Posts from Actaea

If the training is paid, then it might have been necessary. If they are a national minority, and moreover, one that many look down upon, the chances are slim that they and their relatives have a decent job to pay for the training. Something like that.

Ples, you forgot the concept of Ventorum; they don't have anything like that; everyone achieves everything on their own.

Oh, yes, I didn’t even notice the elephant!

By the way, you can now use the "Notices" list to check if this issue was actually assigned to you at the beginning or if you simply got something mixed up.

It seems I was mistaken. That's strange; I distinctly remember responding to this issue a long time ago and even knew all the possible answers... Oh well.

The Issue

Farmers throughout the country are threatening a nationwide strike, because their domestic produce cannot compete with cheap foreign imports. They demand that the government step in and protect the agricultural sector.
The Debate

"Foreign competition is slowly destroying us!" yells Efthamia Strange while waving a pitchfork. "We invest so much effort and time to get a quality yield, and eventually we end up throwing everything away because those cheap, plastic Arkondian tomatoes are sold for half the price! I swear they taste like compost wrapped in iceburg lettuce, and yet Rex Ventorumians still buy the damned things! We, the farmers of Rex Ventorum, demand agricultural subsidies so we can lower our prices and compete fairly with imports. After all, our food security depends upon domestic production."

Economic analyst Barack O'Bannon has other ideas. "There's an easier way to support farmers without spending millions on farms that never went beyond ox plowing. Just raise tariffs. Agriculture will be protected from a transnational race to the bottom, and Rex Ventorumians get a little tax cut to boot. The tariffs will be unpopular abroad, but this conundrum only exists because of Arkondia's long history of protectionism."

"Are these people serious?" scoffs Dave Shiomi, owner of A Whole Shipload, LLC. "Subsidies, tariffs, what is all that about? You're messing with the free market here! If foreign produce is cheaper, then that means they're better at doing their jobs. These ungrateful peasants just want government coddling, because they can't pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. It's time that Rex Ventorum promote personal responsibility instead of pandering to the weak. Crush the strike by abolishing all foodstuff tariffs, and then we can import as much as we like."

I'm torn. Each option has its merits.

because those cheap, plastic Arkondian tomatoes

It's awful; these tomatoes crossed so many borders on their way to Ventorum and still cost less. Apparently, the situation is really not that great.
I don't know, Revan; I still don't fully understand the essence of your state. Option 2 might suit you better. Probably...

let them not lie. my tomatoes are fine, no one has complained

and the weather changes for silly reasons and sometimes even randomly.

Let them not lie. My tomatoes are perfectly fine, no one has complained.

Arandor-Tomato will not allow anyone to slander his vegetables!

The first option will probably lower the economy but boost agriculture. Or, in such cases, both can be improved. Like, you invest funds and get a return.

Added after 36 seconds
For example, I invested in tourism, and the economy also improved.

I'm having trouble deciding. Each option seems partially suitable.

Well, since you organized AFTA, the third option fits your role-playing best. On the other hand, it could ruin everything. ;)
The first option would logically have a better impact on farmers because you pay money in the first one.

The first option will probably lower the economy but boost agriculture. Or, in such cases, both can increase. Like, you invest funds and get a return.

The budget comes from taxes, so they should increase, not the overall economy decrease.

Well, since you organized AFTA, the third option is suitable for your role-playing.

It doesn't suit my role-playing that something is being brought to me, rather than me giving something to someone.

With some similar issues, the economy inexplicably suffered, so it wasn't consistent.

Added 1 minute ago
I'm keeping an issue in reserve that would allow for the widespread distribution of weapons. Just in case...

The Federal Republic of Rex Ventorum consists of twenty-four provinces and a territory under direct federal jurisdiction — the capital city district.
According to the new constitution, the consul (head of state) is appointed for one term (1000 days) by decision of the Senate, which in turn consists of representatives from all twenty-four provinces; each province, depending on its population size, may have from one to four senators. A mandatory member of the senate is the provincial praetor — its direct leader; praetors, as well as representatives, are elected through a vote in which every resident of the corresponding province can participate. One person may hold the same office as many times as they wish without any restrictions.
The governing bodies of each province are authorized to make amendments to their region's legislation depending on the needs of their constituents, provided that this does not violate the fundamental principles of the state.
The Consul of the Federal Republic is the head of government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the supreme representative of Rex Ventorum in the international arena; the consul determines the political course of the country, appoints people to government positions, and overall possesses a very wide range of powers.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla, the first consul and founder of the federal republic; born and raised in the territory of present-day Vitis, in former times he belonged to the "blue" population class.

Venia	Arizema	Atlantis	Griffonia	Vitis
Ostia	Ventorum	Latium	Salus	Karagana
Anhui	Velox	Coreopsis	Kohia	Erantis
Salacia	Sirius	Juventas	Origana	Discordia

Atlantis
In the past, settlements in this territory had the highest concentration of "whites" among their residents and, as a result, this province is characterized by a higher standard of living than all others (with the exception of the capital and Vitis province). As before, an "order fund" exists here — residents voluntarily contribute funds to it for the purpose of maintaining cleanliness on city streets. Overall, little has changed with the reforms; prices for education and housing were exorbitantly high and have remained so.
The main office of Atlantis Motor Company is located here — a world-famous manufacturer of cars, motorcycles, engines, as well as bicycles.

Home of an ordinary family in this province


Cario Bamballio - a native of Atlantis, a twenty-three-year-old footballer, forward for Atlantis FC and the Rex Ventorum national team.

Ventorum

Or "Old Ventorum," as it is commonly called by the people.
The center of activity for Ventorum Heavy Industries. Mining industry flourishes here, and a wide variety of equipment is produced (including military gear, personal/commercial vehicles, utility cranes, agro-industrial machinery, and much more), along with weapons, ammunition, shells, and so on. This province exhibits the highest levels of toxicity and environmental pollution. Working conditions are appalling, but for people without a good education, high-paying work can always be found here — employers will teach everything and provide shelter (if necessary, though locals usually work here); however, one should be prepared for subsequent expenses to treat health problems.

Letizia (at age 17) - an Olympic champion and wanted war criminal, born right here; she was destined for a life of slavery in the halls of these numerous factories, but she was saved by the grace of Hector Pride — former commander-in-chief of the VRSS — now also a fugitive criminal.

Velox

The Rex Ventorum center for entertainment and gambling; a province with the "softest" laws; the only province in which the sale and use of light drugs are legalized (export, however, is strictly prohibited). Also the only region where the government makes no attempt to impose moral etiquette — strip clubs and legal brothels can be found on every colorful street of the city. Critics' opinions about this province regarding the government differ; some use the term "double standards," while others are approving, arguing that "people will sink to all these things anyway, so it is better they do it where the government can monitor them and far from exemplary, law-abiding citizens."

Discordia

An island located on the maritime border with Quasardastan and the free lands of Tarpaulin. A province in which there are no civilians; the entire "population" consists of personnel from numerous military bases.

Chemical and biological weapons tests are regularly conducted here.

I just got carried away coming up with "designs" for the flags, but it was worth it. Perhaps I will add more descriptions later.

Quite diverse regions. And the laws differ. Definitely like the USA.

The regions are quite diverse. And the laws differ. It's definitely like the USA.

USSR :smile04:
Medj, where is Hector hiding?