NationStates Jolt Archive


Alcohol Laws Mildly Tipsy [Open]

Farmina
12-03-2005, 02:29
International News Service

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in Farmina’s long and confused struggle with alcohol.

Today Emperor Justinian, was advised by his holiness, Pope Thomas James and Grand Chancellor Peter Vernis that a more indirect approach to substance abuse should be taken. It has been described as “re-un-banning alcohol somewhat.”

As of next week, when the bill is expected to pass through the elected councils, the more fine alcohol products will be allowed, but cruder alcohols, like beer will remain banned. Red wine will still be legal, but it shall feel a large increase in excise tax.

Furthermore, wide and large excise taxes on alcohol products will come into effect in one month. Also an alcohol purchase license will also be required if a person wishes to consume alcohol.

These purchase licenses will automatically be distributed to Farminan government officials who have no history of substance abuse. The Chancellery of Morality will be in charge of disturbing and revoking alcohol permits generally.

To get a permit, a person must be of age, male, with no history of substance abuse and a medium to large, steady income. A permit will be revoked if the person is caught reselling the alcohol, buying a prohibited form of alcohol, begins substance abuse, or takes part in other criminal activity.

The Farminan Socialist Party condemned the move.

“This is a blatant attempt to benefit the upper class. Taxes and the banning of the cheaper alcohols, the automatic permits to the upper class and the need for a medium income to get a permit; these all point to one set of rules for the upper class and another for the lower class. Either ban alcohol or legalize it. This isn’t a where the rich get and the poor don’t under a capitalist system, but worse, where rules specifically punish the poor.”

Liberal parties have supported the Socialist cry.

Ardent anti-socialist John Scott had this to say: “Typical, the socialists are moaning again. Perhaps someone should remind them that they only got one percent of the vote in the last election.

Perhaps the low socialist vote was due to the lack of support for socialism; however it could be because of the Emperor’s continual limitation on the socialist parties.

Chancellor Goth had this to say regarding the new legislation: “I think there is a lot of difference between the elite drinking a fine scotch with foreign diplomats; as compared to the commoner who squanders his few harens at the pub on cheap beer, with little recognition of the waste or his own vulgarity. A controlled calm environment where a fine piece of art in the form of alcohol, is just so very different to consumption of cheap alcohol, leading to intoxication and substance abuse among the poor, who so desperately need the money they would waste on alcohol.”

Emperor Justinian has declined to comment till tomorrow.

OOC: Now its up to you.
Belluelle
12-03-2005, 02:52
The Head of the Farmina Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sat in his overstuffed chair, idly swirling the little cognac left in his crystal cup around. He took a sip, while listening to the INS newsperson talking about some new regulation in Farmina.

He wasn't concerned; the Farminians were constantly enacting new laws. However, when he heard that this new law restricted alcohol, he accidently spit his fine cognac all over his hand-carved mahogany desk. He lunged over to his phone, and immediately dialed his contact in Farmina.

"Please tell me foreign dignitaries are exempt from this new law!"
Farmina
12-03-2005, 03:14
The Head of the Farmina Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sat in his overstuffed chair, idly swirling the little cognac left in his crystal cup around. He took a sip, while listening to the INS newsperson talking about some new regulation in Farmina.

He wasn't concerned; the Farminians were constantly enacting new laws. However, when he heard that this new law restricted alcohol, he accidently spit his fine cognac all over his hand-carved mahogany desk. He lunged over to his phone, and immediately dialed his contact in Farmina.

"Please tell me foreign dignitaries are exempt from this new law!"

OOC: We are not banning alcohol, we are re-legalising 'fine' alcohols.

Foriegn dignitaries will be allowed to consume all non-banned alcohols in moderation. They will not be required to pay excise taxes or hold alcohol purchase permits.

Thomas Goth
Chancellor for Foriegn Affairs
Belluelle
12-03-2005, 03:29
OOC- I did not say "ban", but "restrict"


IC- The Legate leaned back in his chair, clearly relieved that he could go at any time to Farmina and enjoy his one true love: fine liquors. (All in moderation, of course). He then preceded to file the official opinion of the Republic on this new law:

!For Immediate Release!

We believe that the new law proposed by the Emperor is truly beneficial to not only the rich of Farmina, as the common dissidents would have you believe, but the commonfolk as well. Without the corrupting influence of cheap and widely avalible liquor, the people can focus their time and money on their families, rather than in a cheap pub. We applaud the Emperor and his advisors for taking this step to stem the tide of drunkeness in the world!

Tribune Xavier Jurniol,
Presiding Officer in the Senate
On Behalf of Praetor Adrianus I, Lord of Belluelle
Farmina
12-03-2005, 03:36
We are pleased with the kind words of Tribune Xavier Jurniol. They show his intelligence, wit and charm, as well as his understanding of the benefits of Farmina's new alcohol laws.

Such a wise man is always welcome within our borders.

Thomas Goth
Chancellor for Foriegn Affairs
Farmina
12-03-2005, 10:04
OOC: I decide I wanted a thread other than:
1) War between Do and Da
2) Pointless Massacre of Minority Group
3) Govt turns Commie, Nazi, Genocidal, Mad, French...
4) Establish relations/trade/royal marriages/smile and dance in circle of flowers

So we can talk about booze, please post seriously, but you can be creative.

By the way, this just a long BUMP.