Senate Protest and Analysis Thread

[Frodo]

Atlasian-Djibouti Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Djibouti.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Ethiopia Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Ethiopia.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Kenya Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Kenya.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Tanzania Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Tanzania.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Namibia Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Namibia.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Atlasian-Botswana Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Botswana.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Mali Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Mali.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Gabon Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Gabon.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Benin Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Benin.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Ghana Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Ghana.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.


Atlasian-Senegal Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Senegal.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Wouldn't it be simpler simply to have one large bill entitled the 'Atlasia-Sub-Saharan African Free Trade Bill', and have a list of all the countries in this region with which we wish to have free trade? 

[Frodo]

Draka Illegal Immigration and Labor Act

(...) §3. New slaves
   (a) To insure that permanent indentured servants are easily identifiable, new permanent indentured servants shall have an RFID chip implanted in their body.
   (b) To insure that no children are born to permanent indentured servants, new permanent indentured servants shall be surgically sterilized.
   (c) Contracts for new permanent indentured servants shall be disposed of in the same manner as surplus property under subtitle I of title 40 of the United States Code.

§4. Servant Code
   The Secretary of Labor shall within 180 days of the passage of this Act promulgate a Servant Code.  Such Code shall specify -
      (1) minimum standards of food, shelter, clothing, and working conditions a contractor must provide a servant,
      (2) the maximum level of discipline that a contractor may use to punish a servant that fails to obey,
      (3) penalties, consistent with penalties imposed for similar offenses under title 18 of the United States Code, for violations of the Servant Code, whether by a contractor, a servant, or a third party, and
      (4) such other rules and regulations as the Secretary determines are needful for an effective system of servant management.

You're hilarious, Ernest. 

[Frodo]

Universal Health Care Bill of 2007

1. The federal government hereby establishes a single-payer universal health care program for use in the District of Columbia and all federal territories.
2. This program will be open towards any resident or citizen of the District of Columbia or any Atlasian federal territories regardless of previous health conditions, disability, citizenship status, criminal record, or economic status.  No person will be required to pay for access to health care.
3. All medical services, including preventative treatment and dental care, will be covered under this system.
4. All subsidies towards health maintenence organizations ('HMOs') are abolished.

A definition of what "universal health care" actually means should be provided in section 1, at least in my opinion.

Isn't Section 1 explicit enough?  Isn't it self-explanatory?  Everyone here knows what 'single-payer' health care is.

[Frodo]

Atlasian Tax Code Resolution

Whereas, Atlasia has existed for years without a functioning or present tax code,
therefore let it be

Resolved, that an independent commission shall be instituted for the formation of a tax code to be presented to the Atlasian Senate for approval. The commission shall be made up of the President or a citizen so designated to fill his place, the Attorney General, the PPT, the five regional Governors or any citizen of the same region so designated by a Governor, and two additional Senators so appointed by the Senate. At any time the commission may, by two-thirds consent, approve the addition of outside members as full voting members.

Resolved, that this tax code shall include, but not be limited to, an income tax, sales tax, social security tax, and estate tax. The proposal shall be prepared and presented before the start of FY 2010.

Don't we also currently have a carbon tax, or was that just repealed?

[Frodo]

Atlasian Tax Code Resolution

Whereas, Atlasia has existed for years without a functioning or present tax code,
therefore let it be

Resolved, that an independent commission shall be instituted for the formation of a tax code to be presented to the Atlasian Senate for approval. The commission shall be made up of the President or a citizen so designated to fill his place, the Attorney General, the PPT, the five regional Governors or any citizen of the same region so designated by a Governor, and two additional Senators so appointed by the Senate. At any time the commission may, by two-thirds consent, approve the addition of outside members as full voting members.

Resolved, that this tax code shall include, but not be limited to, an income tax, sales tax, social security tax, and estate tax. The proposal shall be prepared and presented before the start of FY 2010.

Don't we also currently have a carbon tax, or was that just repealed?

It may be repealed in favor of cap-and-trade, or may not be. It can be included in this new tax code, but I want to make sure that we at least get the other things.

Looks like the carbon tax is here to stay...

While we are on the subject of controlling CO2 emissions, it surprises me that no senator (even among the conservative bloc) has introduced a bill expanding the use of nuclear power until around 75 to 80% of our energy needs are met by nuclear power plants.  If there is anything about France that we should emulate, it is that.

[Frodo]

Atlasian Tax Code Resolution

Whereas, Atlasia has existed for years without a functioning or present tax code,
therefore let it be

Resolved, that an independent commission shall be instituted for the formation of a tax code to be presented to the Atlasian Senate for approval. The commission shall be made up of the President or a citizen so designated to fill his place, the Attorney General, the PPT, the five regional Governors or any citizen of the same region so designated by a Governor, and two additional Senators so appointed by the Senate. At any time the commission may, by two-thirds consent, approve the addition of outside members as full voting members.

Resolved, that this tax code shall include, but not be limited to, an income tax, sales tax, social security tax, and estate tax. The proposal shall be prepared and presented before the start of FY 2010.

Don't we also currently have a carbon tax, or was that just repealed?

It may be repealed in favor of cap-and-trade, or may not be. It can be included in this new tax code, but I want to make sure that we at least get the other things.

Looks like the carbon tax is here to stay...

While we are on the subject of controlling CO2 emissions, it surprises me that no senator (even among the conservative bloc) has introduced a bill expanding the use of nuclear power until around 75 to 80% of our energy needs are met by nuclear power plants.  If there is anything about France that we should emulate, it is that.

Hope you don't mind if I steal your idea....but it's a good one, and I plan to introduce something concerning that soon.

I'll be looking forward to your bill when it comes out. 

[Frodo]

Regarding the nuclear power expansion bill currently on the floor of the Senate -if there is going to be an amendment regarding the disposal of nuclear waste, shouldn't there also be one regarding the reprocessing of that same waste? 

[Frodo]

Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act

Section 1: Appropriations

1. $10 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of a high speed rail line connecting the cities of Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford, CT and Springfield, Worcester, and Boston, MA.

2. $5 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of a high speed rail line connecting the cities of Portland, OR and Tacoma and Seattle, WA.

3. $5 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of a high speed rail line connecting the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and Charlotte, NC.

Section 2: Completion

1. The rail lines are to be completed by 2016.

2. The construction of the rail lines should significantly affect as few private properties as reasonably possible.

3. Existing lines should be updated when it is reasonably possible.

Section 3: Operation

1. These rail lines shall be operated under Section 3 of the High Speed Rail Act.

Great bill, though I think it is a bit too weighted towards high speed rail.  I would like at least some emphasis on expanding mass public transit in urban metropolises throughout Atlasia. 

[Frodo]

Comprehensive Protection of Nuclear Power Act

1. The Nuclear Safety Act of 2011 is hereby repealed and shall be moved to the Repealed Statute wiki page.

2. Before permission from the federal government, or granting of any federal funds toward the construction of a new nuclear power plant, a full and comprehensive environment safety evaluation must be made from geological surveyors.

3. Any area that has been deemed geologically unsafe may have a nuclear power built on or near it.

4. All nuclear power plants in current operation must receive complete safety evaluation from regulators every four months (or roughly 120 days) and may not withhold any requested information from examiners.

5. Every existing nuclear power plant, as well as all nuclear power plants built in the future, must be fitted with a generator capable of producing power to the main portions of the facility for at least 72 hours in the event of catastrophic failure or natural disaster.

6. $2.5 billion shall be appropriated for the development of more advanced equipment capable of cleaning up and/or containing potential nuclear disasters, as well as safety equipment to prevent such disasters.

Co-sponsor: Senator Duke

I have no particular objections to the rest of the bill, but Senator Duke might want to take a closer look at section 3.  

 

[Frodo]

Oil Spill Protection Act

Section 1: Oil Profits Tax

1. Any oil company that does business within Atlasia and earns a larger quarterly profit than one billion dollars shall be subject to a 5% tax on all profits above one billion dollars in that quarter.

2. Revenue from the oil profits tax shall be diverted into a newly created Oil Spill Protection Fund which shall be used to promote research and development of new technologies to prevent environmental damages in the event of an oil spill or similar disaster, as well as to fund emergency clean-up and rebuilding measures in the aftermath of such an event.

Section 2: Regulatory Effectiveness

1. All oil rigs and drilling platforms operating within Atlasian land and waters, regardless of their supposed nationality, shall be subject to Atlasian regulatory rules and will be inspected regularly by personnel from the Department of Internal Affairs.

2. All oil drilling platforms are required to install and regularly test each month 'emergency blow-out preventers' and evacuation drills.

3. Companies operating any oil drilling platforms that do not meet Atlasian safety regulations may be required, at the discretion of the Department of Internal Affairs, to pay additional taxes into the Oil Spill Protection Fund.

Section 3: Responsibility

1. In the event of an oil spill or another oil-related disaster, the oil and drilling companies in question shall be entirely responsible for cleanup measures. If deemed necessary by the Secretary of Internal Affairs, the financial resources of the Oil Spill Protection Fund will be made available to ensure a swift and full cleanup process.

2. No monetary cap shall be put in place for oil spill cleanup and compensation for damages.

Co-sponsor: Senator Duke

I strongly support this act, but we need an equivalent for coal cleanup as well, so we can avoid any repeat of what happened in Tennessee back in 2008.  Also, an act guaranteeing the safety of coal miners might also be called for -this sort of thing happens too regularly in a country as supposedly developed and advanced as ours.  

[Frodo]

The New Atlasian Healthcare Act
Co-sponsored with Senator MOPolitico

Section 1- Eligibility and Benefits

    (a.) All individuals residing in Atlasia are eligible to be covered under the Atlasian National Health Care Program offering them a high quality standard of care.
    (b.) The health care benefits under this Act cover all medically necessary services, including at least the following:

            Primary care and prevention.
            Inpatient care.
            Outpatient care.
            Emergency care.
            Prescription drugs.
            Durable medical equipment.
            Long-term care.
            Palliative care.
            Mental health services.
            The full scope of dental services (other than cosmetic dentistry).
            Substance abuse treatment services.
            Chiropractic services.
            Basic vision care and vision correction (other than laser vision correction for cosmetic purposes).
            Hearing services, including coverage of hearing aids.
            Podiatric care.

    (c.) Such benefits are available through any licensed health care clinician anywhere in Atlasia that is legally qualified to provide the benefits.
    (d.) No deductibles, co-payments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing shall be imposed with respect to covered benefits, but additional insurance from private sources is not forbidden.
    (e.) All private and public hospitals and doctors are required to be participating providers, and are not permitted to deny care on the basis of one's enrollment in the Atlasian National Health Care Program.
    (f.) All health insurance companies, public or private, shall be required to join the health insurance Exchange to be legally licensed to provide services. No company in the Exchange may deny coverage on the basis of previous health condition. The Exchange shall be governed by the Health Directorate, who shall be responsible for determining proper levels of reimbursement, management, administration and other related health industry needs.
(g.) Prescription drug companies shall not be allowed to advertise their products outside of certified medical journals.

Section 2- Finances

    (a.) The Atlasian Government, through the Atlasian National Health Care Program's regional offices, shall be financially obligated to cover: all costs from services and benefits provided to the enrolled by the participating providers for individuals below 250% the poverty level; 50% of the costs from services and benefits provided to the enrolled by the participating providers for individuals between 250% the poverty level and $250,000; and 10% of the costs from services and benefits provided to the enrolled by the participating providers for individuals above $250,000.
    (b.) Licensed health care clinicians who accept any payment from the Atlasian National Health Care Program may not bill any patient for any covered service.
    (c.) Funding for this proposal shall be drawn from the following sources:

            Cost reductions in other federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, as a result of administrative and cost savings and shifts in funding priorities
            Taxes levied on health insurance benefits as follows: 0.5% for incomes below 250% the poverty level; 2% for incomes between 250% the poverty level and $250,000; 3.5% for incomes between $250,001 and $1,000,000; and 5.5% for incomes above $1,000,000.

Section 3- Administration

    (a.) This Act shall be administered by the Health Directorate, made up by a Chairman and the Executives of the regional CHP boards.
    (b.) Medicare and Medicaid shall be phased out, with all necessary personnel and services being transferred to the Atlasian National Health Care Program upon its establishment.

Section 4- Regional Administration

    (a.) The provision of healthcare and the administration of budgets and services shall be the responsibility of independent Community Health Partnerships (CHPs) congruent to the existing Regions These shall be established as public sector corporations. Each CHP shall be headed by a board consisting of one Executive and further non-executive members.
    (b.) CHP members shall be selected by the Health Directorate and shall be a non-partisan gathering of experts in the medical, pharmaceutical, and health insurance and administration industries.
    (c.) All boards shall be required to have an audit committee consisting only of non-executive members on which the chair may not sit. This committee shall be entrusted with the supervision of financial audit and of systems of corporate governance within the CHP.
    (d.) CHP's shall have responsibility for delivering primary and community services and commission them from other providers, and are involved in commissioning secondary care. Each CHP shall have their own budget and set their own priorities and shall directly provide a range of community health services including but not exclusive to;

            The provision of funding for general practitioners and medical prescriptions.
            The commission of hospital and mental health services from the private sector.

    (e.) All members, directors and associated bodies shall be accountable to the Health Directorate as outlined in Section 3 of this Act.

This is still being sponsored, correct?

No idea -I am having trouble seeing the differences between this bill and the law we already have, and why this should be considered an improvement.  For that matter, why go through the trouble of repealing the previous law when you could simply amend it if you're that dissatisfied with it but want to keep the overall structure in place?  

[Frodo]

The third modification is the one that is most disturbing. It modifies the explusion procedures in a way that would allow the the overwhelming majority of the Senate to gang up on and exterminate a lone wolf member. Currently, the expulsion procedures are shackled merely to an issue of competence only, that of innactivity. To expand it to a more vague standard with a possibly easy to manipulate procedure would be in my opinion, the greatest of mistakes. The voters determine who represents them and what views they have, not the oppressive tyranny of a majority seeking to silence opposition and dissent in what is supposed to be our "Great Deliberative Body".

Having considered this objection at greater length, I have reached a conclusion that this part of the resolution is excessively heavy-handed and carries with it a risk of unraveling the pluralistic nature of the federal government's legislative branch. The resolution shall be edited immediately to remove the provision in question. My thanks go out to Yankee for recognizing and bringing to my attention the potential for unintended abuses. 

Judging by the legislation you have introduced so far, Senator, you are much more dangerous to the continued existence of Atlasia as we know it than any such bloc. The Internationale? Changing our flag to some kind of socialist propaganda? Really?

What business does a left wing representative have seeking office if they are uncommitted to an agenda for replacing the established order with one which is new and improved? Yes - that does make me very dangerous indeed from the perspective of those who defend the old ways. And I'm proud to take on that label of being "dangerous," and to advertise my intent with as much candor as I have passion. A better world is possible!

Still, on the issue of the Good Neighbor Resolution it is I who has chosen to champion the interests of people from all nations - not just those who reside in our own. If you have ideas for how I may implement my policy objectives on this matter at a lesser risk to the integrity of social institutions, then great. Let me know so I've an opportunity to compromise. Otherwise, I would kindly ask that my colleagues in the Senate please spare me any further protest and prepare themselves to vote in accordance to their principles, just as I will.

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Redalgo, you have some of the most interesting and thought-provoking bills and proposals of any senator past or present that I have ever encountered.  I earnestly hope you stick around. 

[Frodo]

Once Hagrid's bill on mental health is passed into law, should we expect any further gun control legislation on the heels of the real-life unveiling of the Biden Group's gun control proposals, or does current law (in combo with Hagrid's legislation) just about cover everything likely to be in it?  

[Frodo]

My bill was only really meant to address one aspect of the larger issue. I would not be surprised to see more legislation on the table, but it's not likely to come from my end. We did pass some pretty comprehensive gun reform a couple months ago, though.

That is what I am referring to by 'current law'.