Merchant Pass Rights Proposal

[United Communism]

I would like to formally, and somewhat prematurely, disapprove of the Merchant Pass Rights proposal. It is not a bad idea, but in my opinion, doesn't take into account nations and regions who do not support, or even prohibit, free enterprise and private industry. I don't believe these free market merchants who really have a place in such nations.

[The Dark Star Republic]

The proposal is illegal (referencing specific regions is not allowed), so I wouldn't worry about it.

Also, when was the last time we had 3 pages of proposals in queue!?

[United Communism]

Ok, that's good to know. I just wanted to open it for discussion here in case it caught too many approvals. I'm actually quite new to NationStates, so I don't know how many proposals is normal to have pending at one time, but it does seem like a lot to me.

[Defwa]

The proposal is illegal (referencing specific regions is not allowed), so I wouldn't worry about it.

Also, when was the last time we had 3 pages of proposals in queue!?

April?

[The Dark Star Republic]

Ok, that's good to know. I just wanted to open it for discussion here in case it caught too many approvals. I'm actually quite new to NationStates, so I don't know how many proposals is normal to have pending at one time, but it does seem like a lot to me.

Alright, it was more of a rhetorical question. :)

For reference, here's the proposal we're discussing:

Merchant Pass Rights

A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

Category: Free Trade | Strength: Strong

Description: The Free Merchant act states this:
All nations will allow tourists and merchants into their borders to set up merchant stands to sell their goods. Of course, there are rules to protect nations from criminals and terrorists.

:In order for any merchant to pass across borders they must first go to the nation's passport center and register for a "Merchant Pass" which allows them to cross borders without toll or passport. The Merchant Pass is entirely free. Proof of residence, drivers license, recent utility payment, and a list of things to be sold are required in order to be valid for a merchant pass. Merchant passes also allow merchants a 50% discount in hotels, apartments, or other form of shelter during their stay.

:Crossing the border requires the merchant to show his/her pass, which should have a list of everything to be sold, and then allow their vehicle to be x-ray scanned for any contraband, as well as frisking the merchant and any other passengers. The border guard will then stamp an "Approved by (nation)" onto the pass, and then stick a barcode on the pass to ensure it isn't fake. All items that are intended to be sold are counted and put on record, known as a "Merchant Item Record #"

:Merchants cannot sell the following, but not limited to - Any form of drugs, unknown substances, weapons, weapon ammo, weapon cartridges, government tools, passports, merchant passes, free items, items usable to create substances weapons or drugs, medicine (unless approved by the nation's disease prevention association), adult content, adult toys, raw ores, pets, uranium, dangerous machinery, dangerous scientific equipment, sharp objects, etc

:When leaving the country, the border guard will open the Merchant Item Record and then xray the vehicle for contraband, and count up what is left in the vehicle. He will then ask for 1/3rd of all earnings. If the merchant refuses to give up the 1/3rd of earnings, he will be arrested, his items will be confiscated, then it is up to the government whether to take the 1/3rd and let him go, or keep him in custody.

:All merchants's rights will be protected under Blue Alliance Peace Force and if those rights are violated, BAPF will act on the situation to free the merchant(s). All merchants who are imprisoned for other reasons not stated in this law, or for non-crime related activities, are considered victims of corrupt imprisonment, and will be protected by BAPF.

The 1/3rd requirement of earnings will boost the lowest economies greatly, and put some nations's economies back on their feet.

Not only is this great for economies, but it is also great for tourism, visiting relatives, and exploring exotic foods and tools.

[Sierra Lyricalia]

The proposal is illegal (referencing specific regions is not allowed), so I wouldn't worry about it.

Also, when was the last time we had 3 pages of proposals in queue!?

April?

OOC: Sounds right... that's about when I got fed up with some raider garbage and fucked off entirely... I come back in September and this place is empty. Wondered what the hell happened.

[United Communism]

Oh, good. Thank you for referencing the proposal. Good idea.

[Defwa]

April?

OOC: Sounds right... that's about when I got fed up with some raider garbage and fucked off entirely... I come back in September and this place is empty. Wondered what the hell happened.

OOC: We all just got so sad and missed you. Of course, the resulting power vacuum has resulted in me being named supreme overlord of all nations. Your first mandatory donation is expected this tuesday btw

[Chester Pearson]

I come back in September and this place is empty. Wondered what the hell happened.

No one has said the word ABORTION! in a while, so this place has been kind of dead.

[Defwa]

I come back in September and this place is empty. Wondered what the hell happened.

No one has said the word ABORTION! in a while, so this place has been kind of dead.

That's no excuse. The Kennyites tried their repeal of RF and still nobody showed.

[Chester Pearson]

No one has said the word ABORTION! in a while, so this place has been kind of dead.

That's no excuse. The Kennyites tried their repeal of RF and still nobody showed.

He didn't shout the holy word now did he?

[Ardchoille]

I suspect the buildup was as much due to moderator exhaustion as to player enthusiasm. Catching up, guys, catching up, but some of the submissions have so many illegalities the mod reply TGs look like Unibot essays. Just keep the coffee coming!

[Separatist Peoples]

I suspect the buildup was as much due to moderator exhaustion as to player enthusiasm. Catching up, guys, catching up, but some of the submissions have so many illegalities the mod reply TGs look like Unibot essays. Just keep the coffee coming!

*wheels out coffee IV drip and bags of Italian espresso*