1st Parliament of South America

[Potus]

Aye

[rpryor03]

Aye

[Spamage]

Aye

[Türkisblau]

Nay

[Talleyrand]

Aye

[Goldwater]

AYE

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Aye

[Хahar 🤔]

Yea

[Murica!]

aye

[PJ]

Aye

[Cassius]

Aye

[Vega]

Aye.

[Dereich]

Aye

[Barnes]

The Ayes to the right: sixteen. The Noes to the left: two.

The Ayes have it, the Ayes have it.

I will open the appropriate threads required under the Standing Orders by later today.

[Barnes]

Division No. 1 -- Called August 24, 2015, at 10.39 am.
Question -- That the Standing Orders be adopted.

Ayes -- 16
Blair
oakvale
Simfan34
SJoyce
Potus2036
rpryor03
spamage
Talleyrand
Goldwater
Al Sibboleth
Xahar
Murica
Politics Junkie
Cassius
Vega
Dereich

Noes -- 2
TNF
Turkisblau

Majority: 14
Motion agreed to.

Members not in attendance: Crabcake and ChairmanSanchez


This is the general way in which divisions will be recorded -- I just think it's nice to have them laid out this way.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I apologize for missing a vote on such an important matter.

[Barnes]

I apologize for missing a vote on such an important matter.

No apologies necessary.  I invite you to look through the Standing Orders and take part in the open threads before the House: Question Time, Private Members Bills, and motions.

[Oakvale]

Mr. Speaker,

In my role as Minister for Justice, I have today introduced the Constitution of South America Act on behalf of the government, outlining and codifying the structures of this nation. It builds upon and clarifies the work done by the Provisional Parliament, and, after consultation with the rest of the Cabinet, I welcome any input from those members on the opposition benches and indeed those in government who are outside of Cabinet.

We have authored this act not as a fait accompli, but as a necessary and limited foundation upon which to build - it is not a list of The Rights Of Man or specific policies, but a necessary and functional document aimed at outlining the fundamental structures in which we operate and to address the concerns raised during the election period.

Upon passage of the Constitution, and with the first 'establishing act', namely the election of your good self and the passage of the rules of order, the Prime Minister will address the house and formally seek the confidence of Parliament in the government's policy agenda.

To paraphrase an old poem, two roads diverged in a yellow wood - one led to a healthy and vibrant democracy, full of life and with thriving debate. Another led to Atlasia. Mr. Speaker, let us take the road less travelled.

[Barnes]

Title: The Constitution of South America Act
Status: Third Reading
Sponsor: Mr. Oakvale (Minister for Justice)
Seconder: Mr. Goldwater
Proposed Amendments:

• No. 1 by Mr. TNF
• No. 2 by Mr. ChairmanSanchez

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[Barnes]

I have decided to make use of this thread as the proper floor of debate for the Parliament.  Seeing as the Standing Orders does allow for multiple debates, secondary threads will be opened for "overflow" when necessary.

Seeing as the Minister has made his introductory remarks, I remind the House that one other member must second the bill for it to move to the amendment stage.

[Goldwater]

I second the bill.

[Barnes]

Amendment Stage

Members now have twenty-four hours to propose any amendments to the bill.  The number of amendments that may be introduced is linked to the size of the opposition parties, as follows:

The Socialist Party (the Official Opposition): Maximum of two amendments
The Workers' Party: Maximum of one amendment
The Pioneers: Maximum of one amendment

[TNF]

I'm offering this amendment because I really don't think we need to have as many offices as we do have. The Presidency is already going to be ceremonial and thus fairly pointless, so there's no reason why the Prime Minister can't serve in that role. Likewise, the Registrar General position was initially created within the idea of a constituency-based system in mind. Without those, there's little point in having that position, either.

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[Хahar 🤔]

I am opposed to requiring a two-thirds majority to amend a bill that is not itself passed by a two-thirds majority. I would also question whether such a clause could be enforced, as it would appear that Parliament cannot bind a future Parliament.

[Barnes]

I am opposed to requiring a two-thirds majority to amend a bill that is not itself passed by a two-thirds majority. I would also question whether such a clause could be enforced, as it would appear that Parliament cannot bind a future Parliament.

I would advise the Honorable Member to propose an amendment to that effect if that is his desire.