Sunday, June 29, 2003
CITIZENSHIP
One of the most important questions a political body has to answer is who can vote and who can hold office. In other words who is a citizen.
No country allows everyone to vote or hold office. Even the mass democracies of today have restrictions on voting by felons, minors and the insane.
So who should be allowed to control the state?
It seems to me that the logical answer to that question is that since the state exists only because individuals make it exist, the people who should control the state are the ones who by their actions create and keep it in existence.
In other words people who pay taxes and have served in the militia or active duty armed forces should be citizens while all others while receiving the protection of the law should not be allowed to vote or hold office.
This would have a three fold advantage. First it would provide the government with revenue without violating anyone’s rights since the tax would be voluntary. Second it would eliminate any practical need for a draft since the would be a large organized militia. Third it would balance the right to self government with the cost of self government.
Those who chose not to pay taxes and serve in the military would still have the protection of the law. Also non citizens and citizens alike would be able to attend the assembly a sort un-legislature that would meet every five years and could strike down laws.
The relevant portion of the constitution of the Dual Principality follows.
Art II Citizenship
Sec 1 Requirement for citizenship
Any person resident in the principality who has reached the age of 16 years and has completed three years of active duty or 5 years of a thirty year term of militia duty. May by paying the income tax set forth by the legislature, become a citizen of the principality.
Sec 2 Non Citizens
Any person who has resided with in the principality for a period of not less then two years and has renounced all allegiance to any other polity or who is a native born resident of the principality and has not taken an oath of allegiance to any other polity is a resident national of the principality, eligible to attend the assembly. Any person with in the jurisdiction of the principality shall have the full protection of the law.
Sec 3 The Duties and Privileges of Citizenship
All citizens shall have the right to vote and the right and duty to sit on juries.
One of the most important questions a political body has to answer is who can vote and who can hold office. In other words who is a citizen.
No country allows everyone to vote or hold office. Even the mass democracies of today have restrictions on voting by felons, minors and the insane.
So who should be allowed to control the state?
It seems to me that the logical answer to that question is that since the state exists only because individuals make it exist, the people who should control the state are the ones who by their actions create and keep it in existence.
In other words people who pay taxes and have served in the militia or active duty armed forces should be citizens while all others while receiving the protection of the law should not be allowed to vote or hold office.
This would have a three fold advantage. First it would provide the government with revenue without violating anyone’s rights since the tax would be voluntary. Second it would eliminate any practical need for a draft since the would be a large organized militia. Third it would balance the right to self government with the cost of self government.
Those who chose not to pay taxes and serve in the military would still have the protection of the law. Also non citizens and citizens alike would be able to attend the assembly a sort un-legislature that would meet every five years and could strike down laws.
The relevant portion of the constitution of the Dual Principality follows.
Art II Citizenship
Sec 1 Requirement for citizenship
Any person resident in the principality who has reached the age of 16 years and has completed three years of active duty or 5 years of a thirty year term of militia duty. May by paying the income tax set forth by the legislature, become a citizen of the principality.
Sec 2 Non Citizens
Any person who has resided with in the principality for a period of not less then two years and has renounced all allegiance to any other polity or who is a native born resident of the principality and has not taken an oath of allegiance to any other polity is a resident national of the principality, eligible to attend the assembly. Any person with in the jurisdiction of the principality shall have the full protection of the law.
Sec 3 The Duties and Privileges of Citizenship
All citizens shall have the right to vote and the right and duty to sit on juries.
Monday, June 23, 2003
COUNTY BY COUNTRY ANALYSIS: AFRICA
This is a restatement of the information contained in my piece “IS STARTING A NEW COUNTRY REALISTIC?” I am working on a more in depth analysis of the questions I asked in “WHAT FACTORS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED.”
All data taken from the CIA fact book 2002.
Angola
State Revenue $928E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 10.7%
State Expenditure $2.5E9
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 4%
State External Debt $10.4E9
$100e6 as %age of Debt .96%
Land area 1.2E6 km
275 km as a %age of land area .02%
Nambia
State Revenue $883E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 11%
State Expenditure $950E6
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 10%
State External Debt $217E6
$100e6 as %age of Debt 46%
Land area 825,418
275 km as a %age of land area .03%
Mozambique
State Revenue $393E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 25%
State Expenditure $1.025E9
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 9%
State External Debt $1E9
$100e6 as %age of Debt 10%
Land area 784,090
275 km as a %age of land area .03%
Malawi
State Revenue $490E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 20%
State Expenditure $523E6
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 19%
State External Debt $2.8E
$100e6 as %age of Debt 3.5%
Land area 98,080
275 km as a %age of land area .2%
Tanzania
State Revenue $1.1E9
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 9%
State Expenditure $1.35E9
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 7%
State External Debt $6.8E9
$100e6 as %age of Debt 1%
Land area 886,037
275 km as a %age of land area .03%
Uganda
State Revenue $959E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 10%
State Expenditure 1.04E9
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 9%
State External Debt $3.4E9
$100e6 as %age of Debt 2%
Land area 199,710
275 km as a %age of land area .1%
This is a restatement of the information contained in my piece “IS STARTING A NEW COUNTRY REALISTIC?” I am working on a more in depth analysis of the questions I asked in “WHAT FACTORS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED.”
All data taken from the CIA fact book 2002.
Angola
State Revenue $928E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 10.7%
State Expenditure $2.5E9
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 4%
State External Debt $10.4E9
$100e6 as %age of Debt .96%
Land area 1.2E6 km
275 km as a %age of land area .02%
Nambia
State Revenue $883E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 11%
State Expenditure $950E6
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 10%
State External Debt $217E6
$100e6 as %age of Debt 46%
Land area 825,418
275 km as a %age of land area .03%
Mozambique
State Revenue $393E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 25%
State Expenditure $1.025E9
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 9%
State External Debt $1E9
$100e6 as %age of Debt 10%
Land area 784,090
275 km as a %age of land area .03%
Malawi
State Revenue $490E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 20%
State Expenditure $523E6
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 19%
State External Debt $2.8E
$100e6 as %age of Debt 3.5%
Land area 98,080
275 km as a %age of land area .2%
Tanzania
State Revenue $1.1E9
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 9%
State Expenditure $1.35E9
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 7%
State External Debt $6.8E9
$100e6 as %age of Debt 1%
Land area 886,037
275 km as a %age of land area .03%
Uganda
State Revenue $959E6
$100e6 as %age of Revenue 10%
State Expenditure 1.04E9
$100e6 as %age of Expenditure 9%
State External Debt $3.4E9
$100e6 as %age of Debt 2%
Land area 199,710
275 km as a %age of land area .1%
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Constitution of the Dual Principality of Amagi
As is probably evident from the name of this blog, the form of government that I invision is a constitutionally limited diarchy. By diarchy I mean that their will be two coequal heads of state. The two Princes appoint the Prime Minister who is head of government with the consent of Parliament.
Parliament is composed of two houses the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is composed of members either elected by the citizens or chosen from among the citizens by lot. The Senate is composed of members either ellected by the State legislatures or ellected by the House of Representatives or holding office by virtue of life appointment or holding office by right of hereditary decent.
The judicial power is excersised by a Supreme Court and lesser courts the judges of whom are appointed by the princes with the consent of the senate.
The constitution has a number of additional complexities that are evident from the outline below.
Outline of the Constitution of Amagi
Preamble
Art I Rights of Man
Sec 1 The Right to Life
Sec 2 The Right to Liberty
Sec 3 The Right to Property
Sec 4 The Right to Freedom of Opinion, Expression and Assembly
Sec 5 The Right to Bare Arms
Sec 6 Protection of Person and Property
Sec 7 Rights Not Enumerated
Art II Citizenship
Sec 1 Requirements for Citizenship
Sec 2 Non Citizens
Sec 3 The Duties and Privileges of Citizenship
Sec 4 Honors, the Gentry, and the Nobility
Art III The Nature of the Principality
Sec 1 Free Federation of Free States
Sec 2 States
Sec 3 Territories
Sec 4 Powers not Granted
Sec 5 Secession
Art IV Parliament
Sec 1 Organization
Sec 2 Powers
Sec 3 House of Representatives
Sec 4 The Senate
Sec. 5 Types of Laws and the Legislative Process
Sub Sec. A. Laws of Limited Affect
Joint Decrees
Executive Orders
Concurrent Resolutions
Supreme Court Orders to the Judiciary
Sub Sec B. Laws of Limited Duration
Finance Law
Declaration of War or Peace
Imperitorial Order
Sub Sec. C. General Laws
Act of Parliament
Act of Crown in Parliament
Sub Sec. D. Extraordinary Laws
Act of Crown in Parliament to Modify the Basic Law
Act of Crown in Parliament to Amend the Constitution
Art V The Assembly
Sec 1 Organization
Sec 2 Powers
Art VI Executive
Sec 1 Powers & Organization
Sec 2 Princes
Sec 3 Prime Minister
Sec 4 Secretary of State
Sec 5 Ministers
Sec 6 Departmental Secretaries
Sec 7 Chancellor
Sec 8 Cabinet
Sec 9 Impiritor
Sec 10 Inter Princep
Sec 11 Security Council
Art VII The Council of Ephors
Sec 1 Election of Ephors
Sec 2 Individual Powers
Sec 3 Council Powers
Sec 4 The Ultimate Decree
Art VIII The Judicial Branch
Sec 1 Powers & Organization
Sec 2 Supreme Court
Sec 3 High Courts
Sec 4 Inferior Courts
Sec 5 Due Process of Law.
Sec 6 The Rights of the Jury
Art IX The Basic Law
Art X The Coming Into Force of This Constitution
Art XI Amendments
As is probably evident from the name of this blog, the form of government that I invision is a constitutionally limited diarchy. By diarchy I mean that their will be two coequal heads of state. The two Princes appoint the Prime Minister who is head of government with the consent of Parliament.
Parliament is composed of two houses the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is composed of members either elected by the citizens or chosen from among the citizens by lot. The Senate is composed of members either ellected by the State legislatures or ellected by the House of Representatives or holding office by virtue of life appointment or holding office by right of hereditary decent.
The judicial power is excersised by a Supreme Court and lesser courts the judges of whom are appointed by the princes with the consent of the senate.
The constitution has a number of additional complexities that are evident from the outline below.
Outline of the Constitution of Amagi
Preamble
Art I Rights of Man
Sec 1 The Right to Life
Sec 2 The Right to Liberty
Sec 3 The Right to Property
Sec 4 The Right to Freedom of Opinion, Expression and Assembly
Sec 5 The Right to Bare Arms
Sec 6 Protection of Person and Property
Sec 7 Rights Not Enumerated
Art II Citizenship
Sec 1 Requirements for Citizenship
Sec 2 Non Citizens
Sec 3 The Duties and Privileges of Citizenship
Sec 4 Honors, the Gentry, and the Nobility
Art III The Nature of the Principality
Sec 1 Free Federation of Free States
Sec 2 States
Sec 3 Territories
Sec 4 Powers not Granted
Sec 5 Secession
Art IV Parliament
Sec 1 Organization
Sec 2 Powers
Sec 3 House of Representatives
Sec 4 The Senate
Sec. 5 Types of Laws and the Legislative Process
Sub Sec. A. Laws of Limited Affect
Joint Decrees
Executive Orders
Concurrent Resolutions
Supreme Court Orders to the Judiciary
Sub Sec B. Laws of Limited Duration
Finance Law
Declaration of War or Peace
Imperitorial Order
Sub Sec. C. General Laws
Act of Parliament
Act of Crown in Parliament
Sub Sec. D. Extraordinary Laws
Act of Crown in Parliament to Modify the Basic Law
Act of Crown in Parliament to Amend the Constitution
Art V The Assembly
Sec 1 Organization
Sec 2 Powers
Art VI Executive
Sec 1 Powers & Organization
Sec 2 Princes
Sec 3 Prime Minister
Sec 4 Secretary of State
Sec 5 Ministers
Sec 6 Departmental Secretaries
Sec 7 Chancellor
Sec 8 Cabinet
Sec 9 Impiritor
Sec 10 Inter Princep
Sec 11 Security Council
Art VII The Council of Ephors
Sec 1 Election of Ephors
Sec 2 Individual Powers
Sec 3 Council Powers
Sec 4 The Ultimate Decree
Art VIII The Judicial Branch
Sec 1 Powers & Organization
Sec 2 Supreme Court
Sec 3 High Courts
Sec 4 Inferior Courts
Sec 5 Due Process of Law.
Sec 6 The Rights of the Jury
Art IX The Basic Law
Art X The Coming Into Force of This Constitution
Art XI Amendments
Monday, June 16, 2003
WHY A NEW COUNTRY ?
My initial posts probably give the reader a good idea of why I am writing this blog. However for those who want a clearer statement of intent, I can say the following.
I believe in individual freedom. I don’t say that we don’t have any here in the U.S. or for that matter in the UK, Canada, or several other countries. But it seems to me that it is rapidly being swallowed up by the government.
I am an admirer of constitutional government. We don’t have one when the government can mutter about the commerce clause and then do anything it wants to.
All current governments are committed to a greater or lesser degree to control of the economy and the welfare state. It sickens me. Didn’t any one learn anything from the Soviet experience?
So the purpose of this blog is to start a movement to found a constitutionally limited government based of the principal of individual rights.
My initial posts probably give the reader a good idea of why I am writing this blog. However for those who want a clearer statement of intent, I can say the following.
I believe in individual freedom. I don’t say that we don’t have any here in the U.S. or for that matter in the UK, Canada, or several other countries. But it seems to me that it is rapidly being swallowed up by the government.
I am an admirer of constitutional government. We don’t have one when the government can mutter about the commerce clause and then do anything it wants to.
All current governments are committed to a greater or lesser degree to control of the economy and the welfare state. It sickens me. Didn’t any one learn anything from the Soviet experience?
So the purpose of this blog is to start a movement to found a constitutionally limited government based of the principal of individual rights.
WHAT FACTORS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED
If it is possible to start a new country. (i.e. if territory can be bought) where should we locate. In other words what would be the geographic/geopolitical factors to be considered in choosing a location for a new country.
First and foremost we want access to the sea. Thus when looking at countries to buy the territory for our new country we should look for countries with long coastlines. An alternative would be a large lake bordered by three or more countries. Examples include Lake Victoria, the Caspian Sea, Lake Chad, and etc. While this is less than ideal we want to have as many initial possibilities for bargaining purposes if for no other reason.
Second having a river and hopefully a substantial one flow through our country would be good.
Third the territory should be on a border between two or more nations. The classic strategy of a small nation is to play its larger neighbors off against one another. That is something we will at least want the option of being able to do.
Fourth the country we buy or lease the territory from should have a minimal armed forces. It is unlikely we will have much of an army other than a militia and we would not want the seller to try and repossess the territory.
If it is possible to start a new country. (i.e. if territory can be bought) where should we locate. In other words what would be the geographic/geopolitical factors to be considered in choosing a location for a new country.
First and foremost we want access to the sea. Thus when looking at countries to buy the territory for our new country we should look for countries with long coastlines. An alternative would be a large lake bordered by three or more countries. Examples include Lake Victoria, the Caspian Sea, Lake Chad, and etc. While this is less than ideal we want to have as many initial possibilities for bargaining purposes if for no other reason.
Second having a river and hopefully a substantial one flow through our country would be good.
Third the territory should be on a border between two or more nations. The classic strategy of a small nation is to play its larger neighbors off against one another. That is something we will at least want the option of being able to do.
Fourth the country we buy or lease the territory from should have a minimal armed forces. It is unlikely we will have much of an army other than a militia and we would not want the seller to try and repossess the territory.
Sunday, June 15, 2003
HAPPY MAGNA CARTA DAY !!!
Today is the 788th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. Everyone remember to celebrate!
Today is the 788th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. Everyone remember to celebrate!
Saturday, June 14, 2003
IS STARTING A NEW COUNTRY REALISTIC?
Given that things are bad not only in the US, but in the UK, NZ, and in fact in much of the world, is starting a new country on territory purchased from a third world country a viable option?
I think that it is because there are several countries in Africa that are so poor that it is not inconceivable that we could offer an amount of money equal to 10 percent of the nation’s government revenue in exchange for the territory we want..
For example according to the CIA fact book for 2002
Revenue Expenditure
Angola $928E6 $2.5E9
Namibia $883E6 $950E6
Mozambique $393E6 $1.025E9
Malawi $490E6 $523E6
Tanzania $1.1E9 $1.35E9
Uganda $959E6 $1.04E9
By way of comparison Revenue Expenditure
The Isle of Man $485E6 $463E6
Jamestown, NY (pop 3.2E4) $24E6 $25E6 (data not from fact book)
Thus if we could raise $100E6 we would be in position to pay a large amount of the annual expenses of almost all of these countries. Suppose we want to buy an area of 10*10 miles (i.e. 100 square miles or about 275 sqr. kilometers) for most of the countries listed above that is an insignificant protion of their total land area
Again from the CIA fact book for 2002
Land area km 275 sqr. km as a % of land area
Angola 1.2E6 .000229 or 2.29E-4 or .02%
Namibia 825,418 .000333 or 3.33E-4 or .03%
Mozambique 784,090 .00035 or 3.50E-4 or .03%
Malawi 94,080 .00292 or 2.92E-3 or .2%
Tanzania 886,037 .00031 or 3.10E-4 or .03%
Uganda 199,710 .00137 or 1.37E-3 or .1%
Then compare the percentige of land we want to buy to the percentage of the national debt that $100E6 represents.
CIA fact book 2002
Debt (ex) $100E6 as a % of Debt
Angola $10.4E9 .0096 or .96%
Namibia $217E6 .46 or 46%
Mozambique $1E9 .1 or 10%
Malawi $2.8E9 .035 or 3.5%
Tanzania $6.8E9 .014 or 1.4%
Uganda $3.4E9 .029 or 2.9%
It seems to me we could offer one of these countries a deal they couldn’t refuse. Thus I conclude the idea of starting a new country is not impossible.
Given that things are bad not only in the US, but in the UK, NZ, and in fact in much of the world, is starting a new country on territory purchased from a third world country a viable option?
I think that it is because there are several countries in Africa that are so poor that it is not inconceivable that we could offer an amount of money equal to 10 percent of the nation’s government revenue in exchange for the territory we want..
For example according to the CIA fact book for 2002
Revenue Expenditure
Angola $928E6 $2.5E9
Namibia $883E6 $950E6
Mozambique $393E6 $1.025E9
Malawi $490E6 $523E6
Tanzania $1.1E9 $1.35E9
Uganda $959E6 $1.04E9
By way of comparison Revenue Expenditure
The Isle of Man $485E6 $463E6
Jamestown, NY (pop 3.2E4) $24E6 $25E6 (data not from fact book)
Thus if we could raise $100E6 we would be in position to pay a large amount of the annual expenses of almost all of these countries. Suppose we want to buy an area of 10*10 miles (i.e. 100 square miles or about 275 sqr. kilometers) for most of the countries listed above that is an insignificant protion of their total land area
Again from the CIA fact book for 2002
Land area km 275 sqr. km as a % of land area
Angola 1.2E6 .000229 or 2.29E-4 or .02%
Namibia 825,418 .000333 or 3.33E-4 or .03%
Mozambique 784,090 .00035 or 3.50E-4 or .03%
Malawi 94,080 .00292 or 2.92E-3 or .2%
Tanzania 886,037 .00031 or 3.10E-4 or .03%
Uganda 199,710 .00137 or 1.37E-3 or .1%
Then compare the percentige of land we want to buy to the percentage of the national debt that $100E6 represents.
CIA fact book 2002
Debt (ex) $100E6 as a % of Debt
Angola $10.4E9 .0096 or .96%
Namibia $217E6 .46 or 46%
Mozambique $1E9 .1 or 10%
Malawi $2.8E9 .035 or 3.5%
Tanzania $6.8E9 .014 or 1.4%
Uganda $3.4E9 .029 or 2.9%
It seems to me we could offer one of these countries a deal they couldn’t refuse. Thus I conclude the idea of starting a new country is not impossible.
Friday, June 13, 2003
As if the BCRA’s suppression of free speech was not enough. The drug czar, John Walters is using government money to propagandize against drug legalization.
When private citizens and organizations are prohibited from speaking during campaigns and government officials are able to use taxpayer funds to argue against positions or candidates they dislike what is left of free speech?
If reformers are not to be allowed to speak and government officials are put in a position to decide what is or is not debatable can the death of the republic be far away?
I hope that I am overly pessimistic, but we have to be realistic. We should a remain involved in the politics and culture of our nation, but the time has come to plan alternatives.
It is for that purpose that I started this web site.
To contact me email to principalityofamagi@hotmail.com
When private citizens and organizations are prohibited from speaking during campaigns and government officials are able to use taxpayer funds to argue against positions or candidates they dislike what is left of free speech?
If reformers are not to be allowed to speak and government officials are put in a position to decide what is or is not debatable can the death of the republic be far away?
I hope that I am overly pessimistic, but we have to be realistic. We should a remain involved in the politics and culture of our nation, but the time has come to plan alternatives.
It is for that purpose that I started this web site.
To contact me email to principalityofamagi@hotmail.com
It seems to me that the Republic (of the United States) is in serious trouble. To name just a few things that that are wrong at the moment: the BCRA’s (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act) attack on the first amendment; the fact that BCRA was passed in clear violation of the oaths of office of the senators and representatives who voted for it and the president who signed it into (pretended) law; the fact that our country is fighting wars with out proper decelerations of war (and I support the wars we are fighting); the assault on the rights of smokers and business owners in the name of public health; the fact that education seems to be in serious trouble in our country. Anyway I am contemplating ways to escape all this by starting a new country. This would be located on territory bought from some miserably poor nation in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean etc. presumably with the liberal use of bribes. I will post more later.
