NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Hey all, lookie who's back! Well, this is open to all modern tech nations (near future tech and future tech, telegram me), so come on in and join the fun.

It had been a while since the chambers of the Anahuacatlatoque, known to outsiders as the High Soviet Congress had any sort of activity. The large enclave of 385 representatives looked quietly as the presiding executive, Vice Premier Coyotepec Xoxoctic called the legislative body to order for the last time this year. There was only one item of business to take care off, an item that was largely expected to fail. Despite this, every person in the Republic knew that the Anahuacatlatoque’s rejection of a proposed national referendum would change the political system of the Aztec National League.

The Vice Premier moved to sit down, putting all of his weight on his wooden cane. After the quorum had been called and all the initial parliamentary procedures had been taken care of, the Vice President looked on the agenda and the piece of legislation in front of him. He started by saying, “Is there any debate regarding the motion to force a referendum on Premier Quetzalcoatl Nochtli?”

A stern voice shouted out, “TAKE DOWN THE BASTARD!”

Vice Premier Xoxoctic leaned back in his chair and thought ‘Here we go.’ A fierce debate ensued. The Libertarians and many of the moderate Federalists accused the Socialist Labor/Soviet Republican coalition of strong arm politics, unconstitutional behavior, and fraud. There were indeed some cases that were suspicious. However, out of the thousands and thousands of grievances, only a few actually were suspicious enough to be investigated. The Socialists rebutted with electoral fraud accusations against the ultra-conservative Libertarian leader Sergio Garcia and his political action groups in Panama. Quickly, the debate degenerated into usual political name calling and threats. Angry and ready to get the charade over with, Majority leader Christopher Chavez called the question was and the motion to accept the referendum was voted on. A few minutes after the vote tallying took place the Vice Premier called out the vote,

“There were 79 ayes, 304 nays and 2 abstentions. Is there anyone who wishes to change their vote?”

A tense silence ensued…

The Vice Premier said “Then, on this vote, the motion has not attained more than 2/3 majority to pass, and thus fails. The proposed referendum on Premier Quetzalcoatl Nochtli fails…”

Quetzalcoatl Nochtli, stood in front of the television, his shirt unbuttoned, watching the report regarding the referendum. Even though he knew it wouldn’t pass, he was nervous about the whole ordeal. A few months ago, it appeared that the moderate Federalist Union Party and the conservative Libertarian Confederate Party would be able to push the referendum. However, scandal erupted when a couple of high ranking Libertarian party bosses were caught financing the separatist movement in Panama. More problems arose when many private firms went bankrupted due to their own corruption. Many of these firms had close ties with both Federalists and Libertarians, harming them more. But ultimately, it was the personality of the Premier that saved him. The largely indigenous population of the Aztec National League identified with the 27-year old socialist. Unlike the few indigenous leaders of the past, he didn’t hide his native heritage. However, his appeal was strong across the nation…under his three years of leadership a fourth-rate impoverished fiasco of a nation was whipped into shape as a contender in the world.

But this was only the latest bullet for the Premier to dodge – although the scars of the revolution had almost faded on his body, there were other scars – assassination attempts that Quetzalcoatl had lucked out on. This defeat of the referendum didn’t mean the Premier was safe – it was only the beginning. But now, with large popular support and a mandate in the legislature, it was time to create a new initiative…

SEVERAL HOURS LATER…

Drinks flowed and discourse ensued loudly as the Socialist Labor/Soviet Republican Collation caucus meet informally to celebrate. Although it was December, the geographic location of Tenochitilán made the air somewhat warmer than the northern territories. There were still people outside talking, drinking and smoking, albeit only a few. Quetzalcoatl looked out from the balcony over the large metropolis. An aide came up behind him and said, “Sir, it’s your time to speak.”

Surprised by this interruption of his deep thought, the Premier turned around, thanked his aide and walked back inside the main ball room. His wife Angelica followed him and stood by his side. On the main stage, a slightly buzzed Senate Majority Leader Jorge Arroyo jovial spoke about the party and the nation. However, realizing he was a few minutes over his allotted time, Senator Arroyo recomposed himself, only to loose his composition and jovially say, “Well, it’s my honor to introduce the best damn Premier I’ve had the honor of serving with…granted that he’s the only one that any of us has served with. Premier Nochtli, come up here!”

Quetzalcoatl blushed a little as he wasn’t expecting his colleague’s warm regards. As he stepped up to the podium, happy applause surrounded him, making the Premier feel a little safer. Mustering up the confidence that carried him through these past three years, Quetzalcoatl started,

“This collation has survived many challenges and battles over the past several years. This most recent battle probably was the least of our worries. However, now that we can move on and actually take care of business, there is a new agenda I want to see set for this upcoming year.”

The Premier looked over the crowd – it was a sharp contrast to the generally jovial tone of the party…He continued, “Now that we have this referendum has been dealt with, we can continue on with advancing the socialist cause. We have done well and have come far with the social and economic liberation of the people, but now we must look at the world surrounding us. We have seen many of our allies disappear into obscurity; we have seen much of our private sector collapse due to its rotted frame; we still have terrorists and separatists trying to break apart this republic. These are the weaknesses of our union, and it is here our coalition’s duty now lies.”

A bit of applause broke out, although it seemed a bit subdued. The Premier continued, “that is why, my friends, when you reconvene soon, you will have a new task before you. We have built up the military, now we need to redesign our policy. We have got rid of the rot in the private sector; now we must make sure that rot never comes back...we have the intelligence, now we must act to ensure the security of our nation. We must usher a new era of socialism. The moderate system we used was good to establish our nation, now we must carry it out further to ensure that the people’s system won’t fail them…”

Cameras and journalists lined up across the large yard in the Premier’s residence. Quetzalcoatl Nochtli looked out from the second floor lounge of the security troop barracks several hundred feet from his home. It was still amazing in his mind that the Premier’s residence was formerly the home of the revolution – it was here where everything, for better or for worse, happened. Although the environment lacked the beauty of the coastal and tropical regions, this area over 2000 feet up was the only place he could ever truly call home in his life…it would be today, though, that he would need that comfort most.

A veteran journalist of La Compañía Media Azteca (LCMA), one of the few privatized media companies in the ANL, stood in front of a camera, speaking into a black microphone about this announcement from the Premier. La Compañía, as the LCMA had become known as, was largely respected by the populace, if not more respected than the other news agencies. Whereas this news agency was fairly objective (as objective a private media company can get, that is), the government owned news agencies were largely intellectually and economically focused while most other private news networks were either unreasonably nationalistic and pro-socialism or insanely anti-socialism and “un-ethnic” in its content. Due to this somewhat more moderate stance, La Compañía was one of the few Aztec media companies to be known largely in the outside world.

The journalist turned around as silence ensued, saying “…I believe the Premier is now coming out to address the nation regarding international policy…yes...he’s going to speak now.”

Quetzalcoatl Nochtli stood in front of a podium adorned with the national seal – the golden outline of a star and hammer and sickle on the inset. As in the case of the ANL’s flag, ardent anti-socialists of Aztlán cringed as they saw their national symbol.

“Yocoxcayotl amotech,” Quetzalcoatl Nochtli said in a common greeting among the natives of the Republic. “The world has changed much since the founding of our Republic, both within our own nation and abroad. We have seen nations rise and nations fall; our nation itself was almost a victim to bourgeois greed imperialism, both on the inside and outside. And yet, our nation has remained strong. However, the region we live in is not strong. While the hands of bourgeoisie have not molested the people of Aztlán, its hand has attacked much of the people around us. These people are our blood brothers and sisters, and we can no longer allow them to be molested and taken advantage of. For far to long, the Republic has not been able to come to the defense of these people, for far too long, the Republic has stood by as the masses below us, so close to the blessings of education, social freedom and economic safety, can not reap the rewards. Today, with the reconvening of our legislative bodies tomorrow and the new year, I ask that from here on out, we no longer stand by.

I do not wish to get involved in a war of conquest and consolidation, as that would ultimately be imperialism under the guise of egalitarianism. Rather, I prefer to work with the existing nations around us. I hereby set forth a new goal, and with the support of the legislature, the courts and the honorable people of Aztlán, to protect this region from any unwanted outside interference. The people of these lands will not be exploited by other powers – if you want resources we have, then deal with us with diplomacy, peace and trade. Acts of imperialism – establishing colonies and puppet governments within Latin America will not be tolerated. This will be even more so when a nation with a system similar to ours – one that demands both economic socialism and social and political freedom is threatened.”

This press conference had gotten more attention in the nation than expected. This doctrine had been popular in Aztec politics for a very long time, since before the founding of the Socialist Republic or even its predecessor, the Confederacy. While the end goal had changed, the means always seemed to be the same. However, this time, it was no longer a conspiracy theory and unofficial government desires. Now that the Premier had spoke of it, true action was likely to be taken.

Premier Nochtli continued on, “Similarly, we will no longer let the disorganized lands around us languish, ripe for the picking of exploitative capitalists or other autocratic systems. Rather, these lands will be allowed one of three options – join the Socialist Republic, join one of our neighboring states, or form their own nation. Regardless of what these people choose, the ANL will support it. However, these people must be given the right to form a state and the right to prosper.”

Already, the pundits were buzzing over this new “doctrine”. This was the biggest news story to hit for a while. However, the buzzing stopped as the Premier finished up his speech…

“Blood is not what we seek, this nation will not start any war and will by all means, try to avoid it. However, should hostile forces instigate war, the ANL and our allies will be more than happy and able to finish it.”

B R E A K I N G ~ N E W S
La Compañía Media Azteca

The Tlatocayotl Tlactli, commonly known as the High Soviet Senate in foreign nations has approved of the doctrine set forth by Premier Quetzalcoatl Nochtli. The legislation that formalized this protectionist policy, the “Continental Defense Act of 2007”, the most aggressive policy ever undertaken by the ANL, commands the Aztec military to conduct many patrols in the Latin American region. Most notable is the expected build-ups in the hurricane prone Gulf of Mexico and the even larger build-up in the Pacific coast region of the nation. There has been critisim issued by both the conservative and extreme left of the political spectrum. The Libertarian Minority leader in the Anahuacatlatoque, Sergio Garcia of Panama issued a statement denouncing this build-up:

“While I can not oppose defending our territory, this policy is a well disguised wolf in sheep’s clothing. This is nothing more but furthering the socialist agenda throughout the region. If the Premier and the Socialist/Soviet coalition was interested in protecting our land, the redeployment of these ships would only focus around our territory. Instead, the ANL will now be encroaching on the sovereignty and free markets of other nations.”

Miguel Herrera, the last leader of the Leftist Labor Party which formally disbanded and merged with the Socialist Labor Party in 2004, also had sharp criticism for the Premier which he helped put in power in 2003:

“Premier Nochtli, the so called revolutionary-turned-pacifict-turned-warrior-once-again appears to join the ranks of his predecessors he helped over throw. Now he wants an empire! I swear, power corrupts even the most seemingly benevolent people…”

The legislation, although controversial, passed without opposition, since the Socialist/Soviet collation controls every seat in the Senate. Socialist Labor Party Majority Leader Jorge Arroyo representing México said,

“This isn’t a call for war and unwarranted militarism…This is self defense. We must protect our land and mostly our people. While we’re at it, we may as well protect our neighbors. The fall of any of our neighboring nations may indicate that this region is ripe for the picking – something we can’t allow.”

During the adjourning comments portion of the meeting of the High Soviet Congress, the Oppositional Caucus, a largely conservative caucus demanded the know if the Aztec military could take on such an endeavor. Federalist Minority Party Leader and the former Minister of Commercial, Industrial and Residential Development from 2001-2005 Tamuzin Yollotl of Belize held the podium for an unprecedented three hours of berating the betrayal of the Socialismo Moderno plan set out in 2003. Socialist Labor Party Majority Leader in the Anahuacatlatoque, Christopher Chavez de Encarnación said,

“Many of the original tenants of moderate socialism were outgrown and became obsolete. We must make our presence known to the world so that we may not be trounced on. We have the military to easily protect this entire hemisphere of the world – we must make sure that it will be the first line of defense for this hemisphere.”

Of course, if anyone had been paying attention to military movements, it was obvious that the government didn’t wait for the authorization of the Senate or Congress. Already, thousands of ships had been deployed. Although the majority had been placed in formation around the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Aztlán, a great number of ships were positioning themselves to head down south to the seas off the coasts of South America. Now only one thing would be needed – international cooperation.