So post which option to select for each issue, and whichever is the most popular is what i'm going with. I've started out as an Inoffensive Centrist Democracy, which is perfect for this.
You can also guess who the person behind this is (their main nation name). Guess correctly, and, well, you can have this nation if you like.
Please don't cheat.
I will make the selections based on the results at the time I go to bed (3 AM-4 AM GMT)
The issues i have today:
Should Democracy Be Compulsory?
In response to a slow news week, certain highbrow newspapers have stirred up the debate over voluntary vs compulsory voting.
The Debate
1) "Compulsory voting makes about as much as sense as having the death penalty for attempted suicide," says civil rights activist Peggy Falopian. "You can't force people to be free! You can only give them the choice. Besides, if all those derelicts who can't be bothered to get off their butts once every few years voted, who would they elect? I shudder to think."
2) "It's not contradictory at all," argues political commentator Fleur Summers. "The fact is, if not everyone votes, the outcome isn't truly representative. Some groups--like elderly gun nuts--vote more often than others. That's why we always end up with such terrible politicians."
3) "This raises an interesting issue," says Buffy Fellow, your brother. "And that is: why do we need elections, anyway? Seems to me it would be much simpler if you just decided what was right, and did it. Wouldn't that save everyone a lot of time?"
Animal Liberation Front Strikes Again
The increasingly militant Animal Liberation Front struck again last night, freeing dozens of chickens bound for delicious snack packs.
1) "These nuts have got to be stopped," demands concerned consumer Klaus Rubin. "They need to face the fact people want snack packs, no matter how many innocent chickens must be sacrificed. Besides, chickens would do the same to us if they had the chance."
2)"These Liberationists are highlighting an important issue," pleads Violet Hamilton. "Too often, animals are put through needless cruelty, just to make their flesh taste a little more deliciously succulent. I'm sure we could ban the more horrific abuses without putting too much of a dent in our national obesity figures. Couldn't we?"
3) "Animals have feelings too!" yelled protestor Billy Utopia, before being set upon by hungry passers-by. "Free the animals! Ban meat-eating!"
4) Economist Beth Jefferson has an alternative. "You don't need to take away the people's right to choose. You just need to build the costs of animal suffering into the price. A tax on meat-eating, in proportion to the amount of cruelty involved, would do the trick. Plus think of the benefit for the national coffers! Of course, poor people wouldn't be able to afford meat, but that's just more incentive for them to get jobs."
Appointment Of Spiritual Advisor
It's time for the government to hire a new religious advisor. Your people have narrowed down the candidates to:
1) Catholic Archbishop Gregory Winters: boasts an excellent track record, having rapidly increased church attendances in his constituencies through the "Reaching God Through Guilt" program. Seen as a solid choice.
2) New Age thinker Bianca Hamilton: a left-field candidate with some radical ideas. "For me, it's not about the name of your religion. It's about discovering your spirituality in whatever guise that takes. Some people call that a cult: I call it taking spirituality to the people."
3) Finally, there's Buy Washington. "If I am awarded the appointment, I will immediately resign," the ex-schoolteacher has declared. "Because, frankly, God is a big load of hokey. I'll be doing everyone a favor by just shutting up about it."
Harry Potter Censorship Row
The latest "Harry Potter" book to hit schools across The NationStates Community has stirred up the greatest controversy yet.
1) "I quite enjoyed the book, until I got to the part where Harry summons evil demons to do his bidding," says religious leader Klaus Silk. "Now that's just wrong. We need to restore some sense to this debate, by which I mean we should remove this book from the shelves, salt it thoroughly, and burn it."
2) Teachers union President Pete Bush says, "Come on, the book is fantasy! And it's a damn good read. I'd like the government to issue a statement of support for our teachers and librarians, so kids can enjoy good books without interference from religious wackos, like Christians."
