Senator Harun Al-Askari
Fellow Senators, I believe that in our discussion we have overlooked the most pressing problem with the army: that of morale. Some of you have returned from distant Tagmata, others have surely seen the army. It is in dismal shape. The men barely have the organization to march to an fro, let alone fight, We can argue about cost reductions all that we want, but no matter how effectively we trim the army, it is nearly useless without some measure to boost morale.
{{Guys and girls, morale is at .5 right now, and will be for the better part of the decade. All the budget cuts and discipline boosts in the world can't keep one of our armies fighting a rebel army for more than a few days. Our troops are effectively useless at the moment. IIRC rebels base their morale off of our un-modified morale, so they will have 3 or 4 morale while we have just .5}}
Regarding army cuts: while in principle, I oppose cuts, in the interests of politics and the good of the realm I believe that they are necessary. I do not propose cutting any of the metropolitan units: instead, fellow senators, look at the map. We have nearly 30,000 men stationed in the newly created Exharchate of Africa, and to what end? It will take a large investment in transport ships to be able to return them to a front where they will be useful. Therefore, I propose that when the Blues and Whites propose army cuts in the main senate session, we initially refuse, but finally agree to cutting those regiments only in return for other concessions.
{{IIRC the African regiments can't walk back to our territory. It's better to just cut those regiments to help with the budget and appease other factions}}
Regarding Bavaria: I wholeheartedly disagree with proposals to integrate them further into the realm. Such an endeavor will take years, and utilize resources that we do not have, and that could be wasted if the Bavarians decide to rebel anyway. With Pisa and the Xenoi engaged in conflict they will be unable to support the independence of the Bavarians. I believe that a combination of state visits and other diplomatic efforts, plus gifts and bribes, will be able to placate the Bavarians long enough for the Imperium to recover and show the Bavarians the folly of their ways. Plus, if it has not hit yet, the Black Death will ravage them too, and their armies will probably be just as badly damaged as ours.
{{Because of bankruptcy, and our policies if we get in power, our diplomatic reputation is probably trash, and I don't even know if we even have the diplo points to spend on integration. It'll take years, and unless there's something that prevents vassals from rebelling if they are being integrated, we could lose the investment if they do rebel}}
Now, on to the specific things that will come up in the main Senate session:
1. Administration reform: while I am loath to grant this, I fear it needs to be done. To defy the Emperor on such a crucial matter is unwise.
2. Mothballing the fleet: I support this measure, aside from the privateers and other light ships that make us money. In fact, I suggest we go further, and entirely disband the heavy, expensive ships. They are not all that helpful in the Mediterranean, and at the moment any naval war we will fight will be limited to that sea.
3. Raising tariffs: I support this measure. Let them contribute further, they are entirely loyal at the moment
4. Stealing from the Jews: I cannot express enough my opposition to this measure. The Imperium lives and survives on the loans of Jewish merchants. The bankruptcy has already destroyed our credit, and nakedly stealing from the biggest bankers will only make it worse. If we want to take out a loan in the next two decades, this is the worst possible course of action. Furthermore, robbing the Jews is a very long term problem. They will go elsewhere: to Pisa, Poland, Bavaria, the Timurids, or even the horde and beyond. There our enemies will gain their financial expertise, while it will take decades for our economy to recover.
5. Enlisting privateers: yes, they bring back gold, silver, gems, slaves, and other valuables, and hurt our enemies at little risk to ourselves. They are the only part of our navy that pays for itself.
6. Seizure of the lands of the Holy Church: I reluctantly support this measure. Frankly, the Church has a great deal of wealth, too much in my view. Priests drink from golden chalices, wear gilded robes, and hold vast tracts of land. While the Imperium struggled and then fell into bankruptcy, the Church did nothing but continue to selfishly collect its own taxes, depriving the Aerium. We would not be the first to confiscate church property in times of crisis. If I remember correctly, Heraclius melted down Church treasures to fund a war during a time of great crisis: we must do the same. In the short term the priests must do with gilded circlets instead of those made of solid gold, but they will recover. Once we grow strong again men will continue to donate their fortunes to the church, or build new buildings, or endowments, etc
As for policies, I propose that we institute the Lex fovertur Production commercia to increase the aerium's revenue
A new policy would be the Military Resettlement Act. In an effort to repopulate areas devastated by war and the plague, soldiers will be granted land on the completion of their service, or it will go to their heir if they die before they complete their service. This will make recruitment easier and increase the men's morale
15% morale boost (15 points)
15% manpower boost (5 points)
{{not sure if I did the calculations right}}