Empire of AndrewBoard

Oceara wrote:

Be warned that if they are Ocearan Citizens, if they for whatever reason have no taxes from their country of residence they will be taxed by Oceara for that year.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

For reference, the most prestigious orchestras in the US are said to be the "big five":

-New York Philharmonic
-Boston Symphony Orchestra
-Chicago Symphony Orchestra
-Philadelphia Orchestra
-Cleveland Orchestra

The Orson Empire wrote:

These are the dominant political ideologies in Orson in 2019 (excluding Federalism, which I have already covered in detail):

Neo-Monarchists: Also known simply as Monarchists or Imperials, adherents of this ideology believe in an extraordinarily strong central government and a strong Emperor, along the lines of the original First Imperium (the government of Orson before the constitutional monarchy came to power). This ideology has its roots in New Guinean militarism, and spread rapidly across Orson in the decades before the 2nd Orson Civil War, in strong reaction to the various separatist movements forming across Orson. The ideology is squarely far-right on the political spectrum, and Neo-Monarchism bears many similarities to fascism, to the point where many Imperial politicians consider it a variation of fascism; notably, the ideology is ultranationalist, promoting the interests of the state first and foremost, even at the cost of sacrificing individual liberties or rights. Monarchists believe that a strong central authority is the only way of preventing Orson from descending into chaos and civil war once more, and thus have come to regard liberal democracies as obsolete, favoring a heavily authoritarian government capable of crushing any dissent against the Emperor, and such pervasive levels of control over society that it resembles totalitarianism. Monarchists favor a strong military and a hawkish foreign policy, believing that waging wars of territorial expansion as a method of securing the dominance of Orson on the world stage. Orsonian supremacism is also a key component of Neo-Monarchism, with many proponents of the ideology believing that Orsonians are the dominant species on Earth and are destined to conquer the human nations. After the 7th of July Coup in 2006, the Neo-Monarchist vision became reality once Turner assumed absolute authority over Orson, forming the Second Imperium and installing many Monarchists in power. As a result, it remains the dominant ideology in Orson, common throughout the Imperial government and the military, as well as tens of millions of loyal civilians.

Moderates: Previously known as Constitutionals, moderates tend to favor elements of the old political system under the constitutional monarchy. Moderates seek to achieve a balance of power between the Emperor and the government, each checking the power of each other and preventing either from growing too powerful and dominant. The Moderate viewpoints have their basis in the old Constitutional movement, which overthrew the tyrannical reign of Emperor Marz Arkenson in 1806 and established the constitutional monarchy. The Moderates maintained their control over Imperial politics for nearly 200 years before finally being displaced by the Neo-Monarchists. Moderates remain common throughout Orson today, but their supporters are beginning to dwindle year-by-year. It is becoming harder and harder to tell the difference between a Moderate and a Monarchists, with many Moderates choosing to support Turner and his regime in exchange for saving their own skins or preventing another civil war from breaking out.

Liberalists: Liberals are similar to Moderates, but propose an alternative strategy for governing Orson. Liberals believe that the Emperor should have no political power at all, becoming nothing more than a figurehead that remains in power for ceremonial purposes. Prior to Turner's reign, Liberals were often displeased with the rampant corruption common throughout Orson's political system, proposing the breakup of the power of the Imperial Senate and the strengthening of the local territorial governments, ensuring that they had a greater say in Imperial politics and taking the wind out of the separatist movements. In the 1970's and 1980's, Liberalists and Monarchists were in fierce competition to become the new dominant ideology of Orson, but Liberalism ultimately fell behind with the onset of the civil war, as the reactionary policies of the Monarchists became more favorable during the chaos. Liberalists largely keep their views to themselves in modern times, quietly supporting the Federalists as they view them as the only hope in restoring a free and democratic government in Orson.

Separatists: Adherents to this ideology either favor greater autonomy or complete separation from the Empire and Imperial authority. The separatist movement began to gain traction in the latter half of the 20th century, quickly gaining popularity throughout numerous territories, as the local governments became dissatisfied with the lackluster rule of the Imperial Senate and the rampant corruption throughout the Imperial government. Tensions between the separatists and the Imperial government reached their peak during the 2nd Orson Civil War, which ended with the victory of the Imperial government over the territories. Separatists are still common throughout Orson, though Turner's totalitarian dictatorship has caused them to ally with the Federalists to achieve their goals.

The Orson Empire wrote:

Citing the ongoing threat of the Federalist movement and other separatist movements, as well as the geopolitical tension with the Wagains, Mamarans, and the rising Ocearans, the Ministry of Defense has announced an enormous expansion in the strength of the Imperial Military. Conscription is to be reinstated, and MOD will hold the first draft lottery in 10 years, the last being held in 2007 near the beginning of Turner's dictatorship over Orson. Conscription had become increasingly unnecessary thanks to the stream of millions of volunteers during the 2nd Orson Civil War and for years after the end of the war, but the last five years has seen the number of volunteers taper off dramatically across the Empire; with the threat of war increasingly looming every month and Turner's ambitions for his Grand Plan, manpower has become more critical than ever.

Two distinct lotteries will be held, each broadcast on national television and streamed live on the Internet for the public to watch throughout the Empire. The first lottery will give priority to all Orsonians and humans aged 15-21 (born between the years 1996 and 2002), who live in an Imperial territory; 60$ of draftees will come from this lottery. The second lottery will give priority to all Orsonians and humans aged 22-30 (born between the years 1987 and 1995), who live in an Imperial crownland; the remaining 40% of draftees will come from the second lottery. All 366 days of the year (including February 29) are printed on small white balls, mixed in a box and then poured into a large glass container. As per the custom for these lotteries, each member of the Imperial Council (including Grand Secretary Aven and Prime Minister Wells) will be blindfolded and then allowed to draw one ball from the glass container. All Orsonians and humans born on the exact date listed on the ball will be conscripted; the new draftees will be identified based on the registries provided by the Rearmanent Act, which requires all men and women between 15-40 years of age to register with the MOD. Deferments for military service will be rarely given out, and an application for one subjected to intense scrutiny. Conscientious objection to service, or objection to service based on religious grounds will not be accepted, and college deferments will be given out on a case-by-case basis; unless a truly dire reason is found, those drafted will be expected to perform a minimum of 5 years of serve, per the terms of the Rearmament Act. Draft dodging and desertion remain capital offenses, meaning those who commit them can be sentenced to the death penalty.

Both lotteries will continue until a minimum of 5,000,000 personnel have been conscripted, enough to create 250 new divisions, and raising the strength of the Imperial Military from 13 million to 18 million total personnel. Additionally, MOD has awarded new contracts to several different defense contractors to manufacture weapons, supplies, and other war material to equip the new recruits.