THE 3rd STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH
As it may be the President's last, what does it say of his legacy?

George Washington had his warning against "intangling alliances" and partisanship. Thomas Jefferson had his "republic" and Andrew Jackson spoke of the people. Woodword Wilson had the League of Nations and FDR had the New Deal. Ronald Reagan had the deficit and Margaret Thatcher had the poll tax. Clinton has sex, and Blair has his New Labour.

What legacy does President Kerns have for Cyberia?

As the President's first and potentially last term comes to a close, his third State of the Commonwealth address is one of the last chances he may have to influence public policy. If this is true, than what does his address say about his legacy?

In his speech, he spends a significant time firmly complaining about the tardiness of the Chamber in producing a budget. He also continues to harp on his fiscal conservatism and responsible government spending. He also latches onto a foreign policy established by his highly popular and effective Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fabrice Quertain. And, very Kernsian in form, he proposes a string of political reforms, including the formation of the Senate, expanded Chamber rules, and an Election Act. He then lists other, low-priority ideas.

Thus, his State of the Commonwealth is much like his previous one. He starts with a commentary on current effents, moves onto the budget and foreign affairs, and ends on domestic and political reform issues.

His legacy may be his fiscal conservatism, his concern for foreign relations and political reform. Specifically, it may be his constant push for realism and changing things as they are shown to be needing fixing. What we may remember him for is his inability to please anybody all the time, despite the highly charged and partisan political atmosphere that has dominated the second half of his term.

Whether we re-elect him or not, Cyberia will remember him for much more than the idealism that created the most successful virtual commonwealth on the Internet. We will remember him for his unrelenting loyalty and concern for Cyberia as a whole.