Granzi
12-09-2004, 02:55
NEWS FLASH!
This is Granzian International Broadcasting.
A slim lady looks up from her desk and smiles. Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining us on this evening, September 11th, 2004. I will be your host for tonight, Geovana Smith. She glances down at some papers before continuing. A look at our top headlines tonight: War has broken out on the Korean peninsula, Nerow Corp executives face further probes, and rising health costs as part of our series, 'Plethora of Problems.
But first, we bring you live coverage of the upcoming national elections this October. Closest of these races is, surprisingly, the one for Prime Minister. In recent years, as domestic issues have worsened, increasing numbers of concerned citizens broke away from the ruling Union Party. This has lead to the foundation and strengthening of the opposition here in Granzi. By current estimates, GBN speculates that almost half a dozen candidates will be running this term, an unprecedented number. For this story, we go to political analyst Joshua Nichols. Joshua?
The camera swivels to a shrewd man, fiddling with a pair of wiry glasses. He starts when his name is mentioned. Ah.. um.. yes, yes indeed Geovana. This year promises to be an exciting election. Beginning several months ago, we have received confirmation from many sources that the opposition has really galvanized this year, to challenge the traditionally strong Union Party. Prime Minister Bolash seemed to suffer at the poll in terms of domestic issues, including a rising crime rate and cuts on social welfare. His approval rates on both the economy and foreign policy, however, are still as high as ever.
Nichols paused for a moment. If we are to see a strong tactic from the opposition, it will most likely be to focus on Bolash's weak points. In these aspects, voters this year will have no shortage of platforms to choose from. Another screen switch, this time to Smith.
She looks thoughtful. So Joshua, for the voters, can you perhaps explain in more detail the specific ideals these parties stand for? In other words, what are their running platforms exactly?
He fumbles, then pulls out a sheaf of documents. We have compiled a list of the prospective candidates in question. Here it is. As Nichols reads, the camera cuts to the following screen:
Prime Minister Terri Bolash
Incumbent
Political Organization: Union Party (Ruling)
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Considered by many to be a moderate, favors comprehensive healthcare through private/public funding and more renovating the education system. Promises increased funding to the economy, public works, and transportation. Advocates cuts in social welfare and rehabilitation programs and taxes. Maintains a strong stance on drugs and abuse. Supporter of abortion, and directly elected officials. Strong international presence, but not overshadowed by the military.
Representative Cristina Polacav
Challenger
Political Organization: Conservative Party (Main Opposition)
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Promises to reform the government and cut administrative waste. Supports restoring nation-wide social welfare programs, and increasing funding toward healthcare. Will improve, but not overhaul, the educational system. Advocates diverting funding from defense toward education, the economy, and public services. Favors a less active international stance, especially in terms of military intervention. Against abortion and gay marriage.
Dr. Jerome Caulida
Challenger
Political Organization: Democratic Liberal Party (Minor Opposition)
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Would privatize the healthcare system and cut government bureaucracy. Advocates limited spending on social welfare and public services. Promises to boost financial grants toward higher education. Favors tax cuts for the middle and lower classes, and a laissez-faire approach to the economy. Supports abortion, but not gay marriage, and minimal international contact.
Barlett Grahamn
Challenger
Political Organization: Communist Party of Granzi
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Would immediately seize all privately owned enterprises for the betterment of the people. Advocates a state-owned economy and a 'worker’s republic.' Would cut funding toward social welfare, and favors large increases for the military. Favors funding for education, and large increases toward public projects. Promises universal healthcare, and slashing the unemployment rate. Supports a strong international stance, dominated by military action and research.
Miriam DeNorth
Challenger
Political Organization: Granzi Domestic Party
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Favors cutting all international contact and immediate expulsion of all foreign diplomats. Advocates large increases for healthcare, social welfare and education. Supports a large defensive oriented military, aimed at protecting the Commonwealth. Would concentrate on home issues, and disband overseas territories. Promises to cut taxes, and rein in overall government spending.
Camera flashes back to Geovana. Thank you Joshua. And now on to other major headlines...
OOC: Comments and questions for the candidates can be posted below. In Granzi, foreign political donations of money and other products are banned under the current party. Also note: The citizens of Granzi will decide the the Prime Minister, though foreign endorsements will play a big role in determining the winner. The poll will close after 1 RL week.
This is Granzian International Broadcasting.
A slim lady looks up from her desk and smiles. Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining us on this evening, September 11th, 2004. I will be your host for tonight, Geovana Smith. She glances down at some papers before continuing. A look at our top headlines tonight: War has broken out on the Korean peninsula, Nerow Corp executives face further probes, and rising health costs as part of our series, 'Plethora of Problems.
But first, we bring you live coverage of the upcoming national elections this October. Closest of these races is, surprisingly, the one for Prime Minister. In recent years, as domestic issues have worsened, increasing numbers of concerned citizens broke away from the ruling Union Party. This has lead to the foundation and strengthening of the opposition here in Granzi. By current estimates, GBN speculates that almost half a dozen candidates will be running this term, an unprecedented number. For this story, we go to political analyst Joshua Nichols. Joshua?
The camera swivels to a shrewd man, fiddling with a pair of wiry glasses. He starts when his name is mentioned. Ah.. um.. yes, yes indeed Geovana. This year promises to be an exciting election. Beginning several months ago, we have received confirmation from many sources that the opposition has really galvanized this year, to challenge the traditionally strong Union Party. Prime Minister Bolash seemed to suffer at the poll in terms of domestic issues, including a rising crime rate and cuts on social welfare. His approval rates on both the economy and foreign policy, however, are still as high as ever.
Nichols paused for a moment. If we are to see a strong tactic from the opposition, it will most likely be to focus on Bolash's weak points. In these aspects, voters this year will have no shortage of platforms to choose from. Another screen switch, this time to Smith.
She looks thoughtful. So Joshua, for the voters, can you perhaps explain in more detail the specific ideals these parties stand for? In other words, what are their running platforms exactly?
He fumbles, then pulls out a sheaf of documents. We have compiled a list of the prospective candidates in question. Here it is. As Nichols reads, the camera cuts to the following screen:
Prime Minister Terri Bolash
Incumbent
Political Organization: Union Party (Ruling)
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Considered by many to be a moderate, favors comprehensive healthcare through private/public funding and more renovating the education system. Promises increased funding to the economy, public works, and transportation. Advocates cuts in social welfare and rehabilitation programs and taxes. Maintains a strong stance on drugs and abuse. Supporter of abortion, and directly elected officials. Strong international presence, but not overshadowed by the military.
Representative Cristina Polacav
Challenger
Political Organization: Conservative Party (Main Opposition)
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Promises to reform the government and cut administrative waste. Supports restoring nation-wide social welfare programs, and increasing funding toward healthcare. Will improve, but not overhaul, the educational system. Advocates diverting funding from defense toward education, the economy, and public services. Favors a less active international stance, especially in terms of military intervention. Against abortion and gay marriage.
Dr. Jerome Caulida
Challenger
Political Organization: Democratic Liberal Party (Minor Opposition)
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Would privatize the healthcare system and cut government bureaucracy. Advocates limited spending on social welfare and public services. Promises to boost financial grants toward higher education. Favors tax cuts for the middle and lower classes, and a laissez-faire approach to the economy. Supports abortion, but not gay marriage, and minimal international contact.
Barlett Grahamn
Challenger
Political Organization: Communist Party of Granzi
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Would immediately seize all privately owned enterprises for the betterment of the people. Advocates a state-owned economy and a 'worker’s republic.' Would cut funding toward social welfare, and favors large increases for the military. Favors funding for education, and large increases toward public projects. Promises universal healthcare, and slashing the unemployment rate. Supports a strong international stance, dominated by military action and research.
Miriam DeNorth
Challenger
Political Organization: Granzi Domestic Party
Position/Stance on Major Issues: Favors cutting all international contact and immediate expulsion of all foreign diplomats. Advocates large increases for healthcare, social welfare and education. Supports a large defensive oriented military, aimed at protecting the Commonwealth. Would concentrate on home issues, and disband overseas territories. Promises to cut taxes, and rein in overall government spending.
Camera flashes back to Geovana. Thank you Joshua. And now on to other major headlines...
OOC: Comments and questions for the candidates can be posted below. In Granzi, foreign political donations of money and other products are banned under the current party. Also note: The citizens of Granzi will decide the the Prime Minister, though foreign endorsements will play a big role in determining the winner. The poll will close after 1 RL week.