Spectator & Society Journal

[k-onmmunist]

War Idol, hahaha.

[afleitch]

Welcome to the first of our Senate Watch specials


Social & Economic Development Zone Improvement Act

The plan to replace and empower legislation relating to SEDZ's is much welcomed but with caveats. The conditions under which they are to be established have to be stringent; it's very important and the bill makes sure to be as specific as it can be in deciding the conditions under which communities can apply for assistance.

Will dropping below an unemployment rate at 10.0% or higher which is a qualifier after the establishment of an SEDZ affect it's continuation? The bill states that Social & Economic Development Zones may only be in operation for up to 5 years, or until one or more of the requirements for maintaining a SEDZ has been broken Naturally should unemployment fall as a result of the policies enacted within an SEDZ then the area does not require the same level of assistance. However should reduction in unemployment be modest; shaving of a half percent for example, it could be argued that the justification for an SEDZ remains. The limitations imposed are important, but there should be some room for discretion. However the bill provides that all subsidies from Atlasia works and tax breaks shall remain in place until their expiration even after the SEDZ has been disbanded, but no more may be issued; this may satisfy this concern but only in part.

On the issue of unemployment, it could be argued that as the establishment of SEDZ's will be a partnership between the regions and the Senate, that regional variances in unemployment could justify regional variations in eligablility criteria.

The Vice President has given his support to the potential to increase the upper limit on population from 40,000. This, we feel is important so that SEDZ's can cover larger communities even cities so that co-ordination of employment provision and services in cities remains constant. Spectator and Society welcomes the 'Atlasia Works' programme.

Oil Spill Protection Act

The Oils Profits Tax qould levy a 20% tax on companies that earn a larger quarterly profit of £1bn. This tax would be channelled into and Oil Spill Protection Fund which shall be used for cleanup in the event of a spill, research and development for new technologies to prevent environmental damage, and as payments to those who's lives are impacted by oil spills. For a company that earns £4bn a year exactly for example, this would generate some $800 million. (Shell's profits in 2009 was some $31bn by comparison)

There are two issues at stake; is the 20% tax excessive? This is for the Senate to consider. There seems to be no exception made for oil-companies that have robust safety records and work hard to achieve them. Secondly is appropriating the proceeds of the tax to clean up operations, reducing environmental damage and compensation after an oil spill (which as environmental disasters go is a fairly rare occurence) the correct use of the revenue? Imagine no oil spill for five years; yet still the Federal government receives the proceeds of the tax to 'store' until such times as it is required. A better use of the funds would be to use it, in part at least to provide for cleaner energy alternatives.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Ludlow Amendment goes to the People

'War Idol' may be coming to Atlasia in the form of the Ludlow Amendment, a convulted attempt at bringing the power to declare war to 'the people' through a referendum. Except 'in the event of an invasion of the Republic of Atlasia or attack upon its citizens residing therein.' Spectator and Society wonders where the Senate has been these last ten years where the biggest threat remains an attack on it's citizens outside it's own borders.

The linkage of such attacks with any individual nation is of course somewhat wooly. Never the less the threat of a rogue nation attack on our diplomatic services, on shared services such as the UN and on innocent Atlasian's is a real threat. This amendment if passed and the protracted affair of simply declaring war on an agressor is dangerous; it allows any agressor to launch wave after wave of attack on Atlasia internationally while the Senate and the people become involved in an unnecessary slow waltz to war.
   

     That makes no sense, as the Ludlow Amendment has no impact whatsoever on the speed with which the country can marshal its forces for war. The Senate can respond just as rapidly as it always has. It is merely the case that if the people reject the war in referendum, the troops must be withdrawn & the war effort must end.

Thank you, the blatant lies being spread about the Ludlow Amendment by the War Party around here are growing quite offensive.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Ludlow Amendment goes to the People

'War Idol' may be coming to Atlasia in the form of the Ludlow Amendment, a convulted attempt at bringing the power to declare war to 'the people' through a referendum. Except 'in the event of an invasion of the Republic of Atlasia or attack upon its citizens residing therein.' Spectator and Society wonders where the Senate has been these last ten years where the biggest threat remains an attack on it's citizens outside it's own borders.

The linkage of such attacks with any individual nation is of course somewhat wooly. Never the less the threat of a rogue nation attack on our diplomatic services, on shared services such as the UN and on innocent Atlasian's is a real threat. This amendment if passed and the protracted affair of simply declaring war on an agressor is dangerous; it allows any agressor to launch wave after wave of attack on Atlasia internationally while the Senate and the people become involved in an unnecessary slow waltz to war.
   

     That makes no sense, as the Ludlow Amendment has no impact whatsoever on the speed with which the country can marshal its forces for war. The Senate can respond just as rapidly as it always has. It is merely the case that if the people reject the war in referendum, the troops must be withdrawn & the war effort must end.

Thank you, the blatant lies being spread about the Ludlow Amendment by the War Party around here are growing quite offensive.

     If anything, the Ludlow Amendment seems too weak. When the United States invaded Iraq, we reached Baghdad within about three weeks. Within 60 days, devastating if not outright defeating almost any country in a focused attack would be a trivial matter. In cases where the country that the Senate wishes to attack has not attacked Atlasian citizens abroad, I think the war should only be allowed to continue for 15-20 days without approval in referendum.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Ludlow Amendment goes to the People

'War Idol' may be coming to Atlasia in the form of the Ludlow Amendment, a convulted attempt at bringing the power to declare war to 'the people' through a referendum. Except 'in the event of an invasion of the Republic of Atlasia or attack upon its citizens residing therein.' Spectator and Society wonders where the Senate has been these last ten years where the biggest threat remains an attack on it's citizens outside it's own borders.

The linkage of such attacks with any individual nation is of course somewhat wooly. Never the less the threat of a rogue nation attack on our diplomatic services, on shared services such as the UN and on innocent Atlasian's is a real threat. This amendment if passed and the protracted affair of simply declaring war on an agressor is dangerous; it allows any agressor to launch wave after wave of attack on Atlasia internationally while the Senate and the people become involved in an unnecessary slow waltz to war.
   

     That makes no sense, as the Ludlow Amendment has no impact whatsoever on the speed with which the country can marshal its forces for war. The Senate can respond just as rapidly as it always has. It is merely the case that if the people reject the war in referendum, the troops must be withdrawn & the war effort must end.

Thank you, the blatant lies being spread about the Ludlow Amendment by the War Party around here are growing quite offensive.

     If anything, the Ludlow Amendment seems too weak. When the United States invaded Iraq, we reached Baghdad within about three weeks. Within 60 days, devastating if not outright defeating almost any country in a focused attack would be a trivial matter. In cases where the country that the Senate wishes to attack has not attacked Atlasian citizens abroad, I think the war should only be allowed to continue for 15-20 days without approval in referendum.

Yes, that was the unfortunate compromise that had to be made to earn JCP support, and yet it still isn't enough for the warmongers who demand totally unrestrained aggressive war-making powers.

As you mention, the Ludlow Amendment is very reasonable and limited in what it does. The people who vote Nay on it can only be described as pro-war extremists.

[afleitch]

ISSUE 3

Pressure Groups

The recent expolosion in small dedicated pressure groups is much welcomed. This is something we have not seen in Atlasia for some time and in a post-election 'lull' too, demonstrates the committment that Atlasians have to the democratic process. Issue based pressure groups may of course have a short life but we hope to report on their influence over the coming weeks.

Clarion Call on the Con Con

The Vice President today called on those choosing delegates to the Constitutional Convention asking Atlasians to 'come to the table with a genuine good faith effort to discuss game reform and come with an attitude that we should accomplish something this time, whatever that may be.' The Vice President is right; any Constitutional Convention requires a focus the lack of which derailed our last attempt at reform. But there will be the need to accomodate those who wish to argue the status quo. There are reasons for keeping the game as it is with only marginal changes and though Spectator and Society believs in radical reform, we also believe that those reasons need to be heard and argued passionately. Both sides need the best of their own in this Constitutional Convention.

This Week In The Senate

First a revisit; The Social and Economic Development Zone Improvement Act, which Spectator & Society discussed in our last issue is at a final vote. The bill has been amended, including implimenting 'wage caps', however some of the issues that S&S raised regarding the last bill remain in the final version.

The Oil Spill Protection Act has failed despit Bacon Kings amendment. This stumbling block appeared to be the excessive tax imposed in section 1 of the bill.

Looking 'afresh' at some legislation that has caugh our eye, we turn to the Legislation Introduction Board and Bgwah's Immigration Reform Act of 2010 which is, and let's not be coy about this a blatant attempt to ban immigration from predominantly Muslim nations. This is a sordid little bill which perversely would limit the abilities for minorities to escape from persecution on account of their sexuality, politics or religion from these same nations. Given that Atlasia does not have an asylum policy, this leaves many perilously exposed.

S&S will keep a very keen eye on it.

Spectator and Society's First Poll

In order to gauge precisely what people thought of this paper so far, we ran our first poll pulling in 13 voters...anyway!

12 said they read it, and 1 didn't (we like honesty!) 'This Week In The Senate' was 10 to 1 in favour. Or 'Editorial' was 11 to 1 in favour and our 'Bills That Failed' retrospective was 11 to 0 in favour. Our 'Interviews' were more mixed, 9 to 3 in favour. It's a pleasing response and thanks to all who voted.

[Badger]

Hate to say it, but in this single issue Afleitch may've said more than he did during his entire presidency.

[afleitch]

Bump.

[Marokai Backbeat]

If a 10% tax was "excessive" I have the feeling any tax would've been considered "excessive."

[k-onmmunist]

He's a Conservative. Any tax is excessive.

[Marokai Backbeat]

He's a Conservative. Any tax is excessive.

Afleitch isn't so unreasonable on taxes, I will admit.

[afleitch]

The 'excessive' comment was very much based on the article in the previous issue; tax itsef wasn't the problem (even after it had been halved) it was where the revenue was going to.

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[Purple State]

I should just note that a previous issue of S&S resulted in the inclusion of a provision in the Senate's ConCon resolution requiring the delegates to vote in favor of something before closing the Convention.

[afleitch]

I should just note that a previous issue of S&S resulted in the inclusion of a provision in the Senate's ConCon resolution requiring the delegates to vote in favor of something before closing the Convention.

I had noticed that but didn't know if it was attributable to something Quite a pleasant surprise then

[Purple State]

I should just note that a previous issue of S&S resulted in the inclusion of a provision in the Senate's ConCon resolution requiring the delegates to vote in favor of something before closing the Convention.

I had noticed that but didn't know if it was attributable to something Quite a pleasant surprise then

I'm always watching and reading this board for ideas.

[Хahar 🤔]

Looking 'afresh' at some legislation that has caugh our eye, we turn to the Legislation Introduction Board and Bgwah's Immigration Reform Act of 2010 which is, and let's not be coy about this a blatant attempt to ban immigration from predominantly Muslim nations. This is a sordid little bill which perversely would limit the abilities for minorities to escape from persecution on account of their sexuality, politics or religion from these same nations. Given that Atlasia does not have an asylum policy, this leaves many perilously exposed.

Given that the sponsor is a well-known bad person, this is unsurprising.

[afleitch]

Issue 4

A shorter version this week as the Editor is enjoying the sun...

This Week In the Senate

This Isn't Protectionism Act

No tax breaks of any sort shall be granted to businesses that move their business or individual workers to another country

Cheers from the SoIA for this little bill. Senator Bacon King pointed out out the extemism of this bill very skilfully on the floor; 'Say the New York Times wants to moves a reporter from their main office to their office in London: BOOM! Higher taxes for the whole company forever.' Senator Yankee was somewhat more acerbic in his dismissal of the bill. Barnes has called for a move towards creating a more workable bill stating that; 'the theory and sentiment behind the bill is spot on.' S&S would instead call for a little 'reverse thinking' tax incentives to stay and base companies in Atlasia are always more preferable than taxes imposed on those who have an international presence.

The Equality in Healthcare Act sailed through the Senate to standardise health provision in the Federal Territories.

Constitutional Convention Update

The Senate by proclamation sent Senator Bgwah to the ConCon. Despite S&S condemnation of his Immigration Bill in last week's issue (which dies a very quick death) to nominate a likely skeptic to the ConCon is welcomed all points of view from radical reform to the status-quo deserve to be heard.

The Southeast has sent another Senator in Bacon King. He joins ILV and Dallasfan with two spots still to be filled.

[Хahar 🤔]

Correction: Barnes isn't a Senator.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Correction: Barnes isn't a Senator.

We wish.

[afleitch]

Correction: Barnes isn't a Senator.

Major error on my part I went through the article and tacked on 'Senator' to everyone's names but..uh got carried away

[Barnes]

Barnes has called for a move towards creating a more workable bill stating that; 'the theory and sentiment behind the bill is spot on.'

I did?

EDIT: Oh, didn't see the posts above me.