Hawking
18-01-2004, 19:31
The following is a transcript of the Presidential Address to the Progressive Republic of Hawking in regards to Foundation Day and the State of the Nation, spoken on the morning of Monday 19 January 2004.
"Exactly 365 days ago today, a nation was born. It was founded on the three principles of freedom, democracy, and equality. Named after one of the great figures of modern science, Stephen Hawking, the Free Land grew and prospered--from a relatively small population, quickly to 100 million, then half a billion and further still.
The nation has seen many a change of flag, and many a chance of motto. The nation has seen good times socially, and bad times socially. The nation has even seen two great changes of political system--once from capitalism to communism, and again in reverse from communism to capitalism. It could, however, even be admitted that the nation never has truly returned to capitalism.
But there is one thing that is certain, one thing that has not changed in the history of the nation that I speak of. And that single factor that has not seen revolution, is what the nation stands for. The nation has always stood for freedom, democracy, and equality. Whether capitalist, or communist, it has always stood for those three things.
This nation is our nation--the Progressive Republic of Hawking.
Freedom--we, Hawking, have always stood for freedom. Throughout the past 365 days, the government and citizenry together have worked together to ensure that as many people in this nation and this world, as is possible given our resources, have the ability to think freely, to act freely... and to live freely, without as large a looming shadow of bureaucracy that they would live under otherwise.
Democracy--we, Hawking, have always stood for democracy. This nation has been governed democratically throughout the entire last year. Election time has not yet arrived, but the governing authority has always ensured that it listens to the people and does what the majority want, as opposed to the popular method of simply putting laws into place that suit the government's opinion.
Equality--we, Hawking, have always stood for equality. We have extensively held true to the ideal that all men and women should have an equal right to live and equal opportunities to do well; that the concept of the social class be made less of an issue through redistribution of wealth among the people; and that universal healthcare and other crucial social services be provided, free of charge, to anyone, and everyone.
We hold these truths to be self-evident--that all humans were created equal and shall remain equal as long as they are under the wing or within the influence of the Progressive Republic of Hawking.
[From this point, President Farrow begins to slowly increase the power and volume of his voice and the extremity of the body language utilised whilst giving the speech.]
But now, Hawking has lapsed into a state of social and economic homeostasis. We all want to see what is described in this nation's name-prefix achieved. Progress. To this end, the Libertarian Socialist Party has a change of policy in mind...
[Gasps and quick murmurs can at this point be heard emanating from the 400,000-strong swarm of Hawkingers that have packed Hawking Stadium to hear the Presidential Address.]
It is to be called the One-Year Plan. From now until the next time that this momentous occasion, Foundation Day, is celebrated, the government plans to work at passing legislation that will see this nation progress socially, and in particular economically--I'm sure you all would like to see our economy returned to its former excellent state, would you not?
The Plan will see taxes drastically reduced. By this time next year, my government plans to have decreased the average income tax rate to below 30%. This lowered tax will help stimulate economic growth in Hawking and improve citizens' incentive to work hard. The government will also share out stored funds equally between all industries in the form of donations, to get them rolling again in private control.
When the taxes have been reduced significantly, the government will begin to divert tax revenue away from the benefit-dole system into education. It is believed that when educated to an even higher standard than they are currently, Hawking's former students will have little trouble finding employment in this nation and will not have any great need to be on the benefit. The benefit system will, however, remain in place for certain cases, but people who are physically and mentally fit enough to work will be allowed to stay on the benefit for only a maximum of two years. This will ensure that more Hawkingers get out there, find employment and contribute to our ever-growing nation.
The government will also be overseeing several possible reforms in law, including the illegalisation of recreational drugs, slight lifting of environmental protections, and relaxation of civilian gun-possession laws.
What actually occurs remains to be seen. But I can assure you all that this will be a year of the people. Happy Foundation Day, Progressive Republic of Hawking!!!
[The president waves to the cheering, PRH!-chanting crowd as he walks offstage and the Progressive Republic of Hawking National Anthem is played by the Hawking Symphony Orchestra.]"
http://www.victorialodging.com/butchart/images/butchart-fireworks.jpg
The fireworks at Hawking Stadium.
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/hawking.jpg
The Hawking national flag.
http://www.freewebs.com/dustless/President%20Farrow.bmp
President of the Progressive Republic of Hawking, Gary Farrow.
http://www.cairotimes.com/news/parliament.jpg
The Hawking Parliament in session.
http://www.russian-brides-club.com/images/kremlin.jpg
A view of the Hawking Parliament from outside.
http://i.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/dday/city.jpg
Mandela City centre by night.
http://info.mountains.net.au/images/pic/V5_W553_Emu-Heights_9-12-96_300.jpg
A 'Silver Caterpillar' public train.
http://boot.co.kr/wonhor_home/newhome/rifle/russia/img/ak-47-main.jpg
The AK-47 assault rifle has been used throughout most of Hawking's one-year history.
http://aviashow.avia.ru/images/tu-204-100.jpg
Tu-204s of the PRHAF.
http://www.beriev.com/images/a40pic.jpg
A glimpse of one of the Beriev A-40 jet-powered flying boats that have been constructed in Hawking and are soon to enter military service.
http://www.pocruises.com/news_offers/image/news10_oceana.jpg
The superliner Two Billionth Citizen.
http://www.globaladrenaline.com/australianewzealand/images/photos/MB%20-%20Scuba%20diving%20(Milne%20Bay,%20Papua%20New%20Guinea).%20-%20B.jpg
Scuba diving off the Tanczos Peninsula.
"Exactly 365 days ago today, a nation was born. It was founded on the three principles of freedom, democracy, and equality. Named after one of the great figures of modern science, Stephen Hawking, the Free Land grew and prospered--from a relatively small population, quickly to 100 million, then half a billion and further still.
The nation has seen many a change of flag, and many a chance of motto. The nation has seen good times socially, and bad times socially. The nation has even seen two great changes of political system--once from capitalism to communism, and again in reverse from communism to capitalism. It could, however, even be admitted that the nation never has truly returned to capitalism.
But there is one thing that is certain, one thing that has not changed in the history of the nation that I speak of. And that single factor that has not seen revolution, is what the nation stands for. The nation has always stood for freedom, democracy, and equality. Whether capitalist, or communist, it has always stood for those three things.
This nation is our nation--the Progressive Republic of Hawking.
Freedom--we, Hawking, have always stood for freedom. Throughout the past 365 days, the government and citizenry together have worked together to ensure that as many people in this nation and this world, as is possible given our resources, have the ability to think freely, to act freely... and to live freely, without as large a looming shadow of bureaucracy that they would live under otherwise.
Democracy--we, Hawking, have always stood for democracy. This nation has been governed democratically throughout the entire last year. Election time has not yet arrived, but the governing authority has always ensured that it listens to the people and does what the majority want, as opposed to the popular method of simply putting laws into place that suit the government's opinion.
Equality--we, Hawking, have always stood for equality. We have extensively held true to the ideal that all men and women should have an equal right to live and equal opportunities to do well; that the concept of the social class be made less of an issue through redistribution of wealth among the people; and that universal healthcare and other crucial social services be provided, free of charge, to anyone, and everyone.
We hold these truths to be self-evident--that all humans were created equal and shall remain equal as long as they are under the wing or within the influence of the Progressive Republic of Hawking.
[From this point, President Farrow begins to slowly increase the power and volume of his voice and the extremity of the body language utilised whilst giving the speech.]
But now, Hawking has lapsed into a state of social and economic homeostasis. We all want to see what is described in this nation's name-prefix achieved. Progress. To this end, the Libertarian Socialist Party has a change of policy in mind...
[Gasps and quick murmurs can at this point be heard emanating from the 400,000-strong swarm of Hawkingers that have packed Hawking Stadium to hear the Presidential Address.]
It is to be called the One-Year Plan. From now until the next time that this momentous occasion, Foundation Day, is celebrated, the government plans to work at passing legislation that will see this nation progress socially, and in particular economically--I'm sure you all would like to see our economy returned to its former excellent state, would you not?
The Plan will see taxes drastically reduced. By this time next year, my government plans to have decreased the average income tax rate to below 30%. This lowered tax will help stimulate economic growth in Hawking and improve citizens' incentive to work hard. The government will also share out stored funds equally between all industries in the form of donations, to get them rolling again in private control.
When the taxes have been reduced significantly, the government will begin to divert tax revenue away from the benefit-dole system into education. It is believed that when educated to an even higher standard than they are currently, Hawking's former students will have little trouble finding employment in this nation and will not have any great need to be on the benefit. The benefit system will, however, remain in place for certain cases, but people who are physically and mentally fit enough to work will be allowed to stay on the benefit for only a maximum of two years. This will ensure that more Hawkingers get out there, find employment and contribute to our ever-growing nation.
The government will also be overseeing several possible reforms in law, including the illegalisation of recreational drugs, slight lifting of environmental protections, and relaxation of civilian gun-possession laws.
What actually occurs remains to be seen. But I can assure you all that this will be a year of the people. Happy Foundation Day, Progressive Republic of Hawking!!!
[The president waves to the cheering, PRH!-chanting crowd as he walks offstage and the Progressive Republic of Hawking National Anthem is played by the Hawking Symphony Orchestra.]"
http://www.victorialodging.com/butchart/images/butchart-fireworks.jpg
The fireworks at Hawking Stadium.
http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/hawking.jpg
The Hawking national flag.
http://www.freewebs.com/dustless/President%20Farrow.bmp
President of the Progressive Republic of Hawking, Gary Farrow.
http://www.cairotimes.com/news/parliament.jpg
The Hawking Parliament in session.
http://www.russian-brides-club.com/images/kremlin.jpg
A view of the Hawking Parliament from outside.
http://i.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/dday/city.jpg
Mandela City centre by night.
http://info.mountains.net.au/images/pic/V5_W553_Emu-Heights_9-12-96_300.jpg
A 'Silver Caterpillar' public train.
http://boot.co.kr/wonhor_home/newhome/rifle/russia/img/ak-47-main.jpg
The AK-47 assault rifle has been used throughout most of Hawking's one-year history.
http://aviashow.avia.ru/images/tu-204-100.jpg
Tu-204s of the PRHAF.
http://www.beriev.com/images/a40pic.jpg
A glimpse of one of the Beriev A-40 jet-powered flying boats that have been constructed in Hawking and are soon to enter military service.
http://www.pocruises.com/news_offers/image/news10_oceana.jpg
The superliner Two Billionth Citizen.
http://www.globaladrenaline.com/australianewzealand/images/photos/MB%20-%20Scuba%20diving%20(Milne%20Bay,%20Papua%20New%20Guinea).%20-%20B.jpg
Scuba diving off the Tanczos Peninsula.