A Community Run Nation

[Unfocused Extremism]

2, of course.

[Herpusderpus]

1, even more of course

[Anttola]

Number 2

[Icamera]

2

BTW, it was a great idea to do this.

[Icketopia]

Alright, so I thought we might have a little fun. This nation will be a community run nation in the sense that the community, that is, all of YOU guys, gets to decide what I select for the issues. We have the initial 4 I got for starting, and i've set it to one issue a day for debate and what not.

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."

1,2,1,1

[The NationStates Community]

selecting option 2.

Thanks for the compliments, guys. Means a lot to me.

[-Carta-]

I'm totally looking into this now.

Also, this is an incredibly cool idea. I'll be sure to vote on tomorrow's issue.

Should this turn out to be Sedge and or CrazyGirl, Carta reserves the right to claim "I told you so", regardless of what may or may not conspire as a result of such. Carta does not recognize the existence of this footnote if such is not the case.

lol not that hard to figure out.

And no, not Sedge or CrazyGirl. Your footnote apparently doesn't exist.

NEW ISSUE!

Cash for Colons?

Hospitals have requested that they be allowed to pay people for donating blood and other bodily organs, such as kidneys.

1) "We remain critically short of blood plasma and various organs," says The NationStates Community One hospital administrator Larry Love. "Especially hearts. A good heart is hard to find. But if we were allowed to pay for donations, we'd get more of them and could save more lives. Plus the donor takes home a few hundred NS Dollars in compensation. Unless it's a post-mortem donation, of course. In that case we'd pay the family."

2) "Great idea," says social commentator Pip Dodinas. "Except for one thing. You know who's going to be selling their organs? Poor people! They'll be so desperate for money that they'll sell their own kidneys. Well, a kidney. This is just another way for the rich to buy themselves a better life at the expense of the poor. It must be outlawed."

Which option to pick?

Hmm...I always pick option two on this one. So...lets try number one!

And what footnote? :P

[Eaglleia]

selecting option 2.

Thanks for the compliments, guys. Means a lot to me.

Any Game/Forum Mod/Admin at all?

[The NationStates Community]

selecting option 2.

Thanks for the compliments, guys. Means a lot to me.

Any Game/Forum Mod/Admin at all?

I'm a Mod/Admin at all, no.

NEW ISSUE!

Nudists Demand Time In Sun

A loose coalition of sartorially-challenged individuals known as "Let It All Hang Out" has called on the government to relax public nudity laws.

1) "For too long, our bodies have been trapped in these prisons of cotton and polyester!" yelled protester Fleur Rifkin, while apparently developing a nasty case of sunburn. "We must repeal the puritanical laws that make public nudity a crime. My body--my choice to dangle!"

2) "I agree," mused sociology professor Buffy du Pont. "But I don't think the protestors are going far enough. Public nudity shouldn't be an option: it should be compulsory. Nudity is highly liberating. And it would put that disgusting "Hooters" out of business once and for all."

3) "Whoa, whoa," says noted accountant Zeke Wu. "Are these people serious? The last thing I want to see when I'm out for a coffee is some lumbering, over-weight nudist coming down the sidewalk toward me. If people want to get naked, they can do it in the privacy of their own homes. Think of the children!"

Which option do I choose?

[Warzone Codger]

2.

Are you famous enough that we'll know you?

[Unfocused Extremism]

Like he said, 2.

[Sovereign Spirits]

Whatever allows you to be an exact copy of my nation exclusively.

[The Imperial Shard]

This is a great idea, but you are doing it wrong.

Instead of just one thread, you should make a new thread every time an issue pops up, and add a poll in accordance to the options you are given.

Have the title of your thread be "Community-run nation, Issue (insert issue name here.)

And whichever option gets the most votes, choose it.

[Herpusderpus]

1
Srsly, I think we should only vote on what our true opinion is.

[Eaglleia]

Any Game/Forum Mod/Admin at all?

I'm a Mod/Admin at all, no.

NEW ISSUE!

Nudists Demand Time In Sun

A loose coalition of sartorially-challenged individuals known as "Let It All Hang Out" has called on the government to relax public nudity laws.

1) "For too long, our bodies have been trapped in these prisons of cotton and polyester!" yelled protester Fleur Rifkin, while apparently developing a nasty case of sunburn. "We must repeal the puritanical laws that make public nudity a crime. My body--my choice to dangle!"

2) "I agree," mused sociology professor Buffy du Pont. "But I don't think the protestors are going far enough. Public nudity shouldn't be an option: it should be compulsory. Nudity is highly liberating. And it would put that disgusting "Hooters" out of business once and for all."

3) "Whoa, whoa," says noted accountant Zeke Wu. "Are these people serious? The last thing I want to see when I'm out for a coffee is some lumbering, over-weight nudist coming down the sidewalk toward me. If people want to get naked, they can do it in the privacy of their own homes. Think of the children!"

Which option do I choose?

1, of course.
Any hints on your identity?
Like....reigon?

[Pyshoria]

1

[The NationStates Community]

2.

Are you famous enough that we'll know you?

I'd like to think that i'm famous enough.

I'm pretty sure you know me.

Srsly, I think we should only vote on what our true opinion is.

Yes, please do.

[Ionian Knights]

2.

Are you famous enough that we'll know you?

I'd like to think that i'm famous enough.

I'm pretty sure you know me.

Srsly, I think we should only vote on what our true opinion is.

Yes, please do.

Bill Gates?

oh and 3.

[Unfocused Extremism]

Are you famous enough that we'll know you?

I'd like to think that i'm famous enough.

I'm pretty sure you know me.

Are you Unibot? (Unibot II, since you specified you wanted the identity of your main nation.)

[Turttallia]

1 fo' sho'.

and for a guess... i have no clue. i was gonna guess a mod, but now i have no idea. hints, please?? [puppy-dog eyes]

[The NationStates Community]

I'd like to think that i'm famous enough.

I'm pretty sure you know me.

Are you Unibot? (Unibot II, since you specified you wanted the identity of your main nation.)

I wish I was Unibot. Do I wish.

Anyhow, option 1 being selected!

[The NationStates Community]

NEW ISSUE!

NS Animals On The Dinner Table?

In a bid to provide a new revenue stream for The NationStates Community's Beef-Based Agriculture industry, it has been suggested that NS Animals could be added to the menu.

1) "The fact is, the NS Animal population is out of control," says Beef-Based Agriculture spokesperson Thomas Hanover. "We have to do something about them anyway, so why not market them as tasty snacks? We could have NS Animal kebabs, NS Animal pies, NS Animal-on-a-sticks--the possibilities are endless! Let's not pass up this golden opportunity to provide a feast, if you will, for our economy."

2) "I agree that something needs to be done about NS Animal over-population," says random passer-by Sue-Ann O'Bannon, "but eating them? That's kind of gross. Let's just shoot the ones we have to and shovel their bodies into ditches like normal."

3) "I am shocked and appalled!" declared SPCA President Miranda Spirit. "If anyone needs to be culled, it's us humans. The NS Animals were here first, remember? We need to take this as a sign to get our industry--agriculture in particular--to back off. The NS Animal is part of what makes The NationStates Community a great nation!"

You know the drill...

[Unfocused Extremism]

Wishes he were Unibot. What an odd aspiration.

Option 2. The only good NS Animal is a dead NS Animal.

[Eaglleia]

NEW ISSUE!

NS Animals On The Dinner Table?

In a bid to provide a new revenue stream for The NationStates Community's Beef-Based Agriculture industry, it has been suggested that NS Animals could be added to the menu.

1) "The fact is, the NS Animal population is out of control," says Beef-Based Agriculture spokesperson Thomas Hanover. "We have to do something about them anyway, so why not market them as tasty snacks? We could have NS Animal kebabs, NS Animal pies, NS Animal-on-a-sticks--the possibilities are endless! Let's not pass up this golden opportunity to provide a feast, if you will, for our economy."

2) "I agree that something needs to be done about NS Animal over-population," says random passer-by Sue-Ann O'Bannon, "but eating them? That's kind of gross. Let's just shoot the ones we have to and shovel their bodies into ditches like normal."

3) "I am shocked and appalled!" declared SPCA President Miranda Spirit. "If anyone needs to be culled, it's us humans. The NS Animals were here first, remember? We need to take this as a sign to get our industry--agriculture in particular--to back off. The NS Animal is part of what makes The NationStates Community a great nation!"

You know the drill...

1-Ugh.
2-
3-Yep.

[Warzone Codger]

3! *hugs an animal*