General Domestic Issues

[Subotai45]

The Latin Empire has released the following statement: "The events occurring in Afghanistan are of no concern to the Latin Empire. We must concentrate on helping our own citizens and the denizens of South America, not those of other nations and continents. If they will kill each other, then that is their decision. It only goes to prove the superiority of a strong, secure, and centralized government like our own. With such decentralized political chaos, it's no wonder that the other nations of the world kill themselves rather than building a great nation."

What appalling lack of humanity to do you to have to give this response to a brewing ethnic conflict? Ge'Em above you're awful.

The Federation regrets the violence in Afghanistan, but along with our offearth colleagues we offer refugee to the people of Afghanistan who enter our domains. In unrelated news, we intend to draw down the Federal Reserve. A large, organized army is not good for the state. We will maintain the active service component of the army, roughly 2 million strong, for rapid humanitarian deployments or for moderate campaigns to assist the revolution abroad, but maintaining so much equipment in the Reserve is a drain on the budget and the government does not anticipate any operations that would need so many troops.

[MinnesotanKaiser]

The Worker's Syndicalist Union of Terra opens its borders to any refugees attempting to flee the violence. While we are open to the granting of citizenship to these refugees, we would like to do our best to reestablish the homes of these refugees in their beleaguered homeland once peace is restored. We also wish to reaffirm our commitment to the protection of the political rights of our fellow workers around the world by reminding those persecuted for their political beliefs that they may be granted political asylum for an indefinite period of time in the Union of Terra.

Lastly, the Worker's Syndicalist Union of Terra extends a hand in aid to those who are attempting to provide relief to these people. We have material and financial resources that can be used for such actors, however the Union has no intention of leading such efforts as our foreign policy stance asks that we stay un-involved in potentially heated international conflicts. The Union is a land of peace and we wish to keep it as so for generations to come.

OOC: I just don't think I have the ability to consistently engage in a very involved, internationalist foreign policy.

[RedSun]

CSAS is declaring their neutrality the current conflict in Afghanistan. While CSAS is saddened by the violence between several ethnic groups we will not be getting involved. Since Afghanistan is in the region Asteria is willing to play the role of negotiator between various parties to try to resolve the current conflict peacefully if all sides are willing to take part. In the meantime we will be providing the possibility of applying for refugee status to certain Afghans dependant on their backgrounds.

OOC: We’re not accepting religious Muslims, due to the recent strain of terrorism in the country. The issue of Radical Islam in Asteria despite the small number of Muslims has become a major topic in political discourse. As a result this decision will also become a major political issue in the country as pacifists and internationalists oppose the bill while isolationists applaud it.

[Subotai45]

The Federation condemns Asterian prejudice against the people of Afghanistan on account of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.

[beadsman]

The Great Latin Empire of Ceona applauds the steps taken by the state of Asteria to increase their own security. Finally, for the first time since ancient Venus, security is recognized for its true necessity. A necessary evil, some may say, but necessary nonetheless.

[Subotai45]

The Great Latin Empire of Ceona applauds the steps taken by the state of Asteria to increase their own security. Finally, for the first time since ancient Venus, security is recognized for its true necessity. A necessary evil, some may say, but necessary nonetheless.

When you agree that your actions are evil then you've already lost the moral high ground. Further, we remain baffled upon the Latin Empire's insistence upon security while slashing health care for its citizens. Bacteria and viruses will invariably kill more of your citizens than the odd terrorist ever could.

[RedSun]

The Federation condemns Asterian prejudice against the people of Afghanistan on account of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Astoria strenuously denies discrimination against individuals for their ethnic or religious backgrounds. Those claims are based on no real fact are are just claims by internationalists who seek an open border policy that would drive the Asterian economy into ruin. Asteria is a very tolerant society with many practicing religions from Astro-Shintoism, Buddhism, Janisism, Christianity, Islam and many more. Asteria is also one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world with many different Asian groups alongside foreign-origin individuals of Brazilian, Martian and Venusian descent. The claims that Asteria is an intolerant society is an affront to our government and our national values and we ask that the Venusian government retract that clearly false statement.

[beadsman]

The Great Latin Empire of Ceona applauds the steps taken by the state of Asteria to increase their own security. Finally, for the first time since ancient Venus, security is recognized for its true necessity. A necessary evil, some may say, but necessary nonetheless.

When you agree that your actions are evil then you've already lost the moral high ground. Further, we remain baffled upon the Latin Empire's insistence upon security while slashing health care for its citizens. Bacteria and viruses will invariably kill more of your citizens than the odd terrorist ever could.

We seek to further the state, not the individual. Security is necessary to protect our citizens and way of life from the insidious Communist plague that continues to seep across the galaxy. Communism is a foul disease, rotting the most fundamental tenets of our belief system. In order to protect ourselves against such a site threat and expand the capability of the state to do so, some must make sacrifices. Besides, no one is entitled to stick things anyway. Social programs are the spawn of diseased thinking. Rather, if every citizen must fend for him or herself, the weak will be culled out and the whole made stronger and more secure.

We never said that such measures were evil. We merely acknowledged the fact that some would call it that. It is, however, ultimately necessary, no matter the nation.

[Subotai45]

Astoria strenuously denies discrimination against individuals for their ethnic or religious backgrounds. Those claims are based on no real fact are are just claims by internationalists who seek an open border policy that would drive the Asterian economy into ruin. Asteria is a very tolerant society with many practicing religions from Astro-Shintoism, Buddhism, Janisism, Christianity, Islam and many more. Asteria is also one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world with many different Asian groups alongside foreign-origin individuals of Brazilian, Martian and Venusian descent. The claims that Asteria is an intolerant society is an affront to our government and our national values and we ask that the Venusian government retract that clearly false statement.

@Asteria

'kay then, please clarify what you mean by "dependent on their backgrounds." Further, while you insist upon your tolerance, you also preach xenophobic fear of "open borders" and your mention of "internationalists" is just the scapegoating of globalists of days of yore under a different name. We will not retract our statement, for we only speak truth.

@Cyon

The state doesn't matter except insofar as it is a collection of individuals. The "state" doesn't experience happiness or pleasure, it is only an instrument to help the citizens under its care become happy, healthy, free, and prosperous. If your state doesn't work as such, it's an exploitative tool of some subclass and not working in the interests of the people. What is the point of your security, what is it protecting against? Is it protecting against the Federation? If so, why? If your citizens were members of the Federation, they would be more free, they would be more prosperous, and they would be happier. If your people are less happy, prosperous, and healthy as a result of your buildup, then what is the point? What vile belief system do you ascribe to where reallocating power to lie equally with every member of society is viewed as a threat? Who decides who makes these sacrifices - because we see the upper class choosing that the poor must make sacrifices to defend their wealth.

What benefit do your citizens derive from this perverse culling? I suppose you're trying to purge the unlucky, who happened to catch a disease (showing their poor luck) while also having the misfortune to be born without a silver spoon. What incentive do the sick have to continue to side with a system that cares not for them? Why do the poor continue to accept their lot?

[beadsman]

They know the consequences. In Ceona, each and every citizen is given tyne opportunity to work for themselves, to be entrepreneurs. The state does not dictate their decisions. In fact, you could call us libertarian after a manner. We believe the government should stay out of the affairs of the people in all respects but national security. The duty of an empire is solely to protect itself and expand. Civil programs are extra amenities, not sacred rights. The people must act and work for themselves if they wish to succeed. No human is considered above another, except the Immortal Emperor, of course.

Your weak and pathetic attempts to help the less fortunate of your citizens are unnecessary. In many cases, hardship begets strength. Governmental interference and pandering in civil matters only leads to weakness of body and character. Our nation is built on ambition, and it is a harsh truth that the unambitious suffer as a result. It is neither the duty of the Empire to prevent this suffering or in its interests, as the ambitious are the ones who will best serve the state.

There is no nobility, only power born of ambition and cunning. If people are ambitious and determined enough to find and pay for (in one way or another) the treatment of a disease, for example, they will succeed. Perhaps the cost will be great, but that is the price of strength. The state has no business performing any duty except upholding strict internal order, expanding influence to gain more leverage in the defense of the nation and order, and defending against external threats.