Peace and Prosperity Act of 2014 (Voting on Amendment)

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

... I'm flabbergasted this thing has a chance at passing.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

... I'm flabbergasted this thing has a chance at passing.

Why?

You're right... I shouldn't be.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Is there any mechanism or some kind of indicator that the goal of the UN democratisation has been achieved?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I guess the SoEA would then have to advocate for it, and maybe sometime then announce it? Idk.

You see, this is what I have a problem with. This is very aspirational, and I have big issues with putting something so fluffy into something as important and otherwise prescriptive as this Bill.

Democratisation of the UN is a good idea in theory, but this is a strategy that the Senate needs to work with current and future Presidents over a long period of time. And also something that needs to be done in concert with other permanent members - because a well-meaning self-sacrifice on our part will mean sod-all if the other permanent members just sit there and say "you want to give it up? Go right ahead".

The inclusion of this element strikes me as something included by people who have a lovely idea of how the UN should work, but will little experience of how it actually works.

I'd also like to know the impacts of section 5 of this Bill.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Thank you Senator - appreciated

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

On this specific amendment, NAY

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

AYE

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I think it would be remiss of us to not 'promote' democracy. I mean, when I was president I placed conditions on our military aid, that it only be given to those countries with relatively decent human rights standards.

If we are going to be a force in the world (and we are) then we should be a positive ambassador for democracy.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I have deep reservations about the unintended consequences of this Bill.

For the time being - Abstain

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I am considering changing my vote.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

What are your concerns in particularly Senator Polnut?

I am deeply concerned that the arbitrary reductions in military numbers might make it difficult to respond to future crises. I know many want us to never have to fight in any conflicts anywhere... but that's not how the world works.

I have no issue with encouraging our military to work smarter and reduce their numbers. It's something I've done for a long time. But I do have concerns that this Bill weakens us, purely out of an ideal about what we 'should' be doing, as opposed to what we might have to do.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

We don't "have" to do anything that we don't want to do. It is not the responsibility of the Republic of Atlasia to intervene military in any conflict that does not directly involve an attack upon it. We must discard this "white man's burden" nonsense once and for all.

I understand this is your view. I disagree that this is the only scenario is which we may have to respond. Plus, even in your very limited view... are the numbers suitable to manage an attack upon us?