In the Presidential Press Room, J.R. Zhokhyen makes a speech on national broadcast.
“Greetings, Eutopians.
“We’ve had a bumpy start to this term. A rickety budget fight, a terrible accident. Our new government is performing admirably. Our ministers react quickly and efficiently to problems. As promised, a national referendum on the Monarchy was passed by the Assembly some time ago, and is now being held. It is self-determination in action. However, I will say no more on the subject, besides that I encourage all Eutopian citizens, those living both within and without, to ensure that their voice is heard and vote. Once the matter has been settled, it is settled. We shall accept it and move on.
“The assembly is hard at work with other legislation. Some of which, I feel, would not have a good impact on Eutopia as the Monarchy referendum. Some, I support. Since I acknowledge that our duty of informing the citizens what is going on has been lax, I will go into further detail now.
“Our economy is vital. All of our livelihoods depend on it, and our defined by its slightest whims. The government has the ability to control and restrain these whims, to an extent; legislation doing just that is the most important on the platter at this moment. An example of good economic legislation has been proposed by Assemblyman Colin Leary, who already in his work has become well known, hard-working and deservedly respected among politicians. The Economic Recovery and Tax Reform bill will decrease government regulations on businesses. With less regulation, more investment will pour in, and our economy, and our nation, will benefit as a whole. In fact, it is estimated that the increased traffic encouraged by the decreased regulation will in fact increase government revenue. This means, we will have more surplus to return to workers.
“Yes. Soon, I will propose an income tax rate reduction and tax return for all Eutopians across the board. More money in everyone’s pockets will help in revitalizing our economy. Consumerism will be higher, investment will be higher, and business ownership will increase. And each and every one of you will be able to keep a higher percentage of what you earn.
“However, this entire plan depends entirely on a budgetary surplus. Our plan to revitalize our economy is being threatened by dangerous, albeit good-natured behemoth.
“Environmental regulations are of course necessary. We do not want to destroy our environment and leave nothing for our children and grandchildren. However, Per Al’Aeshir seems to think we are capable of immediately launching Eutopia into an environmental Utopia. While if that were possible, I would surely back it, but I must repeat incessantly: the Eutopia Clean Air bill will have terrible consequences. Surely, no one wants to be suddenly fined $500 for mindlessly tossing a cigarette butt or chewing gum wrapper on the ground. That, however, would be law in Mr. Al’Aeshir’s vision.
“And it gets worse. The severity and suddenness of the regulations proposed on industry would absolutely crush our sluggish economy. Hundreds of businesses would cease making profits. Our economy would completely implode.
“Possible compromises include tax benefits for companies that comply with the suggestions. This will not work. We cannot afford to pay for all of these changes, certainly not in such a short period of time. And for the portion that we could pay, are not corporations not already being given a break by the proposed Economic Recovery and Tax Reform bill? And even with Per Leary’s tax reform proposal, with governmental subsidies, our surplus will have been spent. And our plan to stimulate the economy and put money in your pocket will be sunk, with our surplus sucked into the oblivion of the Clean Eutopia Air bill.
“I encourage all Eutopians to urge their assemblymen to vote against Per Al’Aeshir’s environmental bill. Our environment is important, but it not the only thing that is so. We cannot sacrifice everything else in one blow for this issue. The solution to environmental issues is slow, gradual regulation. Not a sudden jump from a cliff.
“I thank you all for your time. Good night.”
