Hi! After you posted your last post about this issue, many users gave feedback on what you proposed. Some of the ideas you are suggesting here are ideas that users in general widely and broadly oppose, so I think it might be good for the site to consider some different potential options! Here are some points that are relevant in this case and in the interest of the democracy we are all working towards on this site. In service of that democratic goal, here are some thoughts:
- Only SMs are currently allowed to run for PB. This locks out many users who may want to run for PB. Additionally, many SMs do not want to run for PB as it has much higher energy, time, and financial requirements than the SM position, and a large portion of users, including SMs, also work jobs or go to school. If the position of PB were a position that paid more, perhaps equivalent to an employment position reflective of the hours PBs put in, many, many more users would be able to run and interested in doing so! This site has a large number of users who are interested in the community the political mechanism but are locked out by financial concerns. This is not a greedy move from players, as the userbase here really love this site, but instead just a practical one! The position does not pay enough for the time it requires, meaning people cannot afford to be in the position and also make rent and afford their bills. If that were changed, more people would run. Again, not a thing of greed but instead literal logistics of time.
No one is perfect and myself, our current leaders and you can do better. Where is the opposition? Show me one thread recently (last 3 terms) where anyone is openly criticising the current government and saying they can do better?
- Many SMs do not run for PB because they are happy with the current leadership and do not want the stress of the position. That is a choice on those SMs parts given that the duties of the roles vary so widely. Additionally, SMs are not paid and in fact have to pay to even be in the position and give rewards, etc. The result of this is that the only people who are SMs are those who have the money to pay for the position, and even fewer of those can afford being PB (due to time and financial constraints in combination with real-world bills). That makes Ximboland an oligarchy, not a democracy. If you want a democracy, you need to change these conditions. Otherwise, only users with sufficient finances can run and you lose a lot of passionate talent. Currently, you don't even get all the potential PBs to the place of running because many of them simply cannot afford being SM.
I agree - Ximboland is primarily used by left leaning Ximbos. That said we have a responsibility to our right leaning Ximbos to allow their voice to be heard. I have received emails and messages from Ximbos airing their dissatisfaction with not being allowed to voice their opinions for fear of being banned. That completely undermines the freedom of speech that we should all cherish. A community without freedom of speech is doomed.
- This site is used largely by people of various diverse groups and generally those on the political left. This is important to note. Even though you are interested in a broad range of political perspectives, that is not what exists on this site. If some hateful users are allowed to spew hate speech, be discriminatory, and spread harmful rhetoric, users will leave in droves. Obviously you as the site owner have the final say here, but in making the choice to orient towards "free speech" and allowing upsetting and discriminatory content to thrive, you would use many, many users from an active userbase that is already fairly small.
This is a n interesting idea. Thanks. I like the idea of the State Ministers having some income. Would Ximbos donate money or diamonds to their state minister if this was an option ? That said I dont wish to undermine the PB too much either.
- Users are not interested in an Onlyfans / Patreon-style of engaging with others. Many users do not have an excess of real-world money to share. One way you might be able to get users to spend more real-world currency on Diamonds is by adding a bonus to their purchase that goes into a State reserve that SMs can draw from. Additionally, if given the option, many users would contribute diamonds on their own time and of their own free will to a reserve for their State in order to support the efforts of their SM. This would both encourage players to purchase premium currency while also helping to relieve some of the financial burden of being an SM, potentially leaving you with more possible candidates for all political positions.
- By taking over the position of PB every third term (or when someone else doesn't run), you would actually be taking away the democratic process, which would be the dictatorship you describe. Users are happy with the current PB and that is why no one ran against her. There are also not very many active users on this site! If decisions were made that drew players in instead of pushing them away, it is likely that more citizens would naturally run for positions on their own as there would simply be more citizens in general. A numbers game is relevant here. Of the users on this site, there are currently only a small percentage who have the financial means and physical time to put into this position. It's not that no one else WANTS to run for SM or PB, it's that no one can.
The current system is not working - we agree on that. So lets make changes
The reality is that the choices you are proposing here, if actually put into place, will make many, many users leave! Already, many users are upset about the money they have spent on the site if their contributions and ideas are not being considered. If you want this to be a democracy, it is really, really important to respect the opinions of the citizens! Again, the current system is an oligarchy, not a democracy! Those conditions must be changed if there is to be room for any legitimate democratic dialogue. I hope I'm reaching you here and that this comes across as clear and polite!
Thank you for your intelligent and reasonable response
Thank you for taking the time to read this as we work together to build a more democratic state with the interests of all citizens in mind.
So the solution to fixing a problem with democracy is to... extort the sitting and future SMs into running or else the site is converted into a dictatorship?If democracy is not watered, fed and nourished then its already a dictatorship. We already are living in a dictatorship. A dictatorship of the existing left leaning government with their own set ideas. Where is the democracy in that?
Think you might be shooting yourself in the leg here, my guy.
I don't know how much use answering you here will be, as answers from the previous thread were clearly not even considered. So, guess I'm writing this just to get the frustration out. Nevertheless, the questions you brough up have very simple answers:
Why are more people not running for SM?
Most people are here for fun and nothing else. The politics and community outreach are of interest to some, but not most. The only way to get more people running is to have more active people on the siteSo how is the government actively encouraging new users to join? Please ask them
The SMs are expected to take on responsibility for their state's community. They have to dedicate their time, creativity, and real money to keep up with expectations. Not everyone's cup of teaAgreed. But it is some peoples cup of tea
The elections are NOT free to run in. They cost the price of a senatorship just to take part in. Yes but thats not a lot. Most adults can afford that.
Being an SM is not free, If you win, the cost is the price of three more months of senatorship and any diamonds you might need for contests etc. If your planning to do anything worthwhile as an SM, that isIts not expensive
Why are more people not running for PB?
The PB has even more responsibilities than an SM. It's practically a part-time job with the amount of maintenance, bot hunting, outreach to admins, and all the else the site needs. It requires a lot more commitment, time, and money than being an SM doesNot really. It can be as much or as little as you wish. This is an excuse.
Only the sitting SMs are able to run. Individual decisions affect a lot when there's only six.not sure what your point is ,
Not every SM wants to be PB. If you want to influence the political community, it is quite enough to be an SM. You let down democracy if you just allow the same ideas and same leader to be voted in without challenging them. You are great at holding me to account - show me a thread where you have held the current government to account for their failings?
To switch PBs every four months makes for an unstable social environment. Wanting for the same PB to run a few in the row therefore feels right. They've already proven capable and trustworthy after allTo keep same government creates lethargy, boredom and lack of creativity.
Running for PB when the current/previous PB is already doing an amazing job seems foolish. Changes for the sake of changes are not always good. Competing for the sake of it is stupid
Lazy thinking. Everyone can be better including the current government. Let them win because they are great bit because you can't be bothered.
So, How do you get more people to run for SM?
Increase the active userbase. Promote, advertise, improve the user experience. Easier said than done, but frankly, that is the only thing that'll increase the amount of people interested in community outreachSo what is teh government doing to increase active userbase? have you held them to account?
We (presidents office) are going to increase it by creating more creators.
Make senatorship more appealing. People might not be willing to get a senatorship just for SMing - but someone who is already a senator might consider becoming an SM. The likelihood increases if there are more senators. How do you do this? Refer to your previous thread for some excellent suggestions
How do you get more people to run for PB?
Increase the amount of people who are able to run. KatieBoutique had an excellent idea about expanding the ability to run to past SMs on top of sitting SMsWill this work? Its worth exploring I agree. Do you think it should be just SM and past SM or should it be open to any and all senators?
Make the work of a PB less taxing. Listen to the troubles of the active PB. Create tools for their use. Find more people to help themWe are doing this but as I have explained - its not that taxing if they dont want it to be. In fact a PB could do zero if they wanted. We place no expectations whatsoever on hours and work etc yet we pay out on time every 3 months without fail.
Thank you for your thoughtful response
Stop actively antagonizing, extorting, and aggravating the current sitting SMs. You're not really making people want to work with you if you aren't listening to themWell get on and play your part in creating a better functioning democracy then - that way i can just sit back and watch it flourishing and dont have to get involved!
What is Ximbo land ?
The Internet republic of Ximbo lands is the worlds first Internet republic.
What is its mission?
To unite the world.
Where is MissBimbo.com? Miss Bimbo was much better than this site.
The Internet republic of Ximbo land was created by Miss Bimbo herself and is its more
intelligent successor. The old site was for junior bimbos. This site is for intelligent Ximbos.
What is the national flag of Ximbo land?
When was the Internet republic of Ximbo land
founded
2007
What is the capital city of the Internet republic of
Ximbo land?
Bimbo City
How many states make up the internet republic of
Ximbo land?
There are 6 states that make up the internet republic of Ximbo lands. They are
Atheistia, Freethinkerland, Reasonopia, Agnostica, Secville, and Antitheocra. Bimbo City is the neutral administrative
capital and is its own city zone. Boob Island is the home of the President of the Internet republic of Ximbo land
What is a Ximbo citizen?
A ‘Ximbo’ or ‘Ximbo citizen’ is a member of the internet republic of Ximbolands
community.
How can I become a Ximbo citizen?
In order to become a citizen of Ximboland you must first pass the Ximbolands citizens
test. It is free to become a Ximbo citizen.
What is a Ximbo senator?
A Ximbo senator is a senior member of the Internet republic of Ximbo land. Only senators
are eligible to put themselves forward for election to become State Ministers and then ultimately the Prime
Ximbo.
Who is the Prime Ximbo?
The Prime Ximbo is the democratically elected head of the Internet republic of Ximbo
land.
Where does the Prime Ximbo live?
The Prime Ximbo lives in the Pink House for the 4 month term they are in office.
I want to become Prime Ximbo. How do I do
that?
Any Ximbo citizen can become Prime Ximbo using the democratic process. Its a 3 stage
process from Senator>State Minister> Prime Ximbo. All Ximbo citizens can vote in general elections but in order to
put themselves forward to become Prime Ximbo they must first become a Ximbo senator. All Ximbo senators are
electable as state ministers. State Minister elections take place every 4 months also. Only state ministers are eligible
to then become the Prime Ximbo.
Can I become Prime Ximbo more than once?
Yes a Ximbo can hold the position of Prime Ximbo for 3 terms max.
How often do elections take place?
The Internet republic of Ximbolands holds elections every 4 months for Prime Ximbo and 4
months for State Minister.
Where do important discussions take place?
The Forum.
What is the treasury/Prime Ximbos salary?
The treasury/salary is the bank account of the Internet republic of Ximbo land. This figure
is transferred to the paypal account of the Prime Ximbo at the end of their 4 month term in charge.
How is the treasury calculated?
The treasury is funded by the Ximbo citizens.
A percentage of the money paid by Ximbo citizens via Paypal and SMS is transferred into the Ximbo treasury.
The rest is wisely used for further game development.
What's the national colour of Ximbo land?
Pink
How old must I be in order to become a Ximbo land
citizen?
Anyone over the age of 18 are welcome to become a Ximbo citizen.
When are the national holidays of Ximbo
land?
Jan 1st New years day
Feb 12th Darwin day
Feb 14th Lovers day
March 8th Womens day
March 21st Spring solstice
April 13th The Hitchslap Day (Christopher Hitchens birthday)
May 3rd National day of reason
June 21st World Humanist Day
Aug 2nd The Internet republic of Ximbo land national day
Sep 21st Peace one day
Dec 25th Newtons birthday
What is the currency of Ximbo land?
The Ximbo Dollar (B$). Currently it is pegged in value to the US$
Who is the President of Ximbo land?
Miss Bimbo is the president of Ximbo land. She founded the bimbo nation in 2007 after
escaping the tyranny, bigotry and and conservatism of the old world. You can read more about her here
and here