NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC introduction:
Ye, its time for elections again in Knootoss. The van der Laan administration finished their second term of the unity government and the stage is set for new coalitions.

Meddling is encouraged.
-Please post which party your government supports, that way we also know who votes in the poll.
-Secret campaign funding, espionage, slanderous propaganda campaigns and attempts of political assasinations are all valid and encouraged.

This tread will cover the campaign. I will post IC snippets to give you a feel of what is going on.

Will Galadriël finally become the Empress of her Empire of Liberty? Will the Greens manage to push through some true reforms? Or will the SLP prevent it all and remain dominant? Will the new, small parties stand any chance at all? How about socialism in Knootoss?
Find it out, right here and remember to drink Pink Bunny Cola!

EDITED IN: CURRENT POLLS
Parliament has 200 seats.

[code:1:9112cb1a6b]
Party Name_______________________ :Current____Change____Projected
SLP_: Sociaal-Liberale Partij____ : 70 ______ -10 ______60
KGP_: Knootiaanse Groene Partij__ : 65 ______ +2 _______67
RCPK: Realistische Cons.Partij Kn.: 58 ______ +11 _______69
KEP_: Knootiaanse Elven Partij___ : 7 _______ -4 _______3
SP__: Socialistische Partij______ : 0 _______ +1 _______1
IP__: Imperialistische Partij____ : 0 _______ 0 ________0[/code:1:9112cb1a6b]

EDIT 3: It un-killed my poll... hmmm...

I Support Elven Intrests in this election

....most families have decided to remain neutral and not meddle with Knootian internal affairs. However, Kiith LiirHra and Kiith Manaan have both decided to support the conservatives, and Kiith Gaalsien is expected to follow soon. Neither Council nor the Daiamid is enforcing support for one specific side, leaving all Kiithid free to support the campaign of whichever candidate they please.

CNS

KNN – political advertising time.

*the logo of a little sun appears in the screen, and then the campaign slogan:

_____KGP: reasonable partner_____

*Femke Halsema, a beautiful woman with long black curly hair and deep eyes is walking through a street. She looks into the camera, talking directly to the viewer as she walks*

”The KGP is a party that prefers a good plan to a nice slogan. We don’t see politics as a battlefield, but as an endless stream of problems that need to be solved.”

*the same letters as the logo appear, followed by images of factories belching out black smoke, and masses people walking along busy streets without taking notice of each other. A voiceover speaks, dramatically.*

What problems are there?

“There are many, but they are all a result of our mammon -machine gone mad. It is a wondrous machine – one that has allowed us to make more and more things and then consume them. We are a lot better off then out ancestors, and certainly a lot better off then the third world. The riches seemed to be growing bigger and bigger, and the only problem was how to share those riches equally between poor and rich. Here, and in the third world.

But now the machine itself is getting out of control. It rapidly devours the planets natural resources and irreparably damages life on earth. The people themselves become rads in the machine, without a will in an impersonal whole. The world is becoming colder and harder. Common kindness and camaraderie are being replaced by the fake smile of commercials, and the bitterness of forms and queues when you need help. The cost of this kind of welfare is exceeding the benefits. The machine groans under the pressure it caused. Unemployment, inflation and products that other countries don’t want to buy anymore are the consequence.”

What do we do?
“Quarrel over who can get a bit more? Wageworkers or profiteers, working men or unemployed.
It isn’t enough anymore. The entire system must change. The race for more (production, consumption, profit, wages, welfare, subsidies) must change to a desire for better. The whole problem must be tackled, and solved.”

*the campaign items are displayed on the screen*

Change – environment – spreading power and knowledge

In a quiet corner of the Zedran Inquisition a heated discusion was taking place,

"We should support the Conservatives by any means nessacary."
"I agree, but we must remember what happened last time a nation tried to intervene"
"Even so"
"Both of you, shut it, we will help the conservative party."
"Yes your Highness"

We are sending officials to check out which party are most sympathetic to interests of our Christian/Jewish state and which are not.

OOC

More detail about parties, hint hint ...

Response from a Manaan columnist to the Green party statements

Miss Halsema states that Knootoss is a nation plagued by "unemployment, inflation and products that other countries don’t want to buy anymore are the consequence". However, in the UN rankings, Knootoss is listed as a frightening economy, indeed one of the most powerful economies amongst all Dutch nations. Where miss Halsema got the idea that her little "machine", as she likes to call it, is about to fail, is still a mystery to me.

It is time for her to realize that the economy of Knootoss is not a Lego toy with a nice little and comprehensive engine in it. It is a complex, diverse and dynamic network with countless possibilities. And a good network, too. Since the last war, Knootoss has shown remarkable progress and reconstruction, as is, again, visible in UN reports referring to the nation. This clearly indicates that the nation's current course is a good one. If it is not broken, then why try to fix it?

I don't know who you are supporting in these elections, but I'm donating to the conservatives!

Deep underneath the Thelasi Government Center, Empress Ithenril was having a discussion with Commander Kentherin. The room was large and well furnished, the walls over pannelled in wood, two large chairs faced a large fireplace, the fire crackling merrily, casting a warm glow over the two figures, sitting in the large chairs.

Ithenril toook a sip of her brandy, "It seems that Knootoss is having elections again" Kentherin nodded, sipping his own drink, "I know, it concerns me, the last time Knoottoss had elections, it ended in our fighting a bloody and needless war." "At any rate, we will support Galadriel, we can agree on that, correct?" "Indeed, I will transfer the money as soon as possible." "Good work Ken, good work"

Encoded message to Galadriel nos Cirdan,

From: Empress Ithenril of Thelas
To: Galadriel nos Cirdan

I have heard that you are running for an "free state" in Knootoss, as you have always been a good friend to the Thelasi Empire, this interests us imensly, and we are transfering over 15,000,000 Menelmacari Credits through an independant bank to your politcal actions.

In a quiet corner of the Zedran Inquisition a heated discusion was taking place,

"We should support the Conservatives by any means nessacary."
"I agree, but we must remember what happened last time a nation tried to intervene"
"Even so"
"Both of you, shut it, we will help the conservative party."
"Yes your Highness"

"How about Zedra?", asked Frits to a random RCPK campaign official", "Anything in terms of money?"
"Well, uhm, Sir, I don't know. They would probably support us. We'll see."

We are sending officials to check out which party are most sympathetic to interests of our Christian/Jewish state and which are not.

OOC
More detail about parties, hint hint ...

((From your perspective))
The Jerusalem campaign officials findings upon their return:
"The parties in Knootoss are all pretty secular and none of the tree biggest parties support traditional Catholic values, or even basic family values. Our issues are only supported by the Elvish KEP. There is a lot of work to be done.

An overview per party:
-SLP: Avowedly atheist. Liberal, promoting abortion, euthanasia and even giving away suicide pills as a means of "empowerment". Detestable.
-KGP: leftist, supports abortion because of “women’s rights”. Supports the feminist and gay agenda’s but is somewhat less anti-religion as the SLP. For example they do not support suicide pills for everyone. Voters are more likely to support ‘spirituality’ in general, but they refuse to abide Christian church dogma.
-RCPK: the conservative party is usually the traditional base of support for the church, but in Knootoss they take a somewhat different position. The RCPK practices conservatism as a very individualistic system: promoting big businesses and fighting taxes and welfare. The party does recognise community values, but has done little in the past to support it. Sometimes they oppose anti-Christian reforms but usually on a technical basis.
-The KEP is the Knootian Elvish Party. They do promote their religion and spirituality and agree with us on many of the issues. They support gay rights, but are opposed to rampant euthanasia and abortion. The party strives for a more moral society that serves ‘the forces of good’. However they are still heathen Eru-worshippers. The party does however stand at a significant disadvantage with a prominent elf heading the conservative campaign.
-Several smaller parties also participate, such as a new socialist party. No support there.

((Ok... more posts to respond to))

OOC-ly: Why oh why do I feel a certain Knootian bias towards the Elvish party? And if the Elves win anyway, then why is this election being held? :P

<<OOC: I assume that Knootoss has a parlaimentary system with coalition governments and all that?>>

---

"As a close ally of Knootoss, Edolia will officially take no stand on the matter of this election and is willing to cooperate with whichever party is able to gain the majority. Nevertheless, the Imperator, Erik von Blatterschplitt unofficially puts his support behind the Green Party, though he says he would not be adverse to another term of the SLP. We hope that the voice of the people is heard in this election and that the best candidate is succesful."
Christoff von Mark
Minister of Information
http://www.angelfire.com/bug/batenoah/tfgumby.JPG

We vote socialist, but we're a future nation so no meddling for us.

Our decision, was not easy

An overview per party:
-SLP: Avowedly atheist. Liberal, promoting abortion, euthanasia and even giving away suicide pills as a means of "empowerment". Detestable.

>> NO WAY - no support

-KGP: leftist, supports abortion because of “women’s rights”. Supports the feminist and gay agenda’s but is somewhat less anti-religion as the SLP. For example they do not support suicide pills for everyone. Voters are more likely to support ‘spirituality’ in general, but they refuse to abide Christian church dogma.

>> Liberal, but possible

-RCPK: the conservative party is usually the traditional base of support for the church, but in Knootoss they take a somewhat different position. The RCPK practices conservatism as a very individualistic system: promoting big businesses and fighting taxes and welfare. The party does recognise community values, but has done little in the past to support it. Sometimes they oppose anti-Christian reforms but usually on a technical basis.

>> Possible connections to our church

-The KEP is the Knootian Elvish Party. They do promote their religion and spirituality and agree with us on many of the issues. They support gay rights, but are opposed to rampant euthanasia and abortion. The party strives for a more moral society that serves ‘the forces of good’. However they are still heathen Eru-worshippers. The party does however stand at a significant disadvantage with a prominent elf heading the conservative campaign.

>> Heathens!

-Several smaller parties also participate, such as a new socialist party. No support there.

>> Won't bother

Decision - Conservatives!

OOC

Thanks for reply

We will not interfere in any way in the democratic decision of the people of Knootoss. If all the election plarforms are up to the standard of the KGP, the people of Knootoss will be well served.

(anyway, you know who i voted for! tag for possible meddling later once i know who's running my country's foreign policy)

Vigvar Winter Palace,
Capital City of Vigvar,
Grand Duchy of Tarasovka,
Sisgardia.

- My Lord! Knootoss is holding elections!

- What? Again?

- Well, you tend to remake elections ever so often when you tend to be a democracy, Sire... just like our governors, you know...

- Oh... yes, yes, right... governors... and so, who is going to govern the windmill builders?

- No idea, Sire.

- Well, don't meddle into the entire thing. We once meddled into their affairs and it led to a huge war, which makes that even today the Grand Duchy denies all responsibility!

- Yes, Sire.

double post

Emperor Alexander glanced at the international papers, and took a keen interest in the elections of Knootoss. With upcoming elections, perhaps Alexander can meddle in the affairs of the nation. It would prove quite interesting, and the aged emperor hadn't had as much fun since he squashed the head of a rebel leader 16 years ago. Alexander brought up a head of the VECOD, the Valerian Espionage and Covert Operations Department.

"Sire, what is it that you have called me up here for?" inquired the young agent.

"I want you to begin meddling in Knootoss's elections. Send spies to monitor their political parties, and make sure that a new party is created - the Imperial Party. I want to see if I can topple democracy as a whole in Knootoss, and create a monarchy. After all, monarchy does triumph over democracy!"

"Well, what if we are discovered?"

"Knootoss probably has no idea where Valeria is... just make sure that we have enough spies to make a safe net of espionage. Once our puppet party is established, make sure we can rig the election to make them win. Use assassination if necessary!"

"Whatever your desire is, sire!"

The VECOD sent out many agents to Knootoss to meddle in the affairs of that nation. Soon, the Imperial Party was to hopefully be established. If it manages to gain a foothold in Knootoss, the party's candidate will be Zach Oestion.

(OOC: I voted for Other, since the Imperial Party will be a puppet party brought up by Valeria)

The Republic of Freedomstaki votes for the KGP.

Also, contact the Consul in Knootoss and have him start spreading rumors that the RCPK candiate has illegitimate black children.

OCC: What can I say, I'm super liberal! I hate conservatives. :lol: OH NO THEY'RE WINNING! :o

Also, I should write about that in my blog about Bush. Heheheh. :twisted:

In response to Vortex’ column:
From: Trouw, election pages. (Trouw is centrist, btw)


http://www.juristenwerk.nl/graphics/logos/brinkhorst.pnghttp://www.juristenwerk.nl/graphics/logos/femkehal.png
Minister Brinkhorst _____ Femke Halsema

SLP-KGP partnership threatened?

THE HAGUE – The Green election campaign theme has drawn fire from the minister of Economic Affairs Brinkhorst. He called the campaign “silly and outside of the political reality”. More importantly he commented that the KGP’s slogan of being a “reasonable partner” may nor be entirely correct. “If the KGP wants to be a reliable government party together with the SLP they shouldn’t completely isolate themselves on the issues. He refused to say that the SLP preferred governing with the conservatives. “That is entirely up to the voter. To say that we prefer either party would be meddling with the democratic process.”

SLP: “greens may not be a reasonable partner”

Femke Halsema, who leads the green list has condemned the ministers comments: “Brinkhorst should get back to running his department. It is badly needed, after all. Knootoss is slipping in its environmental record and its education output. The last UN survey showed that the SeOCC population was smarter then ours!”
She commented that she saw a pattern of the SLP getting arrogant. “They presume that they will be in government again whatever the outcome is. That’s arrogant and disrespectful of the voters.”

KGP: “SLP getting arrogant and more right-wing.”

More on page 11

---

In response to Thelas’ donation of funds:
From: De Telegraaf (a right-wing paper)


Galadriël for Prime Minister!
Conservatives launch furious personality-driven campaign

The conservative RCPK has proudly presented Lady Galadriël Táralóm nos Cirdan as their candidate to be the next Prime Minister of Knootoss. The conservatives think that the popular state-secretary of foreign affairs has what it takes to make the RCPK the biggest party in Knootoss.
The conservatives begin the campaign with a huge campaign treasure chest, as there have been many donations from big businesses. Traditionally about 53% of business donations is given to the RCPK, with the SLP following closely.

Choosing the most popular elf in Knootian politics is expected to send the Elvish KEP down in the polls. Galadriël is expected to get much of the Elvish vote – a sizable 10% minority of the Knootian population-. Political analyst Joop Duin commented: “Someone like Taurnil Minyatur just hasn’t got the charisma that Galadriël has.

[article continues]
((and so will I, in a moment))

OOC: It's a tough call. Abadas, the President, would normally go with the conservatives. Except he would never want to see an Elf with power. There are other factions within the now-breaking-up Conglomerate who would have differing opinions.

But I can't think of a way to meddle ICly, any ideas?

OOC-ly: Why oh why do I feel a certain Knootian bias towards the Elvish party? And if the Elves win anyway, then why is this election being held? :P
OOC: I was giving this message from the perspective of the Catholics, who care about moral issues. The description I gave to Jerusalem does not reflect my personal views nor those of the average Knootian.

<<OOC: I assume that Knootoss has a parlaimentary system with coalition governments and all that?>>
>snip IC<
OOC: Yup, assumption correct. Have a cookie.

On page 10 of De Volkskrant: (The Peoples paper – socialist. More lefty then IRL for the Dutchies here.)


New Party enters elections

The ‘Imperialist Party’ has registered to take part in the coming parliamentary elections and the elections for prime Minister.
Little is known about this party, but their registration says that they wish to restore the monarchy in Knootoss. It is unknown who the IP wants to be King, as the Knootian royal family no longer exists. A man named Zach Oestion is to head the party. Most parties haven’t even responded, but when asked SLP candidate Tim de Boer commented that he didn’t think the “one issue” party could count on mainstream support.

((This Zach Oestion, would he be a native Knootian who you persuaded to join? Naturally, only natives can take part in elections. Would he be an immigrant? Some info would be nice. Please propagandise why people should vote imperialist party. And who would be the King? People need a reason to vote for you.))


The Republic of Freedomstaki votes for the KGP.

Also, contact the Consul in Knootoss and have him start spreading rumors that the RCPK candiate has illegitimate black children.

OCC: What can I say, I'm super liberal! I hate conservatives. OH NO THEY'RE WINNING!

Also, I should write about that in my blog about Bush. Heheheh.

OOC: Uhm… yes. If you are liberal then you could, of course, vote for the LIBERAL party. Which is the SLP. But hey, that’s your call. Furthermore Knootoss is a European country. Conservatives are “a bit” more moderate.
Knootoss is also not so moralistic and colour isn’t an issue at all. Maybe de Telegraaf will pick it up. And de Telegraaf loves Galadriël.


Galadriël has illegitimate black children?

THE HAGUE - sources that wanted to remain classified have informed de Telegraaf that Galadriël Táralóm nos Cirdan may have illegitimate children with a black human. Rumours are that the children, black half-elves, are already in their forties and have had no care from their mother at all.
On behalf of the state-secretary the RCPK denied the accusations as “baseless”. A spokesman said: “I won’t believe a word of it until I see these alleged children. If she truly is the mother a DNA-test should prove it.
Other parties have abstained from commenting on the affair calling it “a personal matter.”

OOC: It's a tough call. Abadas, the President, would normally go with the conservatives. Except he would never want to see an Elf with power. There are other factions within the now-breaking-up Conglomerate who would have differing opinions.

But I can't think of a way to meddle ICly, any ideas?
OOC: hmm... "dictatorial" conservatism is kind of not-done since the Shadow War when the GDODAD invaded to aid a conservative candidate looking to abolish democracy etc. But you can always meddle, be creative! :)

"Hmmm, Knootoss is electing someone..."

"No, they're having a bake sale. Of course they're electing someone, dipwad."

"And it's already turned slanderous."

"What fun, let's get started."

Several million dollars and a squad of personal guards for the high-profile members has been sent to the Green party.

POLLS
Parliament has 200 seats.

[code:1:5e6999971f]
Party Name_______________________ :Current____Change____Projected
SLP_: Sociaal-Liberale Partij____ : 70 ______ -10 ______60
KGP_: Knootiaanse Groene Partij__ : 65 ______ +2 _______67
RCPK: Realistische Cons.Partij Kn.: 58 ______ +11 _______69
KEP_: Knootiaanse Elven Partij___ : 7 _______ -4 _______3
SP__: Socialistische Partij______ : 0 _______ +1 _______1
IP__: Imperialistische Partij____ : 0 _______ 0 ________0[/code:1:5e6999971f]

"They`re having elections? Again?"
"Yes."

Althena sighed. Civil war was already looming, and now this... Of course, they would stay out, this time, since their once close ties to Knootoss had been weakened in the more recent past... Still...

Well... I`m sure ABC will love to report about the war progress once it starts... she thought, looking out of the window, at the blackened sky. I wonder if the skies in Knootoss will be as black... soon... She made a mental note of talking to the Tarasovkians, it would surely be fun to talk about the old times... when they struggled to fuck up the Knootoss situation... Which, admittedly, was fairly successful.

((OOC: this poll is EVIL
Anyway, Siri said on IRC she ponders backing the RCPK but sending KEP huge donations.

The Cyberutopian guards are now guarding the green MP's and ministers.
EDIT: presuming friendly relations, and a very thorough background check. As we never interacted. You like greens, IC, no?))

Mediated through a large lawyer firm based in Knootoss, an unknown organization starts giving monetary support of several millions to the conservative party. Attempts to trace the source will lead to varous shadow companies in the Heartland and East Pacific regions. Also, limited information concerning the plans of the other parties, concerning their campaigns, is given to the conservative party top.

Encoded message to Galadriel nos Cirdan,

From: Empress Ithenril of Thelas
To: Galadriel nos Cirdan

I have heard that you are running for an "free state" in Knootoss, as you have always been a good friend to the Thelasi Empire, this interests us imensly, and we are transfering over 15,000,000 Menelmacari Credits through an independant bank to your politcal actions.

To: Empress Ithenril of Thelas
From: Galadriel nos Cirdan

I thank you for your donation. It will come in handy in our campaign. The Thelasi support is much appreciated and will not be forgotten.

Yours,

Galadriël Táralóm nos Cirdan.

Alfredo D’Carlonia sat at the head of a long, ornate teakwood table - given as gift to parliament by the Company following the restoration of its Royal Charter - and fiddled with his Walmingtonian fountain pen impatiently. The council meeting room at #2 Jameston Place was absolutely silent, as the top ministers of D’Carlonia’s liberal coalition government looked from one to another.

It had only been a year and a half since the liberals and conservatives formed their (extremely short) alliance to topple Hiresh Dhawan’s centrist government; only been a year and a half since the Tharian Secessionist Party found itself thrust into the limelight. D’Carlonia seemingly had realized the dreams and aspirations of an entire country, and the weight of realizing that dream in actuality rode upon his shoulders like a thousand pound weight. Those around him swore that he had aged fifteen years since he took Jameston’s center stage. His hair as now almost purely gray and his skin was criss-crossed by deep worry lines.

“It’s obvious we can’t express solidarity with any of the liberal parties,” said D’Carlonia at last. There was a general mumble of agreement from around the table. “Any attempt to support them - especially the green party - would give the conservatives another issue to rally around; with our plurality so narrow, that’s the last thing we can afford right now.”

He glanced at Sir Archibald S. Hughes, the trust fund baby turned liberal activist that risen quickly in the ranks of the Iansislean Democratic-Socialists and now served as the head of Iansisle’s foreign affairs. “And it’s equally obvious we can’t support a conservative party in order to placate our own reactionaries.” Hughes just nodded; the last time the TSP had abandoned ideology and attempted to play the political game, the IDS had nearly pulled out of his coalition.

“And,” he said at last, “due to circumstances, we can’t not express an official opinion in the Knootian elections.” That fact hung heavy in the air.

It was the Domenico Colletta, D’Carlonia’s Minister of Education, who punctured the pregnant silence at last. “I don’t see why we should have to bother ourselves with this at all. Did not parliament vote down closer ties with Knootoss?” His dark eyes flashed. “In fact, the only reason this is even an issue is because the crown, in complete disregard of the wishes of the electorate, took it upon itself to handle a matter of foreign affairs!”

“I quite agree,” replied D’Carlonia, “but the simple fact still remains that young James enjoys massive support from the masses..”

“After all, he was selected by divine providence,” snorted Colletta in disgust.

“...and we can hardly ignore a country with whom the High King has chosen to open friendly relations,” finished D’Carlonia, frowning at the interruption. “To do so would give the conservatives more ammunition than if we were to support one of the liberal candidates!”

“Well,” started Hughes after a minute. “We can’t support the RCPK; Mr. St. Jacques made that very clear to me. And we can’t support the SLP or KGP. That seems to leave us, gentlemen, with only one remaining viable option.”

“Elves?” asked D’Carlonia with an arched eyebrow.

“Indeed,” confirmed Hughes. “After all, they’re liberal enough to be considered by St. Jacques; they’re a minority seeking greater representation, much like your own party, Mr. D’Carlonia; and, best of all, there’s not a bloody thing Appleton or Dirwisham* could do!”

“They could always play the race card,” said Colletta. “Lord knows they’ve used it against us and Dhawan often enough.”

“Not in this case, I don’t think,” said Hughes. “For one thing, the population’s been looking for a new...” he paused to search for words “..source of mysticism since the razing. Considering the amount of literature and teneral pictures IanCorp’s been putting out about elves since Lady Galadriël’s visit, I think they’ve found it, too. Secondly, the conservatives are banking on the support of the crown, and whatever James’ faults, he’d never back a smear campaign against elves.” There was a general mumble of agreement.

“Are you sure that Mr. St. Jacques would support this?” asked D’Carlonia suspiciously. “The last thing we need right now is another division among ourselves.”

“I’m sure,” replied Hughes, meeting the Tharian’s eyes steadily. “Though sometimes he takes slightly longer, he realizes political truths as well as you and I.” D’Carlonia nodded and smiled.

(*Sir Humphrey S. Appleton and the Earl of Dirwisham, the conservatives’ leader and whip, respectively)

-----

If the message coming from Jameston was unified, however, that issuing from the other houses of power was not. Royal Mining and Manufacturing, the Westerton Motor-Car Company, Hudson Steel and Mining, Wright Nautical Construction, and the other great centers of industry on the Shield donated heavily to the RCPK. The Iansislean International Telegraph Corporation (or, as it may be better known, IanCorp) stayed quiet for the most part, though a definite bias towards the conservatives could be seen in its coverage of the campaign.

For the most part, the Dominion governments stayed true to the Commonwealth line. However, the Shieldian Imperial Parliament, which was controlled by the conservative Tradition Party, made its favor of the RCPK clearly known. The Noropian Assembly, in the hands of liberal Progressive Reform party, responded by declaring official solidarity with the SLP.

((I’ve discovered an interesting phenomena - I can’t seem to even be able to vote in a poll without rambling on about my own government for an hour!))

OOC:

I'll surely give background on the party and Zach. Just tell me if more is necessary.

IC:

After the Imperialistische Partij was established, Zach pondered on how to depict his party's ticket. He still needed someone to be the monarch for the party as well.

Zach was Knootossian native, but his parents were Valerians; hence, he was part of a first generation. The small Valerian community in Knootoss was established during Emperor Meijis I's reforms frightened some citizens who had laissez-faire in mind. Zach's parents were part of the thousands who emigrated from Valeria to other countries, and 3,000 Valerians now reside in Knootoss. These Valerians, however, consider themselves Knootossian. Zach, though, maintained his roots. He held a secret communique with a female agent from Valeria whom he happened to have been dating, and had since been close to the Emperor and his government.

The IP leader glanced around his office, rented out by Valerian spies and furnished very nicely. There was still millions of Valerian Crowns being pumped into the IP, and Crowns were a very strong currency in the world. With much financial power and backing from the VECOD, Zach desired to help Alexander I model Knootoss after Valeria, with its own monarch, and with populist views in mind.

A VECOD agent entered silently with a guest.

Zach's calm hazel eyes glanced over the agent and then his visitor. She was a blonde, very attractive woman.

"Sir, this is a Knootossian native. She is a college student who would be described as 'Populist' and she had came along willingly."

The young student smiled. She opened her ruby lips to speak. "It's a pleasure, Zach. I'm Amelia."

"Hmm... charismatic, educated, intelligent, and from a moderate background," Zach smiled. "She's our candidate for Queen!"

A slew of campaign ads followed in the next week.

KEP, elves. RCPK, the rich. SLP, the intelligencia. These parties are all for one special interest, and for one only. That is why we of the IP wish to end the partisanship once and for all, by crowning Amelia here as Queen of Knootoss.

"Hello, my fellow countrymen. Listen to me. We must all end the special interest parties and trust the voice of the people with my ears. We should centralize, and have one person, open to all grievances and views, as head of the nation. End the special interests and specialization. Vote IP today."

One for All. All for One. The Imperialistische Partij.

The Imperialist Party, with its mix of autocratic views and populist ideals, is not classifiable in the normal political sense. It is not known where the party had emerged from...

"Well, I believe we have began to open our stance. Ah, and make sure the mayors and head officials get 'gifts' from our grand party to support our party and to help make sure they get the word out to the people of their cities," Zach said in front of a platoon of VECOD agents. They saluted and were off. They will see what sums the top leaders of cities might like...

<snip>
The Cyberutopian guards are now guarding the green MP's and ministers.
EDIT: presuming friendly relations, and a very thorough background check. As we never interacted. You like greens, IC, no?

((You will find no negative points against these guards, they all are clean, as far as liberals go :wink: . IC, we'd prefer to suppport the socialists, but they would be considered a disgrace to socialists by Cyberutopians. Therefore, we went with the Greens, as they match our ideals much more closely, and are generally in moderate support of them everywhere.))

-------------------------------
SLP party congress,
Utrecht city
-------------------------------

Lousewies van der Laan, Prime Minister of Knootoss and head of the SLP, spoke furiously at a party congress in Utrecht, defending itself against the recent attacks.

“With the formation of the first Knootian federation it appeared that the battle between the ideologies had finally been overcome by the advocates of individualism, freedom and democracy. But now, years later, liberalism is again pressured. From different corners there are pointing fingers. Conservatives, populists and foreign Christians from Syskeyia and the Reich say that our individualism has gone too far. Socialists, greens and anticapitalists talk about too much liberties and too little freedoms and try to give our liberalism a rightist image.

I think they are all wrong, and we need to explain liberalism again; to reposition it. I don’t believe anymore in the divide between the right and the left, but between progressive and conservative. Between those who want to adapt and renew society and those who wish to cling to the status-quo.

On this divide, SLP liberalism is a progressive movement. It resists any form of narrow conservatism that is so prevalent in other political and philosophical houses. There are the extreme nationalists of various variety. The “one people, one Reich, one führer” of the Reich, but also the ethicist supremacy sentiments of various Elvish nations that we all know. These nationalists play on the fear of all that is new and different. They plead for purity, and cleansing and duty of man to his people. The new “Imperialist Party” is also an example of this.

The conservatives think that man should abide by ‘the values of society’. What they mean is that the man has to abide by the traditions and habits they themselves find superior. With the pastor in the church, the teacher in the class and the man in the family having authority. Just like here, decades ago. They dream of a past where the people were passive and submissive.

Narrow-minded conservatism is also there with the classic socialists and greens who think society is more important then the individual; who cling to all ‘rights’ regardless of the reality of today. Conservatism, also, with the anticapitalists who turn on the free market but in their remedies still use methods and ideas that, in the past, have caused so much evil and so much suffering. Not just social and economic and ecologic faults, but real human suffering.

Against all this narrow-mindedness stands liberalism as a progressive movement, that believes in man, that believes in progress and modernity. For us, liberalism is a positive force. Individualism has nothing to do with egoism or hedonism as others try to make us believe. It has to do with the freedom to choose, with development of the self, with the possibility of man to choose his own destiny.

Especially in countries like Knootoss, which has had SLP-led coalition governments, laws were enacted that made abortion possible, and gay marriage, and euthanasia. It’s the SLP that stimulate people to take initiative and responsibility. It’s the SLP that believes in democracy.

Liberalism has noting to do with conservatism, but is also has nothing to do with so-called neoliberals and libertarians and market fundamentalists. Freedom, to us, is not absolute. We are in favour of privatisation, but not for giving public monopolies away for private monopolies. We want less rules and regulations, but not to exploit man and nature or to attack social protection. We want a limited state, but not a state that neglects public tasks. We want an efficient government that provides good education, affordable healthcare, a good pension and order on the streets. Consistent liberals must not allow the market to penetrate into these domains. A government must make sure that the free market really is free, and that means acting against monopolies, cartels and price agreements.

We do not need to refer to the SLP as the ‘social liberal’ party, because liberalism is social in itself. To us, freedom and social equality are inevitably linked. Classics like Adam Smith, but also present-day thinkers like John Rawls have proven that. The word ‘social’ sounds like an excuse, and presses us in the defensive. It is time that we reclaim liberalism and take the offensive!

The SLP project is a truly progressive one. Our job only ends when all people in the world, in Knootoss or abroad, know freedom and justice. I know that the challenge is huge, but with the power of our conviction we will prevail. “

*roaring applause*

---

OOC:
*throws Iansisle an extra cookie for the nice post*
Reply to Magnus Valerius forthcoming.

OOC: Knoot, dear, you fucked up the poll... as in the previous elections... :roll:

My, my, the history is repeating itself? :D

Poll gone wrong! :shock:

OOC: Knoot, dear, you f--- up the poll... as in the previous elections... :roll:

My, my, the history is repeating itself? :D

OOC: I hope not, if that happens, I willl declare Knoot the unluckiest nation on NationStates.

...Conservatives, populists and foreign Christians from Syskeyia and the Reich say that our individualism has gone too far.[Emphasis added]

What? We just don't want to foot the bill for the murder or babies and old people, which is what happens if we bought Knootian products while the Knootian government funds abortions and euthanasia.

OOC: Once Chimaea responds to my telegram, the RCPK may get a large interest soon (I'm hoping to send $1 billion via Chimaean buisness interests/banks, as direct funds from Syskeyians might not be good for thew RCPK's image in Knootoss.)

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

((Very nice ad, will do nicely. This should get peoples attention. Its still going to be a difficult task to get actual votes though.
As for the bribing: Knootoss ranks 68,960th in the world, and I believe that that was also when there were only around 100k nations. So you won’t get away with bribing easily, especially since mayors are generally already members of an existing political party. I just want to know how the agents would go about it; doesn’t have to be long :)
Technical note: its ‘Knootian’. The “oss” doesn’t go into the adjective.))

------------------------------------
The Hague City Hall
------------------------------------

The VECOD agent stepped into the post-modern city hall: a white atrium filled with light. He could look up the entire way to the ceiling of the building, which was many floors up. A marvel of architecture that had replaced the old, historic city hall that had been shelled during the Shadow war.
An abstract portrait of the mayor, Mr Daatman, hang on the wall behind the reception desk.

”The major will see you know”, said a blonde-haired receptionist. “Take the lift to the 19th floor, then follow the signs.” The Valerian stepped into the elevator, which was translucent, and he watched as the people in the Atrium became smaller and smaller. He ((Or she, of course)) then made its way to the mayors office.

Daatman gave the impression of a reasonably old man, beginning to lose his hair, his eyes had a certain, rest, in them. A man in the autumn of his career. An SLP veteran. As the Valerian entered, he also stood up and shook hands with him(/her). “Good day, how can I help you?”

---
---------------------------------
Enschede
A couple watching TV.
---------------------------------

Boris, a middle-aged logistics employee at a company selling pick-up trucks, lay down on the couch to watch a cheap Knootian rip-off of ‘Baywatch’ called ‘Private Beach’ after a day of hard work. His wife sat on the other couch, drinking beer and looking at the remote control now and then, disapprovingly.

Before the show started, an ad came by.

KEP, elves. RCPK, the rich. SLP, the intelligencia. These parties are all for one special interest, and for one only. That is why we of the IP wish to end the partisanship once and for all, by crowning Amelia here as Queen of Knootoss.

"Hello, my fellow countrymen. Listen to me. We must all end the special interest parties and trust the voice of the people with my ears. We should centralize, and have one person, open to all grievances and views, as head of the nation. End the special interests and specialization. Vote IP today."

One for All. All for One. The Imperialistische Partij.

WIFE: “Oooooooh, a Queen, wouldn’t that be romantic?”
MAN: “hhhrm”
WIFE: “Don’t you think she’s a wonderful lady? So nice and young. She looks like a real smart one too
MAN: “politics is getting sillier every day. Damn elections. You can’t turn on the radio or they are bothering you with it. And do they need to put a poster on EVERY wall. I wonder where these parties get the money. Hrrrm.”
WIFE: : “You’re not listening again, are you? Wouldn’t you want a Queen like her?”
MAN: “No. But I would like a beer.”
WIFE: “’t was the last one.”

The tune for ‘Private Beach’ started.

WIFE: “Maybe its a joke. Like what that nice young man always does. Maybe if we vote we can win something? Wouldn’t that be nice?”
MAN: “Quiet woman. The show has started.”
WIFE: “hhrm.”

((OOC: If you are still going with that storyline, I’ll consider the negotiations failed. Of course, everything politicians do from now on has electoral motivations.))

From Trouw

Brinkhorst imposes sanctions against Syskeyia

THE HAGUE – The government has announced that it would start ‘retaliatory’ sanctions against The Republic of Syskeyia. Trade with the Catholic state is already minimal as powerful groups there have rallied for a complete boycott against the DDR because of the domestic policies on abortion and euthanasia.

To give some breathing room to entrepreneurs the economic sanctions will take effect after one IRL day from now. Knootian businesses and businesses based in Knootoss and its Federal dependencies will be banned from trading with Syskeyia. Secondary trade is exempted for the measure. ((call it “legalised smuggling”)) as government no longer sees it bound to agreements previously signed with the Republic on that matter. Minister of Economic Affairs Brinkhorst: “By not doing anything about the boycott the Syskeyian government has de facto violated the agreement.”

The minister was referring to an attempt initiated by the Foreign Ministry to negotiate with church leaders and head of state that failed miserably. “The Syskeyians insisted that we changed our domestic policy even though we had said that would not be a negotiating point. The Knootian people decide about that”, said the SLP minister to the press. “And the people have voted SLP and entrusted us to make their policies, not the Catholic church.”

The minister recognised that this economic conflict was now on a ‘National level’, warranting mediation by the brand new international mediating body created in Lavenrunz. Brinkhorst , who is already campaigning heavily for the upcoming parliamentary elections, did not have high hopes that it would help much. “Domestic policy changes are not on the agenda. The SLP stands for Knootoss and its values. Our sovereignty will not be compromised.”

Other major political parties were quick to give their support for the sanctions. The RCPK did, however, state that negotiations with the republic. should be continued. Only the KEP did not speak out full support, commenting that the Syskeyians may be right about some –but not all- of their objections.

People of Knootoss:

The people of Justitium are proud to announce their full support and backing of the Knootossian Socialist Party, whose brave struggle for the rights of the oppressed and downtrodden stands as a shining example for all the workers of the world in their eternal fight for freedom from unrestrained and viscious capitalist exploitation. To further our Knootossian comrades' noble cause, we pledge a contribution of 100 million ACA credits. It is our sincerest hope that this funding will allow our Socialist brethren abroad to spread their honest and straightforward message of freedom, equality, and social justice to those who might otherwise be blinded by the deceptions of the economic elite, that they might at last be inspired to rise to history's greatest challenge and cast of the yoke of aristocratic domination once and for all.

Long live the socialist international, and long live Knootoss!

Your comrade,
Vladmir Minh
Minister of Foreign Relations

--- Den Haag (I'm not Dutch, but I at least should show the correct form, eh? Well, unless that's incorrect...) ---

The VECOD agent secretly admired the wonders of technology; Valeria was desperately behind, languishing in the technology of post-WWI, but The Emperor was changing that - the missile had been developed, and new construction techniques have given way to the appearance of the first true skyscrapers and towers in cities.

The agent was wearing his pinstripe suit, blending in with the crowd. If he wore the common agent uniform, he would stand out. Luckily, he picked up the spiffy suit for a week's pay at a clothing store on the way to his target in The Hague. Agent #1429 was his name to some, but Issac Gouranopoulos was his true name. He admired the blonde receptionist, but only responded with a polite nod and murmured, "Thank you."

The Valerian boarded the strange looking lift and was soon on the 19th floor. He entered Daatman's office, and exchanged a firm handshake. What Daatman may notice immediately was that this man was not of the Dutch stock found in Knootoss. He had black wavy hair, and his hazel eyes looked upon Daatman solemnly.

"I would like to know what it would take to have you pledge support for the Imperialist Party."

The words came out like a cold breeze.

"And, I also would like to request permission for the purchase of land to build our party headquarters."

---IP Headquarters---

Zach paced back and forth, viewing The Hague, or what he can see of it, from his office window. He knew that commericial might not be enough. Amelia was in the other room. Amelia Voortrekker was in the other room, pondering.

"What shall I do?" thought Zach. It will be hard to even get close to winning. He had to wait for things to develop a bit first before he made another move.

OOC: Once Chimaea responds to my telegram, the RCPK may get a large interest soon (I'm hoping to send $1 billion via Chimaean buisness interests/banks, as direct funds from Syskeyians might not be good for thew RCPK's image in Knootoss.)

OOC: Just to get it clear, this would be through private business channels and no way approved by the Chimaean government... And if we catch you, you're going to recieve a slap on the wrist ;)

-----------------

To: Lousewies van der Laan, Prime Minister
From: Phillip Achefield, Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister,

Your party and the Liberal Democrats in Chimaea have always had a close relationship. Therefore we will officially endorse you on our international media; we would also like to contribute 27, 000, 000 Sils (about 30-35 million USD) to your re-election campaign.

Wishing you the best of luck,
~Phillip Achefield

P.S. If there is any other way we could be of assistance please let us know.

OOC: OK, no Chimaean business connection. ;)

IC:

The RCPK recieves some anonymous donations adding up to an equivalent of $1 billion US dollars. The donations are made in Menelmacari credits.

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

A new commercial appears on televisions around Knootoss. It features a young Aryan man talking from behind a small white desk in a pure white room.

"Hi." He begins in his soft voice. "I've been told by my 'elders' and my 'moral betters' that the world I live in now is perfect and should remain under the same 'perfect leadership' it has been. But I do not believe them, and neither should you. We can attain perfection, but only through the guidance of the Purity Party. Unite under the common cause of true trancendence. Neerg ytrap, brothers."

Throughout this commercial, subliminal messages of the Green Party are flashed. For those not heavily scrutinizing the commercial, it seemed just like another commercial for another upstart. However, those who dug deeper would find that immense funds were entering the Purity Party through private businesses based in close Cyberutopian allies, and that none of these funds were being spent, yet the Purity Party remained with a very low cash supply.

Is it just me, or can no one vote in this poll or view results? If anyone can see the current votes, i'd love to know what they are.

9 SLP; 16 KGP; 16 RCPK; 11 KEP; 0 Don't know; 4 other/no party

Lady Adriana Hanse, His Majesty's Ambassador to Knootoss, looks out of the window of her office at the Valinor embassy.
"I don't know, Captain, are you sure this is wise? After all we have enjoyed good relations with the van der Laan Administration."
"Regardless of what we may think, My Lady, the orders from the Fatherland are clear. His Majesty wants to covertly support Galadriel and her RCPK affiliates."
Hanse nods and turns to the AI avatar sitting with them.
"Sedgewick, what reports from Major Dorlin at the ESS?"
"The good major says that he has operatives already moving to make sure certain funds reach the RCPK. Nothing obvious, but large enough to be noticeable," Hanse nods, curtly.
"It is amazing how easily swayed the Imperial Diet is these days. I have no doubt that His Majesty and the Diet are supporting Galadriel because they feel she will best meet their aims for a stronger Valinor-Knootian alliance, but I fear it will backfire on them. I think that they understimate Galadriel's abilities back in New Koln. But I will abide by the decree."
Adriana sighs, "Your dismissed, Captain. Sedgewick, thank you for the briefs."
The AI nods, he disappears. The Sardaukar Captain stands and bows then leaves the office.
Adriana turns back to the window. Looking out over the capital of Knootoss.
"Where will it all end?" she mummers.

OOC: Approximately 500 million dollars will find their way to the RCKP campaign fund. More will come later.

((I lost the internet connection yesterday so I couldn't post and just expanded on this thread. I'll put it in different posts for reading ease.))

>snip IC<
Long live the socialist international, and long live Knootoss!

-------------------------------------------
Socialist Party Headquarters
A garage in Southeast-Amsterdam
-------------------------------------------
“Money Comrade?! That much!”
The treasurer of the Knootian Socialist Party was visibly exited. “That’s great. Now we can have a TV ad, and custom posters, and maybe a real headquarters.”

The secretary-general looked disapprovingly, “Comrade, you sound like one of the capitalist bastards.” He couldn’t help to grin though, finally they could give their ideals the attention they deserved.
The treasurer eyed the secretary general to see if he was serious, but he then patted him on the soldier. “I’m going to write a thank you note right now. Long live international socialist solidarity, comrade.”

--------------------------------------
A Television studio.
--------------------------------------
“Camera – light – action!”

An older man, of working background, stared into the camera behind a blue screen. The table and his clothes weren’t flashy. He appeared a man of integrity. He spoke with an earnest, emotional voice.

”All the wealth of the country, all the wealth of the world, comes from people pushing levers in factories or sweating in fields to produce food. That is a simple fact.

Another is that working people, who the entire globe depends on, get only a miserable fraction back for their labours outside the socialist world, while the rest is stolen by the fat cats to enable them to live lives of pleasure and ease and to allow the top exploiters to live lives of Roman Emperors.

Parties do not make revolutions - only people, and socialist revolutions can only be lead by working people, the toilers, the strivers, the workers.

We live in a new era of rapid change. Every other day there’s an imperialist war because the imperialists believe that they can put the clock back to their golden age, the days of the 19th century, the time of narrow bourgeois democracy, little or no independent working class rights, and a world run by exclusively the bankers, industrialists and big landowners.

That world went down, and with the creation of the NS world the flames of the Revolution still burn in Aperin, Edolia, Haaregrad, Galdania, AND Knootoss. Working men of Knootoss, unite!”

“Aaaaand CUT”. The director, a somewhat feminine persona, stepped towards the man “Perfect. Now all we need to do is edit in your background.” His face got a strange grimace “the factories and the villa’s and whatnot…”

---

The Socialist party now could afford elections posters too, and soon a big red one was displayed in the major cities, particularly the working neighbourhoods.

http://www.verkiezingsaffiches.nl/affiches/groot/0014.jpg
((The party that will lead our land to a better future))

Several days later, a witty MP from the RCKP countered the poster with his own. Money wasn’t an objection for the conservatives. Not this election.

http://www.verkiezingsaffiches.nl/affiches/groot/902.jpg
((strengthen the Dyke! Schouten, counterrevolutionary. List 3.))

---

From De Telegraaf. Right-wing, populist paper.


Anti-Capitalist CACE Comrades fund Commie Knootians
Socialist Sell-outs Sued?
Help
AMSTERDAM – The extreme-left Knootian Socialist Party has accepted a sizable donation from the communist nation of Justitium. – A nation closely associated with SeOCC’s Aperin and the CACE. They intend to use this money to campaign for the upcoming elections. The KSP did not say if there were any strings attached to the money.

The tiny half-baked communist party is apparently sp desperate for attention and money that they are willing to accept anything, so they sold out to the foreigners for a huge sum. Every informed reader of De Telegraaf knows, of course, that the ACA has declared itself a sworn enemy of Knootoss and the Knootian way of life.
Accepting money from the ACA comes at a price: the socialists are turning further to the extreme left. Already their party cited Aperin as a proud example in their televised commercial. This reporter thinks that it is fishy: are foreign terrorist groups behind this party?

A reliable source told De Telegraaf that the government may start an investigation into the legality of these campaign funds, but the liberal elite is once again preventing that a fundamental inquiry is launched into what this party is doing.

This affair raises several important questions. What will happen if these people actually get power? Will they sell the Knootian pride out again to whoever offers them funds? Will they submit themselves to the anticapitalist influence for the money they received? These questions are, as yet, unanswered.


---

Perhaps somewhat less opinionated is, Trouw (Centrist)


No investigation launched into Socialist campaign funding

THE HAGUE – a spokesman for the Public Prosecutor announced this afternoon that there was no ongoing inquiry into the recent campaign donations. The spokesman said that there was no evidence of any criminal acts in the transfer. “This is in no way different from campaign donations to, for example, the conservative party”, said the spokesman.

Questions were raised by established politicians whether the campaign money was obtained illegitimately. Other objections cited Justitium as a potentially hostile nation.

An official from the Knootian Central Bank also denied rumours that the accounts could have been frozen: “Had it been world dollars, yes, then we would have frozen the account. However at present we do not have such a policy for the ACA credit so it can be exchanged into euros.” The official noted that freezing accounts of a political party during elections is not a light matter.

But what to do with the money? Since DDR businesses don’t trade with any nation in the region the monetary value for the Central Bank is limited. The spokesman suggested that perhaps communist trading partners such as Soviet Haaregrad or Edolia could use them.


((OOCness:
-I am assuming that, as you are addressing the “people” that this was a televised statement of another public address.
-Also, what is the value of the ACA credit? Given the state of your economy and all. What would it be compared to, say, the dollar or the euro? I need to know how much the Socialist Party can do with the money.
-‘t would be the yoke of bourgeoisie domination. Not aristocracy. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126550&highlight=) We’re already in the second phase before the inevitable coming of communism :P
))

--- Den Haag (I'm not Dutch, but I at least should show the correct form, eh? Well, unless that's incorrect...) ---

The VECOD agent secretly admired the wonders of technology; Valeria was desperately behind, languishing in the technology of post-WWI, but The Emperor was changing that - the missile had been developed, and new construction techniques have given way to the appearance of the first true skyscrapers and towers in cities.

The agent was wearing his pinstripe suit, blending in with the crowd. If he wore the common agent uniform, he would stand out. Luckily, he picked up the spiffy suit for a week's pay at a clothing store on the way to his target in The Hague. Agent #1429 was his name to some, but Issac Gouranopoulos was his true name. He admired the blonde receptionist, but only responded with a polite nod and murmured, "Thank you."

The Valerian boarded the strange looking lift and was soon on the 19th floor. He entered Daatman's office, and exchanged a firm handshake. What Daatman may notice immediately was that this man was not of the Dutch stock found in Knootoss. He had black wavy hair, and his hazel eyes looked upon Daatman solemnly.

"I would like to know what it would take to have you pledge support for the Imperialist Party."

The words came out like a cold breeze.

"And, I also would like to request permission for the purchase of land to build our party headquarters."

((OOC, yes its “Den Haag” in the native language. It still means “The Hague” in English, so it’s a literal translation. I usually use English as it is easier to pronounce for you guys, and more well known from the int. news etc. ))

-----------------------------
The Hague City Hall
Office of the mayor.
-----------------------------
Daatman was rather surprised and sat down in his chair. The request for buying land had went past him completely after the suggestion had been made. “You suggest… bribing me?”

He raised both his eyebrows, astonished, this was the first time it was offered to him so bluntly: “You do realise that I am a prominent member of the SLP, don’t you?”, he uttered.

As he sat down, he want with his eyes over the man. Knootoss was a multicultural society, and his city had people from all over the planet living in it. But this man looked remarkably foreign. ”North Star? No, absolutely not. Tanah Burung? They would never be that blunt.” The mayors mind raced, but he couldn’t think of the right nation.

---

From Trouw (centrist – but I do hope you know that by now)


Imperialist Party gains seat in polls

THE HAGUE – A recent poll revealed that the Imperialist Party is gaining ground in the electorate. From being a marginal party since it was announced, the number of people that might vote IP has jumped up to nearly 0,6% of the population. This number would give the Imperialists just over one seat in parliament.

Apparently the presentation of the charismatic Queen as head of the party is working. It is uncertain is if this level of support will hold: historically the ‘Party’ Party broke the 0,5% barrier too 8 years ago, yet they did not manage to get a seat in the actual elections.

It is also doubtful that the IP will be able to do much with just one seat. In order to fulfil its programme it will have to make a powerful combination. Almost 90 percent of the would-be IP voters are from the conservative party. It would be logical that these two see if they can mean something for eachother. The RCPK has so far denied that it wanted to have anything to do with the Imperialists.

To: Lousewies van der Laan, Prime Minister
From: Phillip Achefield, Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister,

Your party and the Liberal Democrats in Chimaea have always had a close relationship. Therefore we will officially endorse you on our international media; we would also like to contribute 27, 000, 000 Sils (about 30-35 million USD) to your re-election campaign.

Wishing you the best of luck,
~Phillip Achefield

P.S. If there is any other way we could be of assistance please let us know.

The return letter:


To: Phillip Achefield, Prime Minister
From: Lousewies van der Laan, Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister,

I thank you for the campaign donation and the pledge of support. I assure you it is much appreciated. The SLP will remember this show of support for your next elections.

I feel that it will also be very necessary. The campaign donations from foreigners and big businesses are again at an all-time high. I fear that this election will again mean that Knootoss will be swamped with posters from one party or the other. I needn’t remind you of the disastrous consequences the last time this happened.

I know the Knootians, as a people, well. They are internationalists, but they also like to be flattered and admired. They value the opinion of those abroad greatly, and especially the opinion of world leaders so interwoven with Knootoss. The common operation in Columbia still binds our nations.

If you could take the time to make a personal address to the nation, then I’m sure it will be broadcasted on all stations. Please, do not feel obligated to do so in any way. It is just a suggestion that might help.

Yours in friendship,

Lousewies van der Laan
Prime Minister of the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss

The RCPK recieves some anonymous donations adding up to an equivalent of $1 billion US dollars. The donations are made in Menelmacari credits.

((OOC: A question from the taxman: would these donations come directly from Syskeyia? What trail would the money have? And does it come from one source? Who is behind it, OOCly? A very rich church?))

>snip IC<

OOC: Approximately 500 million dollars will find their way to the RCKP campaign fund. More will come later.

The RCPK treasurer went over the account funding: “That’s almost a billion euros!”[/I], he exclaims. He smiled like a child as he dreams up how that money could be used.

He pressed the refresh button on his digital account, and he noted another incoming… “500 million!”
This was the treasurers big day. Now the RCPK message would be all over the place…

“But where did it come from?” He was eager to find out, and called the bank.

"The Edolian government shall make no comment on the new emergence of the Knootian Socialist Party. We have made it our stated policy to take no official stance in during Knootian elections. However, we suggest to our allies that they perhaps create limits for funding that can be given from outside nations. It would not be beneficial to their political system if the elections were seen to be determined by outside influence."
Matthew von Pickett
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Several billon dollars are wired to the KGP from Cyberutopia, and approximately 500 million find their way to the Purity Party from an unknown source.

I assume the obvious handicap of being dead has held back Dick Tator's ascent to power, again? :lol:

In an small private cemetary near the borders of Knootoss a group of men and women dig in the soft soil some time after midnight. Finally a shovel hits wood and the hole is widened.

"Is he still in there?"

There was a creak of nails being pulled from a coffin and the zip of a zipper being pulled down.

"Yep, still there."

The bag was zipped back up and the lid of the coffin nailed back on. Someone scrambled out of the hole in the darkness and picked up a shovel as the others began tossing dirt back into the hole. 'Johne Deere' was still safely, and positively, dead.

OOC: I know "aristocracy" is technically incorrect, but I used the word to mix up the language (saying "bourgeois" this and "bourgeois" that all the time gets dull), and in the general sense of "aristocracy" (that is, a ruling elite that inherits wealth and social standing), it can apply to capitalism as well as feudalism.

Yes the address was public but of course it's up to the Knootossian media to publish it or not.

The ACA credit is roughly equivalent in value to the Euro. Despite Justitium's economy being "imploded" I don't think there would be any problems with inflation - the difficulties are really due to too much government spending. How one is supposed to run a Communist nation without vast government expenditures is beyond me, but NS ain't perfect I suppose.

...::OOC announcement::...

I like this Roleplay and I really appreciate all your involvement. Thanks for that. But the amounts of funds that are wired now are pushing the boundaries of credibility. Edolia makes a good point but being a good little liberal I've always preferred self-regulation in these matters.

Cyberutopia: Several BILLIONS? We run our entire healthcare system on that kind of money. Idem for Valinon and Sys. The same goes for Justitium also: you are, no offence, a rather poor nation ICly. You could feed thousands on that kind of money. I like getting gifts, but surely such a number is a bit too much.

Secret donations, ok, then I can live with rather big amounts beyond a few million. But doing PUBLIC donations of Billions, or 500 million or so will cause a huge public outcry. No party can be expected to be function independently if it gets that much money from nations abroad.

So I am assuming the huge numbers to be less unless you insist that it is that much because this election is ICly that important to you.

I do hope that I've not offended anyone because that was not my intention.
~Der Knoot

((Ok, let's just say that the billions statement is actually two or three million, and the secret donation of 500 million is revised to 10 million. On another note, who wouldn't want a public outcry? :wink: But if it troubles you, I'll gladly change it. And just for reference, one Cyberutopian Credit is .92 dollars.))

CNS {extract}

...Vortex Steel, NC&T, and the Kaalakiota Conglomerate announced having gathered a financial package which was donated to the Conservative party earlier today, amounting to around two million dollars....

OOC: No offense taken, of course. If the other nations who donated were to revise their figures, I would gladly reduce my donation to, say, 10 million, which could easily be afforded. Public policy decisions here in the PRJ are often made more by heart than logic, and it is very important to give the Socialists enogh funding to at least get their message out on a national level, and ideally to compete on an even footing with conservatives. Since the conservatives were recieving such enormous contributions I felt a large one to the Socialists was necessary.

Do keep in mind that Justitium's federal budget is much larger than a capitalist nation's would be with the same economic rating. Also, I do of course allow for a great majority of that to be set aside for food, housing, transportation, and other necessities. Currently the total works out very roughly like this:

GDP per capita: = $100 (U.S.)
Population: 1 billion +
"Tax" rate: 100%
Budget: $100 billion (U.S.)

About 80% of this, I figure, would have to go to those necessities I mentioned, leaving 20 billion disposable. (If anyone proficient in economics sees a problem w/ this, let me know, so I can fix it.)

This can feasibly support a foreign aid budget of about 1 billion, and I haven't contributed much to any other causes recently, so ... well, at least no one would starve if I DID donate 100 million credits.

At any rate, reduce the donation to 10 million. I just didn't want to be accused of godmodding or anything.

Vigvar Daily

Shadows over Knootoss again?

“Stop spoiling our sunburn”, say angry Knootians.

Despite the apparent lack of interest from the High Council to what is going on in Knootoss, several government officials have been quoted as ‘concerned about a repeat of a possible large scale foreign interference into the Knootian elections’. We remind our readers that a foreign monetary intervention into the elections some time ago led to a full scale war which opposed SATO and GDODAD over who would get dominion over Knootoss. Of course, that ‘aid’ was often classified and some rumours circulate about a possible Grand Ducal involvement into the Knootian elections, rumours denied by the past and present High Councils. That time, the Knootian conflict was resolved through negotiations led by the Grand Duchy and the Vortex Corporation.

So do the Shadows loom over Knootoss again?

“Give your money, make my day!” say Knootian candidates.

It is not a mystery that money is synonym of power in a neo-liberal democratic society. Indeed, as examples of past have clearly shown, foreign ‘monetary aid’, often disguised under some ‘Fund of Aid to Starving Designers’, can change the balance of power in a nation during election time. A time during which a nation is particularly vulnerable to foreign meddling into its affairs. Because the election campaigns of different candidates and parties are based on ‘who can spend the most money on the most posters in the shortest time possible’, the ‘better funded’ candidate or party often gets a clear advantage over his rivals. As such, the candidates and parties usually tend to try and find as many sponsors as they can to win the elections and decide the political, social, economic and other fate of the nation during their term in power.

“Central Election Committee? What’s that?” say random Knootians.

Indeed, this particular organization appointed seems to be absent in the Knootian vocabulary.
In the Grand Duchy, the CEC, an independent organism appointed by the High Council, watches over the elections of provincial governors and councils as well as over the elections into the Council of Duchy. The main duty of the CEC is to make sure all candidates which present themselves for the election have an equal chance of winning. The CEC distributes the total amount of time a candidate or block can use in public broadcasted media, it punishes all attempts at ‘Black PR’(such as when one candidate publishes pictures of an other candidate accompanied by a regiment of naked prostitutes) and makes sure the wish of the people is respected.
As such, any foreign 'Funds of Aid to Starving Housewives' is very hard to organise and is quickly uncovered.

“We have no information about a similar organization in the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss and so we cannot give any comment on their work. Of course, we would always be ready to share our expertise with the Knootians if need be” – said Mikhail Kuznetsov, the Chairman of the CEC in an interview with the Vigvar Daily (see page 5). A very courageous man, no doubt, but will it really suffice to bring some order into the Knootian situation?

So far, this question remains unanswered…

OOC: Well this election does mean alot to me, as Valinon is trying to manuver its way into Terran affairs. But I will resize the amount consider it set at 28.6 million, and that they are coming in random installments none which are less than 1,000 and none which are greater than 1 million.

((Thanks people. And very nice Tara. Here is a rebuke.))

Editorial, by Baas Talman

The free market election

Traditionally for every election, there is some concerned group or person criticizing the massive campaigns that go with Knootian parliamentary elections and the election of our prime-minister. Every time the politicians listen politely, but nothing ever changes because the argument for our current system remains valid. The Shadow War did not change this; instead it reinforced the importance of voters being involved by an unbiased media that is not being manipulated. And involvement requires money. A lot of money.

In a representative system as we have, information is vital. The public has a Right to be informed. This isn’t just out of fairness; political decisions must be informed decisions. Elections are an excellent opportunity to present voters with ideas about policy from multiple viewpoints. The free market principle also applies to elections: competition breeds excellence.

Other nations, instead, rely on government-funded public media These media are bound to be much more biased towards the current government. After all, they are bound to it financially and sometimes even directly. Reich television is hardly informative, or even truthful. Governments in other nations stay in power for decades, using the media to retain their power and manipulate the public. If I would want to find the truth, I am more likely to find it while watching a 5 minute broadcasted SLP advert, walking past a wall filled with RCPK posters or attending a KGP rally with free food.

Most of these nations also rely on central election committee’s, giving enormous potential power to an unelected few. These committees decide on quota for how many attention a party or a candidate gets. Candidates and parties are not equal and such a system would be unfairly favouring smaller candidates. Its hard enough already to choose which woman is to head our nation. Does the Party for The Animals really deserve as much attention as the RCPK?

Another objection is that this form of having an election serves special interests. I don’t deny that!
Our wonderful system ties voters to their representatives, and it makes sure that the interests of the minorities (such as elves and millionaire cola executives) aren’t overlooked. Any (corporatist-) liberal democracy does that, protecting the valid big interest of the minority against the passive minor interest of the majority.

But these majorities also represent organisations, they say. Well, what’s good for RecDrug Incorporated is good for the DDR. Do corporations not also have a valid interest in how these elections go and what happens to the nation? Do corporations not pay taxes? Can they not be sued? Private businesses are, in a way, shareholders in society.

The practice of parties accepting large foreign donations is also criticized. To people objecting to that I’d like to say that spending is decided by domestic political parties, who can choose to accept or refuse the donations. In the end, the votes count no matter how big the budget. Again: the free market principle applies even here: a party publicly accepting funds from the Dark Lord Melkor is more likely to lose votes then win votes as a result, no matter how sizable the donation is. It isn’t profitable for a party to accept donations that go contrary to the Knootian interest. Elections are, after all, to show their viewpoints, and the result is about what the common man wants.

Recent UN surveys showed Knootians to be rank as one of the best educated, most intelligent people of the world. I think that is reflected in our election system very well. Others should try it before they judge.

Baas Talman is a pollster who uses a combination of fortune-telling techniques and random number generating to predict stock markets. He is also head of the Talman institute.

((Views expressed by this editor may or may not be shared by the player. They merely offer an explanation))

Kerla supports the SLP because they are the most compatble in our beliefs. We hope that they win the election. We also giving the SLP 120,000 kerks to fund their campaign.

Stephanie Rosen
Premier
Socialist Union of Kerla

Your support for my party is most welcome. I'd like to thank you for both your moral support and your financial contribution. In the coming period it will doubtless prove to be most useful.

Lousewies van der Laan
Prime Minister

---

Poll-related Newsreels:
Elves almost absorbed by conservatives – Socialists gain seats from greens – RCPK still the biggest - Close call: Galadriel to become next Prime Minister? – SLP recovers slightly – van der Laan pauses campaign to visit Mars after the nuclear strikes - Election day approaches – conservatives have biggest campaign fund – next prime minister almost certainly a woman- Elves almost absorbed by conservatives

Parliamentary poll:
[code:1:cc5d5f10cf]
Party Name_______________________ :Current____Change____Projected
SLP_: Sociaal-Liberale Partij____ : 70 ______ -6 ________64
KGP_: Knootiaanse Groene Partij__ : 65 ______ -2 ________63
RCPK: Realistische Cons.Partij Kn.: 58 ______ +10 _______68
KEP_: Knootiaanse Elven Partij___ : 7 _______ -6 ________1
SP__: Socialistische Partij______ : 0 _______ +3 ________3
IP__: Imperialistische Partij____ : 0 _______ +1 ________1[/code:1:cc5d5f10cf]

Results for “Who would you prefer as Prime Minister?”
[code:1:cc5d5f10cf]
Lousewies van der Laan: 37%
Galadriël Táralóm nos Cirdan 36%
Femke Halsema : 21%
Other : 6%
[/code:1:cc5d5f10cf]

The results are in. See them here:
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2848836#2848836

Thank you all for participating. I can imagine that Tarasovka will still be replying here when he gets back, regarding the article. ;)

OOC:

Sorry I couldn't keep up with the thread. :(

Ah well, at least in the next election, we'll see the antics of the Valerians escalate.

OOC: np at all. And feel free to RP the IP member of parliament (I presume that it was your candidate for Queen) in discussions, within bounds of course. (as in, not blowing up buildings etc. they're still Knootians)

I can imagine that Tarasovka will still be replying here when he gets back, regarding the article. ;)

I'll post in that other thread, if you don't mind. :)