 May 1998 issue |
Table of Contents
** Cover Story: TDI vs. Governor Rosario - Serious Lawsuit or Politics in the Courtroom? |
The recent lawsuit brought on by TDI against Governor Rosario for some unclear provisions in his tax system was the first real test of Cyberia's legal system. But it also begs the question: Was this a serious lawsuit or just politics as usual in the courtroom?
Cyberia Today saw this lawsuit unfold as the two parties were engaged in a heated capitalism vs. communism debate. Then, after the lawsuit was defeated by Chief Justice Pokolitov, the debate heated up again.
This is a dangerous precedent that the Courts can be used to play out political skirmishes. Cyberia Today wants to discourage the use of the courts in order to gain political advantages.
On a fateful day in the middle of the summer of 1997, Kenneth Michael Kerns clicked on "save" as he finished the first webpage for his micronation project he called "Belaria." Within days it was renamed Cyberia and several people joined what would become one of the largest micronations on the Internet.
Since then, he has helped sponsor a Constitutional Convention, he was elected in a 68% - 4% landslide, and overseen two legislative and gubernatorial elections. He is revered by many in Cyberia not only as its Founding Father but as a successful first President.
Yet, he has placed third in a recent straw poll of possible presidential candidates in 1998. Why so bad? It might be due to the perception that Kerns is "damaged goods." That is, since his return from hardware-induce exile in March, he has been too forceful and "partisan" for many to stomach. Therefore, the great Founding Father of Cyberia is at a low in popularity, and vulnerable if the election was held five months early.
This has left many people speculating if Kerns will retire after his first term, and who might be suitable to replace him. Apparently, the presidential campaign is heating up!
Since everyone is beginning to speculate, we figured we'd get a jump start on it. Below are six major contenders for the Presidency, with the 3 from the Federal Coaliton, and 3 from the UCCL.
Federalist Coalition
President Kerns. His biggest advantages are his record of accomplishments and his incumbency. Major problems? Accusations of anti-Communism, partisanship, and some controversial decisions may harm his reelection bid.
Speaker of the Assembly Peter Hickey. His major strengths are his current post, his legal expertise, and his help in writing the Constitution. On the other hand, his willingness to compromise on some issues and his strong partisanship may weaken his chances. Not to mention his denial of running, but that's his choice and we are just speculating.
Deputy Keegan Drake. He has the experience, as a former Cabinet member, former Constitutional Convention Chairman, former Governor of Mattimeo, and former Labor Party leader. What's great about his candidacy is that his only possible negative would be that he has shifted parties from Labor to Conservative!
United Coalition of the Cyberian Left
Mike Rosario. He has the support of several unions, and is the most vocal spokemen for his coalition, as well as the Governor of Menet. His weaknesses? His unwillingness to compromise on his ideology, his radical attacks on corporations such as TDI, and his butting in on national politics (such as trying to play Mr. Ambassador) has placed his negatives really high, so he might not run.
Richard Pond. A successful Governor of Bava, founder of the Socialist Party, and is non-controversial, he may be the best candidate for the UCCL, but has no real charisma within his own coalition. Who knows?
Michael Key. As a two-term Deputy and UCCL minority leader in the Chamber, Key has the best experience in Kernsopolis for the UCCL. However, if the economy turns sour, anti-government sentiment may sink and he could lose. Also, his gay marriage may lose some votes from the non-left-wingers in Cyberia.
That is a common question being asked in the aftermath of the strike against TDI. As the alleged problems within TDI mounted, the workers did nothing. In fact, it wasn't until after Governor Rosario of Menet recommended a strike did the labor unions come out against the large defense industry. This has given the labor unions a suspicious link to the Communist Governor that makes them just one more front for the Governor's attempts to subvert capitalism in his province.
Were they really concerned about their jobs, which included greater benefits than most unions want? Or are they just another adjunct of the left-wing UCCL? If the answer is yes for the second one, than Cyberian capitalism may not survive unless a law is put in place to protect non-union workers' rights to work and that corporations should not be forced to recognize labor unions.
The UCCL and the Federalist Coalition have been at odds for awhile, and the recent debate over taxes shows a curious oddity in the two coalition's ideologies.
The UCCL supports progressive taxation on individual income taxes, and no more. The Federalist Coalition supports a smaller progressive tax, along with tarrifs, capital gains, corporate income tax, etc.
What's wrong with this picture? The UCCL doesn't support any tax on business! For their anti-capitalist stance, they sure aren't trying to tax capitalists! Meanwhile, the FC supports corporate income taxes and capital-gains taxes, which are antithetical to their pro-capitalism, pro-expansion policies.
Why? The UCCL thinks a larger tax brackets (with the top being 35%) can provide all the income needed, and thinks a progressive income tax is all that is needed. The FC sees the need for other taxes, and wants to reduce income taxes as low as possible (with the highest being between 10 and 15%).
Both will provide about the same amount of money, but the FC has the foresight that, if incomes fall, the government's revenue would fall, too. Therefore, they don't want to place all the taxes in the same basket. In fact, under the FC, only economic problems could harm government revenue.
But the debate continues as the President urges his own tax plan, while the LDP wants its tax plan enacted.
A recent showdown between the President and Governor Rosario of Menet concerned the Governor's use of the official forum of Menet to push his own foreign policy, as well as his attempt to bring Speaker Ceres of Cyberland over for a state visit.
But it is the President's job to represent Cyberia overseas. This brought the two head to head as they represent two sides of the pro-peace, internationalist movement. The President wants a cautious, slow-moving peace with Cyberland, while the Rosario wants to rush into peace.
Also, the Chamber has been pushing to claim more and more power, even though they are slow to pass laws. This caused the President to slam down on the breaks, saying its unConstitutional to take the President's power away from him, or to act as Mr. Ambassador.
Of course, as the budget and tax laws are passed, expect the President to begin focusing more on foreign policy, where his internationalist ideology could get Cyberia more publicity.