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[ubiquitously]

Pardon the network intrusion, but I'm curious. Humor me?

What exactly was the point of the Guardian elections just now? Do they do something important? Did we inherit this system, or come up with it ourselves? I'm surprised that all of us pendent bearers are so easily cooperating with Democracy. I half-expected someone to crash through the debates and claim a win by blood. I watched for policy, by the way.

Not that the Guardians for Fayren or Genessia seemed to have had any reason to worry. Though, the lack of competition in those races is somewhat worrisome for the rest of us. Does no one here have any other ideas, or are we all complacent?

Please don't take my questions the wrong way. I'm simply curious. Having visited numerous countries and worlds on my own time, this all seems surprisingly peaceful.  I think that I like that?

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[demonofbadluck]

To see whose popular right now?

[Baldur was in a way joking and the shrug sort of proves that fact.]

I believe the point is to see who people think is the most capable. Though people actually putting what they said into actions is another matter altogether. In all honesty, I'm surprised we didn't need to have actual proof they would even do what they said they would or if they were just pretty words to win over votes.

[ubiquitously]

I did wonder about that. Many of the policies were interesting ideas, but I've no idea how they will be implemented or where this supposed power to change things is coming from.

Not that we'll ever see them tested, hm? Everyone is so well behaved here.

[demonofbadluck]

I believe in some cities case they have to go through select people before they can even enforce a rule.

[He still wasn't 100% sure on that one, however.]

It's rather sickening how whipped everyone is.

[ubiquitously]

Aw, 'whipped' is such a mean word. Let's go with 'cooperative!'

I wonder who they have to go through, in that case? A fellow pendent-bearer? Or do we just give Guardians permission to do what they want?

[sleepingbagsensei]

It's popularity, to most.

[Yeah, so agreeing with the first guy. Joke or not.]

This election mostly was illogical. First, anyone can jump in regardless the age, criminal record (I imagine), and not to mention how long they've been residence in this place.

Second, just as the dirt guy pointed out, it's all words. We are basically hoping they follow to their promises.

Either they're lacking the system because of time consuming to find potential candidates or they're having a laugh.

[ubiquitously]

How disappointing!

And I suppose there is really no way for us to "hold their feet to fire," to say? We don't control that Guardians' budget in any way. What a shame.

[sleepingbagsensei]

We vote and hope for the best.

[Or die by that annoying buzz. He's not used to the system either, and he really doesn't like it.]

[ubiquitously]

Forgive me, but I think that's how Democracies turn into Tyrannies.

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[youfool]

[Hoo boy, another chance to use his favorite word: "vanity!" Would-be anarchist over here cares for them less than most.]

It's a system original to the world. [WAKE UP SHEEPLE]

And they're the first to be alerted if one repairs to the emergency function on these phones.

[Not that he's ever heard of that happening, which he understands is a good thing. But yup, that's all he has.]

[ubiquitously]

... Neat.

Is that it? They're just the 911 or 112 of this world? Please don't disappoint me, Ted.

[youfool]

[Interesting numbers; that might mean he hails from the US, Canada, Europe, or India. Doesn't really narrow it down; does that mean he's from Earth?]

Aheh, well they ah...receive nice salaries. And they do oversee their respective crews of law enforcement. And they are, ideally, the first responders to crises.

[In theory...]

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[immortalrose]

[Augustine takes a sip of his tea before tackling these questions. This year's election doesn't inspire much from Augustine, especially since he missed his chance to run for Everglade. If anything, he's a little disappointed with the candidates and then some.

Therefore, excuse the bitterness in his tone.]

I must say, I'm quite baffled as to why we inherited such a system. It seems quite cumbersome to me.

[ubiquitously]

Right? It seems like a pointless popularity contest to me. If each Guardian implements one change, maybe I'll be willing to rethink my stance.

And don't we already have police departments here?

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[bigbadrose]

There's only no competition because Mavis and David are doing so well!

It's not so unusual a system, is it?

It was devised by us otherworlders to deal with big crises that affect the cities as a whole and to try to enforce peace and quiet. People are naturally predisposed towards settling I suppose. Even the man I knew who most hates domestics settled down at some point. Crazy, innit?

[ubiquitously]

Even if they were doing well, some healthy competition can only serve to improve them. Seems Fayren and Genessia are at a standstill now.

So 'we' came up with the system? I haven't seen much trouble yet, though. And in the matters I have seen trouble, they weren't affected in any way by the Guardians. I haven't seen any proof to date that the Guardians do anything.

[bigbadrose]

Maybe. But you've never watched the Doctor blow up everything he holds dear by trying to improve upon perfection.

And before you say, "Nothing's perfect," that's exactly what he says before setting it on fire.

Mavis and Cassian sent out rescue teams in the middle of a blizzard when the idiot Professor set a void on fire!

And being Everglade or Nova's guardian must be really tough given the prejudices against huge chunks of their population. And Cassian always seems to be getting migraine headaches dealing with Attleton so I think he might have been a little eager to quit. I heard that's sort of why Grell Sutcliff resigned from Everglade before. But it might just be rumor.

With great power comes great responsibility. I've seen a lot of rulers muck it up for themselves. So as long as a sherriff is doing their best, that's good, innit?

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[beamsmagicalgirls]

Instead of asking about the system here, how about comparing systems from other worlds. I bet some of them are interesting.

Probably came from this world, the same world that brought us here against their will. At least they're giving us some choice to the Guardian matter, to ensure some security.

Running for it was interesting. My ideas were heard and it seemed a lot inclined to agree.

[ubiquitously]

Because other worlds won't really help me right now, will they? I want to know about this one. Even if there were better ways to handle self-governance, this system seems to be blindly followed now.

And you lost! What are you going to do now? Were any of your ideas worth pursuing anyway?

[beamsmagicalgirls]

That's about it, there really isn't. It's like working with your enemies, what do you do there?

From the votes at least I didn't lost that bad, but it's still a loss. It's in the new Guardian's hand, he's free to use the ideas or not. I'll focus more on the sanctuary for the creatures, so it's not a total loss.

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[despairunending]

Well I can't say I understand the point but I get why people wouldn't want to put themselves forward. I mean, given how many people talk about wanting to go home, why would they want to commit to a position that's as much as admitting they'll never get back?

[Makes her wonder about the people who do put themselves forward but she's giving this round of politics a miss. Maybe next time.]

[ubiquitously]

Good point! Part of what I didn't like about the elections.

The candidates didn't seem to have any plans for us getting home, did they? They're accepting our fate for all of us by running on such lazy platforms.

[despairunending]

Maybe they don't have anything to go back to. And it's obviously not in Genessia's interests to send us home so why would they risk losing votes by talking about something like that?

[She can't even say she doesn't understand, to a point.]

Still, makes me wonder what would happen if a Guardian did disappear. Or does the position keep them locked in for as long as they stand?

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[captain_by_the_book]

[ He is. So. Unimpressed. More peanut gallery is exactly what they need. ]

On the other hand, you could say that the very fact you don't see much need for the Guardians proves their efficiency. Regular citizens will only ever notice the need for law enforcement when it has failed.

[ubiquitously]

[Times to say you've caused trouble uninterrupted: Not Now.]

... Yes, that's the only time they ever notice a need.

If we go with your interpretation, then explain to me why the Guardians and police department seem to operate separately. I'm very confused on that. It seems dangerously inefficient.

[captain_by_the_book]

You would have to ask the Guardians and Mayors of cities where they do operate separately. They don't in Attleton. We are the police department, with the Neighborhood Watch being a mere group of volunteer concerned citizens.

[ It is... actually not a system he prefers. If he had his way, they wouldn't be separate. And... wait. He pauses, realizing that this is his first day of not being Guardian. Yesterday, he couldn't have voiced an opinion which equalled criticizing how his colleagues handle their duties. Today, he is a simple citizen with an opinion. ]

To keep them separate is indeed dangerous and inefficient in my opinion but I can only speak for Attleton with any true authority.