Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
> Opinion Polls
Party Ratings
Test: 50%
Current Government: National Party
National Issues
Health: 50% Education: 50% Economy: 50% Law & Order: 50%
Transport: 50% Social Affairs: 50% Environment: 50% Foreign Affairs: 50%
Government Reputation
Strength: 50%
Popularity: 50%
Trust: 50%

Welcome to Mock Parliament. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The Ostentian Democrat Party
Topic Started: May 18 2008, 02:34 PM (1,044 Views)
Commoncold0
Member Avatar
Elder Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Posted Image

Introduction
People of Ostentia, I am pleased to announce that the Democrat Party of Oredia is going national. For too long has the Ostentian political spectrum been skewed to the far left, stuck with political parties proposing extremist measures such as outlawing religious groups simply because they originated from abroad, or taking nearly 1/2 of what people earn in taxation. We in the Ostentian Democrat Party believe that such intervention by the State into people's lives is completely unjustifiable and unacceptable. Our political philosophy is that the government does not need to control society or the economy, but simply manage them. If elected, we will work to create a freer, fairer country, in which people have a real say as to how the country is run, and we'll oppose any and all the draconian measures proposed by other parties. So vote Democrat, for a better Ostentia.

Note: the Oredian Democrat Party will continue to operate as a seperate organisation, in alliance with the Ostentian Democrat Party.



Policy Positions
These are our views on the various issues affecting Ostentia. More detailed policies will be announced in our manifesto releases before each election.

Health
We believe that in any civilised society, it is vitally important that all citizens, especially those from the vulnerable sections of our society, are given healthcare in their time of need. As some parties are likely to suggest that we may privatise the health service, we pledge here and now to maintain the state provision of healthcare.

Education
Education is vital, as it is the mechanism by which social mobility can take place. It would be a priority of a Democrat government to ensure that all children recieve a good, broad education. We will also strive to improve access to universities and other institutes of further education, particularly with regards to reducing the cost of attending such establishments.

Economy
Economic growth cannot continue indefinately, and it would be irresponsible for us to promise to maintain economic growth: there is no way any government can do that. However, we will not express the same complacency shown by other parties towards the economy. Instead, we will take measures to liberate the economy and encourage economic growth - in particular, we will reduce the excessive levels of taxation this country currently has. Government spending is at a dangerously high level - if the country should face a recession, then there would be massive funding shortages, which could only be dealt with by irresponsible borrowing or raising taxation to even higher levels, fuelling the recession even more. The Ostentian Democrat Party intends to fix the roof of government finances while the sun shines, by bringing spending down to sustainable levels.

Law & Order
Despite our commitment to small government, we accept that there will be occasions when our police forces will need tough new powers to combat levels of crime. However, if these powers are given to the law enforcement agencies, then we will also give powers to the legal system to ensure that the police forces are not abusing their new powers. In addition, we will also attempt to tackle the causes of crime, by giving young people from deprived areas the education they need to live as law abiding citizens.

Transport
The Ostentian Democrat Party believes that transport networks should reflect the needs and desires of the people who use them. We will therefore pursue policies that give the users of public transport a greater say in how their local networks are run.

Social Affairs
It is our belief that governments cannot control society. Throughout history, it has been shown that attempts at social engineering have often caused more problems than they solve. Instead, we believe that the problems in society are best tackled indirectly, by improving other areas: for example, increased economic prosperity will reduced unemployment, therefore reducing the problem of poverty.

Environment
The Environment is an increasingly important issue in politics these days, and the ODP is commited to improving Ostentia's environment. In addition to protecting areas of natural beauty in the countryside, we will also work on improving the environment in urban areas.

Foreign Affairs
The Ostentain Democrat Party will pursue a foreign policy that puts our nation's interests first. However, this will not be the expense of our morals - for example, we will not sign trade agreements with foreign governments that oppress their own people. The ODP will never launch or support an offensive war.



Party Membership:

Commoncold - Party Leader
Sir William Buttersworth - Director of Communications
Eriatarka1
Jean-Claude Dumariel


If you are interested in joining the Ostentian Democrat Party, please post here or contact me via PM. You may request a particular policy position, although you should be aware that all positions may be subject to reshuffles.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cieran
Member Avatar
Should-like-totally-be-the Prime Minister
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
This right wing party has some remarkably centrist policies :P...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Commoncold0
Member Avatar
Elder Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Cieran
May 18 2008, 03:43 PM
This right wing party has some remarkably centrist policies :P...

Possibly because we're a centrist party, not a right-wing one? ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cieran
Member Avatar
Should-like-totally-be-the Prime Minister
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Tbh, on the compass I wouldn't know where to place you. I mean, broadly you're a libertarian/classical liberal party, but you favour socialised healthcare and inexpensive education for all. You have many egalitarian principles anyway...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Commoncold0
Member Avatar
Elder Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Hmmmm... if you wanted to classify it with one single term, I'd describe the party ideology as "pragmatic classical liberalism".
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Inevitable
Member Avatar
WOBBUFFET!
Moderator
BACK EVIL!

*hiss*
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Boohistory
Member Avatar
Minister for Awesome
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
It burns my eyes!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pokemaniac John
Member Avatar
Mister Speaker
Admin
"we will take measures to liberate the economy"

To what extent do you believe in free trade being a good way to "liberate the economy"?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Commoncold0
Member Avatar
Elder Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Pokemaniac John
May 18 2008, 05:15 PM
"we will take measures to liberate the economy"

To what extent do you believe in free trade being a good way to "liberate the economy"?

Hmmm... I admit, "liberate the economy" is quite a vague aim. Let me clarify my position on free market economics:


Free trade will allow the economy to develop naturally. This is in contrast to planned economies favoured by left wing parties, which develop artificially, with governments simulating levels of demand. A free market economy can usually survive changes, as its very nature means that it will develop in a way to suit new conditions. Planned economies, however, have a tendancy to collapse when change occurs.

Therefore my view is that a free market economy is more desirable than a planned economy, as while a free market economy may cause short term problems, a planned economy guarantees long term economic disaster.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pokemaniac John
Member Avatar
Mister Speaker
Admin
Commoncold0
May 18 2008, 05:27 PM
Pokemaniac John
May 18 2008, 05:15 PM
"we will take measures to liberate the economy"

To what extent do you believe in free trade being a good way to "liberate the economy"?

Hmmm... I admit, "liberate the economy" is quite a vague aim. Let me clarify my position on free market economics:


Free trade will allow the economy to develop naturally. This is in contrast to planned economies favoured by left wing parties, which develop artificially, with governments simulating levels of demand. A free market economy can usually survive changes, as its very nature means that it will develop in a way to suit new conditions. Planned economies, however, have a tendancy to collapse when change occurs.

Therefore my view is that a free market economy is more desirable than a planned economy, as while a free market economy may cause short term problems, a planned economy guarantees long term economic disaster.

You do realise exactly what "free trade" is? It's highly unethical, and pretty much the opposite of fair trade.

If you do, I'm appauled that you would support such a thing.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Commoncold0
Member Avatar
Elder Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Oh, I see what you're going on about now.


My view is that workers in third world countries are being unethically exploited. However, it is not the government's job to enforce strict moral standards upon the people. If you go down that road, you'll eventually find yourself in a situation where people have no say in how their lives are run, as the government has already made a "morally correct" decision for them. In short, I believe that ethical positions are for the individual consumer to decide, not the government.



EDIT: For the record, my reference to "free trade" was meant in the sense that I believe economic protectionism is, in most situations, damaging to the economy as a whole.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lewis
Member Avatar
Inane moaner
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I found myself agreeing thre more than I thought, your ideas of the economy are very different to my own though and a few other areas.

It did remind me a lot of the one tory party conference (it was a day off of school and free lunch, it was that or do french) I've been to, where David Cameron did the most vague speech I'd ever heard. I suppose though you can be vague in opposition politics as your ideas can be brilliant in theory and they may never be put into practice, and by promising lots you have nothign to loose. I'd never stray down that path as these things often bite your arse if you get inot power.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Commoncold0
Member Avatar
Elder Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
The vagueness is deliberate. If these are going to be the founding principles of my party, I'm going to want them to apply to any political situation, not just the current one.

Anyways, I'll be publishing a detailed manifesto with specific policies before the next election. ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Inevitable
Member Avatar
WOBBUFFET!
Moderator
Lewis
May 18 2008, 06:57 PM
It did remind me a lot of the one tory party conference (it was a day off of school and free lunch, it was that or do french) I've been to, where David Cameron did the most vague speech I'd ever heard.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a word for word copy.

Cursed ConservativeCapitalist0.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Commoncold0
Member Avatar
Elder Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Inevitable
May 18 2008, 09:24 PM
Lewis
May 18 2008, 06:57 PM
It did remind me a lot of the one tory party conference (it was a day off of school and free lunch, it was that or do french) I've been to, where David Cameron did the most vague speech I'd ever heard.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a word for word copy.

Cursed ConservativeCapitalist0.

Hmmm... I think a point needs to be made here...


I am not a conservative.

Neither is David Cameron.

Neither was Maggie Thatcher.


Genuine conservatism - simple opposition to radical change - ceased to be a real force in UK politics decades ago. It's arguable as to whether or not it really existed. It was gone by the 1980s anyway.



As for the capitalist bit... tell me Inevitable, how is the redistribution of Ostentia's wealth going? Exactly how many industries have you nationalised during all the Boo Party's terms in office? Are we any closer to doing away with government altogether and living in communes?

Look in the mirror. Capitalism is merely a reflection of mankind's selfish nature. A political system which attempts to deny this is doomed to failure.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · General Politics · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Mock Parliament Wiki

Looking for the posts about Democratia, Ostentia or Brian Blessed? Click here.