NationStates Jolt Archive

Geisenfried News Network

Hello, we bring you breaking news.

In an event that cannot be described with any word less than stunning, King Alexander I dissolved Parliament, and declared that the former Constitutional Monarchy of Geisenfried is now the Kingdom of Geisenfried. After the decision, the Royal Residence patched this message out to the media, from the king himself.

While this may strike many of you to be odd, I deemed this change necessary. While Parliament has made major decisions in the past, as of recently, it has been choked up like a bureaucracy... the Geisenfried government has come to a halt. To guarantee that we would politically progress, I had no other choice than to abolish Parliament. Do not worry, I do not plan to eliminate democracy completely from Geisenfried... there will be openly available places in which Geisenfried citizens can contact us, so that we can get general opinions from the people, and I can make laws accordingly. I simply have eliminated the party competition and bureaucracy. I think we will be much better off without it. Citizens, I ask you to try it out before you condemn it, I think you will come to agree with me, and we can be proud of the Kingdom of Geisenfried.

While many former Parliament representatives were outraged, none publically commented. There was an earlier development involving Supreme Court ruling this unconstitutional, but was dismissed, as the Kingdom had repealed the constitution before they could deem it unconstitutional. Sources close to the government state that the new government is currently working on a new constitution.

Surprisingly, a recent public opinion poll stated that a majority agreed with the kings decision, with multiple comments stating that partisan politics often created rifts between people. With the king's guarantee that democracy would not be eliminated, and that comments would be taken from the people to make decisions on new laws, most people in Geisenfried have taken the change with indifference or acceptance.

More information will come when it becomes available. Stay tuned.

The Socialist Republic of Buechoria wishes the Kingdom of Geisenfried the best of luck with their new form of government. Buechoria has also recently transitioned from a parliament to a congress, better representing the people.

However, we warn you that if your monarchy evolves into totalitarian rule, we will have no choice but to assist the people of your country in reinstating a free government.

We send our most sincere wishes of luck, and hope that this will not become the case.

Signed,

Eric Rechnitz
Bundespräsident
Die Sozialistische Republik von Buechoria

From the desk of the King

I would like to assure Buechoria, and any other nation that worries about it, that I will not dissolve this into an absolute monarchy. I only eliminated Parliament for making political rifts among the people, and becoming so bueracratic that the government couldn't get anything done.

We are currently setting up a system in which people can propose items and with enough concern, they can vote on it before the deadline, at which point, it will either be reviewed and put into effect, or thrown into the scratch pile. I'm simply going to be the one that enforces whatever laws that the Geisenfried people come up with. While I am sure that this won't totally clear up the government, but it will make it much easier, now that we don't have lying politicians with false promises.

We'd also like to assure any allies that they are still allies, the change in government will not mean a change in foreign policies, for the most part.

We thank you for your good wishes, and wish you good day.

His Royal Majesty, King Alexander I

Constitutionals wishes you good luck, and we hope that this will bring more political freedoms into your country.

Bump for further comments.

C'mon... someone else has to have an opinion on this!

I staunchly approve of this transition.

-Generalissimo J.L.

From the desk of the King

We thank the Generalissimo's opinion of the new Kingdom.

HRM King Alexander I

((OOC: Should have the constitution up soon...))

While the USSK is opposed to any monarchy, we do appreciate your fight against beurocracy. We, too, wish to both congragtulate you AND warn you. If you slip into an absolute monarchy, the KLA (Krendakov Liberation Army) will join any other forces to oust you.

Best of Wishes,
Aleksei (President of the USSK)

The Most Serene Republic wishes luck to the people of Geisenfried in their struggle for a government that better represents them. As long as the people agree with the new constitution, Deleuze supports the new government.

Any attempt to circumvent the will of the people will result in economic sanctions.

We fully support this action by King Alexander I, we also would express hope for possible trade between the Imperial Guilder Empire and the newly founded Kingdom of Geisenfried.

The Emperor Cutter sends his personal congratulations on your ascension to power.

For God and Saint Peter,

-Random Imperial Guilder Bureaucrat

The New Constitution of the Kingdom of Geisenfried

Article I
The government of the kingdom will consist of the Royal Government and the Supreme Court. The former shall undertake the legislative and executive responsibilities in ruling our nation, and the latter shall check so that the citizens' of Geisenfried's rights are not hindered in this process.
Article II
The Royal Government shall consist of His Royal Majesty the King and his advisors. The advisors shall be appointed by His Royal Majesty, and will be approved by the Supreme Court and the people. The people will have a number of days, decided by the King, to vote on whether they approve or disapprove of the new advisor. The aformentioned days shall not be shorter than a week, or be longer than a month.
Article III
Their shall be twelve advisor positions, consisting of the Secretary of State, who shall advise on Administration of the Geisenfried; the Secretary of Social Welfare, who shall advise on the social welfare of Geisenfried; the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who shall advise on maintaining healthcare throughout Geisenfried; the Secretary of Education, who shall advise on ensuring the proper education of Geisenfried's population; the Attorney General, who shall advise on law and order within Geisenfried; the Secretary of Commerce, who shall advise on the economy, buisnesses and corporations of Geisenfried; the Secretary of Transportation, who shall advise on the maintaining of public transportation throughout Geisenfried; the Secretary of the Interior, who shall advise on the enviromental status of Geisenfried; the Secretary of Social Equality, who shall advise on the maintaining of social equality within Geisenfried; and the Grand Marshals of the Air Force, Army and Navy, who shall advise on the maintaining of their respective branches from the military. With the exception of the three Grand Marshals, any citizen of Geisenfried can become an advisor. The three Grand Marshals must come from their respective branches of the military.
Article IV
The Royal Government shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of Geisenfried; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout Geisenfried; to borrow money on the credit of Geisenfried; to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations; to coin Money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures; to establish post offices and roads; to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries; to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water; to raise and support Armies, to provide and maintain a Navy; to build and maintain an Air Force; to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land, aerial and naval Forces; to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the laws of the Kingdom, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of Geisenfried, reserving to the States respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by the Royal Government; to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the government of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings; to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of Geisenfried, or in any department or officer thereof.
Article V
All laws must be approved by the people via an opinion poll. If a majority is reached, the law shall be reviewed by the Supreme Court, who shall deem it either constitutional or unconstitutional. If it is deemed constitutional, it shall be enacted and enforced by the Royal Government, if it is deemed unconstitutional, it shall be rewritten as to fit within constitutional boundaries, and resubmitted to the public.
Article VI
A law may be introduced by any citizen of Geisenfried. If enough concern is shown by opinion, it shall be taken up by the Royal Government and placed into legal form, and submitted to the public.
Article VII
His Royal Majesty shall be Commander in Chief of the Army, Air Force and Navy of Geisenfried; he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against Geisenfried; he shall have power to make treaties, provided the Supreme Court and the majority of people concur; he shall appoint ambassadors; and he will appoint Justices of the supreme Court, who must be approved by the people.
Article VIII
The judicial power of Geisenfried, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Royal Government may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of Geisenfried, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which Geisenfried shall be a Party; abd between citizens and foreign states, citizens or subjects.
Article IX
There shall be no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances; a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed; no soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law; the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized; no person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation; in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence; in suits at common law, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of Geisenfried, than according to the rules of the common law; excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted; the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people; the powers not delegated to Geisenfried by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it, are reserved to the people; The judicial power of Geisenfried shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of Geisenfried by citizens or subjects of any foreign state; Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within Geisenfried, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. All persons born or naturalized in Geisenfried, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of Geisenfried; the right of citizens of the United States to vote on polls concerning the legislature of Geisenfried shall be extended to all citizens above the age of eighteen; the Royal Government shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without regard to any census or enumeration.
Article X
The Royal Government, whenever two thirds of the people deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution. The proposal shall be written in legal form and proposed and subjected to public opinion for a duration from anywhere between one and six months. If the two thirds majority acheieves it, the amendment shall be reviewed by the Supreme Court, and with approval, shall add it upon this Constitution.
Article XI
Upon ratification, this Constitution may not be repealed without the consent of more than three-fourths of the people.

Ratified by the King
Approved by the Supreme Court
Thusly, this constitution shall hereby become the federal law of the Kingdom of Geisenfried.

From the Desk of the King

I believe the above Constitution shall ease anyone's fears that I will circumvent the will of the people. Read for yourself, I will not abridge the people's will or rights.

As for the Merchant Guilds, we will happily accept trade between the Guilder Empire and the Kingdom of Geisenfried.

HRM, King Alexander I

Deleuze approves of the new constitution. We have keen interest in ascertaining the success of an absolute democracy as an efficient form of government. Some of our citizens also find some of the provisions very similar to a document held very close to our hearts.

We wish luck and hope for the best.

The USSK would like to alert Geisenfried that such a policy on lawmaking would not be economically viable. The method stated would cost many millions of geisens per law, especially if it were deemed "unconstitutional" by the court. I would recommend that the public should vote on judges in the court every 5 years and cut out the public vote on laws. The number of judges should be a small numer such as 15 in order to keep the beurocracy from returning.

Best regards,
Aleksei (President of the USSK)

From the desk of the King

Krendakov needs not worry about our legislative process. Through the wonders of the internet, the government is setting up an official site to vote on... no need to set up buildings or polling places, just a web site. We then causually remind the people to check the site and vote every so often via TV commercials and other advertising. It shouldn't cost us huge amounts of money if we do the process correctly.

Besides... the Constitution has already been ratified. If I wanted to go through with your suggestions, I'd have to follow procedures.

HRM, King Alexander I

The internet has it's problems. First of all, what if some of your citizens do not have access to a computer. Secondly, hackers will be able to access the site and change the votes to suit their own needs. There are other reasons, but these are the most important
yours sincearly,
Aleksei (President of the USSK)

From the desk of the King

I'm sure that citizens have someplace where they can access the computer. Libraries, internet cafes, you know. Their is always a place to go, though it may be out of the way. But polling places are likely to be just as far out of the way, so in the long run, it works.

As for hackers, do realize that we have our best workers making sure that polls are extremely protected from such things.

HRM, King Alexander I