NationStates Jolt Archive

Yesterday my political freedoms dropped from good to some and my economy went from strong to very strong, which is ok because I wanted a higher gdp, now they've both gone down a step. My economy is only strong now and my political freedoms are few. I have become a father knows best state. At this rate it's only a matter of time before I become a fuhrer knows best state...

8(

I remember removing cyclists who were protesting on main roads and disrupting traffic causing my government to ban cyclists on main roads completely, im not against protesting, just against harrassment. I also prevented coorporations from donating to political parties, Adam Smith believed that capitalism should be regulated only to preserve justice as capitalism is essentially despotism if you cannot preserve justice. People should only gain political power through the strength of their arguments.

I have 2 issues. I voted for argument 2 and 2 because they are the most logical.
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The recent popularity of a science-fiction TV show has prompted calls for Phriykui Linoy Li Esis to develop its own space program.

"Don't tell me space colonies wouldn't be cool," says excited fifth-grade teacher Billy-Bob Falopian, still wearing big Spock ears from his last convention. "Think of how they would galvanize the national population! And there would also be some kind of scientific benefit, probably."

"The project certainly is feasible, but very expensive," says Phriykui Linoy Li Esis Space Agency Head Violet Bush. "We could make it less of a burden on the taxpayers if we sought funding from private industry -- advertisements on the side of our rockets, selling contracts to the Arms Manufacturing industry, that kind of thing."
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Not allowing this would be akin to banning advertising, which is pointless. Advertising is pointless as the cost and quality of products should be determinned through rational debate and consumers should calculate the best way of getting the goods they want and can afford, but businesses should be able to advertise if they want.

"If God had meant Man to fly, he would have given us solid rocket boosters instead of legs," says religious type Hack Longfellow. "We should not be looking to the stars, but rather inside our own hearts. That's why we should abandon this so-called space program, and instead make the teaching of religion mandatory in all schools."
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Thousands of business men and women have taken to the streets in protest of their working conditions and pay. "It's not fair that we can't have a union," says Larry Longfellow, VP of Sales at SlothCorp. "Just because we make six figures doesn't mean we don't deserve overtime too! It's high time that the lower classes come to appreciate our hard efforts."

Naki Johnson, secretary of commerce, recommends you ignore these commies. "Free enterprise means not having to succumb to unions, and the world has enough unions already."

Dave Jong-Il, secretary of labor, advises you to adjust laws to allow white-collar unions. "It only makes sense that all of the workers in our nation have equal opportunity to benefit from the advantages of collective bargaining."
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I voted for this as people should be able to form unions if they want, regulating problems rather than stifling abstract concepts which do a lot of good is the most logical way to form a nation's laws. The abstract concept being freedom of speech in this case, unless it conflicts with justice as with the bicycles. People should be free, but not so free that they can commit crime and stamp on other people's rights.. Liberty is high up on my list of priorities, but below justice.

"Get these people out of the street!" advises Al Fellow, local police chief. "They're blocking traffic, and making it impossible for the common man to drive to the megamall!"

Finally, Right Reverend Freddy Summers proclaims, "The downtrodden are suffering at the hands of the MAN, and these wealthy upper shelf vice presidents are asking to make the rich richer and the poor poorer! The only reason the common worker needs a union is to be able to fight against the oppression of these slave drivers! It's ludicrous that these greedy scrooges are asking for even MORE money! Send them packing and raise taxes on the wealthy to bring more equality to our nation!"
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Did I do right? Or should I implement a little social engineering?

You want the "Gameplay" forum, I think. Sorry I couldn't be of more use. But take heart, if you're pop. is small, it should be easy to change things. Heck, I was a psychotic dictatorship once.

I remember removing cyclists who were protesting on main roads and disrupting traffic causing my government to ban cyclists on main roads completely, im not against protesting, just against harrassment.

Well, that is essentially why you are a dictator. If you do NOT want to be a dictator, you need to ween off the notion that the government is here to be a nanny to everyone and stop harrassment. The ONLY issue I even bothered to get some government intervention for trivial issues the common man can't deal with is outlawing solicitation calls when people are eating. If you think in terms of a leader wanting to help everybody, you are going to be SCREWING other people. If however you don't get involved in LOCAL or trivial issues and dismiss the legislation (which I tend to do a lot) you'll essentially be letting the people deal with it (micromanage) and keeping the government from being a dictator. My only issue is trying to cut taxes.

The domestic violence I can live with.


I also prevented coorporations from donating to political parties, Adam Smith believed that capitalism should be regulated only to preserve justice as capitalism is essentially despotism if you cannot preserve justice. People should only gain political power through the strength of their arguments.

I did this as well, I eventually got out of the whole attack on political freedoms. Don't worry about it. Focus on bringing up civil rights first.

"Don't tell me space colonies wouldn't be cool," says excited fifth-grade teacher Billy-Bob Falopian, still wearing big Spock ears from his last convention. "Think of how they would galvanize the national population! And there would also be some kind of scientific benefit, probably."

2 or dismiss IMO

Naki Johnson, secretary of commerce, recommends you ignore these commies. "Free enterprise means not having to succumb to unions, and the world has enough unions already."

I'd choose this one or dismiss.

Remember, don't be afraid to dismiss. I don't dismiss when I want to take advantage of giving some civil rights or a political freedom, or a tax cut (which I've been begging to see). I do however start making laws against stuff I personally disagree with, such as preventing the government from attacking file-sharing public.

who cares if you're a despot, its your nation, you can do what ou want with it...

I remember removing cyclists who were protesting on main roads and disrupting traffic causing my government to ban cyclists on main roads completely, im not against protesting, just against harrassment. I also prevented coorporations from donating to political parties, Adam Smith believed that capitalism should be regulated only to preserve justice as capitalism is essentially despotism if you cannot preserve justice. People should only gain political power through the strength of their arguments.

Adam Smith strongly influenced how we understand capitalism, but he didn't create or define the concept. You're quoting one aspect of Smith's philosophy, probably out of context, to justify infringing on the free market. I only mind because you seem surprised now that you're a budding authoritarian. I always place liberty over 'justice.' (Then again, I think justice is liberty.) When presented with an issue, I follow certain criteria to avoid your very problem. Of course, I've been ruled an anarchical state. :)

1. Does it violate liberty? (Liberty defined as the freedom to do what you want as long as you don't infringe on another's freedom. This includes the right to life, property, speech, assembly - you get the idea.)

2. Will it increase taxes? (Taxes are a violation of liberty in my nation-state, so any issue that requires tax money to implement automatically gets shot down. I don't expect everyone to be committed to this ideal as I am, but maybe you can factor in unreasonable taxes to your criteria.)

3. Does the government have a right to do it? (Instead of looking at a problem in your nation-state and then justifying any action which attempts to fix your problem, ask yourself whether the government even has a right to interfere. This criterion goes right back to liberty, I admit, but it's a nice check on your power before you figure out what you're going to decide. Remember: just because there's a problem doesn't mean you're responsible for fixing it, especially if the solution requires you to increase taxes or infringe on liberty.)

As a result of these criteria, my civil rights and political freedoms are "superb" and my economy is a "powerhouse." I'm sure that'll change in due time, but I've had much success so far. Good luck to you.