NationStates Jolt Archive

The Granton Times

by Troy Atkins, Imperial Press Parliamentary Correspondent
Granton, August 21, 2010

With the signatures of both His Imperial Majesty Samuel II, and the Honorable Lord Prime Minister Sir David Thaxton, the National Service Act of 2010 officially becomes law throughout the Empire and the Overseas Colonies.

Debated in both the House of Commons and the Imperial Senate since May of this year this law requires that all citizens and resident aliens serve at term of at least two years in either the military or in some sort of national service.


For college students their national service can be related to their major. For non college students, persons who have obtained either their high school diploma or GED have a choice of options for their national service. From build roadways and bridges to tutoring young children in poverty stricken or heavy immigrant areas.

Education Minister Jason Crowe, whose Ministry is in charge of this new law along with the Ministry of Defense said, "That we want to give the youth of our Empire as many choices as humanly possible. I believe this will be extremely helpful to those who are trying to figure out the difficult choice of a career."

High school dropouts though will assigned to a national service sector. This amendment proposed by Alexander Cunningham (Conservative-Crossin), is hoped to help reduce the number of high school dropouts nationwide.

Furthermore, all men are required to serve two years in the military either before or after college. College graduates will be commissioned.

Passed along with the National Service Act, was the Armed Services Reform Act of 2010. This law removes all restrictions on the service of females in combat units and roles. Furthermore the last restrictions on transgender and and gays within the armed services. Marshal Sir Ludwick van Kleiveburg said, 'That now is not the time for splitting hairs over such details not with the threats we face in nations like The Kraven Corporation"


These two laws take effect as of January 1, 2011.

Bumpty bump

To bumpeth is too.. oh never mind

National service - a step too far in the state's interest

Let me begin with a core belief of mine, which I believe is echoed by the majority of citizens under any government:

Government, or 'the state', exists to represent and protect the rights and freedoms of the individual. That is to say, I expect my government to enforce the law so that I am not likely to be robbed in the street. I expect my government to provide services, which I pay a percentage of my income for, and to regulate services offered by the private sector so I am less likely to be endangered by poor practices.

Finally, if I wish to join the military, I expect to be paid a fair wage and given a choice as to what I do. It is for this reason that I believe the government of Findan, and others employing national service, has overstepped the mark of doing what is good for the citizens, rather than the state. In any free country, without having committed any crime, I would not expect to be forced to take any job without my full consent. That the job Findan citizens now have to take on is also fraught with danger is surely a sign that the government has gone too far in promoting the good of society over the welfare of the individual.

An opinion piece by Darren Thompson, a private Naashan citizen.

Official Reply

We are glad to hear of your new law on military service. We find that military service does a young person well. While your laws are not, as strict as ours, which require each and every 15 year old, to serve a minimum of 4 years military service. We also agree greatly with the Armed Services Reform Act of 2010. Your new police sounds similar to ours, which is based on a statement, by a great man. Mr. Barry Goldwater, who once said, "You don't have to be straight, to shoot straight." We also, make no exceptions for military service, and those caught attempting to dodge their rightful duty are shot on sight, which goes a long way to discouraging such behavior. So, in closing, congratulations on your new laws, and may your nation be safer, and stronger than before.

Signed,
Jonas Listless
The Holy Empire of the Beatus