Q & A #13 by-elections - Cheryl Gallagher, MP candidate

Thank you for asking me some questions on facebook, I'm very happy to answer to the best of my ability!  (Special thanks to Nissem and M Helena!)

Some of these questions are very specific, and I can say frankly that until I have the opportunity in office to study the various situations and evaluate their circumstances and their actions to date based on current and actual data, it is very difficult to say what my position would on a particular decision or point of view being considered by parliament.  Nevertheless, I think I will communicate enough of my point of view or opinion here based on my current knowledge for you to be able to decide to vote on my candidacy.

In general, I can say that I will give well-considered, non-predisposed opinions, based on what appears best to makes sense, and be realistic for the needs and due process of governing Asgardia at the time.

Q: What do you think about transparency in decision making?

A:  It depends on the mode of government and the circumstances... functioning as a fully collaborative society, more transparency is needed, as everyone has an opinion and decision about everything.  This tends to get chaotic if not managed well, can easily get out of hand, and action can become paralyzed.  In a cooperative society, such as a representational republic, the representatives have a fiduciary duty to represent well and make decisions in the best interests of everyone on balance, they are in respective committees of focus and therefore, with everyone doing their level best, everyone does not need to know everything about everything at all times, (although all decisions and there respective processes should be recorded and accessible to other for future reference, that's for sure).

Q If you should rank these sectors by importance, how would you do that?  Science and space exploration/ Education / Economy / Social and Health / Military and Security / Foreign Affairs / Law and Regulation?

A.  Just as any one aspect of planet Earth's functioning affects all the others organically, all sectors in Asgardia's existence are as important as all others, and so a sensible order of "What sector makes sense to focus on right now?" to "move the ball down the field" in the right direction and most efficiently to build Asgardia as a healthy nation, becomes the important question.  The coordinated efforts of all sectors developing in the same time frame with knowledgeable and effective experts in each field, will help that development happen better and more efficiently.

Q:  In a multi-cultural environment such as our future parliament, what would be the secret formula for a successful team job?

A. Open-mindedness, communication, a dedication to hard work and an unshakeable practice of mutual respect and consideration for all.

Q Do you think we should have weapons to defend ourselves as a nation or would you consider having passive defence (shields, systems to deactivate threats, etc)?

A.  Weapons and weapons management is a ever-present topic of extreme sensitivity, and the source of great misery on all sides.  I would say that in most cases (not all) the actual use of weapons by anyone against anyone leads to tragedy on some level, from all-out war, to the smallest act of personal aggression.  Tragedy unnecessary and not our best interest as a developing species... we are trying to avoid such tragedy... That said, national defense remains an important part of a central government's responsibility to its citizens.  Therefore, the topic of national defense should be considered very carefully and conscientiously, with all the many options available, including new technologies upcoming and the yet undeveloped, with the concept of peaceful relations and diplomacy the primary focus.

Q. What do you think is the most urgent law to be made in Asgardia?

A. The next one that makes sense and is needed to grow Asgardia as a healthy and thriving new space nation!

Do you have questions for me?  Feel free to ask here, I will do my best to answer.

As important as safety, governmental and physical structure, functional design and scientific approaches in the foundation of a new off-world, are the lifestyles and long-term comfort of the humans that will establish there.  I watch the livestreams of all the awesome astronauts living in their space habitats in orbit in this era, and cannot help but sympathize that their actual physical environment looks like living in a large, cramped storage compartment, with virtually any beauty and majesty confined to the (incredible) views through the portholes, and it just seems like an ugly uncomfortable experience by somewhat necessary design.  I understand that we are under the fickle financial fortunes of the political climate on earth, as well as the strictures of physical limitations yet unconquered.

Going forward, I envision a more beautiful living in space, comfortable to visit and live in for humanity.  I would like to be part of the team that sets out an aesthetic that brings those ideas into reality at the design stage,  just as our science fiction writers of the past two centuries put the visions of new technologies, new devices and designs into the minds of our combined creative intelligence to bring them into physical being, as we collectively create our space nation from scratch.

The combined creative influences of art and music will also lift the minds and hearts and support the mental and physical health of those who live there, just as it does here, and if I seem idealistic, we live in the constant reality that acts of creation and creative intelligence can go in both directions, we can live in purposeful scientific dumpsters, or a form of created heaven-in-space, whatever we decide.  Therefore, I am putting out an intention of beautiful, functional creative design, so we can live happily in our new space nation, not merely survive there.

It would be a great honor and privilege to participate in this fascinating, ground breaking, nation building future of Asgardia!

I am sincerely enthusiastic about the possibility of representing  our Space Nation, Asgardia.  I have a broad background in the sciences, arts, world history (and therefore, well versed in government pluses and minuses)  and am considered to be a good listener, with deep understanding, compassion and respect for all.

I have the time and energy to sort through the myriad details and decisions of founding this community, and the discriminative and creative intelligence abilities to thoughtfully consider the issues, without bias or prejudice.  I had a long career in the health sciences, and so have that to bring to the table but am now a full-time artist and professional musician.  I am especially interested in the aesthetics of life in Asgardia, not only the science and practical aspects of all things off-world, but the beauty and design of the future environment in which Asgardians aspire to live, that which provides a sense of comfort and happiness, and that would be a focus in my participation, hence requesting assignment to the culture committee.

I am diplomatic in all my interactions, and you can count on me to consider all sides of any discussions or decisions with the highest integrity, diligence and focus, as I represent all Asgardians in our new Parliament.  It would be a great honor and privilege to participate in this fascinating, ground breaking, nation building future of Asgardia!

Please consider voting for me in these by-elections, and thanks so much for your consideration!