Manifesto of the Free Democrats

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Though this information has been out there for all to see for some time, I think it's probably a good idea for me to make it clear and easily accessible as to the platform the Free Democratic Alliance between the Liberals and the ZRT will be for this election. As such, here is a proboards based version of our manifesto. A snazzier version might be published closer to the election...

MANIFESTO OF THE FREE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

Competence:

The FREE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE formed by the Liberal Congress and the ZRT will strive to optimise governmental competence.

All representatives of the Alliance in the government will perform their administrative duties in a timely and efficient manner.

They will be granted positions based on dignity and merit, and will be held accountable for their words and actions (in merit or scrutiny).

Constitutional Reform:

We aim to reorganize and rewrite the Organic Law. It should be simplified only to reflect the outline of our government's duties. Any other law passed not in complete accordance with the basic outline of our government's functions shall be classified under the country's Statutes.

Free Democrats will fight for the adoption of a privacy law for information used on private and public sites relating to Talossa.

Our judicial system is also far too complicated to be truly accessible. As such, we support a reformed judicial system for simple disputes

The Monarchy and the Royal Household:

The Free Democrats strictly adhere to the principle of constitutional agnosticism on the issue of the monarchy, and therefore take no official position on it. However, the Alliance aims to remove the ties between the Head of State and the private ownership of the Talossa's governmental infrastructure.

The Free Democrats push for the offices of the Royal Household to be limited to the Royal College of Arms, the National Archives, and the Civil Service. The University of Talossa will be regionalized and regulated under the discretion of each provincial government as part of a liberal commitment to decentralised government.

The Ziu:

The Free Democratic Alliance aims to reduce the number of seats in the Cosâ so that it serves its purpose as a chamber of representative, not direct, democracy – where we can begin to build an electoral system which looks to encourage competition of ideas in our political marketplace.

The Alliance will also agitate to balance the representation of provinces by reform of the Senate chamber.

Free Democratic Members of the Cosa will also push for a truly secret option when casting your vote, so that you can cast it without four citizens (one of whom could be a party leader) knowing how you voted.

Cabinet:

a. Stuff:

The Alliance aims to improve Talossa’s web presence. We will establish policies that will promote the kingdom more effectively to the world population. The Alliance is in support of authorised "ambassadors” to various social media sites, forums, and the likes. They will act as conduits of the kingdom's interests and will be ready to answer, in an official capacity, any questions about Talossa, its history, the citizenship process, and so on.

b. Culture:

The Alliance will encourage the Ministry of Culture to continue working with the Ladîntsch Naziunál to create a strategy to teach every Talossan the basics of the national language, or at least “aliquand mocts” (a few words) they can use in daily life.

c. Foreign Affairs:

The Alliance supports the repeal of the Semi-Permeable Wall Act and will take a ‘Live and Let Live’ attitude to other micronations and Talossa-like entities. We will engage in courteous dialogue with representatives of other micronations and Talossa-like entities (as opposed to isolationism) on a case by case basis.

Federalism:

Free Democrats will aim to revitalise the provincial governments of Talossa. Provincial representatives of the Alliance will strive to resuscitate and increase provincial activity, and national representatives of the Alliance will strive to pass relevant legislation that will complement the Free Democratic goal of increasing provincial activity.

Candidate endorsements:

S:r Roibeardescu for Senator of Cezembre
S:r Pinatsch for Senator of Ataturk

Cosa List:

1. C. Carlüs Xheraltescù
2. Françal Ian Lux
3. M.T. Patritz da Biondeu
4. Moritz Fernaodescu

[Gaglhen Fortaleça]

The TSP is willing to help with the Talossan web presence, Daniel and I would be willing to help in the creation of an official governmentally managed Talossan Youtube channel seeing as the current Talossan Youtube channel hasn't posted in 5 years. This could be the first step in the direction of increased web presence. Hopefully we would get the mandate of the Cosa before instituting the channel.

[Lüc da Schir]

Apr 25, 2015 11:32:39 GMT -6 Gaglhen Fortaleça said:

The TSP is willing to help with the Talossan web presence, Daniel and I would be willing to help in the creation of an official governmentally managed Talossan Youtube channel seeing as the current Talossan Youtube channel hasn't posted in 5 years. This could be the first step in the direction of increased web presence. Hopefully we would get the mandate of the Cosa before instituting the channel.

I'm pretty sure that particular Youtube channel is/was operated by Ben Madison and his splinter Talossan group. They're no longer active, hence the lack of posts.

[Gaglhen Fortaleça]

Ok, then we'll make a completely new channel operated by a department of the media or something of the sort

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

Apr 25, 2015 11:42:55 GMT -6 Lüc da Schir said:

I'm pretty sure that particular Youtube channel is/was operated by Ben Madison and his splinter Talossan group. They're no longer active, hence the lack of posts.

That's right. It'd be neat if the Ministry of Stuff created a new Youtube channel for Talossa, but naturally building the new web portal was a bigger priority for this term.

[Lüc da Schir]

Apr 25, 2015 13:16:07 GMT -6 Sir C. M. Siervicül said:

Apr 25, 2015 11:42:55 GMT -6 Lüc da Schir said:

I'm pretty sure that particular Youtube channel is/was operated by Ben Madison and his splinter Talossan group. They're no longer active, hence the lack of posts.

That's right. It'd be neat if the Ministry of Stuff created a new Youtube channel for Talossa, but naturally building the new web portal was a bigger priority for this term.

A single minister can only do so much, of course. I'd rather have a brilliantly designed web portal as the case is and delay the new Youtube channel to the next term than have a swiftly implemented web portal and a poor, unmantained channel.

Still, a Youtube channel could also feature glheþ-themed videos which could be a cool thing and be useful for Talossan citizens as well. There's no lack of ideas for content to put there.

[Gaglhen Fortaleça]

That's fair

[Françal Ian Lux]

Hmm that Manifesto looks familiar...

[D. N. Vercáriâ]

Apr 25, 2015 11:22:49 GMT -6 C. Carlüs Xheraltescù said:

Though this information has been out there for all to see for some time, I think it's probably a good idea for me to make it clear and easily accessible as to the platform the Free Democratic Alliance between the Liberals and the ZRT will be for this election. As such, here is a proboards based version of our manifesto. A snazzier version might be published closer to the election...

MANIFESTO OF THE FREE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

Competence:

The FREE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE formed by the Liberal Congress and the ZRT will strive to optimise governmental competence.

All representatives of the Alliance in the government will perform their administrative duties in a timely and efficient manner.

They will be granted positions based on dignity and merit, and will be held accountable for their words and actions (in merit or scrutiny).

Constitutional Reform:

We aim to reorganize and rewrite the Organic Law. It should be simplified only to reflect the outline of our government's duties. Any other law passed not in complete accordance with the basic outline of our government's functions shall be classified under the country's Statutes.

Of course the fundamental rights of us Talossans should still be / remain part of our constitution, I'm sure you don't want to ditch this essential part of our fundamental law. As for the government's duties, those may vary and depend on political preferences, like "lean government" vs. "heavy duty bureaucracy"... I guess it's the governmental structure that you're talking about?

Free Democrats will fight for the adoption of a privacy law for information used on private and public sites relating to Talossa.

Our judicial system is also far too complicated to be truly accessible. As such, we support a reformed judicial system for simple disputes

The Monarchy and the Royal Household:

The Free Democrats strictly adhere to the principle of constitutional agnosticism on the issue of the monarchy, and therefore take no official position on it. However, the Alliance aims to remove the ties between the Head of State and the private ownership of the Talossa's governmental infrastructure.

The Free Democrats push for the offices of the Royal Household to be limited to the Royal College of Arms, the National Archives, and the Civil Service. The University of Talossa will be regionalized and regulated under the discretion of each provincial government as part of a liberal commitment to decentralised government.

So, by now, there's no dedicated republican party around? Or is the disconnection of the Royal Household from any political powers supposed to be a statement for republicanism in disguise?

The Ziu:

The Free Democratic Alliance aims to reduce the number of seats in the Cosâ so that it serves its purpose as a chamber of representative, not direct, democracy – where we can begin to build an electoral system which looks to encourage competition of ideas in our political marketplace.

The Alliance will also agitate to balance the representation of provinces by reform of the Senate chamber.

Free Democratic Members of the Cosa will also push for a truly secret option when casting your vote, so that you can cast it without four citizens (one of whom could be a party leader) knowing how you voted.

Cabinet:

a. Stuff:

The Alliance aims to improve Talossa’s web presence. We will establish policies that will promote the kingdom more effectively to the world population. The Alliance is in support of authorised "ambassadors” to various social media sites, forums, and the likes. They will act as conduits of the kingdom's interests and will be ready to answer, in an official capacity, any questions about Talossa, its history, the citizenship process, and so on.

b. Culture:

The Alliance will encourage the Ministry of Culture to continue working with the Ladîntsch Naziunál to create a strategy to teach every Talossan the basics of the national language, or at least “aliquand mocts” (a few words) they can use in daily life.

c. Foreign Affairs:

The Alliance supports the repeal of the Semi-Permeable Wall Act and will take a ‘Live and Let Live’ attitude to other micronations and Talossa-like entities. We will engage in courteous dialogue with representatives of other micronations and Talossa-like entities (as opposed to isolationism) on a case by case basis.

Federalism:

Free Democrats will aim to revitalise the provincial governments of Talossa. Provincial representatives of the Alliance will strive to resuscitate and increase provincial activity, and national representatives of the Alliance will strive to pass relevant legislation that will complement the Free Democratic goal of increasing provincial activity.

What about kicking out the "Governors" (or whatever the term, seems I forgot about the details) as kind of "royal overseers" over provincial activities?

Don't bite me now for throwing in some annotations out of my state of inactivity. I'm just a mere citizen who has some questions to our most active politicians, whose good work I'm appreciating a lot.

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Apr 26, 2015 8:42:54 GMT -6 D. N. Vercáriâ said:

Of course the fundamental rights of us Talossans should still be / remain part of our constitution,

Of course! Maybe we should make that clearer. The main thing we want to move into regular law is the election law, because it needs changing the most often.

So, by now, there's no dedicated republican party around?

Not one standing its own candidates, no. This is because the other die-hard Talossan republicans except myself and a couple of others have become inactive to the point where we can't offer an alternative Government. For shame! But I envisage that, even if the FreeDems merge to become a single party for more democracy, there will still be a Republican pressure-group or at least talking-shop.

Or is the disconnection of the Royal Household from any political powers supposed to be a statement for republicanism in disguise?

It's a transitional demand.

What about kicking out the "Governors" (or whatever the term, seems I forgot about the details) as kind of "royal overseers" over provincial activities?

The Cunstaváis. We presented a bill to the Clark-before-last making them an elected rather than appointed job, but it didn't succeed. We may try again in future.

[D. N. Vercáriâ]

Next time I'm returning into a more active state of a citizenship, I might found and drum up a one-point party that is exclusively and strictly promoting republicanism. Because all attempts of proposing a more "hybrid", cooperative solution between monarchism and republicanism, kind of the final step towards reunision, as approximately included in the FreeDem's agenda, have been harshly repelled and / or received preemptive threats of citzenship renunciations. Very frustrating, disencouraging, and alienating, this.

[Glüc da Dhi]

Will the FDA stick with a similar sort of party discipline for its MCs like the Libcons and the ZRT used to have or will it be more like a big tent party with MCs of the two parties being divided in a liberal and a republican camp?

[Marti-Pair Furxheir S.H.]

I had always been opposed, since my return to Talossa, to the reduction of the number of Seats in the Cosa, other than for my Direct Cosa idea.

It's odd, but now that I will lose the right to sit in the Ziu in the next Ziu, I suddenly feel differently. I feel thrilled at the exchange of ideas, and so much less personally involved in the decision.

I guess there is something in keeping your officials away from politics after all!

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Apr 27, 2015 13:36:41 GMT -6 Glüc da Dhi said:

Will the FDA stick with a similar sort of party discipline for its MCs like the Libcons and the ZRT used to have or will it be more like a big tent party with MCs of the two parties being divided in a liberal and a republican camp?

All elected FreeDem MCs will be expected to uphold the FreeDem manifesto. Past that, we'll take it on a case-by-case basis for the time being.

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Apr 27, 2015 9:00:55 GMT -6 D. N. Vercáriâ said:

Next time I'm returning into a more active state of a citizenship, I might found and drum up a one-point party that is exclusively and strictly promoting republicanism. Because all attempts of proposing a more "hybrid", cooperative solution between monarchism and republicanism, kind of the final step towards reunision, as approximately included in the FreeDem's agenda, have been harshly repelled and / or received preemptive threats of citzenship renunciations. Very frustrating, disencouraging, and alienating, this.

I totally understand that. I envisage that, if the ZRT and the LibCons do merge, a "fundi" Republican party could well emerge.

However, the ZRT in coalition government with Liberals and moderate monarchists has brought about real reforms which mean something - the secret ballot, the end of the Semi-Permeable Wall, judicial reform, etc. If the FreeDem manifesto were enacted in full, it would mean that elected officials would be in charge of all the real machinery of Government and the Monarchy would be restricted to being a constitutional watch-dog and handing out titles and honours, which again would be a real reform worth fighting for.

If this were Greece, I would rather be in SYRIZA, fighting the troika for what real gains could be accomplished, rather than in the KKE standing outside and saying that nothing's worthwhile except total revolution right now.