Congress what do you think?
Day 2,567, 23:07
•
Published in Canada 
•
by
•
by TheSmoke
YELLOW
Since I am not a Congress member this month, I am going to do my best in keeping our current members active and working for Canada. Lots of people talk the talk, but where is the walk?
This article will address the current topic that Aries Prime has started in regards to the MoF, Canadian budget, and general government finances. The topic can be viewed here: http://ecan.forumotion.com/t601-remastering-budgeting I hope all you who are for the removal of the eCan forums comment this, before it disappears in a few days.
The general idea I see is that Aries is presenting a more structured system to how the Government presents a budget, operates within that budget, and plans for the future. Now before we get to the discussing said topic, I would like to raise the point that the budget is often seen as the duty and realm of the executive, however since all movements of currency from the treasury must be voted on by Congress, you all wield a stick to control our spending.
Alright, so the idea, as Aries states, is “options for a more responsible, flexible, and automatic budgeting system that makes the whole process easier for everyone involved” I am happy to see such a topic being raised, as it is quite important to any country. We should be well involved with our income, and how we spend it. I agree with the premise, but I do not feel the method suits the idea. I am an old fart when it comes to the MoF and our budgets, it’s how I got into the executive game, and I have been doing most for some time. I do think it needs improvements, but I am weary of such structured budgets that are too over the top for what can be an easy proposal. The following points are what I believe every budget should consider:
- Good records of previous tax incomes. We should keep records of our income so we know accurately what we make at our tax rates, in regards to population size, and regions.
- Input from the MoD and MoFA. We should know who we will be signing MPPs with for sure, and other countries that could be gained through new relations, dropped due to wipes, alliance changes, or falling outs. Our MoD should have an idea as to what we have on hand in terms of money for COs and Tanks immediately, as well as what could be withdrawn from the treasury within a 24 hour in game vote, that would not bankrupt us and/or hinder our ability to sign MPPs.
- Keep it simple. From the past several months, our spending has mainly been on MPPs, and War Funds. There was a bit of money being printed when gold dipped below $200. There is nothing crazy or technical about our spending, predict what we will make, plan on what we should spend, and be prepared for the worst.
The budgets I have proposed are nothing fancy or difficult. They allow Congress to see who we are signing MPPs with, any War Funds we may build to, and training ground upgrades if that ever goes through. This budget does not handicap and government and country during war, as I know first hand how having money available for Cos can turn battles. There have been several cases where The Praetors held back our enemies because money was available at that moment.
I do not mean for this article to be attacking Aries or his ideas, I am rather happy to see his ambition, I simply want Congress to think about it. What is best for Canada?
I hope to see a good number of our Congress Members add their voice to the discussion
TheSmoke
Since I am not a Congress member this month, I am going to do my best in keeping our current members active and working for Canada. Lots of people talk the talk, but where is the walk?
This article will address the current topic that Aries Prime has started in regards to the MoF, Canadian budget, and general government finances. The topic can be viewed here: http://ecan.forumotion.com/t601-remastering-budgeting I hope all you who are for the removal of the eCan forums comment this, before it disappears in a few days.
The general idea I see is that Aries is presenting a more structured system to how the Government presents a budget, operates within that budget, and plans for the future. Now before we get to the discussing said topic, I would like to raise the point that the budget is often seen as the duty and realm of the executive, however since all movements of currency from the treasury must be voted on by Congress, you all wield a stick to control our spending.
Alright, so the idea, as Aries states, is “options for a more responsible, flexible, and automatic budgeting system that makes the whole process easier for everyone involved” I am happy to see such a topic being raised, as it is quite important to any country. We should be well involved with our income, and how we spend it. I agree with the premise, but I do not feel the method suits the idea. I am an old fart when it comes to the MoF and our budgets, it’s how I got into the executive game, and I have been doing most for some time. I do think it needs improvements, but I am weary of such structured budgets that are too over the top for what can be an easy proposal. The following points are what I believe every budget should consider:
- Good records of previous tax incomes. We should keep records of our income so we know accurately what we make at our tax rates, in regards to population size, and regions.
- Input from the MoD and MoFA. We should know who we will be signing MPPs with for sure, and other countries that could be gained through new relations, dropped due to wipes, alliance changes, or falling outs. Our MoD should have an idea as to what we have on hand in terms of money for COs and Tanks immediately, as well as what could be withdrawn from the treasury within a 24 hour in game vote, that would not bankrupt us and/or hinder our ability to sign MPPs.
- Keep it simple. From the past several months, our spending has mainly been on MPPs, and War Funds. There was a bit of money being printed when gold dipped below $200. There is nothing crazy or technical about our spending, predict what we will make, plan on what we should spend, and be prepared for the worst.
The budgets I have proposed are nothing fancy or difficult. They allow Congress to see who we are signing MPPs with, any War Funds we may build to, and training ground upgrades if that ever goes through. This budget does not handicap and government and country during war, as I know first hand how having money available for Cos can turn battles. There have been several cases where The Praetors held back our enemies because money was available at that moment.
I do not mean for this article to be attacking Aries or his ideas, I am rather happy to see his ambition, I simply want Congress to think about it. What is best for Canada?
I hope to see a good number of our Congress Members add their voice to the discussion
😉
TheSmoke
Facebook
Twitter
Discord
Comments
Pole 🙂
About time. Anything more then the drain it till it's dry approach would be a huge improvement.
"Our MoD should have an idea as to what we have on hand in terms of money for COs and Tanks immediately"
Not enough. Give me more moneh to wage war!
THIS.
Let's lock Smoke and Aries Prime in a steel cage filled with chainsaws and sledgehammers and polearms and spiked steel gauntlets and such.
This is the law in eCanada-town! Two accountants enter, one accountant leaves!
More like lock them in an office with pencils and log-books.
half baked thoughts: The suggestions made on the forum by Aries Prime seem entirely focussed on one part of usual budgeting. The expense part of budgeting is left out. In short, budgeting is reduced to voting a gross sum of money for the executive to do with as it wishes. You don't really need a budget to do that.
That's a decent way of putting it. I assume congress would still have to approve MPPs, but the government is essentially given a lump sum of money to do with as it pleases every term.
I'm just happy that the Smoke has not run off with the money with someone else wife.
I believe you misunderstand what my proposal is doing.
I am not trying to dictate how the budget is spent, but I am trying to create a foundation for how the budget is created. The goal is to setup a responsible procedure for calculating the exact budget from term to term. If the budget needs to be extended, in the event of war or other situation, then congress can vote to extend the budget using emergency funds. How all of these funds are spent is still subject to how the government wants to do things, I'm only dictating exactly how much funds each term will receive by default, without congress needing to approve or say anything.
If we do not already have tax records, then we need to start this ASAP. Meaning the beginning of next term using a google spreadsheet that is public for people to view.
That should clear up your points. I have more things to propose once we get this first part done.
I am trying to get my head around this idea of giving the executive a monthly allowance amounting, esstentially, to the entire monthly tax revenue with no accountability.
I use a budget to forecast cash flow requirements: it contains estimated expenditures. At the end of the fiscal period I can compare the estimates with actuals. There is a feedback loop crucial for management.
I use a budget to determine savings and investment targets. If I see that critical expenditures will be less than likely inflows, I have a reserve which can be tucked away. At the end of the fiscal I can compare my estimates with actuals etc.
I use a budget to plan new projects, expansions, capital acquisitions, divestments, etc... my budget will tell me how likely it is that I will have the money, or need the money.
Now, eRepublik is pretty simple and straightforward. Still, just giving the executive all the money likely to come in this month, precludes quite a bit which is the proper jurisdiction of Congress: new programs, accountability, planning, building a reserve based on concrete goals. In short, it seems a very limited view of what a budget is and can do.
I suppose it depends on your preference of government.
I find for the purposes of this game that to have a simple way to calculate the budget from month to month seems to work well. We give the government a set amount they are allowed to use however they want. They do not have to use all of that money, nor does congress necessarily have no say in what they do. If congress doesn't like something the government is planning on doing with said money, then they can setup a vote to block them.
I do strongly believe giving each governmental term flexibility with an amount of money to do what they need to do is effective and useful. That way they can cut through red tape and actually get some things done.
I'm pretty dumb when it comes to accounting stuff but I have figured out how my check book account works in RL. My employer puts in so much money per month, I spend less than that on bills, repairs, gas (petrol), food, clothes, etc. and all is well. I spend more than what is put in there is trouble. They also tell me it is a good idea to have a reserve for emergencies but so far that concept is out of my grasp. lol
My question to all these smart people is, why does Canada go from 'We must lower taxes because we are destroying xyz!' to 'We must spend everything because we want to attack xyz!'. It is like there is no in between. Why can't we set our taxes so that we can pay our bills (MPP's, LETO dues, help a few n00bs, have a contest or two) plus have a steady build up of reserve. Then when we have an abundance of reserve we can do some AS or invade UK. (Like they'd never see it coming!)
Maybe I'm just too simple to understand finances.
~hyuu~
Muppets. The answer is always Muppets!
http://www.erepublik.com/en/party/the-muppet-show-3014/1
Transparency on expense never hurt. : )
Saw and read.