((@zenphoenix and @texasjoshua are offered positions on the Cabinet. And apologies to @alscon. I couldn't see Joan ever tolerating a Phoenix on the Cabinet while he decides the positions. I'm sure Faixon will be ready to give him an earful. ))
((But of course . Just as it was clear that he would complain against the unlawful elections. ))
"Because it should be in the nature of a minister to simply cower before the powerful and do their bidding."
Faixòn left this opening sentence standing in Parliament. One Fénix was writing down his words, to be brought to the people of Valencia as soon as it was finished. Only as another MP tried to speak, he continued.
"It is through criticism of the current state of affairs that society evolves. That a government can meet the ever-changing needs of the people. Obviously, my Prince, You believe that government and military are similar. That all that needs to be done is to bark around some orders and everything will be calm. Deserters? Someone has to be executed from time to time. Brought to government, that means simply to silence the opposition. How great that the nobles are crowding around their new strong man and already are trying to earn his favour by advocating for that rigorous military discipline You so much adore. The fate of traitors, the defense of the monarchy, such... powerful words. All done primarily in the interest of... themselves. For what else does it accomplish than to protect their power? Protect the monarchy? Please - the current laws are clearly enough to serve that purpose. Better to execute everyone before there can be any doubt. There it is again - military discipline. Exactly what is needed in these dire times. While we are at it, let us nominate a general as minister of Colonial Affairs. Should they show any type of unrest - he'll know what to do. Good military strategies. Better keep a silent puppet around than a man with long experience and admirable service. I wonder if there has ever been a subordinate in the Prince's army who had other ideas and the misfortune to speak them out loud. Demoted to private and put into the front line, I guess? Anyway, if I would 'rile up discontent' - without so much as even to fulfil one of these treason laws - against the government, aren't you giving me perfect ammunition to do just that? 'Sorry, people, but whenever someone tries to give you more rights, we'll stop listening to him. Oh, and before you do anything stupid, it will have you quickly executed. So go to work and shut up. Have a nice day.' A general should think ahead. And firing an old man from an office he performed in admirably surely isn't a wise move. But enough about that, the people will judge it.
We are in no danger of running out of land in the forseeable future. The late Empress Dowager has already considered such a thing and created a plan to incentivize transfer of land to the Crown, which will be distributed to such soldiers.
And I do not know of these "citizens" you speak of. It sounds like a Republican institution. We are a Monarchy. The Subjects of the Crown are afforded legal protections and other privileges afforded to those with the right to call themselves Hispanian like the right to decide which Christian Sect to be a part of.
Those who own Property have a measure of wealth to pay the taxes as well as to maintain and utilize that property. Wealth that can be used to purchase many things, including Education. With Education they will be more able to better understand the issues that face the Empire and more able to vote intelligently instead of being swayed by populism. The Empire doesn't need the most popular approach to governance, it needs the best. And if limiting the class of voters better allows this, then so be it. And if some slim minority rise up in revolt, they will suffer the fate of traitors, which is what they would be should they do so.
I wonder when the oh-so-great Empress Dowager, praised be her name, is canonised. Likely won't take far longer than a Hispanian on the Holy See. Before you all cry out in protest for disrespect or any such thing, isn't that the very reason why I should no longer be a minister? As Assemblyman, just as much as as minister, I will freely say whatever is the truth about her despotism and her Imperial faction, consisting of bootlickers trying to get some power in exchange for total obedience. Wise decision, wise decision. To have this food chain and making the entire empire dependant on the nobility and clergy. Perfect. What are subjects, citizens - a fitting word for a renewed Rome, no matter what you think - other than some necessary evil the upper classes need to enjoy their luxury? Why is education provided to these people, who obviously lack any intelligence in your opinion? It must be my mistake that I thought this slim minority of idiots is a vast majority of men who have enjoyed the effects of our educational acts. My mistake that I don't share the belief of an aristocratic government where everybody merely cares for his own profit to be better than a government where all men have a voice. And also my mistake that I thought corruption was illegal. For obviously a man can only buy his vote, thereby influencing a state decision through money, therefore deals out a bribe in exchange for his vote. 'The best.' Clearly five rich men won't care for the death of millions if they have one more ducat in their pocket, while these millions will condemn it harshly! How can the first decision be better?
The will of the people is already represnetative. Voters within Prefectures choose their own delegation to the Assembly. Using the whole drowns out the wishes of the minority.
This is why I would prefer the Proportional Election Act. An act that truly guarantees the wishes of the minority.
*Altair stands from his spot within the Cortz, within the past few years Altair had spoken less and less. Many of the older members of the Assembly recognized the fiery look in Altair's eyes from his younger days. Many of the younger parliamentarians were unaware of the passionate figure that still lay buried underneath the venerable front Altair often presented. Each of his speeches were closely considered by even the opponents of the Imperials, as Altair had managed to gain a great deal of influence over the Cortz in his time.*
"When I first joined the Cortz, after the death of my father, the question of the Assembly was still new. I have seen for decades the ongoing struggle for the removal of the appointed members in the Assembly, yet a real debate has not been had in years. Many members of the Assembly, and many more, admittedly, of the Cortz, have fallen into the battle lines of their ancestors to either stand for or against the appointed assemblymen. Many have forgotten why they are important, and I will hope to explain as well, how this also applies to the vote.
Imagine if you will, a small town in Hispania. They of course, are incredibly diverse. The town I come from in Italy is very different from one in Greece, or Iberia, or even the new world! Now within this town there a great many people, different people I emphasize. You have a farmer, and a carpenter, and a preacher, and a merchant. Why, many of the firebreathers in the Assembly ask, should one be given the privilege to vote, and not another?
There are of course many reasons for this, but the answer is simple, in a way. When a merchant in Italy decides what goods to trade, what investments to make, and what ships to use, it is the head of the company that makes the decisions, for his gaze spans the whole company. He can see all the aspects that are necessary to understand to make a wise business decisions. This does not mean any other member of the company is in any way lesser, in fact, many of my friends in Marina will grudgingly admit that it is the apprentices that work the hardest and know the most, and what they know is critical to the company running successfully. This however, does not mean they know everything, as many masters must remind their students. They are lacking the details and the vision necessary to make the critical decisions, though without their actions the company could not prosper.
Hispania's voting codes work similarly. It begins with the land. If an individual owns land, they certainly wish to preserve it, to keep it and help it grow and develop for all of their future generations. They therefore must keep aware, and look about them and see their community, and when they vote they vote with the best interests of their community in mind. Like the head of the trade company, they have come to a careful conclusion of what is best not only for them, but their town, as they do live in their town.
But we go beyond that, we also include other notable figures in this town. Though they do not own land, they are invested, they too know that to ignore the details will lead to trouble for the whole village. Additionally, if someone becomes invested, we do not stop them from voting. I fervently support any Hispanian's effort to better themselves, and once they do they receive the reward for their toil.
Apart from this, many forget that the privilege to vote is not everything, for what do these votes do? They only allow for a representative within the assembly. They do not control every vote. But they may ask for their representative to bring their interests before Parliament. Similarly, without the privilege to vote one could with ease approach someone within their town to ask them to contact the assembly to bring their problem forward. I know many of the richer members of the assembly may forget it, but paper is not cheap. And more importantly ink. While the Hispanian school system is now the pride of the world and many within our Empire can both read and write, not every member of the empire can afford to reach the richest members of the Assembly here in Valencia, not to mention correspond like I do with many of the prominent figures in Cremona.
Many in the Assembly try to paint us members of the Cortz as unconnected with those who vote, but did any of you know that whenever I am at my estate in Cremona, which is admittedly rare these days, I entertain guests of all backgrounds for two hours, three days a week to hear the concerns of everyone I can. How many of you can claim to go to such lengths? I say freely that it is a relief to see so many different faces, as it seems here in Parliment that I see nothing but the same face with different names.
I have rambled enough about the vote. But the appointed assembly members, and Cortz members, exist for the same reason. Do many of you remember the dismal of the Turks by the government in Byzantium such a short while ago? That is what the appointed assembly men are for. They insure that we have all faces of the empire, in one form or another. It would be easy with elections in the assembly, and inheritance in the Cortz for someone to be missed. Hispania is a very big place, I know, I've traveled it. No place is alike, and this insures that every corner of Hispania will have a voice, or at least a chance, to voice their disagreements, of which we have many.
Our laws were wisely written, and it would be foolish of us to throw away centuries of tradition and development in search of that unreachable "progress". Hispania is not perfect, and it never will be, despite our best efforts. But our system is sound, and I hope that our younger members now understand better the importance of the current system. I as always encourage anyone to come by my office with their questions. Or come to my estate in Cremona while I am there to see and understand, and actually meet, the "common folk."
Alair Spoleto, Chamberlain of the Cortz, Count of Cremona, Imperial Party
Faixòn then grinned as he turned towards Count Spoleto, ignoring any reactions to his speech so far.
"My dearest count of Cremona, from one experienced man to another, I must thank you. Thank you for having given a speech and an example that says exactly the contrary of what you wanted to say."
He enjoyed the reactions to this opening once again.
"We have your town. The members, merchants, apprentices in their company. Each one acting for himself, only the company head acting for the company as a whole. How is that in any way different from the government? Each member of the company is an elector. Each one wants what is best for himself. Profit. As apprentice, become a merchant, be paid. It is the task of the head to answer these wishes as best as he can, or his company will end. Seen as the state, the state is the head. It can only work when both merchants and apprentices are heard. For a company without apprentices dies out one day.
Your town is filled of individuals. Those who have land, who are notable persons, of course they wish to do the best for this town. If it is destroyed, it is bad for them. If it flourishes, it is good for them. But not just for these people! Every inhabitant of this town has an interest in keeping it in good condition! The better the town is off, the better they are too. For all townspeople their own good depends more or less on that of the town. You will certainly find a man who would love to see the town's church burn - amongst all classes. The man who would likely be tasked with rebuilding it, and those who work for him. But most people will want to keep this building intact. Each man wants the best for himself - and that includes wanting the best for his town, in extension, Hispania.
Now, everyone has their interests. And you say it can be brought to the elected. Now tell me, why would an Imperial baron fully convinced of his own superiority listen to the ramblings of a peasant? If his position doesn't depend in the least on that poor man? He won't. He would if these were potential electors. And don't forget that Parliament is not permanently in session - just as every self-respecting Assemblyman should, I am spending my time between these sessions to go to the people who have elected me and listen to their concerns. Just as you said - how many 'entertain guests'? Your Imperial friends know that they will be elected for keeping things the same, no need to show themselves. How strange that you complain about only one face - at least you see more than I do when I look at the Imperials. With you as an exception.
And the Turks? Are you aware of what you are saying? Appointment is, by defintion, what one man wants. His Highness may now be wise enough to guarantee fair representation, but I am sure that sometime in the future, this won't be the case. Only an election can guarantee they are heard. A proportional election, for it is hard to make the percentage of some minority disappear without a trace.
These 'centuries of tradition' are worth nothing without that second part you mentioned: 'development'. Hispania has witnessed what happens when this part lacks. Anyone who doesn't pray to the Saints who saved Hispania from the antichrist - the same antichrist who led Germany to existence as a modern state - must see the flaws that have to be repaired. I am not supporting the methods of said man, but neither do I fail to look over the barriers of their holy word. I see the archaic constructions put into place to preserve their power. What absolutely needs to be done for said 'development - or the path that will be taken without it. It is a future with at least the freedom Leon mentioned! And a future where every Hispanian is represented equally in his government!"