The Record-Courier:(9-14 Edition)

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

Midwest and Pacific Regions News

GAworth elected President Pro-Tempore

Longest serving member elected PPT.

Cheesewhiz, Vitality – The man from Vitality was elected to serve as President Pro-Tempore of the Althing. However, the vote only had one of the members casting their vote for the nomination. GAworth was the only member to vote on the position. He was nominated by the Governor for the position. “I am sad the others did not vote. However, I am grateful for the position. I look forward to working with the Archduke and others to help get the massive log jam of legislation debated and voted on.”  

And then there were four

Cris announces bid for Re-election

Cheesewhiz, Vitality – The first term member of the Althing and lone Federalist has announced that he is running for re-election. There was some doubt of a run when former Governor Maxwell announced that he was running but then withdrew. Now the member from Mirth has announced re-election, making the number of candidates four.  We look forward to see how the race develops.

IDS, Mideast, and Northeast Regions News

Abortion laws are back

This time it is the IDS

Memphis, Tennessee - The IDS legislature is debating a bill that will loosen some restrictions on abortions in the IDS. Representative Sjoyce sponsored The “we’re not the Mideast” Act which repeals several laws relating to abortion in the South. Some of the more conservative members of the legislature oppose the legislation. We look to see how the bill progresses.  

National News

“90% certain he’ll run”

Sources say Reaganfan is eyeing Nyman.


Rapid City, Vitality – Sources have told the Record-Courier that Reaganfan is planning on running for President. These rumors come at the time that he has started an Anti-Marxist organization. Sources close to the potential candidate say they are 90% sure he will run, and if he does run that he will boost the Federalist Party and Conservatism at-large. One pollster told us, “So far it is the Conservative side of Politics hinting at runs, setting aside the short campaign of Flo, only center right candidates have been mentioned seriously. The funny thing is, they are trying to unseat a ticket they [Federalists] supported.” After the withdrawal of Flo, no one has yet to announce they are running for the Presidency yet.

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

Midwest and Pacific Regions News

Fifth state of the Region

Governor Lumine talks about energy and infrastructure

Cheesewhiz, Vitality – The Governor gave his last state of the region address the other day. In the speech, he pointed out his failings on some of his proposals from prior speeches but promised to kick it into high gear. He proposed several things targeting the energy sector in various ways. A new environmentalism course in schools, proposing bringing in Nuclear Power into the region, and working on a High Speed Rail Project where all proposed as ways to combat the dependence on fossil fuel usage.  We will try to keep you updated on the progress of the Governors initiatives.

IDS, Mideast, and Northeast Regions News

Nyman could get extra “defenses”

Rampart bill causes a stir

Nyman – Assemblyman Sibboleth has introduced a bill calling for a large wall to be built around part of the city of Nyman. Evidently the law calls for a wall to be built around most of the Capitol City. On Nymanite told us, “I am not sure if it is to protect us from the CMPA or to keep them safe from us. Either way, as long as the CMPA is on the opposite side of the Wall I am fine.” A pollster told us, “Look, we all know it is going down in the Assembly, nothing to see here move on.” Although we tend to agree, we do enjoy reading the outlandish CMPA legislation.  

National News

Rumor Mill: Presidential contest

We search through the tea leaves for a Presidential contest.


Rapid City, Vitality – With one candidate announced for the Presidency, who could he run against? Who is everyone going to run? Well we have talked to Atlasians in the know, or who claim to be in the know.
Right of Center: President Duke may run again, although it appears that many federalists and those on the right are not a huge fan of him. This could possibly see the President run to the left.  One politico told us, “There’s also some talk that Duke’s getting increasingly annoyed at Hagrid etc. for complaining that he’s not conservative enough and that he might run as the Labor candidate if he seeks a second term.”  Many race watchers believe that the former At-Large Senator Maxwell will run for President as the Federalist candidate, although with the announcement of Reaganfan running and the possibility of Duke running as a moderate independent, the right of center could fracture. Maxwell has already attacked Reaganfan almost as soon as the announcement was over. President Duke seems to feel betrayed and on the way out the door, although Fed Chair Tmth said some Feds may support a run of his, if he runs for re-election. Duke also seemed too reached out to the Progressives to see if he may run as their endorsed candidate or at least have their support. The DR is staying quiet about candidates and what about JerryAR?
Left of Center: Pacific Senator Tyrion is rumored to be eyeing a run for the Presidency as the Labor candidate. One analyst said the Progressives may not be running a candidate after the withdrawal of Flo, although Superique is sending out a test balloon. Duke may make a run over to the left so who knows. CMPA will probably run Sibboleth or Franzl.

[GAworth]

Editorial: Op-Ed:  Dereliction of Duty - And of Women - In the IDS
By: Sjoyce
     “The current controversy surrounds four main points: the legalization of the RU-486 abortion pill, the repeal of parental and spousal consent laws, the allowance of regional funding to any facility that performs abortions, and the repeal of a requirement of ultrasounds before abortions. I’ll touch on three of them (including four of the laws) here.
     First, we need to look at the RU-486 pill. What this pill does is medically induce an abortion - because it’s a pill instead of a surgical procedure, it’s far easier to deliver and provide, meaning that hospitals, physicians, and gynecologists could provide it rather than a specific clinic (important given the number of counties that don’t have an abortion provider). The pill is generally only effective in the first nine weeks of pregnancy, but it provides an alternative that is much less physically and emotionally invasive than surgery, and is remarkably safe (including being safer than other chemical alternatives such as methotrexate), with none of the possibly deadly complications of surgery. So why, then, do conservatives in the Legislature oppose a safe, cheap, non-invasive alternative to surgery that often happens earlier in the pregnancy? It’s not for any legitimate medical or scientific reason, and it’s certainly not out of any concern for the well-being of the women seeking the procedure. The opposition to the repeal of this legislation has no purpose other than to prevent women from obtaining abortions and to punish and discriminate against those who do, and to make it essentially inaccessible for low-income and rural citizens, as well as citizens who have underlying medical conditions or a high risk of complications that would make anesthesia not an option.
     Next, we’ll look at the Parental Consent Initiative. What the initiative requires is the consent of one of the legal guardians of a minor for that minor to be able to get an abortion. The problem with this law is that it doesn't work. All this law does is delay abortions - pushing them back to later in the pregnancy, where risks are greater, and oftentimes forcing girls to travel out of state (not to mention entirely prohibiting the procedure for wards of the state). This just provides another bureaucratic hurdle in the cynical attempt to make abortion so difficult to access that women won’t bother. The only goal of the law is to force women and their doctors into a confusing maze of regional bureaucracy to make abortions more difficult and dangerous to obtain. Though there is a provision in the legislation that would allow girls to obtain an abortion in instances of abuse or neglect, that provision still places the burden of proof on the young woman. All the legislation does is force young women to rely on a potentially abusive guardian, travel alone out of the region, or turn to unsafe alternatives to terminate her pregnancy in a cynical attempt to make it so dangerous that she won’t bother.
     From parental consent we move on to perhaps an even more ridiculous idea: spousal consent. This will be shorter, because the problems here are even more evident. This requires the written consent of both spouses to terminate a pregnancy. This takes the medical decision out of the hands of the patient (i.e.: the person who actually has to be pregnant and give birth) and the doctor and puts it into the hands of someone only involved in the process indirectly. It also contains no abuse clause like in the Parental Consent Initiative; if a woman hasn’t discussed her desire to end a pregnancy with her husband, it’s probably for a good reason, but now a woman’s health decision is held hostage by a potentially abusive spouse.
     The Pro-Informed Choice Initiative requires several things: that women are shown an ultrasound before an abortion, that woman are told that their ‘unborn child’ will feel pain, and that abortion increases the risk of cancer. The ultrasound requirement mandates a medically unnecessary invasive procedure on women - even those who have been the victim of rape or incest - as some sort of attempt to emotionally blackmail them. Ultrasounds, of course, are another financial burden, costing between $200 and $1200 (and, since they’re unnecessary, often won’t be covered by health providers) designed solely to add another layer of pricey bureaucracy to attempt to reduce the number of abortions through making it financially impossible for many. The law’s premise (that women need to see an ultrasound and then they’ll rethink their decision) is at best condescending and ineffective. All the ultrasound requirement does is use emotional blackmail and logistical barriers to attempt to bully women into avoiding abortions.
     Another provision of the law requires doctors to tell their patents that the abortion will cause pain to their ‘unborn child’ - in other words, the law forces doctors to lie to their patients. All credible medical sources say that fetuses cannot feel pain before the third trimester (abortions in the third trimester are banned in the region). To say that the fetus can feel pain at any stage is Akinesque levels of scientific denial. There is no scientific evidence that says that fetuses can feel pain at that stage of pregnancy - or that they ever experience the kind of pain an adult would experience (fetuses, after all, have their skull compressed going through the birth canal, and are confined in a very small, wet, hot place for months). The idea of early-stage fetal pain is based on junk science - but the current law doesn’t even rely on that junk science. The current law is ‘lie to your patients, or go to prison for years and lose your job’.
     Finally, the bill forces doctors to tell patients that having an abortion will increase their risk of cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer. This is another lie. Abortion is actually generally safer than pregnancy, and everybody - the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - state that there is no link between cancer and abortion. The only link between abortion and breast cancer is that the RU-486 pill blocks progesterone and has been shown to be effective in shutting down some of the genes that cause breast cancer. So this is another ‘lie-to-your-patients’ provision of the law.

     What have the conservatives (two Federalists and an independent) in the Legislature had to say in defense of this? What justification do they have for making abortions inaccessible for low-income and rural women? For holding the medical future of a woman in the hands of a potentially abusive spouse or parent? For forcing doctors to lie to their patients and perform pricy, medically unnecessary procedures? “We should stay true to our socially conservative values.” “I’m pro-life.” Legislator Supersonic (Ind-TN)’s vague appeals to socially conservative values notwithstanding, the only input offered from our Federalist Legislators ChairmanSanchez (Fed-FL) and Jack Enderman (Fed-FL) is “I can’t support this.”
     I don’t want this to turn partisan - and I thank Emperor Dereich, who at least recognizes the public consensus on these issues, and Emperor PiT, who has provided arguments for the repeal of several of these bills, for their valuable input - but conservatives in the Legislature are standing against the repeal of legislation that puts unnecessary, expensive, and cumbersome bureaucratic barriers in the path of a woman seeking a legal medical procedure, without even offering any reason for doing so. I wouldn’t mind if we had a lengthy debate on this issue and the outcome was maintenance of the laws; I’d oppose that outcome, of course, but it would at least involve the region being aware of it and there being a public discussion. Instead, we have this - legislators who haven’t even shown up to the debate with any facts or arguments look to cause a bill to fail. It’s a shameful performance by these legislators. The region deserves better.
SJoyce served in the IDS Legislature for three terms from July to December of 2012 before serving as the region’s Emperor from April to July of 2013. He was elected to the Legislature again in December of 2013. He is a political independent.”

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

Midwest and Pacific Regions News

Pacific Budget Revealed

Faces stark criticism

San Francisco, California – Governor PJ has released a long expected budget. The budget has been received harshly; mainly it seems, for the income tax section of the budget. The section heavily taxes the super rich. 30% for those who make over $50 Million is the top tax bracket.  So far no amendments have been made to the budget.  The budget also established taxes on Marijuana, Tobacco, Alcohol, and Soda. A San Francisco Economist told us, “It is not a pretty budget, and the income tax section needs some re-doing, but the region needs to create a tax base as soon as possible. It certainly generates more revenue than the previous budget, we just don’t know how much.”

RC Poll: Althing

Poll shows GAworth on top

Cheesewhiz, Vitality – Incumbent GAworth looks set to be re-elected, if the polls are correct. Of those who chose a candidate, GAworth got 50% of the vote, Cris came in second with 33.32%, and Arturo Belano and Brewer tied 8.33% each. “I appreciate the support in the poll, but, I don’t believe polls, party line voting is always a risk. I hope my record can change that.” GAworth told us after the poll results were announced.  

IDS, Mideast, and Northeast Regions News

Editorial IDS Legislature looks at reforming the size of the legislature

Looks at creating regional seats

Memphis, Tennessee – The IDS Legislature is looking at changing the makeup of the chamber. The legislature B class members will be now regional seats, with 1 member representing the eastern states, and the other one representing the western states. The bill would also allow for the chamber to reduce in membership if not enough people run.  There may need more clarification on the bill after amendments. A panel will devise the district make up.  We will try to keep you updated.

National News

Presidential Race Reaction and Rumors

Polls and Potential Candidates start to unfold


Rapid City, Vitality – This week has seen many developments in the Presidential Race. Alongside Reaganfan, we have seen Maxwell jump in officially as a candidate and President Duke hint at a re-election run for President. We have a flurry of polling, rumors about potential candidates, and some attacks followed by apologies. A Robot unicorn poll shows a dead tie between Reaganfan and potential Federalist candidate Maxwell. Another poll shows Reaganfan getting around 41% of the general vote, with SoIA Superique in second with 25.4%. A Cris poll shows that if it was Reaganfan v. Duke for the Federalist primary, Reaganfan would win no problem 44.7% to 31.6% with 23.7% undecided or wanting another candidate. Also, there are rumors that Sir Nick may stage a bid for the Presidency, the North East’s Governor has alluded to a run.
As we mentioned earlier we are seeing a fight for the Federalist nomination as the Midwest’s own former at-large Senator Maxwell has announced a run for the Presidency. He has begun to lay his platform, Lower taxes, restricted foreign policy, and a re-focus on energy policies to name a few. Reaganfan is what we call an unashamed conservative and hawk on international issues. One pollster told us, “If Reaganfan makes it out of the primary as the Fed Candidate, the left of center could very well win the white house.” To make things even more fascinating, President Duke may run as an Independent or even as some have speculated a Labor Party candidate.  He is already tempting us with an announcement in the near future. One Presidential politics observer told us, “If he runs, he will get significant support from Moderate Federalists, centrists like Progressive Union members, and moderate Laborites, although it could embolden a strong leftist ticket to challenge him.” “If he (Duke) runs for the nomination for Labor, expect him to face stiff competition, Laborites aren’t going to just embrace the former Federalist backed candidate with open arms.” That statement came from another race watcher.  
The Paper decided to take the names mentioned and out them in a contest with no undecided/NOTA option. Here are the results, Maxwell 32.3%, Reaganfan 22.6%, Superique 16.1%, Duke 12.9%, Tyrion, 9.7%, SirNick 6.5%, and Sibboleth 0%.
So far we have:
Running: Reaganfan, Maxwell
Mentioned: Pres. Duke, Tyrion, Sir Nick, Superique

Paper seeks Columnists, op-ed writers
Rapid City, Vitality – The Record-Courier is seeking regular columnists and op-ed writers. Columnists will write news stories like the ones we run now, op-ed writers can write opinion pieces, as long as they do not stoop to personal attacks. “We are looking for regular columnists to help diversify our content. Furthermore, I would like to see two op-ed writers, one from the left, and one from the right, writing on the same issue, but giving two different opinions. With more columnists we can focus on under-reported stories, like the activities in the Senate.” GAworth told us.

[Napoleon]

People actually think Maxwell is a stronger candidate than Reaganfan?

[Cincinnatus]

People actually think Maxwell is a stronger candidate than Reaganfan?

A conclusion that is correct, yes.

[Napoleon]

People actually think Maxwell is a stronger candidate than Reaganfan?

A conclusion that is correct, yes.

Do you have any PROOF

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

People actually think Maxwell is a stronger candidate than Reaganfan?

A conclusion that is correct, yes.

Communist

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

National News

Senate votes on PPT

Yankee wins the race.

Nyman – The 59th Senate is underway and the first order is electing a new PPT (President Pro-Tempore). The Senate just voted to approve NC Yankee retained the position after an election between Yankee and Pacific Regional Senator Tyrion. The race was heading to a 5-5 tie in the Senate. However, with the conclusion that Yankee would win anyways with the VP’s tie breaker, Tyrion voted for Yankee for the sake of moving the Senates business along.  We commend Senator Tyrion for this move and hope that his goal of speeding up the saving of the Pacific can continue.
   
Maxwell leaves the race and Atlasia

Leaves an stunned group in his wake

Rapid City, Vitality – Former Midwest Governor and former Senator Maxwell De-Registered the other day leaving the community perplexed that the candidate for President who go to such extremes. He later reversed his decision and announced that he was registering again. However, under Atlasian law, any voluntary de-registration must wait 60 days to re-register. With the sudden removal of Maxwell from the political scene all together, the Federalist Primary for President and Midwestern politics have been shaken up. One Midwest political watcher, “Many thought he might run for Governor if he did not succeed in the Primary.” We look to see how the fallout of this continues.  

Duke reshuffles cabinet

Brings in the Midwest’s own GAworth

Nyman – Following the resignation of Sjoyce from the SoEA position, the Duke administration is seeing a re-shuffle. SoIA Superique is moving from the SoIA position to fill the position of SoEA. Midwest Representative GAworth has been tapped to serve as the next SoIA. The Progressive from Vitality has announced he will continue his Althing run until he is confirmed as the next SoIA. The confirmation process as already begun for both of the positions, we will try to keep you informed how the confirmations unfold.

Duke announces a run for re-election

Says there is more work to be done


Rapid City, Vitality – The Federalist Primary sees another entrant as President Duke has announced re-election for President. Despite rumors that the President would run for President as the Labor candidate, he has announced again that he will run for the Federalist Primary. This may be due to the withdrawal of Maxwell. He vows to continue efforts to simplify the tax code, streamline the healthcare system, revitalize the Pacific, and stimulate economic growth. We look forward to see how the primary will unfold.

Save the Pacific takes place
Government temporarily disbanded
San Fransisco, California – In a move to re-vitalize the pacific, the President has appointed Oakvale to oversea the re-vitalization effort. With the ruling of the Pacific Court, a State of Emergency has been declared granting Oakvale vast powers. Oakvale has re-written the Pacific constitution and suspended the legislature.  One Pacific watcher told us, “I feel this is not the way to do it, we should have a say in how we are re-building the Pacific, for a Federalist to appoint a Federalist to completely re-do the region, a largely leftist region, in the federalist image is sad, undemocratic and disturbing.” A now unemployed Council staffer told us, “We were getting our act together. It was happening, but I guess they didn’t want to wait.”
Earlier today, Oakvale came out with reforms including repealing several laws, one environmentalist told us, “this is a dark day for the region, we should be building our recovering off destroying our environment, fracking and drilling in ANWR is not the answer to our problems. I am very sad by the actions of Oakvale.” He repealed or partially repealed 17 laws ranging from minimum wage to drilling to taxes. “In one press statement, months of work is repealed, wow, got to love this democracy we live in,” another former council staffer told us.

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

Midwest and Pacific Regions News

Oakvale Statement

Releases statement via the Paper

San Francisco, California –“I want to address some of the concerns that have been raised by Pacific citizens about the admittedly drastic actions I've taken in my temporary role as Emergency Manager.

I think it's first worth remembering just how dire a situation our region is in. One in four citizens are unemployed. There is zero investor confidence. Our credit rating is dirt. There is a perception, sadly largely justified, that we have not stabilised in the aftermath of the events of the NMAM incident.

It is because of this that the President appointed me to this temporary position, and the regional Justice granted me temporary sweeping powers to address the most urgent issues currently facing the Pacific.

The first action I took with these emergency powers was to institute the bulk of the Great Reform Amendment, giving us a functioning constitution, which had been languishing in the Council. Stimulus funds will depend on the confirmation of this Constitution (by the normal ratification process), but there will be a short time period allowed for further changed and amendments - the Council is not being cut out of the action here, but the administration felt it was necessary to act quickly and decisively to address what is perhaps the most obvious factor in our continuing crisis. I temporarily suspended the operations of the Pacific Council in order to avoid NMAM sabotage of these efforts, but since the new Constitution is currently in place and the most vital reforms are, at least for now, too, we will be resuming the Council shortly.

I secondly announced a spate of fiscal reforms, many of which have proved controversial. It is crucial that everyone realises that these reforms are not permanent. They will only continue past the present state of emergency is confirmed by the Council and signed by the Governor. I've also noted that one of the most controversial repeals, of the tracking ban, is irrelevant since the federal ban on tracking issued by President Nix is still in action. These measures were taken as part of an urgent plan to signal to the markets and investors, and not least to the Senate, that the Pacific is serous about reform and that decisive, significant action is being taken to reform.

There will of course be room for compromise with the regional authorities on many of these reforms, but some efforts will have to made if we're going to be getting another multi-billion dollar handout. That's the unfortunate truth.

I thirdly announced that, due to the extraordinary circumstances and the threat to regional stability during this time of crisis, public employees would not be permitted to join the strike announced by far-left factions. This is absolutely not an order I would dream of issuing during a more normal time, and not something I would support in anything other than the most extraordinary and dangerous of circumstances, but, as I said, we are in crisis and cannot afford to have our recovery efforts jeopardised by fringe extremists.

I want to make one thing clear to the members of the Council and to Governor PJ, who are reasonably perturbed by the actions taken by this office. This is not a permanent arrangement. The operations of the Pacific Council will be resumed as soon as possible. I hope to do this by Monday at the latest. With the most pressing action taken, we can start returning to normalcy and addressing the problems we face as a united team.

Upon the passage of a stimulus bill by the Senate, I will ask the President to declare an end to the state of emergency as laid out in the Pacific Justice's ruling. I will then cease to be the Emergency Manager, and my temporary powers will no longer exist. Full executive authority will again rest with the Governor of the Pacific, PJ. I hope to stay on as the President's Special Project Manager for a longer period, but that will be an advisory and oversight position with powers far, far less sweeping than this temporary position I find myself in.

Lastly but certainly not least, I must note that if any of the emergency actions taken by this office violate federal law, they will not take effect and may be ignored. I'm sure all Pacificans can understand that given the time constraint it was necessary to very quickly assembly a coherent plan to kickstart the Pacific on its road to recovery, and some oversights were inevitable. I apologise for any unintentional violations of federal statute.

My goal in this job, with these responsibilities, is simple. I want to help get the Pacific back on track. I voted against regional consolidation because I believe the Pacific can come back stronger than ever if we get through our current crisis. Any action I have taken is in pursuit of that effort.

Thank you, and I hope this cleared some things up.”
Staff Note:The paper has not altered this statement in any way, shape, or form. Statements and Op-Eds, do not reflect the opinion of the paper but are the view of the writer.
 

IDS, Mideast, and Northeast Regions News

Sir Nick announces an end to his reign as king

No Nyman plans announced.

New York City, New York – The Governor of the North East was favored by some to run for President or Vice President. However, the Governor has not announced a run for Nyman. In fact, the Governor has endorsed Duke for re-election and endorsed dallasfan65 for Governor of the North East. There are some rumors that the Governor may move to the Pacific to run for Office there.

National News

OP-ED : Federalists Fight For Freer, More Effective Healthcare

By TheRileyKeaton


“On January 7th, Senator Tmth, chairman of the Federalist Party, introduced legislation titled Reforming Atlasian Public Health Act of 2014. This legislation, of which I was the main writer, aims to improve the Atlasian healthcare system by introducing free-market reforms that empower patients to make choices.

A major feature of the bill is the expansion of health savings accounts that allows consumers to make smarter decisions about their healthcare. These accounts are financed by employees investing their payroll taxes. Health savings accounts and the benefit adjustments both address the fundamental issues with the insurance model of healthcare. Insurance fundamentally encourages people to use more care than they need. If consumers only pay 10% of a hundred dollar checkup, they can have 10 checkups for the normal price of one.That is $900 in additional stress on the healthcare system. When people pay for their care from a health savings account, they only seek care they need. This reduces the overall cost of our healthcare system.

The bill also introduces measures like wellness programs and high risk pools that are designed to further reduce demand on the healthcare system. Wellness programs are fairly straight forward. High risk pools are a creative solution for people who need the most care.  

Now, what does this do for people currently relying entirely on Fritzcare for their healthcare and don't plan on enrolling in the high risk pools or HSA programs? Since the provisions in the bill lower the cost of healthcare in general, Fritzcare expenditures will decline over time. With a decline in the cost of care, the percentage that Fritzcare recipients will be much smaller than otherwise.

In conclusion, the Federalist Healthcare Reform, supported by President Duke, is an incredibly responsible and effective change in the Atlasian healthcare. It will lower costs for poor and middle class families while correcting inefficiencies in the industry.”
Staff Note:The paper has not altered this statement in any way, shape, or form. Statements and Op-Eds, do not reflect the opinion of the paper but are the view of the writer.
PPT introduces anti-clogging rule
Limits the amount of TNF bills on the floor
Nyman – PPT NC Yankee has announced a rule that would limit the amount of bills from Senator TNF, the Midwestern Senator has introduced more bills than any other member, although many do not receive the support of the Senate. Many in Nyman agree with the decision however, those on the left are saddened by the move.

[Sec. of State Superique]

Is this Healthcare Reform really reveneu neutral? It will obviously reduce the levels of costs but it will also reduce revenue as it reduces the payroll tax...

I'm all for Health Saving Accounts, citzens should have the right to have those and they should be deductible from the Income Tax (with a limit), but this reforms seems to make or allow people to gave up of traditional Fritzcare and enter on this new (not insurance) system that could easilly make people go bankrupt if something catastrophic happens.

Aren't those High-Risk Polls too complicated when we have the simple and user friendly Single-Payer Healthcare? High-Risk Polls are useful when you have a terrible private system that doesn't cover anyone but are they really good for people that are currently leaving with good and accessible single payer healthcare?

Are all those things (HSA and HRP) mandatory or optional? If optional, what do they really offer to Atlasian citizens that could really reduce their costs and make them switch from traditional Fritzcare to them?

[Potus]

The reason it is the payroll tax and not income tax is because the payroll tax is paid directly into Fritzcare. The reason some benefits are left in place for those opting into an HSA is to avoid those catastrophic bankruptcies. The are optional and their virtue is tha they give people better control of their money and consumer decisions.

The high dis pools are a great way to reduce general healthcare costs because it makes the care more demand centered rather than blanket coverage of everything. The spending reductions are pretty significant and the long term cost containment will almost certainly reduce expenditure.

[GAworth]

Statement on Publication

Do to recent management decisions. The Paper will now only be published on Sundays. We apologize for the inconvenience. If individuals wish to take up a share in the Paper and run publications other days of the week, please feel free to contact us.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I am afraid that the statement about the clogging rule is factually innaccurate.

The clogging rule has been in effect for years, In fact I accidentally removed it with an OSPR amendment I had passed later in 2009 (amendment standards were laxer and because it wasn't mentioned as being renumbered, it was removed). I restored it in 2011 through another OSPR amendment and at the same time fixed the amendment structural issue by ensuring that stuff not referenced was to be retained.

The rule basically says that if a Senator has three or more bills in succession, that they are limited to three on the floor as long as there are subsequent bills by other Senators. The emergency slots are exempt as well as any bills deemed as emergencies and placed in the PPT slot on the account of the emergency ones being filled.

TNF has been at the clogging rule continuously for the past four months and I have done my best to use exceptions to keep four of his bills on the floor at a time instead of three. There is no reason for anyone on the left to be saddened about this for it protects them just as much as a Senator on the right or in the center.

[GAworth]

I am afraid that the statement about the clogging rule is factually innaccurate.

The clogging rule has been in effect for years, In fact I accidentally removed it with an OSPR amendment I had passed later in 2009 (amendment standards were laxer and because it wasn't mentioned as being renumbered, it was removed). I restored it in 2011 through another OSPR amendment and at the same time fixed the amendment structural issue by ensuring that stuff not referenced was to be retained.

The rule basically says that if a Senator has three or more bills in succession, that they are limited to three on the floor as long as there are subsequent bills by other Senators. The emergency slots are exempt as well as any bills deemed as emergencies and placed in the PPT slot on the account of the emergency ones being filled.

TNF has been at the clogging rule continuously for the past four months and I have done my best to use exceptions to keep four of his bills on the floor at a time instead of three. There is no reason for anyone on the left to be saddened about this for it protects them just as much as a Senator on the right or in the center.

I appreciate the notification.

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

Midwest and Pacific Regions News

Next Althing all but certain

Brewer, Belano, and Cris to serve next term

Rapid City, Vitality – With the removal of GAworth from the Election due to his move to serve as SoIA, the three remaining candidates will be elected. 2 Labor candidates will be elected and 1 federalist will compose the next assembly. The chamber is currently debating numerous laws, on education, job creation, and a DUI bill.
Op-Ed: A Pacific Path to Prosperity
“As I am sure many of you know, the Pacific region faces a dire economic, and by extension social, climate. The situation has degraded enough that the federal government is needed to ensure some semblance of stability within the region and restore the fundamentals of good governance and a strong economy. Despite efforts by the regional government, economic and job growth are dismal and middle class Pacificans are hurting because of it.

As President Duke said, federal aid should be entirely contingent on significant structural reforms and a revision of governmental attitude toward businesses. This argument has been made time and time again. I believe that Oakvale, the emergency manager, will be able to effectively pilot a Pacific recovery once the precedent for growth is set.

Amidst all the discussion about improving business climate that is hugely important, we have forgotten how hard the situation is on families within the Pacific region. In the last real world presidential election, the Republicans referred to the lack of expendable income and decline in quality of life as "the economy tax." The people of the Pacific are facing such a situation. There are families that struggle to feed themselves, to keep the house heated and powered, buy gas, and generally live. That is why I call upon the federal government to, in their stimulus negotiations, include tax relief for middle class families at the federal level.

Beyond just the payroll tax holiday, the President and the Senate undoubtedly realize that there are many taxes on families that increase cost of living frivolously. The arbitrary electric transmission tax drives up electricity bills. The gas tax makes living in general difficult. The plastic bag tax makes a trip to the grocery store more costly. The financial transaction tax shrinks the size of people's privately invested retirement accounts such as 401k.

My proposal here is simple, add the electric transmission, gasoline, and plastic bag taxes to the already proposed payroll tax holiday. Additionally, the suspension of the financial transaction tax nationwide will greatly encourage investment and free up capital to flow into the Pacific Region and other parts of the country. These reforms are common sense, making peoples' lives easier .

By reducing the cost of living and providing for retirement security for people of the Pacific region, the federal government will increase economic activity and reduce burdens on middle class families. This is a smart and realistic approach to stimulus for the region, not just dumping money into a growing hole. I support the austerity actions taken by the President and Oakvale up to this point, but I encourage them to move their attention to the struggles of the middle class and people living in the Pacific economy. I thank you for reading and hope you consider what I have to say.

-Riley”
Staff Note: Op-Eds are not edited for content and do not reflect the view of the paper.
 

IDS, Mideast, and Northeast Regions News

Center right retains the Mideast

Spiral/TJ win first round

Nyman – The Mideast has a new Governor, the D-Rs have picked up a Governorship, and the CMPA retains their lone assembly seat. The center right retains a majority of the Assembly seats, with the CMPA and Labor holding a seat each. The Progressive Union has lost all representation in the Mideast.

National News

8-1 for GAworth as SoIA

The Midwesterner awaits official approval before taking up shop in Nyman

Rapid City, Vitality –The man from Rapid City has been confirmed by the Senate to serve as the next SoIA. “I am deeply humbled to take up the position,” he told us. Although the vote has not been confirmed by the Vice President yet, it is all but certain that he will be the newest face in the cabinet. A staffer of the new SoIA told us, “He will be staying on until the Presidential election, and then will offer to resign to the newly elected President, so they may appoint someone else to take over, he is not ruling out staying on, but feels that the President should have the choice to change the cabinet if he/she chooses too.”

[Fed. Pac. Chairman Devin]

Congrats on your confirmation!

[DC Al Fine]

A small correction. You said the right retained their majority in the Mideast. We actually lost it in the past election, so we regained our majority.

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

Breaking News
Major Drug Bust occurs in British Columbia
Initial reports indicate that Atlasians brought the drugs over from Washington State.
Surrey, BC- 5 men from California have been arrested by the RCMP with reportedly 400 pounds of Marijuana, 50 Kilos of Cocaine, and 5 barrels full of opium. One of the Mounties told us, “this is the largest bust I have ever seen in my time with the force.” No word yet on whether the drugs were purchased legally in Atlasia, all of these items are legal in Atlasia.
We will bring you more as we get the news.

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

Breaking News
Press Conference: “Drugs were legally bought”
But illegally smuggled as part of a major smuggling network
Surrey, BC- A spokesperson for the RCMP said at a press conference that the drugs seized were purchased legally in Atlasia, the men have reportedly told police that they were hoping to make a huge profit in Canada, the money to purchase the drugs has come from close to 100 individuals, many of whom are unemployed. The money from the drugs was to go to the families in the group suffering from long term unemployment. “This is not the first run, evidently the runs have been going on for nearly half a year, they weren’t as lucky this time.” The spokesperson continued, “they were planning on distributing the drugs throughout Canada, we found a notebook with contacts. Some of the contacts come as far away as St. John’s, Newfoundland, Toronto, Ontario, and Calgary, Alberta, just to name a few, we can confirm that these contacts, are all Atlasian nationals living in Canada.”

[GAworth]

The Record-Courier

Serving the Midwest and all of Atlasia

Breaking News
Prime Minister walks out of Talks
Ends talks as uproar over the drug bust grows
Vancouver, BC- Prime Minister Harper has stormed out of a meeting with SoIA GAworth, furious over the drug bust. “The Canadian people are not going to strengthen ties with a country that allows people to send purchase life destroying drugs and then allows them to drive them right to the border, allowing these drugs to get into the hands of our children. I have withdrawn Canada from all negotiations with the Government of Atlasia until the issue is resolved. To be clear, our country borders a giant drug factory, I will no longer allow this fact to ruin Canadian lives. On Monday I will call Parliament to pass a resolution condemning Atlasia for putting Canadian lives at risk, then I going to ask the Parliament to look at reviewing our existing treaties with Atlasia.”

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

My drug reform proposals would've prevented this entire crisis had they been in place at the time, just saying

[Sec. of State Superique]

[PJ]

If Harper had the audacity to yell at GAworth, Atlasian Harper is just as bad as RL Harper.

[President Tyrion]

Cocaine and opium cannot be purchased legally in Atlasia. They have only been decriminalized.