NationStates Jolt Archive

My nation is a new one, with a measly population of just 6 million. Our peoples were being oppressed by our former nation, The United Provinces of Styrkia, and two of the five Styrkian provinces seceeded from the union.

Following social disturbances and differences in opinion over key economic principles, The United Provinces of Styrkia sent federal troops into our provinces (Vykeria and Zayland). In an extreme move of discontent, both provinces seceeded from Styrkia and proclaimed themselves a loose rogue nation, "The Confederacy of Mikhazar."

After a bloody war that lasted nearly four years killed roughly 1,320,000 Styrkians and 256,000 Mikhazarians, The Confederacy of Mikhazar could finally proclaim independence.

The government style is that of a democratic republic. Every month, the citizens of Mikhazar get to vote for their favorite candidate (four major political parties exist: the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, the Nationalist Party, and the Unity Party). One-half of the elections come from EoE nations endorsement's, so please endorse your favorite candidate wisely. The other half comes from a sophisticated political simulator that simulates the two Mikhazarian states. As of right now, the results are as follows (the first number is the percentage of support from Mikhazar overall, the second is the state of Vykeria, and the third is the state of Zayland):

Aleksander Holzbach (Conservative): 34.5%, 51.3%, 17.7%
Andrew Longstreet (Liberal): 34.4%, 9.7%, 59.1%
Herbert Johnston (Nationalist): 16.4%, 18.4%, 14.4%
Sarah Harrow (Unity): 14.7%, 20.6%, 8.8%

In order for laws to be passed by the president, the Congress must first agree. Both states are admitted five representatives each, and a majority must rule in passing a law (majority: 6-4 IS, 5-5 IS NOT). In the case of a tie, the president may cast the deciding vote. If the majority rules, the president may veto the bill. If the bill is vetoed, it goes back to Congress in which case a two-thirds majority (i.e. 7 out of 10) must vote to overrule the veto.

Mikhazarian principles mimic those of the ancient Confederate States of America during the long forgotten mid-19th century. Mikhazar has elections (and popular votes to determine state laws) every month. Issues such as black slavery, abortion, capital punishment, taxes, political office, homosexual unions, and environmental standards are different for each Mikhazarian state (of which only three exist) and are subject to popular vote of the peoples of said state.

To make the elections more interactive, I have added a poll to allow your nation to officially endorse one of the Mikhazarian candidates. Their resumes can be seen below:

Aleksander Holzbach, Conservative Party

Abortion: I am against abortion in all cases save for the mother's life. Abortion is murder and should be outlawed in all states. I would thus make abortion illegal on a federal level, not allowing it to go to a state-based vote.

Taxes: I am in support of lower taxes for all income brackets. Under my administration, each income bracket would see a tax decrease of 5%. Letting one income bracket receive a higher percentage of a tax decrease is unfair. To pay for this, I will cut back spending on social projects.

Slavery: I support states' rights in determining whether or not slavery shall stand. Because of past problems concerning this issue (The Mikhazarian/Styrkian Civil War), I don't find it necessary to ban nor allow slavery on a federal level. It will be up to state popular votes to decide the fate of slavery.

Civil Rights: In this election, blacks do not have the right to vote (this is a federal mandate for the first election, not Aleksander's stance). After this election, that may change. I have no problem allowing blacks to vote in states that choose to allow black rights. Black voting rights should come down to state popular votes. However, blacks, slaves or not, should have the right to attend schools. They shall not be beaten physically, nor should they be fully oppressed. Blacks shall be paid for their work, but must stay loyal to their master. Slaves who escape and are captured are to be punished according to their state, and no cruel nor unusual punishment may be issued.

Gay Marriage: I support states' rights in this situation as well. Although I am personally agaisnt homosexual marriage, I find no reason to mandate that as a law on a federal level.

Capital Punishment: I fully support the death penalty. Although I agree that this should be up to the states' to decide individually, I believe in a non-cruel, humane form of the death penalty.

Other: None.

Andrew Longstreet, Liberal Party

Abortion: I support abortion in all cases. It is the right of the woman to do what she wishes with her body, and it should be a federal law to allow abortion in all cases and in all states as well.

Taxes: I support lower taxes for the lower half of the income brackets but much higher taxes for those in the upper half. I will cut back spending on the military and use this money along with the taxes from the rich to pay for many more social programs.

Slavery: I am against slavery. However, it should be up to each individual state to decide the fate of this issue. Hopefully this will eventually collapse and it will no longer be an issue in the elections of Mikhazar.

Civil Rights: I support full black rights. In fact, I would attempt to pass a law forcing businesses, colleges, etc. to accept a certain number of minority workers. They should be allowed to vote, go to school and get jobs. However, I see no need to force the nation or any of the individual states to follow my stance on this. I

Gay Marriage: I fully support gay marriage. It breaks the First Amendment and it needs to be legalized on a federal level.

Capital Punishment: Although I personally support capital punishment, this too should be up to the states to decide.

Other: None.

Herbert Johnston, Nationalist Party

Abortion: I am fully against abortion. It is a disgrace to the Mikhazarian peoples and it will be federally outlawed under my administration.

Taxes: I generally support lower taxes, but my foreign policies might make it necessary to hike taxes in order to pay for military expenditures. I believe the Confederacy of Mikhazar should take back its former lands in Styrkia because they are rightly ours. We shall restart the Civil War and take back our rightful possessions!

Slavery: I believe in military slaves and that only. It has nothing to do with race; men are men and all should have equal rights. However, after taking Styrkia I will enslave some of that rebel populace. It is only fair.

Civil Rights: I have nothing against blacks. They have every right as white men do and shall have no rights held back from them.

Gay Marriage: I would like to let the people of Mikhazar decide this. I do believe in strong federal government, and therefore I will listen to the populace’s decision and make that a federal law under my command.

Capital Punishment: I agree fully with capital punishment. There is no greater crime than murder and treason and crimes such as these should allow for the killing of the criminal.

Other: I would like to attack and invade The United States of Styrkia in order to take back those lands. The USS should be dissipated and those lands given straight to Mikhazar. They are our rightful lands and I will take them back!

Sarah Harrow, Unity Party

Abortion: I fully support abortion. As the only woman running for president – and the first one in Mikhazarian/Styrkian history at that – I know what it is like to want full control over your body. Men have full rights over their body and women should have the same.

Taxes: I won’t lie; I support higher taxes. The government has an obligation to protect and serve its citizens and those citizens need to pay taxes in order to pay for this protection. Without tax money the government won’t be able to support social projects and other helpful programs.

Slavery: I have no opinion on slavery whatsoever. This shall come down to a state vote.

Civil Rights: Again, this shall be state-decided. If slavery is allowed, that state may choose the extent of civil rights. If slavery is outlawed, however, full rights shall be given to those peoples.

Gay Marriage: Marriage is between two people that love each other, period. Whether that is two men, two women or a mix it does not matter. Gay marriage should be allowed on a federal level.

Capital Punishment: I am fully against capital punishment. Life in prison is the farthest that the court system should go as far as punishment is concerned.

Other: I am in favor of country-Unity. Many Mikhazarians still have family in Styrkia. I want to come to a peaceful conclusion and unite these two nations again taking diplomatic steps and by making a compromise.

The Conservative Party of Mikhazar

The Conservative Party of Mikhazar very closely resembles that of the United States’ “Republican Party.” Generally they are AGAISNT higher taxes, AGAINST Gay Marriage, FOR Capital Punishment, AGAINST Slavery, and AGAINST Abortion.

The Liberal Party of Mikhazar

The Liberal Party of Mikhazar very closely resembles that of the United States’ “Democratic Party.” Generally they are FOR higher taxes, FOR Gay Marriage, AGAINST Capital Punishment, FOR Slavery, and FOR Abortion.

The Nationalist Party of Mikhazar

The Nationalist Party of Mikhazar doesn’t necessarily resemble a famous United States political party. Generally they are FOR higher taxes, AGAINST Gay Marriage, FOR Capital Punishment, FOR Slavery, and AGAINST Abortion. The Nationalist Party was formed in order to assemble a group of people whose intentions are solely to take back Styrkian lands which they believe are rightfully Mikhazarian. They are hostile towards Styrkia.

The Unity Party of Mikhazar

The Unity Party of Mikhazar doesn’t necessarily resemble a famous United States political party. Generally they are FOR higher taxes, FOR Gay Marriage, AGAINST Capital Punishment, AGAINST Slavery, and FOR Abortion. The Unity Party was formed in order to assemble a group of people whose intentions are solely to unite the current lands of Styrkia with the current lands of Mikhazar to create a single nation again. They are peaceful towards Styrkia.

Your nation can post or PM questions relating to individual Mikhazarian parties or the Mikhazarian political system and they will be happily answered for you.

OOC: Nation intervention is gladly welcomed.

Official Response of the Fascist Federation of the Grand World Order

We are somewhat dismayed by the absence of a Fascist party. However, we will announce our support of the Nationalist Party.

Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer.

Official Response of the Fascist Federation of the Grand World Order

We are somewhat dismayed by the absence of a Fascist party. However, we will announce our support of the Nationalist Party.

Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer.

"Finally the world will see the oppression held against our peoples," Johnston proclaimed to an aid after receiving the support of the Fascist Federation of the Grand World Order.

"We need to retake Styrkian lands, and I would like to personally thank the FFGWO for it's gracious and kind support of the Nationalist Party and myself as the party's head," Johnston said in a public statement.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/Macabees/magazinebanner.png

The Different Faces of Tyranny

Daví Serjent, PhD

For a recently independent nation, the Confederacy of Mikhazar has shown itself incredibly open to the democratic ideals which guarantee a forward-moving momentum towards individual freedom. Despite this welcomed development of democracy, the existing political parties represent an inevitable transition to tyranny. Even the so-called "Liberal Party" holds tyrannical tenants which will only serve to hamper social and economic progress in Mikhazar. The only difference between these political parties are that they target their tyranny upon different sectors of society; nevertheless, the aggregate repression of individual freedoms is equally as harmful towards nations. In other words, no matter where tyranny is applied, the result is the same in all accounts—the repression of freedom. In all cases, current Mikhazarian politics promise the existence of the ratchet effect. This is simply that the minor encroachment upon liberty will gradually and eventually evolve into a great oppression.

The lack of true political freedoms is underscored by the World Assembly's categorization of the Confederacy. The Confederacy is categorized as a "Capitalist Paradise", largely thanks to the lack of an income tax—this is a freedom which most, if not all, parties are looking to eliminate. In regards to civil rights, the World Assembly has put Mikhazar under the category of "some", while political freedoms totter on the edge of "excellent". One could only question on how a nation could have excellent political freedoms, and yet only "some" civil rights. This only means that there are some sectors of society excluded from the political process, which is contradictory to the rating of "excellent". But, that's World Assembly categorization for you. But, hold on, all is not cloudy. As already mentioned, there's no doubt that Mikhazar started its history of a new, independent nation on the right foot. The secession from Styrkia only mandated almost complete personal freedoms upon the citizenry of the new Confederacy. But, unfortunately, the democracy has only fostered the beginning of a gradual escalation of renewed tyranny—that is, they are undermining their own ambitions.

This is not to suggest that democracy is flawed. The only thing one should assume is that the democratic process in Mikhazar is bound to improve if the country continues on the path of small government and boundless personal freedoms (such as freedom of speech). But, the way things look, these freedoms are being threatened. There needs to be a party which looks to protect liberty, and this should be Mikhazar's libertarian party.

I suggest the following policies for a new libertarian party:

Abortion: The medical field, at all levels, should be privatized. The right to abort should not be decided at the state-level or the federal-level, only at the individual level. Naturally, the question of abortion is tricky, especially when it comes to the freedom to life. It's similar to the question of slavery, where it's undeniable that a human person has rights to his or her own body unless these rights are signed over in a contract (for example, a person accepting a loan may sign a contract which forces that person to become a servant should he or she fall into debt with the creditor). In this case, what rights does the fetus hold? Obviously, the fetus cannot voice an opinion. But, neither can the fetus sustain life on its own, and so it may be considered that the fetus is "owned" by the mother (although a contract was never signed; it seems to be a biological contract attached to natural fact).

I admit the difficulty posed on the issue, but I stand on the opinion that the freedom to abort should be devolved to the individual and the availability of a doctor willing to preform the abortion.

Anti-abortion legislation can also lead to other issues, including taxation to pay for these laws to come into being and to pay for the enforcement of said laws. These represent other infringements on personal liberties and represent wealth-destruction in the form of government spending.

Taxes: In order to function a government must tax. This is inherent in a system which cannot create wealth, and so must make revenue from someplace—this place is taxes. In the end, all taxes stifle entrepreneurship and economic and social progress. And so, the ideal level of taxation is one at which the government can support a minimum of "essential" services, including national security and law enforcement (protection of private property especially). Income taxes should remain non-existent (the World Assembly claims that taxes in Mikhazar are "unheard of"). Enough revenue can be collected through taxes on some consumer goods. All forms of corporate taxes should also be repealed, since these stifle investment and production.

Slavery: All forms of arbitrary slavery should be repealed. Servitude should only come into existence through a contract. Take, for example, a man (Man A) who demands a loan to invest in a capital good. There is another man (Man B) who is willing and able to give Man A the loan. Of course, there is the obvious interest rate (the worth of the present good in terms of the future good). But, more importantly Man B expects collateral should Man A be unwilling or unable to repay the loan. This collateral comes through the form of the voluntary surrender of Man A's property (which holds equal value to the value of the loan) or Man A's freedom to choice in labor. This latter part of the sentence means that Man A agrees to become a servant. Man A will serve Man B until the loan is paid off, or as dictated by the contract. The important part is that both parties signed the contract voluntarily. Man A saw benefit in the contract in order to acquire present savings in order to fund a capital good, and so he signed a contract which clearly described the collateral. This is the nature of the all-important social contract.

Now, let's exemplify slavery. Man A is a farmer who needs labor. Man A decides to infringe on the liberty of Man B, and Man B's personal property (himself). Man B is forced into slavery. Man B cannot protect himself or his personal property due to government laws which prohibit self-defense and legalize Man A's infringement on property rights. Man B never signed a social contract. He was forced into slavery. These types of clear infringements on property rights should be made illegal by the government, at the very least.

Gay Marriage: The argument against gay marriage is largely religious in nature, and also encompasses the argument on the definition of marriage. Marriage never belonged to any one religion, although its origins may very well be religious in the sense that it was always a religious service. But, the origins were not religious when it came to the true purpose of marriage—an economic mutual contract. There's no reason why two entities, regardless of sex, could not mutually agree on this sort of contract. The religious argument is simply the enforcement of one's view and the repression of liberty throughout a society by the will of a government.

Capital Punishment: This is another difficult topic to cover. Basically, the libertarian view should be that the punishment should be left to the private sector. Private companies will have private security to enforce regulation on their private property. Take, for example, a private highway. The owner will have security to guarantee the protection of the consumer on the highway, in order to stimulate demand (the selling point, for the sake of argument, would be the highway's safety). Driver A is driving recklessly and the private security of Businessman A (the owner of the highway) pulls Driver A over and takes him into custody. By driving on Businessman A's highway Driver A has signed a contract through action—he has agreed to the terms of Businessman A, which the latter can dictate since it's his private property—and now faces the consequences (or collateral) of the contract.

Now, the question is can he be executed? We should ask on the purpose of executing him. It's not rational to believe that a private security company will execute any and all prisoners, even if they were murderers, et cetera. It's simply not economically realistic. What's more probable is that Driver A becomes a servant of Businessman B, and now must work (or pay) his way out of "debt" (the debt being the cost of his infraction).

And so the argument against capital punishment simply turns into the greater, and more important argument against public security.

And these central tenants should be the position of a libertarian party in Mikhazar. This party should exist to uphold the liberties and freedoms of the citizens of the Confederacy of Mikhazar. Only through this type of political action can a society hope to progress without bounds, especially economically and socially. Otherwise, regulation will only lead to a slippery slope towards eventual tyranny—it's the historic process of the ratchet effect aforementioned above.

Hopefully, one day this will become reality in Mikhazar and we will see the development a true capitalist and free nation in the world.

From: Lord Cody Wayne Lowery, grand ruler of Ameriganastan

"I give my full supports to Mr. Herbert Johnston. Capital punishment, slaves, no gays tarnishing the institution of marriage, he's a model candidate in my eyes. Best wishes"

To The Macabees:

Many other political parties have nominated candidates for president, but the fact that these parties received under 5% of the popular vote has excluded them from the general election. In times to come, parties such as

-Libertarian Party
-Communist Party
-Socialist Party
-Fascist Party
-Environment Party
-Independent Party
-Monarchial Party
-Anarcho-Commune Party

may rise to power. However, such a small amount of the current populace is focused on much else than those main few policies and the current four parties have adequately satisfied our populace for now. Thank you for your concerns.

Support or disapproval is gratefully accepted. Money transactions, bribes, news stories, etc. all greatly accepted.

The Mikhazarian form of currency is the Mikh (Җ), which is approximately worth two (2) U.S. Dollars ($).

The North German State hereby endorses the Unity Party.

The North German State hereby endorses the Unity Party.

A screen flickers and the nightly announcer for MNT - Mikhazar News Tonight is shown on the screen.

"Hello, I'm Kelby Williamson with Mikhazar News Tonight. Thanks for tuning in. As Mikhazar's most popular news station, we have no bias and are happy to bring you the real, plain truth during election-time.

Sarah Harrow, running for president as a Unity Party candidate, recently received an endorsement from The North German State. Upon reading the endorsement, Sarah Harrow made this official statement through a spokesman:

'Sarah is very pleased to hear of the official endorsement from the government of The North German State. This great nation obviously sees the need for Mikhazar to once again unite with Styrkia in order to form a more perfect nation.'

This comes only as a reminder of the support from The Grand World Order of Nationalist Party candidate Herbert Johnston. Neither Sarah nor Herbert are running in the more popular parties, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party, and it will be very interesting to see if these endorsements of smaller-name candidates will let them actually have a realistic run at the presidency..."

When one candidate receives a 50% lead, or until tomorrow, Friday May 1 comes to an end, the election will be over. Let your political voice be heard in Mikhazar!

Money transactions, bribes, news stories, etc. all greatly accepted.

<<OOC: Does that include Assassinations?>>

The Kingdom of Bardar hereby endorse the Nationak Party, since they seems to have wise policies that could only strengthen your nation.

Asmolach II, Prime Minister of Bardar, Patriarch of the Church of Bardar.