Office of the Game Moderator/Atlasian Mustelid Post Gazette

[Big Wiggly Style]

We need to cut Medicare Spending, Iraq/Afghan Operations and Military Spending.

     Given that we don't have Iraq/Afghan operations, it's rather disturbing that we spend anything at all on them.

I completely agree. JBrase and I found that a while back and were quite baffled. Military spending as a whole need to be reduced in this term.

You have my support, Mr. President!

Thank you. Now I can sleep with peace tonight.

[Rowan]

I will not support any cuts to military spending.

[Big Wiggly Style]

I will not support any cuts to military spending.

Then what do you propose we cut in order to reduce our deficit?

[Yelnoc]

I will not support any cuts to military spending.

Even when cutting off funding to Iraq/Afghanistan operations is equivalent to stopping construction on the Bridge to Nowhere?

[Badger]

We need to cut Medicare Spending, Iraq/Afghan Operations and Military Spending.

     Given that we don't have Iraq/Afghan operations, it's rather disturbing that we spend anything at all on them.

Interesting note. I've raised this question at multiple points, including specifically in the Budget Process Committee discussions. To this point no one has pointed out to me, despite repeated requests, anything in Atlasian history showing our government made a firm and decisive break with RL policy/military activity in Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm not swearing that hasn't happened, but merely no one has pointed it out to me despite repeated requests.

Until then--and if this post doesn't produce it nothing will--I'm assuming Atlasian activity and spending in both theaters matches RL.

[Fmr. Emperor PiT]

We need to cut Medicare Spending, Iraq/Afghan Operations and Military Spending.

     Given that we don't have Iraq/Afghan operations, it's rather disturbing that we spend anything at all on them.

Interesting note. I've raised this question at multiple points, including specifically in the Budget Process Committee discussions. To this point no one has pointed out to me, despite repeated requests, anything in Atlasian history showing our government made a firm and decisive break with RL policy/military activity in Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm not swearing that hasn't happened, but merely no one has pointed it out to me despite repeated requests.

Until then--and if this post doesn't produce it nothing will--I'm assuming Atlasian activity and spending in both theaters matches RL.

     Nothing explicit, but the Foreign Policy Review Act of 2010 seems to suggest fairly normal relations with both Afghanistan & Iraq.

[Badger]

We need to cut Medicare Spending, Iraq/Afghan Operations and Military Spending.

     Given that we don't have Iraq/Afghan operations, it's rather disturbing that we spend anything at all on them.

Interesting note. I've raised this question at multiple points, including specifically in the Budget Process Committee discussions. To this point no one has pointed out to me, despite repeated requests, anything in Atlasian history showing our government made a firm and decisive break with RL policy/military activity in Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm not swearing that hasn't happened, but merely no one has pointed it out to me despite repeated requests.

Until then--and if this post doesn't produce it nothing will--I'm assuming Atlasian activity and spending in both theaters matches RL.

     Nothing explicit, but the Foreign Policy Review Act of 2010 seems to suggest fairly normal relations with both Afghanistan & Iraq.

True, but that has to do with relations with the government. I imagine RL relations with the Afghanistani and Iraqi leadership would be considered similarly. Also, simply not specific at all re: termination of military ventures there. Thanks for providing this PiT, but if this is all there is then the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (and their attendant spending) continue as per RL until the government decrees otherwise.

I can't believe this hasn't been touched on previously. What were you guys all debating about in 2006 and when the surge occurred? For that matter I can't believe I didn't inquire about this while a Senator.

[Fmr. Emperor PiT]

We need to cut Medicare Spending, Iraq/Afghan Operations and Military Spending.

     Given that we don't have Iraq/Afghan operations, it's rather disturbing that we spend anything at all on them.

Interesting note. I've raised this question at multiple points, including specifically in the Budget Process Committee discussions. To this point no one has pointed out to me, despite repeated requests, anything in Atlasian history showing our government made a firm and decisive break with RL policy/military activity in Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm not swearing that hasn't happened, but merely no one has pointed it out to me despite repeated requests.

Until then--and if this post doesn't produce it nothing will--I'm assuming Atlasian activity and spending in both theaters matches RL.

     Nothing explicit, but the Foreign Policy Review Act of 2010 seems to suggest fairly normal relations with both Afghanistan & Iraq.

True, but that has to do with relations with the government. I imagine RL relations with the Afghanistani and Iraqi leadership would be considered similarly. Also, simply not specific at all re: termination of military ventures there. Thanks for providing this PiT, but if this is all there is then the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (and their attendant spending) continue as per RL until the government decrees otherwise.

I can't believe this hasn't been touched on previously. What were you guys all debating about in 2006 and when the surge occurred? For that matter I can't believe I didn't inquire about this while a Senator.

     Perhaps more relevantly, we also have a free trade agreement with Iraq, per the Omnibus Trade Reorganization & Wiki Consolidation Act.

[Badger]

We need to cut Medicare Spending, Iraq/Afghan Operations and Military Spending.

     Given that we don't have Iraq/Afghan operations, it's rather disturbing that we spend anything at all on them.

Interesting note. I've raised this question at multiple points, including specifically in the Budget Process Committee discussions. To this point no one has pointed out to me, despite repeated requests, anything in Atlasian history showing our government made a firm and decisive break with RL policy/military activity in Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm not swearing that hasn't happened, but merely no one has pointed it out to me despite repeated requests.

Until then--and if this post doesn't produce it nothing will--I'm assuming Atlasian activity and spending in both theaters matches RL.

     Nothing explicit, but the Foreign Policy Review Act of 2010 seems to suggest fairly normal relations with both Afghanistan & Iraq.

True, but that has to do with relations with the government. I imagine RL relations with the Afghani and Iraqi leadership would be considered similarly. Also, simply not specific at all re: termination of military ventures there. Thanks for providing this PiT, but if this is all there is then the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (and their attendant spending) continue as per RL until the government decrees otherwise.

I can't believe this hasn't been touched on previously. What were you guys all debating about in 2006 and when the surge occurred? For that matter I can't believe I didn't inquire about this while a Senator.

     Perhaps more relevantly, we also have a free trade agreement with Iraq, per the Omnibus Trade Reorganization & Wiki Consolidation Act.

What are trade relations with Iraq in RL? Again, any tariffs that may be in place have nothing to do with lack of diplomatic and/or military support of the Iraqi government. I appreciate the info, PiT, but I don't see a free trade agreement as indicative that Atlasia withdrew its military forces from Iraq and/or Afghanistan.

Again, it seems strange but apparently true that repeated successive administrations and senates have merely assumed Atlasia stopped any significant military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, when in fact nothing of the sort was officially done.

Might be an interesting and long overdue subject for senate debate, no?

[Badger]

News Flash: Economy Still Stinks.

(AMPG--Nyman): Government economists announced today that the national unemployment rate continues to rise, hitting 9.2% in March, up from 9.1% last month. The annual rate of economic growth rose to 0.4%, double February's figures, but still low enough that the economy is still under immediate threat of recession economists warn.

Stocks have remained "stablish" on market analyst opined. But, the expert further warned: "It's kind of like stabilizing in a coma after suffering a major stroke. The immediate danger is gone, but there's still no signs of life."

More news to follow after the GM's birthday bash this weekend.

[Yelnoc]

Happy b-day!!!

[Jbrase]

Happy Birthdaythoughnotsureexactlywhatitisonbutstillhappyb-daynonetheless

[Badger]

Dunka Shein (or however its spelt). Its tomorrow, but the drinking party starts shortly.

[Big Wiggly Style]

Dunka Shein (or however its spelt). Its tomorrow, but the drinking party starts shortly.

Danke schön**

[Marokai]

We need to cut Medicare Spending, Iraq/Afghan Operations and Military Spending.

     Given that we don't have Iraq/Afghan operations, it's rather disturbing that we spend anything at all on them.

We also set up Medicare and Medicaid to essentially be abolished nearly two years ago.

(I'm also genuinely curious as to what Jbrase thinks the current tax rates are.)

[Badger]

We need to cut Medicare Spending, Iraq/Afghan Operations and Military Spending.

     Given that we don't have Iraq/Afghan operations, it's rather disturbing that we spend anything at all on them.

We also set up Medicare and Medicaid to essentially be abolished nearly two years ago.

(I'm also genuinely curious as to what Jbrase thinks the current tax rates are.)

No, don't blame JBrase. I've been meaning to adjust deficit levels to account for the Fiscal Responsibility Act, but haven't got around to it yet. That's my slowness, not his.

I've also wondered about the Medicaid/Medicare thing in light of Atlasia's version of health care reform being passed. Though despite these same spending categories being proposed at the time, this was never brought up by ANYONE on the budget process committee last year, was it Marokai?

[Marokai]

I suppose it wasn't..

[shua]

so, do we need to do anything else for Medicare and Medicaid to be phased out, or is there any problem if we just stop funding it? 

[Badger]

so, do we need to do anything else for Medicare and Medicaid to be phased out, or is there any problem if we just stop funding it? 

I think in terms of Medicare and Medicaid the funding is being changed to a new national health care system. The labeling of spending subcategories should change; in terms of the money spent, well, probably so---but I'm not yet sure how.

Input on this Marokai? As well as any critics of this "socialized medicine"?

[Marokai]

The spending of Medicare and Medicaid would probably be along the same lines I suppose, since most of what we did was simply transfer patients, personnel, and the funding to the national healthcare program.

[Badger]

This thread seems to have been unsticked. Could that be rectified please?

[Badger]

BREAKING NEWS: ATLASIA AND CHINA COME TO AGREEMENT:

Stocks Rise On Reports of "Nominal" Financing Cuts

(AMPG--Beijing): PRC and Atlasian representatives today announced an end to the debt financing crisis that paralyzed world markets for months. In a joint communique the parties announced China will live up to its obligations to reduce its financing of Atlasians annual budget deficit by reducing its purchase of Atlasian government securities by 2.1%. As part of the announcement it was revealed Atlasia will reduce its tarriffs on rubber, tire, and processed iron from 35% to 25%.

Wall street has reacted with favorable excitement with the announcement; industries affected by the reduced tariffs and unions have reacted angrily. More analysis to follow.

[Badger]

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Folks, as its become painfully obvious over the last month that real life has overtaken my ability to do this job--let alone at the level of activity I expect of myself--I will need to hand over the reins of GM. Ergo, I will resign effective either June 1, or when President Tmthforu's nominee is confirmed, whichever comes first.

Sorry for the absent month, and Dave Bless Atlasia.

Oh, and while I'm not leaving Atlasia, I won't be that active in the immediate future either. Just please PM me when elections and JCP conventions are going on, k?

[Senator Ben]

You will be missed, my friend.  You have been an excellent GM.

[Yelnoc]

You will be missed, my friend.  You have been an excellent GM.

Seconded.