On the Secret Tax Hike
J.A. Lake
Hello, Comrades:
Why did the Socialist Freedom Party vote against the tax hike?
The methodology used by the parties that passed this law run counter to our beliefs as a Party. Unanimously we believe that any law effecting the entirety of the American people should be debated within the sight of the people. The two threads, heavily redacted, only made it to public discussion a day after the law was proposed in-game and at that point an hour after the vote was finished. The People were not given a chance to weigh in until after the taxes were raised and the issue was moot.
"Why does it matter"? I am asked. "Why do the peoples' opinions matter? They don't know enough to act in their own interest! They are profiteers and only want money, whereas I am acting in the good of the eCountry!"
"Give us more money instead."
This is the argument presented.
First is the fallacy that a democratically elected government can be anything but populist, especially in this game. The idea that the People, who elect the Congress, have no say in Government because they are only looking out for their own interests is absurd to say the least. Congress forgets, they only have any power because it is endowed in them by the popular vote.
Next we must face the idea that we are under an extraordinary threat in the wake of Argentina's assault on Mexico, one that necessitates a secret tax hike driven through Congress with utmost legal haste. This argument is dubious at best given that we are constantly beset by powerful "enemies" in Europe, South America, and Asia.
I know myself and several of my comrades in the Socialist Freedom Party are stepping out of Congress for this transgression, and urge any current Congressman who respects the ideal of democracy and respect for the will of the People to do the same. As a Congress, we have failed to do our duty and represent those who elected us.
Indeed, I put forward that Congress is becoming disconnected from those who elect it. I urge the American People to remind them of this fact at the polls.
This brings us to the logical crux of this issue: political parties are too entrenched in the eUSA. Their large member counts grant them relative immunity to bad policy decisions, and thus grant them relative immunity to the will of the People.
To combat this, we must create new parties with new ideals, and fragment the old ones, scattering their pieces to the winds. Why compromise your ideas? Find like-minded people and pitch in for the relatively minor cost of 40 gold to create a new party to challenge these aging behemoths.
Long ago I was asked, "What is your proposal for changing e-America?"
This is it. Upend the system, create a multitude of political parties with new and widely diverse ideas, and through the process of social Darwinism we will see the best ideas survive the crucible of public opinion and a new Government emerge. The process will be chaotic, for certain, but chaos will breed the next stage of society.
You see, the truth is that if I sat here and wrote an essay on how a new Government could be built, I would be no better than the elites currently telling you where to vote, how, and for whom. I would be no better than the people who pushed through a secret tax hike law and prayed the People wouldn't notice until it passed. Indeed, the most socialistic approach to a new government would not be to put the focus one person's input- the very definition of autocracy- but on the input of all the People, for the People ARE the game.
I'll leave you with this, and I'll see you in the comments section.
Thanks for reading, comrades, and have a revolutionary day.
Comments
the way I have seen it, first you had the blocking system to keep those that wouldn't go though the labor of stroking the egos of those that ran the top five and therefor couldn't be counted on to do as instructed out of even running for congress, then when the top five was deserving of a challenge Ajay was propped up to create the unity nonsense, which kept the blocking system entrenched...but now with the parliamentary system it is even easier to keep reasoning players at bay.
I am all for what you call for, but the Admins. have boxed themselves in (imho) and will caterer to the gold buyers...as the community cries foul and the gold buyers become the only players...
I am also stepping away from congress this month as I feel I have failed in my duties. I could have asked for the discussion to be made public but I did not. I incorrectly assumed there would be public discussion before the vote. I was mistaken. I apologize to everyone for not doing a better job. It should be noted that I did vote against the proposal, but might have voted for it (or perhaps a lesser hike to maybe 10😵 had the situation been different.
Failure is hardly a reason to quit.
Not quitting just letting a few others step in while I take a break, I will be back!
Failed in duties might be too harsh. This game sucks.
Everything else might be true but, failed? Try "I screwed up a little and will do better next month.".
What he said
What I said.
All must bow to my tentacles!
(;,,😉
Congress failed its duty to America months ago. If it had stayed at 10% the whole time, this would not be needed.
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If it stayed at 10% they would have still raised it due to the attack . Don't be fooled by the it is the 8% tax fault we are low on funds maybe if USAF took a budget cut we would have more in the reserve. they don't hit that hard anyway just give out allot of tanks.
Well if you knew anything, you would know that every month the USAF has become more efficient, and has been consistently either cutting their own funds, or not using all their funds.
If they aren't using their funds where are they? Not going in the reserve like our tax dollars.
Combat orders. Look in your pockets, that is, if you fought for the country.
@Mr. Swagg
Take a look at every other country in eRepublik. The US' tax rate is ridiculous. Even 8% is high when compared to other countries. There is some SERIOUS mismanaging or outright theft occurring. If other countries are able to manage with a MUCH lower tax rate, why can't we?
I do fight for the country. unlike you Kemal who fight for you INCI friends just look at your TP for the time you have played pretty sad.
yav he he
henry look at the numbers before you blame USAF for everything all spending. Right now USAF is down to something like $55,000 per week (considering that is really close to what Air Force was getting when you were an officer that is a major cut, since USAF is all the MUs together). So a month has a little over 4 weeks so lets say that means the cost of USAF is $225,000 per month. Based on current tax money coming in that is a little over 2 days of taxes that come in for the month. See http://eusaforums.com/forum/index.php/board,18.0.html for actual spending. See http://www.erepublik.com/en/country/economy/USA for actual tax money coming in daily.
Again with this yav he he every time the mention of your not being loyal to eUSA comes up you laugh like you know you are against us and no one cares.
He views us as eunuchs: Fat stupid and no balls.
I would venture to guess it's because there's no other constructive input that could be added to the conversation, so why not be dismissive?
@J.A. Lake
Kemal ever inputting something constructive to a conversation to begin with? That'll be a revolutionary day.
It'd be a nice change from his predictable youtube-comment style of trolling.
I didn't know you were only taking 55k til I just heard from DMJ and you. that would be something nice to include somewhere on the forums so congress would know you have made some progress with spending. Also if USAF is taking less money this should have been factored in to the work tax raise and we could have made it 10% instead of 12%.
this money is requested weekly in the Congressional Budget Office section of the forum. That is a section that can be viewed by anyone with access to the forum.
If you look there it says a number only a number and not how it is being spent not much there.
Henry the amounts there are what was actually spent not what is in the budget, the only amounts spent not included here are SCI funds http://eusaforums.com/forum/index.php/board,18.0.html (I believe anyone who has access to the forums can access the above page with this information.
I love this article. Brilliant!
voted
Without reading I hope.
dude I don't forget, especially when used, your just luckily the Owls left....
prior to
remember when we use to translate into Turkish for the Owls, at times it was a lot of fun, unless you got someone including RL propaganda in your article without explaining themselves properly.
People still pay for article votes? Goodness.
I never have, if people really like your article they will vote it. Also I don't think he bought votes. it is congress election time so expect the vote buying to begin lol kind of sad to all those people who claim to have activity buying votes saying vote for us we are the best, oldest and rape the game.
I can tell you I didn't buy votes, I'm not sure if you'll believe me. I can't control what other people do though, so if others bought votes so be it, and thank you.
Honestly don't get why people always take vote buying as an insult. I just didn't realize people still did it, what with the media the way it is these days.
Anyways, voted.
It's alright, I didn't mean to look like I was overreacting. I've always believed immediate and definite denials look less credible than silence, even, so I qualified with "I'm not sure you'll believe me" just in case 😛
fudge, someone writes gets attention and someone else wants to tear them down, welcome to the elite way of playing this game...
Guys, calm your tits. I'm about as elitist as your carpet, considering I've been two-clicking for half the year. Is that elitist these days, two-clicking? I mean, I've been out of the game for a while. It could be. Things change, man. They change.
why so negative and two clicking ended how long ago........................by commenting on articles you void the argument you are two clicking, choose between positive non-elistest or negative comments of the elitest, it is your choice on how you want to play and be viewed by others 🙂
>choose between positive non-elistest or negative comments of the elitest
You're an insult to your party, how about that?
Take a leaf outta your Party President's book and learn how to not be a shit-tier writer while you're at it. At least he's sort of upholding the SFP spirit.
Good dog pics, tho. Keep those.
see my reply below, that I missed the right reply button should give you pleasure
does "elitest" mean the most elite? thanks for the compliment broseph, it's appreciated xdxd
elitest is not an excepted word in English, it means; someone who plays for themselves not the community, because I invented the word I get to set it original definition, and you are very welcomed! Being non christian you probably don't understand that it is Joseph, otherwise you are not referring to me.
it = it's,
elitist, not elitest, nor elistest
accepted, not excepted
colon after it means, not semicolon
I invented the word, I get to set it original definition - so between the sentences, its not it or it's
you are very welcome! not welcomed
non-christian, not non christian
You are correct: I am an atheist. Google broseph.
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writing well means exactly what? Certainly not that you are smart, just easily trained...shouldn't you ask Ghost if he wants you to start a fight for him, cause I am going after only you in this thread, I ain't no boot licking faux two clicker, that is what is in vogue now isn't it?
I wouldn't know. I haven't been here for a while. So your guess is better than mine in terms of fashion.
Many people do it during the elections.