EUtopian Reform Party (ERP) HQ

[hughbartlett]

Hello visitor/member to the Headquarters of the ERP.

Unfortunetly, the office of our temporary leader and spokesperson, hughbartlett, is suffering from technical difficulties, and cannot post messages more then 20 lines long. Because of this, our platform shall be over the next posts appearing in our headquarters.

Thankyou; And welcome to the home of the ERP.

Current Members:
hughbartlett (temporary leader and spokesperson)

Votes, results forthcoming:
What is our stance on the death penalty?

 

[hughbartlett]

The EUtopian Reform Party, henceforth known as the ERP, is a centre-left party aiming to gain a coalition with the government. It was decided by our caucus that we will attempt to ally with the government, unless a) The government is againts our values, b) The government is ignoring our demands and proposals, c) we have the ability to govern in our own right, or d) 55% of members of the party decide that it would be better for us to ally with the opposition, or stand alone.

Because we are a new party, our policies are not yet all apparent, and even those that are are not yet set in our constitution. The caucus have decided on our five main pillars, and all other issues shall be decided apon when they are of importance. Our pillars are: Economy, Environment, Internal Relations (Ethnic groups), Health and Education.

 

[hughbartlett]

Pillar: Economy

A country needs a good economy to run. If we dont want high taxes, and the ERP doesn't, then the economy must run correctly. We propose that the industry is privately owned. The commerce is privately owned. But, the government owns a 51% share in the national telecommunications company, 51% of public transport, 51% of the national airline, and 51% of most other important public neccessaties.

Our government will support Trade tariffs, but at this stage, because we have a healthy unemployment rate, are learning more towards protected free trade. We propose that taxes shall be an 8% GST (Goods and Services Tax) and a 10% InT(Income Tax). Also, all major corporations (large profits, amounts to be determined) are obliged to pay 2% of their profits into an environmental fund.

Our party also plans to support unions and industry by allowing free adult education to all wanting it, and supporting proposals if we agree with them

 

[hughbartlett]

Pillar: Environment

The ERP recognises that for EUtopians to live up to our full potential, we need a healthy environment. Nothing anyone, even us, proposes for the future can happen if we do not have a place to live. The beauty of this island is what first attracted the original settlers here, and generations of immigrants afterwards, so we should try to protect this part of our heritage.

We propose that the government spends NOTHING on the environment. Thats right, NOTHING. we propose instead a fund, that the government can at will donate to. Our party will donate enough money to get the fund started, if the government wishes not to. We propose that anyone can donate to this fund, and all major corporations are obliged to donate 2% of their profits, and can donate more if they wish. If this proposal does not work, we plan to use the money there to start a new initiative, although we have no backup at this stage, because we have full faith in this system.

 

[hughbartlett]

Pillar: Internal Relations

The ERP fully recognises all communities in our country. ALthough our party is English speaking, we have a french and spanish speaking wing of our party. We support the increased independence of the WET from territory to prvince, and agree with the proposal for the Capital to be in a language-equal area.

However, we do not support parties like the Nordic Liberation Party at this stage, because we see them as more interested in the welfare of their community then the whole country. If the NLF and similar parties were able to support our proposal, we would be happy to work with them, and we shall attempt to accomodate their proposals in this case.

EDIT: Changed Nordic Liberation Front to Nordic liberation Party.

 

[hughbartlett]

Pillar: Health

We believe that universal healthcare should be free. We also believe that if an individual chooses to use private healthcare, they have full right to do so. The government would set up a rebate system, for all major medical costs, excluding some medicines and surgery (for example, medical marijuana and penile implants).

Our hospitals should, and in any government we take part in, will, be in the top percentile of the world. We propose that the government invest massive amounts of money into healthcare, until we have a systtem that can run cheaply and efficiently. We are even prepared to let the budget go red for this, and this is the only pillar that gets this treatment. Bascically, we are all ageing, and we all need healthcare as much now as ever.

We propose old age care run by both public and private organisation be under intense scrutiny. Our aged are important to us, because they have the ability AND the knowledge to progress EUtopia.

 

[hughbartlett]

Pillar: Education

Education. We have all had some degree of it, and it has helped shape us into what we are. Sure, children are the future. And we were the future. And we were educated. And we are glad of it. And therefor we support a strong education system.

Private religious schools are allowed, just so long as they are not religion-exclusive. All private schools are allowed, so long as they offer scholarships and are not exclusive of any group, whether the school caters to majorities or minorities-minorities can be rascist, too.

The government shall run Kindergartens for 3-5 year olds, Primary Schools for 6-8 year olds, Elementary schools for 9-13 year olds and high schools for 14-18 year olds. We shall also subsidise all the universities, on the condition that anyone that gets more then 95% on end of school exams be offered a scholarship, and anyone can sit for one. We'll also create an adult learning college for adults wishing to gain new skills, open to all aged above 30 years of age.

 

[hughbartlett]

If you wish to join our party, please send a private message to hughbartlett. Any non-members wishing to criticise or propose, may do the same, as long as any criticism is constructive. Any suggestions are more then welcome, send them post haste!

 

[unmerged(3748)]

Speaking for RD

I see some very interesting points here, and I like the attention you pay to some of your pillars. I almost completely agree with your stance on education and health services, and i think your revolutionary ideas on environmental issues are refreshing and may spark an interesting debate.

To this effect, I cordially invite you to come by the Rally for Democracy headquarters for an exchange on ideas. I am sure we will be able to work together in the future, perhaps as soon as the coming elections.

Good luck to you and your party.

Sincerely,
Sebastian Fitzpatrick
Member of the Rally for Democracy

 

[unmerged(1522)]

Sorry for barging into your party HQ unannounced, but since your party seems to have a lot in common with the Rally for Democracy, I'd like to echo SE's sentiments and invite you to engage in a dialogue with our members - which will hopefully lead to some measure of cooperation between our parties down the road.

 

[unmerged(4007)]

Regarding Education:

"Private religious schools are allowed, as long as they are not religion-exclusive."

What does this mean? Does it mean:

1) Churches can form private schools but can't teach their faith in them? If so, this is rather self-defeating. And as a private school, no one is forced to attend a parochial school. Parents usually send their children to such schools, at least in part, because they WANT the religious values taught to them. If this is right, it defeats both the purpose of parochial schools and the intent of parents in sending their children to them. I would find that a serious and ill-thought breach of parental freedom.

OR does this mean

2) Religious schools simply cannot exclude those of a different religion from applying, but have the freedom to teach their own curriculum (including their own view on faith). Fair enough. I don't know of religious schools that exclude on that basis anyway, except for those that desire to train people for ministry, and they would be outside this plank.

Aside from this issue, (and if the answer is 2, even this issue is fairly minor), the Free Republicans have far more in common with your party than the ultra-leftist RDers. I'd suggest you ask you and your party if you'd rather be in coalition with a inclusive centrist party with mild right leanings like the FRers, or a party that seeks to align itself with Socialists and other far-left extremist groups. We would submit a coalition of the "sane center" of EUtopian politics would be better for both our parties, and better for EUtopia as a whole.

 

[hughbartlett]

Yes, I meant two. Bascically, all religions should be allowed into the schools, and if it were a cgristian school for instance, daily mass should not be forced apon a jewish student, or wearing the sharia (i think thats the name) should not be compolsory for christian girls in a muslim school. Although most parents would not send their children to a religious school of another religion if they did not like the schools policies, it is there to prevent discrimination for the children of those who do.
Although my party would like to remain as we are, I am willing to enter talks. If we do participate in friendly discussions with either of your parties, please note that our healthcare stance is not changable, although our other pillars are tweakable. I shall send this to another party vote if you agree with these proposals (yes, thats for both of you). The party defeated the first proposal, with 42% agreeing to merge with another party, if more imformation was forthcoming. Therefor, we need more information for it to float again. Also, the ERP would like to thank both the FR and RD for their support.

 

[unmerged(4007)]

Thank you for your visit to Free Republican HQ. We have no difficulty with your health care position. Our environmental positions seem similar, so we would have no problem allowing your party to take the lead in those areas. As for republicanism/direct democracy. We obviously are a strongly Republican/Federalist party. That said, I think we can work out mutually advantageous policy initiatives that would advance our aims without infringing on your party's positions.

The FR also wishes you well in establishing yourselves as another party in the "sane center" of EUtopian politics, a party we can work with to make a better EUtopia for all citizens.

 

[hughbartlett]

We thank you, and wish to inform yourself and all members of all parties that the ERP has passed a 'discussion bill', officially allowing coalition or agreements between our party and another. If you wish to contact us, please PM me with the reasons that our party (Note that it is not fully formed yet, anyway) should align our support with you.

EDIT: The bill was passed with a 67% majority, after seeing my communications with your parties. Be warned however that only 40% want a permanent coalition, with either party, and this is likely to remain similar, a this stage.

 

[unmerged(11979)]

Many thanks for your voice of support. As a fledgling party, we require all of the outside praise we can!
I would like to return the favour. There has been talk (within our Party and in the RD Party) of some sort of coalition agreement. I believe that it might be mutually beneficial to discuss your view on perhaps even joining a coalition.

 

[hughbartlett]

We welcome talks, but remember that we are a centrist party, and therefor we will disagree on some proposals, so it shall not be easy to have a coalition, it would take a lot of work, although it is possible.

 

[hughbartlett]

Party Structure

Just to clarify our party structure-We have 4 wings, the Left, with 12 members, the Right, with 8 members, the Administrators and Secretaries, with 4 members, and the leadership and Chairing, with 1 member (me), and the Foreign language division, which has members from all wings, except the leadership and chairing.

Personally, I am from the 'left' faction, and was voted as leader by them, with the support of the Admins/secs and some righters. Bascically, I was the only candidate, and those who didn't like me (I got 20/24 votes...) just didnt vote.

[OOC: Although I am the only member of the party, I am trying to run it as if it had a larger amount of people, so that things like party votes actually have a chance of passing/failing when i want it to be the other way-i flip a coin for the winner and role a die then add another number to get the percentage. , so that it can go againts me, and is more lifelike. /OOC]

 

[hughbartlett]

After every member was sent the platforms of both the FR and RD, we have a three part vote:
1. Should the ERP disband and all members join other parties?: Declined, with only 1 member supporting the idea.
2. Should the ERP join another party in coalition?: Accepted, with 55% voting for coalition talks to continue and attempt to join a coalition.
3. If we are to join a coalition, which party would it be with?:
ESRP: 2 members
RD: 9 members
FR: 5 members
LP: 6 members
NLP: 0 members
RPE: 2 members.

Due to this, we are suspending coalition talks with the Free Republicans, although we welcome a healthy dialogue. We will continue with our quest for an alliance with the RD when formed.

 

[hughbartlett]

Vote in Caucus

A new vote in the ERP today-Should the ERP support Murmurandus as a candidate for president? and Should we run a candidate?

The first query was passed:
Support MMDS for president, until more candidates appear, at least:55%
Do not support MMDS and the RD for pres. elect.: 35%
Abstain:10%

The second was not, and therefor we cannot have a candidate (at this stage, we would not anyway, as we are short on members)
We should stand a candidate: 40%
We shouldn't stand a candidate: 55%
Abstain:5%

So, at this stage we are supporting MMDS, although not cemented.

 

[hughbartlett]

IMPORTANT!

******TO ALL PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS******

AT THIS TIME, THE ERP IS TRYING TO FIND A GROUNDING. ALTHOUGH IT MAY APPEAR THAT THE PARTY IS ALREADY FORMED, IT ISN'T, AND MUST BE IMPROVED. TO DO THIS, WE NEED MORE MEMBERS. WE HOPE THAT WHAT THE PARTY HAS ALREADY DONE IS TO YOUR LIKING, AND IF IT IS NOT, WE MAY POSSIBLY CHANGE CERTAIN DETAILS OF OUR POLICIES AND RELATIONS WITH OTHER PARTIES. REMEMBER, WE ARE STILL IN THE BUILDING PHRASE, AND AS A EARLY MEMBER, YOU CAN HELP SHAPE THE ERP.

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