AP (Nana)
March 18, 2008
Brasxicol's Parliament had a fruitful weekend session in which three key issues in equality and civil rights were put forward for their legislation. In all, they voted on two resolutions and dismissed another.
On the matter of "affirmative action" on television, the Parliament voted down the initiative that would make it compulsory for television channel to allot time to minority programming and also would censor material that could be considered "offensive". A spokesperons from Parliament was quoted as saying, "We understand the concerns of minorities but censorship and the other measures would constitute a breach in freedom of speech. Television networks have the right to show whichever shows they wish. That's why cable television channels exists tailored not only to minorities but to other groups in society and specialities. It not onlyt benefits minorities, but free spech and the economy."
Brasxicol's Parliament also showed restraint in the face of public protests. One such protest was led by the Animal Liberation Front, who brough attention to the cruelty animals were being subject to in the food and nutrition sector. Legislation was passed to oversee these processes and attempt to offer meat with a dignified death to the animals. The legislation was so successful that it has brought about a social attitude towards compassion and even helped flourish the vegetarian sector. "Taxation was also a tempting option", said a conservative parliament member, "yet we had to agree that the price would be passed down to consumers and could directly impact our poorest citizens. This option was much more centrist and I think it has pleased us all."
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Feel Good Legislation
AP (Nana)
March 14, 2008
After the problematic legislation passed yesterday, Parliament passed what many analysts have called "feel good legislation". To protect freedom of speech, Parliament voted down legislation aiming to categorize books and censor those that did not stand "moral standards".
Book publishers and intellectuals were content with the law, but many academics believed legislation was only done to "appease" critics of the law that outlawed radical politcal groups.
In other news, the embassy of the People's Republic of Cunionj was inaugarated today in Nana, the capital city. The Chancellor of Brasxicol was ecstatic as efforts to formalize relations with the regions pay off. Now, Brasxicol has civil relationships with the Region's UN Delegate and hopefully, this will lead to learning and cooperation between the two countries.
March 14, 2008
After the problematic legislation passed yesterday, Parliament passed what many analysts have called "feel good legislation". To protect freedom of speech, Parliament voted down legislation aiming to categorize books and censor those that did not stand "moral standards".
Book publishers and intellectuals were content with the law, but many academics believed legislation was only done to "appease" critics of the law that outlawed radical politcal groups.
In other news, the embassy of the People's Republic of Cunionj was inaugarated today in Nana, the capital city. The Chancellor of Brasxicol was ecstatic as efforts to formalize relations with the regions pay off. Now, Brasxicol has civil relationships with the Region's UN Delegate and hopefully, this will lead to learning and cooperation between the two countries.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
High Cost for Life
AP (Nana)
March 13, 2008
With the rise of the death penalty movement, the Executive Branch paid a high cost to protect life in Brasxicol. With Brasxicol's commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in danger, the Executive Branch asked the mayority in Parliament to propose legislation that would ban it, even if their supporters were elected.
With mayority, Parliament was able to pass the law but also included in it penalties for radicalization of political parties and organizations that in the end rendered them illegal. A supporter of the legislation proudly said: "We are not only protecting us against the politics of fear and hurtful legislation but also laying the foundation to safeguard us from insurrections and guerillas. Violence and death are not ways to resolve issues here in Brasxicol".
The Executive Branch was highly dissapointed though as this also thwarted political freedoms in Brasxicol. Analysts mention that this sort of paradox is a clear sign of inexperience in the government. "Brasxicol is a young Republic with young people in the Government. This sort of 'lesser of two evils' lesson should prove a big experience in legilsation to come."
March 13, 2008
With the rise of the death penalty movement, the Executive Branch paid a high cost to protect life in Brasxicol. With Brasxicol's commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in danger, the Executive Branch asked the mayority in Parliament to propose legislation that would ban it, even if their supporters were elected.
With mayority, Parliament was able to pass the law but also included in it penalties for radicalization of political parties and organizations that in the end rendered them illegal. A supporter of the legislation proudly said: "We are not only protecting us against the politics of fear and hurtful legislation but also laying the foundation to safeguard us from insurrections and guerillas. Violence and death are not ways to resolve issues here in Brasxicol".
The Executive Branch was highly dissapointed though as this also thwarted political freedoms in Brasxicol. Analysts mention that this sort of paradox is a clear sign of inexperience in the government. "Brasxicol is a young Republic with young people in the Government. This sort of 'lesser of two evils' lesson should prove a big experience in legilsation to come."
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Spiritual Council Dissolved
AP (Nana)
March 12, 2008
The Executive Branch of the government of Brasxicol opted to dissolve the Spiritual Council and Spiritual Advisor position that had existed in the country.
The advisor position was up for renewal this past Tuesday with three candidates seeking the position: the Roman Catholic bishop, a renowned and respected New Age philosopher and the candidate from a special interest group, this time belonging to Atheism.
Previous to the decision, political analysts believed that the role would be filled by the New Age guru due to his more inclusive views of religions. Nevertheless, the Executive Branch surprised the establishment by not only not selecting from the three candidates but also dissolving the position and council.
A spokesperson for the Executive Branch commented: "Religion is a very personal and individual choice. What we believe in and worship should not be regulated by the government and likewise the government should not be influenced by only one religious view. The Council and Advisor position were dissolved to promote religious freedom and remind our citizens that their government here in Brasxicol separates its religious beliefs from the country's needs."
March 12, 2008
The Executive Branch of the government of Brasxicol opted to dissolve the Spiritual Council and Spiritual Advisor position that had existed in the country.
The advisor position was up for renewal this past Tuesday with three candidates seeking the position: the Roman Catholic bishop, a renowned and respected New Age philosopher and the candidate from a special interest group, this time belonging to Atheism.
Previous to the decision, political analysts believed that the role would be filled by the New Age guru due to his more inclusive views of religions. Nevertheless, the Executive Branch surprised the establishment by not only not selecting from the three candidates but also dissolving the position and council.
A spokesperson for the Executive Branch commented: "Religion is a very personal and individual choice. What we believe in and worship should not be regulated by the government and likewise the government should not be influenced by only one religious view. The Council and Advisor position were dissolved to promote religious freedom and remind our citizens that their government here in Brasxicol separates its religious beliefs from the country's needs."
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Political Parties Privatized
AP (Nana)
March 10, 2008
In a controversial and heated debate, Parliament passed by a simple minority the initiative that allows the private sector and individuals to donate money to political parties. With this legislation, the government of Brasxicol also stopped publically funding political parties and this also represented a corporate and individual tax break of 2%. Even with the tax break, the topic polarized not only the political parties but the nation.
Corporations and conservative leaning citizens favoured the passing of the initiative. They see many benefits in wrestling from the government's hands the funding of political parties which gives these parties much more autonomy and accountability. They quietly support the legilsation and corporations specially have begun heavy lobbying practices.
Liberal leaning citizens are outraged by the legislation and strongly protest it specially in Universities. They see the legislation as opening the government up to corruption and inequality and cite numerous cases that have been presented in Brasxicol's Parliament since the adoption of the legislation. They also cite a larger "pro-business" attitude in Parliament that is not attending the social agenda the country need to cut down on crime and poverty.
The Executive Branch today offered hopes for balance citing that indeed the legislation was badly prepared by Parliament as it did not include measures to cap donations and to curve corruption. Lobbying and donation procedure is on the Executive agenda to help balance out the negative effects on this legislation that in principle is still supported by the Executive Branch.
Visit Brasxicol: http://www.nationstates.net/brasxicol
March 10, 2008
In a controversial and heated debate, Parliament passed by a simple minority the initiative that allows the private sector and individuals to donate money to political parties. With this legislation, the government of Brasxicol also stopped publically funding political parties and this also represented a corporate and individual tax break of 2%. Even with the tax break, the topic polarized not only the political parties but the nation.
Corporations and conservative leaning citizens favoured the passing of the initiative. They see many benefits in wrestling from the government's hands the funding of political parties which gives these parties much more autonomy and accountability. They quietly support the legilsation and corporations specially have begun heavy lobbying practices.
Liberal leaning citizens are outraged by the legislation and strongly protest it specially in Universities. They see the legislation as opening the government up to corruption and inequality and cite numerous cases that have been presented in Brasxicol's Parliament since the adoption of the legislation. They also cite a larger "pro-business" attitude in Parliament that is not attending the social agenda the country need to cut down on crime and poverty.
The Executive Branch today offered hopes for balance citing that indeed the legislation was badly prepared by Parliament as it did not include measures to cap donations and to curve corruption. Lobbying and donation procedure is on the Executive agenda to help balance out the negative effects on this legislation that in principle is still supported by the Executive Branch.
Visit Brasxicol: http://www.nationstates.net/brasxicol
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Citizens Celebrate Preservation of Free Speech
AP (Nana)
March 9, 2008
Special interest groups in the conservative sector had brought before Parliament an initiative to review the limits of "free speech". Members of "United for the Family" as well as representatives from the different religious institutions had proposed regulating speech in the media that they saw as "offensive" or "incorrect". Specifically, religious representatives pushed for an initiative that would prevent media to speak out against them and the religious practices of their congregations.
Audience was given to the groups and vote presented in a weekend session of Parliament that defeated the initiative by a large margin.
"Free speech is free. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it", commented a member of Parliament, "Citizens are responsible for the contents they read or view or that of their family members or congregations".
Visit Brasxicol: http://www.nationstates.net/brasxicol
March 9, 2008
Special interest groups in the conservative sector had brought before Parliament an initiative to review the limits of "free speech". Members of "United for the Family" as well as representatives from the different religious institutions had proposed regulating speech in the media that they saw as "offensive" or "incorrect". Specifically, religious representatives pushed for an initiative that would prevent media to speak out against them and the religious practices of their congregations.
Audience was given to the groups and vote presented in a weekend session of Parliament that defeated the initiative by a large margin.
"Free speech is free. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it", commented a member of Parliament, "Citizens are responsible for the contents they read or view or that of their family members or congregations".
Visit Brasxicol: http://www.nationstates.net/brasxicol
Friday, March 7, 2008
Compulsory Voting Initiative Trumped
AP (Nana)
March 7, 2008
Brasxicol's Parliament today voted down an initiative to make voting compulsory in all elections. The initiative was proposed by the Progressive Conservative party and intended to penalize voter abstention in elections. The penalty proposed was of fines to those 18 years and older who did not cast votes or where registered in the Electoral College during electoral periods.
Debate in Parliament was calm and though at the end it was a tight vote, the decision was made to reject the initiative.
"We value freedom of choice as one of the foundations of our country. This includes the choice not to participate in our political system. No matter if you see voting as a right or a privilege, you can still opt out of them", mentioned an opposing member of Parliament, "By not making voting compulsory, we align ourselves with our basic principles and avoid the heavy burden of enforcing this legislation."
Visit Brasxicol: http://www.nationstates.net/brasxicol
March 7, 2008
Brasxicol's Parliament today voted down an initiative to make voting compulsory in all elections. The initiative was proposed by the Progressive Conservative party and intended to penalize voter abstention in elections. The penalty proposed was of fines to those 18 years and older who did not cast votes or where registered in the Electoral College during electoral periods.
Debate in Parliament was calm and though at the end it was a tight vote, the decision was made to reject the initiative.
"We value freedom of choice as one of the foundations of our country. This includes the choice not to participate in our political system. No matter if you see voting as a right or a privilege, you can still opt out of them", mentioned an opposing member of Parliament, "By not making voting compulsory, we align ourselves with our basic principles and avoid the heavy burden of enforcing this legislation."
Visit Brasxicol: http://www.nationstates.net/brasxicol
Welcome to the Republic of Brasxicol
Hello everyone
I was introduced last Friday to the simple online game Nation States (site: http://www.nationstates.net/) and I was quickly hooked. In this online game you create a country and are placed in a fictional world with other players and their countries. The creation of your country is based mainly on random factors and some you are able to set up, the most important one being the political make up of your country. This make up comes from a short questionnaire that reflects the way you think about the economy, democracy and civil rights.
After creation youu take the role of the governing body of the country and are faced with decisions presented to you by "Issues" that start to transform the legislation that rules your country and the way its citizens and economy behaves. In that sense it becomes a role playing game where through forums and regions you can also interact with other countries and role play out diplomatic, economic and even military encounters.
I must admit that I already had a predilection and a taste for politics and the administration of a nation, though I did not mayor in political science. As such, I took a quick liking to the game and thus the need to expand its roleplay to this blog. This first post is an introduction to the game and how this blog will work.
The blog from now on will be done "IC" in character, reporting as a news agency within my fictitious nation. This means that all information is fictitious despite the fact that it does reflect my political thinking. Any comments that pertains to other issues will be marked by an "OOC" tag which means out of character.
I hope you enjoy this fictitious journey through politics with me.
I was introduced last Friday to the simple online game Nation States (site: http://www.nationstates.net/) and I was quickly hooked. In this online game you create a country and are placed in a fictional world with other players and their countries. The creation of your country is based mainly on random factors and some you are able to set up, the most important one being the political make up of your country. This make up comes from a short questionnaire that reflects the way you think about the economy, democracy and civil rights.
After creation youu take the role of the governing body of the country and are faced with decisions presented to you by "Issues" that start to transform the legislation that rules your country and the way its citizens and economy behaves. In that sense it becomes a role playing game where through forums and regions you can also interact with other countries and role play out diplomatic, economic and even military encounters.
I must admit that I already had a predilection and a taste for politics and the administration of a nation, though I did not mayor in political science. As such, I took a quick liking to the game and thus the need to expand its roleplay to this blog. This first post is an introduction to the game and how this blog will work.
The blog from now on will be done "IC" in character, reporting as a news agency within my fictitious nation. This means that all information is fictitious despite the fact that it does reflect my political thinking. Any comments that pertains to other issues will be marked by an "OOC" tag which means out of character.
I hope you enjoy this fictitious journey through politics with me.
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