Post Archive
Region: Libertatem
First of all, one of the great unheard news stories of our generation is the enormous decline in poverty around the world. Extreme poverty - defined by most international institutions as living on less than $1.25 a day - declined from 47% of the world's population in 1990 to 22% in 2010. Every other measure of poverty has also shown dramatic reductions. Much of these reductions have occurred in China and India, where they liberalised their economies. Markets do indeed help poor people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzmxQOonnGE
While they may look bad to privileged Westerners like us, sweatshops are a godsend to millions around the world in worse-off conditions than us.
-According to a summary of research conducted by economist Ben Powell, "In Bangladesh, over 80% of the population live with a daily income under $2 a day. In India, it's 60% of the population. For China, just over half of the population earns under $2 a day. [B]The average daily income of a sweatshop worker in Bangladesh is just over $2. For the Chinese sweatshop worker, it's over $4 a day. The average Indian sweatshop worker earns $8 a day.[/B]" - thehumanecondition.com/2014/04/17/sweatshopswillshanahan
-Also, in an interview, Powell states: "In six of the 17 countries [I examined], [B]the average reported sweatshop wage exceeded the average income in the country[/B]... In another six countries, [B]the average reported sweatshop wages were around the national average[/B]. In four of the five countries where sweatshop wages were 50% below national average, the workers were immigrants (sometimes illegal) from other countries and [B]their sweatshop wages exceeded the average wage in their native country[/B]." - mises.org/daily/6696/Sweatshops-A-Way-Out-of-Poverty
-Furthermore, "Edwin M. Graham of the Institute for International Economics found that the affiliates of [B]US multinational corporations pay on average twice the local wage in the developing world.[/B]" - "Third World Workers need Western jobs" foxnews.com/story/2004/05/06/third-world-workers-need-western-jobs
-According to a review of the empirical literature on the matter conducted by economists at the National Bureau of Economic Research: "As an empirical matter, some anecdotal evidence notwithstanding, there is virtually no careful and systemic evidence demonstrating that, as a generality, multinational firms adversely affect their workers, provide incentives to worsen working conditions, pay lower wages than in alternative employment, or repress worker's rights. In fact, there is a very large body of empirical evidence indicating that the opposite is the case. [B]Foreign ownership raises wages both by raising labour productivity and by expanding the scale of production and, in the process, improves the conditions of work... This evidence indicates that multinational firms routinely provide higher wages and better working conditions than their local counterparts.[/B]" - nber.org/chapters/c9541.pdf
Sweatshops, for third world workers, are good, and are necessary tools for lifting people out of poverty into better working conditions. Any questions?
I'm no expert on agricultural economics, so I can't really respond to this. Do you have a source for that claim?
That doesn't make any sense. If industry suffered under lower levels of regulation in developing countries, then they'd have higher levels of economic freedom. Sweatshops only exist in poor countries where people are poor enough to be willing to work for them. In Western nations people are not willing to work in them, because they can receive higher compensation under better working conditions. The reason we don't work in sweatshops today is because we brought ourselves out of them after decades lifting ourselves into higher incomes. Developing countries are going through that very process right now until they become - you guessed it - developed. It has nothing to do with the law.
Exploitation has been made a highly subjective concept. To you, I'm being exploited in my workplace; to me, we're exploiting each other, as we're both profiting as a result of our relationship. Whenever two parties enter a voluntary contract, it benefits both groups. Real exploitation would be if one party used the threat of force against the other, or made a voluntary agreement as a result of the use of force.
We realise this, of course. But what folks on the left don't realise is that the company needs the workers, too. Both are dependent on each other, which requires voluntary cooperation for both sides to profit. It's a much more complex relationship than "workers good, companies bad". There's a conception on the left that libertarians take a pro-business position on economic policy. This is not true. Pro-business policies are usually inspired by corporatism, and involve intrusions into the marketplace like regulations, subsidies, special favours and anti-union laws. Libertarians are neither pro-business nor pro-labour: we are pro-free market, and believe that both business and labour thrive equally in an atmosphere of freedom and cooperation.
Indeed. My point was that corporatism is a close cousin of state socialism in practice.
This is a good thing, because if we didn't buy from companies that used sweatshops this would directly lead to the impoverishment, starvation or even death of millions of third world workers. Here's an interesting case to examine. In 1993, Senator Tom Harkin introduced a bill proposing to ban imports from countries that used child labour. In response, Bangladeshi textile factories stopped employing children - more than 50,000 kids were fired. Paul Krugman once said: "But did the children go back to school?" Did they return to happy homes? Not according to Oxfam, which found that the displaced child workers ended up in even worse jobs, or on the streets - and that a significant number were forced into prostitution... The point is that third-world countries aren't poor because their export workers earn low wages; it's the other way around. Because the countries are poor, even what look to us like bad jobs at bad wages are almost always much better than the alternative."
http://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=348412
This is the reason we need to maintain our security laws. It's the ARMA and GMR acts and the common sense of the Libertatem people that has kept us free from infiltration. Kanat asked myself and many others for details on military ops many times - and we gave him nothing. So he failed.
Stay vigilant, bromades.
Good morning/afternoon/evening/other and Happy New Year, Libertatem. In just an hour, I will no longer be President of Libertatem. After just three short months in office, I will be succeeded by another veteran 'Tatemite, Conservative Idealism. I have no doubt that he is highly capable of performing the duties he has been elected to perform, and I look forward to serving with him, returning to my post of Manager of Internal Affairs (fun fact: the IA office lately has been held back and forth by Roads and I). Over the last three months, we've made major advancements at home and abroad. With the help of Manager Roads, we broke our regional population record from two years ago. General Pevvania's leadership has rendered the communists vulnerable and forced their final hand. Various Managers of State, including former General Minerva and Funkytopia have found us new friends among the peaceful communists, some of whom we have unfortunately lost to the will of the violent ones. Attorney General Humpheria made a very successful comeback from his short and unfortunate absence, fiercely guarding our region's traditions and laws.
The time has come, however, that these events become Libertatem history; while we will still have these same tried and true leaders among us for the next four months, it is yet uncertain how they will be directed by April. In less than an hour, we will inaugurate our first ACOP President, who is also the first non-RLP President since its foundation (fact-checker please. I know it's something like that but I don't know if that's it exactly). But this is not about party, and it is good that we are a region of people who realize that the three or four letters next to your name on a ballot are essentially meaningless; what is important is what will get done, and I am sure that my successor will be able to continue our golden age, which has yet to subside since Pevvania first brought us into it what feels like ages ago. There will be changes, as there always are, but I am certain that they will continue to be for the betterment of our region and the advancement of liberty.
~Miencraft VII
President of Libertatem
It's short, I know, but it gets the point across so who cares. I'm not good at walls of text like Pev is anyways.
*tears up and claps*
*claps and bows*
Great speech, Mr. President. Short but sweet. You will be missed, and it's been a true honour to serve under you as Commander-in-Chief.
Come on, guys, we have to get Con to more endorsements than Mien before the update.
Mien and Con have equal endorsements. And since Mien is the incumbent, I think he'll remain President....
Well, it looks like Mien's still delegate until tomorrow.
Is President-Elect Conservative Idealism on? If so, respond and the inauguration will commence. If not, we all have to wait. It would be horrible to start your Presidency on being late to your own inauguration.
He hasn't actually been on for two days.
You are the General, it's your job to get the endos. [sassy chica tone]Stupid[/sassy chica tone]
I know. He told me that he was going to be gone for two days, but he was supposed to be back by 1PM on inauguration day.
I telegrammed everyone who was online. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.
Real life issues - I am away from my main computer at the moment, and not by choice. We can commence with the inauguration now, but I wouldn't be able to do very much for the first couple of days afterward.
Perhaps it would be wiser to postpone it until the 3rd, at which point I can guarantee my full attention and activity.
We can inaugurate you, regardless. Even if you can't be on for a few days, your cabinet has things under control with at least one of them having access to Liberosia's account.
Do you want to get yours over with, or do you want me to move on to NP's?
Very well, we shall proceed.
President Miencraft, Attorney General Humpheria, Vice President and Manager Muh Roads, Manager Republic of Minerva, Manager Pevvania, and my fellow citizens:
To a few of us here today, this is a solemn and most momentous occasion; and yet, in the history of our region, it is a commonplace occurrence. The orderly transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution routinely takes place as it has since the birth of this office, and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many on NationStates, this seasonal ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.
I'll stop quoting Reagan now. And to those of you who are surprised to hear me adapt the opening of his first inaugural speech into a speech of my own, well, this actually isn't the first time I've done that.
On December 14th, we celebrated the first annual Pevvania Day. It is, to our region, the cultural equivalent of Presidents' Day, and for good reason; President Pevvania used the Delegacy to bring democracy to our once-autocratic region. In doing so, he set us on a path to truly representing the meaning of our name: Libertatem, Latin for liberty. The two Presidents succeeding him have accomplished great works to keep us on that path, and honored his legacy by creating and celebrating a holiday in his honor. It was shortly after the celebrations that day that I announced my candidacy for office.
I entered the race in the hopes of giving President Miencraft a hard-fought first election and encouraging public involvement in the regions affairs. When the race was over, I walked away with more than that: an unexpected epiphany, an unplanned campaign, and an unpredicted victory. Indeed, I am ashamed that I had to prematurely end the incumbency of a dedicated public official such as he is he achieved so much in such a short time, and on such short notice. Yet the business of our region goes forward.
The accomplishments of my predecessors are theirs to keep; I intend to make my own. Our administration shall demonstrate, for the world to see, the splendor born of that we have all worked so hard for: our place as a world power, as one of only a few large regions strongly dedicated to the principle of freedom. Together, as a region, we are more than we have ever been before, and have transcended the limitations of our past identity in the constant endeavor to be the name we have chosen for ourselves.
It is now time for me to introduce those who will comprise this administration and lead us in accepting the name Libertatem:
My Vice President shall be my running mate, Northern Prussia. He was the first to believe in my campaign indeed, he believed before even I did and his support has inspired me greatly.
My Manager of Internal Affairs shall be President Miencraft, who has demonstrated a strong capability for recruitment and citizenship policy in this office before. I trust that his dual affinity for leadership and organization will be more than enough to maintain our present prosperity.
My Manager of State shall be Funkytopia, a skilled diplomat and strong supporter of the Anti-Corporatist Party. His capacity to seek new allies and keep in contact with current ones is formidable indeed, and will be put to good use.
My Manager of Military Affairs shall be Republic of Minerva, our militarys champion. President Pevvania's successor for this position will now lead us to victory not only against our misguided foes of the present, but also the affiliation with our less flattering identity of the past.
My Attorney General shall be President Humpheria. Of the many reasons I wished for him to retain this position, the most compelling is his unparalleled grasp and knowledge of our laws. His great familiarity with our justice system makes him the right man for the job.
I have chosen each member of this Cabinet, reaching across party lines, specifically because each one is a skilled leader and strategist in their own right. I aim to promote their future achievements over my own; for that reason, each one can apply a great degree of creativity when fulfilling the responsibilities of their positions. In addition to consulting me, however, I also encourage them to work together - the success of this region, after all, is a team effort.
I understand that some have raised concern over my ambition to attain the Presidency; there is a whispered fear that I intend to compromise the region's identity, or pander to foreign powers, or call an abrupt end to all hostilities. To these allegations, I must put my foot down being the President means that I am to serve you all, and not the other way around. It is in the region's interest, not my own, to nurture and expand our identity beyond its historic confines, to negotiate only from a position of strength, and to stand against those who dare to suppress liberty. You, the people of Libertatem, have entrusted me with this office, and so I will do my utmost to reciprocate this trust to you; this administration is yours.
We are more than the apocryphal, archaic War on Communism. We are a genuine, growing world power. We are Libertatem! God bless you, and thank you.
(Sorry about the lack of nation tags in the speech I prepared, by the way - the only copy I could find removed them.)
Thank you, Mr. President-Elect. I respectfully request RMB silence.
Mr. President-Elect, please repeat after me.
I, Conservative Idealism, do solemnly swear to protect, defend, and uphold the Constitution of Libertatem. I swear to execute the will of the People of Libertatem within the rightful extents of the law. I affirm that it is my solemn duty to defend Libertatem from all threats, foreign and domestic, to uphold the integrity of the region. I promise to uphold these obligations understanding the sanctity of my office, so help me God.
I, Conservative Idealism, do solemnly swear to protect, defend, and uphold the Constitution of Libertatem. I swear to execute the will of the People of Libertatem within the rightful extents of the law. I affirm that it is my solemn duty to defend Libertatem from all threats, foreign and domestic, to uphold the integrity of the region. I promise to uphold these obligations understanding the sanctity of my office, so help me God.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Attorney General.
*holds back tears*
Post self-deleted by Humpheria.
It is now time for the rest of the Cabinet to be sworn in.
One by one, I request that my appointed Vice President, Managers, and Attorney General say this oath:
I, *insert name here*, do solemnly swear to protect, defend, and uphold the Constitution of Libertatem. I swear to execute the will of the People of Libertatem within the rightful extents of the law. I affirm that it is my solemn duty to defend Libertatem from all threats, foreign and domestic, to uphold the integrity of the region. I promise to uphold these obligations understanding the sanctity of my office, so help me God.
I, *Minerva*, do solemnly swear to protect, defend, and uphold the Constitution of Libertatem. I swear to execute the will of the People of Libertatem within the rightful extents of the law. I affirm that it is my solemn duty to defend Libertatem from all threats, foreign and domestic, to uphold the integrity of the region. I promise to uphold these obligations understanding the sanctity of my office.
I, Miencraft, do solemnly swear to protect, defend, and uphold the Constitution of Libertatem. I swear to execute the will of the People of Libertatem within the rightful extents of the law. I affirm that it is my solemn duty to defend Libertatem from all threats, foreign and domestic, to uphold the integrity of the region. I promise to uphold these obligations understanding the sanctity of my office.
Thank you, Mr. Manager.
Pardon - I mean Misters Manager...s...
I, Humpheria, do solemnly swear to protect, defend, and uphold the Constitution of Libertatem. I swear to execute the will of the People of Libertatem within the rightful extents of the law. I affirm that it is my solemn duty to defend Libertatem from all threats, foreign and domestic, to uphold the integrity of the region. I promise to uphold these obligations understanding the sanctity of my office, so help me Ronald Reagan.
All that remains is for the Vice President and one more Manager to say the Oath.
Anyway, I'll be in touch, guys. Fellow government members, you can expect me to initiate a meeting with you all in less than a week.
Long live the libertarians, liberals, and liberty-minded conservatives located and living in Libertatem! (Try saying that three times fast)
I, Funkytopia, do solemnly affirm that I will protect, defend, and uphold the Constitution of Libertatem. I affirm that I will execute the will of the People of Libertatem within the rightful extents of the law. I affirm that it is my solemn duty to defend Libertatem from all threats, foreign and domestic, to uphold the integrity of the region. I promise to uphold these obligations understanding the sanctity of my office.
*shouts like a school kid* Nerd!
Post self-deleted by Miencraft.
I never did understand if this meant to say something three times, quickly or say it once, but at three times the speed.
They both make sense if you think about it.
Three times fast.
We better get Con more endorsements than Mien by the next update. Mien, if this is not done in time, you may have to resign from the WA.
Post self-deleted by Miencraft.
I just said that that means two things at the same time.
You need a comma in there to make it have only one meaning.
Noted.
Just gave my endorsement to CI. That should level the playing field.
Great.
All new Cabinet Members!!!!!!!!!!
Please make your department pages and send the links to Pev or Mien so that they can get them up!
I will also be accepting applications for two Deputy Attorneys for the Justice Department.
Department of Justice has been remodeled.
http://www.nationstates.net/nation=humpheria/detail=factbook/id=328377
Post self-deleted by Miencraft.
I'm going to end our NS++ recruitment campaign; Roads was the bulk of it, and since he's no longer active we're not seeing the results we used to.
If anyone else wants to take up that project you're more than welcome to have the telegram, and if it gets results then I'll set the API back up.
Or, y'know, CI could set it up, I think.
Yeah. We'll make him do it.
Or I could just do it with Liberosia, might be easier for everyone.
It's quiet...... too quiet.
People are probably still hungover from last night.
I never got drinking on New Year's.
"Hey the Earth just went around the sun again, let's get hammered!!!!!!! Ya! USA! USA!"
The fireworks at Time's Square last night were really weird.
Looked almost like the building could catch fire and nobody would notice.
Fun fact: CI created an unofficial advisory (kitchen cabinet) position of Chief of Staff. He made me that thing. So that's pretty cool.
I might be interested.
Place it under founder control, not only for the sake of convenience, but because having multiple people deliberate on recruitment may lead us to great results once again. I think I speak for everyone when I say that the introduction of eager young nations to our fair region will lead us to further prosperity and solidify our presence as a NationStates world power.
Indeed, and I'm honored to have the counsel of former President Humpheria.
Now, it seems I have a factbook to create.
Can you resend me a copy of our recruitment telegram? I want to make sure we have a copy since it seems to have been pretty successful.
I'm suspicious that this regionwas just hacked by Islamic extremists:
Only suspicious?
This is worrying, true, but I'm more concerned that there ever existed an "Anti Muslim" region in the first place - I can certainly understand disdain for Islamic extremism, but from what I've seen, they exhibited prejudice against the religion in its entirety.
One of the many truths that I have learned. People suck.
The WFE says that they "seized the emirate of nafarzani", which most likely says that they hacked into that nation. If it was hacked, it would explain all the sudden changes, such as the mass-post suppressions, huge-@$$ embassy changes, and mass-post self deletions.
As people, we are capable of more than derision and hatred - we don't have to suck.
I've been asked why I want to end the War on Communism so badly - why it's so important that we stop fighting against values we don't support and start fighting for those that we do.
This is why. I don't want our region to die having failed in a destructive crusade, or fall at the hands of those we once sought to eliminate.
What we do now, we do for the sake of liberty - our priority is to extend the olive branch of peace to those unlike us, to come to the aid of allies and innocents in peril, and to ensure that no plan to harm or conquer the free people of NationStates can prosper. It is beneath us to seek the destruction of regions solely because they are dedicated to different principles than we are.
That said, our current enemies should know that not only are we wiser than we were in the past; we are stronger. They have nothing to lose by embracing friendship and tranquility just as many of us here endeavor to, but the minute they strike against us is the very minute they shall lose - that's a promise.
So, Appeasement? Since when is appeasement a good idea?
I don't know of anyone here that is against friendship. My presidency saw a large increase in friendly relations with peaceful leftist regions under Funky. I support the War because, as you've seen, the aggressive side of communist nationstates is only getting more aggressive and will continue to do so.
Edmund Burke said "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." I am not interested in doing nothing. These ignorant upstarts will continue blindly attacking innocent regions and if no one stands in their way, they will never stop.
Mr. President, you must work to not only end this insurgency, but put it down and destroy any morsel of its existence. ANything less is surrender. Libertatem doesn't surrender.
Appeasement is bending over in the hopes of avoiding conflict. That is not remotely what I have in mind, especially considering it doesn't work.
I've written a lecture on conflict avoidance, and my stance on the issue might remind you of a certain United States President: In order to negotiate the peace, we have to - and will - do so only from a position of strength.
Make no mistake - our military will be active, not to mention proactive. We have opponents who will no doubt refuse to lay down their arms simply because we told them to in a commanding way. We have factions that seek to rob their fellow nations of freedom, and that will not stand. And we have Minerva's leadership, Pev's guidance, and a Board that knows when and how to wage war, and our victory against these threats is assured because of it.
I concur with you on this point, and also have this to say:
Our surrender is never an option, but I will happily accept theirs.
I also have a quote, this one from Mahatma Gandhi:
"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent."
I have stated the need for conflict in the short term, and done so in, well, short terms - it is apparent to all of us what needs to be done in the near future. Less apparent is our obligation not only to ourselves, but to all of NationStates, to become something more than warriors; our legacy against authoritarianism is impressive, and continues to increase in significance by the day, but establishing a legacy of peace would be an even greater accomplishment still.
*grumbles about it being 1AM*
I'll get you and your little dog too.
Also a good point. I should probably go to bed as well.
I was going to suggest that you splash water on your face to keep awake, but...
ha...... ha........................................... ha.
Nothing wrong with being prejudiced against a religion. Because a religion is, after all, just a set of ideas. Am I commiephobic for disliking the idea of communism? I don't think so. There's a line between disliking an ideology and disliking its adherents - and when that dislike isn't backed up by evidence, then it is indeed prejudice.
I don't understand how the NS++ API works, but I think you've managed to understand it even less.
The WAD and Founder, I believe, always have access to the recruitment function, and can start up and cancel programs and screw with recruitment officers whenever they want.
The carrier pigeons are processing this request.
Also, can I point out that, according to NS++, Roads was last on 28 days ago?
His nation's demise is imminent...
Muh activity is off on Muh Roads
I sure hope Roads is okay.
So, Mario Cuomo has died. Any thoughts?
Mien, what's your opinion?
I never really paid much attention to him, so I wouldn't be able to say.
Then why suggest putting it under Founder control if that nation can access it anyway? In any case, yes, you called my bluff - I don't understand the NS++ API either. At all.
So do I.
Politician's deaths are always weird.
Cuomo Jr. got inaugurated and praised his father, two hours later, his father was dead.
There was a guy in my county, a Republican, running for clerk (essentially IA manager). That was unheard of, a Republican nevers wins clerk. Then he did. By 20 votes out 21000. The Democrats called a recount, and failed. Then the guy was supposed to take office yesterday. But, coincidentally, yesterday happened to be the day he died. He was actually a really great guy.
I don't understand the API one bit. All I know is that a bar was always at the top of my screen saying a newly-made nation was being telegrammed, and now it's gone.
Random idea: Turn Libertatem Radio into a YouTube playlist, provide link to the playlist in the WFE, and add music/music-videos to the playlist by request.
That way, it would more resemble a radio. Thoughts?
Actum
I like it!
I'll create the playlist, then, unless anyone else wants to do it.
What kind of music do you guys like? More importantly, are there any songs in particular that are too good for our radio station to pass up?
If all the former Presidents get access to the account the playlist is on, I'd be in favor of something like that.
Otherwise, I'm not sure it'd be a good idea.
All three Age of Empires soundtracks.
I tried creating one, but Gmail is starting to crack down on my tendency to make throwaway accounts.
Could make a factbook somewhere and just list songs in it?
Anything 80s. For non-80s stuff Genesis, anything disco, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi and Hendrix are all good. Also, the Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars song 'Uptown Funk' is freakin' awesome.
We NEED Sons of Liberty by Frank Turner.
and Foreigner
On the Liberosia account, maybe? That might work.
Yes, and Van Halen too.
Van Halen. Woooooohoooooo!
Anyway, any heavy metal fans here?
Sort of. I like Korn, SOAD, Led Zeppelin, ACDC.
My bands are AC/DC, Thousand foot krutch, Def Leppard, Demon Hunter, Motley Crue.
And Five Finger Death Punch.
Both of 'em are great.
I really like Korn's new album The Paradigm Shift, while everyone else hated it. Meanwhile, SOAD hasn't come out with anything since 2005. They're still playing Chop Suey live.
I was going to suggest a new puppet, but ok.
Also, CI, you're the eighth president.
Tundrania, Lone Star, Snabagag, Pevvania, Humpheria, you, and that leaves one other nation before me. Who else was President?
Tundrania was President twice, like Grover Cleveland. Well, he gained and lost the delegacy multiple times, but these were broken up by Lone Star's two-day reign.
OOOOOoooOOOOOOHHHHhh git rekd
That's still one guy.
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