The Sovereignty of Our Nation Depends on You
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by Reiji Mitsurugi
「国際問題は戦争ではなく外� ��で解決されなければならな� �」
Salutations, soldiers and citizens of the Great Japanese Empire and Protectorate of the Republic of Korea. We here at the Taishou (that is, me, Reiji Mitsurugi) have been very busy lately. But it is all with good news. First, I have been appointed the official Public Relations Secretary for the Japanese Imperial Army. Thus, it is now my official duty to be the Army's mouthpiece to the general citizenry. Interestingly, this is exactly the opposite purpose for which this newspaper was founded. I intended to make a bulletin geared toward the soldiers, but such is life.
The second issue with which I have been so busy is my second appointment. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs has tasked me with being our nation's liaison to the people of China. I am now caught between Tokyo, Matsuyama and Beijing as I serve in the Diet, the Taishou Building and the Embassy respectively. Still, having three duties does not relieve me of either, and I will perform each to the fullest extent of my ability.
So now I must serve as the Public Relations Secretary. Today, we are once again discussing the matter of military funding. Yesterday, the congress finished voting on a bill left over from the previous congress. The proposal was to provide 25 Gold monthly for overseas training of the Imperial Expeditionaries. I was personally in favor of any funding for the military, but voting ended in a tie: 6 for and 6 against. This situation is actually much better than it sounds. It means that debate on the bill will continue for another week, giving us a chance to amend the bill with a more ideal funding plan.
However, there is still considerable opposition to military funding. The Imperial Sun Party is indeed the largest party in the congress now, but we still do not even approach a majority. Therefore, it is a foregone conclusion that the Japanese Imperial Army will rely heavily on donations. Some estimates put the cost of regular operations for the JIA as high as 800 gold monthly. Naturally, we don't expect to reach that amount by any means, but the more gold we receive from congress and donors, the less our brave soldiers have to pay out-of-pocket.
Thus, I beseech the great people of Japan, donate to the Japanese Imperial Army. Support your military that defends your sovereignty. In truth, every gold coin you have, you owe to the people who fight to protect your right to have it. For an example of an appropriate amount to donate, I have given a total of thirty gold to the organization over the course of the last two weeks, in small installments. Your donations, as mine, will have the infinite gratitude of the Japanese Imperial Army, and therefore the Japanese people, behind them. For when our military is well-funded and strong, our people are well-protected and safe.
And truly, what good is your money if not for spending? Can you eat money? Can you live in it? Does it entertain or otherwise please you? Of course not. The Righteous Nation is not a greedy nation. Our people know charity. But to call a donation to the Army a charity is a gross misnomer. Our donations to the Army serve to protect and better ourselves, they are a purchase of safety and security. Such a donation may feel as good as a charity, but it is in fact a purchase of a product or service that has real, tangible benefits.
While you, the Japanese people, share your gold and yen with the military, I, Reiji Mitsurugi, will of course continue to lobby for more institutional support from the government. The more the government pays, the less we must rely on altruism, and the less our soldiers will have to pay themselves.
「国庫は資金が潤沢である」
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"Some estimates put the cost of regular operations for the JIA as high as 800 gold monthly"
I'd suggest getting some better estimates or some better value for money.
"In truth, every gold coin you have, you owe to the people who fight to protect your right to have it."
I cannot disagree more with this statement of yours.
"And truly, what good is your money if not for spending? Can you eat money? Can you live in it? Does it entertain or otherwise please you? Of course not."
You're right: it should be spent on whatever players want to in order to play the game how they want and not give it all to those who want to play as military.
We all pay taxes and if the government , which represents the will of the people, doesn't want to fund the military (which I think it should incidently!) then I think it improper to ask for donations, especially using the language you do in this article.
Regrettably I was not present for the vote due to rl commitments, and it seems that a number of our other congressmen were not present either. In any case, I am thankful for the extra time as I would like to further debate the funding. However, it is my desire that the congress move quickly on this issue so our soldiers can train to the maximum potential during the wargames periods.
I also hope that the large business interests out there in Japan who benefit from the security provided by the JIA will listen to your call for generosity and provide the JIA with additional funding through donations as you have! Yours is an example of a Japan rising!
no1kevlin: "it should be spent on whatever players want to in order to play the game how they want and not give it all to those who want to play as military... if the government... doesn't want to fund the military... then I think it improper to ask for donations"
What the government does or does not decide to do with national funds bears no relation to what an individual wishes to do with their own money. Indeed, given our lower population and lower levels of tax in general, our government has less funds available compared to other nations and as such must show greater restraint in spending them. Thus I believe your suggestion that the government "doesn't want to fund the military" is premature, as it also implies that the government has absolutely no intention of funding the military now or ever.
This is untrue. It was only a specific plan of funding that was rejected.
People are under no obligation to donate their funds, but neither are they prohibited from doing so. To ask for donations is consequently no offense as far as I can see, given that the reader ultimately has final say over the use of their money. This article is merely an advertisement or notice informing people of a way in which their money may be put to better use.
Although an ad may form part of a contract, it is up to the readers themselves whether they decide to accept the contract.
"You're right: it should be spent on whatever players want to in order to play the game how they want and not give it all to those who want to play as military.
We all pay taxes and if the government , which represents the will of the people, doesn't want to fund the military (which I think it should incidently!) then I think it improper to ask for donations, especially using the language you do in this article."
I couldn't agree more. Was about to write a response but will write simply:
2'nded.
We are looking forward to building up a compatible and collaborative long-term relationship with eJapan. 🙂
LSP: "I couldn't agree more"
You agree also that you think the eJapanese government should be funding the JIA? ahahaha XD
How critical some of you are.
The 800 gold estimate is indeed an over estimate. In an ideal world, we'd seek a sum closer to 450 gold- but of course, this is rather ridiculous.
@no1kevlin: As Psi said, the decision is made by the citizen. The taishou merely aims to persuade the citizen. Have you never come across this before? The JIA is demanding nothing.It is however, trying to appeal to the generosity of the Japanese public. Why? Because Japanese government leaders directed us to do so, saying things like "Japan is a donation orientated society, so you should get donations instead of using government money". If you're offended by the idea of donating to a force which swears it's loyalty to japan, then simply do not donate 🙂
And yes, it is true that some of us do want a military career, and some of us don't. We are at the dawn of a new era in Japan. We're working tirelessly to CREATE more more paths, more variety and new experiences to enjoy as a Japanese citizen. Some of you may not want to follow the particular path in development right now, but it doesn't mean to say that a substantial portion of the public doesn't. Please bear that in mind. Please think about the overall benefit to Japan while pondering all these new developments.
So, here's to enjoyment. Here's to Japan.
~Minamoto
@Laurana:
"Thus I believe your suggestion that the government "doesn't want to fund the military" is premature, as it also implies that the government has absolutely no intention of funding the military now or ever."
My suggestion is perfectly accurate as it is based upon a congressional vote result. There is also absolutely no implication that there is no intention to do so now or ever and your suggestion that there is says more about yourself than anything I clearly wrote.
"To ask for donations is consequently no offense as far as I can see, given that the reader ultimately has final say over the use of their money. This article is merely an advertisement or notice informing people of a way in which their money may be put to better use."
Asking for donations is one thing but the way this article is worded ie' that citizens owe all their money to those players who want to play as soldiers is disingenious at least and a guilt trip at worst.
I'm all for a strong military and do my best to train and fight in the wargames whenever they are available but you need to proof read articles before posting them to check the tone unless of course you meant it to come across the way it does.
Haha... clearly, you are not familiar with the Ashigaru Taishou, Mr. Kevlin. I refer you and your concerns about tone to the Taishou's first publishing, this Letter From the Editor:
http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/a-letter-from-the-editor1-823339/1/20" target="_blank">http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/a-le[..]1/20
This may clear up some of your concerns.
no1kevlin: I beg to differ.
"We all pay taxes and if the government , which represents the will of the people, doesn't want to fund the military (which I think it should incidently!) then I think it improper to ask for donations, especially using the language you do in this article."
1. That quite clearly says that if the government doesn't want to fund the military, you think this article is improper in that it asks for donations.
2. By posting your initial comment/protest, you appear to be of the opinion that this article is improper; the reason for this apparent impropriety being the lack of government support (in addition to its overall tone).
3. Therefore, your statement in turn suggests, intentionally or otherwise, that the government "doesn't want to fund the military" period.
4. This in turn, having no other modifiers, suggests that the government simply does not agree with funding the JIA. [Thus, it is not true that "There is also absolutely no implication that there is no intention to do so now or ever".]
5. This is wrong. Congress did not vote on whether to fund or not fund the JIA at all. They voted on a specific plan of funding, which failed largely on specific/technical points (afaik).
If I have erred in this processing of your words, then I apologise for any perceived offense.
"My suggestion is perfectly accurate as it is based upon a congressional vote result."
It was indeed based on a congressional vote; and it drew! As such it did not pass, but it can hardly be considered to be a complete failure and as such, although funding may be rejected in future, it can also be foreseen that it would pass. As such, your suggestion is not “perfectly accurate” as you would claim.
"your suggestion that there is says more about yourself than anything I clearly wrote."
I really do wonder what this says about me. Feel free to elaborate.
(Sorry for the double post)
5 (cont'd). Hence, "It means that debate on the bill will continue for another week, giving us a chance to amend the bill with a more ideal funding plan."
Reading through the pages of the Ashigaru Taishou, it occurred to me that I could not remember a donation from the Japanese government accounts to the Japanese Imperial Army organization or any other state-supported military organization. I think SecDef Geno Garon and Assistant SecDef JackChurchill did a good job with the reorganization, but if there is no funding, what good is the organization?
I looked through the country administration log and found all the donations to the National Bank of Japan, but no other legitimate donations. This left me wondering how the JIA was ever funded in the first place. There have been a number of private donations, but the majority of the JIA budget has come from direct donations, either from the organizations National Bank of Japan or the Japanese Interior Service. However, this was apparently not enough. In fact, were it not for the generous donations of several of our new congressmen, the weapons would have run out during the RW in eSK.
We need to conclude the debate, officially propose the government funding at a reasonable level, vote on it, and then get weapons out to the soldiers as soon as possible.