Initial Discussion Board about the Constitution

[Parthini]

Here will be where people will put suggestions and questions about the constitution.

ASNP

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

Congratulations on your assignment.
Would you like a copy of the Texas Consitiution to get some ideas? I can easily post here.

[Fleeb]

I nominate Grub for constitutional monarch.

[Parthini]

I already have the SCDT constitution but the Texas one would be helpful too.

[aroftellerland]

How about a compulsory military spending for TITO? Tellerland is about to develop Orbital Weapons and Armed Spacecraft and would feel less of a bully if other people had them as well.

[Grub (Lenlyvit)]

This constitution is for the 10000 Islands as region only. TITO is separate.

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

Here is the Texan Constitution. If you have any questions, I can get more details on the various amendments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In order to better know our grand ally, Texas, here posted is their illusterious constitiution.

The Nations of the Region of Texas establish this Constitution to form a union based on respect for individual sovereignty. The Region serves its Nations rather than rules them. The Articles described in this document should not be perceived as unequivocal, but are tenets mutally agreed upon by the Nations of Texas. This Constitution not only seeks to unite the Nations of Texas in common belief, but also provides a basis for a stronger, safer Texas by ensuring justice, coordinating common defense, encouraging trade and furthering communications.

Article I: Equal Suffrage in Regional Affairs

When it comes to affairs affecting the entire Region of Texas, each nation shall have one (1) vote on a course of action. Such affairs shall include, but are not limited to, deciding how the UN Delegate should vote the Region's block vote on UN Resolutions, declarations of war and other issues as they arise.

Article II: Delcaration of a Texas National Animal

Be it hereby resolved that the National Animal of The Great Region of Texas shall be the Armadillo.

Article III: The Right to Bear Arms

The right of individual citizens to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Period. No part of this article shall be interpreted or misinterpreted as reserving this right for groups of citizens such as "National Guard" organizations, and the right is not predicated upon the existence of a militia.

Article IV: Freedom of Religion

No nation of Texas shall suffer any persecution or sanctions for any religious beliefs they may or may not hold. There shall be religous tolerance amongst the nations of the region.

Article V: The Right of Self-Determination

The governing body of the region will shall make no law or regulation governing the internal operation of any nation state within the region. Each nation state will maintain the right to govern itself in accordance with its own desires.

Article VI: Equality with Respect to the Law

The equality of all nations before the law is recognized. No nation shall be deprived of any right, privilege or immunity, nor exempted from any burden or duty unfairly.

Article VII: Freedom of Speech

Freedom of the press shall be an inalienable right in Texas. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of all nations. Nations and leaders may freely write and publish their sentiments on all subjects, as well as being responsible for the abuse of such right.

Article VIII: Mutual Defense

One of the main purposes of another Constitution (which has been pretty successful for a couple of hundred years or so) was to deal with the "common defense". This is in keeping with the overall philosophy of identifying and specifying only those issues which benefit directly from mutual cooperation, and leaving everything else not otherwise specified up to the individual states, or in our case, the individual nations in the region.

Interestingly, this concept was specified in general terms in the US Constitution. You need to go back to the Articles of Confederation to find specific text, updated here for contemporary consumption:

The nations of Texas enter into a firm league of friendship for their common defense. They agree to assist each other against all attacks made upon them.

Article IX: The Neutrality Act

No nation may ever threaten another nation. No nation shall attack another nation unless there is an immediate threat. Texas has never been at war and hopes never to be at war. There is no glory in killing.

Article X: Texas Representative Council

Texas shall freely elect a Regional Council.

The purpose of the Council shall include:

1. To mediate any internal disputes that may threaten Regional peace, security or prosperity.

2. The make up of the Council shall include the Cabinet Members of Texas (currently 9) and enough freely elected citizens of Texas to bring the count of the body up to 10% of the population of Texas at the time of the nomination process. New elections will be held quarterly for Council Members.

3. The Council will adjudicate any internal complaints and will assist in formulating reponses and courses of action in international affairs.

4. The council will preside in matters regarding breaches of the Texas Constitution.

Article XI: Conditions for Ejection

Whereas Texas is a free region with open borders, conduct that will lead to a nation's ejection from the region should be clearly defined.

1. Spamming the Texas Civil Headquarters Message Board with repeated messages or messages containing disparaging remarks about Texas or its fine citizens.

2. Spamming that includes content that is:

* obscene
* illegal
* threatening (in a non-game manner)
* malicious
* defamatory

See: NationStates Etiquette Policy

3. Known members of invader groups may be ejected. Texas will not harbor invader groups nor condone such activity.

Article XII: Texas Elections

Cabinet Members: On a quarterly basis Texas shall hold elections for new Cabinet Members. The election process for Cabinet Members shall include a one week period for nominations, a one week period for campaigning followed by a one week period for voting. Nominations and voting shall be open to all actively registered citizens of Texas as of the first day of nominations.

Texas Constitution: On a quarterly basis Texas shall hold a vote on Texas Constitutional matters. These include Ammendments as well as new Articles. The voting process for on the Texas Constitution shall include a one week period for additional Article submissions, a one week period for commenting and rewording, followed by a one week period for voting. New Articles may be submitted any time between voting sessions and will be open to all actively registered citizens of Texas (as of the date of submission). Voting will be limited to actively registered citizens of Texas as of the first day of the additional Article submission period.

Texas Representative Council: On a quarterly basis Texas shall hold elections for new members of the Texas Representative Council (per Article X). The election process for Representative Council shall include a one week period for nominations, a one week period for campaigning followed by a one week period for voting. Nominations and voting shall be open to all actively registered citizens of Texas as of the first day of nominations. Incumbents are not guaranteed their position and must be re-elected.

These individual electoral processes may run concurrently or individually. Schedules will be maintained by the President of Texas and published publicly on the Regional Offsite Forum Calendar well in advance of any proceedings.

Article XIII: The Basis of Power

All political power wielded by the President of Texas (UN Delegate) is acknowledged to be granted freely by the citizens of Texas and is instituted for their protection, security and benefit. The citizens of Texas are obviously empowered to rescind that right of the current office holder at any time with no notice. They also have the right to alter, reform or change this Constitution in such manner as they may think proper during regularly scheduled elections (currently quarterly, per Article XII).

[aroftellerland]

I like Article V the best.

[New Boniventure]

Will this constitution also explain the 10k Islands government structure?

[Parthini]

Right now I am working with Grub and a few other nations on how the government structure will go about. Right now I am trying to get Grub's approval of some of it.

When I finish with the Govt. Structure I'll move on to rules etc.

ASNP

[Alfonia]

I would like the constitution to clearly mark that each nation has the right to govern itself, i would also love a emperor of the 10000 Islands, this emperor could perhaps be more of a symbol without any political power rather than a real ruler.

[Fleeb]

In effect the Founder is "emperor" ex officio, but with real and important power. In fact, with out the Founder, a region is very much harder to defend.

The Founder (emperor, sovereign, chairman of the board, whatever model you like) doesn't specially have to be the Chief Executive, and might delegate some executive authority out to a prime minister/corporate president or other ministers.

But as Founder, the Sovereign/Chairman really does have important powers (bannng, dismissal of the UN del, etc.) that help make the game work well for us.

I am grateful that Grub is both Founder and such an excellent and dedicated executive officer. Whatever we do with the constitution, as long as he is willing to carry on as CEO, I hope he will, whatever other work he delegates out. OSISTM. Fleeb

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

Perhaps there should be tribunal in place used for appeals and unusual circumstances?

[Klington]

I would think that an emperor would be a good idea give him some political power, but make the people be able to overide his decsions, and let us be able to choose to make a law active in our country(allthough outside of the country,in the region, the law well be in effect).

[Parthini]

I won't go into too much detail because I have been asked to wait until the election, but yes Grub is like an emperor. Yes the will be a small council for people to represent us. And yes each country will be able to govern themselves. I will post the finished product of the governing body after the election.

ASNP

[Fleeb]

I agree with SensitiveNewAge that we need a tribunal for appeals.

But the rules of the game reserve the final right to ban to the Founder without recourse to any higher court, and I think for the security of the realm, that must stand.

Call me a Tory, it still works best.

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

I agree with Fleeb, I was just saying that there should be a council so the Founder has good people for advice.

[Lungpow]

I agree that a tribunal would be worthwhile, and we should give the tribunal power to change an existing rule or make a new rule. The tribunal should have about 10-20 nations, each member representing a different group of nations (it would take time to organize the nations into groups but it would be worth while). I also believe that the small nations should have influence on their tribunal member (for example voting), but not total control of him/her.
The tribunal, in my opinion, is neccessary. I also think that the leaders of the tribunal, Grub and the UN delegate , should control two votes in case of a tie.

[Nulibert]

Please don't speak like that. You cannot predict the outcome of the election like that.

[Klington]

Yes I belive that this is a good idea, we could divide the nations into groups and have a representative of it, but if we have a rep that is for example pro-war we should have one that is anti-war so that way we have a good balance to base our decsions.

[Parthini]

I doubt that it will be made into separate groups. That would be too confusing. I think there will just be representatives for all and they can be questioned at any tiem

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

I would have to agree with New Parthini, the 10000 Islands is to large and growing too fat to easily sort into different repsentation groups.

[Fleeb]

Hey, what's this "too fat" thing?

We volume challenged persons protest!

There's just more of 10000 Islands to love! ;D

[Klington]

well if its large groups it willl be eaiser.

[Odracir]

I think there should just be a council that represents everyone, not just groups. Also, there should be a Commanding General of TITO, and he should be on the council as well.