A Referendum

[JEDCJT]

In a session of the National Assembly, member Gerard van Hans proposed a groundbreaking bill that would have widespread effect regarding the political and social system of the Republic of New England, and even the Republic’s existence. Just precisely what did Hans, a prominent New Yorker of Dutch descent—and also an ardent admirer of New Netherland—propose? The transformation of New England into a new political entity; Hans’s bill, if passed and signed into law, would rename the Republic of New England into the Republic of New Netherland (Republiek van Nieuw-Nederland)!

Explaining the reasoning behind such proposal to stunned members of the National Assembly, and backed by several influential members—also of Dutch descent—Hans explained that the true ties of the land dates back not to the formation of New England, but back to the Dutch colony of New Netherland. According to Hans, New Netherland played a crucial role in the formation and establishment of colonial America, which was merely aggrandized by New England and later by the first United States of America. Though New Netherland fell to the English in 1664, and again in 1674 following the Treaty of Westminster that year, the New Netherland Dutch culture continued to prosper and grow under British and later American rule. Regarding the connection to the existing Republic of the United Netherlands and its role in starting the current war in Europe, Hans lambasted them for "their treachery of their supposely commitment to peace" and assured that the proposal of such an Act wasn't to 'emulate nor to honor' the existing Netherlands, but rather to strengthen the Dutch language and culture and possibly 'redeem' it especially after the loss of prestige of the Dutch language after the recent actions of the Netherlands. Hans also assured that all current treaties (economic and military) would be kept and honored by the Republic of New Netherland. Also, all current political, military, and economic institutions would be kept in place.

Another reasoning is that New England has a sizeable Dutch population, and much of the population speaks Dutch or a variant of it. Dutch culture and customs is widespread in New England, and Hans explains that his proposal—radical, yes—would help the country to connect with its ties and help to spread the Dutch language, culture, and custom. Hans’s proposal didn’t only call for the renaming of the country to “reflect its Dutch ties and culture”, but also the relocation of the national capital from Boston to New York City (which would be renamed New Amsterdam).

Interestingly, the reason the bill didn’t immediately get voted down was because it was backed up by influential Assembly members, especially the ones from New York State and Massachusetts. Faced with a potential gridlock, the National Assembly decided to submit the proposal, which would go by the rather misleading name of the National Cultural Restoration Act, to the population for scrutiny and approval.

OOC: Think of it as a distraction from the war in Europe, lol

Edited August 21, 2009 by JEDCJT

[Justinian the Mighty]

ooc: voted no, I don't know why.

[JEDCJT]

ooc: voted no, I don't know why.

OOC: Cuz you love New England too much, right? lol

[TheStig]

OOC: Voted no because Justinian did <3

[Subtleknifewielder]

OOC: Voted no because your people probably aren't likely going to want to associate themselves with the Netherlands right now, considering recent events.

[JEDCJT]

Approximately 56 percent of the National Assembly, despite not reaching the 2/3+1 majority, were firmly opposed to Gerard van Hans's proposal, supported in fact by President Kennedy himself. The President indicated that even if the proposal has passed, he would've vetoed it anyways.

OOC: New England is here to stay.