Majoritarian States
27-03-2008, 13:13
I'm new...so I am having a rough time understanding how all this works. I read quite a bit of the sticky threads, but alas, they are like reading stereo instructions, to me. This is my first attempt at RPG. So if my etiquette is incorrect, please excuse me...I'm just trying to enjoy myself.
I thought I should start at the beginning, by giving a brief history of my nation and a description of it and it's leadership. This may make me look ignorant to the status quo procedures, but I'm just having some fun. Any feedback or advise is welcomed. I'd love to play more intensively...especially trade and war...but from what I'm reading so far, I think I need a mentor...lol.
So anyway, onto my fun.
The state of the continent was eroding steadily for more than 3 generations in terms of politics, environment, education, values, liberties, and any other measure of a great society. On the continent was 3 large nations, and a few small ones. Of the 3 large nations, one was the largest. That was our nation. The nation we were born from. A nation that no longer exists, or even has a name. It corrupted the name, beyond polite society's use of it, long ago. This largest nation was founded on grand ideology and had exquisite beginnings, but carried vital flaws and archaic traditions. Because of serious inefficiency, and later a period known as "The Second Great Depression", the nation's government became distant from the people. This was especially true among rural areas and urban areas of great poverty and isolation socio-economically. Suburban families found themselves surrounded by tides of poverty caused unrest and looting.
Society fell into anarchy (and not in the good sense of the word) all over the "Heartland" of the largest nation on the continent.
But the government betrayals and scandals were just being realized. It was soon discovered that the unrest and economic collapse was not accidental. The government had "sold" off our future. The plan was to allow all of the rural and urban areas to come under martial law, in an otherwise democratic republic, and to enact an insidious plan. The government owed many private world banks capital. In order to not give up their turn in power (by admitting the extent of our economic woes to the people), the elite republic's rulers decided to stop losing elections to non-elites. They shut out all voices outside of two main parties. They appeared to disagree on issues, when they actually agreed. They allowed the media to be manipulated by a half dozen capitalists which favored the elitism. Essentially, the people had no idea what was happening, till it was too late. Millions of acres of land was seized under martial law, in both urban and rural areas, stretching from border to border. All national parks and forested areas were sold to the banker's real estate holding companies. A massive infrastructure project was begun on this seized land. The roads were to be toll roads, with procedes going to international capitalists and our bankers. The new transportation and infrastructure was all for commercial use. Could be beneficial? If only the products were made here or were being sold here. Alas, we were being passed by economically.
The seized land was bad. The new unwanted super-highway was horrible (for anyone who lost land, or wasn't working on the construction projects). But the last straw was the use of the milirary as a police force. Basically, during all the land seizures the government sent in the troops to "disarm unruly citizenry". Once disarmed, they were massively relocated to "refugee camps". Most of these camps were set up as quarantine centers and were in highly populated cities with already dense populations under military seige. The army was used to effectively relocate all poor rural people into the poor inner cities, to put them in makeshift work camps with poverty stricken urban citizens. All noncompliance to martial law curfews or "relocation" was met with deadly force. And so the insurrections began.
The first shots of the "Second Revolution" were fired at the Battle of Cleveland. All across the nation popular anarchy took hold in all urban ghettos. This may have been a less serious problem for the rulers, but some 60% of the population ended up in one of these places or a similar condition during the Second Depression. The majority had finally had enough. But under suppression of razor wire and an army outside the fences, the insurrections didn't last long alone. This is where our new nation got it's first founder. The father of our nation, Cincinnatus Spartacus "The Wise" Populus Majoritus. Cinci "The Wise", or Cinci Major are short versions of his name. At this time Cinci was just a writer of political musings and economic theories of novelty. When his land was seized, he was disarmed and sent to the Cleveland Camp. When the insurrection began, Cinci had no sense of patriotism. He was looking to escape the camp. Once he had found a secure way out in the chaos, his conscience got the better of him. He went back for dozens of women. What? Well, he did. Of course, subsequently they had a bunch of children with them. So he went back for women and children. Whatever. Anyway, after saving all the ladies (and the kids...sigh), he was bombarded by hysterical pleas. They asked for their brothers, and sons, and (dammit) husbands to be told where they were. So Cinci headed back and formed what became "The Continental Militia". The militia soon went into battle several times in order to free other camps, gaining strength all the time. This massive troop concentration settled in a small rural area in an unknown location. They used the cultivation of illegal marijuana to fund the ensuing war.
At this point, [General] Cincinnatus, was in firm control of his Militia. With many supplies and stength in numbers, they were fast moving and efficient. They knew the land they fought on, and used it to gain advantages. But the factor that rose Cincinnatus to their leader, and kept him there all this time, was only part military skill and planning. Gen. Cinci was a man of many talents. He fooled internal opposition and dissenters into submission with hypnotism and mentalist trickery that convinced them he was able to read thoughts. Although he always made it clear that he only read body language and physiological ques, he was revered in their primal living standard of society as being wise. Hence, the name "The Wise". Rumors circulated wildly about mind reading abilities and lie detection among traitors and spies. Some is true, most is fabrication. But whatever the case, it gave him proper hold over the psyche of the masses with little "government" to control their ficcle whims. Besides trickery, he knew psychology, economics, philosophy, military strategy, special effects make-up, explosives, and a wide range of assorted knowledge he learned as a scholar before the Second Revolution. With the Militia in his able hands, they turned to the offensive.
Within weeks of agression against the half of the country "on the other side of the river", a surrender delegation proposed terms to the "Majoritarian Army and their General, Cincinnatus Majoritus". The other half of the country, west of the Mississippi River, could not take a sustained attack on their new freeway projects, or their weak military (stretched too thin worldwide maintaining a bankrupt empire). Because troops could not be quickly brought to their aid, and all UN troops were repelled, the west half of the nation had no choice but to offer surrender. The UN and the nation to the west of the river, newly named "The WSA, or Western States of America", recognized the east banks of the Mississippi to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico as a sovereign nation. That new sovereign nation was initially referred to as "The ESA, or Eastern States of America". This name was instantly rejected by the people of this new nation...for America had become a dirty word in polite company. They did, however, love the founding principles and the Constitution (which the WSA immediately abandoned during their bankruptcy realignment). They also now followed a new political philosophy called Majoritism, were in a new party of centrist, moderate, tolerant views, The Majoritarian Party. Two names were rangled over. The Democratic Republic of Majoritarian States became the final name. And so, the DRMS came to be.
In the Treaty of Chicago, the DRMS (us) agreed to assume the entire shared national debt from before the Second Revolution (both the DRMS and the WSA combined debt of $9.5 trillion) and the debt of both sides for the war itself (an additional $2.5 trillion). So $12 trillion was the cost of independence. Included in the new DRMS problems, is the fact that their competitor on the other side of the river has $0 debt and a booming economy, with new infrastructure on the way. Additionally, almost all damage to society was done in the now DRMS territories. Economic problems trying to rise out of war, depresion, and debt were seemingly insurmountable. But in the greatest period of criticism (for eating the debt to stop the war immediately at the first offer of sovereignty), Cinci Major is narrowly elected President of the new country. Both Senate and House of Representatives remain. The House now has 500 members, one for every 300k of population. This is updated every 10 years. The Senate did not change. Many other things have changed east of the river, however.
There is no electoral college. There was an ammendment added to "seperate corporation and state". National Initiative is a law. Voting is compulsory for 20 years or till renewed. Prostitution, all drugs, gambling, and gay rights are all legal. No prisons can hold nonviolent offenders for more than a 2 year term. Habeus Corpus is no longer suspendable. No standing army is allowed for more than 2 years, only state run, federal regulated, militia. Border control is very important. Intelligence agencies answer to the government. Prayer is legal in schools, in silence, at certain times. No religion is allowed in public institutions period. No corporation is allowed in public institutions period. No public official, on business, is allowed in churches or businesses.
President Cincinnatus began his new nation with a grand new government. He preached centrism, moderation, and tolerance...and that is what he delivered. He chose cabinet members of the administration and Supreme Court Justices from both of the political parties equally (The Supreme Court went 4 Dems, 4 Repubs, 1 Independent). Then all political parties were promptly outlawed. Now, only free people above 21 can vote or run for office on their own ideals and opinions. Teleprompters were banned from campaigns. Speech writers were banned from debates and campaigns. Lobbying was flat out banned. All political contributions go into a federal pool (or state, or local, depending on level of campaign) that disseminates the funds equally to all candidates. All Tv ads are equal, and radio too. The President is picked by regional (North, East, West, South) primaries. Those 4 candidates run a year long national campaign. To reach the national primary from one of the 4 regions, one has too win his town, county, state, and region. Then they showdown nationally as a quartet. No parties, no labels. Supreme Court members only serve for 20 year terms, and must be considered on experience over youth. The death penalty was abolished for all things but treason in their first ruling. Abortion was ruled to be a town or county issue, not able to be legislated statewide. If the state decides to legislate it, or more than 50% of a state legislates it as smaller government bodies independently, then the federal government will deem it legal in all of the state. Otherwise, small local government may legislate it.
President Cincinnatus also named some notable founders to key positions. Many of them won elections however. We won't spend time on them now, but I have a feeling we will be meeting them and the military/intelligence people later.
Here are some notable aspects of The Democratic Republic of Majoritarian States:
---:headbang: Foreign Policy...Value Added Tax (VAT) on imports, no tariifs per say. No foreign aid due to the economic hole the nation was birthed into. Military spending of around $400 billion per year (down from USA spending of $700+ billion per year). Border controls of medium-high standard. Border intelligence is extremely good. Most of the military at home defected with our planes, tanks, and ships during the revolution. This did save alot in military expenditures.
---:sniper: Law and Order...We only have curfews for children under 18. We won't allow people in the military till 21 (from 18). Drinking, smoking, and all drugs are legal at 21. Community police forces are funded locally. Only specialists carry guns in the police force. Full legal aid is provided to anyone 3 times the poverty line, or worse, for a jury trial on request. Prostitution and gambling are fully legal at 21. Prisons are being converted to rehab centers. We effectively have no prisons. We over fund our intelligence services. Speed cameras generate revenue, but only near schools, residential neighborhoods, and high accident areas, and pictures cannot be used in criminal court for crime unrelated to the "warranted use" (only car related, not Big Brother CCTV).
:upyours: Transportation...To help deal with the regressed ecology of the continent, the DRMS stepped up environmental dedication. Pres. Cinci has decreed that cars are to be phased out in 50 years maximum. We have begun construction on a massive above and below ground train transit system. Bus lanes are also being built. Roads are maintained, but no new ones are to be built. Some are demolished for tracks for trains. Roofing and energy companies are being asked to have the nation on solar power in 50 years. "All roofs working for us" by year 50. Public shared bicycles are strewn around metropolis' all over cities. Free bus and train passes are given to anyone 3 times poverty level.
:mp5: Taxes...gasoline tax is oppressive. Car tax is horrid. All drugs are taxed pretty highly. Income tax has been abolished completely. A National Sales Tax is in effect at 34% for the top 32% of the earning population. The next 8% of earners (top 40% total), only pay on luxury items. Social Security and Medicare (SCHIPP, Medicaid, etc.) is paid by only citizens that will recieve it and matched by companies that employ them (payroll tax, like USA), those ages 41-65 and older. All those 16-21 also pay into SS and Medicare. At 21-40, individuals have to enter the HSA/RSA (Healthcare Savings Account/ Retirement Savings Account) programs. Because our currency (the liberty dollar) is based on precious metals, it inflates predictably at 2% per year, allowing savings to be enough to retire on. With the new higher rates, of course. SS/Medicare-HSA/RSA tax is 32.6% (16.3% from the worker, 16.3% from the employer), which used to be 15.3% (7.65% from each party). Corporate tax has been abolished, in it's place is the PST (Profit Sharing Tax). After all the SS-HSA/RSA contributions have been tallied every quarter, it must be expressed by a percentage. So as an example, let's say it added up to 17% of the years net profits. After all payroll, reinvestment within reason, and bills are paid for the quarter, you payed 17% for contributions to SS-HSA/RSA. Now, as a corporation under the corporate income tax you may have faced several different tax rates. Under PST all rates have been changed. Any company that paid 10% or less under the old tax system, pays no PST. Any company that paid rates of 11% or higher may be eligible for PST. To determine if eligable, tax the percentage of 25% and subtract from it your total percentage of contributions to SS-HSA/RSA. So to keep using the same example, let's say you used to owe 35% in corporate tax under the old income tax. But so far this quarter you paid only 17% in SS tax. you subtract 17% from the PST flat corporate tax rate of 25%, and you get a remaining PST liability of 8%. So 8% of your profits will be shared directly to your employees in a bonus check. PST does NOT go to the government. Companies may not be eligible for PST at all, it will be case by case. This is designed to help recover the middle class, while cutting taxes 10% effectively across the board for corporations. There is also a big marriage tax break (return) for married couples. No actual returns, rebates, prebates, or entitlements will exist in 50 years. Sales tax (unlike the Fair Tax) doesn't require them. All those eligible for tax exemption or exception will recieve a card yearly to swipe for these tax privilages. No card, full tax...period. This avoids the Fair Tax's entitlement woes, while taking advantage of the lowered DWL (Dead Weight Loss) of the VAT or National Sales Tax. No other taxes exist, as property tax has been outlawed. States must levy against added sales tax or corporate income tax.
:p Public Services...Education from cradle till grave is free. All college is free. Money is taken from the sales tax proceeds and poured into the education pool. From there vouchers are given to all students and they (or their parent) can decide where to go to school by free market principles. No standardized tests, no guaranteed funding. You can switch schools twice per school year. More, in college. The HSA prgram and Medicare take care of healthcare. Free meals are provided in schools (good food). Free vaccinations, eye exams, and ear exams are provided to children. All HSA and Medicare is done on vouchers also, maximizing freedom of choice. Religious schools and hospitals can be used with the vouchers. Stem Cell research, cloning, and Organ Donation (voluntary) are all legal. The media has one nationalized channel. All the other channels are free media. No less than 100 owners of the media are allowed, with no more than one station per medium (TV, radio, newspaper),per market, per owner.
:gundge: The Economy...Heavy funding to technological subsidies, heavy funding to rural and urban development subsidies, and heavy subsidies to small business. Maternity leave has been suspended for 10 years, to boost productivity. No tax shelters exist. Emission limits are placed are cars. Recycling is not funded by the federal government, but laws have been passed. Stricter controls on industrial pollution has been adjusted also.
:fluffle: Welfare...Social Security/Medicare (and all encompassing programs) will be gone in 50 years. All people remaining in need of the program will represent a tiny minority number. In 25 years, the last entrant into the SS rolls will be in the program. 25 years later, when the last (well last who is not totally needy) one dies, you'll have no need for the vast SS system we had in USA. So in balance with ending SS, in 50 years the HSA/RSA will be our retirement and healthcare service. And it is not a government service at all. Childcare (daycare) is provided 100% from the federal level. As need for public housing, food stamps, and unemployment fall...so will the funding. All of those programs should be gone in a decade.
:cool: The Plan. Cincinnatus has laid out a new way to run an economy on this continent. The plan is to dominate our neighbors with shrewd politics and economics, not war. The eventual end, and reabsorbtion, of the WSA is our ultimate goal. But in the mean time, we hope to crawl out of this Second Great Depression, replace our auto and petroleum industries with alternative transportation needs, to create a larger middle class than ever before, more self employeed people than ever before, a 100% employment state, a 0% poverty state, a crimeless society, and the most healthy and educated society to ever be enlightened to seek popular sovereignty.
State of the Nation...President Cincinnatus Spartucus "The Wise" Populus Majoritus has reached new highs in the polls. Crime is unheard of. The economy is still bad, but some are complimenting the progress. The elections in the Senate and House have shown through more of the Presidents supporters than ever before. He may just end up popular when the election rolls around for his second term. The boost in popularity has more to do with one subject than the others. The WSA has fallen. In recent monthes the WSA could not sustain the penalizing taxes on it's citizens, the horrible air quality, the curfews and total police state, the lack of health or retirement, and the complete theocratization of it's social policies. Collapsing under the weight of it's governments shortsighted greed, the nation was not able to be reabsorbed into the DRMS. Unfortunately, all lands were seized and sold to the two neighbors, north and south. No such sale was allowed, by grudge, for the Majortarian States. The nation's government, however, is still in tact. Seats were awarded in a joint parliment, and the President of the WSA simply becomes the President of the NAU. The former WSA, Canada, and Mexico (the 3 largest nations on the continent) have joined to form the NAU (North American Union). Although the infrastructure does not change, this increases funding to the former WSA, and the size of it's military force. With the same head to the dragon, some in the DRMS are wondering how long before we have to go to war with the NAU. Cinci Major, although cautious, is more tempered. He insists the only legacy that the USA, and subsequent WSA, have is to have given birth to the Democratic Republic of Majoritarian States. Less we forget our national motto...the words Cincinnatus spoke to seal his election..."Government, Where Need Requires".
I thought I should start at the beginning, by giving a brief history of my nation and a description of it and it's leadership. This may make me look ignorant to the status quo procedures, but I'm just having some fun. Any feedback or advise is welcomed. I'd love to play more intensively...especially trade and war...but from what I'm reading so far, I think I need a mentor...lol.
So anyway, onto my fun.
The state of the continent was eroding steadily for more than 3 generations in terms of politics, environment, education, values, liberties, and any other measure of a great society. On the continent was 3 large nations, and a few small ones. Of the 3 large nations, one was the largest. That was our nation. The nation we were born from. A nation that no longer exists, or even has a name. It corrupted the name, beyond polite society's use of it, long ago. This largest nation was founded on grand ideology and had exquisite beginnings, but carried vital flaws and archaic traditions. Because of serious inefficiency, and later a period known as "The Second Great Depression", the nation's government became distant from the people. This was especially true among rural areas and urban areas of great poverty and isolation socio-economically. Suburban families found themselves surrounded by tides of poverty caused unrest and looting.
Society fell into anarchy (and not in the good sense of the word) all over the "Heartland" of the largest nation on the continent.
But the government betrayals and scandals were just being realized. It was soon discovered that the unrest and economic collapse was not accidental. The government had "sold" off our future. The plan was to allow all of the rural and urban areas to come under martial law, in an otherwise democratic republic, and to enact an insidious plan. The government owed many private world banks capital. In order to not give up their turn in power (by admitting the extent of our economic woes to the people), the elite republic's rulers decided to stop losing elections to non-elites. They shut out all voices outside of two main parties. They appeared to disagree on issues, when they actually agreed. They allowed the media to be manipulated by a half dozen capitalists which favored the elitism. Essentially, the people had no idea what was happening, till it was too late. Millions of acres of land was seized under martial law, in both urban and rural areas, stretching from border to border. All national parks and forested areas were sold to the banker's real estate holding companies. A massive infrastructure project was begun on this seized land. The roads were to be toll roads, with procedes going to international capitalists and our bankers. The new transportation and infrastructure was all for commercial use. Could be beneficial? If only the products were made here or were being sold here. Alas, we were being passed by economically.
The seized land was bad. The new unwanted super-highway was horrible (for anyone who lost land, or wasn't working on the construction projects). But the last straw was the use of the milirary as a police force. Basically, during all the land seizures the government sent in the troops to "disarm unruly citizenry". Once disarmed, they were massively relocated to "refugee camps". Most of these camps were set up as quarantine centers and were in highly populated cities with already dense populations under military seige. The army was used to effectively relocate all poor rural people into the poor inner cities, to put them in makeshift work camps with poverty stricken urban citizens. All noncompliance to martial law curfews or "relocation" was met with deadly force. And so the insurrections began.
The first shots of the "Second Revolution" were fired at the Battle of Cleveland. All across the nation popular anarchy took hold in all urban ghettos. This may have been a less serious problem for the rulers, but some 60% of the population ended up in one of these places or a similar condition during the Second Depression. The majority had finally had enough. But under suppression of razor wire and an army outside the fences, the insurrections didn't last long alone. This is where our new nation got it's first founder. The father of our nation, Cincinnatus Spartacus "The Wise" Populus Majoritus. Cinci "The Wise", or Cinci Major are short versions of his name. At this time Cinci was just a writer of political musings and economic theories of novelty. When his land was seized, he was disarmed and sent to the Cleveland Camp. When the insurrection began, Cinci had no sense of patriotism. He was looking to escape the camp. Once he had found a secure way out in the chaos, his conscience got the better of him. He went back for dozens of women. What? Well, he did. Of course, subsequently they had a bunch of children with them. So he went back for women and children. Whatever. Anyway, after saving all the ladies (and the kids...sigh), he was bombarded by hysterical pleas. They asked for their brothers, and sons, and (dammit) husbands to be told where they were. So Cinci headed back and formed what became "The Continental Militia". The militia soon went into battle several times in order to free other camps, gaining strength all the time. This massive troop concentration settled in a small rural area in an unknown location. They used the cultivation of illegal marijuana to fund the ensuing war.
At this point, [General] Cincinnatus, was in firm control of his Militia. With many supplies and stength in numbers, they were fast moving and efficient. They knew the land they fought on, and used it to gain advantages. But the factor that rose Cincinnatus to their leader, and kept him there all this time, was only part military skill and planning. Gen. Cinci was a man of many talents. He fooled internal opposition and dissenters into submission with hypnotism and mentalist trickery that convinced them he was able to read thoughts. Although he always made it clear that he only read body language and physiological ques, he was revered in their primal living standard of society as being wise. Hence, the name "The Wise". Rumors circulated wildly about mind reading abilities and lie detection among traitors and spies. Some is true, most is fabrication. But whatever the case, it gave him proper hold over the psyche of the masses with little "government" to control their ficcle whims. Besides trickery, he knew psychology, economics, philosophy, military strategy, special effects make-up, explosives, and a wide range of assorted knowledge he learned as a scholar before the Second Revolution. With the Militia in his able hands, they turned to the offensive.
Within weeks of agression against the half of the country "on the other side of the river", a surrender delegation proposed terms to the "Majoritarian Army and their General, Cincinnatus Majoritus". The other half of the country, west of the Mississippi River, could not take a sustained attack on their new freeway projects, or their weak military (stretched too thin worldwide maintaining a bankrupt empire). Because troops could not be quickly brought to their aid, and all UN troops were repelled, the west half of the nation had no choice but to offer surrender. The UN and the nation to the west of the river, newly named "The WSA, or Western States of America", recognized the east banks of the Mississippi to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico as a sovereign nation. That new sovereign nation was initially referred to as "The ESA, or Eastern States of America". This name was instantly rejected by the people of this new nation...for America had become a dirty word in polite company. They did, however, love the founding principles and the Constitution (which the WSA immediately abandoned during their bankruptcy realignment). They also now followed a new political philosophy called Majoritism, were in a new party of centrist, moderate, tolerant views, The Majoritarian Party. Two names were rangled over. The Democratic Republic of Majoritarian States became the final name. And so, the DRMS came to be.
In the Treaty of Chicago, the DRMS (us) agreed to assume the entire shared national debt from before the Second Revolution (both the DRMS and the WSA combined debt of $9.5 trillion) and the debt of both sides for the war itself (an additional $2.5 trillion). So $12 trillion was the cost of independence. Included in the new DRMS problems, is the fact that their competitor on the other side of the river has $0 debt and a booming economy, with new infrastructure on the way. Additionally, almost all damage to society was done in the now DRMS territories. Economic problems trying to rise out of war, depresion, and debt were seemingly insurmountable. But in the greatest period of criticism (for eating the debt to stop the war immediately at the first offer of sovereignty), Cinci Major is narrowly elected President of the new country. Both Senate and House of Representatives remain. The House now has 500 members, one for every 300k of population. This is updated every 10 years. The Senate did not change. Many other things have changed east of the river, however.
There is no electoral college. There was an ammendment added to "seperate corporation and state". National Initiative is a law. Voting is compulsory for 20 years or till renewed. Prostitution, all drugs, gambling, and gay rights are all legal. No prisons can hold nonviolent offenders for more than a 2 year term. Habeus Corpus is no longer suspendable. No standing army is allowed for more than 2 years, only state run, federal regulated, militia. Border control is very important. Intelligence agencies answer to the government. Prayer is legal in schools, in silence, at certain times. No religion is allowed in public institutions period. No corporation is allowed in public institutions period. No public official, on business, is allowed in churches or businesses.
President Cincinnatus began his new nation with a grand new government. He preached centrism, moderation, and tolerance...and that is what he delivered. He chose cabinet members of the administration and Supreme Court Justices from both of the political parties equally (The Supreme Court went 4 Dems, 4 Repubs, 1 Independent). Then all political parties were promptly outlawed. Now, only free people above 21 can vote or run for office on their own ideals and opinions. Teleprompters were banned from campaigns. Speech writers were banned from debates and campaigns. Lobbying was flat out banned. All political contributions go into a federal pool (or state, or local, depending on level of campaign) that disseminates the funds equally to all candidates. All Tv ads are equal, and radio too. The President is picked by regional (North, East, West, South) primaries. Those 4 candidates run a year long national campaign. To reach the national primary from one of the 4 regions, one has too win his town, county, state, and region. Then they showdown nationally as a quartet. No parties, no labels. Supreme Court members only serve for 20 year terms, and must be considered on experience over youth. The death penalty was abolished for all things but treason in their first ruling. Abortion was ruled to be a town or county issue, not able to be legislated statewide. If the state decides to legislate it, or more than 50% of a state legislates it as smaller government bodies independently, then the federal government will deem it legal in all of the state. Otherwise, small local government may legislate it.
President Cincinnatus also named some notable founders to key positions. Many of them won elections however. We won't spend time on them now, but I have a feeling we will be meeting them and the military/intelligence people later.
Here are some notable aspects of The Democratic Republic of Majoritarian States:
---:headbang: Foreign Policy...Value Added Tax (VAT) on imports, no tariifs per say. No foreign aid due to the economic hole the nation was birthed into. Military spending of around $400 billion per year (down from USA spending of $700+ billion per year). Border controls of medium-high standard. Border intelligence is extremely good. Most of the military at home defected with our planes, tanks, and ships during the revolution. This did save alot in military expenditures.
---:sniper: Law and Order...We only have curfews for children under 18. We won't allow people in the military till 21 (from 18). Drinking, smoking, and all drugs are legal at 21. Community police forces are funded locally. Only specialists carry guns in the police force. Full legal aid is provided to anyone 3 times the poverty line, or worse, for a jury trial on request. Prostitution and gambling are fully legal at 21. Prisons are being converted to rehab centers. We effectively have no prisons. We over fund our intelligence services. Speed cameras generate revenue, but only near schools, residential neighborhoods, and high accident areas, and pictures cannot be used in criminal court for crime unrelated to the "warranted use" (only car related, not Big Brother CCTV).
:upyours: Transportation...To help deal with the regressed ecology of the continent, the DRMS stepped up environmental dedication. Pres. Cinci has decreed that cars are to be phased out in 50 years maximum. We have begun construction on a massive above and below ground train transit system. Bus lanes are also being built. Roads are maintained, but no new ones are to be built. Some are demolished for tracks for trains. Roofing and energy companies are being asked to have the nation on solar power in 50 years. "All roofs working for us" by year 50. Public shared bicycles are strewn around metropolis' all over cities. Free bus and train passes are given to anyone 3 times poverty level.
:mp5: Taxes...gasoline tax is oppressive. Car tax is horrid. All drugs are taxed pretty highly. Income tax has been abolished completely. A National Sales Tax is in effect at 34% for the top 32% of the earning population. The next 8% of earners (top 40% total), only pay on luxury items. Social Security and Medicare (SCHIPP, Medicaid, etc.) is paid by only citizens that will recieve it and matched by companies that employ them (payroll tax, like USA), those ages 41-65 and older. All those 16-21 also pay into SS and Medicare. At 21-40, individuals have to enter the HSA/RSA (Healthcare Savings Account/ Retirement Savings Account) programs. Because our currency (the liberty dollar) is based on precious metals, it inflates predictably at 2% per year, allowing savings to be enough to retire on. With the new higher rates, of course. SS/Medicare-HSA/RSA tax is 32.6% (16.3% from the worker, 16.3% from the employer), which used to be 15.3% (7.65% from each party). Corporate tax has been abolished, in it's place is the PST (Profit Sharing Tax). After all the SS-HSA/RSA contributions have been tallied every quarter, it must be expressed by a percentage. So as an example, let's say it added up to 17% of the years net profits. After all payroll, reinvestment within reason, and bills are paid for the quarter, you payed 17% for contributions to SS-HSA/RSA. Now, as a corporation under the corporate income tax you may have faced several different tax rates. Under PST all rates have been changed. Any company that paid 10% or less under the old tax system, pays no PST. Any company that paid rates of 11% or higher may be eligible for PST. To determine if eligable, tax the percentage of 25% and subtract from it your total percentage of contributions to SS-HSA/RSA. So to keep using the same example, let's say you used to owe 35% in corporate tax under the old income tax. But so far this quarter you paid only 17% in SS tax. you subtract 17% from the PST flat corporate tax rate of 25%, and you get a remaining PST liability of 8%. So 8% of your profits will be shared directly to your employees in a bonus check. PST does NOT go to the government. Companies may not be eligible for PST at all, it will be case by case. This is designed to help recover the middle class, while cutting taxes 10% effectively across the board for corporations. There is also a big marriage tax break (return) for married couples. No actual returns, rebates, prebates, or entitlements will exist in 50 years. Sales tax (unlike the Fair Tax) doesn't require them. All those eligible for tax exemption or exception will recieve a card yearly to swipe for these tax privilages. No card, full tax...period. This avoids the Fair Tax's entitlement woes, while taking advantage of the lowered DWL (Dead Weight Loss) of the VAT or National Sales Tax. No other taxes exist, as property tax has been outlawed. States must levy against added sales tax or corporate income tax.
:p Public Services...Education from cradle till grave is free. All college is free. Money is taken from the sales tax proceeds and poured into the education pool. From there vouchers are given to all students and they (or their parent) can decide where to go to school by free market principles. No standardized tests, no guaranteed funding. You can switch schools twice per school year. More, in college. The HSA prgram and Medicare take care of healthcare. Free meals are provided in schools (good food). Free vaccinations, eye exams, and ear exams are provided to children. All HSA and Medicare is done on vouchers also, maximizing freedom of choice. Religious schools and hospitals can be used with the vouchers. Stem Cell research, cloning, and Organ Donation (voluntary) are all legal. The media has one nationalized channel. All the other channels are free media. No less than 100 owners of the media are allowed, with no more than one station per medium (TV, radio, newspaper),per market, per owner.
:gundge: The Economy...Heavy funding to technological subsidies, heavy funding to rural and urban development subsidies, and heavy subsidies to small business. Maternity leave has been suspended for 10 years, to boost productivity. No tax shelters exist. Emission limits are placed are cars. Recycling is not funded by the federal government, but laws have been passed. Stricter controls on industrial pollution has been adjusted also.
:fluffle: Welfare...Social Security/Medicare (and all encompassing programs) will be gone in 50 years. All people remaining in need of the program will represent a tiny minority number. In 25 years, the last entrant into the SS rolls will be in the program. 25 years later, when the last (well last who is not totally needy) one dies, you'll have no need for the vast SS system we had in USA. So in balance with ending SS, in 50 years the HSA/RSA will be our retirement and healthcare service. And it is not a government service at all. Childcare (daycare) is provided 100% from the federal level. As need for public housing, food stamps, and unemployment fall...so will the funding. All of those programs should be gone in a decade.
:cool: The Plan. Cincinnatus has laid out a new way to run an economy on this continent. The plan is to dominate our neighbors with shrewd politics and economics, not war. The eventual end, and reabsorbtion, of the WSA is our ultimate goal. But in the mean time, we hope to crawl out of this Second Great Depression, replace our auto and petroleum industries with alternative transportation needs, to create a larger middle class than ever before, more self employeed people than ever before, a 100% employment state, a 0% poverty state, a crimeless society, and the most healthy and educated society to ever be enlightened to seek popular sovereignty.
State of the Nation...President Cincinnatus Spartucus "The Wise" Populus Majoritus has reached new highs in the polls. Crime is unheard of. The economy is still bad, but some are complimenting the progress. The elections in the Senate and House have shown through more of the Presidents supporters than ever before. He may just end up popular when the election rolls around for his second term. The boost in popularity has more to do with one subject than the others. The WSA has fallen. In recent monthes the WSA could not sustain the penalizing taxes on it's citizens, the horrible air quality, the curfews and total police state, the lack of health or retirement, and the complete theocratization of it's social policies. Collapsing under the weight of it's governments shortsighted greed, the nation was not able to be reabsorbed into the DRMS. Unfortunately, all lands were seized and sold to the two neighbors, north and south. No such sale was allowed, by grudge, for the Majortarian States. The nation's government, however, is still in tact. Seats were awarded in a joint parliment, and the President of the WSA simply becomes the President of the NAU. The former WSA, Canada, and Mexico (the 3 largest nations on the continent) have joined to form the NAU (North American Union). Although the infrastructure does not change, this increases funding to the former WSA, and the size of it's military force. With the same head to the dragon, some in the DRMS are wondering how long before we have to go to war with the NAU. Cinci Major, although cautious, is more tempered. He insists the only legacy that the USA, and subsequent WSA, have is to have given birth to the Democratic Republic of Majoritarian States. Less we forget our national motto...the words Cincinnatus spoke to seal his election..."Government, Where Need Requires".