Just looked up the information of states less than 50% urban.  Get ready, lol:

Maine: 38.7%
Mississippi: 49.3%
Vermont: 38.9%
West Virginia: 48.7%

[The government is doing nothing wrong.]

Good.  It's about time we addressed the threat posed by French sympathizing radicals.

I really don't get what the civil liberty sprouting Democratic-Republicans are going on about.  This is completely constitutional, respects the liberty of Americans, and is in no way a slippery slope that will lead to more outrageous examples of government overreach.  And this in no way violates freedom of the press or speech.

People who object to this are doing purely out of partisanship and don't really care about constitutional issues.  This is a non-starter and I expect nothing to come out of it.

The government is doing nothing wrong.

Yeah, I'm not gonna buy it just yet. There will be Republicans that respond to this, saying that the White House emails are doctored, not theirs.

But if this turns out to be true, the GOP will probably implode.

Outside of their base maybe.

However, the usual suspects will just start saying that it was a government setup to destroy their credibility.  Knowing Republican voters, they would buy it.

If Watergate didn't destroy the GOP, this is nothing.

(Registered Republican, it's a very funny story): Uh. . . . . . practically everybody.
Well, I suppose that if I were in a pretty good mood I would vote for a Massachusetts Republican, but not much else.

Context: previous poster.

Your girlfriend is eleven? You like'em young, huh?

Your girlfriend is eleven? You like'em young, huh?

I just had a heartattack.

Good sir, welcome to the Goldmine.

The Hok'ee Republicans, very odd bedfellows indeed with Scott "Snarling Brahmin Elitists" and "Northeastern Robber Barons" Westman.

[Political Parties:]

After reading afleitch's thread, I've decided to make a thread specifically dedicated to made up country's political parties/systems. Here's an example:

Political Parties:

Social Democratic Party: Economically left wing party that has been dominant for most of modern Mechonian history.  Has a lot of strength amongst Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Jewish blue collars and young professionals.  Pretty much, the party of the majority.  Also strong amongst first generation non-whites.  Although generally assocatied as the left wing in the nation, has a broad tent on social issues ranging from super liberal professionals to reactionary laborers.  Represents roughly 56% of Parliament.

Spiritualist Party: A "libertarian left" wing party that bases a lot of it's philosopy out of "naturalist" political doctrine.  Supports strong degree of civil libertarianism that includes getting rid of Marijuana taxes, opposition to "authoritarian leftism" of the Social Democrats, and stronger environmental protections.  Strong amongst Neo-Paganists, Spiritualist groups, Buddhists, and some Atheists.  Represents roughly 1.5% of Parliament.

The Values Party: Socially conservative economically populist party.  Real popular amongst highly religious voters and Asian immigrants.  Supports efforts to ban abortion, put in a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage, and support for more universal education funding.  Represents roughly 4% of Parliament.

Liberal Party: The mainstream right wing party.  In general opposes the expanse of Mechonian government and keeping the government out of people's lives.  Fiscally conservative and socially libertarian is probably the best way to describe it.  Popular amongst the middle and upper classes and conservative Paganists.  Represents roughly 30% of Parliament.

Coalition for Reform: The other right wing party.  Believes that immigration quotas need to be brought back to curtail the impact of new immigrants that drown out jobs for the Mechonian worker.  Believes that Mechonia needs to return back to a heavy protectionist policy, cut back on government spending, and increase pay for law and order.  Odd bedfellows with the Liberal Party, which is much more libertarian in general.  Attracts the obvious suspects.  Represents roughly 9.5% of Parliament.

Feel free to tack on any relevant history, demographics etc. I'll add the Kingdom of DC Al Fine in a day or two.

Hey man thanks for adding mine

[They're different.]

Determination and hard work can get you far in life. . . . . just like pulling yourself up by your bootstraps will get you out of poverty

Sorry, couldn't resist.  But really, it's pretty much the same thought process that just misses the most crucial element about virtually all people:

They're different.

Let's get back to the original observation here: some people barely have to put any thought or practice into becoming math geniuses while many struggle for hours on end trying to memorize basic equations.  I think that right there kind of spells what math ability is really more of a result of: innate ability.  Sure, determination/hardwork (overrated things) can make you better at math ability, but ultimately one's efficiency in processing said information is the real advantage.  Studying helps, but ultimately the person who only needs to study 3 hours a year and score an A- in Geometry class has better math ability than the person who studies 9 hours a week to get the same score.
That some people have to work harder than others to understand math actually proves that it is innate ability that determines their ability, not disproving it.

Much like the job market.
People with no college education and a high school GED with barely passing GPAs can get into jobs that pay over $100,000 a year just on their natural ability to say the things that HR people love to hear.  Meanwhile, people who have graduated with Honors with Bachelors degrees in Liberal Arts programs who are granted fancy Latin word titles struggle for years to find decent employment that probably doesn't pay half of what Mr. Joe High School gets.

Just saying.

[alcohol]

Yeah, a police state and (minimal) eugenics are pretty bad, but there's no contest compared to uberplutocracy, gender oppression or state-sponsored racial lynching.

A police state where alcohol is banned?  Dude, no freaking way!
Before anyone thinks this is a joke, let me note that given how horrible all of these choices are, the availability of alcohol is VITAL to surviving said places.
If I'm going to choose a state to live in I'd prefer it to be a place where I can get easily sloshed without roaming HIV druggie gangs killing me.  Seeing as how in Bloombergland I can't drink, how in Hyperfeministland I probably also wouldn't (being a disgusting heterosexual male), and how in Freedomland I would be more than encouraged to but would have a high chance of doing so in a hellhole with roaming cyberbiker gangs who shoot HIV needles at people. . . . . . it's politically incorrect as hell, but I think I'll go Racist.

(anticipates new "Opinion of Mechaman" thread with 58% HP ratings)

[February 3rd, 1979Norfolk, VirginiaWestman Townhouse:]

February 3rd, 1979
Norfolk, Virginia
Westman Townhouse:

Scott Westman is in his study having a good smoke and a drink while doing. .  . . well nothing.  Well except, writing his thoughts in a journal, which he had no idea why he kept doing that:

February 2nd, 1979

Another miserable day.  No work done at all.  Senate had no ideas either.  Marci still hates me.  Laura is still taking my money and keeping my kid from me.  Nora won't leave me alone, I can see why I didn't take her with me when I left.  I miss my daughter so much, it literally is driving me to drink.  I wish you were here Brea, the nights would be less miserable.  All the grown cosmopolitan women in the world can't fill the void I have in me since you left.

A tear falls on the page, as memories of the last time he saw his daughter flashed in his head.  She had come up to see him, shortly before election season.  She brought Marci up there with her, and for a day or so everything was the way it was.  The way it should've always been.  But then something happened, that something being Marci reminding Westman what an asshole he was.  What a cheating, rotten, low grade asshole who should've been born a eunich.
Brea, to her credit, stood by Westman.  She stood by him and glared at the girl she used to consider her best friend.  Her eyes not having understanding or sympathy for the cheated young woman, but spite.  Pure venomous spite.  It didn't matter that her father was a horrible human being, who used women like toilet paper to satisfy his needs.  Didn't matter that once he was in Washington he threw away his relationship with a lovestruck teenager to get in some reporter's pants.  No, what mattered was that this vile creature, this blond troll of a woman, had dared to insult her father.  Dared to raise her voice against him.
He remembered the scene like it was yesterday:

October 29th, 1978:

Westman, Marci Flounders, and Brea are all walking along a bridge in Norfolk.  Westman reaches down and clutches hands with Marci and Brea, interlocking his fingers with both.  Brea moved closer in and hugged herself against his right arm, making a sigh of contentment.  However, Marci seemed awfully stiff.
And Westman was touched when he saw that his daughter's face was red with tears.
Brea: I missed you father.
Oh great, weepy daughter in the middle of a park with my girlfriend (?).  Talk about awkward.
Marci broke away from Westman and looked out over the nearby creek.  Westman knew then, sensed, what was about to happen.  He let go of Brea and walked over to Marci, wrapping his arms around her midsection and kissing the top of her head.  She sighed.
And then suddenly, she started crying.
Great, estrogen all around.
When she spoke, her sharp tone caught him off guard.
Marci: Damn it Scott!  Why did you have to make me fall in love with you!?
Westman had no answer.  In fact, he was surprised she even came up here to see him.
Finally, he tried his best.
Westman: Look Marci. . . . . sometimes things happen in our lives that changes all of our plans for the future.  I mean, I thought it'd be a really long time before I-
Marci turns around, redfaced.
Marci: What!?  Before you saw me again!?  Do you think I wouldn't be able to manage, to cope, with having a lover in DC?  Because I was only a kid!?  F*** you!
Brea gasps.
Westman: I understand your anger, but remember I wanted you to be here!  I wanted you to be here with me!  And you refused!  You know me Marci, you know I'm a.. . . . a horny devil!  What was I supposed to do?  DIM!?
Marci: Maybe you could've!  Maybe at least show a little bit of respect, show a little bit of love for what we had!  Instead, you invited that slooze of a reported into bed with us.  Without asking if I was okay with it!  YOU WANTED TO QUIT US BEFORE I EVER DID YOU SELFISH SH*T!
Westman was hit hard by that remark.  But, as hard as it hit him, he knew she did something much worse just then.  Looking back behind he saw her face.  Red faced, but no longer sad.
Westman rubbed his face before turning back to her.
Westman: You better stop making a scene!  You are embarrassing me!
Marci slaps him, and then spits in his face.
Marci: LIKE I SHOULD GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU THINK, YOU LECHEROUS ARSE!  GO TO HELL!
Suddenly, Brea was angrily stomping her way towards them and came a few inches from Marci's face.  Sizzling with rage, she had enough control to utter:
Brea: You stay away from us.  Go on, GO!  GO!  I HATE YOU!  I'M ASHAMED TO HAVE BEEN YOUR FRIEND!
For a second Westman could've sworn to have seen a pang of guilt on Marci's face before it turned into resolute stubbornness.
In a tone barely above a whisper, Marci Flounders composed herself.
Marci: Fine. (sobbily) Fine.  If that's the way it has to be. . . . (rubs her eyes) so be it.  It's a shame really, you're such a good person Brea.  But. . . . . . you're just too much of a Daddy's Girl.
Marci walks off, sadly, as Brea wrapped her arms around her father from behind, crying.  Westman felt beyond horrible, it would've been one thing if him and Marci never saw each other again.  However, because of their malfunction, his daughter had lost a good and close friend.
Over him.
He moved his hands down and grasped hers, grasping them tightly.  There they stood, for what felt like ten hours but was only ten minutes, before walking off towards his apartment.  Back at his apartment, Brea ended up tearing to shreds her plane ticket and announced that she wanted to live with him.  In DC.  Westman politely refused, saying that he wouldn't be able to stand her being with him, seeing how he really was outside of her world.  Brea shed a tear, before saying "ok".  But she stayed a few extra days, as a compromise.
He cried himself into a drunken stupor the night she left.

Back to Feb 3, 1979:

Westman got pulled back into reality.
What else do I have?  Perignon?  Hennessy?  Some good ole Jameson?
Westman gets up to go to his kitchen to get some alcohol when suddenly he hears a knock at his door.
Holy hell.  Who's up at this time of night?
He opens the door and comes face to face with a beautiful college aged girl with jet black hair in a chic tan leather jacket, a purple shirt, and some fancy looking jeans and TENNIS SHOES?
Westman has a good chuckle as he embraces his model friend from California.
Westman: Calpernia!  My pretty friend!  How're ya!
She smiles widely.
Calpernia: Oh great.  Look, I know this is bad timing and it's improper and usually people need some notification. . . . but I really wanted to surprise you.
Westman just shrugged.
Westman: Well okay great!
And then he noticed the taxi cab man carrying some suitcases and other bags to the door.  Westman looked at her, perplexed.
Westman: Uh.. . . . I'm sorry?  What are those?  Surprise presents?
Calpernia looked at him bemusedly.
Calpernia: Silly Senator, I'm moving in.
Westman was a little shocked, and really unprepared to house a guest.  Especially a young woman.
Westman: What!?
Calpernia laughs and then gives Westman doe eyes and for good measure touches his face.
Calpernia: Sweet Scott, didn't you tell me once there was always a room for me here?  Come on, let me stay here and I'll let you. . . . . . . cuddle with me.
Westman gives her an aw shucks look.
Westman: Alright. . . . fine.  Man, why do you guys always do that!?
Calpernia sighs sweetly before hugging Westman.
Calpernia: What darling?
I'm either going to be in heaven or hell after this.
Calpernia: Oh yes, I also need money to pay the cab driver.
Westman: Really?  You show up out of the blue, wanting to move in, and on top of it all I have to pay the cab driver?  Really!?
She gives him a cute girly smile that makes Westman weak.
Calpernia: Please Scott?
Hey man, she said she'll cuddle with you if you let her stay.  G-rated affection is better than none.
Westman sighs before handing the cab driver fifty dollars.  Cab driver smiles.
Driver: Gee thanks mister!
Westman: No problem.  Get yourself a woman. . . . Joe.
Driver: Okay!
Driver goes back to his cab and drives off.  Calpernia follows Westman into the house.  Westman settles down on the couch and she sits down right next to him, putting one of his arms around her and nestling against his chest.  Westman sighs, contently, and lights up a cigarette.
Calpernia: I wasn't lying about the cuddling!  Say, do you have any alcohol?
Here we go again.

Fantasizing about an idealized society is for Marxists and libertarians, and I am neither. There is no ideal society; there is only the society that we have now, and what matters is what can be done to improve that society.

On the other hand, Hashemite's country does seem ideal.

lol, my country is far from ideal.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I went out of my way to show the negative consequences of utopia.

But otherwise, yeah I agree.  Hashemite's country does seem by far the best.

[Religion in Mechonia:Eastern Orthodox Church:]

Religion in Mechonia:

Eastern Orthodox Church: 27%
Roman Catholic Church: 23%
International Paganist Association: 18%
Atheist: 13%
Jewish: 8.9%
Ohter: 11.1%

Languages: No official language, but most people speak English.  There are also a number of Russian speaking neighborhoods/communities (20% of population) and Gaeltacht (Gaelic speaking areas, roughly 8% of total pop).

Political Parties:

Social Democratic Party: Economically left wing party that has been dominant for most of modern Mechonian history.  Has a lot of strength amongst Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Jewish blue collars and young professionals.  Pretty much, the party of the majority.  Also strong amongst first generation non-whites.  Although generally assocatied as the left wing in the nation, has a broad tent on social issues ranging from super liberal professionals to reactionary laborers.  Represents roughly 56% of Parliament.

Spiritualist Party: A "libertarian left" wing party that bases a lot of it's philosopy out of "naturalist" political doctrine.  Supports strong degree of civil libertarianism that includes getting rid of Marijuana taxes, opposition to "authoritarian leftism" of the Social Democrats, and stronger environmental protections.  Strong amongst Neo-Paganists, Spiritualist groups, Buddhists, and some Atheists.  Represents roughly 1.5% of Parliament.

The Values Party: Socially conservative economically populist party.  Real popular amongst highly religious voters and Asian immigrants.  Supports efforts to ban abortion, put in a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage, and support for more universal education funding.  Represents roughly 4% of Parliament.

Liberal Party: The mainstream right wing party.  In general opposes the expanse of Mechonian government and keeping the government out of people's lives.  Fiscally conservative and socially libertarian is probably the best way to describe it.  Popular amongst the middle and upper classes and conservative Paganists.  Represents roughly 30% of Parliament.

Coalition for Reform: The other right wing party.  Believes that immigration quotas need to be brought back to curtail the impact of new immigrants that drown out jobs for the Mechonian worker.  Believes that Mechonia needs to return back to a heavy protectionist policy, cut back on government spending, and increase pay for law and order.  Odd bedfellows with the Liberal Party, which is much more libertarian in general.  Attracts the obvious suspects.  Represents roughly 9.5% of Parliament.

Government Set up: A National one house chamber Parliamentary set up in Zelgrad.  Voters in the country elect the Justices to the country's court every seven years.  There is no President or equivalent national leader, rather the Prime Minister operates as de facto "head of state" in regards to state functions.  However, outside of leadership role in the chamber, Prime Minister doesn't have any extraordinary powers.  Mechonia follows a very non-interventionist foreign policy with it's Constitution mandating that the armed forces never exceed 10,000 people (not gender specific).  Martial law is illegal and any person who tries to implement it is punished most severely (exile, though there are a lot of people who would consider than anything but punishment).  Mechonians generally are in favor of expanding relations with other nations and the government has a running policy of having fully open relations with every nation (regardless of controversies), given the Mechonian tradition of spreading "love, not war".  This has gotten the Mechonia government in trouble with other Social Democratic leaning states, who assert that the government is setting a dangerous model by not instituting punitive measures towards nations with bad civil rights records.  Given that racism isn't exactly a rare part of the culture, with several race riots just last year between Russian and Iranian groups in Zelgrad (the nation's capital no less!), the criticism seems damning of the nation's inexperience/inability to address the issue.

Crime and Punishment: The Death Penalty is banned in Mechonia.  Instead of traditional jail sentences, criminals in Mechonia are usually sent through a "reform" program that emphasizes community service and crafting the inmates to become better, nicer, and more productive members of society.  Living conditions in these prisons are par on average for most Mechonians, if not a little better (given that a lot of Mechonians don't even believe in electricity in the home).  Psychologists, gym instructors, and various other officials are brought in to help the prisoners as well.  The highest prison sentence one can receive is 10 years with the possibility of parole.  However, for crimes deemed so severe that reform is nigh impossible, the person is "exiled" out of the country (a hold over from the Communist days).  Many have called for reform on this front, calling "exile" the "most barbaric punishment in the western world, even more so than capital punishment."
However, this hasn't done much to decrease crime in Mechonia.  In fact, crime is sort of a way of life in some areas, particularly in blue collar areas.  The Irish Mob in Mechonia is almost as old as the nation itself, having hubris in the urban areas along the coast and having a hand in political corruption.  The ties between organized crime and political machinery (mostly Social Democratic) are damning and the efforts of reformists usually fall on deaf ears.  Recently, the Russian Mob has risen as a powerful criminal force, with it's own influence in the business world, military, sports, and other activities (namely the casino industry).  Though not as bad as some nations (United Stateslol), the crime rate is disturbingly high compared to other "western" nations.

Civil Rights and Liberties: True to form, the Mechonian government has become infamous for it's lack of addressing controversial social issues.  Neither do the regional governments.  In the words of one Pro-life advocate: "Where, in all of the constitutions, both federal and local, is there anything stating the legality of abortion!?  NOWHERE!"  The early incarnations of Mechonia did pass progressive reforms such as universal suffrage. . . . but later on (probably too busy with all the government failures and revolutions) the Civil Rights issues faced in many modern countries were almost completely ignored in Mechonia.  Many speculate that the relative racial conformity of the time (Mechonia was 93% white in the 1960's, compared to 83% today) the people just didn't see any issue with it, figuring that denying minorities the rights to sit in mostly white bars was bad business sense.  However, recent decades have shown that ethnic hostilities between white communities and non-whites is more pronounced than anyone cared to admit.  The persistence of race riots is clear testament to that as well as the spread of Islamophobia as a reaction against increased Middle Eastern immigration.  These groups face employment and housing discrimination that rivals LGBT individuals in the United States!  A good number of whites in Mechonia also blame recent immigrants for the spikes in crime, though crime has always been a part of society with organized crime syndicates (mostly Irish, though Russian groups have challenged the status quo in recent decades) being as old as the nation itself.  While many claim that the absence of these issues does guarantee de facto rights, many others claim that the absence of these issues in the books effectively enables the denial of these rights.
However lacking the nation may be in addressing abortion, Civil Rights, and LGBT rights, the Constitution does make strong provisions for civil liberties (well, besides the civil liberty to go eat at whitie's bar, but I digress).  Interrogation rooms are required by law to have video cameras and audio recorders in them.  Censorship is illegal, per the Constitution.  The Constitution requires that any official that approves of extra judicial killings be exiled from the country, forever.  Abusive police tactics lose one their badge.  Gun ownership is explicitly protected in the Constitution, given Mechonia's tradition as a society of hunters (and revolutionaries, lol).  The Constitution explicitly requires that the citizens "overthrow" any government that spies on it's citizens without warrants.  Considering Mechonia's passionate zeal for defending "Civil Liberties", many find it's approach on Civil and Gay Rights abysmal and drastically in need of reform.

Energy:

Most of Mechonia's energy needs are provided by a combination of renewable energy resources.  There are several nuclear power facilities, located a distance from local populace, mostly in the inland areas.  Wind power is very plentiful, but is regulated to prevent people from getting "eyesores" from seeing them everywhere.  There are a couple of hydroelectric dams (on the rivers) and geothermal power plants as well.  There is still a coal industry, given the need for jobs inland, but the extraction and usage of it has declined significantly.  Mechonia's last coal power plant was closed on January 8th, 1996.  Now days, coal is sold in public markets for personal home usage (mainly cooking and heating).  Given that a lot of Mechonians don't have basic electricity (a lot of which was conscious choice), energy demands are lower than other developed nations.  Many people (whom the upper classes mockingly called "cheapskates") prefer to live in non-powered households and then go into town to use public libraries (which have modern information technology such as computers), community centers, bathing houses (gender neutral, these people aren't shy), public gyms (gyms funded by the government), and other general public use places.  Most localities have these basic services, though the size of those vary according to locality.

[Society:]

Well, I guess I better make my country more clear before it starts to sound like the rest of the "left wing utopia" stuff on here:

Society:

Mechonian society is mostly laid back lower class proletariat.  Due to laws against corporations and excessive wealth, the upper class is largely non-existent outside of some business buildings in the capital Zelgrad and in Neimanheim (the largest city, with a population of 107,920).  Though industrial jobs and the like have been a big party of it's history, most Mechonians prefer to live in the small towns of the country and tend to avoid the larger urban areas.  Most of the country's cities, towns, and villages are located along the western coast, due to favorable clime though modern technology is making living in the previously inhospitable "inland" zone a reality.  Though 95% of the population is above the standard of living, it should be noted that the standard of living in Mechonia is considerably lower than many other "western" nations.  Half of the country don't even have climate control in their homes and three quarters of the residents don't have television.  Utilities are government owned.  There are public broadcast channels, but network television (for those who own tvs) is available and there is no government censorship board.  Automobile ownership is common amongst farmers, but not much else (20% of the country probably has cars).
Which isn't to say that Mechonians are entirely traditionalists.  There is a considerable degree of religiousity in the country, with considerable degree of Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Orthodox Jewish residents.  However, there are also a large number of "spiritualist" religiousness in the nation, with the popularity of neo-paganism getting larger amongst the population.  There is a degree of atheism, about 16% of the population, but nothing to write home about.  In fact Atheism has gone down drastically over the past few decades, having been at a high of 34% in 1956.  Much of this decrease, again, has to do with the spread and influence of spiritualist and neo-pagan theology that is getting more popular with younger Mechonians.  As well, church attendance is the highest it's been since the 1920's.  The Mechonian government has no legal definition on marriage, meaning that "marriage" in the country can be anything from heterosexual to homosexual to polygamous.  However, Mechonian society isn't exactly Co-Exist on the LGBT community, especially in some of the communities with high numbers of Orthodox residents.  And despite it's reputation as a generally social democratic nation, racism is quite common in society.  Legally, there is equality and discrimination is illegal in many professions, however many white Mechonians are suspicious of the recent wave of non-white minorities moving into the cities.  Many residents are open minded about Oriental philosophies such as Buddhism, but are distrustful of the few Islamic residents in the urban areas.  There are some outside "Native" populations (mostly Inuit) that are also settled in the area that generally (in modern times) co-exist peacefully with whites.
Alcohol and marijuana usage have very high rates amongst the population, with Mechonia having some of the most liberal laws on the planet.  The country's alcohol industry is one of the largest per GDP on the planet, with coastal vineyards making up 14.8% of GDP and the brewery industry making up 11.8%.  That is over a quarter of the country's Gross Domestic Product coming solely from Alcohol!

Total Population: 2,104,982

Racial Demographics:
White: 83.92%
Native: 6.82%
Asian: 6.4%
Others: 2.86%

Unemployment: 1.2%
Per Capita GDP: $19,290 a Year
Average Life Expectancy: 61 Years
Top Industry: Vineyards (14.8% of GDP)

[Mechonian Political History to Present Day:]

Mechonian Political History to Present Day:

Since 1861, there have been six different incarnations of the Mechonian state.  There have been two revolutions, two government failures. and a foreign invasion.

The first of these states was the Confederation of Mechonian States which were pretty much a left wing version of the early United States under the Articles of Confederation.  Pretty much, all the of the localities of the Mechonian state were ruled completely by governing boards that dictated everything economical and social.  Almost immediately the flaws in this governance were seen, as many localities were at odds with each other.  Given the diversity (for the times) of the Mechonian State, cultural barriers became stronger than ever.  Some localities operated as if out of the Marxist playbook, others went back to full on laissez faire capitalism, some made Russian the official language, others instituted Gaeltacht, some even got the idea to create their own languages, and on and on the differences were made plain.  As a result, one nation became 72, each town, each village, each city in effect becoming a city state.  In Spring of 1881, the Confederation would fall and delegates from all over the nation would meet to at a new Constitutional Convention to establish a proper Mechonian nation that could unite the municipalities under one leadership.

In January of 1882 the new nation would be founded, the Republic of Mechonia.  20 plus years removed from the initial revolution against the British capitalists, this new establishment would be markedly less radical than the one that came before it.  A new national government was formed, establishing universal suffrage rights and popular vote elections and an emphasis on democratic rights.  A system of wealth was created, with rights for corporations and companies to operate within the confines of the nation's borders, with full respect of labor rights.  Although labeled "the capitalist Mechonia", this nation was still well to the left of many of it's time (many Mechonians laughed at "progressives" in the United States who introduced trust busting legislation, noting that regulations on business was a lot more thorough in the nation).  It was under this Mechonia that the Georgist Land Tax was first introduced, whereby the unmodified value of land was taxed for government revenues.  Language as a whole was left unmolested, though unofficially most places kept English as the unofficial language.  This state would last until 1920, when it was overthrown by a Communist revolution.

The People's Republic of Mechonia would last for a relatively short amount of time.  In the time that it did radical reforms were made, such as the abolition of all corporations, in the nation.  Also, the middle and upper classes of society were dissolved by government decree and all their goods and property sold to the "worker class".  It would've lasted longer, however, if it weren't for the "Red Scare" of the times.  Alarmed at the presence of a nearby Communist nation, the United States and Canada launched a cooperative military adventure into the Mechonian state, overthrowing the government in four days.  Shortly thereafter a pro-Canadian government was established, having it's loyalties more to Ottawa than to the people of the nation.

With the 1920's and general prosperity, the new pro-Canada government was successful at first.  Headed by a Liberal Government that supported aims such as free trade, low taxation, austerity, and other capitalistic ideas, the government saw some business and urban growth along the coastal areas.  At the same time, several towns inland ascended to city status, reaching populations of more than 10,000 people.  Technological and medical advancement dramatically improved the quality of life in the harsh extremes of the mountainous regions, seeing a multiplication of the previous population.  However, the tidal wave of unchecked speculation and the impending stock exchange crashes late in the decade, would end the prosperity.  With unemployment at nearly 30%, thousands of people marched on the capital in Velgrad (located inland).  The governing authorities, surrounded, surrendered peaceably.

The Second Republic of Mechonia, as it is commonly labeled, was founded as a social democratic state with an emphasis on a strong social safety net, a Labor Bill of Rights, and full employment.  Capitalist establishments and institutions, however, were still respected.  However, caps on income were put in place, with taxes set to prevent anyone earning more than $1 million in income.  However, business investment in the country dramatically decreased and many wealthy and middle classed individuals ended up leaving the country.  Forever.  As a result, a significant amount of the tax base would disappear, leading to a fiscal and hyperinflation crisis in 1955 that would end the government.

A state of anarchy would ensue shortly afterward that lasted from August 1955 until September of the next year.  In September of 1956, the final and current incarnation of the Mechonian state would emerge.

The Common States of Mechonia were established on September 8th, 1956.  Harkening back to the good ole days, the new nation was founded on common ownership of all land and reinstating the Georgist economic plan.  Universal Labor Rights were enshrined in the new Constitution, as well as the renewal of the ban on corporations.  Traditional Mechonian beliefs, like civil liberties and freedom of religion, were restored.  Single Payer Healthcare, universal education, and a nationwide railway system were fully established.

Next Update: Society in Mechonia

[Mechonia:Geographic/Climate]

I'm going to include some historical/geographic background.  Beware, it's not entirely realistic (remember, writing this as a strawman of the ideal republic):

Mechonia:

Geographic/Climate

A remote mountainous region that is roughly 330,000 square miles in land area, Mechonia is known for it's harsh yet livable climate infamous for it's lack of sunlight and cold temperatures.  Located in just a few degree south of the Arctic Circle, days here are either really long or really short depending on the season.  However, the climate patterns variate depending on where one lives.  Along the coastal regions, precipitation is quite common and the land is quite green considering the reputation of Mechonia as a frigid mountain covered region.  In most of the region however, the blocking effect of the expansive mountain ranges has yielded a semi-arid climate with many areas that receive less than 10" in precipitation every year.  The coastal areas are well regulated by oceanic shifts to a moderate climate characterized by heavy precipitation and Arctic Marine climate (temperature ranges from 10F to 62F year round) while the inland areas suffer temperature extremes common for removed areas (temperature ranges from -70F to 106F year round).  There are several lakes in the inland area, as well as some streams, creeks, and rivers, that also provide the residents with plentiful (but Jardia infested) waters.  Settlements on the coast have been around for thousands of years by indigenous peoples, though there are records of a few inhabitants predating the colonial era in the inland areas around the caverns of the Niublan sector.  This makes Mechonia one of the world's most inhospitable regions to have had record of long term settlements.

History:

"O'Mechonia, the place where hope dies as the winds.  Pity be the poor man who be settled there!"-Sir Edmund J. Smith

Settled many thousands of years ago by indigenous tribes, Mechonia has a cultural history that fits well with it's hostile climate.  Historical record shows that a vast majority of settlement in the region happened in the coastal regions (which make up roughly 75,000 of the 330,000 sq. miles of the region), of which the numbers were small.  It is estimated that before the spread of the Smallpox plague that the population of indigenous peoples in Mechonia numbered at most 6,000.  In the words of historian John J. Abrams "Mechonia was a region which had weather so inhospitable to pre-modern technological civilization that most of the Inuits and other northern native groups that tried to settle it died out from famine and the cold.  The 6,000 population figure are those that settled on the less hostile coastal region. . . . . the descendants of those few groups that had gotten accustomed to the cold climate that killed many others."  By the time the first Europeans discovered Mechonia. . .  all they found was mountainous wastelands and the ghostly shells of dead indigenous villages.  Those that might've survived the plagues most likely scattered to the four winds or fled south towards more hospitable climes.  All that is left of the natives are the remains of those villages that were later converted to towns by mostly white European settlers.  For hundreds of years, they have tried to find out the mysteries and history of those that came before them. . . . . with considerable success.  What is known is that the ancient Mechonian tribes were largely a combination of hunter gatherers and farmers.  In the Coastal areas various crops were grown, including signs of a brewery culture.  Most tribes preferred vegetarianism, given the suitable lands along the coast and the limited amount of suitable game.  Inland cultures were more carnivorish, given the large amounts of bears, moose, cougars, and various other big game in the area.

The first documented record of European exploration in the region was in 1775, when Thomas James O'Riordan, an Irish born Spanish Lieutenant, and his unit came across the remains of some villages during the September of that year.  The group explored the habitable coastal regions and set up camp at Fort Leon, located near present day Neimanheim, Mechonia's most populous city.  The vast majority of the inland areas, due to it's inhospitable nature, was avoided.  Once Fort Leon and the port town of St. Lazarus were set up, O'Riordan had an envoy sent back to the French and Spanish colonies of North and South America to encourage immigration to the north to establish a center of trade in the northern regions of North America.  Due to changing political realities, Fort Leon and St. Lazarus changed hands often between the colonial powers, as early as 1782 the British took hold of the virgin region after asserting their authority over the region due to an earlier agreement between them and the Spanish.  However, immigration to the region spurred on as many poor European settlers in the expanses of colonial America moved there due to the economic opportunities (cheap land, some of it being given away, as well as some mines discovered further inland) in the area.  Over time the region grew into a diverse population center with several new towns along the coastline and even a few mining communities located closer to the mountains.  Although now a British colony, it experienced quite a bit of immigration from other powers, mainly Russian and French, that was possible due to the lax enforcement of the area (British governing authorities saw it as a "low priority region") that saw some of the earliest examples of free trade between world powers (Tory MPs in Parliament liked to attack free trade by bringing up "the joke state of Mechonia").  The remoteness of the coastal settlements of Mechonia made international cooperation between these settlers (who were often at war with each other back home) a necessity.  One particular example of the odd nature of British controlled Mechonia was when the British garrisons at Fort James allowed Russian traders free room and board at the height of the Crimean War.  The Governor of Mechonia at the time, a Sir Isaac Josephs, summarized his view of the even:

Whether our far away mother countries are at war is irrelevant to the establishment of our forts of trade out here in this Devil's Land where even your worst enemies are your best friends.  FOr a death by Russian hordes is much preferable to the winters of the Inland Mountains!

However laissez faire the governance of the area was, discontentment always seemed high amongst the mostly lower class residents that made up the majority of Mechonia's economy.  By the 1850's several large labor movements were rising up in the region, demanding rights and protections in their occupations as well as guarantees for social mobility.  Many of the impoverished residents, including large numbers of Jews from the Russian Empire fleeing from persecution, Catholic immigrants from Ireland fleeing famine, the disenfranchised French from other parts of British Canada, Germans fleeing Revolution back home, and some Scandinavian communities, began to protest the government in Georgesville for neglecting their interests.  At the time rich prosperous farmers and industrialists (mostly of English background) took advantage of the availability of cheap and willing labor to extract the resources of the land.

Given the times, labor insurrectionists were unexpected thing.  However, recent immigration from Europe brought over scores of survivors of the Revolutions of 1848 who were filled with revolutionary zeal against "the established oligarchies of the Old World."  Some of the more educated German immigrants had brought over copies of a book called "the Communist Manifesto" by a Santa Claus looking character named Karl Marx.  Sensing the large scale arrival of Irish laborers as a sign, themselves victims of capitalist ignorance and Old World totalitarianism, some of these former German nationalists began an organized campaign that reached across the continent to the ports of America to encourage those with revolutionary zeal to move to Mechonia. . . . where the plans for the first worker's paradise in the world were being put into motion.  Inspired by the success of the "Underground Railroad" in America, these revolutionaries began establishing their own network of informants, propagandists, and agents that ranged from Ft. Leon all the way to New York City, in America.

Seizing upon the concern of the British with the American Civil War, the residents of the removed colony finally struck out with region wide mining strikes and worker uprisings.  Seizing armories across the region with the help of sympathetic low level immigrant troops, the revolution spread throughout Mechonia like a plague.  Starting on September 1st, the revolution was complete in establishing control in all populated areas and forts by September 8th.  Military losses were minimal, given the weak military presence in the region (most soldiers surrendered to the revolutionaries, if not joined them).  The British authorities left, with their tail between their legs, towards nearby Canada offering terms to the government in Ottawa.  The authorities, sensing their position as fragile, signed the terms of surrender, thus relinquishing British control of the area to the left wing residents.

Loosely founded on the principles of Marx, the newly free and independent state of Mechonia was established as a loose confederation of governing boards similar to the vision of libertarian socialist philosophers of the time.  The new motto of the nation would be "the Common Land", an emphasis both on it's foundation of the interests of the commoners who overthrew their oppressive upper class rulers and on the basis of the foundation of the government in common property ownership.

Update relating to modern Mechonia politics and the like will be up later.

I would love to hear the response from the "efficient war" hawks on this:

http://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/microsites/human-rights-institute/COLUMBIACountingDronesFinalNotEmbargo.pdf

This study suggests that 50 civilians are killed in drone strikes for every 1 terrorist.

or...

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/25/world/asia/pakistan-us-drone-strikes

"TBIJ reports that from June 2004 through mid-September 2012, available data indicate that drone strikes killed 2,562 - 3,325 people in Pakistan, of whom 474 - 881 were civilians, including 176 children. TBIJ reports that these strikes also injured an additional 1,228 - 1,362 individuals," according to the Stanford/NYU study.

Our government and our citizens need to drop this fantasy of an "easy" war  that we can fight remotely with surgical precision. It's a delusion -- our exceptionalism is still getting thousands of people killed.

http://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/microsites/human-rights-institute/COLUMBIACountingDronesFinalNotEmbargo.pdf

This study suggests that 50 civilians are killed in drone strikes for every 1 terrorist.

or...

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/25/world/asia/pakistan-us-drone-strikes

"TBIJ reports that from June 2004 through mid-September 2012, available data indicate that drone strikes killed 2,562 - 3,325 people in Pakistan, of whom 474 - 881 were civilians, including 176 children. TBIJ reports that these strikes also injured an additional 1,228 - 1,362 individuals," according to the Stanford/NYU study.

Our government and our citizens need to drop this fantasy of an "easy" war  that we can fight remotely with surgical precision. It's a delusion -- our exceptionalism is still getting thousands of people killed.

Yes, all we have really managed to do is make imperialism cheaper.

Further, I think it should be the responsibility of the policy makers and military leaders of this country to ponder the effects of drone warfare on the mental wellbeing of the residents of areas like northern Pakistan and the like.  Going about your daily life always under the fear that one of those evil sky demons will take your life one day can't be good on your sanity.

Cue "buh buh but EVIL TERRISTS!" from the "violence is okay when a Democrat does it!" crowd.

ENCORE!  ENCORE!  ENCORE!

Jesusland would be a socially backwards country full of narrow-minded, intolerant people, and no doubt that many will suffer under it. But most would get by, and though their lives would be dull and oppressing, they would be livable.

Anyrandland, on the other hand, perfectly fits the description of hell. No such society could possibly remain sustainable more than a few decades. It would either collapse under a massive revolution or just self-annihilate. Anyone who chooses it has his values seriously f**ked up.

Right on spot.

I'll say AynRandLand for another reason.  After religion is destroyed, greed by and large will be destroyed.  Most people are naturally benevolent, they need religion/superstition/junk science to feel they have a superior standing than others and therefore justify their greed.  Societies in which religion is powerful breed this type of thought.  

Yes, forced secularist countries like the Communists established didn't work, but that's because they forced the atheism upon people.  That doesn't work because it's a slap to the face of free will.  

AynRandLand is terrible because the lack of religion will naturally result in a society that moves away from unchecked capitalism, but the Rand ideology will dictate that we can't move towards collectivism EVEN IF WE WANT TO.  

To illustrate: This picture is no coincidence, whether or not the faithful would like to believe otherwise.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/01/homeless-man-tests-kindness-religions-atheists-money_n_3189871.html

One guy doing a random image conscious experiment and a Huffington Post article?

Wow, you just swayed me HockeyDude!  Religion has no purpose and is evil!  Evil!  Atheists are truly the most generous people ever because of one guy sitting on a gym bag (?) and some bored alcoholic popular trends writer at Huffington Post!

This is truly remarkable quality.  Post of the Year nominee!

New Jersey is pretty much my second state, other than my home state of PA. Overall he's pretty horrible governor.  He's anti-union, anti-choice, anti-equality, anti-civil liberties, and probably a neo-con on civil liberties.

If he is elected president, which he won't, he would continue the corporate policies and anti-civil liberty policies that have happened under Obama/Bush/Clinton.

All of the Republican candidates, expect maybe Rand Paul, but he flip flopped on drones so I would never vote for him, are for things like NDAA 2012, Patriot Act, FISA, Gitmo Bay, drones, anti-marriage equality, anti-choice, pro-corporate controlled.  Hiliary will also continue the pro-corporate anti-civil liberty policies of Obama/Bush/Clinton.

That's why I like many proud Americans will vote third party in 2016.  Because we aren't foolish enough to voe for the lesser of two evils (Democrats).

I'm sorry, I think you might've accidentally put this in the wrong thr-. . . .  oh right.

Yeah, thinking people would actually have the nads to support, in large numbers no less, a third party bid is pretty foolish.

No.

I'm pretty sure TJinWisco ranks a bit higher on the good poster list.

[October 3rd, 1987Denver County Processing Center9:45 PM:]

Advisory: This next entry contains some politically incorrect slurs.  Remember, this is the eighties in a pretty bigoted alternate TL.

October 3rd, 1987
Denver County Processing Center
9:45 PM:

Manning and Westman are in a crowded lobby full of zipperhead, crackheads, freaks, thieves, and other general assorted lowlife that smell accordingly.
Manning: Well Scott, this is where I must leave you.
Westman looks around, shocked.
Westman: What!?  I have to stay here?!
Manning: Sorry bud, but that's how the system operates.  You get arrested you stay arrested until bail is posted.  Unfortunately that is tomorrow.
Westman: Man, I ain't staying here with these meth addicted faggots.
A tall man in biker gear comes over to where Westman is.
Biker: What was that asshole?
Westman steps closer and sneers.  He pulls out a tic tac.
Westman: Here's a tic-tac.  Your breath smells like cock.
Biker: Oh yeah!  You would know wouldn't ya?
Biker slaps Westman hard.
Biker: Little bitch.
Guards would normally show up by about now, but this is a very crowded processing center with all the officers dealing with the other freaks at the setup desks.  Westman looks into the eyes of the biker and snarls.
Westman: I've beaten men way stronger than you within an inch of their life.  Some of them cops.  Think they were all tough because of their gear and them night sticks, no sir.  This is one hippie whose ass doesn't break for anybody.  You think that this tough guy act scares me?  Well it doesn't.  So, if you want to rest in peace tonight, I would think very carefully about what your next move is.  I'm a Governor, and I'm not afraid of the political consequences of beating your ass.  Question is though: Are you?
Manning comes up between them.
Manning: Whoa!  Whoa!  Hey asshole!  You trying to get yourself killed before the trial?  What the f***s tha mattah with you?  I come down from Duluth, thousands of miles, to defend some egomaniac sh*thead who is itching to beat him some gay biker ass?
Biker guy raises a finger at Manning.
Biker: You watch it!
Manning looks at him with a glare.
Manning: Or else what?  You think you're so big and tough and intimidating?  Well let me tell you something pal: My mother-in-law is Jewish!
Biker's mouth opens in disbelief.  He seems concerned now.
Biker: I'm sorry.
Manning looks at him with a serious look.
Manning: Damn right you better be, cocksucker.
Biker looks offended.
Biker: Hey!
Manning points a finger at him.
Manning: It's been three months since that bitch moved in and everyday since then I've been plotting her inevitable demise.  Everyday, every night it's always the same thing: "Chalie!  Where's the sugar?  Chalie!  Where's the remote control?  Chalie!  When are you going to produce me some grandchildren!?  Chalie, when was the last time you talked to your wife?"  All the time she's in there, she's in my f***ing ass!  Always getting involved in me and Deborah's life, throwing up a stink every night I stay out in the bars with my friends because my wife's faggot art friends come ovah!  I mean I'm for equal rights and sh*t, think there's something f***ed about psychiatric treatment, but good lord speech therapy people!
Biker: If you need any help around here, let me know.
Manning looks at the Biker with disgust.
Manning: For one you can stop looking at my pecker, you f***in fruit.
Biker walks off, muttering under his breath.
Westman looks at him with awe.
Manning: What?
Westman: That was incredible.
Manning: F***ing cocksucker was looking me over like I'm a f***ing vanilla ice cream cone.
Westman: Ya know, I was using "faggot" as more of a general term.
Manning: Yes of course, I know.  However, Biker boy over there looks like he was scanning the seas of freaks for his beak, if you catch my drift.
Westman looks at the biker and then at Charles.
Westman: What?  No way!  That guy ain't. . . . .
Manning laughs.
Manning: And you're a Governor?  Sh*t, no wonder why they pay lawyers more.  I should run for Governor of Minnesota one day.  I'd probably be a smarter guy than half of youse stupid f***s at least.
Westman laughs.
Westman: Hell of a character Chuck, hell of a character.
Manning: Anyway, I got to get going.  This is one of my few nights of freedom away from my wife and her evil overlord mother.  See you.
Westman waves goodbye.  Then an officer comes up to him.
Officer: Governor, this way.
The officer escorts Westman to what appears to be a secluded almost empty part of the building.  They arrive in front of an elevator.  They get in and the officer presses a button marked "B3".  To Westman's shock, the elevator starts going down.
Westman: What?  Is this?
Officer: Basement level three, where rich famous assholes like you are stored.
Thank f***, thought I'd have mouthbreathers trying to molest me all night.
The door opens and Westman observes an entrance lobby with a woman sitting behind a plated glass booth.  The officer steps forward and speaks into the microphone.
Officer: Temporary: Westman, Scott.
The booth lady presses a button and the door to Westman's left opens and he is taken through into a pretty clean, spacious, and luxurious rec room with some exercise equipment, a tv, and even a bar.
Officer: Bar's extra.  This way Westman.
Officer leads him to a door with an electromagnetic tape on it.  The officer waves a scanner over it, there is a clicking sound followed by a green light, and he opens the door.
Officer: There you go.  If you need anything press this intercom button.
Westman: Curfew?
Officer chuckles.
Officer: Not here.  Just keep the sodomy in the cells.  Good luck tomorrow.
The officer leaves as Westman looks at his cell room.  In it was a comfy looking twin size bed, the intercom system, a pretty nice radio (Westinghouse), a mini-refrigerator stocked with soda (soda?  who drinks that?  kids?), a desk with some stationary and several hundred pieces of paper, and a mini-tv.  And apparently he can leave his cell anytime he wants.
I just hope these guys haven't given into sodomy yet.  That would suck.

Moderate Hero.

I would argue that being against equal legal protections, rights, privileges for said group is quite bigoted given the America tradition of supporting such aims.  However, at the same time, I think it's unfair to characterize people who only personally oppose gay marriage, ie the "my Bible says this, I believe in legal rights for gays but don't expect me to call those "marriages" as universally bigoted.  Granted, this also opens up a wide door that begs questions like "well, if someone is personally opposed to interracial marriages but completely okay with non-discrimination laws. . . . . . . are they not a bigot?"  To which I guess it's really a matter of perspective.  Right now though, I find the views of those who stand against hospital visitation rights, child adoption laws, apartment laws, and general legal equality between people of different sexual orientations to be a lot more repugnant than those who may be personally opposed but don't make a point of opposing an individuals "rights".