[Forum Game] - Crisis in the Reichstag

[KeldoniaSkylar]

As I have commented on in Ministerial meetings due to the nature of our government the Kaiser demanded that a naval bill be the first to be enacted. That said I have revealed multiple budgets to both the Reichstag and in cabinet meetings. However, due demands for the naval bill's precedence, such proposals were unable to be enacted. Indeed according to treasury department projections, using a continuation budget, the deficit was cut to nothing this year and the our debt of 155M RM was reduced to 110M RM by the actions the present government. Hence such accusations by both the Berlin Times and my VC are unwarranted and do not take into account the matter. Furthermore, the delay has also been affected by recent and still present illness.

Disclosed below is a comparison of the 1912 budget and the 1913 provisional budget, not including the present naval bill which will further reduce expenditures:
German Reich: 1911 - 1912 Budget
Total Spending: 351,000,000 RM
Military: 175,000,000 RM
Consumer Goods: 85,000,000 RM
Welfare: 20,000,000 RM
Education: 15,000,000 RM
Government: 25,000,000 RM
Colonies: 10,000,000 RM
Other: 6,000,000 RM
Debt Interest 15,000,000 RM

Total Income: 335,000,000 RM
Taxes: 265,000,000 RM
Tariffs: 55,000,000 RM
Total Balance: -16,000,000 RM

Total Debt: 155,000,000 RM

German Reich 1912-1913 Budget
Total Spending: 326,000,000 RM
Military: 160,000,000 RM - there is a 15M RM reduction here brought about by the Afrika agreement
Consumer Goods: 85,000,000 RM
Welfare: 20,000,000 RM
Education: 15,000,000 RM
Government: 25,000,000 RM
Colonies: 6,000,000 RM
Other: 6,000,000 RM
Debt Interest: 9,000,000 RM

Total Income: 337,000,000 RM
Taxes: 267,000,000 RM
Tariffs: 55,000,000 RM
Total Balance: 11,000,000 RM
Total Debt: 99,000,000 RM

Other current plans that have been drafted for the economy include plans to increase the funding of universities to increase the intellectual base in our country and hopefully inspire a new generation of thinkers to design, create, and implement new ideas and make ideas that once seemed fantasy a reality, such as the recent spread of the automobile and the airplane. Other ideas include subsidies for key industries in growing fields, fields in which Germany could potentially produce world-class products and establish market dominance, calls for the reform of inefficient government institutions, and plans for bettering the infrastructure around our nation. However, the above expenditures to not include such efficiency gains or increases in spending. With this I urge the passing of the naval bill such that such pertinent legislation may be passed.

~Reinhart von und zu Birkenfeld

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

OOC: In the interest of speeding things up a bit, I'm going to declare a quorum in the next 12 or so hours. Once that is done, debate will close, and based on current votes the bill will pass. Then we can move onto budget issues.

 

[hygge0302]

OOC: In the interest of speeding things up a bit, I'm going to declare a quorum in the next 12 or so hours. Once that is done, debate will close, and based on current votes the bill will pass. Then we can move onto budget issues.

OOC: What is a quorum?

 

[DoomBunny]

I must throw my full support behind this bill. The Empire needs a navy, not only for the protection of the nation, but also for the protection of our economic interests and to provide employment and a ready market for much of our industry. The selling of old ships is a necessary evil, although I would suggest that some ships could be broken up and used, in part, to create coastal defences.​

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

OOC: A quorum essentially means that a certain percentage of the voting members are present. As by tallying their votes legislation can be passed.

IC: I, Reinhart von und zu Birkenfelt attach my signature to this bill. It shall now be passed to the Kaiser for his signature such that it might be enacted. With that I hereby open the floor to general debate on the budget.

I propose that we increase spending on Universities and education in general by 5M RM, such to improve the education of our youth, in particular fostering the fields of science and industry. This increase in spending will in part be covered by reductions in naval spending this year as the new naval bill will bring savings of approximately 7.5M RM. Furthermore, a proposed streamlining of redundant government offices such to reduce expenditures on government by approximately 10M RM. I propose that we use this surplus to invest in subsidies in strategic industries such as automotives, aviation, telecommunications, chemistry, metallurgy, and petro-chemistry ((coal to gasoline conversion/synthetic petrol - autarky ftw)).

German Reich 1913-1914 Budget
Total Spending: 341,000,000 RM
Military: 167,500,000 RM - a return to previous levels, less cost changes due to the naval bill.
Consumer Goods: 85,000,000 RM
Industrial Subsidies: 12,500,000RM
Welfare: 20,000,000 RM
Education: 20,000,000 RM
Government: 15,000,000 RM
Colonies: 6,000,000 RM
Other: 6,000,000 RM
Debt Interest: 9,000,000 RM

Total Income: 337,000,000 RM
Taxes: 267,000,000 RM
Tariffs: 55,000,000 RM
Total Balance: -4,000,000 RM
Total Debt: 103,000,000 RM

Note: This does not include income from sales of ships (which I will add when official), or increases in taxes from increased industry.

Other possible bills include attempts to centralize the military commands which will reduce costs and improve the military's efficiency. Gains could also be realized infrastructure investment.

~Reinhart von und zu Birkenfeld, Chancellor and Treasury Minister of the German Empire

 

[Mr. Santiago]

Beeing a participant in the elaboration of this bill, I support it dearly. Thanks to carefull administration we have been able to make a substantial reduction in the Reich's debts and interest payments, beeing able to achieve a superavit for the first time in ages; improving the economic health of the Reich overall.

The streamlining of the general administration will give us more resources to devote to important areas in education and industry; these areas are at the forefront of innovation and Germany must claim its rightfull place.

Minister A.R. Frahm

 

[Thandros]

I equally support this Bill it will bring benefits to the German People and not negatively affect the country so it can continue to do good work for the German People.

Although many of My fellow SPD members may not agree

Hermann Schmidt

 

[MastahCheef117]

I equally support this Bill it will bring benefits to the German People and not negatively affect the country so it can continue to do good work for the German People.

Although many of My fellow SPD members may not agree

Hermann Schmidt

"You aren't a very good Socialist, are you, Herr Schmidt?"

~ V. Chancellor von Weiss

 

[Thandros]

"You aren't a very good Socialist, are you, Herr Schmidt?"

~ V. Chancellor von Weiss

No My friend I'm not a very good Communist under Socialism there will still be a state. Under Communism there will be no state. Then Again Communism is a highly utopian Ideal and unlikely to be possible. Anyway I'm finding myself increasingly disagreeing with my fellow SPD party members. Perhaps I should break off and Form a New party.

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

OOC: Increasing education funding is in line with his ideology.

 

[Muskeato]

Anyway I'm finding myself increasingly disagreeing with my fellow SPD party members. Perhaps I should break off and Form a New party.

Increasingly? You are the only one to have voiced their issue, and previously we have all agreed.

H.C.A

 

[nachopontmercy]

hi!I´ve been reading and enjoying this forum game for a while and I just realized there are ome vacants sits,so....would it be possible to enter the game even it has already started?

 

[Seek75]

It's already started, but you're free to join whenever you like.

 

[MastahCheef117]

However, this does not mean that sign-ups are closed after the first election. You may jump in at anytime. Signups are ALWAYS open.

You can sign up any time you want.

 

[nachopontmercy]

Then....sign me in!! only think i dont have clear is if i should begin as an independent or join for one of the current parties. Shall i post my biography too?

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

OOC: You can join the parties in the opening post and bio is always nice. Now more talk on the budget.

 

[Muskeato]

I am astounded at the small proportion of the budget appropriated towards welfare and education in comparison to that spent on the military. It is clear to me that a reordering of the budget is required if Germany is to develop as a modern, more equal nation.

 

[Nanwe]

I am astounded at the small proportion of the budget appropriated towards welfare and education in comparison to that spent on the military. It is clear to me that a reordering of the budget is required if Germany is to develop as a modern, more equal nation.

It seems clear to me that, even of the unfair situation of the budget for our future generations, I'd also like to remind you that the future of the German nation lies in our capability to defend ourselves from both the vengeful French in out western border and its insidious Slavic enemies. It is also worth noting that the sake of our commerce with our colonies and the education and civilising of the African natives under our guidance relies entirely on the possibility of defending them and our colons.

Nevertheless, if any of these moneys go to aid the Austro-Hungarians, I shall against it, for the fate of Austria and Bohemia is to join the German nation.

 

[Frymonmon]

I would like to point out to Herr von Fabeck that while you have right ideas, Austria-Hungary are our allies, and I would rather not news get out that the Reichstag desire the annexation of parts of our ally. This can only lead to bigger and more severe consequences in the future, where the Kaiser might decide to dissolve the Reichstag.

 

[Nanwe]

I would like to point out to Herr von Fabeck that while you have right ideas, Austria-Hungary are our allies, and I would rather not news get out that the Reichstag desire the annexation of parts of our ally. This can only lead to bigger and more severe consequences in the future, where the Kaiser might decide to dissolve the Reichstag.

But nevertheless, I never mentioned that we should invade out allies, but merely that we shan't support the nature of a country and state that fully opposes the idea of nationality as a deciding factor.