Rauchen

You'll have better luck revising the map than people's characters. The issue is that everyone here looks to use land as an e-peen enhancer. They'll either swallow up land as their own, declare entire nations as protectorates, or declare an area as a protectorate and absorb it later. Once upon a time, resistance to land-grabbing restrictions was centered around the belief that people wouldn't expand too much because it would make their nation indefensible. Well, we rarely have a war that goes all the way through without someone ragequitting or the whole group descending into OOC bickering, so that argument is invalid. Vektor is an excellent RPer - always has been. But he rarely posts and when he does, it's usually a war. Yet he controls all of central and eastern Europe, plus Ireland and Scandinavia, and controls Britain as a protectorate. Voodoo is, likewise, a great writer, but even as an old friend of his, it took me more than a week to get a confirmation on my nation, and he controls all of Central America and has most of South America and half of the US under protection. Triyun's nation is extremely bloated, but at least he remains relatively active. Same with Cent. But new players are always reluctant to form their nation in the shadow of a country that controls half of a continent and essentially the entirety of another. No new player would believe that Tianxia got that big through purely peaceful means. And at this point, there is not a single square millimeter of unclaimed land on the map. Even Africa, which once upon a time, was avoided like the plague by existing RPers, is now covered in AUP Protectorates and Disputed markers. Sure, we might see that as just another way of saying "open land," but new players will just see it as more land controlled by someone else...and if they do manage to sway that person to give them land, they are basically obligated to stay in line with the former protector or risk retribution. Our own insistence on using the map as an e-peen tape measure is stifling creativity and new RPers.

Most newbies won't think of that though. They figure that, if someone has such a large stretch of RP land and protectorates, they must be extraordinarily active. Which, as Tanis said, is typically not the case anymore. We could revise the protectorate system to a more de facto system. Nations can state that they will respond with force to any attempts by existing nations to acquire a certain stretch of land, but it would remain off the map, and effectively remain as unclaimed territory for new players to step into. This would hopefully minimize landgrabbing disguised as protection and leave the map looking fresh, clean, and reassuring to all newcomers. It wouldn't accomplish it quite as surely as restricting expansion, since smaller nations who declare de facto protectorates would still be vulnerable to acquisitions by larger nations. But then, if you can't defend it, why should you be looking to snag a protectorate, anyway?

In that case, I ask that FSAR be restored to the map accordingly.

Or how about we renew and revise the age-old restrictions on landgrabbing so people wouldn't swallow up every inch of white land, thus negating the need for protectorates? It's easier for new players to pop up and start RPing in unclaimed land than to negotiate with a massive protector. With that in place, protectorates would just be dead weight for someone to defend it.

Illicit Drugs Earn Millions on Black Market Federal government looks to republics for assistance After enacting the Harmful Substances Control Act, studies show that use of certain drugs has increased, putting hundreds of millions of dollars into the pockets of gangs and possibly foreign cartels. Before the enactment of the law, a joint report from police departments in Oklahoma City, Little Rock, and Jackson estimated that the overall income from the drug trade was around $57 million, operating primarily with methamphetamines and heroin. However, with the express addition of dozens of drugs to the list, the market has expanded, and it seems that more people are looking to acquire these illegal drugs. The Federal Drug Control Agency now believes that profit has increased to somewhere between $350 million and $525 million. Sources also claimed that, before, an estimated 12% of Americans used marijuana; that number has increased to 22%. These statistics are reflected across what some call the "speed spectrum." Meth use has increased from 6% to 13%; heroin use has increased from 3% to 9%; crack/cocaine use has risen from 4% to 7%. Only lysergic acid diethylamide, also called LSD or acid, has decreased in use, dropping from 9% to 3%. Some detractors claim that these statistics may be misleading, as they rely upon the honesty of those who are polled. Green Party Chairman John Drake "For every one pot-smoker who is bold or naive enough to admit to smoking marijuana, there is typically at least 1 or 2 who are too paranoid or smart to admit to an illegal act," Drake told reporters at The Oklahoma City Times. "And by placing a relatively harmless plant like cannabis on the same list as debilitating drugs such as PCP, we incite younger people to use drugs in rebellion to authority. Prohibition did not work for alcohol and it did not work for the United States." FDCA Director Ulysses Robertson dismissed the idea, saying, "The only reason numbers now appear higher is because we now have a more centralized method of sorting this information. Comparing reports from half a dozen police departments will naturally yield different results than filing a single report." Robertson was joined by President Burr and Secretary Delano in calling for the constituent republics to increase their contribution to the war on drugs. "It is more efficient for local and republic agencies to handle their own, local problems," Burr said. "If we receive the support of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, we will be able to stamp out this drug use before my term is up."

FSAR should still be on the map. It has only been about 18 days since my last post. Edit: And it had only been 5 days since my last post when Voodoo claimed it as a protectorate. http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?/topic/114129-southern-federation-news/#entry3070885

A sense of deja vu swept through the Southern Federation, but no one was quite sure why. In other news, the Federal government extended full recognition to the Ubersteinian Republic.

"The Federation of Southern American Republics supports the abolition of a universal health care system in Cascadia. The current system exerts too much government control over the financial dealings of the people and the market, and reforming it would allow competition and therefore greater research into medicine in order to gain an edge. Costs may rise marginally, but in the long run, Cascadia's healthcare system would be the better for it." -Jonathan Wash Secrety of Foreign Affairs

[center][b][u][size=5]Congress Votes to Prohibit Drugs[/size][/u][/b][/center] [center][size=5][i][size=4]Ulysses Robertson Appointed to Federal Drug Control Agency[/size][/i][/size][/center] [size=5][size=4][size=3]The Southern Federation's Conservative government has never given any illusion of tolerance towards mind-altering substances, but the lack of any true legislation prohibiting the use, possession, or distribution of any drug has complicated prosecution of "offenders." Thousands of cases ranging from possession of small amounts of marijuana to the sale of methamphetamines have been dismissed by judges and juries on this basis, to the frustration of many leading Conservatives. To remedy this, President Duncan Burr proposed a bill to enact a blanket ban on all mind-altering substances, modeled after the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, allowing few ecxeptions; the initial bill, as proposed by Burr, included the prohibition of alcohol, but this was removed after more than a hundred Conservative representatives and senators denounced a "return to the failed policies of the 1920s", while most of the Democrats in office have denounced the bill as a whole, with Senate Minority Leader George Albano calling the law "a return to the failed policies of the 1990s."[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=4][size=3]Most of the legislative wrangling occurred over the wording of the law, which would divide into five Categories, with Category I being the "most dangerous" substances and Category V being "least dangerous." Like the Controlled Substances Act, this law, called the Harmful Substance Control Act, would place some naturally-occurring drugs, such as marijuana and psilocybin, in Category I, while placing drugs described as having a high potential for detrimental health effects, such as phencyclidine (PCP) and methamphetamines, into Category II. House Democrats have struggled to rearrange the placement of certain substances, calling for marijuana, psilocybin, peyote, and similar items to be placed in Categories III, IV, or V, while bumping PCP and meth into Category I, but without a majority in either house, they were unable to make an impact.[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=4][size=3]The HSCA would also enact mandatory minimum sentencing for possession of marijuana, LSD, psilocybin, crack cocaine, and certain opiates, ranging from a 1-year sentence for possession of LSD to a 5-year minimum for crack and marijuana, regardless of the amount.[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=4][size=3]To enforce itself, the law created the Federal Drug Control Agency as a subordinate to the Office of Justice; Secretary of Government Services Thomas Delano and Undersecretary Bennett Kron met with President Burr shortly after it was signed into effect to decide on the first Director of the FDCA and ultimately decided on Ulysses Robertson, a 20-year police veteran, 8-year military veteran, and staunch conservative. Robertson vowed to use a "zero-tolerance" approach to drug policy, and outlined a plan to attack the most commonly-used drug on the black market, cannabis, citing the gateway theory as his basis. The FDCA intends to decrease overall drug use by 25% in the next ten years, and cut marijuana use by more than 50% in that same time period; they have drawn fire from Democratic and nonpartisan leaders for their unrealistic ambitions, especially with regard to marijuana.[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=4][size=3]"The issue of drugs is one that affects every man, woman, and child in our great federation," President Burr said at a press conference. "Our studies have shown that almost 3/4 of high school students claim they have easy access to marijuana and other substances, and at least 14% of the population has developed a dependence on one or more drugs. It is time we returned our efforts to battling the spread of drugs in our streets and schools."[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=4][size=3]The administration has yet to announce its plans for the FDCA's budget, but the topic has been brought up by many libertarian and liberal leaders, who point to the failed War on Drugs of the United States and the trillions of dollars "wasted" in an effort to control personal behavior, as well as the legality of legislating such behavior. Burr, Delano, Kron, and Robertson have all dismissed these arguments.[/size][/size][/size] [quote] [size=5][size=4][size=3][u][u][b]Senate Bill 4[/b][/u][/u] [i]Harmful Substance Control Act[/i][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=4][size=3]Summary: A motion to prohibit the possession, use, and sale of mind-altering substances in order to defend the innocence of our children and the integrity of our nation's moral fiber.[/size][/size][/size] [u][i][u]Senate[/u][/i][/u] For: 67 Against: 32 Abstain: 1 [u][u]House of Representatives[/u][/u] For: 197 Against: 73 Abstain: 20 [color=#008000]Signed by President Duncan Burr[/color][/quote]

[b][size=5][size=2][size=3][i]*Classified*[/i][/size][/size][/size][/b] [size=5][size=2][size=3]With the increased funding allotted to him, Defense Secretary Viktor Stukey and his undersecretaries opted against purchasing entirely new equipment, instead giving orders for the required vehicles and armaments to be reactivated from reserves in the bases from former regimes, dating as far back as the first United States. This was enough to cover most, but not all, of the deficit in armor, but the rest was covered by a variety of military contractors across the Federation.[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]Aircraft proved easy to find, but of varying models; 120 F-22 Raptors (10 squadrons), 180 F-15E Strike Eagles (15 squadrons), 300 F-16 Falcons (25 squadrons), 36 B-1 Lancers (3 squadrons), 24 AC-130 gunships (2 squadrons), and 60 B-52 Stratofortresses (5 squadrons). Air Force Undersecretary Tobias Kitchener was also able to procure a vast fleet of helicopters, cargo and recon planes, and other supporting aircrafts. He has contracted his own former company, Oklahoma Aviation, to look over and conduct necessary repairs and reoutfitting of recovered aircraft.[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3][u][i]Cargo/Transport Aircraft[/i][/u][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]125x C-17 Globemaster III[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]225x C-130 Hercules[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]75x C-135 Stratolifter[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]25x C-12 Huron[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3][i][u]Recon Aircraft[/u][/i][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]35x U-2[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]45x RC-135[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]125x MG-1 Predator Drone[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]25x RQ-4 Global Hawk[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3][i][u]Other Aircraft[/u][/i][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]200x KC-135 Stratofortress[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]75x HH-60 Pave Hawk[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]1,250x UH-60 Black Hawk[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]10x EC-130[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]5x E-8 Joint STAR[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]35x E-3 Sentry[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]Undersecretary of the Army Max Robinson was able to scrounge the vast majority of needed ground weapons and vehicles from old bases across the Federation.[/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]775 of 1,000 [b]M113 APC[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]2,650 of 5,900 [b]Stryker IFV[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]27,500 of 29,000 [b]Humvee[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]325 of 400 [b]M270 MRLS[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]350 of 400[b] M109A6 Paladin[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]225 of 400 [b]HIMARS[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]700 of 900 [b]M777 howitzer[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]675 of 900 [b]M119 howitzer[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]555 of 900 [b]M198 howitzer[/b][/size][/size][/size] [size=5][size=2][size=3]Orders have been placed with contractors to fill the rest of the quota within two years, placed with eight new military companies: Zenith Engineering, Drachen Enterprises, General Armaments Production, Oklahoman Armor Works, Stonewall Equipment Manufacturing, Old Hickory Firearm Company, Big Stick Diplomacy, Inc., and Tankrunners, Inc.[/size][/size][/size]

*Classified* A total of fifty officers, thirty from the Army and twenty from the Air Force, were dispatched to the Oregonese War, evenly split between the two sides. In addition, each detachment would be accompanied by thirty NCOs, who would function as a guard when they weren't accompanying individual platoons on missions. They would be transported by C-130 Hercules cargo jets to the proper area. Two of them would carry the observers and guards themselves, while two more would carry three up-armored Humvees apiece; the Humvees had been painted a bright blue to distinguish them from combatants, and the men would wear bright blue helmets with "FSAR" imprinted in white lettering across them. Both sides were informed of the flights into the region, and a complete list of the names of the observers, for both sides, was provided; they were also informed that FSAR personnel would be on both sides of the firing lines. The men would be unarmed, save for their sidearms.

"A Federation of Southern States foundings itself right next to the Federation of Southern American Republics? Well that's !@#$@#$ annoying." -President Duncan Burr of the Southern Federation near an open mic OOC:

[center][b][u][size=5]Republics Elect Governments[/size][/u][/b][/center] [size=5][size=3]Since the foundation of the Federation of Southern American Republics, the four constituent republics have been governed by federally-appointed viceroys and councils, but with the federal government stabilized, they feel confident in allowing complete elections at the republican level. Each has essentially the same setup as the states that once preceded them, though Oklahoma and Alabama have opted for systems that delegate more power to the executive. The Democrats and third parties have been campaigning vigorously in each of the republics in an effort to overcome the Conservative stranglehold on governance by taking control of state legislatures, but are having trouble overcoming the deepseated Conservative prevalence.[/size][/size] [size=5][size=3][b][u]Government of the Republic of Oklahoma[/u][/b][/size][/size] [u][i][size=5][size=3]Governor[/size][/size][/i][/u] [color=#008000]Terrance Miller (CPR) - 1,054,666 (52.7%)[/color] Ian Rodriguez (NDP) - 888,433 (44.4%) Tyler Warren (LP) - 50,015 (2.5%) John Drake (GP) - 10,003 (0.5%) [i][u]Senate (50 seats)[/u][/i] Conservative Party of the Republics - 33 New Democratic Party - 17 [i][u]House of Representatives (101 seats)[/u][/i] Conservative Party - 65 New Democratic Party - 36 [b][u]Government of the Republic of Arkansas[/u][/b] [i][u]Governor[/u][/i] [color=#008000]Scott Richardson (NDP) - 1,082,422 (47.6%)[/color] Jacob Hiller (CPR) - 1,018,750 (44.8%) Alexander Toren (GP) - 109,151 (4.8%) Andrew Harrison (LP) - 63,741 (2.8%) [i][u]Senate (40 seats)[/u][/i] Conservative Party - 20 New Democratic Party - 20 [i][u]House of Representatives (100 seats)[/u][/i] Conservative Party - 54 New Democratic Party - 45 Green Party - 1 [b][u]Government of the Republic of Mississippi 2,218,991[/u][/b] [i][u]Governor[/u][/i] [color=#008000]Jerry Duke (CPR) - 1,102,839 (49.7%)[/color] Maria Jackson (NDP) - 1,058,459 (47.7%) Frederick Hanson (LP) - 46,599 (2.1%) David Quartz (GP) - 11,095 (0.5%) [i][u]Senate (52 seats)[/u][/i] Conservative Party - 31 New Democratic Party - 21 [i][u]House of Representatives (125 seats)[/u][/i] Conservative Party - 83 New Democratic Party - 39 Independents - 3 [b][u]Government of the Republic of Alabama 3827784[/u][/b] [u][i]Governor[/i][/u] [color=#008000]Philip Chattos (NDP) - 1,730,158 (45.2%)[/color] Ronald Burke (CPR) - 1,718,675 (44.9%) Viktor Spoyles (LP) - 290,912 (7.6%) Hannah Golde (GP) - 88,039 (2.3%) [i][u]Senate (40 seats)[/u][/i] Conservative Party - 22 New Democratic Party - 16 Libertarian Party - 1 Independent - 1 [i][u]House of Representatives (105 seats)[/u][/i] Conservative Party - 56 New Democratic Party - 43 Libertarian Party - 4 Independents - 2 Political analysts reviewing the results of the elections were relatively surprised at the success of the New Democratic and Libertarian Parties. They assigned their victories to the overconfidence of the Conservative Party, who put only minimal resources into the state campaigns, trusting their solid voting base to sweep majorities into office. As a result, the Democrats were able to capture the governorships in Arkansas and Alabama, and even put the Arkansas Senate into a complete deadlock. The Libertarians have been blamed by the CPR for their losses in both states, who claim the smaller party spoiled the election and handed the governorships to liberal leaders; while this argument cannot be validated by the Arkansas results, where the Libertarian votes barely covered the difference between Richardson and Hiller. However, the aptly-named Viktor Spoyles of Alabama, the target of a powerful Libertarian Party campaign, has been the target of vehement accusations since the elections concluded. Despite this, the Conservatives were able to gain majorities in every other state legislative body, and solidly gained the governorships in Oklahoma and Mississippi.

*Private to Cascadia* "The Federation of Southern American Republics respectfully requests permission to send nonparticipatory military observers, both Army and Air Force, to accompany the Cascadian armed forces in their operations against Ouragon." -Defense Secretary Victor Stukey *Private to Ouragon* "The Federation of Southern American Republics respectfully requests permission to send nonparticipatory military observers from both the Army and Air Force to accompany Ouragonian defense forces in their struggle to fend off the Cascadian incursion." -Defense Secretary Victor Stukey

[center][size=5][b][u]Federation Encourages Energy Sector[/u][/b][/size][/center] [size=5][size=3]Mark Gray, a Conservative Senator from Fayetteville, Arkansas, has put forward a motion to provide incentives to oil, natural gas, and coal companies operating within the Southern Federation. The bill, known as the Energy Security Act, is supported by the entire Conservative Party, and would provide a 5-year cut in taxes on these particular businesses and their executives; the corporate tax would be slashed from 10% to 5%, and the income taxes on their CEO and other executives would be cut from 31% to 15%. This act would also lessen restrictions on oil exploration in protected areas, such as the Ozarks and the Ouachita Mountains, and provide $2 billion in subsidies to smaller energy companies. Senator Gray estimates that this effort will create between 75,000 and 200,000 new jobs, but some Democrats have criticized the plan for its reckless disregard of FSAR National Parks and the overall environment.[/size][/size] [size=5][size=3]"We support the efforts to grow the national economy, but it is concerning that the Conservatives have failed to provide any funding for green energy initiatives," Senate Minority Leader George Albano said in an address to the senate. "The Federation should not be putting all of its eggs in a single basket, especially with the rising threat of climate change."[/size][/size] [size=5][size=3]Even Libertarian Representative Joseph Greenawalt voiced his opposition to the plan. "Government should not hinder business with unnecessary regulations, but that does not mean they should give a free license to corporations to destroy the natural beauty of our republics," he told reporters in Oklahoma City.[/size][/size] [size=5][size=3]Despite these misgivings, the Energy Security Act is expected to pass through both houses by a comfortable margin.[/size][/size] [quote] [b][u]Senate Bill 3[/u][/b] [i]Energy Security Act[/i] [i][u]Senate[/u][/i] For: 77 Against: 21 Abstain: 2 [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 222 Against: 61 Abstain: 7 [color=#008000]Signed by President Duncan Burr[/color] [/quote] *Classified* Defense Secretary Stukey has updated the President on the status of the activation of the Armed Forces of the Federation, and reports that ground forces are at a roughly 65% readiness; all infantrymen are fully armed and the M1A2SEP Abrams have been delivered to their assigned units. However, he has reported that the army does not quite have the equipment needed to provide all of the armor and artillery for most divisions; he has asked for, and received, a large boost to his defense budget to bring this equipment into service before the end of the year. [b][i]Standard Armored Division: 15,000 inf., 500x M1A2SEP Abrams, 250x M113 APC, 500x Stryker IFV, 2,500x Humvee[/i][/b] 1st Armored Division - Fort Cimarron 2nd Armored Division - Dothan Depot 3rd Armored Division - Anniston Army Depot 4th Armored Division - Pine Bluff Arsenal [b][i]Standard Infantry Division: 25,000 inf., 130x M1A2SEPs, 150x M113 APC, 400 Stryker IFV, 25x M270 MRLS, 25x M109A6 Paladins, 25x HIMARS, 50x M119 105mm howitzer, 50x M198 155mm howitzer, 50x M777 155mm howitzer, 4,500x Humvee[/i][/b] 1st Infantry Division - Chesty Armed Forces Base 2nd Infantry Division - Muscle Shores Arsenal 3rd Infantry Division - Fort Arrowhead 4th Infantry Division - Redstone Arsenal 5th Infantry Division - Fort Cimarron 6th Infantry Division - Dothan Depot [b][i]Standard Artillery Division: 15,000 inf., 75 M1A2SEPs, 75x M113 APCs, 100x Stryker IFV, 100x M270 MRLS, 50x M109A6 Paladins, 50x HIMARS, 150x M119 105mm howitzer, 100x M198 155mm howitzer, 100x M777 155mm howitzer, 1,000 Humvees[/i][/b] 1st Artillery Division) - Magnolia Army Base 2nd Artillery Division - Fort Still 3rd Artillery Division - Fort Chaffee 4th Artillery Division - Fort Burr [i][b]Standard Mountain Division: 15,000 inf., 200x M113 APCs, 300x Stryker IFVs, 30x M270 MRLS, 10x M109A6 Paladins, 10x HIMARS, 2,000x Humvee[/b][/i] 1st Mountain Division - Fort Still 2nd Mountain Division - Muscle Shoals Arsenal [b][i]Standard Cavalry Division: 10,000 inf., 300x M113 APC, 500x Stryker IFV, 30x M270 MRLS, 10x M109A6 Paladin, 10x HIMARS, 50x M119 105mm howitzer, 25x M198 155mm howitzer, 25x M777 155mm howitzer, 4,000x Humvee[/i][/b] 1st Cavalry Division - Magnolia Army Base 2nd Cavalry Division - Fort Chaffee [b][i]Standard Airborne Division: 20,000 inf., 100x M113 APC, 150x Stryker IFV, 50x M109A6 Paladin, 25x M270 MRLS, 25x HIMARS, 150x M119 105mm howitzer, 25x M198 155mm howitzer, 25x M777 155mm howitzer,[b][i] 2,500x Humvee[/i][/b][/i][/b] 1st Airborne Division - Tinker AFB 2nd Airborne Division - Maxwell-Gunter AFB [i][b]Standard Marine Division: 25,000 inf., 125 M1A2SEPs, 200 APCs, 200 IFVs, 50x M270 MRLS, 25x M109A6 Paladin, 25x HIMARS, 150x M119 105mm howitzer, 50x M198 155mm howitzer, 50x M777 howitzer, 2,000 Humvees[/b][/i] 1st Marine Division - Mobile Naval Base 2nd Marine Division - Diamondhead Dockyards 3rd Marine Division - Little Rock AFB Total: 375,000 soldiers, 3,700 APCs (-1,000), 7,300 IFVs (-5,900), 64,000 Humvees (-29,000), 1,950 SPAs (-1,200), 3,850 towed artie (-2,750)

[center][size=5][b][u]Department of Defense Announces Naval Buildup[/u][/b][/size][/center] [size=4]Defense Secretary Victor Stukey has announced a planned naval buildup, outlining a plan to build a dozen vessels of varying types. The bill to authorize this buildup originated in the Senate, proposed by Senator Harley Hogarth of Oklahoma, promoting it as a "vital and inarguable step to securing the long-term security and independence of the Federation." Although the vote passed with a comfortable majority, securing support from many Senate and House Democrats, many liberal officials questioned the efficiency of the law, which calls for the construction of two obsolete [i]Iowa-[/i]class battleships, in addition to three [i]Oliver Hazard Perry-[/i]class frigates, two [i]Ticonderoga[/i]-class cruisers, two [i]Freedom[/i]-class littoral combat ships.Three more warships are planned, and will be constructed as FSAR security needs require in the coming years.[/size] [size=4]To oversee the construction and management of the newly-formed Federal Navy, the law, known as the Federal Naval Activation Act, establish an Office of the Navy, as an extension of the Department of Defense; this office will also have authority over the Federal Coast Guard.[/size] [size=4]The FNAA also allowed for the construction of six [i]Cyclone-[/i]class patrol boats and 12 [i]Island[/i]-class patrol boats for the purposes of securing the Mississippi coast.[/size] [size=4]"While we support the establishment of a Federal Navy, we urge the Conservative Party to be more conservative on defense spending," Senate Minority Leader George Albano told a reporter for the Trans-Mississippi Broadcasting Corporation (TMBC). "It is important that we reserve a healthy portion of the budget to streamline our education system and improve national infrastructure."[/size] [size=4]The new law also gives lip service to increasing the Navy's air capabilities through the purchase of observational and rescue aircraft in the future.[/size] Former Rear Admiral Vincent Pickard has been named as the new Undersecretary of the Navy, having been nominated by Secretary Stukey and confirmed by President Burr. [quote] [b][u]Senate Bill 1[/u][/b] [i]Federal Naval Activation Act[/i] [u][i]Senate[/i][/u] For: 78 Against: 22 Abstain: 0 [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 269 Against: 20 Abstain: 1 [color=#008000]Signed by President Duncan Burr[/color][/quote] [center][b][u][size=5]Army and Air Force Plan Base Expansion[/size][/u][/b][/center] [size=4]Shortly after announcing the Federal Navy buildup, Defense Secretary Stukey unveiled another plan passed by Congress and the President, this one pertaining to the army and air force. The Army would formally obtain seven former US army bases, and an additional five have been planned for construction across the Southern Federation' the Air Force is to occupy six bases and prepare to build four more. As the armed forces are organized, the Department of Defense has been further expanded, to include an Office of the Army, headed by former Lieutenant General Max Robinson, and the Office of the Air Force, under former Oklahoma Aviation Manufacturer CEO Tobias Kitchener.[/size] [size=4][img]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q525/rauken420/FSARmilitarybases.png[/img][/size] [size=4]Although all seven Army bases are currently being used for basic training, the Office of the Army has designated two bases to be long-term boot camps; recruits west of the Mississippi will be trained in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, while those to the east will be trained at Fort Burr.[/size] [quote][u][b]Senate Bill 2[/b][/u] [i]Army Base Expansion Act[/i] [i][u]Senate[/u][/i] For: 64 Against: 32 Abstain: 4 [u]House of Representatives[/u] For: 204 Against: 75 Abstain: 11 [color=#008000]Signed by President Duncan Burr[/color][/quote] [center][size=4][b][u][size=5]Interstate System Rennovation Act[/size][/u][/b][/size][/center] [size=4][size=5][size=4]With the CPR's focus remaining on military buildups, the Democrats have turned attention to domestic infrastructure, pointing to the deplorable condition of many bridges and interstate stretches in Oklahoma, Alabama, and Mississippi. Though Congressional Conservatives were inclined to decline the domestic spending bill, many of them were swayed by overwhelming support from their constituents; their inboxes were barraged with images of crumbling bridges and jagged interstate system sections from across the nation. The Interstate System Rennovation Act authorizes the Department of Transportation to spend $65 billion on revitalizing the Interstate highways over the next two years.[/size][/size][/size] [center][size=4][size=5][size=4][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3052/3061203255_a134a1c1f1_z.jpg[/img][/size][/size][/size][/center] [center][size=4][size=5][size=4][i]Work begins on the Interstate 40 Crosstown Bridge in Oklahoma City; this bridge is notorious for being so unsafe, homeless people won't sleep under it[/i][/size][/size][/size][/center] [quote] [b][u]House Resolution 4[/u][/b] [i]Interstate System Rennovation Act[/i] [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 194 Against: 83 Abstain: 13 [i][u]Senate[/u][/i] For: 66 Against: 32 Abstain: 2 [color=#008000]Signed by President Duncan Burr[/color][/quote]

The Center for Political Analysis, an independent political science organization, has released its report on the political positions of FSAR parties. The minor Green, Libertarian, and Justice candidates were not included in this study. [b][u]Conservative Party of the Republics[/u][/b] [u][i]Social Issues[/i][/u] Gay Marriage: [color=#FF0000]Opposed[/color] Abortion: [color=#FF0000]Opposed, even in cases of rape/incest[/color] Social Welfare: [color=#FF0000]Minimal and greatly restricted[/color] Internet Regulation: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Universal Healthcare: [b][color=#B22222]Strongly Opposed[/color][/b] Religion in Government: [color=#008000]Allow[/color] Electronic Surveillance: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Death Penalty: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Marijuana Legalization: [color=#FF0000]Oppose[/color] Medical Marijuana: [color=#FF0000]Oppose[/color] War on Drugs: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Prison System: [color=#FF0000]Privatize[/color] [i][u]Economic Issues[/u][/i] Environmental Regulations: [color=#FF0000]Oppose[/color] Protectionism: [color=#FF0000]Minimal[/color] Tax Policy: [color=#FFD700]"Trickle-Down"[/color] [i][u]Foreign Policy[/u][/i] Interventionism: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Foreign Aid: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Military Spending: [color=#008000]High[/color] [i][u]Domestic Policy[/u][/i] Oil/Natural Gas Subsidies: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Coal: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Green Energy: [color=#FF0000]Oppose[/color] Corporate Agriculture: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Republics' Rights: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Economic Left/Right: 8.12 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 8.10 [b][u]New Democratic Party[/u][/b] [u][i]Social Issues[/i][/u] Gay Marriage:[color=#008000] Support[/color] Abortion: [color=#008000]Support, when mother's life is in danger[/color] Social Welfare: [color=#008000]Extensive[/color] Internet Regulation: [color=#FF8C00]Minimal[/color] Universal Healthcare: [color=#FF0000]Oppose; prefer affordable options[/color] Religion in Government: [color=#008000]Allow[/color] Electronic Surveillance: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Death Penalty: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Marijuana Legalization: [color=#FF0000]Oppose[/color] Medical Marijuana: [color=#FF0000]Oppose[/color] War on Drugs: [color=#FF8C00]Minimal[/color] Prison System: [color=#008000]Government-run[/color] [i][u]Economic Issues[/u][/i] Environmental Regulations: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Protectionism: [color=#FF0000]Minimal[/color] Tax Policy: [color=#008000]Low on Middle-Class[/color] [i][u]Foreign Policy[/u][/i] Interventionism: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Foreign Aid: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Military Spending: [color=#FF8C00]Moderate[/color] [i][u]Domestic Policy[/u][/i] Oil/Natural Gas Subsidies: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Coal: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Green Energy: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Corporate Agriculture: [color=#008000]Support[/color] Republics' Rights: [color=#FF8C00]Moderate[/color] Economic Left/Right: 2.21 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 1.87

The SFAR Census Bureau has released the first national census, showing the "typical" American to be a white Protestant who is registered with the Conservative Party. [b][u]Ethnicity[/u][/b] White: 9,664,152 (66.6%) Black: 3,134,320 (21.6%) Hispanic: 1,204,391 (8.3%) Native American: 377,279 (2.6%) Asian: 87,064 (0.6%) [size=4][color=black]Other: 43,532 (0.3%)[/color][/size] [size=4][color=black][b][u]Religion[/u][/b][/color] [color=black]Protestant: 9,867,301 (68.1%)[/color] [color=black]Catholic: 2,220,143 (15.3%)[/color] [color=black]Irreligious: 1,828,353 (12.6%)[/color] [color=black]Other Christian: 333,747 ([/color][color=black]2.3%)[/color] [color=black]Other: 246,683 (1.7%)[/color] [color=black][b][u]Party Registration[/u][/b][/color] [color=black]Conservative Party of the Republics: 7,661,670 (52.8%)[/color] [color=black]New Democratic Party: [/color][color=black]6,442,768 (44.4%)[/color] [color=black]Independent: 406,301 (1.8%)[/color][/size]

[center][b][u][size=4][size=5]Supreme Court Compromise[/size][/size][/u][/b][/center] President Duncan Burr has finally released the names of his proposed appointments to the Supreme Court of the Federation. All nine judges are over 60 years old, with strong conservative credentials dating back as far as the United States, much to the dismay of the minority New Democratic Party. Several of the justices are relatively moderate, but three in particular have raised some concerns, even amongst the Conservative Party. One of them, Randall Royce, has been recorded referring to himself as a "moderate fascist," while the other two, Frederick Plates and Timothy Nolan are former corporate officials of big businesses: OG&E and . The moderate conservatives are expected to be confirmed without issue in Congress, but Senate Minority Leader George Albano says that his party will not stand to allow Royce, Plates, and Nolan into the Supreme Court. "Were it up to these three men, the Federation would become an oligarchic corporatocracy, with power centralized to a handful of corporate cronies in the top tiers of government," Albano said. "We refuse to compromise the values of our society and destroy the rights of the states by allowing these figures to review our legislation." The Constitution requires that 2/3 of both houses confirm the appointments to the Supreme Court, thus allowing the New Democratic Party to leverage their strong minority into concessions by the ruling Conservatives. Albano criticized President Burr for attempting to push through a 100%-conservative court without acknowledging minority rights. [quote][b][u]Confirmation Vote for Lucas Newman[/u][/b] [i][u]Senate[/u][/i] For: 71 Against: 22 Abstain: 7 [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 201 Against: 76 Abstain: 13 [color=#008000][b]Appointment Confirmed[/b][/color] [/quote] [quote][b][b][u]Confirmation Vote for George Chisam[/u][/b][/b] [i][u]Senate[/u][/i] For: 73 Against: 21 Abstain: 6 [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 205 Against: 71 Abstain: 13 [color=#008000][b][color=#008000][b]Appointment Confirmed[/b][/color][/b][/color] [/quote] [quote][color=#000000][b][b][b][u]Confirmation Vote for Chandler Knight[/u][/b][/b][/b][/color] [color=#000000][i][u]Senate[/u][/i][/color] [color=#000000]For: 69[/color] [color=#000000]Against: 22[/color] [color=#000000]Abstain: 9[/color] [color=#000000][i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i][/color] [color=#000000]For: 206[/color] [color=#000000]Against: 76[/color] [color=#000000]Abstain: 8[/color] [color=#008000][b]Appointment Confirmed[/b][/color] [/quote] [quote][b][u][color=#000000]Confirmation Vote for Nathan Miller[/color][/u][/b] [u][color=#000000][i]Senate[/i][/color][/u] [color=#000000]For: 65[/color] [color=#000000]Against: 22[/color] [color=#000000]Abstain: 13[/color] [color=#000000][i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i][/color] [color=#000000]For: 212[/color] [color=#000000]Against: 70[/color] [color=#000000]Abstain: 8[/color] [color=#FF0000][b]Appointment Rejected[/b][/color] [/quote] [quote][b][u]Confirmation Vote for Olivia Reynolds[/u][/b] [u][i]Senate[/i][/u] For: 81 Against: 15 Abstain: 4 [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 244 Against: 44 Abstain: 2 [color=#008000][b]Appointment Confirmed[/b][/color] [/quote] [quote][b][u]Confirmation Vote for Randall Royce[/u][/b] [u][i]Senate[/i][/u] For: 54 Against: 46 Abstain: 0 [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 111 Against: 145 Abstain: 34 [color=#FF0000][b]Appointment Rejected[/b][/color] [/quote] [quote][b][u]Confirmation Vote for Frederick Plates[/u][/b] [u][i]Senate[/i][/u] For: 55 Against: 45 Abstain: 0 [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 151 Against: 138 Abstain: 1 [color=#FF0000][b]Appointment Rejected[/b][/color] [/quote] [quote][b][u]Confirmation Vote for Timothy Nolan[/u][/b] [u][i]Senate[/i][/u] For: 59 Against: 40 Abstain: 1 [i][u]House of Representatives[/u][/i] For: 162 Against: 109 Abstain: 19 [color=#FF0000][b]Appointment Rejected[/b][/color][/quote] Five of the nine Justices were confirmed in bipartisan votes, but Nathan Miller, a judge from Jackson, Mississippi, fell one vote short of the 2/3 requisite in the Senate; Royce, Nolan, and Plates were each soundly defeated by the New Democratic Party. Senate Minority Leader Albano took this opportunity to inform President Burr that the NDP would not vote in favor of anymore Justices until he found suitable centrist or liberal candidates.The Conservatives had won the House, Senate, and Presidency by narrow margins, and Albano insists that the Supreme Court should reflect this divide. Ultimately, the two parties were able to reach an agreement, confirming three liberal judges (Amelia Rice, Richard Hart, and Kayleigh Parker) and one judge whose previous rulings place him in the center (Isaac Quinn); with the official endorsements of President Burr and the Conservative majority leaders, these appointments were almost unanimous. "I applaud the president and the Conservative Party leaders for their willingness to set aside party politics and reach a compromise on this important issue," NDP Chairman Johan Romilly told reporters. "Our ability to reach a middle ground bodes well for future lawmaking." Green Party Chairman John Drake disagrees, however. "The only reason the CPR was willing to compromise was because the Constitution mandated it," he said on Sunday. "This issue will be the exception to the rule; I think we can expect Burr and his party to shove countless partisan policies down the throats of the American people over the next four years."

The Department of Defense has reported a flood of volunteers to join the Federation's armed forces. More than a million young men and women applied to join the armed forces, but budget constraints have limited the number of personnel. Defense Secretary Victor Stukey says that the Army will be formed around a core of 25,000 police and veterans of former regimes, the former of whom had been trained by the Mexican army during the protectorate era. These 25,000 will be instated at ranks according to their experience; many of the police will become low-level NCOs, while many military veterans will be instated as officers and higher-tier NCOs. These men will undergo refresher training, as dictated by the DoD, and will then train all new recruits. Because of budget constraints, the Armed Forces cannot accept all applicants into the military. A total of 300,000 recruits have been admitted into the Army, a further 75,000 into the Marine Corps, a division of the Navy, and another 200,000 will be entered as primarily-noncombatant personnel for the Air Force and Navy. They will be equipped with armaments from military arsenals, supplemented by surplus police equipment. The FSAR Armed Forces are already well-equipped with small arms, especially standard-issue M16A4 assault rifles and Glock 38 .45 ACP handguns. Over the next five years, the DoD plans to vastly increase the number of armored vehicles, starting with M1 Abrams tanks and self-propelled artillery, though Secretary Stukey declined to release the specifics of that information. *Classified* [b][u]Standard Issue Army Armaments[/u][/b] 1x Interceptor Body Armor w/ SAPI plates (7.4kg) 1x M16A4 Assault Rifle (4 kg) [i]33x 20-round magazines (9.9 kg)[/i] 1x Glock 38 .45 ACP (0.7 kg) [i]10x 8-round magazines (0.8 kg)[/i] 3x M67 Frag Grenade (1.2 kg) 2x M18 Smoke Grenade (0.7 kg) 2x M84 Stun Grenade (0.5 kg) 1x KA-BAR Combat Knife (0.6 kg) Total - 25.8 kg (56.8 lb) [b][u]Current AFFSAR Inventory[/u][/b] [i][u]Small Arms[/u][/i] 450,000x M16A4 Assault Rifle 405,000x Glock 38 .45 ACP handgun 100,000x M4 Carbine 25,000x MP5 SMG 50,000x Remington Model 870 shotgun 10,000x M82 .50 Sniper Rifle 5,000x M24 Sniper Rifle 5,000x Mk 14 EBR [i][u]Other Infantry Weaponry[/u][/i] 3,000x M249 5.56mm LMG 4,000x M60 7.62mm GPMG 3,500x M2 .50 HMG 75,000x AT4 anti-tank rocket launcher 10,000x M141 bunker-buster 75,000x FGM-148 Javelins 75,000x FIM-92 Stingers 10,000x M252 81mm mortar 15,000x M224 60mm mortar [i][u]Self-Propelled Artillery[/u][/i] 400x M270 MRLS 250x M109A6 Paladins 100x M142 HIMARS [i][u]Towed Artillery[/u][/i] 350x M119 105mm towed howitzer 400x M198 155mm towed howitzer 350x M777 155mm towed howitzer [i][u]Anti-Aircraft[/u][/i] 300x AN/TWQ-1 Avengers 250x MIM-104 Patriot SAM [i][u]Armor[/u][/i] 3,000x M1A2SEP Abrams 35,000x Humvees 3,000x M113 APC 1,400x Stryker AFV

By the time negotiations with Mexico had concluded, the various republics' militias, authorized by the Federal Transitional Council, had expanded to a total of 85,000 personnel, using equipment from former US military aresenals. [u][b]House Resolution 1[/b][/u] National Capital Act Summary: This law would formally designate the city of Oklahoma City as the seat of the Federation of Southern American Republics. The President, Congress, and Supreme Court shall operate within the designated capitol buildings; for the time being, all government institutions will be centered in OKC, though this may change as the future situation warrants. [i]House of Representatives[/i] For: 222 Against: 57 Abstain: 11 [i]Senate[/i] For: 69 Against: 29 Abstain: 2 [color=#006600][b][i]Signed by President Duncan Burr[/i][/b][/color] [b][u]House Resolution 2[/u][/b] National Defense Authorization Act Summary: This bill would formally establish the Armed Forces of the Federation of Southern American Republics (AFFSAR) as a division of the Department of Defense. The President of the Federation shall act as the Commander-in-Chief and shall act through the Secretary of Defense. The President may order military operations lasting no longer than six months without Congressional approval, but extensions shall require a formal declaration of war by Congress. This act divides the AFFSAR into three branches: Army, Navy, and Air Force. [i]House of Representatives[/i] For: 281 Against: 6 Abstain: 3 [i]Senate[/i] For: 97 Against: 1 Abstain: 2 [color=#006600][b][i]Signed by President Duncan Burr[/i][/b][/color] [b][u]House Resolution 3[/u][/b] National Tax Act Summary: This bill will set the federal income tax, along with other rates, to be revisited every five years. Individual Income Tax Brackets $0 - $9,999 - 12% $10,000 - $39,999 - 16% $40,000 - $74,999 - 20% $75,000 - $124,999 - 25% $125,000+ - 31% Payroll Taxes - 13% Sales Tax - 5% Corporate Tax - 10% Estate Tax - 30% Tariff - 12% [i]House of Representatives[/i] For: 173 Against: 103 Abstain: 14 [i]Senate[/i] For: 61 Against: 34 Abstain: 5 [color=#006600][b][i]Signed by President Duncan Burr[/i][/b][/color] President Burr has also completed the compilation of his cabinet, filling it almost entirely with Conservative party members; the New Democratic Party has criticized the ruling CPR for a lack of diversity in the party, noting that only two Democrats and one independent are represented, and that only four of the cabinet members are women. Burr and the CPR dismissed the notion of bias in the appointments, claiming they had appointed individuals based upon qualifications, not upon gender, party, age, or race. [u][b]Secretary of Defense: [i]Victor Stukey (CPR)[/i][/b][/u] - Undersecretary of War:[i] Nicholas Patterson (CPR)[/i] -Undersecretary of Homeland Security: Dmitry Borchard (CPR) [u][b]Secretary of Foreign Affairs: [i]Jonathan Wash (CPR)[/i][/b][/u] -Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs: Ellis Hiller (CPR) - Undersecretary of Disaster Aid and Relief - Robert Flanagan (CPR) - Undersecretary of Public Relations - Matthew McFarland (CPR) [u][b]Secretary of the Homeland: Raynard McCall (CPR)[/b][/u] - Undersecretary of Labor: Hannah Dudley (CPR) - Undersecretary of Transportation - Sarah Schultz (CPR) - Undersecretary of Land and Resource Management - Ian Appleby (CPR) - Undersecretary of Energy - Joshua White (CPR) - Undersecretary of Protectorate and Territory Management - Wallace Sheridan (CPR) [u][b]Secretary of Government Services: Thomas Delano (CPR)[/b][/u] - Undersecretary of Culture and Sports - Shelby Burger (NDP) - Undersecretary of Justice - Bennett Kron (CPR) - Undersecretary of Health - Barry Combs (CPR) - Undersecretary of Education - Terrance Henderson (CPR) - Undersecretary of State Security - David Davidson (CPR) [u][b]Secretary of Finance: Aaron Reading (CPR)[/b][/u] - Undersecretary of Trade - Elizabeth Duke (NDP) - Undersecretary of Industry - Christopher Neighbors (CPR) - Undersecretary of the Treasury/Finance - Ryan Pealock (CPR) [u][b]Secretary of Science: Randall Tarly (Ind.)[/b][/u] -Undersecretary of Science and Research - Steven Hatchett (CPR) -Undersecretary of Space and Technology - Richard LeGrande (CPR)

"Provided the American Commonwealth respects private property rights during the transition, the Southern Federation will support this move." -David Burr President, FSAR

[b][i][u]Presidential Election (73 Electoral Votes to Win)[/u][/i][/b] Burr/Loman (CPR) - 5,882,229 (55.6%)[b] [105 Electoral Votes][/b] Romilly/Snyder (NDP) - 4,221,240 (39.9%) [[b]40[/b][b] Electoral Votes][/b] Drake/Lausen (GP) - 222,171 (2.1%)[b] [0 Electoral Votes][/b] Abeln/Troxell (LP) - 190,432 (1.8%) [[b]0 Electoral Votes][/b] Milligan/Campbell (FJP) - 42,319 (0.4%) [[b]0 Electoral Votes][/b] Others/Null Ballot - 21,160 (0.2%) [u][i][b]Senate (100 seats)[/b][/i][/u] Conservative Party of the Republics - 55 seats New Democratic Party - 45 seats Green Party - 0 seats Libertarian Party - 0 seats Federal Justice Party - 0 seats [i][b][u]House of Representatives (290 seats)[/u][/b][/i] Conservative Party of the Republics - 148 seats New Democratic Party - 141 seats Libertarian Party - 1 seat Green Party - 0 seats Federal Justice Party - 0 seats The Conservative Party won a landslide victory in the presidential election, with Burr sweeping much of Oklahoma and Alabama into his corner; in those two states, only the district of Tulsa favored the New Democratic Party, and only by a narrow margin (49.7% to the CPR's 49.2%). The New Democratic Party did well in Arkansas and Missisippi, winning key urban areas like Little Rock, Jackson, and Fort Smith, but they came up short in most electorates; in some areas, the Green and Libertarian votes were greater than the difference between the CPR and NDP's results. Romilly admits that, regardless, those votes wouldn't have changed the results, but a speaker for his campaign blamed Drake and Abeln for the huge disparity between the Conservative and Democratic parties. In the Senate, the Conservatives won a comfortable majority, but fell short of their projected 68-seat supermajority; in this regard, the Democrats were thankful toward the Libertarian candidates, who diverted enough votes in enough races to prevent a CPR mandate. The House of Representatives showed a similar story, with the Conservatives gaining a narrow majority over the Democrats, but one seat, in the heavily contested district of Oklahoma City, fell to Libertarian Joseph Greenawalt. Because of his opposition to Democratic entitlement programs and Conservative military spending, he is not expected to caucus with either of the two major parties. His victory can be attributed to the massive split in the OKC congressional vote; 36.3% went to Greenawalt, 33.9% to the CPR candidate, 24.1% to the Democrat, and 5.7% to the Green. Burr spoke to supporters in Burmingham, Alabama, who had gathered to celebrate what has shaped up to be a Conservative Party mandate over the Federation. "This is the dawn of a new era for our great republics," he announced. "For years we have languished under the bonds of foreign occupation - and it was occupation, regardless of the benevolence of their intent and actions - and now we have the chance to start anew! My colleagues and I will strive to establish a solid foundation, upon which we may build a nation that will last throughout the ages!" Drake, Abeln, and Milligan joined their voices together to protest a perceived bias in the electoral process. Each claims that their campaign had encountered undue difficulty in attempting to advertise on major television networks. Despite having the required funds to advertise, they claim the networks would only offer subprime positions in the dark of the night, a claim that has been confirmed by a number of late-night TV viewers. The Southern Broadcasting Company, one of the largest media companies currently operating in the region, has denied these reports; CEO Bradley Reynolds insists that all three parties fell short of the minimum price for a daytime ad space, and claims they did them a favor by allowing them any access at all. This controversy is largely being overlooked by the CPR and NDP.

With the conclusion of negotiations with their former protectors in Mexico, the Federal Transitional Council has drafted the Constitution of the Federation, with the assistance of former judicial officials. According to Chairman Duncan Burr, the Constitution was based loosely on the US and Federal Republic of Greenland's constitutions, fitted to the necessities of the new federation. "The new constitution, I believe, will adequately represent all citizens of the Federation," Burr declared. "We have set the framework for a government that will defend the rights of everyone against all threats, foreign and domestic." Critics of the new Constitution primarily target the electoral system, which models itself after the Electoral College of the United States. Green Party Chairman John Drake claimed that, like the US, this system unfairly penalized potential independent or minor party candidates by requiring majorities in individual areas rather than an overall plurality. Regardless, this did not stop him from announcing his candidacy for the presidency at the Green Party Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma. "I refuse to stand idly by while the FTC repeats the mistakes of a bygone generation!" Drake declared to thousands of supporters in the plaza. "It is time for the southern republics to turn over a new leaf, and lead the world in developing clean energy, equal rights, social and economic justice, and inclusive governance!" Larger crowds were drawn to the conventions of the Republican and Democratic Parties, where the various state parties had formally converged into national parties, now known as the Conservative Party of the Republics and the New Democratic Party, respectively. FTC Chairman Duncan Burr won the Conservative nomination, naming the Mississippi party leader, Cameron Loman, as his VP; Burr is running on a platform dedicated to strong military defense in the early stages of national development, putting a sizable armed force before the development of entitlement programs. The NDP nominee is Johan Romilly, a member of the FTC Executive Board and Chairman of Liberals for a Free Arkansas; he selected Mississippi Democrat Arianna Snyder as his running mate. They are running on a platform of steady military development, while focusing on the improvement of the interstate system, social security, and social welfare. In a region renowned for its conservative attitudes, the Democrats have primarily been campaigning in liberal, urban strongholds such as Little Rock and Jackson. Romilly admits that he is concerned about the impact of Drake and the Greens on the liberal vote, but he believes that Kathryn Abeln, the Libertarian nominee, will even out the odds. [quote] Preamble: We the People of the Sovereign Republics of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, hereby declare the formal establishment of a state dedicated to the defense of liberty and prosperity. We hereby agree to coalesce in a Federation that shall stand resolute against all threats and hazards that may imperil the well-being and inalienable rights of its constituents. This new state shall be known as the Federation of Southern American Republics. Article I. Sovereignty: The Federation of Southern American Republics is a sovereign nation endowed with inalienable rights to its land holdings, waters, airspace, citizens, natural resources, and whatever is applicable. No nation shall infringe such sovereignty. Section 1. All lands, waters, and airspaces within the national boundaries of the Federation are owned by its constituent republics. However, the Federal Government shall have the sole right to grant, and withdraw, the lease of ownership to designated entities under specific circumstances, or take control of these commodities in times of national emergency. 2. All natural resources within the national boundaries of the Federation are the sole property of the State. Any private exploitation of such resources may be allowed through concessions sanctioned by the Federal Government. The Federal Government shall regulate, to a meaningful extent, the exploitation of natural resources. 3. The Federal Government shall have the sole right to impose reasonable limits upon private property for public interest and national security reasons. Article II. Government Structure: The Federal Government of the Southern Federation shall be divided into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches to ensure the Government remains true to its stated purpose of fair governance and to prevent the concentration of power. A. Legislature: The Congress of the Federation shall be the legislature, comprised of two separate chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives, each elected by direct popular vote in their respective districts. The Congress will have the power to impeach the President, override executive orders, and declare war with a 2/3 majority in both houses. Normal legislation shall require a simple majority in both houses to pass. 1. Senate The Senate shall comprise of no more than 90 Senators, allotted amongst the administrative divisions on a proportional basis relative to population. Each Senator shall serve terms of 6 years, limited to no more than five terms, and must be at least 30 years of age, and a citizen of a constituent republic, to be eligible for election. The Senate shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Senate, who shall be chosen by a vote by the senators and has no powers to disrupt the workings of the Senate. 2. House of Representatives The House of Representatives shall consist of 2 representatives for every 100,000 citizens, to be recounted by federal census every ten years. House representatives shall serve unlimited 2-year terms, so long as they can win their election. Candidates must be at least 25 years of age and a citizen of the a constituent republic. The House will be presided over by the Speaker of the House, chosen by vote of the representatives. B. Executive: The Executive Branch shall comprise of the President and his or her Cabinet and any and all related government organizations. 1. President The President of the Federation shall be tasked with sustaining and preserving the Federation against all threats, internal and external, and in upholding the Constitution. To run for Office, he or she must be at least thirty years of age and be a lawful citizen of a constituent republic. Each term lasts five years with no term limits. The President shall hold the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation and may engage in military deployments of no more than six months without Congressional approval. The President has the authority to enact Executive Orders, provided they do not violate the spirit of this Constitution. 2. The Cabinet: The Cabinet shall consist of a group of individuals chosen by the President upon election, who shall be charged with the running of various Departments, which, in turn, operate Offices, which will be charged with the operation of various government agencies. Each Department shall be headed by a Secretary, who shall provide advice to the President on matters of their specific jurisdictions and who shall serve as an coordinating body between the President and related government agencies, bureaus, and organizations. A Secretary shall have no power to appoint or dismiss any Undersecretaries under his or her jurisdiction, though he or she does have the power to make recommendations to the President regarding as such. In turn, the President shall have the power to appoint or dismiss any Secretary or Minister at his leisure. The Departments shall consist of the following, along with the Cabinet: a. Department of Defense: - Office of War - Office of Security b. Department of Foreign Affairs: - Office of Foreign Affairs - Office of Disaster Aid and Relief - Office of Public Relations c. Department of the Homeland: - Office of Labor - Office of Transportation - Office of Land and Resource Management - Office of Energy - Office of Protectorate and Territory Management d. Department of Government Services: - Office of Culture and Sports - Office of Justice - Office of Health - Office of Education - Office of State Security e. Department of Finance: - Office of Trade - Office of Industry - Office of the Treasury/Finance f. Department of Science: - Office of Science and Research - Office of Space and Technology C. Judiciary: The Judicial branch shall comprise of the Federal Supreme Court, which shall be tasked with interpreting the Law and Constitution. 1. Supreme Court of the Southern Federation: The High Court shall comprise of nine Justices, who must be at least forty years of age and be a citizen of the Federation. The Justices shall be appointed by the President with confirmation of Congress, while the Supreme Justice shall be appointed by the Congress with a 2/3 majority in both houses. 2. Lower Courts: The Lower Courts shall comprise of Federal Courts, of which one shall be located in each administrative region, and of Federal Appeals Courts, of which one shall be located in each administrative region. Each constituent republic may also appoint its own state courts. Article III. Laws by the Governing: A. Bills: The Congress may propose and submit Bills to the President if said Bill has the support of a majority of legislators in both houses. The President, upon receiving said Bill, may sign it into law or veto it. A 2/3 majority vote is required in the Congress to override the veto. Lastly, the said Bill must comply with the Constitution, and may be subject to judicial review. B. Appointments: a. The President shall appoint Secretaries to head each Department and requires no approval from any other branch with regards to these appointments. b. The Minister of Justice shall appoint all Federal judges with the approval of the President and confirmed with a majority vote of approval in both houses of Congress. c. The Minister of Foreign Affairs shall appoint Ambassadors, with approval of the President. C. Elections: a. Election Day is to be held on the first Tuesday of November, and new appointments shall officially assume office on the day of February 1st. b. The President shall be elected by an electoral college; depending on population, each republic will be divided into Electoral Districts. The district’s electoral votes will be determined by the number of representatives to the House, plus three. A candidate requires a majority of electoral votes to be elected President; should no candidate attain the required number, the President shall be selected by a vote of the House of Representatives and the Vice President by a vote of the Senate. c. The People shall have the power to vote for President and Congressional representatives. To vote, a person must be at least 18 years of age and a citizen of both a constituent republic and the Federation. Article IV. Armed Forces: The Federation may maintain a standing army headed by the Office of War. 1. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Southern Federation. 2. Declaration of wars must be ratified by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress. 3. A “state of war” may be declared by 2/3 majority in both houses of Congress. 4. President may engage in military deployments of no more than 12 months without Congressional approval. a. In the event of a declaration of war, the President shall receive additional powers, including the ability to limit some rights outlined in Article VI. b. A "state of war" shall last no more than eighteen months, and the Congress must vote with a two-thirds majority to extend for another six months. 4. All eligible men and women must serve at least three years in the military, civic service, or the Peace Corps. 5. Men in the age range of 17-49 and women in the age range of 19-39 shall be eligible for draft in times of war. Article V. Crimes and Justice: 1. Capital Punishment is a legal form of punishment in the Federation. All prisoners convicted with the death penalty have the right to a hearing with a Judge, a hearing with a Jury, and two appeals before swift and humane execution. a. Organs, if in healthy condition, must be donated. 2. The only crimes capable of receiving the death penalty are high treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, first-degree premeditated murder and rape. Redefinition of this clause requires a ¾ majority vote by both houses of Congress. Article VI. Right of Humankind: All lawful citizens and non-citizens of the Federation shall be endowed with specific inalienable rights and liberties that cannot be infringed upon. A. Citizenship: A lawful citizen is guaranteed rights, privileges, and responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution and interpreted by Government. 1. Anyone born in a constituent republic, its land territories, waters, airspace, or its foreign bases is automatically granted FSAR citizenship. 2. Anyone with one parent, who is a citizen of the Federation, can request to become a citizen if desired. They must first become a permanent resident of one of the constituent republics to become a citizen, but they may become citizens after two years. 3. Anyone who has lived in a constituent republic for over five years as a legal permanent resident and passes a Citizenship exam and is fluent in English can apply for citizenship to the Federation. 4. Any individual from any nation is permitted to submit an application for a work visa, subject to approval from the Office of Finance and renewed every two years. Residents who work in a constituent republic under a visa for ten years will be granted citizenship. B. Freedoms: a. Freedom of Speech b. Freedom of Assembly c. Freedom of the Press [can be revoked in times of war by order of the President] d. Freedom to Petition e. Freedom of Religion C. Rights: a. Right to bear arms b. Right to Habeas Corpus [can be suspended in times of war by order of the President] c. Right to a fair trial with jury d. Right to remain silent e. Right to property f. Right to life g. Right to liberty h. Right to education i. Right to vote (Suffrage: 18 years of age) D. Others: All constituent republics and Federal Territories shall have the right to enforce any Law or Legislation not specifically delegated to the Federal Government by this Constitution or by legislation. Article VII. Amendments: Amendments may be made to this Constitution with a two-thirds majority vote in the Congress, two-thirds citizen approval, and the support of two-thirds of the constituent republics in order to take effect. Amendments can be applied to any part of this Constitution. Preamble: We the People of the Sovereign Republics of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, hereby declare the formal establishment of a state dedicated to the defense of liberty and prosperity. We hereby agree to coalesce in a Federation that shall stand resolute against all threats and hazards that may imperil the well-being and inalienable rights of its constituents. This new state shall be known as the Federation of Southern American Republics. Article I. Sovereignty: The Federation of Southern American Republics is a sovereign nation endowed with inalienable rights to its land holdings, waters, airspace, citizens, natural resources, and whatever is applicable. No nation shall infringe such sovereignty. Section 1. All lands, waters, and airspaces within the national boundaries of the Federation are owned by its constituent republics. However, the Federal Government shall have the sole right to grant, and withdraw, the lease of ownership to designated entities under specific circumstances, or take control of these commodities in times of national emergency. 2. All natural resources within the national boundaries of the Federation are the sole property of the State. Any private exploitation of such resources may be allowed through concessions sanctioned by the Federal Government. The Federal Government shall regulate, to a meaningful extent, the exploitation of natural resources. 3. The Federal Government shall have the sole right to impose reasonable limits upon private property for public interest and national security reasons. Article II. Government Structure: The Federal Government of the Southern Federation shall be divided into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches to ensure the Government remains true to its stated purpose of fair governance and to prevent the concentration of power. A. Legislature: The Congress of the Federation shall be the legislature, comprised of two separate chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives, each elected by direct popular vote in their respective districts. The Congress will have the power to impeach the President, override executive orders, and declare war with a 2/3 majority in both houses. Normal legislation shall require a simple majority in both houses to pass. 1. Senate The Senate shall comprise of no more than 90 Senators, allotted amongst the administrative divisions on a proportional basis relative to population. Each Senator shall serve terms of 6 years, limited to no more than five terms, and must be at least 30 years of age, and a citizen of a constituent republic, to be eligible for election. The Senate shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Senate, who shall be chosen by a vote by the senators and has no powers to disrupt the workings of the Senate. 2. House of Representatives The House of Representatives shall consist of 2 representatives for every 100,000 citizens, to be recounted by federal census every ten years. House representatives shall serve unlimited 2-year terms, so long as they can win their election. Candidates must be at least 25 years of age and a citizen of the a constituent republic. The House will be presided over by the Speaker of the House, chosen by vote of the representatives. B. Executive: The Executive Branch shall comprise of the President and his or her Cabinet and any and all related government organizations. 1. President The President of the Federation shall be tasked with sustaining and preserving the Federation against all threats, internal and external, and in upholding the Constitution. To run for Office, he or she must be at least thirty years of age and be a lawful citizen of a constituent republic. Each term lasts five years with no term limits. The President shall hold the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation and may engage in military deployments of no more than six months without Congressional approval. The President has the authority to enact Executive Orders, provided they do not violate the spirit of this Constitution. 2. The Cabinet: The Cabinet shall consist of a group of individuals chosen by the President upon election, who shall be charged with the running of various Departments, which, in turn, operate Offices, which will be charged with the operation of various government agencies. Each Department shall be headed by a Secretary, who shall provide advice to the President on matters of their specific jurisdictions and who shall serve as an coordinating body between the President and related government agencies, bureaus, and organizations. A Secretary shall have no power to appoint or dismiss any Undersecretaries under his or her jurisdiction, though he or she does have the power to make recommendations to the President regarding as such. In turn, the President shall have the power to appoint or dismiss any Secretary or Minister at his leisure. The Departments shall consist of the following, along with the Cabinet: a. Department of Defense: - Office of War - Office of Security b. Department of Foreign Affairs: - Office of Foreign Affairs - Office of Disaster Aid and Relief - Office of Public Relations c. Department of the Homeland: - Office of Labor - Office of Transportation - Office of Land and Resource Management - Office of Energy - Office of Protectorate and Territory Management d. Department of Government Services: - Office of Culture and Sports - Office of Justice - Office of Health - Office of Education - Office of State Security e. Department of Finance: - Office of Trade - Office of Industry - Office of the Treasury/Finance f. Department of Science: - Office of Science and Research - Office of Space and Technology C. Judiciary: The Judicial branch shall comprise of the Federal Supreme Court, which shall be tasked with interpreting the Law and Constitution. 1. Supreme Court of the Southern Federation: The High Court shall comprise of nine Justices, who must be at least forty years of age and be a citizen of the Federation. The Justices shall be appointed by the President with confirmation of Congress, while the Supreme Justice shall be appointed by the Congress with a 2/3 majority in both houses. 2. Lower Courts: The Lower Courts shall comprise of Federal Courts, of which one shall be located in each administrative region, and of Federal Appeals Courts, of which one shall be located in each administrative region. Each constituent republic may also appoint its own state courts. Article III. Laws by the Governing: A. Bills: The Congress may propose and submit Bills to the President if said Bill has the support of a majority of legislators in both houses. The President, upon receiving said Bill, may sign it into law or veto it. A 2/3 majority vote is required in the Congress to override the veto. Lastly, the said Bill must comply with the Constitution, and may be subject to judicial review. B. Appointments: a. The President shall appoint Secretaries to head each Department and requires no approval from any other branch with regards to these appointments. b. The Minister of Justice shall appoint all Federal judges with the approval of the President and confirmed with a majority vote of approval in both houses of Congress. c. The Minister of Foreign Affairs shall appoint Ambassadors, with approval of the President. C. Elections: a. Election Day is to be held on the first Tuesday of November, and new appointments shall officially assume office on the day of February 1st. b. The President shall be elected by an electoral college; depending on population, each republic will be divided into Electoral Districts. The district’s electoral votes will be determined by the number of representatives to the House, plus three. A candidate requires a majority of electoral votes to be elected President; should no candidate attain the required number, the President shall be selected by a vote of the House of Representatives and the Vice President by a vote of the Senate. c. The People shall have the power to vote for President and Congressional representatives. To vote, a person must be at least 18 years of age and a citizen of both a constituent republic and the Federation. Article IV. Armed Forces: The Federation may maintain a standing army headed by the Office of War. 1. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Southern Federation. 2. Declaration of wars must be ratified by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress. 3. A “state of war” may be declared by 2/3 majority in both houses of Congress. 4. President may engage in military deployments of no more than 12 months without Congressional approval. a. In the event of a declaration of war, the President shall receive additional powers, including the ability to limit some rights outlined in Article VI. b. A "state of war" shall last no more than eighteen months, and the Congress must vote with a two-thirds majority to extend for another six months. 4. All eligible men and women must serve at least three years in the military, civic service, or the Peace Corps. 5. Men in the age range of 17-49 and women in the age range of 19-39 shall be eligible for draft in times of war. Article V. Crimes and Justice: 1. Capital Punishment is a legal form of punishment in the Federation. All prisoners convicted with the death penalty have the right to a hearing with a Judge, a hearing with a Jury, and two appeals before swift and humane execution. a. Organs, if in healthy condition, must be donated. 2. The only crimes capable of receiving the death penalty are high treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, first-degree premeditated murder and rape. Redefinition of this clause requires a ¾ majority vote by both houses of Congress. Article VI. Right of Humankind: All lawful citizens and non-citizens of the Federation shall be endowed with specific inalienable rights and liberties that cannot be infringed upon. A. Citizenship: A lawful citizen is guaranteed rights, privileges, and responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution and interpreted by Government. 1. Anyone born in a constituent republic, its land territories, waters, airspace, or its foreign bases is automatically granted FSAR citizenship. 2. Anyone with one parent, who is a citizen of the Federation, can request to become a citizen if desired. They must first become a permanent resident of one of the constituent republics to become a citizen, but they may become citizens after two years. 3. Anyone who has lived in a constituent republic for over five years as a legal permanent resident and passes a Citizenship exam and is fluent in English can apply for citizenship to the Federation. 4. Any individual from any nation is permitted to submit an application for a work visa, subject to approval from the Office of Finance and renewed every two years. Residents who work in a constituent republic under a visa for ten years will be granted citizenship. B. Freedoms: a. Freedom of Speech b. Freedom of Assembly c. Freedom of the Press [can be revoked in times of war by order of the President] d. Freedom to Petition e. Freedom of Religion C. Rights: a. Right to bear arms b. Right to Habeas Corpus [can be suspended in times of war by order of the President] c. Right to a fair trial with jury d. Right to remain silent e. Right to property f. Right to life g. Right to liberty h. Right to education i. Right to vote (Suffrage: 18 years of age) D. Others: All constituent republics and Federal Territories shall have the right to enforce any Law or Legislation not specifically delegated to the Federal Government by this Constitution or by legislation. Article VII. Amendments: Amendments may be made to this Constitution with a two-thirds majority vote in the Congress, two-thirds citizen approval, and the support of two-thirds of the constituent republics in order to take effect. Amendments can be applied to any part of this Constitution. [/quote]

Please mark Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama as the Federation of Southern American Republics. If that's too long, put either the Southern Federation or FSAR.