Join the new world

First things first, here we are!

Hope we all enjoyed a moment of national joy. The work of governance is now on us. By all means, tattoo 798 on everything, wave the flag, kiss the babies and shake the hands, but we’ve been talking about putting a government together since August.

No more talk, my friends.

We’ve been talking about MPP’s with powerful nations and NAP’s with our more formidable neighbors. We’re past the speculation phase, it’s time to pursue these, to contact the governments of other nations, to see where the New South Korea stands with them, what we have to do to get these pacts signed. All possibilities should be explored, the footwork done now, so they can be presented to our leadership and they can finalize whichever plan is most beneficial. The longer we wait, however, the longer we’re sitting ducks. This has to be started now, at least taking the ideas we’ve brainstormed and bringing them to fruition.

We’ve been talking about establishing some sort of economic stability, everything from tax rates to foreign investment. The longer we just talk about these things, the later it will be before we strengthen our currency, we establish a new generation of businesses, we rebuild previously decimated industries. We now have control of Congress, which means we will be able to reset tax rates, but that’s just one aspect. Several have donated to the Bank of Seoul, and that’s fantastic, but it’s a start. Creating a climate where citizens can build their businesses and employ their fellow man is the ultimate goal if we’re eventually seeking to compete in the free market, fill our treasury, and allow eSouth Koreans to build their prosperity in their own way.

We’ve been talking a lot about building a genuine community, one that is close-knit and communicates well, one where everyone is on the same page. We’ve come a long way in this in a short time, but there’s still a lot we need to do, especially in welcoming new players. If we’re going to potentially pursue a baby boom, we need to have an infrastructure in place that caters to those who come. Some good ideas are in place, like mentoring programs and Korean-language information, but it’s time to follow through on these things. It’s going to be tough with little money to work with, but until we have the money and manpower to forge such programs, all of us, every single one of us, needs to pick up the slack, spend a few minutes introducing ourselves to our fellow countrymen, especially if we haven’t met them before. That’s what a community is about, knowing everyone, having each other’s back, because when we do that, when we know our neighbors, it becomes harder to be split apart by those seeking to divide and conquer. The best way we as everyday citizens can do to prevent a PTO is to pay attention, to be part of this community, to get to know everyone, to chat it up, and to know who is here to build the community and who is here to destroy it.

There’s a lot we have to do, and it’s time to get going on it. If our common vision is to build a thriving, vital nation, one with political and economic stability, one existing in peace with its Asian neighbors and in harmony with the rest of the world, one with a budding democratic tradition, then all the good ideas we’ve been hatching have got to be put into action.

This is not a call for the new Congress to do this by themselves, nor to our base of leadership, nor to potential Presidential candidates. This is everyone’s responsibility. If you’re new, seek out someone who has been here and ask what’s going on. If you’ve been part of this community for some time, take those plans and find ways to make them bear fruit. Find the new and greet them kindly. Frolic in the streets. This is OUR South Korea, it’s not the government’s. Whatever society we build, we build as a result of EVERYONE being part of it.

We are more than the sum of our parts, but we are less than the sum if every part is not engaged.

It’s great to talk about our sovereignty. I’m all for seeing South Korean flags and the number 798 everywhere. But if we’re going to build something that can endure, that national pride has to take the form of diligent work, a feisty spirit, and a sense of urgency.

I know we’re up to these challenges, my friends. We have good people, active people, people who have just been waiting for this time to shine.

Let’s do this thing, people!

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To become involved in the South Korean community, there are several ways to plug yourself in. One is to read this paper and to contribute to the new South Korean media, either by reading, voting, and subscribing for articles and newspapers which seek to bring the community together, or by offering your own thoughts in your own articles and pushing your own newspapers. Another is to connect with others in the community, either through the official South Korean Forum (http://www.esouthkorea.freeforums.org/index.php), or by chatting at the IRC channel (the best way there is to go to http://www.mibbit.com, click “Start Chatting”, fill in the information, and go: the server is Coldfront, the channel is #esouthkorea, and the username is your own great name). Hope to see you there!
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The Arjay Phoenician Show is a regular IRC talk show, Tuesdays at 3pm eRep time. The server is Rizon, the channel is #theapshow, and the host is wearing Spandex. It is an international show, discussing international themes, talking to people all around the world. Uncensored commentary, trivia, and the Wall of Scrawl. If you cannot be there in person, transcripts are available, courtesy of the World-Tribe (www.worldtribe.lefora.com). A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
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