NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: With the U.S. Presidential Debate and Lanola's debate on today and the fact that I've wanted to hold elections in my nation for a while now, I thought I'd present this. Feel free to ask questions and to suggest who you'd like to see win the election.

IC:

An Imperium News Special Presentation: The Roman Imperial Election Debate

Hosted by Brutus Mentori

"Hello everyone. Today may mark the turning point in what has been an epic struggle so far. The two combatants- and main candidates for the throne- the incumbent Emperor Paul XII and Roman businessman Rodin Hartian- have been neck and neck in the polls, and pollsters indicate that this may be the turning point.

Here is a breakdown of the two candidates:

Emperor Paul XII
-Has been Emperor of Rome since 1992, the successor to long-time Emperor and founder of the Roman democratic process Keylusus II (r. 1926-92)
-Has been a rather progressive Emperor in Rome, giving more power to the provinces and has been able to end tensions with Rome's longtime rivals, BitingReality and Bactria. He is also the founder of Rome's expansive and thorough medicare system, which covers treatments as small as ingrown hair removal
-Founded the Roman Space Program (though it has been ignored) and the Roman colony of Romanus Eropidus in Manium
-Will pledge to give more power to the provinces, maybe even making them full-fledged protectorates, and wants to one day grant Romanus Eropidus independence. Is for maintaining the status quo with the former Roman province of Constantinople (OOC: "Byzantium")
-However, taxes have risen exponentially since he came to power, with income taxes alone tripling during his reign. He promises something called "tax consolidation" that he says will "ease" the Roman burden, but critics charge that it is just a fancy word for another pledge to increase taxes
-Is seen as rather passive and too shy to get involved in international politics, as critics charge that he sits idly while his neighbours in Europe (OOC: I've decided to base my country in an Earth that I've completely created for myself) are constantly at war. Critics want more participation on the international scene, as they feel the world could learn from Rome's stability

Rodin Hartian
-Is Rome's most successful businessman, with a net worth of 3.46 trillion coins (OOC: $34.6 trillion USD)
-Has been Paul's fiercest critic throughout his reign, calling him on his passiveness and his rather expensive programs
-Ran (and lost) to Paul the last time around in 1998, but this was before Paul instituted extensive social programs that exponentially raised taxes
-Wants Rome to have a greater international prescence and wants to create a Commonwealth-style union of all the former Roman provinces, including those along the Eastern Mediterranean, Germany up to the Elber River, Moldovia, Wallachia and Transylvania (OOC: modern Romania). He also wants Rome to help increase stability in the world as opposed to sitting idly while the world destroys itself
-Promises to cut taxes and "wasteful" services
-Is against more power to the provinces, saying that Rome would be more successful the way it is and that the provinces rely on Rome too much to warrant giving them more power, although he says he won't stand in the way of a province wishing to gain independence
-Wants to formally re-unite Constantinople with Rome

With all that said, let's get to the debate.

(OOC: Both stand "left-of-centre" if anyone is curious)

"Rodin Hartian is my full support for this election!" explaims Imperator Augustin Valtine the I, as he was standing infront of 3 camera's at a press conferance. "RomeW, a new ally through the New Roman Empire has been shy to the international scene for a while now, though Emperor Paul XII has done many great things for the nation, Mr. Hartian will bring the might back to the once mighty Rome. I think with a unified Rome, will become a unified nation for a greater power in the region. As a ally, I would like to push this candidate for a higher defense budget, to strengthen friendships in the battlefield and to flex the military muscle of the true legion again." At that last comment he walked back into the Imperial Senate Forum as Praetorian Guard soldiers crowded the the reporters screaming questions back like a herde, away from the entrance to the building.

OOC: By the way, I encourage all of you to ask questions. I envisioned the debate with all the questions coming from outside nations, so ask away.

Via video phone, the Imperator in the middle of the Senate Forum, with the many Senator's sitting around asked a few questions.

"Mr. Hartiano, do you plan on expanding the RomeW military to support it's massive lands it has promised the Romew people?"

"Emperor Paul XII, do you condemn these expansions a act of Imperialist to gain more power for Mr. Hartiano for himself for whatever his reason, or do you think he wants to expand the Empire for a greater good?"

"Emperor Paul XII, are you willing to change your foreign policies to play more of a major rule in the international community, and the New Roman Republic Region?"

"Mr. Hartiano, what are you plans on taxes, to cut them, keep them the same, or send them to a all time high?"

"Mr. Hartiano, do you plan on expanding the RomeW military to support it's massive lands it has promised the Romew people?"

"I do intend on raising Rome's military force to protect the Roman Empire and to create a "peacekeeping" force. It is Rome's obligation to ensure not just the stability of the Empire but also of the world."

"Emperor Paul XII, do you condemn these expansions a act of Imperialist to gain more power for Mr. Hartiano for himself for whatever his reason, or do you think he wants to expand the Empire for a greater good?"

"I personally detest Mr. Hartian's plans to increase Roman influence. It is my plain belief that if Rome was to extend it's influence we would only create enemies because we would be "butting in" on their business when we don't have to."

"Emperor Paul XII, are you willing to change your foreign policies to play more of a major rule in the international community, and the New Roman Republic Region?"

"I will explore those options. As a member of the New Roman Republic Region it is my duty to fulfill my obligations to the region, but other than that my personal stance is one of maintaining Rome's influence as it is and only to extend it if needed."

(OOC: I threw in a fourth, sorry I edited it real quick, it just popped in my head and didn't want to reply for 1 question :P)

I will respond:

"Mr. Hartiano, what are you plans on taxes, to cut them, keep them the same, or send them to a all time high?"

"I fully intend on cutting taxes. I want to make the Empire more profitable to invest in, which will only help our economy. There is no reason to have a 70% tax rate."

Mr. Hartian, here is a what if situation. What if your country was threatened by another country because the other country was constructing nuclear bombs. That other country has an army of 5000 million, and could easily crush you in one push of a button. You have two options. Surrender, or die. Negotiation is not an option.

"To Emperor Paul XII and Rodin Hartian, what are your ideals of vampire?" said press for NBCWA news.

OOC: I should probably note that I don't deal with nations on a RP level that have nuclear bombs. I believe in fair warfare.

IC:

Both Paul XII and Hartian were intrigued by Wolf America's question. Their replies:

Paul XII- "We in the Roman Empire welcome people of all races and ethnicities, including vampires. While I have not personally met one, the Roman Empire would not be adverse to letting them lead a successful life within Rome. We would, obviously, set some provisions to ensure the public safety but we would not 'hunt them down'."

Hartian- "Vampires...hmmnn, never thought of that before. As my competitor noted we in Rome believe in equality for all races, including vampires. Obviously, there are public safety issues regarding vampires but I believe it is possible to ensure that vampires and humans can co-habitate in society as long as certain provisions are set (e.g., they could be allowed to drink the blood of the deceased, anyone who is willing to become a vampire's meal can do so (OOC: RomeW allows the practice of human sacrifice if a religion calls for such as long as that religion does not force people to sacrifice themselves). This may be an issue we'll have to address when it comes up, as this is not something RomeW (OOC: an Earth-based nation) has ever dealt with. However, I commend you Wolf America on an excellent question."

BUMP. Keep the questions coming. I'll update this tommorow.

IC:

Both Paul XII and Hartian were intrigued by Wolf America's question. Their replies:

Paul XII- "We in the Roman Empire welcome people of all races and ethnicities, including vampires. While I have not personally met one, the Roman Empire would not be adverse to letting them lead a successful life within Rome. We would, obviously, set some provisions to ensure the public safety but we would not 'hunt them down'."

Hartian- "Vampires...hmmnn, never thought of that before. As my competitor noted we in Rome believe in equality for all races, including vampires. Obviously, there are public safety issues regarding vampires but I believe it is possible to ensure that vampires and humans can co-habitate in society as long as certain provisions are set (e.g., they could be allowed to drink the blood of the deceased, anyone who is willing to become a vampire's meal can do so (OOC: RomeW allows the practice of human sacrifice if a religion calls for such as long as that religion does not force people to sacrifice themselves). This may be an issue we'll have to address when it comes up, as this is not something RomeW (OOC: an Earth-based nation) has ever dealt with. However, I commend you Wolf America on an excellent question."

"Good answer but I will vote for Hartian. Because he said that vampires and humans can co-habitate in society. Our vampire and humans co-habitate with each other." said Lord JWolf, Supreme Leader of the United States & a Jedi Knight

OOC: To keep the ball rolling, I will ask some non-international related questions, although please, keep the questions coming.

IC:
"Thank you Wolf America for your comments. Mr. Hartian really appreciates them," said Mentori.

"Okay, well I have a question for the Emperor. What exactly do you mean by 'tax consolidation'?"

Paul replied after a bit of a hesitation:

"Tax consolidation means that I, as Emperor, will look at ways of refinancing the state so as to concentrate whatever taxes are received into the areas of utmost importance. I admit, as Emperor, that we have had some wasteful spending and I believe it is important to look at what the state spends its money on and refocus the taxes to where Romans need them most."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Hartian?"

"You promised in 1998 that you would control spending. Instead, taxes rose by nearly 60%, all to fund some rather meaningless programs. Was there ever a reason for Rome to cover 'ingrown hair removal'? Or suntanning? Did 2.4 million coins have to be spent simply on paperweights? Certainly the Roman Empire does not need that many paperweights. Did 50 million coins need to be spent on the wasteful R1 Project (OOC: an extensive road-building program in 2001 that led to most of the money being spent on the assessment and only 5km of roads actually being installed. Paul, at the time, said that he needed to 'make sure everything was okay')? Oh, and the Space Program: good effort, but I don't see any Romans in space. I think the public deserves an answer as to when we'll actually get there."

"Your Highness?"

"Well, I did not anticipate the environmental assessments going the way that they did. I also thought the price was exorbitant, but to get the necessary work done you have to pay excessive amounts. As for the space program, the Roman Empire did buy a ship and we are currently working on designs for a ship of our own. I just do not have a timeframe of when this will be completed."

Hartian looked at him with a scoff, believing that Paul was lying.