that other parties actually are putting forward 'their' candidate. We are not following them in this unless there would be a (large enough) demand for that?
 * We should end our campaign with a party (the one with music and booze) I like to organize it if you guys agree
 * A party? I hope we will be able to make it to Congress the day after!
 * Would a man of the competition such as myself be welcome too? Harold Freeman 13:00, January 11, 2010 (UTC)
 * Why not? Please do note that there should not be a party if not all of our (running) members make it to Congress. 13:26, January 12, 2010 (UTC)
 * . -- 07:10, January 13, 2010 (UTC)
 * How could we practically organize this? 16:09, January 13, 2010 (UTC)
 * A real life party would be fun but isn't very nice for the people who can't come. A little festivity in the pub? Our party could finance a round or two, not? 08:30, January 14, 2010 (UTC)
 * Sure, why not. 11:57, January 14, 2010 (UTC)

Reform Proposal
''The Progressive Democrats have a thorough reform of the current political system on their agenda. We would like to construct a concrete proposal that can be made after the elections. Because such a topic needs serious thought, we already started this discussion. This forum can also be used by non-members''


 * This proposal will contain several changes to constitutional articles, but it should be handled as one 'umbrella proposal' -
 * The Congress must consist of two parts, one representing the people and one for the states. This way, the current bureaucracy of state laws, federal laws and constitution can be narrowed down. -
 * Merging Train Village with Noble City; Sofasi with Kinley; Clymene with Seven; Dep. of Justice with Dep. of Welfare; the National Park Service with the National Monument Service; Dep.s of Industry, Agriculture and Trade, Finance and Tourism and Leisure - Pierlot McCrooke
 * I believe this is perhaps a bit too much, if you centralize like this you get too many power with too few people. I do support the creation of a combined 'Heritage Service' and a - though not this big - revision of the departments. -
 * I am Supporting evrything and the departments we wil merge can be good combined. - Pierlot McCrooke
 * You can't simply merge a couple of towns, that's not a serious point of view. You want to move San Francisco to Miami? -Bucurestean
 * That is not comprable all the town we will merge are very near the the towns they will merge with - Pierlot McCrooke
 * There are always people for and against a proposal and though I do not support the merging of several towns/cities, I do feel Pierlot has the right to propose it. The people/congress will then decide whetter it will be accepted or not. I believe that the majority will not support such a proposal though. -
 * I didn't say he doesn't have the right to propose something, I'm happy he's willing to contribute actively, but I find it a bit difficult to move a town a couple of miles to the south. Please, don't get me wrong. Maybe I sounded a bit harsh. --Bucurestean
 * It isn't impossible (on a wiki ) and I do see that there are some advantages, but there are other ways to get the same results: less police departments etc. -
 * Bucu the merger is like the municipial reforms in The Netherlands Pierlot McCrooke
 * Ah, that way. Maybe it's easier to give the State more influence, the Mayor less. The same result (in Sylvania though). --Bucurestean
 * The Progressive Democrats should consider a direct democracy, where every citizen seats in Congress, for only a direct democracy would be a real one
 * This subject is very delicate, but you could give your opinion in Congress once the reform proposals are made.

Our own identity?
As the small oversight on my sandpit shows, the Progressive Democrats are divided over two main political currents. My question is: can this situation continue? Shouldn't we be working on what we could call our identity? As the sole party to represent the leftist current we have a duty to fulfill. Fellow members, what are your opinions? 19:02, February 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Maybe we should release some polls to know what the different views in the party are, some questions for every member to know what his personal points of view are, it would not only help the sole person, but the whole party! Jon Johnson 08:44, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * A good idea indeed. I'll spend some time thinking this through. 14:22, February 22, 2010 (UTC)

Here are some questions for our poll. Please vote  for yes and  for no. You can also leave your comment behind the vote. 14:43, February 22, 2010 (UTC)

1. Are the Progressive Democrats progressive enough in their views/program?
 * I think we need to reform the state, the government should have more control on what is happening in the country Jon Johnson 15:08, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * We have the most leftist members in Lovia, but our official program does not comply with that. 15:26, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Not an option but we've won the PM spot and are doing okay but always could do betterJohn Couplaohla 23:44, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Sure what party is always winning elections?!?Marcus Villanova 23:09, February 26, 2010 (UTC)
 * I'm new here but I know there not progressive enough.George Uzux 21:21, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * Yes, rather. -- 16:10, March 5, 2010 (UTC)

2. Are the Progressive Democrats progressive enough in the actual policy?
 * I don't feel the actual presence of the party, whereas it is the largest ~party of the country. Jon Johnson 15:08, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * I think that, under the current circumstances we always defended our position, only leftist proposals are missing in this picture. 15:26, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Yah, I agree with Yuri. John Couplaohla 23:44, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Yep! Marcus Villanova 23:09, February 26, 2010 (UTC)
 * No, question 1 and 2 are about the same. George Uzux 21:21, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * We are the only party actually writing and proposing reform proposals! -- 16:10, March 5, 2010 (UTC)

3. Do you feel there is a schism between a left and right wing of the party?
 * In Lovia there is only one large party, and in order to have great political succes, you need to join this party, so many lovian citizens join the party which results in diverse points of view. Jon Johnson 15:08, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Schism might be a description of a category too high, but there definitely are contradictions I hope our party can overcome. 15:26, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * I was once a member of the Lovian Republicans and the LCRP and they had liberal views like ours very similar, but there aren't very much right winged party.John Couplaohla 23:44, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * I also once was a member of the LCRP and we had the same exact views! Marcus Villanova 23:09, February 26, 2010 (UTC)
 * Yes! Yes! Yes! George Uzux 21:21, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * A schism? -- 16:10, March 5, 2010 (UTC)

4. Would you prefer a more leftist course over the current more liberal views?
 * No comment Jon Johnson 15:08, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * In the past we have been too afraid of the public opinion. We need to convince the world, not otherwise! 15:27, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * GAY RIGHTS NOW! MORE LEFTIST VIEWS!John Couplaohla 23:44, February 22, 2010 (UTC)
 * Marcus Villanova 23:09, February 26, 2010 (UTC)
 * George Uzux 21:21, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * -- 16:10, March 5, 2010 (UTC)

It seems there is a strong need for a more outspoken image of the inner views that drive us. I would however like to wait a little while longer to do anything because two members still haven't spoken their mind. 08:16, February 23, 2010 (UTC)

Results
In spite of the fact that two people still haven't given their opinion, I would already like to take a look at the results. This party has grown over the past few weeks and I believe (though I'll have to check) we are the largest party once more! There also is a strong bias towards a more outspoken party identity. To achieve this, there will be a review (and perhaps change?) of our parties official opinions. I also ordered a campaign by Creative, the designer bureau of Jon Johnson. I also have one final question: should or should we not return to our old logo, which futures bright red instead of green? 13:11, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * It depends in how much we change the party, are we talking fundamental changes or are we just about to redefine some of our views? Jon Johnson 14:06, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * We had to change our logo in the past because of associations with socialists. I figured that a more outspoken leftist view could mean a return of the original logo. 14:24, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * Which contained red? Jon Johnson 14:38, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * Which was red, with white text. 14:48, February 27, 2010 (UTC)
 * I think we have two possible directions: or we take the red logo or we do a complete style change! Jon Johnson 15:44, February 27, 2010 (UTC)

Fair trade legislation
As a member of the Progressive Democrats, I would like to propose the following to my dearest party members, to be added to our party program:

''Introducing a legal framework for fair-trade products, in a way that they will get a tax benefit, or that non-fair-trade products will be taxed more. Unfair trade is making poor farmers and worker even more poor - and that is not something "progressive" or "democratic".''

Would my kindest party colleagues consider this issues, please? -- 18:17, March 22, 2010 (UTC)


 * I am agreeing with Mr. Jefferson and his new plan but here is a crudley drawn map of Lovia.
 * Red= The LD Republicanism, or Conservative powerhouses
 * Blue= Liberals such as the PD, WLP or liberals(LCP to), Marcus Villanova


 * Fair trade should indeed get a legal framework to support these issues. A difference in taxes is just a beginning. Government should use fair trade products themselves (coffee, fruit juice, peanut butter, ...) and we could even block the Lovian market from companies that are known to be exploiting the poor. @Marcus: what are you suggesting? I hope not a civil war?  09:13, March 23, 2010 (UTC)
 * That would be interesting and exciting though :P Bucurestean 13:44, March 23, 2010 (UTC)

@Yuri: No,no,no,no,no i'm stating the facts... Maybe we should start campaining there more you know...

@Mr.Jefferson: sorry didn't mean to take anything away to your issue I'm not a MOTC but I fully agree!

Oh and just saying... USA finally got health care for all!(not universal but it's a start)Marcus Villanova 22:01, March 23, 2010 (UTC)

Official poll
The political landscape has changed again and there's no way of telling what it will look like over a month. Since we can expect mid-term elections this summer it would be nice if we repositioned ourselves and update our views. This goes especially for our 'junior members' who haven't a seat in Congress (yet). A little poll:

1. Should the PD support - and I guess also write - laws on banning undemocratic parties (like the IGP) and nationalizing key industries (like energy)?
 * 16:37, April 2, 2010 (UTC)
 * 09:22, April 4, 2010 (UTC)
 * -- 15:02, April 4, 2010 (UTC)
 * Jon Johnson 14:45, April 6, 2010 (UTC)

2. Should the PD declare an intellectual war (proactive commenting, polemics, etc.) against rightist views and conservative moral?
 * 16:37, April 2, 2010 (UTC)
 * 09:22, April 4, 2010 (UTC)
 * -- 15:02, April 4, 2010 (UTC) (I dislike the whole idea of war.)
 * Jon Johnson 14:45, April 6, 2010 (UTC)

3. How would you describe your own political views? A few possibilities: democrat - socialist - communist - no idea - ...
 * Neo-marxist 16:37, April 2, 2010 (UTC)
 * Socialist 09:22, April 4, 2010 (UTC)
 * Progressive or Social-liberal. -- 15:02, April 4, 2010 (UTC)
 * Hm. I can only notice a certain dichotomy in the PD... 15:07, April 4, 2010 (UTC)
 * Typical for leftist movements  14:06, April 5, 2010 (UTC)
 * Titoist, I'd like some more leftism, but not in a way you destroy yourself economically speaking. Jon Johnson 14:45, April 6, 2010 (UTC)
 * We sure are a crazy bunch of people, I never would have guessed we had a Titoist in our ranks.  06:01, April 7, 2010 (UTC)