Imperial Debate/Transcript

**Imperial Debate at the Council Building in Downtown Newport**

**July 2, 2020** / **Day 3, Year 3 BK**

**PARTICIPANTS:**

**Councilman lonellamaMV,**

**Councilwoman and founder of Newport lostcity99,**

**Former High Priest and current terrorist Rage6838, and**

**Councilwoman crista7777**

**MODERATORS:**

**ratatoing8990 (*The Newport Report*)**

**IITheRecyclerII (BuzzPort)**

RATATOING8990: Good evening from the Council Building in Downtown Newport, and welcome to the Imperial Debate. I’m ratatoing8990 of The Newport Report.

IITHERECYCLERII: And I’m IITheRecyclerII with Buzzport. Tonight, we’ll be hearing from five of the candidates who are currently fighting to lead the city as our first-ever Emperor or Empress.

RATATOING8990: Before we begin, we’d like to remind the candidates and the audience that this debate is being recorded.

IITHERECYCLERII: These questions have not been shared with the campaigns. Now, let’s welcome the candidates.

RATATOING8990: Councilman and Earl of Blartsburg, MalachiBrown523. [*applause*] Councilman lonellamaMV. [*applause*] Councilwoman and founder of Newport, lostcity99. [*applause*] Former High Priest and current terrorist, Rage6838, [*applause*] and Councilwoman crista7777 [*applause*]

Unfortunately, current frontrunner crista7777 and the Earl of Blartsburg MalachiBrown523 could not join us this evening due to technical difficulties. However, crista7777 has graciously recorded some statements which we will play for you in her absence. Also, I’m told she might be texting us throughout the debate.

IITHERECYCLERII: Each of you will now have thirty seconds to make your opening statements. Let’s begin with Earl MalachiBrown523.

RATATOING8990: ...who is unfortunately absent, so let's actually begin with Councilwoman lostcity99.

LOSTCITY99: Good evening, everyone. I am so glad that you were all able to come to the debate tonight, and I hope that all of us are able to answer your questions and your concerns about the upcoming Empire or Empress-pire that will happen in the next few days. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Next up: terrorist Rage6838.

RAGE6838: Oh boy, here I go! Newportians, it is time for a change of government. Your Council has set up an election for a new person to run the government solely, as a monarch. Each of my other candidates has been a part of the government, and will only bring you the same-old same-old. Me, being a non-Council-member, will change things up and make sure that the democratic city of Newport transitions smoothly into a multidimensional Empire, and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity into this server. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Councilman lonellamaMV, go ahead.

LONELLAMAMV: Welcome. I am glad to be here as a new citizen. I promise you all that I will bring about change. As someone who is new to server, I can promise I will bring in a breath of fresh air to the people of Newport. I promise to be the great leader that this great city-state deserves. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: And finally, Councilwoman crista7777, who— I will play her recorded statement now.

CRISTA7777: Thank you to everyone who decided to come, and I appreciate the continued support throughout this difficult process of choosing your new leader. I'd like to start off by saying that I believe firmly that healthcare and education should be free. As my good friend Karl Marx once said, "In proportion therefor...

RAGE6838: Anyone else not able to hear it?

CRISTA7777: ...as the repulsiveness of the work increases, the wage decreases." Let us build a nation where we can all have the equal opportunity and equal outcome as hard-working members.

RAGE6838: Booo! Can't hear it! Lame! [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: I'm being told that some are not able to hear the recordings. If this is you, please adjust your settings accordingly.

The first half of the debate will consist of questions addressed to all candidates. Each candidate will have a maximum of twenty seconds to answer the question. After everyone has answered the question, candidates may open it up to open debate and discussion if they wish.

Let's begin with Councilwoman lostcity99.

If elected Emperor or Empress, what will your first imperial edict be?

LOSTCITY99: My platform is all about listening to the people and their needs. I want my first edict to come from the citizens of Newport. That way I can make the best decision for their benefit. Basically saying that... [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: I will remind the audience to cool it. Continue, if necessary.

LOSTCITY99: That was it. Thank you. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Next, terrorist Rage6838.

RAGE6838: My first edict will be to expand the reaches of the Newportian government to multiple dimensions, and around the rest of the server. [*audience gasps*]

RATATOING8990: Councilman lonellamaMV, you're up.

LONELLAMAMV: My first edict will be focused on the economy to make sure that everything is set and in order. That way, Newport can continue into a very prosperous future. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: And I believe that's all we have for that. If the candidates would like to open it up to open discussion, maybe criticize someone else's answer, let's get this going.

If not, we'll move on.

RAGE6838: The economy seems fine to me.

LONELLAMAMV: I'm not saying I'm going to change... [*applause*] I'm not going to change the economy. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just— lately there have been a couple issues, I believe, with some trading and, sort of, you know, purchasing kind of issues. There was a lawsuit which— I just want to make sure that something like that isn't just going to happen any time, basically. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Terrorist, would you like to respond?

RAGE6838: This is not an official question? Okay, uh... let's see. Let me re-read it... Why should you trust me with your future? Well, if you get rid of me as public enemy number one by, you know, putting me back into...

RATATOING8990: Excuse me. Excuse me. Terrorist Rage, what are you doing?

RAGE6838: What am I doing? I am addressing crista— Oh. You wanted me to continue... my apologies.

RATATOING8990: Yes. If you have a rebuttal to Councilman lonellama, please go ahead. If not, we'll continue.

RAGE6838: Then let's continue.

RATATOING8990: Quite.

RAGE6838: I thought you were talking about crista. My apologies.

RATATOING8990: And let's move on to the next question. I will turn it over to my co-host, IITheRecyclerII.

IITHERECYCLERII: Okay. Great. So, our question is... according to a recent analysis by *The Newport Report*, one of the most divisive issues among you is City Ordinance II. Do you believe that iron should remain the official currency of the city? How would you modify the ordinance, if at all, and why?

And, we'll go in the same order.

LOSTCITY99: As Empress, I would not change the current currency system because I believe that it provides everyone to have— for a lack of better words, unlimited access to this one trading component, and that people— [*applause*] thank you, thank you— And that people will still be able to conduct business within an actual business setting or just between two players, and that way no one feels left out. It's like, "Oh, I'm having a hard time buying this certain currency," but this makes it easier for everyone I believe. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Councilman lonellama?

LONELLAMAMV: I would not change the component of iron, but I think I would want to introduce certain, maybe smaller or larger denominations, such as the sort of pennies, nickels, dimes, *et cetera*— type of currency. That way— I feel like iron is maybe too broad or something. It's too open, you know? I feel like it'd need to be— little things here and there, so that way you could charge, maybe just a little bit for something. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Terrorist Rage6838.

RAGE6838: I definitely want to keep iron as, like, a staple of currency, but I'd also like to introduce diamonds or any other— not really any other— but other precious resources, because— [*audience gasps*] audience, let me speak— because iron is a farmable resource and if you can basically print out your own money, then... what are you doing? You're basically just duplicating your currency at that point, which will decrease its value. [*scattered applause*]

RATATOING8990: Alright, would any of the candidates like to offer a rebuttal to any other of the answers?

LOSTCITY99: I would like to, to both of my fellow candidates who are here tonight. First, to lonellama: lonellama, you mentioned that you would like to add other currencies, such as a breakdown of pennies, nickels, and dimes. What would you like to have in place of those, like, what would you offer up as a solution to your proposal?

LONELLAMAMV: Well, I definitely think that the, sort of, smallest denomination— I think coal would be a good one, because it's a very good resource for people to have; very profound. It's very easily found, so I think it would be a good thing for people to use as a denomination. Obviously I think, you know, diamonds is up there because— obviously I think it will just, you know, where it falls in light of currency is how easily it can be found, how necessary it is, and, you know, to your life as a resource, so it would be broken down in a system such as that. [*applause*]

LOSTCITY99: Thank you for your answer.

Now Rage, I will also— this kind of touches— well actually, I will not come to you, but as my final answer to my rebuttal is that... I know I have personally experienced trading with all sorts of items, whether it be diamond, coal, or iron. I'd also like to say, do you think it's necessary to have certain laws in place that break down currency when these types of transactions have already been occurring in the server?

RAGE6838: Um...

LOSTCITY99: And that's an open-ended question to both of you.

LONELLAMAMV: So are you basically saying, because iron has been the, sort of, only official one, but people have already used other things, are you saying that— are you just asking whether or not it's necessary to have laws that, you know, specifically claim certain, you know, other resources as forms of currency?

LOSTCITY99: Yes. [*laughter*]

RATATOING8990: Audience, audience, please, please.

LONELLAMAMV: I would like to respond to your question with a question. Do you believe that it doesn't need to be? You know, there's always the thing of, you know, if we just left the people to do their own thing, you know, chaos could ensue. Do you believe that not having a certain law that sort of sets these kinds of currencies— do you think that people will just be able to always do it, you know, equally, in a way that is fair and respectful to other players? [*applause*]

LOSTCITY99: I do believe that there does not need to be a law, mostly from past experience, there has been no reason to put a law in place. I remember when Ordinance II was passed, and that was the debate— talking about whether or not we would have breaking down, like, iron ingots and iron nuggets, and we came to the conclusion that it was up to the discretion of the buyer and the seller to determine what was the appropriate amount of currency between each player, and I feel like that has continued on since then, and I feel like, if it does become a problem, whoever does win this candidacy can make an edict to help better that in their own way. But as of right now... [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Please, please. She was not finished with her question.

RAGE6838: I just want to throw something out there. The reason that iron is being used as a currency is because it is the most viable resource— it's used in a lot of crafting materials which, kind of, in my opinion limits the amount of sale because, for example, a hopper is five iron and a chest put together, and then, if you wanted to sell hoppers, how much do you charge for it? Do you charge, like, six iron, because why would anyone want to buy a hopper for six iron when you could use your five iron and then go chop down two logs and then have a chest, and you can make it yourself... like, iron makes sense because it's usable, but also like, for the things that are iron, like, you can't really charge extra because then they're wasting their iron to buy it. [*scattered applause*]

LOSTCITY99: I think you missed my point in what I was saying is that, iron is the official currency, yes, but it also leaves room for people to trade at their own will. Like, I know I have made trades not including iron, and that's perfectly okay because that was determined between me and whoever I was buying from and me and whoever I was selling to. I don't think it should be up to the government to determine what people can and can't use because not everyone may have access to the same resources. [*applause*]

RAGE6838: But if it's a store and it is, like, there for mass sale, then it would be easier to have a set currency for them to buy with, but as I stated before, why would you spend more iron to buy something made out of iron? [*applause*]

LOSTCITY99: Well, I see what you're saying, but I think it all goes back to the discretion of the store owner, and I know at my store, personally not everything I have for sale is purchasable by iron. Like, I sell things that are worth diamonds, so I think it's just up to the discretion of the seller, and it should continue to be that. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: We're getting some good back and forth here between the candidates. That's what we want to see. We actually just got a message from Councilwoman crista7777. She would like to add that "this is why free is better".

RAGE6838: Socialism is bad! [*laughter*] [*applause*]

LONELLAMAMV: Even in socialism, I believe— even in socialism there is, you know, buying and selling. Not everything is free in socialism. That's more of a communism kind of thing—

RAGE6838: There's still buying and selling in communism, too. This is something even more radical, and I don't know if that would be good for the server or not. [*applause*]

LONELLAMAMV: Socialism is, you know, is just a complete in-the-middle mixed market, and Newport is already running on a bit of a mixed market so, you know, it's not fully capitalist, but it's also not fully socialist. We're somewhere right in the middle of it, so... yeah, to say "everything is better free", that's always true, but... yeah. [*applause*]

RAGE6838: I don't know, there are some things that I'd rather work hard for, because it is a token of pride there, for me, rather than having to get it for free. I don't like handouts. [*scattered applause*]

RATATOING8990: This is some good back and forth we're getting, but we need to move on. I will turn it over to my co-host to read the next question.

IITHERECYCLERII: Okay. While the government of Newport has never required citizens to pay taxes, it has become a possibility with the power of an Emperor or Empress. Do you believe that the people should be taxed? If yes, what would your policy look like?

LOSTCITY99: If Newport were to begin to be taxed, I think I would move, because that's not something that we have ever had, and that's not something that I believe we ever should have, because... [*applause*] I feel like that's giving away people's hard-earned resources, I mean, and up until now, people— I've seen people giving away their materials to continue building the city, and I think it's a matter of character. I think Newport has a good character when it comes to helping our fellow citizens. [*applause*] I don't think we should take away the hard-earned resources of our citizens.

RATATOING8990: Let's move on to terrorist Rage— your response to that question.

RAGE6838: I definitely feel if it's like, a public service, like the ice highway, that it should be taxed for not the purpose of the Emperor to gain from it, but for payment of resources— like, if there's a shop that you can gain mass resources from quicker than having to go and mine it yourself, then that could be used to pay for the items to the shop, so that would go back to the people... or, also, paying people to work on the project so it gets done quicker— in which case it would also be going back to the people. It would not go back into the Emperor's hands. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Councilman lonellama.

LONELLAMAMV: I'd say I don't think that the people of Newport should be taxed. I do believe that the Emperor should have that power with, you know, to themselves, but it's not a power to be abused. It's not a power to just be used whenever. It needs to be used very specifically, if at all, for very specific purposes such as public works, *et cetera*, but I definitely don't think that is something that at all needs to be used often. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: If any of the candidates would like to offer rebuttals, now is the time.

LONELLAMAMV: I have a, uh... question for, uh... for the councilwoman. So, you don't believe, you know, in taxes at all— you think that, you know, it shouldn't happen. So here's my question for you: with aspect to things that are, you know, a public work, transportation, something like that. You know, those go back to the people so, even though, you know, if you may be taking, you know, certain taxes from the people, it's going to things that are actually going to go back to them, you know, and not just to the Emperor or something like that. So, you know, in a situation such as that, if it came to needing to be taxed, you disagree with that as well, even though it goes back... [*applause*]

LOSTCITY99: Okay, sorry I'm just trying to wrap my mind around my answer really quick before I answer... [*laughter*]

LONELLAMAMV: It's like we're in a sitcom.

LOSTCITY99: Um... well I feel like, in order for us to do that, the first step would be to define what is public and what's private, and I know some of those things have already been done in Newport, but if that— if it comes down to taxes, that will need to be addressed with the current Emperor or Empress when the time comes. [*applause*] Also, from my understanding, there are currently no public buildings in the process of being built right now, other than the ice railway, but I'm not sure that's complete yet. But, it is also to my knowledge that people are willing to donate their items, but, like, no one is being forced to help. I know that me and crusty have always been very helpful with building things that have been public and all sorts of buildings throughout Newport, and we have rarely ever asked for things in return. It just depends on, like certain things. Like, I know if we have to go far out of the way to go get something, or if it is from someone's store, then that makes sense about giving back to people and buying from them, but I don't think it should be required by every citizen, because if every citizen doesn't put in, then... when it comes to building buildings and stuff, then why should everyone need to pay?

LONELLAMAMV: Right. [*applause*]

So here's uh... sort of, something for you. Because it is a public, you know— if there was sort of a tax on something that was a public work, something that was used by the people, you know, for free, it'd be that they wouldn't have to, you know, be charged to use this thing— what if then, sort of, the idea for that, you know, for that work, for that piece that's going to be made— if, sort of, there was a statement to the citizens that was like, "Hey, we're thinking of making this thing, what do you think?" Since it's going to go back to them, what if we get their opinion, since they are the citizens. It is about them, and if they all want it to happen, then there's a tax because they all want it to happen and they're okay with, you know, sort of, maybe being taxed for that thing because they support it. [*applause*] That make sense?

LOSTCITY99: Okay. Yeah, that makes sense. So, what would you say the tax would be if that was the case, like, if that were to happen, what would you say the tax was on the new building or public service?

LONELLAMAMV: Personally, I think it would just sort of depend, you know, on what it was. Maybe the tax is, you know, is literally for some, you know, like a currency, that then can be used to buy the supplies to make the building, or maybe it's a tax, you know, for those kinds of supplies, so... just sort of the way I imagine it, it's kind of like, you know, like you said with donations. People are willing to give up their materials, but this would just be kind of one of those things where it's like, you know, because it's, you know, a supported public work, you know, and you know, if it's sort of a lawful giving, like, you know... I know it sounds a lot worse than a donation, but I feel like that way there can't be this sort of, "Oh," you know, "I don't want to do it," and then that public work gets put on hold until who knows how long. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: And unfortunately, we are running low on time, so that will conclude the first half of the Imperial Debate, and we will be right back with more questions for the candidates after these messages. [*applause*]

[*commercial break*]

[*applause*]

IITHERECYCLERII: Welcome back to the Imperial Debate, hosted by *The Newport Report* and Buzzport. I’m IITheRecyclerII. Before we move on to the second half of the debate, let’s hear a couple questions from our audience.

RATATOING8990: This first question comes from Councilwoman crustyceans from Oldtown. She asks, "What is each candidate's opinion on adoption? Should citizens be allowed to legally adopt other players even if they're the same age?"

This time, Councilman lonellama, let's begin with you.

LONELLAMAMV: Personally, I don't see why not. I know it may be sort of weird, like, "Oh, they're the same age," but, you know, it's a different sort of setting. Plus, I mean, if you can get married, why not also have, you know, someone else that you take care of, you know? [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Let's move on to the councilwoman.

LOSTCITY99: I also agree with my opponent, lonellama, on this. Like, that's up to them. If that's something they want to do, then they should be able to do that. I don't think it's the government's place to interfere with people's personal affairs that do not concern everyone on the server. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Terrorist Rage, you're up.

RAGE6838: I also agree with my cohorts. Uh... adoption would be something that needs to be fleshed out in the Constitution in terms of, say, the Emperor or Empress's line of succession, but that can be easily fleshed out, so... I don't see it as an issue. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Our second question from the audience also comes from Councilwoman crustyceans of Oldtown. She asks, "How will you each decide if war is necessary?"

LONELLAMAMV: I'm sorry, could you repeat that?

LOSTCITY99: Could you repeat the question?

RATATOING8990: How will each of you decide if war is necessary?

LONELLAMAMV: Same order?

RATATOING8990: Let's begin with terrorist Rage.

RAGE6838: Well, ultimately my goal as Emperor is for everyone to be at peace. As you heard in my opening statment, my goal is to have everyone be united. So, if people want to resist that, then they can resist, but I really don't see it being a war. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Councilwoman?

LOSTCITY99: My first act as Empress, if it came down to war, would be to form a sort of war council. That way, I have different aspects and different points of view from everyone, and everyone has a collective decision on whether or not we should go to war, because war does affect everyone. It does not just affect the government, and I want everyone to be on the same page and know that, "Okay, we're going to war, and here's how we can prepare for that." [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Councilman lonellama.

LONELLAMAMV: I think I'd have to agree with the— my opponent the councilwoman. I think that war can sometimes be a necessary thing. It's not something that we want, but it can happen, and it does affect everyone. It affects the people, you know, in the town as well as the leadership, so I think it's something that, you know, there needs to be some sort of a collective decision that is made and not just, you know, the Emperor saying, "We're going to war," because who knows what could happen. Who knows who they might, you know, go— [*laughter*]

RATATOING8990: I'd like to ask the audience— audience, audience— if you're going to laugh, please laugh at the correct time. Thank you.

If no one else has any, um... rebuttals on that, we will move on to the third question from our audience tonight. Councilwoman crustyceans from Oldtown asks, "Where do you each see yourself on the political compass?" And for those of us who are unfamiliar with the political compass, you have two axes. The *x* axis goes from left economy to a right economy, and the *y* axis goes from the bottom, from a libertarian standpoint, to an authoritarian standpoint on the top.

And we'll begin with Councilwoman lostcity.

LOSTCITY99: I'm going to be completely honest with everyone, because I think that honesty is important. I honestly do not know where I fall on the *x*-*y* axis of things... [*laughter*] Um... if I had to place myself right now, in front of everyone, I feel like I'm definitely more libertarian than authoritarian, and... yes. That is all I have on that. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Councilman lonellama.

LONELLAMAMV: I actually know this answer. I am, like, very close to the middle of authoritarian-libertarian, while leaning a little bit more libertarian, and then I'm just a few steps out from the middle to a left economy. I'm very close to the middle, but I do think that, you know, the government needs to be involved, but not overly, and I think that, you know, I do believe in a sort of mixed market for the economy. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: And finally, the honorable terrorist.

RAGE6838: In real life, I am pretty centralist, but I have a feeling on here I am seen as a far right, or... hold on, let me just say it this way: libertarian capitalist. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: I will now turn it over to my co-host again.

IITHERECYCLERII: Okay, so we've reached the second half of the debate, which will consist of questions addressed to individual candidates. Each candidate will have a maximum of thirty seconds to answer the question, which may be followed by open debate and discussion.

RATATOING8990: Our first question is addressed to Councilwoman lostcity. In a May 26 interview with *The Newport Report*, you said, "I believe that one citizen having more power than the others is a bad idea." [*audience gasps*] Do you stand by that statement? Why should Newportians grant you more power than everyone else?

LOSTCITY99: I hope by now that I have made it very clear that I do not plan to use this power to only benefit myself, but to benefit everyone as I have always done in the past. And yes, as I do still believe that one person with too much power who uses it for the wrong thing is bad, but if one person chooses to use that power, whether it be me or someone else, for good, then I think that is well okay. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Would anyone like to offer a rebuttal to that answer?

If not, then we will move on to the next question, addressed to terrorist Rage.

RAGE6838: Terrorist Rage, you can’t deny that you have been historically at odds with the Council and city of Newport. Last month, the Magic Conch itself denounced you as a ‘false prophet’ and fired you as high priest, to which you responded, “F the Conch”.

RAGE6838: Okay, what's the question?

RATATOING8990: You then went on to extort high-ranking Newport officials during the Floating Tree Crisis. Why should Newportians believe that you suddenly have their best interest in mind? [*applause*]

RAGE6838: I've always had Newport's best interest in mind. I feel like the Conch was getting a little carried away, and... [*audience gasps*] It is hard to believe, but it is true. There were teleportations and everything going on, and that is not Minecraft. Minecraft is about the journey, not the destination. [*scattered applause*] So, uh... Newport itself I haven't really had an issue with, but the Council is what I had a problem with, and they deemed me too dangerous to be allowed to spread my word that they were false and wrong, and so they made me a terrorist to radicalize me. [*audience gasps*]

RATATOING8990: Would any of the other candidates like to offer a rebuttal?

LONELLAMAMV: So, Rage, what you're essentially saying is that we can now trust you because you can now fully trust Newport?

RAGE6838: I've always trusted Newport, just not their government.

LONELLAMAMV: And, so now that government is being abolished, that basically means that you are 100% okay with what's happening, and so that means that we can trust you?

RAGE6838: Correct.

LONELLAMAMV: Okay. Uh... I'm not buying it. [*scattered applause*]

RAGE6838: I just want to say, the worst thing I've done as terrorist is, when the Purge happened, and this was completely legal because it was the Purge, I came in and I killed everyone that I could. [*audience gasps*] Again, completely legal. It was the Purge, and... yeah. So that's the worst thing I've done as terrorist, and then the most severe thing after that is, I've been throwing eggs, and hatching chickens— [*scattered applause*] —which is kind of a symbol of... "yeah, chicken". Because Chick-fil-A created a whole bunch of lag for the server with its chicken machines. Plus, the Lord's chicken... R.I.P. Chick-fil-A.

RATATOING8990: Councilwoman, would you like to respond?

LOSTCITY99: Not at this time.

RAGE6838: Thank you, honey.

LOSTCITY99: You're welcome.

RAGE6838: She ain't attacking her mans.

RATATOING8990: In that case, we will move on to the next question.

IITHERECYCLERII: The next question is directed towards Councilwoman crista7777. Out of all the candidates interviewed by *The Newport Report* in a recent analysis, you were the only one against Ordinance X. Do you believe that floating trees should be illegal in Newport, and if so, why?

She then went on to actually answer when I messaged her, and she said, "I personally will not leave floating trees. I will lead by example but I do not think floating trees should be a chargeable offense. As I said previously, I will lead by example with the hopeful expectation that my people will follow my lead. The best leaders lead by example, they are not hypocrites, they are not tyrannical, and they are not unjust. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Candidates, feel free to offer rebuttals after any of these answers.

RAGE6838: Floating trees are ugly, and... why are you too lazy to chop down an entire tree? Come on. [*applause*]

LOSTCITY99: Are we still allowed to rebuttal, or are we waiting for crista to respond?

RATATOING8990: Please, feel free to rebuttal.

LOSTCITY99: Okay. I totally respect my opponent's decision to lead by example, but when it comes down to it, if people don't follow your example, what will you do in that case? [*applause*]

RAGE6838: Nothing.

RATATOING8990: Alright, let's move on. lonellama— councilman, rather— as a late entry into the imperial race, and the newest member of the Council, many Newportians are unfamiliar with you and your policies. As Emperor, how would you gain the trust of citizens?

LONELLAMAMV: I would gain the trust of the citizen by being a leader who they can respect, a leader who they can look up to, and a leader who will only put Newport first. I think, especially when it comes to things like an Emperor, sometimes they can become a little blind-sighted by their own needs. I can promise to the people of Newport that I'm not going to become one of those leaders. So, despite the fact that I'm new, I only have what's best for Newport in mind. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Again, candidates feel free to respond if you feel compelled.

If not, then it appears we've reached the end of the question-and-answer portion of the imperial debate. Each candidate will now have a maximum of thirty seconds to give their closing statements.

We'll begin with Councilwoman lostcity99.

LOSTCITY99: I would like to thank everyone for attending the first imperial debate of Newport. I hope I was able to answer your questions so everyone gets a better idea of all I will do when it comes time to lead as Empress of this beautiful, beautiful city, and I hope that you'll vote for me, and I hope I can make you proud. Thank you. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Let's listen to the message given to us by crista7777.

CRISTA7777: Your hard work and deliberation is appreciated. I believe that together we can make a more unified Newport. I believe in us, and I know you do too. Let's make great progress together. Do ordain, not just for us, but for our prosperity as well. For a better future, vote for crista. Thank you. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: Honorable terrorist Rage6838.

RAGE6838: Alright, so... in conclusion, vote for me because peace and expansion of the city's influence into a multi-dimensional Empire is a vote for "More is Lore". [*applause*] ...or, "More than Lore". And, it will be the best redemption arc in the history of redemption arcs. [*applause*] Also, I want to point out that socialism is an ideal and it is not easily achieved and is very easily corruptible. [*applause*] And again, please remember: "More than Lore 2020", and vote for me, your favorite capitalist extremist. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: And, last but not least: Councilman lonellama.

LONELLAMAMV: As the new person here in Newport, I want to thank you all for allowing me to come this far as a selection. I promise, as your leader, I will be focusing on the three P's: peace, prosperity, people. Let us together begin the great tomorrow today. [*applause*]

RATATOING8990: That concludes the Newport Report/Buzzport Imperial Debate. Thank you to all the candidates for their participation tonight. We’d also like to thank the audience, and don’t forget to vote. To the candidates and our future Emperor or Empress, good luck on Tuesday. [*applause*]