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MACHO would like to ask two questions:

Directed at MEAD: Are you proposing to devolve all powers to the regions? What will be kept at the centre? Surely, a united foreign and fiscal policy should be maintained to avoid the raising of private armies and internecine trade wars?

Directed at the WTA: We would disagree with the WTA's fundamental assertion that monarchy has been historically good for Middle-earth. Fëanor, the first High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth, is perhaps the greatest criminal in recorded history, his rash actions being ultimately responsible for the deaths of countless Noldor, Teleri, Men, Orcs, Dwarves, Trolls and other races. Whilst Númenor may have had a thousand years of sensible monarchy, it had at least as long, if not longer, of evil kings who oppressed the peoples of Middle-earth and ultimately turned to worshipping the Darkness. Isildur, one of the founding fathers of Gondor and Arnor, single-handedly created the conditions for the ongoing warfare of the Third Age, culminating in the War of the Ring, by not destroying the Ring when he had a chance. We should know - our Dad (who, despite being able to, never claimed the kingship of the Noldor or any other group or region) was there and told him to do the right thing. An institution responsible for these actions does not deserve preservation or special treatment in our opinion.

MAke a CHOice. Choose MACHO.

So, I shall endeavour to kick this off by perhaps expanding on what MACHO will be fighting for:

Given the continual warfare for the last 6500-odd years in Middle-earth under the domination of the monarchical elites, MACHO believe that the hitherto-neglected fringe groups should be given the opportunity to finally form a government and govern in the interest of the common man/orc/Ent/elf/dwarf. As such, we propose to establish an overarching bicameral Middle-earth Parliament, with a lower chamber elected by proportional representation (most likely through STV) and an upper chamber where each race would be equally represented, with half the members directly elected by voters and half appointed by the President, who would fulfil a largely-ceremonial role, with most executive power belonging to the Prime Minister, chosen by the lower chamber. Terms for all members and the President and PM would be 5 years. Powers will be devolved to the regions, as we think they'll be able to provide better governance than a distant elite.

MACHO generally favour a Scandinavian-style social democracy, with a strong and progressive tax regime and an effective redistributive state to ensure those most able to pay do, and that neglected minorities receive some redress for their historical oppression. We would set up a free-at-the-point-of-use universal health service and institute a strong and fair package of benefits.

As a corollary to this and being led by a dynamic Elvish duo, MACHO are also strongly-concerned with the environment. We would re-forest the Brown Lands to create a pan-Middle-earth national remembrance forest to provide a leisure facility open to all and commemorate the dead of all races from the millennia of conflict. Significant environmental improvements would also be completed in Mordor. There would be a presumption against uncontrolled large-scale industrial development, but regions could choose to develop industries if they wished, and there would be central grants to ensure development fitted in with local styles and to minimise its environmental impacts.

We would also seek to reach out to our neighbours, such as Harad and Khand, to initiate peaceful relations and help develop long-distance trade, providing a welcome boost to hitherto-marginalised border populations around the edge of the map.

I think I'll stop at this point, before it gets too long, as I think that's the main policy bases covered. Don't want to get into excessive detail at this stage....

Just a bit. I think we'd have to conclude that Sauron was moving again if that happened. Or that the massive electoral fraud had already happened.

Two candidates, two voters. The words "rotten borough" are springing to mind at this stage....

In that spirit, Jubal and I should commit massive electoral fraud by registering a load of fake voters and bussing in lots more. We can't leave Middle Earth rulerless!

As you may guess from that subject (a vague attempt to transliterate "Exilian" into Sindarin off the top of my head) and the name, I am a bit of a Tolkien nerd - consequently, Jubal and Glaurung know who I am....

Other interests include SFF in most forms, history and I've even been known to dabble in a bit of writing.