Regional Economic Sovereignty Amendment (Failed)

[Senator Cris]

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Sponsor: Senator Oakvale

[Associate Justice PiT]

     The legacy of the dixies/dibbles is one that is near and dear to me.

[Prince of Salem]

Yes!

[Potus]

This amendment would be a dramatic turning point in strengthening the regions. I wholeheartedly endorse this valiant effort.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Disregarding for a moment the fact that allowing the Regions to issue competing currencies and tax inter-regional trade would be an utter nightmare (seriously, this is one of the main reasons we no longer have the Articles of Confederation), we already have a body dedicated entirely to debating changes to the Constitution - it's called the Constitutional Convention. The Senate should not be usurping their mandate by proposing changes to the Regional system at this juncture.

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It would appear so.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I see the radicals show once again their concern for the unemployment rate only matters when it comes to breaking promises to voters and takes second place to the sectionalist agenda.


I support devolution, but destroying the level playing field of the integrated Atlasian economy at this stage would lead to a massive economic shockwave and Atlasia simply cannot handle that at this juncture.

The strength of the Atlasian economy was built on its ability to unite its people and resources in the building of a unmatched economic powerhouse. Getting lumber from Oregon, iron ore from Minnesota, coal from West Virginia, Steel from Pennsylvania, transported on the rails of steel to Detroit and other cities to make manufacture goods along with the vast quantites of grain, corn, livestock and other farm products to feed our growing population.

The strength of our domestic market allows for the Midwest to sell its food to the Northeast and Pacific, the Northeast to sell its manufactured goods and services back to the Midwest. Freedom of trade strengthens the region's economies by expanding their markets and improving their access to resources.

There is a place where devolution ends and separatism begins and for me I fear this will lead to turmoil and strife. Regions fighting one another over access to resources and land, which will inevitably lead to a counter movement shifting all power back to Nyman. Nothing in life is without its equal reaction and failing to understand that will lead us not to more powerful regions, but a centralized Nyman dictatorship.

[Senator Cris]

Bump

[Clyde1998]

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Despite Oakvale being in the same political party as myself, I have concerns about how this would work in practise. Without full sovereign independence for the regions, I wouldn't be able to support this and request that the Senate rejects it - if it remains in it's current form.

First of all, these changes appear to enable the Senate to decide on the tax rate on imports and exports for the regions. Even if this was a devolved issue, it would be problematic. I can't see how there can be different tax rates in a unitary state in terms of trade.

The issue of having a different currency between regions wouldn't make sense without full sovereign independence - people would have to change their currency despite not moving between countries. I can't think of a nation that has a different currency based on what region your in. The only compromise that I would think to be workable would be that the regions would be allowed to print their own banknote designs - and have different banknotes as legal tender within Atlasia - effectively being in the same situation as commemorative coins/notes.

Finally, considering that we're in the process of producing a new Constitution - this would probably get replaced by the new Constitution within the matter of months anyway.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I like the currency part most because of the dixies/dibbles that I mentioned earlier. Don't care too much for the rest.

[Classic Conservative]

Senators have 24 hours to object to Ebowed's amendment.

[Senator Cris]

Sorry

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I motion for a final vote on this bill.

[Prince of Salem]

I motion for a final vote on this bill.

Seconded

[Senator Cris]

A final vote is now open.
Please vote.

[Clark Kent]

NAY

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

NAY!

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Mmm, abstain

[Ebowed]

Nay

[DKrol]

Nay

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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[Senator Cris]

Nay

I'm in favour of more powers to the region, but there is a Constitutional Convention right now that's working on that matter.


The amendment has enough votes to fail.
Senators have 24 hours to change/add their votes.

[Prince of Salem]

Aye

[Senator Cris]

The amendment failed to pass.