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| Dixie: Chancellor of the Fun Germans; Pub fare with the governor of the Westphalians | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 15 2012, 10:16 PM (169 Views) | |
| Jack Dixie | Oct 15 2012, 10:16 PM Post #1 |
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Rambler-in-Chief
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![]() Chancellor of the Fun Germans Pub fare with the governor of the Westphalians ![]() We continued our journey into the politics of Westphalia, a successful little region, known as one of the last non-fascist German-themed regions in-game. We had already sat down at an Irish pub to discuss the region’s future with the charismatic leader of the far-left Social-Democratic Reform Party, to which I belong, a user called Andropoland. He painted a very worrying picture of the threat posed to the region by fascists, and insisted the region should join Antifa and go to war with the fascists, calling for a national army to be formed. I was left with the impression, from my time in Westphalia, that things were not so bad after all. Compared to many regions, which were struggling with activity, Westphalia was booming. I’d been on a bit of a wild goose chase to pin down the Chancellor of Westphalia, a player known as Roxaboxin. He was a senior figure in the region, the top poster on the forum and a key figure in the Visionary Progressives – the large, moderate party that dominates Westphalian politics. By an odd series of circumstances, I had a shot at meeting Roxaboxin as he went through the city of Amsberg on official business. We were due to have lunch at a small village pub in the town of Sundern. Roxaboxin showed up. He seemed considerably older than Andropoland, not just in years but in manner. I expected security to follow him but he was unwatched. I was in for more than one surprise as he immediately greeted the bartender, Helga, with a zeal you would give your old friend. He pointed at several men in the pub, who laughed and joked with him. I wondered if this was a display or if he was really this on top of the region. We sat down and I ordered beer from Helga. He ordered a dark liquid, which came back in a whiskey glass, which he consumed in one shot. I decided this was as good a point as any to begin. “Well, first of all, thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I imagine you must be rather busy. Let's get to it - what does being a Visionary Progressive mean? What is your belief system?” “The best description I've heard of the VPP is 'extreme centrist, forward, not left or right.' I think that illustrates who we are rather well, we've set aside our political differences because we have a vision of the region in the future. Jobs need to be filled, people need to have active rolls that benefit the region, but most of all, the government needs to foster an environment that promotes prosperity without interfering too much. To do this, drastic changes need to be made. Soon after it's formation, the VPP pushed the New Jobs Creation Act and Military Re-Organization Act. They are both part of a growing Westphalia, but I believe our focus right now is on filling those positions with the people who can make them serve the region, and clearing away old legislation that will only get in the way. That takes more planning and careful thought. Despite being progressive, we don't rush into things.” “If it's okay with you, I'd like to go through some issues and let you respond to them. On the trivia shows, this would be the quick-fire round. Westphalian monarchy - yes or no?” “Yes. It's part of our culture.” “Should Westphalia have an army? If so, should that army be raider or defender?” “Technically we do [referring to legal framework for army, which exists], but we need to recruit for it. Neither. A Westphalian army should serve Westphalia and no one else.” “I know you read my interview with Andropoland. He paints a very black and white picture of the threat posed to Westphalia by fascist German regions. Do you share his fear for Westphalia's future?” “I believe a healthy dose of paranoia is appropriate, so long as it doesn't spread. I don't see German regions as being an immediate threat, but I'm glad someone has an eye in that direction.” ![]() “I believe a healthy dose of paranoia is appropriate, so long as it doesn't spread.” “One of the problems, it seems, with Westphalian politics is that everyone seems to be seeing something different. Andropoland sees a socialist state against the backdrop of right-wing regions. Your more conservative opponents seem to see imperial Prussia on the march. What about Westphalia inspires that completely divergent vision?” “I think we have Mike [legendary Westphalian builder who left the game] to thank for that. He made this region welcoming to all political ideologies, and really, a region's attitude is determined by it's leader. I hope to make the region fun for people with different ideas and people who want different things from the game like he did. I'd say, so far, so good.” By this point in the interview, I began to get frustrated. I felt as though he was holding back some, or perhaps playing safe. Maybe I was just drunk. “You seem, if I can say, very relaxed about the region. I think readers would want to know what makes you angry, and where the line in the sand is for you. I mean, you're Chancellor - surely you must feel the region faces some threat.” “You can't make the right decisions without a level head. But yes, some things do make me angry. There is a limit to my patience. I believe the biggest threat this region faces is an internal one, not a spy, or a forum-crasher, but just a someone who's a jerk and takes the fun out of everything. This will discourage forum activity, and what you don't know is that it was almost nothing before you Ren people got here. Fortunately I've yet to see someone like that, but I get angry when people start insulting each other or act destructively towards the friendships here.” “If there is one thing that you wish to be known for, as a leader of this region, what is it?” “What I try to be is someone who does his best and is honest with everyone. I can't think of anything better to be known for.” (He smiled and I began to believe him for the first time since our interview began) (We both ordered more beer, and I felt him open up, I decided to take a risk) “Can you honestly tell me if you're going to run for another term?” “It's too early to say. Probably.” “What do you like about being Chancellor?” “I like the authority. The fact that people trust me to make good decisions, and that the Emperor trusts me. More importantly, being in this leadership position empowers me to help pass the bills that will better this region. ” “How is being Chancellor different today than when you first took office?” “How isn't it? When I first took office, not many people wanted the job. Madredia [Westphalian user] was my only competition I think. I was reluctant to take it at first, because the position was so vaguely defined. Now, bills like the Westphalian Organization Act and the New Job Creation Act set very clear responsibilities for the Chancellor. Despite the emergency constitution, I still have many roles as Chancellor. ” “Do you think the region is safer now than it was when you took over?” “Not yet. Our defense department still has a long way to go, but now that we have an active WAD we have some level of security. My policy in this is to try to minimize our involvement with the interregional community for the time being, so as not to be noticed by the wrong people. Once our military is up and running we can start to reach out more. ” “How often do you get a chance to meet with the royals?” “If by royals you mean the Emperor and the Princes, not too often. I chatted with the Emperor occasionally when he was here, he always tries to be friendly with everyone. ‘Catholic Prussia’ is also one of the Princes, I believe. I don't speak to him as much. ” “I heard someone suggest that Westphalia's claim to fame was being the "fun German region". Do you agree with that?” “I've never been to any other German regions, but I hear many of them are fascist/unfriendly. In that light, Westphalia easily earns the title of the Fun German Region. We have RP, forum games, a shared nation, a paper, and civilized debating! All that is very fun.” I can't say I felt, as I left Sundern that day, that I thought Roxaboxin had all the answers. I did understand him, and the Westphalians, a lot better after our meeting. I wasn't sure I could call myself a Visionary Progressive but I certainly wasn't a Social-Democratic Reformer, and I certainly didn't see the region's main threat being the monarchy or the fascists. For all his faults, Roxaboxin was a Westphalian creation, and a reaction to the politics of far-left and right that seem to hold the fringe of the region. For a region that prizes activity, spam, and RP, a Chancellor like Roxaboxin, topping the post count list, made a lot of sense. I had one interview left to find, with the leaders of the Westphalian right. I found it hard to believe I would have as much fun as I did today. I was, despite my attempt at objectivity, impressed by Roxaboxin and knew he was the leader I wanted to cast my lot in with. Flawed as he might have been, he was a walking representation of Westphalia and all the people who live in the land "of fun Germans". He was their Chancellor and I don't think he's going anywhere soon. |
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