The House Convenes

[Cataline Holt]

Cataline gave a small smile to P Placeholder 0128 . Knew to politics, and Houses, and the world that existed here, her existence was somewhat out of place. Rather poor, with friends and family from the lowest of society, at least likely what many in the room would have thought. It seemed that generally speaking they were received.

Cat gave a nod in agreement with Sra-jotun Konu. Each of the amendments were good additions to the constitution, and would need to be the hallmark to build credibility with the billion to trillions of people under their rule. Her attention turned to Kadius Eran, but made no comment on the idea of indentured service. In truth, she didn't know enough about it to know or how the people who asked her to come would react to it. If it was not de facto slavery, then perhaps it could work.

She gave another nod towards due process, a fair trial, and the rest. She had to disagree on terms of arms control, though. "I must disagree with the stripping of armaments from the general population. Many individuals still have weapons, and considering the past history of instability in the region, attempting to forcibly take weapons away may ruffle more feathers than we wish too. Sensible laws would work better." Her attention turned to Cedric's suggestion, which she agreed more with. That seemed like a good compromise to her, "The Lord-Imperator's suggestion I believe makes the best of both worlds. If we do this right, they will stand with us with their weapons, not against us."

Cataline nodded at the idea of a secret police, "So long as it is deemed that they are followers of the Bogan beyond a reasonable doubt." Her main concern was worry over some form of inquisition. While the populace seemed to have converted, a witch hunt could cause issues.

Shran Marlon Sularen

 

[Kadius Eran]

Tags: P Placeholder 0128 Shran Sra-jotun Konu Cataline Holt

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Kadius was a man able to admit his defeat. The counter proposal was a fine alternative, or at the very least one he could work with. A reduction of arms in the hands of those who could bring violence would still make his job easier. Doubly so if such a decision could inspire loyalty.

"Your points are fair ones," the Minister concedes, nodding to both Cedric and Cataline "I accept your addendum with no argument, Lord-Imperator."

Regulating the rules behind indentured servitude was something he had planned to follow up with regardless. While the same might not be true for others here, there was no secret motive behind his desire to see such a practice implemented. Ensuring safeguards were in place to avoid a slippery slope of abuse was essential, as far as he was concerned. The fact that he hadn't needed to address this only served to further enforce his respect for the leadership.

 

[Shran]

Tags: P Placeholder 0128 Sra-jotun Konu Cataline Holt Kadius Eran
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Shran waited for Eran's response before even thinking of offering his own. He wanted to wait to see the direction that Eran would take his proposals. He had gotten lucky that the two were in lockstep the first time around but it would be unlikely that the two would continue to share a mind. As he suspected, Eran backed off rather quickly when offered a proposal that seemed reasonable enough at least on the surface. Allowing military members and their families to retain firearms while cutting off everyone else's access to them was a small price to pay. As for the indentured servitude, well frankly Shran was beside himself that the the others went along with that at all but he was certainly not about to question the forces that be leading to the alignment of stars.


"I concur. Your rebuttals are acceptable."

 

[Placeholder 0128]

Good.

With this issue accepted by those assembled, Cedric was eager to continue on. "I'm pleased we've come to a conclusion on this matter," the handful of nobles that had not spoken nodded their heads in agreement. The power players of the Imperium were beginning to show themselves now: those that had spoken would likely have more influence than those that did not.

"As for the next, corporations," Cedric spoke the last word with a hint of contempt. "It is no secret that free trade within the borders of our nation is the quickest path to economic prosperity. That being said, there must be restrictions. Too many times have ungoverned and unsupervised boards of directors influenced the will of government. That will not be so within the Imperium. Those corporations within our border must acquiesce to our laws - I will see no price gouging, no monopolies, no lobbyists, and the protection of the rights of the people when it comes to matters concerning business. Companies within the Imperium must swear oaths of allegiance to the state, and those that go beyond our borders must sign agreements to restrain their influence on our people. Additionally, I will see the outsourcing of work to cheaper areas beyond our realm, from our own companies, outlawed. There is nothing more sinister than depriving the people of work and the means of life in search of a quick profit."

Shran Cataline Holt Alyson Halle Sra-jotun Konu Kadius Eran

 

[Kadius Eran]

P Placeholder 0128 Shran Cataline Holt ​

Kadius nods along to the Imperator's words as he outlines his views on trade within their borders. For the most part he found himself in agreement; the market should be in the hands of everyday people. The people of their Imperium, most importantly. They must encourage and promote the growth of industry, while safeguarding against the rise of corporate corruption.

No easy task.

"Lord-Imperator," the Minister begins, allowing a moment of pause to ensure he's not interrupting "while I agree with most everything you've proposed, I must oppose the institution of a mandatory oath of allegiance. I respect your intention, my Lord, but I believe this would cause more harm than good."

He folds his hands together and sets them on the table in front of him, scanning across the table as he continues "Instead, I would propose that our Ministry of Trade assign ambassadors to multinational corporations with locations in Imperium territory. These ambassadors would not impede on business operations, but simply monitor them in a limited capacity."

Kadius unlocks his fingers and gestures to Cedric with a hand "Consider the Republic Engineering Company, my Lord," he looks back to his fellow Ministers, Nobles and representatives "with our recent contract, their business is vital to our military strength. We cannot expect them to close their doors to the Republic, even if war is to come between us. We must be cautious not to cripple ourselves in our attempts at security."

 

[Shran]

Tags: P Placeholder 0128 Cataline Holt Kadius Eran
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"I have to agree with Kadius, my lord." Shran interjected, "It would be unwise for us to anger these businesses by forcing them to only operate within our borders. Doing so will only force them out of our borders entirely." It was no secret that Shran was cozy with the executives of several of the companies that would be directly impacted by any such policy. Never the less, he did worry that forcing these companies to only conduct business within the Imperiums borders would be a disaster that would lead to the collapse of the Imperiums economy.

"These are businesses, we need to treat them as such. They are going to do what is going to benefit them the most and make them the most credits. Closing off their ability to do work with outsiders is only going to force these companies to pack their bags and leave us altogether."

 

[Cataline Holt]

Cataline listened carefully to the group, particularly P Placeholder 0128 . Economic activity. It could be a sticky subject to some, although Cat believed it was important to discuss trade, businesses, and the advantages but also disadvantages that came with them. Not being one of an economic background, she listened before jumping in.

Kadius Eran made a great point and Shran seemed to back him up. She tended to agree with both with a small nod. "The ambassadors is a great idea. It will also create an impression with the populace, along with the protection of workers, that we are not going to let them be walked over by trillion credit companies," she replied with a small nod.

"But I too disagree with a mandatory oath. Whether an organization is outside or within the Imperium, if they are investing, creating jobs, and providing a benefit to society without creating unrest or other ill-intents, they should be able to operate freely within our laws."

 

[Placeholder 0128]

Cedric had great reservations about capitalism. Capitalism had been the rot that ate away at the foundations of the Galactic Republic, allowing enemies from within and without to topple it to the ground. The totalitarian ideology of the Selectivists did not appeal to him either - removing the ownership of property was a short walk away from tyranny.

"I support this move for administrators over these businesses." He agreed, relenting to the words of his subordinates. "But these corporations will be kept in check. Should any move against us, the people, or work toward lobbying, their assets will be nationalized and their leaders escorted beyond our borders." It was a decent conclusion.

"On to the next matter...general legislation. The House of Lords requires some level of legislative power. I believe entrusting the day to day running of the Imperium to the House is prudent, as well as providing them the power to manage infrastucture, pass bills, and present them. The office of the Imperator shall retain full executive veto over any decisions the House makes." From his tone, it was clear Cedric would accept nothing but agreement with this proposal. "Democracy will guide the Imperium's civilian matters, and autocracy will be the way of the military." Not wholly true. Cedric would retain his absolute authority - the House would pass bills so long as he allowed. A controlled democracy was one purged of corruption.

A moment's thought brought him to one final conclusion. "Should two-thirds of the House vote against my legislation, it will be vetoed. Additionally, should the entirety of the House agree that I have fallen to tyranny, or even worse, the influence of the Bogan, I should be removed from power and a regent voted in by the House to replace me instead. Without evidence this motion will not be valid." The last bit wwould prevent the House from trying to seize power simply for the sake of it.

Cataline Holt, Shran , Kadius Eran