Join the new world

Once again, I thank the Irish people for electing me to lead our great nation once again. Congratulations also to patton for a strong showing. Despite some electoral fraud (I will not go into this or name names, but you know who you are) 58% of Ireland placed their vote for myself (64 voted), and I take this election as a confidence vote in me and my ideas. Democracy has spoken, and I hope everyone will respect that.

Although we received more congressmen that I expected, I believe every congressman from Ireland First is active. The following members of Ireland First are congressmen:
Inquitus
ImaNewbie
Cyclosarin
Irish Wolf
Fionn
johnthemany
ocallagh
Castie
Eragon
negev
Ironnica
Ardacam
General Exception
unpossible
Sean Doe
Skittle
Paddy Machiavelli


First and foremost, I urge everyone to sign up on our national forums at [a url=http://erepublikireland.freeforums.org]erepublikireland.freeforums.org[/a] (any foreigners reading this are welcome to sign up as well). It is a far more efficient method of discussion than the newspapers, and reading the forums is becoming increasingly required to know what is going on in Ireland. I am, and will continue to use the forums to poll the popualtion on issues. If you are feeling bored with the game, get involved in discussions with the rest of the citizens about the issues we face, it will make the game much more interesting.

-The Economy-

According to Kaleb's latest [a url=http://www.erepublik.com/article-168821.html] Economic League Table[/a] we have the 8th largest GDP/Capita in the world, right behind Norway, and above such large countries as Indonesia, Romania, the USA, Portugal, and Turkey. We also have the lowest prices/cost of living in the world. This month I hope to see furthur progress of our economy.


-Production-

Ireland has always had problems with food, as the recent scare (not really a crisis) has shown. I believe that this problem is quite easily solved, and have taken steps to correct it. Firstly, we need more workers in food. I will be talking with the Q1 training company very carefully what their duties and expectations are, and make sure they know what they are doing. We will also be helped by an economic discussion board that I will explain later on. Secondly, I have deals about to be finalized with the owners of the two foreign companies, Mars and K F C. For every food that they sell they will be rebated the import tax. Partly because of the exchange rates, their prices will most likely always be slightly higher than our domestic companies, ensuring that foreign food is only used in the event that our domestic companies cannot meet demand.

There is excess supply of gifts, which will hopefully be remedied by the national health care program explained later on.

Otherwise I think the availibility of products is good for a nation our size.

As I mentioned above, I will create a section on the forums for the discussion of goods and production. GMs can go there to report on sales and the demand for their products, and ordinary citizens can go there to talk about what they would like to see availible on the market. Hopefully together we can identify which sectors need more workers, among other things. Note that this is not an economic planning council, but it helps everyone get an idea of the economy as a whole.


-Subsidies-

As I was writing this I had the idea of a national subsidy system, funded by "luxury" goods (houses, moving tickets), to keep the prices of "nescessary" goods (food, weapons) low. I know some citizens that own multiple businesses are doing this, but this would be on a much bigger scale. Basically the government would raise taxes on luxury goods, and the money would then subsidize the nescessary good companies so they can lower prices. This would accomplish two things:

1) Increase the "wealth" of poor or new citizens, allowing them to spend more in the nescessary good sector, boosting its demand/production. This is good because it further reduces the chances of a food shortage or weapons shortage, arguably the two most important goods.

2) Restrict the access of luxury goods, which gives the rich better chances of being able to buy the luxury goods (which only come on the market every once in a while). As these goods sell out very quickly, raising the price will not reduce sales. This is good because it lessens the gap between the rich and poor caused by our old citizen fee and other things. The percentage gain for the poor is much greater than the percentage loss for the rich.

I will create a forum thread about this and we can talk in greater detail.


-National Health Care-

I intend now to start the national health care plan. This would provide a Q2 gift to every eligible citizen daily. The mayors of the regions would be in charge of administering this. I will contact the mayors personally to discuss details. In the first phase I propose these eligibility requirements, which we can then alter as we get an idea for the supply of gifts.

1) You must be an employee, and to receive your gift you must have worked the day previous

2) Citizens who own a house are not eligible

3) Citizens with over 3 skill in the sector they are working in at the time of the gift being sent are not eligible

4) Citizens with 85 wellness or over are not eligible.

If we have still have an oversupply of gifts, we can then widen the requirements, or if we are short on gifts we can further restrict eligibility.


-Foreign Relations-

The map has been upgraded, and Ireland can currently be attacked by the USA, Canada, and the UK. We currently have mutual protection pacts with the USA, UK, and Mexico. Rest assured I will work hard to secure our borders. Please see the foums for more discussions about our foreign relations.


-Taxes-

I believe that our market is maturing and and as our market and country matures we can open up to international trade. I will therefore open a discussion on the lowering of some import taxes. The VAT will stay where it is currently, and will be made more efficient as the national health care plan and government subsidies mature.


-Government Institutions-

I would greatly appreciate it if these positions can be fille😛

National Health Minister: Responsible for maintaining contact with the mayors and handing out the cash they need to purchase the gifts. I can get the program started and fill this position later.

Minister of Defence: The head of the Irish military. Responsible for overseeing the wellness of our soldiers in war, and well as making sure they are well equipped. Must also monitor the troop movements and battles of other countries.

Economic Minister: Responsible for distributing government subsidies and tax rebates. Must monitor the economy (production, GDP, price levels, etc.) and make reccommendations accordingly. Also must encourage citizens and GMs to follow national economic initiatives.

Foreign Relations Minister: Someone who is good at diplomacy. Responsible for negotiating international agreements.

Attorney General: Responsible for ensuring that the laws of the country are abided by. See below.

-Law-

In light of many recent thefts of the national treasury by presidents, and e😜residents, there have been calls to establish laws in Ireland to prevent this. I could not agree more, but I am unsure of the best way to do this. Should we make it a crime to remove gold from the treasury, or should we make a law allowing Congress to impeach a president. I have sent a message to the admins in an attempt to find out what kind of laws they will enforce. I hope we can go furthur and develop a system of laws that benefit our country.