Senate Protest and Analysis Thread

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I strongly urge our senators to support the Constitutional anti-conscription amendment and reject the recently proposed amendment to the bill.  Conscription gives government permission to shape how a person pilots their own life and personal freedom should never, in my view, be sacrificed in peacetime or war time.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Precisely.  A government that coerces people into entering danger zones and risking their own lives can justly be compared to, quite simply, fascism.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

This is only my personal view, but I would be more likely to defend a country that allows me the freedom not to do so. I have a stronger moral objection to a war if its fought through conscription.

This.

It is also in my personal view that the military is better off having soldiers who want to fight purely for voluntary reasons like patriotism, and not just because the government will penalize them if they refuse to risk their lives or object to the war.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I feel it's necessary to ask this question to those who believe conscription should be an option: if there was an attack on your soil and your country went to war without conscripting citizens, would you volunteer to enlist?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

The philosophy and morality of every government action should be examined, especially when it comes to restraining or coercing people into doing something.  I fail to see what's pragmatic about forcing people to work for the state and sacrifice not only the direction they want their lives to take, but potentially life itself.  If we neglect to examine the morality of government action and only stick to what appears "ideal," then we sacrifice freedom.  The government's job is to protect people from oppressors, not to become the oppressors.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

The philosophy and morality of every government action should be examined, especially when it comes to restraining or coercing people into doing something.  I fail to see what's pragmatic about forcing people to work for the state and sacrifice not only the direction they want their lives to take, but potentially life itself.  If we neglect to examine the morality of government action and only stick to what appears "ideal," then we sacrifice freedom.  The government's job is to protect people from oppressors, not to become the oppressors.

Sigging this.

Thanks.

And thanks for making it look like a Ron Paul ad.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I posted tis in the other board but saw this one...

The anti-conscription bill in the Senate is not based in reality... every one spouts this sh**t about how the draft means lower quality men in the service- if they don't make the cut, they don't serve in uniform...period! Some one who is drafted goes thru basic training and training for their ocupational specialty and if they dont meet standards they are out of that speciality.

This bill ignores the fact that we may need the draft again at a certain point... not for something like Afgahnistan or Iraq (or- I hate to say even Vietnam) but for something like WWII. It is very interesting to see some one like you 20RP12 opposing the draft but wanting defense cuts...if we cut our military with out any sort of additional reserve component- which the population at large is- we will be weak and we will be defeated in a conflict. This isn't a health care mandate or the government forcing regulations down your throat- this is you being called to serve your country if she needs you most...more serious but far more justified

I am not in the SEnate but would love to discuss this with Napoleon and 20RP12 and others beucase I believe this is a dangerous bill...

clarence

I don't personally think that the draft means lower quality men, but only that it's better to have a purely volunteer-based military instead of a coercion-based military.

As someone who is endorsing this bill, I don't think we need a draft because I think drafts are unjust for reasons that were already stated.  And people who oppose the draft aren't necessarily against having a defense- we just feel that people should be able to decide if they enlist in the military or not.  I don't think it's fair to make that connection.  Military cuts is another issue, but I will just say that the reason why people want those cuts is because our presence is in countries that it shouldn't be.  Furthermore, conscription very much constitutes as a mandate because it involves coercing people into doing something; whether it's a good mandate or a bad mandate, it's a mandate- because if you refuse to answer that call to join, you end up in prison.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I posted tis in the other board but saw this one...

The anti-conscription bill in the Senate is not based in reality... every one spouts this sh**t about how the draft means lower quality men in the service- if they don't make the cut, they don't serve in uniform...period! Some one who is drafted goes thru basic training and training for their ocupational specialty and if they dont meet standards they are out of that speciality.

This bill ignores the fact that we may need the draft again at a certain point... not for something like Afgahnistan or Iraq (or- I hate to say even Vietnam) but for something like WWII. It is very interesting to see some one like you 20RP12 opposing the draft but wanting defense cuts...if we cut our military with out any sort of additional reserve component- which the population at large is- we will be weak and we will be defeated in a conflict. This isn't a health care mandate or the government forcing regulations down your throat- this is you being called to serve your country if she needs you most...more serious but far more justified

I am not in the SEnate but would love to discuss this with Napoleon and 20RP12 and others beucase I believe this is a dangerous bill...

clarence

I don't personally think that the draft means lower quality men, but only that it's better to have a purely volunteer-based military instead of a coercion-based military.

As someone who is endorsing this bill, I don't think we need a draft because I think drafts are unjust for reasons that were already stated.  And people who oppose the draft aren't necessarily against having a defense- we just feel that people should be able to decide if they enlist in the military or not.  I don't think it's fair to make that connection.  Military cuts is another issue, but I will just say that the reason why people want those cuts is because our presence is in countries that it shouldn't be.  Furthermore, conscription very much constitutes as a mandate because it involves coercing people into doing something; whether it's a good mandate or a bad mandate, it's a mandate- because if you refuse to answer that call to join, you end up in prison.

I see your point Scott and I do not think any one wants to have a weak defense... conscription is a mandate and a better amendment would be to use it in only a formal declaration of war. The defense cuts issue is related because if we cut the number of service members and cant draft then how the hell will we have the numbers we need during wartime?

Personally, I don't think we wouldn't have the numbers we would need during wartime (at least in the real USA), but there is little evidence to support or refute that.  Defense spending always increases when a country goes into war, but when a country is not at war with anyone, it should be able to cut spending back and remove troops from areas that they are no longer needed.  All the resources could be used for when the nation ever is in imminent danger, if necessary.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Scott- the time conscription should be used would be in the face of an existential threat...in which case people may be fleeing rather then fighting. The draft needs to be a last resort option...any defense cuts only make it more so

People flee to Canada during drafts all the time.  As for defense spending, I don't object to increasing that if the country is in imminent danger.  But as I said, however, countries should cut that spending when they aren't fighting any wars.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

The Fair Compliance Amendment

Article I, Section VI of The Atlasian Constitution is amended to read:
The Senate shall make no law that applies to the citizens of Atlasia that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Regional officers; and, the Senate shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Regional officers that does not apply equally to the citizens of Atlasia.

I might reword this so that it provides an exception for laws affecting the rules of the Senate, which obviously are not suppose to apply to citizens.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

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?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Is there a list of bills that have been passed- I know drugs are legal for example but I do not want to put forward a bill which is moot

The wiki should have most- if not all- passed legislation listed.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Is there somewhere I can find a list of other countries that Atlasia currently has trade agreements with?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

The State of Maryland shall be transfered to the Northeast Region, residents therein shall become citizens of and subject to the laws duly adopted in that region.

When this bill comes to the floor, I will amend for this to be taken out.

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This is also completely ridiculous.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

This is why I'm probably not going to vote for the bill even if the changes I'd like are made.  I remember someone came up with a proposal earlier about merging the Pacific and Midwest, but allowing the regions to retain their borders for representation purposes.  Putting a law like this in place would be preferable.  Reducing the number of Senate seats will hurt activity, not stimulate it.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Does Atlasia have its own version of the Glass-Steagall Act in effect?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Does Atlasia have its own version of the Glass-Steagall Act in effect?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

It was reinstated in 2008.

Is the bill on the wiki?  I couldn't find it on there.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Articles of Impeachment

Attorney General Fuzzybigfoot shall hereby be tried by impeachment on the following five counts:

The High Crimes and Misdemeanors of

Armed robbery.
Burglary.
Criminal trespassing.
Criminal breach of the peace.
Conspiracy against rights.

Following impeachment by the People on any or all of the above counts, Fuzzybigfoot shall be considered immediately removed from office and banned from holding any office under the Republic of Atlasia for a period of no less than twelve (12) months.

Did I miss something here?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Articles of Impeachment

Attorney General Fuzzybigfoot shall hereby be tried by impeachment on the following five counts:

The High Crimes and Misdemeanors of

Armed robbery.
Burglary.
Criminal trespassing.
Criminal breach of the peace.
Conspiracy against rights.

Following impeachment by the People on any or all of the above counts, Fuzzybigfoot shall be considered immediately removed from office and banned from holding any office under the Republic of Atlasia for a period of no less than twelve (12) months.

Did I miss something here?

If you missed anything, check in the IDS Legislature page, the office of Emperor PiT, and the office of the Attorney General. https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=150826.msg3326604#msg3326604. Basically, Wormy thinks Fuzzy should be impeached for his actions.

Quite odd.  I don't see how what Fuzzy is doing is unlawful in any way.  And what do armed robbery and burglary have anything to do with this?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

On behalf of a constituent:

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I do not believe this would hurt the game at all, as this bill simply removes clutter and allows inactive players to re-register if they would like.

Personally, I am glad Redalgo wasn't deregistered and is eligible to run for the Senate. Then again, I value functionality over...whatever one might call kicking voters out and forcing them to re-register...unnecessary hassle?

There are many reasons why one might miss an election...especially there first one, when they might not know the election dates. Even our President missed the last election. It happens. I hope you withdraw this bill.

It's not an unnecessary hassle.  If someone decides to be active here again, they can take the five seconds to register back into the game.

I am willing to compromise on this and set the limit to maybe two or even three elections or so, but there is no reason why people who never vote or contribute anything to the game should just stay on the voter roll.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aren't voters removed if they miss three elections under current law?

What law are you citing?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aren't voters removed if they miss three elections under current law?

What law are you citing?

The Constitution. I can't remember if its 3 or 4, but I know its already there.

You're right, it is in there.

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It appears that the proposed law is unnecessary, in this case.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

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Doesn't this pretty much already go without saying?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

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For Jbrase because obviously, I enjoy pain.

I was actually going to introduce a compromised version of this amendment, but hey, debating the exact same thing over and over is fun, right kids?