Cyber Nations Forums > Magnus Pabulum

Mergerberger II

Feb 3 2009, 06:53 PM

Announcement from the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands

"Today is truly a landmark day in the history of the world. Today shall be written down by scholars as the day that the leaders of nations around the world, specifically ours, came to the uncanny realization of the obvious. It is the role of the government not only to ensure the safety of its people, but to ensure their survival and fulfillment of their most basic of needs.

Several months ago, I sat in my study wondering about the shame and the wrong in the world, and the fact that some nations of this good earth cannot even feed all of their citizens off of the land they bear. I then realized that it was by such good fortune that the people of the Dutch Republic live on such fertile land in the center of Europe. It is a miracle that there are not starving people in this nation, and that any part of the world should be so fertile compared to the other parts of it.

It was after this that I realized that in our nation, there are people starving while the wealthy enjoy lavish meals at great expense. I thought to myself then of the role of a government. I thought of what I pledged to do when I was elected leader of this nation, how I pledged to serve the people and to make this country a better place to live. I pledged to do all that I can, as head of the government of the Dutch Republic, to make this nation a better place for its people, and to make the living conditions for the people of the Republic as good as they could possibly be.

It is with these epiphanies that I came to the realization that a government should never be able to provide luxuries such as education, research grants, and massive investment in weaponry without giving people their basic needs first. The people of the world cannot enjoy the luxuries that their governments so willingly invest in if they do not have the basic elements of life such as food and water and clean, breathable air.

It is for this reason that I, Prins Willem Van Oranje of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands, do hereby announce 'Magnus Pabulum', the Great Food Project. From this day forward, the government shall provide for its poorest people sustenance, completely free of charge. We will provide the people with all kinds of food, from bread to pasta to sushi, and drinks from water to Coca-Cola. Every citizen in the lowest 10% of income in the Dutch Republic is eligible for this program, and it is his or her choice to participate in it.

Basic human needs for all, what a great concept..."

~Prins Willem Van Oranje in a speech earlier today. This bill was signed by the Senate and himself.

comrade nikonov

Feb 3 2009, 06:59 PM

The main personal media reporter for Minister Biao has packed up his bags and is seeking immigration papers to the Dutch Republic.
In other news, the Minister will investigate this and consul with the Dragon Empire about such a welfare project for themselves.

V The King

Feb 3 2009, 07:07 PM

"Government spends an unnecessarily huge amount of money to provide "free food" to the population, the food retail market collapses and the government is compelled to spend even more money to keep its people from starving and starts borrowing funds like crazy, to pay it back only after many generations .

Economists across the world, facepalm. Creditors, avoid the Dutch Republic."

Il Terra Di Agea

Feb 3 2009, 07:13 PM

QUOTE (V The King @ Feb 3 2009, 05:07 PM)

"Government spends an unnecessarily huge amount of money to provide "free food" to the population, the food retail market collapses and the government is compelled to spend even more money to keep its people from starving and starts borrowing funds like crazy, to pay it back only after many generations .

Economists across the world, facepalm. Creditors, avoid the Dutch Republic."

"To add to this, it is a fantastic idea, and it is always good to see a government looking out for it's people, but it could easily collapse the food retail market, hurt the farmers, factory workers, and hundreds of other working individuals. In the end, you are better off giving only to those in need."

Mergerberger II

Feb 3 2009, 07:17 PM

QUOTE (V The King @ Feb 3 2009, 08:07 PM)

"Government spends an unnecessarily huge amount of money to provide "free food" to the population, the food retail market collapses and the government is compelled to spend even more money to keep its people from starving and starts borrowing funds like crazy, to pay it back only after many generations .

Economists across the world, facepalm. Creditors, avoid the Dutch Republic."

The way that this system functions is similar to that of Universal Healthcare. The government will give all citizens who participate a card for each month, spendable on food and drink alone. This card will amount to ƒ100, which it has been estimated will be more than enough to buy 3 meals per day for one month, all buying from food retail companies, i.e. grocery stores, etc. At the end of each calendar month, the cards are deactivated, the funds not transferable to the next month. Food will be purchased at normal prices, and as it has worked with healthcare, this will encourage companies to keep their prices lower, in order to have more people buying from them. The government will not pay more than this amount, and in order for the food retail businesses to stay in business, they will have to keep prices within ƒ100.

Another part of this project is to open up more soup kitchens in more cities across the Republic, which was already started with the Great Infrastructure Project.

Ranather

Feb 3 2009, 07:33 PM

Though we believe that the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands has only the best of intentions, Neo Franzharia has serious doubts about the feasibility and long-term sustainability of the project.

V The King

Feb 3 2009, 07:47 PM

QUOTE (Mergerberger II @ Feb 3 2009, 06:17 PM)

The way that this system functions is similar to that of Universal Healthcare. The government will give all citizens who participate a card for each month, spendable on food and drink alone. This card will amount to ƒ100, which it has been estimated will be more than enough to buy 3 meals per day for one month, all buying from food retail companies, i.e. grocery stores, etc. At the end of each calendar month, the cards are deactivated, the funds not transferable to the next month. Food will be purchased at normal prices, and as it has worked with healthcare, this will encourage companies to keep their prices lower, in order to have more people buying from them. The government will not pay more than this amount, and in order for the food retail businesses to stay in business, they will have to keep prices within ƒ100.

Another part of this project is to open up more soup kitchens in more cities across the Republic, which was already started with the Great Infrastructure Project.

"So, this is basically welfare for people that will likely not need it and an imposition of price ceilings - that's it, a much higher government spending and potential harm to the retail sector - what for?"