EXCLUSIVE: TC Catches up with Karl Christen

TC catches up with the Former Vice President and Economic Minister in Titulia City. 
The other day I was at a local cafe in Titulia and came across a familiar face in Titulian politics. He looked tanned and well, and I introduced myself as a reporter with the Conservative, this is my interview with Karl Christen, former Economic Minister in the Luxus Avaram administration.
Conservative Reporter - Good morning Mr Christen, its good to see you again.
Karl Christen - Thank you sir, and its nice to be back in Titulia after a long vacation abroad.
Conservative Reporter - So what took you away for so long.
Karl Christen - Well to be honest, I really felt that my efforts to bring about good in the Republic had changed to a vendetta against my political adversaries, which I regret now and which is why I chose to remove myself from this environment and concentrate on other ventures for a time.
Conservative Reporter - So do you feel free from those past feelings and what brought you back?
Karl Christen - Thats a great question, to answer your first question, YES, I've realized that there was a general sense of frustration coming from all parties within Titulia during those turbulent days, and at this point I've realized that I have to be better then that, I have to lead more by example. As for why now, its by request of a dear friend, President McVicker. He asked me to come back for the good of Titulia, and at this point I'm excited at the prospect at what we can accomplish as nation.
Reporter - Since you mention it, what do you think needs to be done to create activity and a renewed sense of pride in this Republic?
Karl Christen - Another good question which requires a long answer. I wish there was an easy solution to this problem, but after stepping away and gaining a fresh new perspective, I think there are a number of ways to create excitement and activity once again.
Reporter - such as
Karl Christen - Well for one, we need to create a reason for everyone to log into Titulia each day. In other words, there needs to be some sort of "draw" or reason. It can't be just to politically debate propositions, nor should it be just another opportunity to blast ones political opponent. Many who have immigrated and then migrated are because they really are not as much into the debate but find this site lacking anything "task" worthy to do. I think part of this is an economical failure, and some of it is related to the overall design or system that is in place. But in the past I was guilty of the system defining my attitude, instead of looking for ways to make the system work for the greater good.
Reporter - I'd like to explore the greater good statement in more depth, but before we do that, what about the economic situation in Titulia, for all intensive purposes there really isn't an economy.. is there?
Karl Christen - Thats a fair observation, but lets look at the reality of where we sit. I think most of our initial problem when the economy was first initiated was the lack of for sight in what type of economy we should build. There really wasn't a plan anyone could agree upon and it was basically a free for all. There were other issues that were absent, like a judicial system to enforce contracts, proper online tools to effect merchant transactions, and a general lack of a trade or barter system. Everyone was kind of at a loss of what a virtual citizen would really need or desire in a virtual world like Titulia. It's not like anyone needs a consumable item to eat, or drink each day, and when any suggestion was made to create some sort of system, then political fights broke out and it just seemed like no one could agree. In the early days newspapers like this one sprung up, but then with the lack of an overall need for Tollars, the newspapers soon became giant political billboards for that newspapers political bias. The real success albeit it a short lived one was the Real Estate boom, but even that died quickly.
Reporter - you bring up Real Estate, is there anything that can be done to make it work once again.
Karl Christen - Excellent question, and the answer is Yes. For some time I've felt that our real problem in real estate was two fold. First, there really is to much supply for the number of citizens able to purchase real estate in this Republic. When the Admin first introduced Real Estate, and we should give him credit for offering it, they made a mistake by releasing to many lots at once on the citizenry. The Admin almost made the mistake of not offering the land to the Government or the Republic itself. I'm not sure if that was a strategy to encourage purchasing Tollars from the Admin's exchange bank, and hence help pay for this site in a sense, or it was what they thought would work the best. But in hindsight it worked for a few weeks and then died quickly. The only citizens willing to buy property were the most active, and often those who were not willing to buy lots piggy backed off those whom did. Thereby reducing any need for a property or "window" dressing Titulian address.
The other issue with real estate was there is no zoning rules, no title or deeds, no ability to fractionally share your property, or apply liens. There are not even built in homestead rites in terms of ownership as well. Furthermore, what can you really do with the property, one nice feature was that you could add a nice Jpeg and link it to your profile or a business that you may own, but not much more really to it. Again, I personally wanted more creativity and involvement from the Admin, but in reality I needed to get more creative on my own end before I finally figured out some solutions to these challenges.
Reporter - President McVicker has just proposed a bill that would allow the government to buy up a number of lots from the Admin's real estate company. Do you support this allocation of funds, and would you do more?
Karl Christen - Yes I do, and I would probably ask for more. In reality the Admin made their mistake with the real estate when they didn't offer the lots in mass to the government in the first place. Instead of creating a business to sell real estate to citizens, they should have passed the land to the government. Thereby they would not have had to give a stipend to the Titulian Government each month, and the Republic would be much more self sufficient at this juncture.
Reporter - why is that
Karl Christen - well think about it, if the government controlled all the "unpurchased" real estate, then they could control the supply and demand. Its a careful balancing game, but with less supply you see increases in value for the real estate owner. This stimulates additional speculation in new property and then property can be used as leverage or collateral for trade and barter economical proposals or plans. The government then could operate in a non-tax revenue earning position, meanwhile acquiring funds it needs to operate, allowing funding of other important businesses, entities and programs within the Republic.
Reporter - you mentioned Homestead rites. How would that help the average citizen.
Karl Christen - Actually in several ways. First of all, a REAL homestead act would in fact be a way to encourage early participation in Titula from new immigrants. In the early days of the United States, new citizens were encouraged to participate in homestead programs throughout the United States. There were only three requirements usually, but they had long reaching affects of building that country. First, anyone could apply for a homestead property, which was usually 160 acres. Second, each applicant had to agree to improve the land they were given, and finally they had to agree to title and record their land with the local government. This allowed the government protect the rites of the homesteader, but also to govern and control the way property was zoned, recorded, and how probate law would apply to deceased homesteaders.
I think in Titulia we need a similar program, especially in its founding years. Once we are a bigger country, then perhaps Homestead Laws could be retired, but at present we need more people participating and owning a piece of Titulia then sitting on the sidelines. I really think every citizen should be given an opportunity to own a property as soon as they immigrate. I think this property should become their personal "residence" in a sense. They can then tie it to their profile and in effect its their own connection now to the Republic.
Reporter - now you know this flys in the face of your past fiscal conservative proposals and ideas Mr Christen.
Karl Christen - I don't think so, at this point "ideology" and reality are two different animals. I think that which is good for the Republic..ie the citizens is more important then what is perceived as political ideology. I in fact do not believe that the government should be a citizens nanny, but on the other hand, the government must at times intervene or create a system in which individual initiative can thrive. If I were to propose a Homestead Act, I would advise the government to only offer a free lot to new citizens, I'd also reward active 'old" citizens a 500 credit for property they've purchased, and if they have not purchased property, then I would look at each of them as a "new" citizen in terms of this Act. But no one would be forced to take one of these properties, and anyone who wanted to buy a commercial property, or extra properties could do so through the normal "market" based system. The government would sell lots in general to private developers, who would then either sell these in a developed or undeveloped manner.
Reporter - what do you mean by developed or undeveloped
Karl Christen - yes, this is a good question. This is one of the reasons we need a few tweaks to the system in general. One nice feature with the new website is the ability to add HTML to a page. Here is a golden opportunity for a gifted HTML designer to create a "virtual contracting" company, which then could develop these lots, or previously purchased lots into magnificent "link" pages. In other words, you click on the map of a citizens developed lot and your taken to a new page with creative HTML content that has been created and approved by the owner. This would be good for business or just personal use. Gifted HTML builders would then become coveted and now a cottage industry would be developed over night.
Reporter - You almost mentioned that this site needs something more, or an intangible?
Karl Christen - Yes I did, and I still think we're yet to discover what that exactly is at this juncture. I think Titulia represents an eclectic range of personalities, cultures and philosophies. I think thats one reason we've clashed so much in some aspects of this Republics existence. But it also could create a vibrant and exciting opportunity to do something you don't see in real world countries. I think what draws someone to a website or game is the "Enjoyment" factor. I'm not sure most people enjoy fighting and debating every time they go onto a website, some do enjoy the political game, but if you look around even that can wear one out. But I think Titulia has lost its fun factor or its culture. We need to create a daily reason to come to Titulia and engage with other virtual citizens across the world. We need a common goal or cause to create a consensus as to why this Republic is important. This I cannot put a finger on myself as of yet but I hope your readers understand my heart and why I hope we find our reason to be.
Reporter - Well thank you so much Mr Christen, this interview went allot longer then I expected. Welcome back to Titulia, and we look forward to hearing from you again soon. Curiously, in what role will you be serving Titulia.
Karl Christen - (winking and nodding his head slightly) sorry my friend, but its President McVickers call at this point as to what I will be doing for the Republic. Perhaps you should contact the Liberty House.
There you have it, a very informative discussion with former Economic Minister Karl Christen.