[Forum Game] - Crisis in the Reichstag

[Seek75]

Gentlemen, calm yourselves; the authorship of some bill is of little concern when compared to the matter of the will of the people and the future of the constitution of this country. By persisting in this argument you trouble making politics look ineffective and petty, thus opening the door for violent revolutionaries. The public has asked for real political change at the last election, and I hope will continue to support such at the coming one also. If we do not want the country to collapse into armed militias and angry mobs, we should provide that change. We should remove ultimate power from one man. We should give the choice of the head of state to the people, not to fortune and blood. We should not squabble over such petty matters as whose hand penned a bill of little consequence. I hope you two gentlemen will move on, in the interests of reform, the people and the country.

What political change can there be though when our political system is nothing more but a game of machine politics, where one man can destroy the stability of the country while it is at war and where others will prop him up and raise their own political clout by claiming ownership of something that is not theirs?

I believe the authorship of "some bill" is of great concern, because while the bill itself may not be very important, what is important is that there is a coalition here between despotic autocrats and uncaring politicians, and they will each do their part to make sure that they keep their stranglehold, be it through destroying a stable government or through political swindling.

This system needs to be broken down and re-built from the bottom-up, or else we will be stuck in this never-ending loop.

 

[Spectre17]

First he removed my predecessor from the General Staff because he had supported Von Moltke in the past and now he removes me from command because of my political views. I revealed the findings of a report because I believed that the German people had a right to know the results of the investigation. Does von Falkenhayn believe that the German people should not know the results of this investigation? Does the General Staff reward years of loyal service to Germany by dismissing it's officers? I served at the Battle of Namur, I served when we forced the French back out of Belgium, I served at the assault on St. Petersburg and this is what I get? I accept von Falkenhayn's dismissal of me however I will remain in the army and I will remain a General.

General Alfred von Roon

 

[theAhawk]

My fear is merely that we will all get tarred with the same brush, reformers and monarchists alike, before we can achieve meaningful change. Ownership is indeed important, and without clear rules we would have anarchy, but if confidence in the political class is undermined change will be impossible without revolution.

The system is broken. All monarchist parties are tainted by corruption and scandal. The Kaiser is weak, indecisive and separate from the people. He thinks he can bully us away from our views. He thinks he can buy our votes. We have a system whe the representatives of the people can be overruled by the whims of one man, put there by blood alone. This is no way to run a castle, let alone a great country. We need change. The people want change. The DDP will bring change.

I feel the best way to achieve change is through gradual reform and democratic change. We should seek electoral and legislative legitimacy to carry out such important changes. We should elect our head of state. No man should have total political power. We should have a second chamber to regulate what the first can do. All of these changes are important. All of these changes should happen from within the system, not outside it.

Your policy seems to be to tear down our system of government - no gradualism, no subtlety, no consultation, no legitimacy. If you mobilise the mob, you have no more democratic legitimacy than the existing monarchy. We will have a system likely poorly designed and easily broken. I fear that by mobilising the mob, you will unleash chaos and destruction across the land. Violence will bloom. Anarchy will reign. Remember the leaders of the revolution in France and how they became victims of the terror they unleashed.

The best way to achieve real and meaningful change that is sustainable and legitimate is though the ballot box. The people's will shall be done, but it must be done with due consideration and this is where I fear our two approaches differ.

((I fear a schism in the air...

Also, how can you retain command when you have been dismissed Spectre?))

 

[Spectre17]

(( I'm not in command, I'm just a General. Morrell only removed me from command of the army))

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

Given current topic of debate, I fear that we will become a nation forever looking over its shoulder at the past, never setting our gaze ahead of us at the future. Such a decision would make us blind, delaying or destroying the promised futures of children only to replace it with disappointment.

Thus, I must agree with Von Wettin it is saddening that Herr Thaumen quarrels over such details. For now let such disagreements fall by the wayside while we work to forge a better Germany in the crucible of war and unrest. One that can become the envy of the world. However, I do believe, that in the interests of stability and avoiding civil unrest when our nation is at war, it would be best to delay any such reform until after the conclusion of the war.

I also find the statement by Oberst Jäckel to be misinformed. Even if such quixotic coalition were to be formed it would only possess 186 seats well short of the required majority. I turned down the offer of the chancellorship as I believed that at this time it would be foolish to form a minority government, one that will be mired ineffectiveness much like my unfortunate first term as chancellor. I reflect instead upon the achievement of my second term and how they have better Germany for all Germans not just a select few.

The communists and social democrats seek to grow the state at the expense of all. Will this better Germany, perhaps for those who seek to aggrandize power, but not for the majority. Instead, I ask that the people look towards the progressive policies of Zentrum that seek moderate reform that will give every person a square deal. As we must keep ever in mind that a nation such as ours can exist only by virtue of the orderly liberty which comes through the equal domination of the law over all men alike, and through its administration in such resolute and fearless fashion as shall teach all that no man is above it and no man below it.

Friends, I have always tried to do my best govern and make Germany a place for all its citizens to prosper in. However, it has been defeated in the past due to political squabbles and by whim. I ask you, the people of our great nation, return Zentrum and the moderate parties to power such that an effective and stable government may be formed.

~Reinhart von und zu Birkenfeld

 

[theAhawk]

I must refute what Herr von und zu Birkenfeld says in regards to the timing of reforms: they cannot wait! Every moment we spend waiting for the right time to act is not just stalling reform, but strengthening revolutionaries. If the good sir is truely thinking of he stability of the country, not just his own social elite, he would realise that the sooner reform can be implemented the lower the chances of conflict and civil unrest. The war will run itself. The generals have no need of politicians interfering. We are able to look at these important constitutional issues now, and we should do so. Now!

 

[Shynka]

These are indeed very grim times, citizens of the glorious German Reich. We have been attacked, by a furious neighbour who still cannot suffer the defeats handed to it by Prussia, all those years ago. A very traitorous enemy, whom we may never trust, who can only throw more of its troops into death’s open jaws. They have pounced onto us when we did not expect it at all; when we were enjoying the peace, the national growth and the prosperity that we all deserved. But they had none of it. Fuelled by jealousy, rage and hunger with hatred in their hearts and weapons in their arms they have violated our neutrality, seeking only destruction and calamity. This has, of course, caused great instability in the fatherland. How could it not have? There are hordes of men with one goal – to destroy us and what we believe in, and they will stop at nothing to do so. This will damage our country, and as much as we like to pretend otherwise, there is no other way but to suffer through this hardship. War is knocking on our door, but instead of cowering with fear, we shall see it as a challenge to our virtues, patriotism and in our belief in the perseverance of our homeland, and of course, our Kaiser. We must not let it spoil the national unity that has for so long shaped our nation. We shall stand as one, or else we shall perish and be forgotten by history. We must not let them dismantle Germany by poisoning the hearts of its citizens and politicians. We must remain pure and strong, for this is the only way to survive the war and its aftermath.

Such new conditions have proven to be an excellent breeding ground for such shameful and ill ideas like socialism. Never has man gave birth to something more horrendous than this idea; it goes against everything we have worked for since the dawn of ages, it crushes the German spirit and it helps our enemies on the field by dealing a severe blow to our morale. And now, I hear, the Kaiser is to abdicate to save the nation? Such insanity! The Kaiser is precisely what defines this nation, this glorious Empire, the land and its entire people. Without him the backbone is shattered into pieces, and unsupported, the fatherland will collapse and fragment into a thousand powerless pieces. Without one leader, one figure with God given authority to watch over our men, morale on the battlefield will plummet and never recover. Is this what these red figures want? For our men to be defeated, so that the French may march into Berlin and install these dangerous and foolish communist ideas in the Reichstag? Well, true patriots will have none of it! This is a call to arms for all those that hold this nation dear in their hearts. True politicians, the ones that work not for their own good or for the good of communism, but for the wellbeing of Germany will at once rush to defend the Kaiser. I believe the Reich party will do so too – for we have promised, upon joining this party, to protect our only true leader. We may achieve victory not through the removal of our leading light but with strong patriotic will and most of all, with the help of God, who the socialists reject.

-Adolf Richter, the German Reich Party

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

I am a member of the social elite, perhaps, but I have also weathered an attempted assassination due to my work. And despite being shot, I still addressed the people with my desire that all have a "square deal," I ask does that make me one unconcerned with people. I authored the peace with the Russian Empire in the hopes of securing our East and with desire that peace may be maintained. I request that one looks at my record before accusing me of anything.

However, I must absolutely refute you belief that a stable government is unnecessary at this time. I make this statement, because there has yet to be a budget passed for the year, one necessary to fund the war effort, and the peace-making process is one that would be better left to the public.

 

[Morrell8]

General Von Roon, Of course I want my dear friend Alfred's death investigated, but I'd rather that it be done by the agents under the justice minister, who are actually expierienced in such matters.

-Erich Von Falkenhayn, Chief of the General Staff.

 

[theAhawk]

I am not suggesting that an unstable government would be a good thing at the moment, only that the longer we delay, the more unstable the country will become.

 

[Revan529]

Vice Chancellor von und zu Birkenfeld and I have conferred and agreed with one another that this provisional government must draft and present a budget; the Vice Chancellor shall construct this budget with my supervision, and will present it before the Reichstag when it is prepared. Let this be a testament to the ability of the Centrist parties (such as Birkenfeld's Zentrum, and my own National Liberals) to work together, and a symbol of our parties desire to keep Germany solvent and stable.

I also wish the ask Herr Thaumen to cease these needless attacks against Herr Birkenfeld; I cannot say for certain about who authored what, but it under Birkenfeld's government that it was proposed, and it was under his government that it was passed. I have a great deal of respect for my former party mate and leader, but I cannot tolerate accosting a man, especially as one as devoted to the Reich as Birkenfeld, over something that, in the end, rather unimportant. Yes it was a bill, and it plays a role in Germany, but we are in a state of war, and a period of crisis and uncertainty; we need to be unified to bring stability back to the Fatherland!

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

Excepts from a public address...

Indeed an unstable government is unsuitable for all and must be avoided at all costs. Yet to push for reform in the current situation given the instability across the nation but should be postponed for until a more stable situation presents itself after the war. What we need now is united not division, particularly after an assassination and two attempted assassinations.

Friends, will we be forever a nation looking over its shoulder at days gone bye, or will we instead look ahead and strive for a better future? I say the latter, for the good of all Germans! Vote Zentrum.

Later at the Reichstag...
As the Acting Chancellor von Hohenzollern has indicated, I am here to present the budget for 1916. The primary change from the previous year is the servicing of the debt acquired through the peace with Russia and the servicing of acquired debts.

German Reich 1916-1917 Budget
Total Spending: 1,004,000,000 RM
Military: 467,500,000 RM
Consumer Goods: 120,000,000 RM
Industrial Subsidies: 65,000,000 RM
Infrastructure: 35,000,000 RM
Welfare: 40,000,000 RM
Education: 59,500,000 RM (+11.5M for Education Act)
Government: 50,000,000 RM
Colonies: 16,000,000 RM
Other: 15,000,000 RM
Victory Bond Interest: 10,000,000 RM
Debt Interest: 126,000,000 RM

Total Income: 452,000,000 RM
Taxes: 397,000,000 RM
Tariffs: 55,000,000 RM
Total Balance: -552,000,000 RM
Victory Bond Debt @ 5%: 200,000,000 RM
Treasury: -1,815,000,000 RM (1,267,000,000 RM of Russian debt was assumed)



German Reich 1915-1916 Budget
Total Spending: 856,500,000 RM
Military: 467,500,000 RM
Consumer Goods: 120,000,000 RM
Industrial Subsidies: 65,000,000 RM
Infrastructure: 35,000,000 RM
Welfare: 40,000,000 RM
Education: 48,000,000 RM (+11.5M for Education Act)
Government: 50,000,000 RM
Colonies: 16,000,000 RM
Other: 15,000,000 RM
Debt Interest: --- RM

Total Income: 452,000,000 RM
Taxes: 397,000,000 RM
Victory Bonds (@ 5%): 200,000,000RM
Tariffs: 55,000,000 RM
Total Balance: -204,000,000 RM
Treasury: 4,000,000 RM

 

[Revan529]

I officially announce voting for the 1916-1917 Budget, for which I vote yes.

 

[MastahCheef117]

"As it is the best we can do under the circumstances, I approve of Vice Chancellor Birkenfeld's new budget."

 

[Imperator1993]

I also approve the new budget.

 

[Duke of Britain]

I vote Yes on this new budget.

 

[NikoHoI3]

I vote Yes to the Budget of 1916-1917 Budget.

 

[Syriana]

I offer my offer my approval for the proposed budget, in order to continue the operations of state and government during this time of political paralysis.

I am concerned, however, that this is the first budget since the outbreak of the war not to incorporate an increase in defence spending. The maintenance of the armed forces is paramount. In 1915, according to treasury estimations, the army required a further 300 million Reichsmarks in order to accommodate current conditions. Yet since then defence spending has risen by only 267.5 million Reichsmarks, while the costs of the war effort continue to expand. The Empire may presently be enjoying great success on every front, but this will not last if we do not have sufficient capital to purchase shells, boots and rations. Payment alone for the millions of men currently in service is straining our finances. Without sufficient spending, we shall suffer from shortages and mutinies. Let us not see our gains on the front-lines undone by undue thriftiness.

- Oberst Felix Jäckel, Großer Generalstab des Deutsches Heer

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

OOC: The budget was prepared using the budget estimates from the General Staff, ie Fry. So it is good.

 

[The Fish]

I vote YES to the budget.

~ Bruno von Brockhusen