Mikesburg
10-09-2006, 20:55
EDIT: Double-posted; any replies (which are encouraged, and welcome!) please post them here!
Leaders: Mikesburg (alone for the moment)
Members: (All by myself.... Don't wanna be, all by my-seeeelllffff)
On Democracy
The Rational Democratic Party is a liberal party that is concerned with maintaining a reasonable and working democracy. It is predicated on the belief that the problems with modern democratic states can be solved by actively engaging and rewarding citizens for partaking in the democratic process. It recognizes that everyone is entitled to a say in the way in which government should be run, but that not all are fully aware of what is at stake when they cast their vote. With this in mind, the RDP believes the following;
1) That every adult is entitled to vote for a representative based on proportional representation. This is to ensure that a voter does not feel that their 'say' is nullified in a first-past-the-post system.
2) Every voter's ballot is 'weighted' depending on their commitment to the democratic system and the community at large.
i) Every voter 18 or over has 1 vote
ii) Every student from the age of 16 can study a civics course* in a publicly funded environment and write a civics test authorizing them the right to 1 vote. (Upon turning 18, that would be 2 votes.)
iii) Every adult may offer to serve the community at large through militia, the health service, community policing, etc. for a 2-year term for an additional vote.
iv) Any card-carrying member of a political party also has 1 vote.
(*- This course will be compiled by a non-partisan comittee which will be subject to review by a delegate from each major party to ensure accuracy and a non-biased viewpoint. The content of the course will change from year to year, and the course must be taken every 6 years to keep the extra vote.)
3) Voting shall not be compulsory.
4) Freedom of Speech and Freedom of The Press are paramount to a functioning democracy. Libelous and Slanderous speech and press are illegal.
On Economics
The Rational Democratic Party supports a prosperous capitalist economy, but holds democratic oversight to be paramount. The Party believes that the purpose of any economic system is to benefit the member-citizens of the state. As such, if the citizens of the state decide to utilize the state apparatus to stimulate the economy, that holds sway over unfettered capitalism.
5) Free Trade with nations of similar levels of development should be encouraged. Trade with developing economies should be carefully monitored with the right to tariff reserved.
6) Corporations manufacturing product overseas will be held accountable to the same labour standards that exist in our state. Corporations found to be in violation of fair labour standards shall have heavy fines and tariffs applied to their goods.
7) National Resources such as Oil, Minerals, etc. are the purview of the State and fall under democratic oversight. The State shall monitor all resource acquisition to ensure that what rightfully belongs to all members of the state is not abused, and to ensure that the members of state can monitor environmental issues.
8) On Issues which may be considered to be controversial, such as a nationally funded health care system, public vs. private schooling, the RDP will take no official stance at this time and allow members of the party to vote their conscience on the particular issue at hand.
On Social Issues
While largely a liberal-democratic party, the RDP believes first and formost that issues of 'morality' should be left to the individual. As such, in order to respect each individuals voice, the party insists that;
9) Freedom of Religion, Speech, Sexual Orientation and Peaceful Assembly be protected.
10) There shall be a strict division of church and state, however denominational schools are permissible in regions large enough to support them, and must follow certain state guidelines.
11) The party is anti-conscription, however the RDP believes in a well-funded military backed by a volunteer militia. The primary function of the military shall be defense, and defense comittments to allied nations (subject to democratic review.)
12) On 'hot-button' issues, such as abortion, gun-control, euthanasia, etc. the party shall take no official stance, and allow its members to vote thier conscience.
Leaders: Mikesburg (alone for the moment)
Members: (All by myself.... Don't wanna be, all by my-seeeelllffff)
On Democracy
The Rational Democratic Party is a liberal party that is concerned with maintaining a reasonable and working democracy. It is predicated on the belief that the problems with modern democratic states can be solved by actively engaging and rewarding citizens for partaking in the democratic process. It recognizes that everyone is entitled to a say in the way in which government should be run, but that not all are fully aware of what is at stake when they cast their vote. With this in mind, the RDP believes the following;
1) That every adult is entitled to vote for a representative based on proportional representation. This is to ensure that a voter does not feel that their 'say' is nullified in a first-past-the-post system.
2) Every voter's ballot is 'weighted' depending on their commitment to the democratic system and the community at large.
i) Every voter 18 or over has 1 vote
ii) Every student from the age of 16 can study a civics course* in a publicly funded environment and write a civics test authorizing them the right to 1 vote. (Upon turning 18, that would be 2 votes.)
iii) Every adult may offer to serve the community at large through militia, the health service, community policing, etc. for a 2-year term for an additional vote.
iv) Any card-carrying member of a political party also has 1 vote.
(*- This course will be compiled by a non-partisan comittee which will be subject to review by a delegate from each major party to ensure accuracy and a non-biased viewpoint. The content of the course will change from year to year, and the course must be taken every 6 years to keep the extra vote.)
3) Voting shall not be compulsory.
4) Freedom of Speech and Freedom of The Press are paramount to a functioning democracy. Libelous and Slanderous speech and press are illegal.
On Economics
The Rational Democratic Party supports a prosperous capitalist economy, but holds democratic oversight to be paramount. The Party believes that the purpose of any economic system is to benefit the member-citizens of the state. As such, if the citizens of the state decide to utilize the state apparatus to stimulate the economy, that holds sway over unfettered capitalism.
5) Free Trade with nations of similar levels of development should be encouraged. Trade with developing economies should be carefully monitored with the right to tariff reserved.
6) Corporations manufacturing product overseas will be held accountable to the same labour standards that exist in our state. Corporations found to be in violation of fair labour standards shall have heavy fines and tariffs applied to their goods.
7) National Resources such as Oil, Minerals, etc. are the purview of the State and fall under democratic oversight. The State shall monitor all resource acquisition to ensure that what rightfully belongs to all members of the state is not abused, and to ensure that the members of state can monitor environmental issues.
8) On Issues which may be considered to be controversial, such as a nationally funded health care system, public vs. private schooling, the RDP will take no official stance at this time and allow members of the party to vote their conscience on the particular issue at hand.
On Social Issues
While largely a liberal-democratic party, the RDP believes first and formost that issues of 'morality' should be left to the individual. As such, in order to respect each individuals voice, the party insists that;
9) Freedom of Religion, Speech, Sexual Orientation and Peaceful Assembly be protected.
10) There shall be a strict division of church and state, however denominational schools are permissible in regions large enough to support them, and must follow certain state guidelines.
11) The party is anti-conscription, however the RDP believes in a well-funded military backed by a volunteer militia. The primary function of the military shall be defense, and defense comittments to allied nations (subject to democratic review.)
12) On 'hot-button' issues, such as abortion, gun-control, euthanasia, etc. the party shall take no official stance, and allow its members to vote thier conscience.