Ordinarily, we like to look at the races race-by-race, but the Presidential race is kinda unique, the most important and, in this year’s unique circumstance, the two candidates are largely incomparable. One is offering a largely philosophical vision, the other a practical one. It’s the former with which we’re concerning ourselves, initially. Look for the Friedrich article tomorrow.
(Note: we’ve tried unsuccessfully to set up an interview with Maxwell. We will be meeting with him shortly, but he is not responsible for the lack of a meeting.)
In the beginning, Maxwell was a drunken joke candidate. But, as the narrative goes, he saw he was the only non-Jeff candidate running, and quickly decided to run seriously. This shift is admirable. In that respect, Maxwell is setting an example for disaffected students. You have a choice: sit outside and complain, or get your hands dirty and get involved. He chose the latter.
It was readily apparent that Maxwell knew next to nothing about the AMS. His first debate was an embarrassment of giggles. But a quick glance at his website is proof that he’s done some research. He does rightly point out that the AMS accepted the tuition increase in 2005, that voter turnout is low, and that the 40k reno for Council Chambers might have been a bit of a waste.
But look more closely, and there are some very significant logical gaps. For instance, he mentions that the AMS spends over 450 of your dollars in a year. Thing is, there isn’t much he can do about that, unless he himself passes a referendum. Really, he can’t. The student fees that actually go to the AMS total roughly $33.50. That ain’t much. He also mentions that his opponent has years of experience in the rhetoric of political campaigning. Friedrich has been involved in the AMS for all of 18 months. It’s hard to really characterize him as the ultimate insider.
Of all his promises (lower tuition, more student housing, and a new student union), there’s actually one that’s within his power as President, or at least within the power of the AMS to directly affect. And that’s cheaper beer. Yes, the AMS could charge less for beer. However, to do so comes at cost. And Maxwell hasn’t suggested what he’d cut to do so. He can reduce the renovation budget, but he’d better hope that students don’t ask for renovations. Would he cut services? Executive salaries? (Right now they make around $6/hour.) Cut student jobs from AMS businesses? We’re not positive.
Maxwell’s big weakness is that he identifies several problems, and has a broad solution, but the remedy is not rationally connected to the symptoms. His solution is a “new student society,”, to problems which include wasteful renos (the Council Chambers), crappy renos (conversation pit), and bad tuition policy (2005). Problem is, the solutions to these are engaging students, better designers, and a less obsolete tuition policy, respectively. His argument also fails to recognize that the AMS has put itself in a position where these things matter, and they matter to students. That has to count for something.
The major strength of Maxwell’s campaign is he’s highlighting the weakness of the AMS in two areas. The first is communication. At the time of his interview with the Knoll, he was raging about the University’s withholding e-mail addresses (he must read this blog). The University has since agreed to work with the AMS to get them. Second, he’s highlighted the AMS’ weakness in building student life. As he rightly points out, it wouldn’t take much to throw some good parties, without getting caught up in the bureaucracy of the student union.
And it’s through this lens that we ought to examine the Maxwell candidacy. Yes, his ideas aren’t fully fleshed out. But the feelings behind them ought not to be discounted as a result. They’re valuable, and really should be an important part of the discourse. As well, it’s a testament to the weakness of the AMS if they can’t find a way to use his skills and talents. He clearly has something to offer, if the AMS is willing to listen.
60 replies on “Swimming Upstream: The Maxwell Maxwell Story”
that is one hilarious headline
I want to read “The Anonymous Q. Anonymity Story”
that is one hilarious headline
I want to read “The Anonymous Q. Anonymity Story”
i nominate maxwell for commissar of public events. give him a budget next year and let him show you what he can do.
friedrich will be fine.
also “friedrich” is hard to spell when you type fast. or maybe it’s just me
i nominate maxwell for commissar of public events. give him a budget next year and let him show you what he can do.
friedrich will be fine.
also “friedrich” is hard to spell when you type fast. or maybe it’s just me
Anon (2:44):
I agree, in principle. Though there exists the AMS events office already. Perhaps he could run FirstWeek….
Anon (2:44):
I agree, in principle. Though there exists the AMS events office already. Perhaps he could run FirstWeek….
is the ams a bureaucracy or a political assembly?
is the ams a bureaucracy or a political assembly?
Anon 3:07 –
Both. And those conflict from time to time. Which is a central issue, really.
Anon 3:07 –
Both. And those conflict from time to time. Which is a central issue, really.
Heya. I’m not really sure what’s going on with the e-mail. The last message I got from Elections Insider read:
Hey, as I’m sure you know by now Tim and I are meeting with all the candidates.
Additionally, we’re wondering if you could answer the following questions and send them back to us before our meeting for efficacy’s sake.
Thanks so much!
I filled out the attached questions and sent them with an e-mail which said:
Hi, Gina,
My responses. Enjoy. Lemme know when you wanna do an interview.
-max
I haven’t heard back. So I’m not sure whether it’s your e-mail which isn’t working, but I’m free for an interview pretty much whenever.
So anyways, I do read this blog. Although I’m not sure how unbiased it is, I think it’s extremely well-written and, more importantly, provides a wealth of information which has been invaluable in transforming myself into a serious candidate.
I think one of my greatest advantages in this race is an ability to take other people’s advice. If I hadn’t paid attention to this blog, the other voter funded media outlets, and especially Jeff Friedrich himself, my campaign would still be an “embarassment of giggles.” However, I can do what the current AMS can’t, which is to take other people’s advice, and change accordingly.
Every day, my platform gets better, my criticism of the AMS is backed by more knowledge, and the solutions I offer become more and more in-depth.
As for the question of student fees, I’m willing to hand overy $456.96 annually. I just think that of the $33.50 which the AMS has direct control over, not even a dime should be wasted.
Let’s move on to the rest of my plans. True, the AMS can’t just say “OK, we’re going to lower tuition and put up more student housing.” UBC itself is in charge of that kind of thing. What I am able to do is first, fight for those issues in negotiations with the University and second, create the kind of relationship with the student body (through things like regular e-mail correspondence and an AMS web site which will serve as an online social hub in much the same way as Facebook does right now) which will allow the AMS to empower students to campaign on its behalf.
If we fix the communications gap between students and their AMS, this gives us the power to inform students and inspire them to activism. Having 43,000 people tell the University that they demand more housing and lower tuition will be a powerful bargaining tool for the AMS in its negotiations with the University administration.
Here’s how I intend to provide cheap beer and more fun.
First of all, I don’t think that redecorating the SUB is worth what we’re paying for it. Eventually, we need to build a new SUB. We don’t need it just yet, though, and in the meantime, we shouldn’t spend money fixing up something we’re probably going to tear down in a few years. If you add up the cost of things like the new “conversation pit” and the council chambers, which didn’t provide a whole lot of benefit to most students, that’s more than enough money to throw some wicked awesome parties and offset the cost of a bunch of cheap beer.
Heya. I’m not really sure what’s going on with the e-mail. The last message I got from Elections Insider read:
Hey, as I’m sure you know by now Tim and I are meeting with all the candidates.
Additionally, we’re wondering if you could answer the following questions and send them back to us before our meeting for efficacy’s sake.
Thanks so much!
I filled out the attached questions and sent them with an e-mail which said:
Hi, Gina,
My responses. Enjoy. Lemme know when you wanna do an interview.
-max
I haven’t heard back. So I’m not sure whether it’s your e-mail which isn’t working, but I’m free for an interview pretty much whenever.
So anyways, I do read this blog. Although I’m not sure how unbiased it is, I think it’s extremely well-written and, more importantly, provides a wealth of information which has been invaluable in transforming myself into a serious candidate.
I think one of my greatest advantages in this race is an ability to take other people’s advice. If I hadn’t paid attention to this blog, the other voter funded media outlets, and especially Jeff Friedrich himself, my campaign would still be an “embarassment of giggles.” However, I can do what the current AMS can’t, which is to take other people’s advice, and change accordingly.
Every day, my platform gets better, my criticism of the AMS is backed by more knowledge, and the solutions I offer become more and more in-depth.
As for the question of student fees, I’m willing to hand overy $456.96 annually. I just think that of the $33.50 which the AMS has direct control over, not even a dime should be wasted.
Let’s move on to the rest of my plans. True, the AMS can’t just say “OK, we’re going to lower tuition and put up more student housing.” UBC itself is in charge of that kind of thing. What I am able to do is first, fight for those issues in negotiations with the University and second, create the kind of relationship with the student body (through things like regular e-mail correspondence and an AMS web site which will serve as an online social hub in much the same way as Facebook does right now) which will allow the AMS to empower students to campaign on its behalf.
If we fix the communications gap between students and their AMS, this gives us the power to inform students and inspire them to activism. Having 43,000 people tell the University that they demand more housing and lower tuition will be a powerful bargaining tool for the AMS in its negotiations with the University administration.
Here’s how I intend to provide cheap beer and more fun.
First of all, I don’t think that redecorating the SUB is worth what we’re paying for it. Eventually, we need to build a new SUB. We don’t need it just yet, though, and in the meantime, we shouldn’t spend money fixing up something we’re probably going to tear down in a few years. If you add up the cost of things like the new “conversation pit” and the council chambers, which didn’t provide a whole lot of benefit to most students, that’s more than enough money to throw some wicked awesome parties and offset the cost of a bunch of cheap beer.
Maxwell:
I’ve sent you an e-mail this afternoon, to the campaign e-mail address. It requests a beery interview. I like those.
And we’ll admit to biases. Mostly because everybody has them.
Maxwell:
I’ve sent you an e-mail this afternoon, to the campaign e-mail address. It requests a beery interview. I like those.
And we’ll admit to biases. Mostly because everybody has them.
Post edited.
Post edited.
Wow, three comments in a row.
But I think you sell yourself short a little. You’re not only good at following advice, but you’re also very good at identifying and responding to new issues and new information.
Yes, your platform (etc..) is far more knowledgeable, intelligent, and informed than it was a week ago. And that’s a very good thing.
Wow, three comments in a row.
But I think you sell yourself short a little. You’re not only good at following advice, but you’re also very good at identifying and responding to new issues and new information.
Yes, your platform (etc..) is far more knowledgeable, intelligent, and informed than it was a week ago. And that’s a very good thing.
on the idea of adapting or improving platforms:
On one hand, it’s extremely positive, and certainly an attribute that befits a good leader/administrator/whatever you see the role of the President as.
On the other hand, voters should know what they’re getting. Obviously you can’t form an opinion on every conceivable situation that might come up during your term and obviously a successful president won’t be too ‘steadfast and resolute.’
But the problem is that anyone who is a self-professed newcomer is extremely unlikely to gather the knowledge that’s out there and form some sort of opinion on issues that they can have some sort of stance on before voting begins. In which case, what exactly is the vote a referendum on? Personal attributes? Which candidate looks/sounds like they’ll be the best at gathering voter opinion and acting on it in future?
on the idea of adapting or improving platforms:
On one hand, it’s extremely positive, and certainly an attribute that befits a good leader/administrator/whatever you see the role of the President as.
On the other hand, voters should know what they’re getting. Obviously you can’t form an opinion on every conceivable situation that might come up during your term and obviously a successful president won’t be too ‘steadfast and resolute.’
But the problem is that anyone who is a self-professed newcomer is extremely unlikely to gather the knowledge that’s out there and form some sort of opinion on issues that they can have some sort of stance on before voting begins. In which case, what exactly is the vote a referendum on? Personal attributes? Which candidate looks/sounds like they’ll be the best at gathering voter opinion and acting on it in future?
i think anyone, AMS outsiders included, can put together a platform. we’re all quote unquote university students. we should be able to put together an argument that stresses personal qualifications for office and a basic understanding of the job.
maxwell should have had a platform when he started, and it’s still unclear whether he is familiar enough with the structure of the AMS to be effective (know your enemy to defeat it), but then again, i believe him when he says he didn’t expect to be the only opposition. the fact that he is trying to cobble a platform together now is commendable. same goes for the web stuff. it may win him the election. who knows?
jeff is obviously the less entertaining personality, which isn’t an insult. his posts on this blog make him much more personable than he appeared in the debates. it’s obvious to anyone that has worked with him that he’ll do a good job. is that enough?
who knows. i wonder if vfm will actually change the voter turnout.
does the ams know how many students outside the ams (common folk) vote in the election? are they enough to trump the bureaucracy? was that the case with SPAN? who knows. SPAN had the resource groups in its pocket, if i recall..
Tim/Gina:
SPAN: departure or debacle?
i think anyone, AMS outsiders included, can put together a platform. we’re all quote unquote university students. we should be able to put together an argument that stresses personal qualifications for office and a basic understanding of the job.
maxwell should have had a platform when he started, and it’s still unclear whether he is familiar enough with the structure of the AMS to be effective (know your enemy to defeat it), but then again, i believe him when he says he didn’t expect to be the only opposition. the fact that he is trying to cobble a platform together now is commendable. same goes for the web stuff. it may win him the election. who knows?
jeff is obviously the less entertaining personality, which isn’t an insult. his posts on this blog make him much more personable than he appeared in the debates. it’s obvious to anyone that has worked with him that he’ll do a good job. is that enough?
who knows. i wonder if vfm will actually change the voter turnout.
does the ams know how many students outside the ams (common folk) vote in the election? are they enough to trump the bureaucracy? was that the case with SPAN? who knows. SPAN had the resource groups in its pocket, if i recall..
Tim/Gina:
SPAN: departure or debacle?
it’s politics not welfare. both are important.
who decides who runs first week?
what’s happened to me? i’m blogging. somebody shoot me
it’s politics not welfare. both are important.
who decides who runs first week?
what’s happened to me? i’m blogging. somebody shoot me
“embarassment of giggles”
what does that really mean?
tim/gina:
i’m addicted to your blog
“embarassment of giggles”
what does that really mean?
tim/gina:
i’m addicted to your blog
spencer: are you still happy you killed slates?
spencer: are you still happy you killed slates?
Anon 9:48 – SPAN were just as much insiders as anybody else. And there were whispers that there were CFS ties, though I don’t have any confirmed facts. As for their merits, it’s an interesting question, but one I’m not getting into here. Sorry… Ask Gina – she’s an old SPANdidate ;-)
9:51 – Firstweek is hired by an appointments committee, chaired by the VP Academic. It’s a purely hired job.
9:56 – Take another hit. Your first one’s always free.
Anon 9:48 – SPAN were just as much insiders as anybody else. And there were whispers that there were CFS ties, though I don’t have any confirmed facts. As for their merits, it’s an interesting question, but one I’m not getting into here. Sorry… Ask Gina – she’s an old SPANdidate ;-)
9:51 – Firstweek is hired by an appointments committee, chaired by the VP Academic. It’s a purely hired job.
9:56 – Take another hit. Your first one’s always free.
i cream for gossip from 2004/2005
i guess SPAN were insiders. you’d be the one to know. i don’t mean to romanticize their tenure. but it made for good press didn’t it?
gina, can you write a tell-all about the “The Flash in the SPAN.”
anyway, as the average student away on exchange, it seemed like a revolution when they won. or at least a popular movement. remember when the commerce department ran the AMS?
i cream for gossip from 2004/2005
i guess SPAN were insiders. you’d be the one to know. i don’t mean to romanticize their tenure. but it made for good press didn’t it?
gina, can you write a tell-all about the “The Flash in the SPAN.”
anyway, as the average student away on exchange, it seemed like a revolution when they won. or at least a popular movement. remember when the commerce department ran the AMS?
can you guys change the photo? it sets a way too friendly tone for this blog
can you guys change the photo? it sets a way too friendly tone for this blog
oh that’s not what i meant all. you guys are almost too sweet.
i thought something more hard news that’s all – like maury povich, connie chung. hardcore
oh that’s not what i meant all. you guys are almost too sweet.
i thought something more hard news that’s all – like maury povich, connie chung. hardcore
your photo is more al roker katie couric. it belies the content
your photo is more al roker katie couric. it belies the content
seriously, this blog is ocd inducing
seriously, this blog is ocd inducing
piss off the Ubyssey!
piss off the Ubyssey!
We don’t have time to advertise much. We’d rather spend the time answering all your comments.
Yes. All of them.
We don’t have time to advertise much. We’d rather spend the time answering all your comments.
Yes. All of them.
the speed is incredible!
do you win a prize at the end of VFM? you do, right
the speed is incredible!
do you win a prize at the end of VFM? you do, right
Only if people vote for us.
Only if people vote for us.