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Bill: State of the Union Address 2534
Details
Submitted by[?]: Judicial Union Party
Status[?]: defeated
Votes: This bill is a resolution. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: June 2536
Description[?]:
| An announcement as to government policy for the legislative term beginning 2534. |
Proposals
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 02:37:52, February 19, 2008 CET | From | Judicial Union Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | We are proud to be back in control of the Council, and to lead Tukarali to the future it deserves. (1) Economy The Tukarali economy is still growing at a stable rate, although there is still a lot of room for improvement. We are currently 41st out of 55 ranked countries for investment rate as a percentage of gdp, with a low 12.35%. As any economist will tell you, investment is the key to a strong economy. Our high income tax is also a problem, as it is slowing the growth of our economy. In order to remedy this, we propose to reduce taxes on income and introduce consumption-based taxes, as luxury and essentials taxes. Because a person will be taxed on money they spend, there will be an incentive to invest money rather than spending it all. In addition, money spent on assets, such as property or stocks, will be rendered tax free. Moving to a consumption-based tax system will be a large undertaking, and will require widespread support between parties. We therefore have a four step plan. 1. Increase the luxury goods tax rate. 2. Remove the bottom tax bracket. 3. Introduce a tax on essential goods. 4. Lower the tax rates and raise the brackets progressively without running a deficit. If such a system was done without any social security, it would lead to inequalities of income. However, because our Welfare Act provides all citizens with a fixed minimum income, this will not be a problem. This income is fixed at between 60,000 TUK and 65,000 TUK (OOC: you can work this out by looking at the income tax rates), which considering the average income is 90,000, is not an insignificant amount. We feel this consumption based tax will be fairer to all citizens, and will provide a stronger economy. (2) Foreign Policy We would like to continue our policy of neutrality in foreign conflicts, however, as a break from tradition, we would like to begin putting pressure on foreign nations who do not respect human rights and dignity, through diplomatic, non-military means. This would, of course, require us to work together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently held by the Rightist Party. (3) Industrial Regulations We will continue to be committed to removing regulatory red tape on industries, to allow our business to be more competitive internationally, and encourage foreign businesses to set up in Tukarali. |
| Date | 03:00:18, February 19, 2008 CET | From | Judicial Union Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | We do of course welcome any constructive discussion as to this policy and the future of Tukarali. |
| Date | 03:16:08, February 19, 2008 CET | From | Tukarali Graenix Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | Bravo, JUP. Thanks for giving a State of the Union even though the proposal was defeated, that was a great speech. Even though I'm a little (or a lot) ignorant on Tukarali economics, I will support you on the principle. And the TGP fully supports your foreign policy stance and will work to mend the partisan barriers that restrict us from working together. Being that we are a centrist party, even though we don't have much power as in seats we can still aid in talks to bring the right and left together. Before we can have influence on other nations, we have to stand together. And lastly, I'd like to eradicate child labor in our nation. |
| Date | 06:08:36, February 19, 2008 CET | From | JDW Tukarali Greens Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | oppose this new so called leadership consumption taxes are the most regressive, "as any economist will tell you" as bad as income taxes are, they can be designed to be progressive and hence allow a heavier burden on wealthier citizens this is of course not the way libertarians want to run the gov, but most industrialized countries reject pure libertarian economic principles. in the USA it was called the period of the Robber Barons |
| Date | 06:22:44, February 19, 2008 CET | From | Judicial Union Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | Consumption taxes can be regressive, which we said in the address: "if such a system was done without any social security, it would lead to inequalities of income". However, because luxury goods are taxed higher, and because we have a comprehensive social welfare scheme, in practice, it is not. |
| Date | 13:07:37, February 19, 2008 CET | From | Tukarali Democratic Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | We applaud mister Jeremy Gainsborough for his policy on Tukarali's economy. Quote: "In order to remedy this, we propose to reduce taxes on income and introduce consumption-based taxes, as luxury and essentials taxes. Because a person will be taxed on money they spend, there will be an incentive to invest money rather than spending it all. In addition, money spent on assets, such as property or stocks, will be rendered tax free." As we believe that purchasing power and taxes on products instead of persons is very important to stimulate our economy. This is linked to his statements about industrial regulations who need to be further privatized. We also support his foreign policy to put pressure on Nations who do not respect human rights. However, our party leader, mister Jackson R. Brown said to the press earlier this day that he has his doubts about the coherency in this government coalition. The fact that the Head of State said that, "This would, of course, require us to work together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently held by the Rightist Party.", does not vote well on confidence. |
| Date | 14:41:04, February 19, 2008 CET | From | Rightist Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | "1. Increase the luxury goods tax rate." We will oppose this. "2. Remove the bottom tax bracket." Maybe "3. Introduce a tax on essential goods." No. This is stupid economic policy. "4. Lower the tax rates and raise the brackets progressively without running a deficit." I prefer flat taxes |
| Date | 21:26:35, February 19, 2008 CET | From | Judicial Union Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | Actually, consumption taxes are largely flat taxes (except for the difference between essential and luxury goods), which is the reason they can be regressive. That is why it is so important to have social welfare programmes to counter this, and we already do have many in place. Indeed, income tax could be abolished entirely, ie a flat tax of 0%, although that would not be attainable in the short term. |
| Date | 09:02:55, February 22, 2008 CET | From | Judicial Union Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | Vote how you like on this, it doesn't have any binding effect, it's just so this is kept in the records. |
| Date | 09:15:36, February 22, 2008 CET | From | JDW Tukarali Greens Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | oppose consumption taxes are NOT flat taxes since consumption occupies a larger part of the income for those less well off |
| Date | 09:16:28, February 22, 2008 CET | From | JDW Tukarali Greens Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | JUP - you can continue to create State of the Union addresses, but it is the bills you introduce that really matter |
| Date | 20:40:56, February 22, 2008 CET | From | Tukarali Popular Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | As our colleges in the 26th Century Coalition pointed out, are there certain aspects of the composition of the current government that is a cause of concern, while it does hold a stable majority could we easily end up seeing a weak inefficient government unable to function as it is supposed to, simply because of the broad coalition. Furthermore would we like to applaud you and your party Mr. Tergent for a formidable state of the union speech, and ought our strong support for your visions in the aspects of foreign policies and industrial regulations. We can however not agree with huge parts of your economic policies, as it has been stated many times by our colleges in this great legislature is it not a responsible act to raise sales tax – whether that is on luxury goods or essential goods. |
| Date | 22:59:01, February 22, 2008 CET | From | Rightist Party | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | Resolution defeated. :D |
| Date | 14:03:52, February 23, 2008 CET | From | Greenish Liberal Democratic Socialists | To | Debating the State of the Union Address 2534 |
| Message | I like the Union statement, though we don't really approve all of its contence |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | |||||
| yes | Total Seats: 146 | |||||
| no |
Total Seats: 354 | |||||
| abstain | Total Seats: 0 |
| Random fact: Large scale RP planning (such as wars, regional/continental conflicts, economic collapse, etc.) should be planned (as best as it can be) and should have consent of a majority of players involved. |
| Random quote: "Liberalism is the transformation of mankind into cattle." - Friedrich Nietzsche |