Rantweb's US Government

[Patriot]

New leadership of the United States, aka, Republic of Rantweb!

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President: Ian

Vice President: Patriot

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: TN Righty

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Bolo

Director of the CIA: Scrap

Secretary of the Treasury / Ambassador to Middle East: Mo

Secretary of the Interior: Groucho

Ambassador of the United Arab Emerites: Midcan

Ambassador of North Korea: Uncle Vinny
____________________________________________

This thread is designed to operate just like the US Government. Officials can act in response to real life news events as covered in the news. It will be as if we're actually running the country with our decisions, etc, to test the cohesiveness of a strong, smart, conservative group of people.

[Ian]

LMAO! This is a great idea.

I'm truly honored that you would curtail your own power in order to make me president. Of course as vice-president you're in a far greater position to lambaste at will all enemies of the Administration, a role I realize you're well prepared to fill.

I also enthusiastically endorse your appointment of midcan as guest-representative of Sudan.

[Patriot]

President Ian:

Would you deign to deliver, at your leisure, a State of the Union address? Then, pending the issues you raise, we shall convene the Assembly to discuss new legislation...

[TNRighty]

I'm not going to wait until the State of the Union Address to make my first ruling. I am abolishing all property taxes.

This is an assualt by the government on private property ownership, a foundation of this nation, and it will not stand in my court. This is an egregious violation of the Constitution, and down right Marxist. No individual should have to pay the government a yearly fee for the right to own property.

Private property rights are under assault, and it all begins with property taxes.

I know you're probably asking, "But what about Kelo vs. New London". Kelo vs New London is but an offspring of the property tax. Eliminating the property tax effectively eliminates the Kelo decision also. Allow me to explain.

With a property tax in place, the government has a vested interest in the value of the property, and thus a vested interest to see that the property is in the hands of someone who will make it lucrative. A multi-million dollar riverfront condominium complex brings a whole lot more property tax revenue than four single family homes. The Kelo decision gives local governments a judicial precedent to transfer property from one private individual to another for the sole purpose of increasing government revenues from PROPERTY TAXES!

Eliminate the property taxes and you eliminate government control over private property.

[Patriot]

Will the Honorable Chief Justice care to answer a question on the above matter-- by abolishing taxes on private property, how will this affect the Treasury? Also, should certain types of private property remain taxed (ie, restaurant property). You of course have the final word. Thank you.

[Ian]

Mr. Speaker, Vice President Patriot, members of Congress, members of the Supreme Court, Director of the CIA, madam Ambassador, Secretary of the Interior, distinguished guests, fellow citizens, rantwebians:

I speak to you tonight with modest content, yet an abounding hope. It is doubtless that the United States currently faces several momentous challenges. However I believe it is equally doubtless that the fine citizens of this great nation shall rise, as they have innumerably erstwhile risen, to meet and defeat that which challenges them.

The world today has encountered a comprehensive assault by sober Islamic purists. Only through a proportionately sober recognition of this assault do we stand any chance of meeting and defeating it. Until the stalwart arms of America are freed from the shackles of politically correct tactics fashioned within the secure, idealistic halls of academia, we stand no chance of meeting and defeating the true adversary of traditional American principles.

Those principles were refined not through the irrational pursuits of hostile hearts and minds, but rather through a decisive defeat by outright brutality and a subsequent cultivation of those hearts and minds. Western acceptance was not delicately introduced to Berlin or Tokyo, it was unsympathetically forged through military suppression; we shant expect any variation in Baghdad or Tehran. No where in the world is there more hostile a region to Western ideals than the Middle East.

A strong nation is a sovereign one. Our very sovereignty has been threatened by the mass invasion of illegal Mexican immigrants. The cowardly concession by past American leaders to these labor mercenaries has lead to severely reduced employment for hard-working American citizens. The influx of unskilled, Third World tax-ghosts has universally reduced wages for hard-working American citizens. The declaration that illegal immigrants do the work Americans won’t do is flies in the face of the industrious history of America. What separates the immigrants of old from the immigrants of today, aside from their obvious legal status, is geography. Our ancestors crossed vast oceans in order to come to America, knowing well that they would never again step foot on the soil on which they were born. They pledged full allegiance to their new homeland and sacrificed everything to ensure it a thriving future, because America’s future was their future. Illegal Mexican immigrants are nothing more than leeches on the prosperity that our immigrant ancestors fought so selflessly to build. I’m pleased to say that in the dawn of this new era my Administration top priorities is to return that prosperity back to the rightful hands of the American worker.

This greatest Republic, however, cannot stand with the hulking mass of judicial activism bearing down upon its shoulders. That is why I announce tonight that my colleges in the House are to initiate the impeachment of Chief Justice Righty. Never before have the traditions of American government been so squarely offended than by Chief Justice Righty’s usurpation of executive power through his abolishment of property tax prior to my inauguration. For shame.

This is indeed a great nation. However, a nation’s greatness is only measured by its commitment to its traditions. I ask that you stand with me tonight against that which threatens those traditions. Together we stand a chance of once again delivering this nation to its former glory, but fractured we indubitably commence its destruction.

[Patriot]

Standing Ovation for President Ian... Rousing Applause


My fellow Countrymen and Compatriots,

Tonight President Ian has well spoken of the virtues of our land, and the perils of our times. The juxtaposition of these form the very crossroads at which we find ourselves today, charged with the solemn duty of leading the United States of America-- still the world's sole superpower-- for the next four, and God willing eight, years of administration.

In his speech, President Ian made note of the following issues central to our day:


1. A comprehensive assault by sober Islamic purists.

2. The mass invasion of illegal Mexican immigrants.

3. Severely reduced employment for hard-working American citizens.

4. The influx of unskilled, Third World tax-ghosts.


These, then, are to be at the forefront of the administration's agenda. I stand alongside President Ian in support of our rededication to American tradition and ideals. This is to be an era of uncompromise-- an era of unyielding commitment to ensuring America's future by conjuring the spirit of its past.

As Vice President I am currently overseeing the Department of Homeland Security and will be responsible for implementing updated policies in reference to our actions in homeland defense. I want to make all Americans involved, to the greatest extent possible, in the defense of their liberties. To that end, my goal is to expand recruitment of officers by offering bonus incentives.

I want to cut unnecessary federal programs in an effort to stabilize the economy, and I want to bring the troops home as soon as possible in order to avoid straining the military too far. These are all subjects which we, as government officials, can and will discuss at length.

And now, Mr. President, I make an appeal to you-- on behalf of Chief Justice Righty-- may we delay the proceedings for his impeachment on the basis of his character and true-blue concern for the well-being of the ordinary American? Give him a chance to get underway, he will prove, in my estimation, an irreplaceable asset to this administration. There are few of his intellectual caliber in the Republic and he is therefore a necessary and deserving component of the government.

Blessings and prosperity to you all. I look forward to sitting with you in session, as we delineate the policies that are to shape the destiny of this, our bastion of freedom.

[TNRighty]

Allow me to elaborate on my position of eliminating property taxes. If I can get that one ruling passed before my impending impeachment, I will leave the court a very happy man.

Initially, I wanted simply to overturn the Kelo vs. New London decision. However, upon further diliberation of this case it dawned on me that simply overturning the Kelo decision would not get to the root of the problem.

As I stated in my majority opinion, Kelo is simply an offspring of the real problem, property taxes. Kelo is just a symptom of the bigger disease.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge that the right to levy property taxes is reserved for local and state governments (thus I have not usurped your power, Mr President). However, when a federal case (Kelo) emerges from a local dispute, I believe that gives me jurisdiction over the larger issue. The desire by local governments to increase their revenues through increased property taxes is what led to Kelo, which is an outright abuse of Federal Eminent Domain Laws. The restrictions on Eminent Domain are outlined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Its a Constitutional issue, even if the battlefield is at the local level.

Eminent Domain exists to enable governments to provide facilities and infrastructure for public use...roads, bridges, power lines, schools, parks, etc. The key word here is public USE. It was never intended to create a revenue stream for local and state governments through increased property tax revenue! It exists to serve the people, NOT the government. Increased property tax revenues are for government use.

In response to Vice President Patriot's inquiry into how this effects the treasury, I will respectfully tell you I don't answer to the treasury. I answer to the Constitution of the United States of America.

In response to your second question about restaurants and other privately owned businesses I will say this: It is up to the legislature how they decide to tax wealth generated at that property through retail sales, services, etc., but I will stand by my decision that you should not be taxed simply for owning something.

[Patriot]

Honorable Chief Justice,


Thank you for that statement of clarification. I do not have the final say on any impending impeachment proceedings; I for one have petitioned the President to delay such action as I believe you are fit for the task, particularly with your emphasis on accountability to the Constitution. You were perhaps impetuous to deliver a ruling prior to the President's State of the Union address, it will be up to the President to decide what is to become of your lot. I hope, that with the domestic and international challenges we collectively face, that this administration can lay aside brewing enmities toward one another, and pull together for the good of the country.

Chief Justice, your heartfelt commitment to tight Constitutional constructionism hearks back to the days of Andrew Jackson, the champion of the common man. Indeed America is comprised of the working class, the bones and sinew of our nation have always been the farmer, the hunter, the industrialist, and the private citizen. They are to be given priority. Yet I urge you, if you are fortunate enough to retain your position, to also think from the perspective of the government's existence and well-being.

I have stated my piece, it will be up to the President to commence further action, or not. In the meantine we would like to hear, if possible, from any other government officials-- Secretary of the Treasury, Mo, or Secretary of the Interior, Groucho-- or perhaps, any of the foreign ambassadors currently residing in our midst (United Arab Emerites, Midcan; North Korea, Uncle Vinny).

[Patriot]

Please note that Bolo has been named Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It has been awhile since he's been here, but in the event he shows up, feel free to assume the role and title.

[Ian]

My fellow statesmen,

I shall grant Chief Justice Righty clemency on his charge of egregious usurpation of executive power and do all in my power to still the winds of revolt swirling within my party. His violation was chiefly against the tradition of respect, and my call for his impeachment was ceremonial in nature. I wouldn’t have blamed the American people for thinking less of me if I were to allow such a transgression to pass without official recognition. Let there remain no doubt that I believe Chief Justice Righty’s cause to be a noble one, regardless of its crude introduction.

I would like to add several new aims of my Administration that were left out of my state of the nation toward the goal of conciseness, a trait sorely lacking in previous addresses.

.....• Education Reform
.....• Gay Marriage Amendment
.....• Social Security Reform
.....• Work Towards a Flat Tax System
.....• Reforming Our Stance On The Israel/Palestine Conflict
.....• Nuclear Energy
.....• Overhauling Our Approach to the War on Terror

I shall elaborate on my position on the aforementioned issues at a later time. At the moment I’m late for a dinner-date with the Dali Lama. Considering the Vice-President shares many of my stances, I’m comfortable with him addressing them as he sees fit.

[Ian]

I also submit that Stevie Ray Vaughn's Scuttle Buttin' should be designated the new National Anthem.

Deliberate as you will.

[Patriot]

Mr President, Chief Justice, etc,

Today occurred the largest air strike in Iraq since our initial invasion, targeting insurgent strongholds north of Baghdad. ( cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?idq=/ff/story/0001/20060316/1209970739.htm&floc=NW_1-T )

It is called Operation Swarmer.

This leads me to convene the government in the Situation Room to discuss our immediate plans for Iraq.

[MO]

Ambassador to Middle East: Mo

[midcan5]

Thank you, Mr President, for this position as ambassador. While I realize my ideas differ from most in this administration I think diversity of opinion is a good thing. With that said I want to lay out some of my goals and working positions.

We all realize the UAE possesses a natural resource essential to the operation of modern industrial society, our goal as neighbors and friends is to mediate business endeavors which support both our worlds. I have proposed to the UAE business and industrial leaders benefits that assist both our countries. One the chief institutions in a modern society is a strong public education system separate from any ideological influence. Another ingredient is an established secure workforce that feels it is a key part of the society in which it exists.

We need to establish in this area of the world where I have this great opportunity an institution of education which allows complete freedom to learn. At the same time we need to establish in our own country enough knowledge worker jobs to stop the tide of job outsourcing.

These goals can be created through a mutual commission I have established with the help of UAE industrialists. First, they will support and fund plans to build and develop technical schools in the US in high population areas close to heavily populated areas. We will start six sites with industrial manufacturing and information sciences as the primary curriculum. The reason it is not aimed at higher education is because the US already has a great public state college system. Second, they will begin public schools in the their country modeled after our finest public schools with the help of some of our best educators and administrators. They realize full well the chief institution of any society is a well educated citizenry.

I will keep you all up to date as these endeavors move forward. I look forward to an administration that accomplishes real things for its citizens. Thank you for the opportunity to participate.