[DEFEATED] Alternative Fuel Act

[Sedgistan]

Alternative Fuel Act
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental | Industry Affected: All Businesses | Proposed by: Pseudocholinesterase

Description: IN VIEW of the ever-increasing need for fuel to perpetuate the steady growth of every nation's GNP and GDP;

REALIZING on the other hand that the consumption of fuel by the world increases in a exponential degree which could not be met by the limited ventures on fuel research;

BALANCING the conflicting interests of both producers of automobiles and the increasing number of the proponents of environmental protection from every tribe and tongue;

KEEPING IN MIND the role that the World Assembly plays in the conduct of business, trade, commerce and industry and its corollary duty to improve said facets of progress;

TAKING NOTICE OF the new discoveries of alternative fuel for automobiles;

The World Assembly hereby mandates its members to allocate forty percent (40%) of their state budget to further improve efforts for research for alternative fuel, provided, that education shall NOT be compromised in view of this reallocation of state resources.

It shall create a Fuel Committee which will set standards in the exercise of fuel research and development as well as aid states in starting their ventures in alternative fuel research.

In addition to this, the various regions shall implement and shall participate in biennial fora discussing matters pertaining to recent developments and discoveries of alternative fuel.

Also, the members of the World Assembly shall engage in continuous consultations with the leading experts in the fields of geology and geophysics as well as mining and metallurgical engineering for the goal of promoting more efficient ways of using the current fuel stock.

All these with the goal of increasing the current fuel stock by 500 percent by the end of 15 years.

Disclaimer: I am not the author of this proposal. For a statement by the author, please see this post.

[Knootoss]

If the resolution author couldn't even be bothered to start a thread about this topic, what is wrong with having one where the clearly insane part is bolded out? Anyway, as a customer service:

"mandates its members to allocate forty percent (40%) of their state budget to further improve efforts for research for alternative fuel""

[Charlotte Ryberg]

I've had to turn down on this resolution particularly due to the practical impossibility of being able to reduce increase current fuel stock by 500 percent. 100 percent is getting rid of all the fuel stock, so 500 per cent is like running on a 400 percent deficit.

Although we discovered an error in the argument, 500% is still a lot to achieve. How will less well of member states be helped? Are we going to have a fuel bank or something?

The World Assembly hereby mandates its members to allocate forty percent (40%) of their state budget to further improve efforts for research for alternative fuel, provided, that education shall NOT be compromised in view of this reallocation of state resources.

Although also a game mechanics concern Ms. Harper wants to point out that a loophole exists where member states may state the need for education as an argument to avoid the budget adjustment.

[Knootoss]

Indeed. What about the states who spend more than 60% of education? Sure, you already completely abolished healthcare, defence, the police, social welfare and the national hippo museum but .. still it would not be enough!

[Karnei Shomron]

The World Assembly hereby mandates its members to allocate forty percent (40%) of their state budget to further improve efforts for research for alternative fuel, provided, that education shall NOT be compromised in view of this reallocation of state resources.
What the fuck has he been smoking?

[Krioval]

Gods. How did this trash qualify for a vote? Did the author even make a cursory attempt at drafting or proofreading before submitting this? I echo the problems with the idea of devoting two-fifths of the state budget to "alternative" - here's a hint, those sources aren't "alternative" in Krioval - energy. To put this into perspective, that's about the amount of money the Imperial Chiefdom allocates to education and law enforcement, our two largest sectors of the public economy.

Henrik Søgård
Imperial Chiefdom of Krioval

[Shaoyuan]

Well, normally I would have to vote for this, but 40% of the state budget? Is that a typo or do you just know nothing about economics, or hell, basic statistics?

[Charlotte Ryberg]

Well, normally I would have to vote for this, but 40% of the state budget? Is that a typo or do you just know nothing about economics, or hell, basic statistics?

I haven't got a clue behind the 40% rule but it's not the current version of resolution I'd ever vote for until the issue is sorted. Optimally, we'd leave member states to decide as long as they allocate something.

[Sedgistan]

I've had to turn down on this resolution particularly due to the practical impossibility of being able to reduce current fuel stock by 500 percent. 100 percent is getting rid of all the fuel stock, so 500 per cent is like running on a 400 percent deficit.

The resolution talks about increasing fuel stocks by 500%, not decreasing them.

[Philimbesi]

... and this isn't illegal on game mechanics?

Against.

[Charlotte Ryberg]

I've had to turn down on this resolution particularly due to the practical impossibility of being able to reduce current fuel stock by 500 percent. 100 percent is getting rid of all the fuel stock, so 500 per cent is like running on a 400 percent deficit.

The resolution talks about increasing fuel stocks by 500%, not decreasing them.

Sorry about the misunderstanding, but the allocation of the budget is pretty high: and increasing fuel stocks by 500% is also a huge challenge depending on how many resources a nation has.

[Glen-Rhodes]

I will not mince my words. This has got to be the most idiotic resolution I have ever seen come to vote. Whoever approved of this should be expelled. Should this pass, not only would I dedicate my time fully to repeal it, but Glen-Rhodes would certainly not allow the Compliance Commission to touch our law books now or until it is repealed. To explain, allow me to break down this year's budget:

- 1% of the budget is allocated for administrative costs
- 46% is allocated for our social welfare programs, including national health services
- 29% is allocated for educational spending
- 8% for national police forces
- 10% for infrastructure and transportation
- The remaining 6% for environmental programs, including 'alternative fuel' research

To allocate two-fifths (40%) of our budget for 'alternative fuel' research, we would have to cut back on everything or raise taxes tremendously. Administrative costs are impossible to cut, as we need an administration. We can't get rid of our national police forces, or else we'd have anarchy. We could cut our transportation budget and have crumbling highways.

But even if we completely got rid of our transportation budget, we'd need to come up with at least 30% more in budget cuts, which would all have to come from our social welfare spending, since we can't touch the education budget (nor would we want to). What this resolution is asking Glen-Rhodes to do is get rid of national healthcare and social security to research alternative fuels. Absolutely not. This resolution is and will always remain illegitimate, in the opinion of the Glen-Rhodes government.

- Dr. B. Castro

[ZellDincht]

Nations can not effectively keep order, and balance the economy with this much funding going in to one area. Theoretically, what about the areas that depend on coal or such? The economy would die in these areas. I already have wind farms and solar pannels, this should be a nations own choice to develop alternative fuels.
-Against

[Cinistra]

An important issue like this deserves a much better written resolution. Some of the numbers are (extremely) unrealistic. If this one passes, I will immediately submit a repeal.

[Philimbesi WA Office]

Nigel stands up. " I can't believe I'm about to say this on this floor, I (for I think only the second time in WA history) completely agree with Dr Castro... "

[Ancient Nox]

To make researches is understandable and important.
First because of the limits of regular fuel sources, second to protect the nature.

But to dictate to an independent nation that how much it must give to such researches is unacceptable. Also the number: 40% .

The Nox Empire voted against the Alternative Fuel Act. And want to ask all sane nations to do the same.


Note: that we mostly use spaceships and vehicles powered by red energy, blue energy and anti-matter ...
Regards,

Emperor Philip I.

[Urgench]

This resolution is execrable. We are shocked and disgusted that it came to vote and have nothing but contempt for it's authors who in our opinion must be simpletons.


Yours,

[Eireann Fae WA Mission]

The cerulean Faerie Ambassador takes to the air, hovering a few feet in front of Alexandra, who also rises to her feet. As Melošina speaks, the girl translates. "As a representative of a nation that does not use any vehicles that require fuel, we find this resolution particularly ridiculous. Unequivocally, diametrically, whole-heartedly, opposed. Honestly, how did this drivel even make it to quorum? It is as though the delegates supporting this abomination did not even bother to read it."

[Tarnell]

The Nation of Tarnell has no need to spend such a large ammount of its budget on such a pointless task. We will simply purchase this technology from foreign countries if they become needed. Please vote AGAINST this resolution.

[Great Nepal]

"This is perhaps one of most ridiculous proposal made in General Assembly which appears to be passing, if not in entire World Assembly. You realise that this proposal is an economic suicide?
Fact that it is passing by majority due to one deglate vote, proves unfairness of World Assembly. We now doubt that deglates actually read the proposal or can do a simple maths."

-Ambassador from one of puppet nation of Great Nepal

[Unibot]

It establishes a WA Army. Against.

[Ballotonia]

Greetings,

Some data which is hopefully helpful to anyone thinking about writing a resolution with a different percentage:

The Real Life US federal budget (so that's just that level of government, leaving out state and city budgets) is 3.8 trillion US dollar for 2011. That's a nation with about 310 million people in it. Lots of nations in NS have much more (I got 17+ billion population), and similarly a much much larger budget.
Even for the US spending as 'little' as 1% is already 38 billion US dollar, which is an obscene amount of money to spend on the research of one particular topic. To compare, the entire US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a budget of little over 31 billion US dollar for ALL health related research (cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer, etc...) combined. They provide grants to about 325,000 scientists with all that money...
On energy in specific: http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... lear-power
Note this is about the entire department of energy, which includes research on non-alternative fuels, energy-related issues, and keep in mind that department is also tasked with doing nuclear research (so they also run simulations of nuclear explosions and such).

So, how much would one realistically need to properly research alternative fuels? I'm guessing a few billion US dollar, tops. And that's irrespective of the size of the nation or the strength of its economy, so expressing the whole thing as a percentage is a waste for all large nations.

Ballotonia

[Cinistra]

It is the WA delegate of Europe that boosts the FOR votes, giving 193(!) endorsements. Before he voted for it, it was trashed by the WA.

[Philimbesi]

We now doubt that deglates actually read the proposal or can do a simple maths.

You NOW doubt that ambassador? Senator Sulla has done some painstaking research on the topic and come to this conclusion.

80% Only read the title, and vote accordingly.
10% Actually read the entire damned resolution before voting.
5% Pay attention to and/or participate in the Forum debate before voting.
2% Vote by the warm and fuzzy feelings the resolution gives them.
2% use a magic eight ball to make their decision.
1% gut a sheep, and fondle the entrails, looking for a divine augury on how to vote.

[Doomiedoomiedoom]

*The Doomiedoomiedoom looks at his papers in shock, and shouts at his assistant before addressing the council*

I thought my assistant here was playing another prank. How the hell did this get to vote? I thought delegates had to be smart to be elected, apparently I was wrong. I have to agree with what most of my colleagues have said here. This is not only economic suicide, it sets a goal impossible to achieve.

I'm a proud to say my vote is against this piece of ridiculous legislation.