Eutopian Labor Party [ELP]

[Estonianzulu]

We need to stop this interparty bickering.

First off, we need to make public funding for the recovery of New Bengal a priority. We should be the party speaheading this. Not only is it the right thing to do, and the plan of action our members will want to see, but its also amazingly good PR. Anyone opposing this is opposing humanitarian efforts, and how is that going to look?

Second, some cuts to the sports department may be necessary, however, Major Braxton I have things to discuss with you concerning that.

Finally, defense is important, however, close relations with our neighbors is more so. I think we need to continue to press this line. Now, I'm going to discuss with the ECL and the EBA concerning this New Bengal incident. I think getting both of these organizations behind us will be essential to both getting our support increased, as well as giving us good PR. We need to appear as uniters, not dividers.

I'd like to see specific legislation drawn up concerning New Bengal and our support. The sooner we have something concrete the sooner we can launch our plan.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Woody takes the overfill glass carefully and takes a small sip to lower the level so it won't spill when he sets it down.

"Thank-you, that serving will do me for the whole evening.

Woody looks up some webpages for were-creatures.

"I don't find any mention of were-fleas. I expect you know that, as we all probably played some fantasy role playing game in our youth, the concept of were-flea defines itself, but it is common, that is to say generally accepted, knowledge that they don't exist, and aren't even the stuff of legends or fiction. You are surely aware of that, therefore a reasonable person would assume that you were jesting and would certainly expect that you would know so as well, so it is time to stop this jest. It had the classic exaggeration, not suggesting garlic laced flea powder, but nukes.

Even if you are not jesting, you know that is best that you pretend that you were. The line between sanity and the lack thereof is fine. Often it is sufficient to pretend to be one or the other to become so. Besides, if you want to report their existence to the authorities, you are not in the right place to do so."

 

[unmerged(31558)]

The PL has agreed to participate with the national aid campaign. Im now waiting on the nationalists.

OOC: Ill probably post tomorrow with or without nationalist reply.

 

[unmerged(28894)]

"Zhokhyen's proposed a bill to give aid to New Bengal. Totally unacceptable in its present form. I realise he's probably done this off his own bat, but I think we need our own draft bill ready in case we can't negotiate something worthwhile. Have we come to any firm conclusions about where we can draw money from?

The tax cut, foreign affairs, the military budget and the sports budget have been the main suggestions. We should also consider how big the aid package should be. I propose somewhere in the region of 2BP, myself."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

I would suggest 0.5 bp to be transferred from the Military budget plus the proceeds of the sales (overseas) of the weapons seized from Braxton Shipping Lines warehouses and ships that were bound for the Separatist rebels back before Levarge's regime.

 

[unmerged(35742)]

In relation to this aid package I have been told that I have to fill out a report basically documenting about my ministry and where the funds have gone and this includes all sectors form sports to wellfare. So it look like Social Services is going to be targeted the most or is going to be the only ministry to be targeted, it all well and good helping other countries but should we not look after are own before helping others.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Major Braxton, you should not respond directly to the Speaker's questions. The Speaker/VP has no authority over you. Be polite and as a courtesy, point out that expenditures are a continuing process, and that there already is a reporting mechanism in place, the term by term budget report, and that if he wants to change that he should get some legislation passed that changes that. For items where the new budget is about the same as the prior budget, you can report that funds are being expended at approximately the rate anticipated by the budget, allowing for normal seasonal adjustments and contingencies. It is probably only in the Military, where some funds might go unspent if large budgeted weapons procurements are not acted upon, but that your Ministry efficiently implements its budget.

(OOC: then add an OOC "If the GMs won't provide this to me, and I am restricted from creating content, I can't tell you without breaking the rules. Shame on you for attempting to create a rules violation!")

 

[Estonianzulu]

Gentlemen, our stance on this defense bill? We should coordinate before presenting our opinion to the caucus.

I'm oposed, both because of how it was brought up, and because it is asking for trouble and an increase in murder.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

It is a bad bill.

 

[unmerged(28894)]

"We oppose it very strongly. It's badly worded, unnecessary and barbaric. Should it come to a vote, I think it has to be a 3-line whip in the caucus.

Meanwhile, get involved in the debate. Be outraged about it, be critical of it and the motives for which it was proposed, but stay within the bounds of what is acceptable. Glasser can always veto the bill.

Per Cain, do you intend to take a seat in the General Assembly? It would be helpful to have another moderate voice there. I'm prepared to accept compromises on most issues, but if I propose them they'll just assume it's a sign of weakness. If I'm there as our attack dog and you're there as the voice of reason, we hit them from two flanks.

As to the budget, 0.5BP from the military, 0.5BP from foreign affairs and 0.75BP from tax gives us 1.75BP, plus whatever the sale of weapons (which had better be properly monitored so we don't sell them to North Korea or whoever was trying to ship them into New Bengal) may net us.

That's a decent sum. The right is going to try to force cuts from social services. Vandelft's missive can be safely ignored, but if we make cuts the first place to do it would be in sports. That's only if we have to, and only 0.25BP there. Any further and I suggest we propose our own bill, and let them vote against aid to New Bengal if they dare."

 

[Estonianzulu]

If I am needed in the GA I will take a seat.

 

[unmerged(28894)]

"OK, third time of asking: we need to second more of our bills. As it stands, cross-party seconds don't seem likely to occur on any but the most uncontentious issues. Just because another party won't second a bill, doesn't mean they won't support it in an amended form. If we can get all our bills seconded, that means we'll have a big backlog of potential legislation that's favourable to our aims, shutting out stuff that isn't. And under GA floor rules, if something we consider more important comes up, we just have to give permission to jump that bill ahead of those of ours that are in the queue and they can go there, even if the Speaker won't fast-track them. So get out there and tell the Speaker what bills you're seconding. If we're going to be successful in the next elections we need to be active, and this is the best way."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Alaster has just taken a seat in the GA, he can provide those seconds.

 

[Estonianzulu]

Which bills of ours need to be seconded?

 

[unmerged(28894)]

"The Housing Renovation and Investment Act, the Land Lease/Sale Authorisation Act, the Openness in Government Act and the Campaign Finance Act."

 

[unmerged(4021)]

I personally hate the Defense bill and plan to veto it. However, I would like to remind the leadership that we agreed to ask the caucus and leadership to abstain or not vote in any vote to over turn a Presidential veto. In retrospect the deal was unneeded but this is all the more reason to uphold it to show that we are a party which can be trusted.

 

[Estonianzulu]

I personally hate the Defense bill and plan to veto it. However, I would like to remind the leadership that we agreed to ask the caucus and leadership to abstain or not vote in any vote to over turn a Presidential veto. In retrospect the deal was unneeded but this is all the more reason to uphold it to show that we are a party which can be trusted.

Mr President, im afraid I was not here when this occured, could you explain this? We should not vote to overturn the veto, or not vote for the law that will be overturned?

 

[unmerged(33865)]

We should vote against the bill the first time.
If it passes, the President intends to veto it.
If there is an attempt to overturn the veto should vote against that.
If stand as a group, we can prevent any veto from being overturned.

 

[unmerged(28894)]

"You made that deal in order to get PoL support. Zhokhyen broke that deal. He may not have done it with his party's support, but I don't think he deserves to be rewarded by not resisting to the last such unsuitable law.

I'm open to telling our backbenchers that they can vote their consciences. We should probably announce that publically if we follow that course, because the PoL isn't going to be able to condemn us for failing to ask our backbenchers not to exercise their democratic duty.

If you disagree, I will accept that, and will ask only that I be allowed to vote against an attempt to overturn such a veto if I tell the caucus that this is a personal decision and they should follow party policy.

Meantime, I think the debate is going well. Per Cain, good work. It looks like the ENP want to see this bill watered down as much as we do. Just keep it up and hopefully this question won't come up."

 

[unmerged(4021)]

"You made that deal in order to get PoL support. Zhokhyen broke that deal. He may not have done it with his party's support, but I don't think he deserves to be rewarded by not resisting to the last such unsuitable law.

I'm open to telling our backbenchers that they can vote their consciences. We should probably announce that publically if we follow that course, because the PoL isn't going to be able to condemn us for failing to ask our backbenchers not to exercise their democratic duty.

If you disagree, I will accept that, and will ask only that I be allowed to vote against an attempt to overturn such a veto if I tell the caucus that this is a personal decision and they should follow party policy.

Meantime, I think the debate is going well. Per Cain, good work. It looks like the ENP want to see this bill watered down as much as we do. Just keep it up and hopefully this question won't come up."

Per Cain when President Gonzov died I struck a deal with the PoL: in exchange for their support during the vote we agreed that:
1. The ELP would abstain or not vote during an attempt of a veto overide of the Defense Bill
2. The ELP would let its members vote their conscience on the Firearms bill.

There is dispute in the party about whether they fufilled their bargain as Zhokhyen ran despite the PoL's perported support.

I take the position that they did fufill their promise as all the senior leadership and the vast majority of the party, including Zhokhyen, voted for me. With the PoL attempting to find an end around for our tax deal I do not wish to put us on equal footing by breaking our deal. Per Berenguerr I sincerely hope that we can find the votes to defeat this bill and my GA Liason office will be issuing a statement soon supporting those debating against it.