Talk Elections

START YEAR: 1990

Capital City: Philadephia, Pennsylvania

Form of Government: A loose confederation between 13 states

The United States is a loose confederation between 13 states, which exercise wide sovergnity in domestic affairs and are sometimes able to conduct separate dealings among themselves.

The defense and foreign policy are common, but it’s alaways painfully hard to come up with an agreement. For example, in 1942 it took over a year of fighting Southern Bloc opposition to the joining an Allies in the World War II.

The United States doesn’t have a standing army, but has a standing officer corps and organization that can allow to group various state militias into one force if called into service.

The only federal institution is the Congress, where each state has one vote. The President of the Congress is a ceremonial head of state, although no true executive branch exists. The President does, however, have great power when it comes to brining bill to a vote, and committee dealings.

The problems United States are facing include: The Nortweastern Territory (without statehood and many rights since as early as 1780s, with growing anger). Also, Maine citizens (a part of Massachusetts) is demanding statehood as well.

Regarding the parts of OTL US:

Vermont remains an independent Republic.

California, Oregon and Washington are the Pacific Republic.

Texas (extended) is a Republic as well.

Former French Louisiana is, since 1945, known as The Republic of Louisiana and is a member of the French Community.

After World War II, the European Community took the RL place of the USSR as one of the two global superpowers, along with the USSR.

My thanks to Kalwejt for writing this. ;)

---

A summary of the problems with the Congress:

Thank you, Dr. Cynic ;)

---

Rules:

-Always speak in character in the game thread. All out of character discussion should be brought to the "sign up" thread.
-Write your posts as if the head of your state's delegation was speaking. Indicate any physical actions by using asterisks, parenthesis, italics, etc. I will also play the part of "Secretary" when reading the titles of bills, etc.
-You have the power to introduce legislation. When doing this, write a post containing the bill's name, and it's "full title", which should serve as its subject. Make this post in the game thread with "Legislation introduction" at the top. Legislation may not be debated until called forth by the President.
-Remember, tempers are usually strained in the Congress, so don't be afraid to "slander" your fellow members. Atlas forum rules still apply. ;)

November 5, 1990

*Bangs gavel*

This new session of the Congress of the United States is now meeting.

The secretary will ascertain the names of the delegates representing each state.

*Several minutes pass*

The state of New Hampshire has failed to return delegates to this Congress.

The first order of business is the "Republic of Louisiana Trade Act." The Secretary shall read the title.

Secretary: An act to establish free and unrestricted trade with the Republic of Louisiana, and for other purposes."

Debate shall now commence.

*Stands and walks to the fore*

Mr. President, if I may...

New Jersey's commercial and shipping interests strongly support the opening of trade with Louisiana's markets. However, we wish to ask whether or not this will entail a free trade agreement with France as well?

We in Rhode Island have long been called "Rogue's Island" for our tendency to be on the wrong side of  12-1 votes in this Congress.  Rhode Island is a small state, and likely couldn't be successful going it alone, but we will not be shoved around.  If one of you wants legislation, make sure it addresses the needs of my state, or Rogue's Island might stymie you.

As for free trade with Louisiana, I oppose it.  We have plenty of industry in Rhode Island and don't need the competition from the French.  Providence need not compete with New Orleans.

PS: Question.  When you said there was an independent Texas, you mean what's today Texas+Oklahoma, with the rest of the Southwest still belonging to Mexico?  Which would make Louisiana roughly everything west of the Mississippi minus the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest?  Finally, what's Canada like?  If I'm going to be Rhode Island, I need to know about our dear neighbors to the north.  Is Quebec independent?

PPS:  I hate playing a protectionist.

Jonathan Evans

Mr. Speaker, I wish to know exactly why we should pursue this course of action? Who has proposed this motion and why?

Sir,

It is the understanding of the chair that this Act would include, at least, "indirect" trade with France. Seeing as Louisiana is a member of the French Community.

Mr. Owen Elliott of New Jersey:

Mr. President,

Would France be given to supporting a trade agreement with the United States given that we pay a heavy tariff on French goods?

*Sits and waits for a response*

Sir,

I believe that is a matter for the French government to decide.

Mr. Owen Elliott of New Jersey

Very well, sir.

Jonathan Evans (Virgina Delegate)

Neither I nor my state is in support of expanding trade all that much. there are far better things to focus on.

Michael Haley (South Carolina Delegate)

I fully support this measure.

Tariffs on foreign goods are overbearing, and harm the consumers of South Carolina.

Jonathan Evans (Virgina Delegate)

Consumers! I most certainly am not here to represent any "consumers". I am here to represent the good men who run our businesses. Businessmen who won the war against the British.

Samuel DuPont Bayard II (Delaware Delegation Head):

On the behalf of the DuPont Comp... err... the People of the Great State of Delaware: no.

We're more interested in Atlantic trade.

LEGISLATION INTROCUTION

Vermont annexation bill

1. Vermont shall be annected by the United States by all means needed
2. Vermont shall be admitted to the Union
3. New DuPont Company factories shall be located in Vermont with a special status
4. The State of Delaware can finance all costs of the annexation in exchange of respecting point 3
5. This is section 5 to make this bill look more dignified

Members of Congress,

I bring important news! The state of New Hampshire has elected delegates to this Congress, and they are currently traveling to Philadelphia, as we speak, to be sworn in!

New York delegate Andrew 'Andy' Spitzer arrives in Philadelphia:

"Sorry I'm late, the prostitute held me up"

Delaware demands Mr. Spitzer censure for engaging in an immoral and illegal prostitution, or with a prostitute, whatever.

Mr. Ben Austin of Massachusetts is here.

Well, I for one shall exist only as a delegate of the Palmetto State, not a delegate of Big Business.

Jonathan Evans (Virgina Delegate)

What is this "Big" Business you speak of?

Michael Haley (South Carolina Delegate)

The businesses that exist in the Confederation, or in my case, South Carolina.

Delaware won't accept anything that is against DuPont Company interest.

The last fool who dared to question DuPont Company was hanged three days ago in the Delaware State Penitentiary in Smyrna.

New York won't accept anything unless it guarantees a) money/pork for New York and b) prostitutes for the government

Delaware can accept only if Louisiana will buy products of the DuPont... err... the Delaware economy.

Vermont? New Hampshire? I thought they were one in the same... Is Vermont not a part of New Hampshire.

Judd Smith (NH)

The people of New Hampshire are fully behind free and unrestricted trade with Louisiana. However I would like to propose the legislation be amended to include Texas and the Pacific Republic as well. 

We can accept this as long as DuPont... um... the people of Delaware, would benefit from this.

Amendment to propose.

1. Except for French chemical industry products
2. New York and Delaware gets new investments

Andrew Spitzer (NY)

Free trade with Louisiana, let alone Texas and the Pacific, would endanger New York industries and New Yorkers would be goin' out of business and their jobs shipped south where some Mexicans would do the work for half the wage.

Delaware is the only state with an extenssive chemical industry.

We don't want French chemical industry products here.

Owen Elliott (NJ)

The special consideration given to bordering states New York and Delaware will harm New Jersey's economy and we will not support this bill with such amendments.

Delaware can secede.

Owen Elliott (NJ)

New Jersey just cannot allow special investments to go to neighboring states. I'm sure Pennsylvania would back me.

As you all wish. In that case you would have to say goodbye to chemical industry products on prefferential prices and bring all from other countries with a huge costs.

DuPon... Delaware may survive without you, but you need Delaware.

Gentlemen, there is now a vote on the following Amendment.

Those in favor vote Aye; those opposed, Nay.

*You also may abstain*


This shall be a 24 hour vote.

Thomas Dodd Jr. (Connecticut Delegate)

Nay, Connecticut needs new investments too.

Andy Spitzer (NY)

Ahem, Mr. Idiot, uh, Elliott; you seem to have misunderstood the point I was trying to make. I'm here to speak up on the behalf of the people of New York and it's exactly what I'm doing. I don't want to see New York losing jobs and money because of this - I'm fighting for New York's working families and not for New York's big businesses. I'd recommend you do the same for your state. If I hadn't fought earlier on for our working families over the big industries, you folks would all be paying a fortune for your prostitutes. Ahem. At any rate, what my point is is that this stuff is bad for New York and I'm gonna fight for my state's jobs and my state's economy; and I'd encourage all you other guys to do the same for your folks back home.

As a sharehold... a representative of the DuPon... the People of Delaware I want to make it clear:

I won't let my state to lose jobs and money because of your idiotic, clueless and naive economic ideas.

Also, I won't let the federal government to impose a tyranny over sovereign state.

I applaud my colleagues from New York and Connecticut their wisdom.

And you know what? If you're going to play this moronic game, you'll all face the consequences. New York can live without U.S., but U.S. can't without New York Stock Exchange. Delaware can live without U.S., but U.S. can't without our industry products. Even more, Connecticut can life without U.S., but you can't without their insurance empire.

Don't go too far.

So yes.

Nay.

New Jersey, in the interests of maintaining decorum will not resort to personal comment.

The vote on the amendment is nay.

Nay

The Great State of Maryland demands it's voice to be heard! It is proven that protectionism and isolationism do little good for the people of this Confederation. And yet it has also been proven that when unrestricted free trade is encouraged, the jobs will follow the ships out of the ports. That is the case in the state of Maryland. We have seen our once great industrial jobs leave, due to the persistent support of free trade that this Congress has given.

While that must be said, trade with our Francophone neighbors to the South is not the same as trade with a third world nation. They are farmers and buisnessmen just like us, and with an accent only slightly more intense than that of our southern members. Therefore, the state of Maryland will support trade with our neighbors.

But this ammendment, which is aimed purely at the DuPont Corporations bottom line, does little to further either point. It does not protect the jobs of this nation outside of one field. And it gives special priveledge to two states! Therefore the Great State of Maryland VOTES NAY!

New York votes nay, but will propose amendments itself.

Again, you can't impose you free trade illusions upon the sovereign state of Delaware.

The state of Virginia votes nay.

Delaware left the Union.

We're saying no to attacking our soverignity by big government.

The amendment has failed. Regular debate recommences.

To the Governor of Delaware:

Dear Sir,

Writing on behalf of the Congress of the Confederation, I must inform you of the deep sadness we have at your recent recall of your state's delegates.  It is the opinion of this Congress that all thirteen of our great states must stay united in our "firm league of friendship" that has held this confederation together for two centuries.

I urge you to reissue your delegates, so as to preserve the unity of our great nation.

Yours,

x Benedict Barnes

President of the United States, in Congress Assembled

*NOTE: Kal, you can respond to this, as a Delegate*

Dear Mr. President


The State of Delaware always firmly stand at the ground that the Confederation is a voluntarly union of sovereign states and our public opinion cannot stand violating the soveregnity of states, esspecially in regards of free trade.

Sadly I have to inform, that for now, we must separate.


Sincerely,
Pierre Samuel Bayard DuPont VI
Governor of Delaware.

The State of Georgia declares sovereignty as the Republic of New London and withdraws from the Convention over the issue of slavery.

The Republic of Delaware declared a total withdrawal from the Union, but U.S. states still can have a common market with Delaware and buy chemical industry products on preferential prices instead of losing a lot of money on import from Europe.

The Republic of New London offers solidarity and an alliance to the people of the Republic of Delaware.

The Republic of Delaware welcomes the Republic of New London friendship and alliance.

Delaware also proposed their chemical industry products for New London on very prefferntial prices in exchange of Georgia's cotton at the same basis.

You fools!  What happens to our internal free trade?  And open borders?  They're going to have to reroute the freeways.

OOC: Who you are again?

Rogue's Rhode Island.

Accepted, and New London would like to extend, RENT-FREE, a building in the capital of Savannah for Delaware to use. An embassy, if you will.

It's my opinion that this one has just gone way off the reservation.. At least for my taste.
I resign.

OOC: Where's Barnes?

I've been rather busy lately, and I don't feel all that well right no.w How about we take a few days break, ok? ;)

Maybe that's good idea, that give us an opportunity to think about a startegy after we resume :)

(btw, I think we should create and discussion thread)

^^

I'll get back in if the secession stuff stops and people take this seriously. If not, no deal.

Hash, I'm not going to play according to what you want or don't want.

You and Dr. are acting like two little babies trying to impose what they want on others "or I won't play".

No deal? As you wish. I'm interested more in developing a crisis within Confederation than a boredom you both support.

This thing really got off to a bad start.

You know, Kal. I thought you were a decent guy. Name calling? Wow.

Really, it's just way far out immidiately moreso than I feel like dealing with. So, I'm out whether or not you keep that up. It's just not a game I can see myself enjoying anymore.

Oh, I'm sorry but under the set universe it was obvious sooner or later we'll have secession crisis.

Sorry, but I'm not going to change my playing strategy because two users are using an emotional blackmail "we'll leave if you won't play as we want".

Jesus H. Christ, calm yourself, for heaven's sake. I didn't know that my leaving the game would get you all raving mad. Jesus.

I don't care if you won't play this game according to my supposed rules. Newsflash: my life doesn't depend on you or this game. End of story. Khalas.

Fine, this is, however, somehow annoying with people starting with: "I'm leaving if you do it or don't do it".

Beside, Hash usually leaves all projects after at most a week. Nothing new.

I absolutely agree. What's the point of a game like this if it's just going to be the same? Dullsville.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=106521.0

Way less problems.