Congress of the Confederation - Game thread

[Senator Barnes]

The United States of America

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:

The 13 United States, having survived under the Articles of Confederation, in spite of a louder call of voices to expand the country have continued to govern under a Congress voting by state. The delegations, rarely getting along are held together by Congressional President Barnes. The largest problem facing the current Congress is what to do with the massive Northwest territory. Several states, hungry for land and for the cash of new markets support annexing the entire territory and splitting the resources among them. Other states strongly oppose the measure as it will mean a loss of their work forces and populations who will go west to start a new living.

Another problem facing the Congress are calls that it is undemocratic in itself. With each state only getting one vote in Congress, even though the number of Representatives from each state carries in size. Certain state leaders who are relatively sure of their positions support the measure, while a majority of states, have up until now been opposed to such a measure. Whether anything changes in this next session will remain to be seen....

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.

[Senator Barnes]

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.

[Dr. Cynic]

*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?

[The Mikado]

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.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Jonathan Evans

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

[Senator Barnes]

*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?

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.

[Dr. Cynic]

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*

[Senator Barnes]

Sir,

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

[Dr. Cynic]

Mr. Owen Elliott of New Jersey

Very well, sir.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

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.

[Dallasfan65]

Michael Haley (South Carolina Delegate)

I fully support this measure.

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

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

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.

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

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.

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

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

[Senator Barnes]

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!

[Hashemite]

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

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

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

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.

[hawkeye59]

Mr. Ben Austin of Massachusetts is here.

[Dallasfan65]

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.

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

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Jonathan Evans (Virgina Delegate)

What is this "Big" Business you speak of?

[Dallasfan65]

Michael Haley (South Carolina Delegate)

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

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

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.

[Hashemite]

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

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

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

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

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