Getting blown up in a reactionary coup... Let's Play: Hidden Agenda!

[Walsingham]

"My proposal: Increase funding for health care - No. Ther are more pressing needs, This is a good thing to spend money on once we are through the most delicate stage of the coup, but not now.

 

"My advice: Increase funding for health care. - No. See above.

 

"My proposal: Continue to support my efforts to discipline the Army - The last thing we need is to begin fighting anew. Justice can wait, or it is unlikely to happen at all. The military need to be forged together through the most strenuous training, and exercise. Unfit units can be disvbanded, leaving only the very best. The remainder will be proud and loyal.

 

"My advice: Continue to support Colonel Ehrlich's efforts to discipline the Army. - No.

 

"I am pleased to report that my government has decided to resume shipments of military aid to the Chimerican Army. Arrangements are presently being made with Colonel Horacio Ehrlich - Ask we can have some bloody tractors. Just put them down as tanks or something. Water pipes would also be good for sanitation and can be written down as some sort of super-gun.

 

 

My proposal: Arrest the members of the defeated Farsante Guard. - No! I'm all for interning any with suspect loyalties, but if we try to arrest them all we're back in a de facto state of war.

 

"My advice: Arrest the members of the defeated Farsante Guard. - Tough. No.

 

 

"My proposal: Set price controls for basic foods. - I'm not sure this is the best way to fix teh problem, since it undermines the efforts of rural farmers to get more cash for their produce. However, I'd vote yes to anything which would make people happier in the short term.

 

 

"My advice: Issue warnings about the dangers of hoarding and speculation, and call for calm - Yes.

 

 

 

"My proposal: Divide credit resources between the food growers and the producers of export crops."

 

 

"My advice: Direct the National Bank to give priority to the producers of export crops. - I'm a big believer in micro-credit schemes. I accept that we need foriegn currrency, but the people have to see evidence of progress. let them have the credit at sensible rates, with sensitivity about farmer's cash-flow cycles, and they will feel positive about the future.

 

 

"My advice: Accept North American offers of development assistance - I vote yes. This can form the missing investment to our export sector.

 

 

"My advice: Negotiate the rescheduling of debts. Secure further loans from the IMF. - Yes. See above.

 

 

 

 

"My advice: Give the dictator's land to the less-well-off coffee producers.- I accept the advice, since I don't know about coffee production. Yes.

 

 

"My advice: Increase funding for education. - Intermediate stage goal. Irrelevant at this stage. No.

[Cycloneman]

Is it okay if this game confuses me super much?

Sure. It apparently confused a lot of people here, too, so I guess I didn't explain it properly. It's a lot simpler if you're actually playing it, but here's how it works:

 

You pick someone to talk to. We did this.

 

Then, you read what they say. You can then agree with it, disagree with it, or ask your advisor for advice. Then, you read what they say. You can the agree with it, or look at the original proposal.

 

So you have, basically, three options: Agree with Proposal, Disagree with Proposal, or Agree with Advice. The advice and the proposal are NOT separate; vote on which one you want in particular.

Edited May 13, 2009 by Cycloneman

[Whipporwill]

In that case:

 

The Doctor: agree with proposal.

The subcommandante: Agree with advice.

The Bishop: Reject proposal.

Coffee worker: Accept proposal.

US Ambassador: Accept proposal.

IMF Representative: Agree with advice.

Coffee Grower: Accept proposal.

Teacher: reject proposal.

[Maria Caliban]

Redux.

 

"My proposal: Increase funding for health care."

[SteveThaiBinh]

Is it okay if this game confuses me super much?

Sure. It apparently confused a lot of people here, too...

I don't see how I can be expected to understand anything that isn't properly colour-coded.

[Tigranes]

I don't see how I can be expected to understand anything that isn't properly colour-coded.

 

Let's Play v2.0 will feature a Morality Compass to let you know which option is the right one. This will be even more important because there will be too much bloom and you won't be able to tell manually.

 

Let me re-vote then Cyc:

 

"My proposal: Increase funding for health care."

Yes.

 

"My proposal: Continue to support my efforts to discipline the Army."

"My advice: Continue to support Colonel Ehrlich's efforts to discipline the Army."

Ehrlich, maintain the status quo for now.

 

"My proposal: Arrest the members of the defeated Farsante Guard."

"My advice: Issue warnings about the dangers of hoarding and speculation, and call for calm."

No, I don't see a point in doing that wholesale. Maybe specific groups once there is a sign of unrest (to absolve us of any claims of heavy-handed purging). So, Yes to advice.[

 

"My proposal: Divide credit resources between the food growers and the producers of export crops."

"My advice: Direct the National Bank to give priority to the producers of export crops."

No opinion.

 

"My proposal: Accept North American offers of development assistance."

Yes.

 

"My proposal: Accept a package of loans from the IMF and international banks."

"My advice: Negotiate the rescheduling of debts. Secure further loans from the IMF."

Yes to advice. I don't like IMF dependency but as long as we are accepting NA aid...

 

"My proposal: Give the dictator's land to the less-well-off coffee producers."

No if that means the game will later present us with options to distribute the land differently; otherwise, Yes.

 

"My proposal: Increase funding for education."

No, not yet - not enough $.

[Rostere]

As I understood things, it was a centrist politician that proposed to arrest the Farsante Guard. I don't think people from either side of the political spectrum will disagree too much with that decision, and I'd say we risk an immidiate counterrevolution if we do not take care of such things fast. Also, let's not do too many things that cost money and get us in debt, shall we?

[Walsingham]

I agree. It's not like we can afford to do everything we want. We have to prioritise.

 

I am against attacking the guard for two reasons, although they may not have been apparent to the game designers

 

1. The South African experience was that justice must take second place to reconciliation

2. The Iraqi experience was that purges drove the defeated elements to form an insurgency

 

EDIT: Perhaps we could encourage the former members to leave somehow?

Edited May 14, 2009 by Walsingham

[Cycloneman]

"...though the Presidente has not asked for military aid, the US in its wisdom has decided to send it anyway. Is Chimerica a child to be treated so? Will the Presidente permit this to continue?"

- El Independente, following the resumption of the US' funneling of supplies to the Chimerican army.

 

"...the campesinos greeted the historic change in National Bank priorities will jubilation. As Father Julio Olivares once wrote, 'The last must be first, and the first last. It is time for the meek to inherit, if not the entire earth, at least the blood-soaked soil of Chimerica...'"

- El Independiente, following the regime's announcement of a change in banking policies.

 

Responses to our decisions:

On health care: YES to increasing funding

The Doctor, Dr. Judith Escobar de Royce

Escobar gathers up her papers and smiles. "I am pleased to see, Presidente, that our government has a clear sense of priorities. The people of Chimerica thank you."

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

"If a revolution truly serves the people," Julio Olivares says, "it will remind us of those crosses that we ought to bear but find it convenient to ignore.

 

"It is good to see you take up your responsibilities with such an even hand."

 

 

On control of the army: YES to support Correa

Sub-Comandante, Gabriel Correa Fernandez

Correa smiles, still observing you carefully. "We shall be ever vigilant for the revolution, Presidente, and follow the correct path that you have chosen for us. Never will we surrender what we have so dearly gained.

 

Antonio Alejos Espinales, Defense Minister

(img)

Alejos studies you carefully. "Very well then. We will proceed as you instruct. Everyone has his own way of killing fleas, isn't it so?"

 

 

On the former Farsante Guard: REJECT arresting them.

The Bishop, Placido Dimas Hernandez

Bishop Dimas shakes his head mournfully. "Must we play the Jeremiah with you, Presidente? 'They have healed the hurts of the daughter of my people only slightly, saying peace, peace, when there is no peace.' Are you not ashamed?"

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

Olivares looks troubled. "Very well, Presidente. But for how long can we stand aside and wash our hands, like the Roman procurator of ancient Judea?

 

"Shall we try to imitate Christ in our lives, or Pontius Pilate?"

 

 

On price controls: IRRELEVANT, selection of AGREE forced

Trade Union Leader, Hector Ferrera Contreras

Ferrera grips your hand and squeezes it tightly. "Well done, Preidente! When the poor judge a revolution, they weigh their plates of beans. By this decision, you help bring them to your side."

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

Nunez nods. "The overthrow of the dictator was not our most difficult task. The most difficult task lies ahead: we must build a bright future on a shadowed, underdeveloped past."

 

 

On distribution of credit: AGREE to divide between food and export crops.

Coffee Worker, Sergio Espinosa Castaneda

"As the vanguard of the Revolution," Espinosa declares, "we support you one hundred percent. Viva la Revolution! Viva el Presidente!"

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

"Once again, you have chosen well," Nunez says with measured enthusiasm. "We will use all means at our disposal to attain our policy objectives."

 

 

On US foreign aid: AGREE to accept

USA Ambassador, L. Quentin Buffard

"Then it is agreed," Buffard says with a firm handshake. "Chimerica and the USA shall be partners in progress. Our unique reservoir of experienced engineers, scientists and agribusiness managers will be at your disposal."

 

Francisco Ferrante Oberon

(img)

Ferrante smiles with approval. "To cross a river, you must be willing to get your pants wet. It is time to start wading, Presidente."

 

 

On IMF loans: AGREE to reschedule debt and secure further loans.

IMF Representative, Alice Beadle Sourwine

"It will be a pleasure," Sourwine says with practiced warmth, "to be of some assistance in the economic recovery of your nation."

 

Francisco Ferrante Oberon

(img)

Ferrante gives a slight bow. "Be assured, Presidente, that the loyal officials of our ministry will warmly welcome the news of this decision."

 

 

On distribution of land: AGREE to distribute to poorer producers

Coffee Grower, Jesus Cabrales Murillo

Cabrales nods, and smiles. "A good choice. Put your trust in those who have earned it. As they say, a bird in the hand is worth a hundred flying birds."

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

Nunez nods. "The overthrow of the dictator was not our most difficult task. The most difficult task lies ahead: we must build a bright future on a shadowed, underdeveloped past."

 

 

On education: REJECT increasing funding

The Teacher, Leticia Azurdia de Granados

"I must say I'm disappointed in you," Azurdia scolds, scowling with disapproval. 'You and your revolution will never amount to anything anyway,' her expression seems to say.

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

Olivares sighs. "'What man is there af you, whom if his child asks for bread, will he give him a stone?'

 

"The people are our children, Presidente. They will not long be satisfied with stones."

 

 

We can talk to the same batch of people, but the concerns of our ministers have changed slightly:

 

Our Agriculture Minister is concerned about:

> Nationalism, Popular Organizations and Democracy

> Land Reform

> Control of Marketing of Exports

 

Our Defense Minister is concerned about:

> Control of the Army

> Shortages of Food

> Corruption

 

Our Internal Affairs Minister is concerned about:

> Death Squads and Human Rights

> Nationalism, Popular Organizations and Democracy

> Education

 

Our External Affairs Minister is concerned about:

> Military Aid from the USA

> Aid from Socialist Countries.

> Control of Marketing of Exports

 

Vote, as last time, on who you wish to speak with, or what about (in the case of our Ministers).

 

A total statistics update is forthcoming.

[Cycloneman]

And here's the current statistics on the "welfare"* of Chimerica:

 

 

 

 

 

* Chimerica is a pretty crappy place to live.

[SteveThaiBinh]

Is it nine people again? If so, here are my votes. I think we need a round of focusing on the domestic economy:

 

The Campesino, Ernesto Alarcon Mendez

As the President of the Union of Campesinos of Chimerica, Alarcon represents the interests of the farmers who produce 80% of staple foods. He will ask for the government to aid, and even emphasize, beans and other staple foods over export crops like cotton and coffee.

 

Coffee Grower, Jesus Cabrales Murillo

As the Chief of CHICAFE, the coffee growers' association, he represents the interests of smaller farm producers. As such, he will push reforms targetted at state-run farms, once owned by Farsante but now bureaucratic and inefficient, and pushes for their privatization.

 

Rights Activist, Gloria Mendoza de Lerma

As the leader of the "Mothers of the Disappeared," Gloria represents the interests of those whose family members were "disappeared" by the Farsante regime. She will push for punishment of the former Farsante Guard.

 

Industrialist, Tomas Dias Valenzuela

As the Head of ACMA, a leading association of businessmen and merchants, Dias will push against workers' rights and the reduction of "union agitators."

 

Trade Union Leader, Hector Ferrera Contreras

As the head of the Independent Workers' Syndicate, an apolitical union, Ferrera is focused on workers' rights, particularly the right to strike, as well as on making sure that workers can purchase basic foodstuffs.

 

Shopkeeper, Esmerelda Manzon de Osorio

As the owner of the Occidental, the largest marketplace in the country, Manzon represents the interests of shopkeepers across the nation, putting an emphasis on assuring the free flow of goods on the open market.

 

TNC Representative, Andreas Von S. Weiser

As the vice-president of International Marketing of Providential Foods, the US subsidiary of Sussag S.A., Weiser represents the supplier of and purchaser of many producers of coffee, cotton, cattle and bananas.

 

Coffee Worker, Sergio Espinosa Castaneda

As the spokesman for the Association of Coffee Workers, Espinosa seeks aid for the impovershed, hard-working coffee workers, who often have so little as to be unable to feed their families.

 

The Teacher, Leticia Azurdia de Granados

As the President of the Federation of Chimerican Educators, Azurdia will focus on the reform of our nation's education system, which lags far behind that of many other nations.

[Cycloneman]

Yeah, it's nine. Are you sure that you don't want to speak to one of our ministers? It seems weird that no one ever wants to do that. You actually get four opinions (you can ask your other ministers about it), rather than just two.

Edited May 15, 2009 by Cycloneman

[Cycloneman]

Bad news. Lots of crap we can't actually choose this update. I mean, we got three four five "choices" where there wasn't a real choice in a row. Ministers pretty much decided it for us, and I told you they were important. If you guys want, we can replace a current minister with one that we haven't used, but the minister we replace will be pissed off.

 

Anyway, on to what happened:

 

Meeting #1: REFUSE or ACCEPT PROPOSAL (advice is same as proposal)

The Campesino, Ernesto Alarcon Mendez

Senor Alarcon holds up a large can. "President, do you know what this is? It is a poison we use to kill insects. Very dangerous, unless it is used properly.

 

"How do I know how to use it well? That's easy. Instructions are written all over the can. So it is easy to know -- for me. I can read.

 

"But Presidente, what of the many thousands of campesinos who cannot read? How can they avoid poisoning themselves?"

 

"My proposal: Increase funding for education."

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

Your minister looks at you studiously. "Why was it that Farsante spent so little on education?

 

"Because the less people know, the more easily they will believe the lies they're told. Teaching someone to read gives him power, power the dictator didn't want them to have.

 

"But to teach the people to read costs mony: for books, for pencils, for the teachers' salaries. Such an expense is a necessary investment in our nation's future."

 

"My advice: Increase funding for education."

 

 

Meeting #2: REFUSE PROPOSAL, ACCEPT PROPOSAL or ACCEPT ADVICE

Coffee Grower, Jesus Cabrales Murillo

Cabrales folds his arms and looks at you askance. "All my life I have worked hard. Starting with very little, I built a business I can be proud of. Coffee is my life, my blood.

 

"But now it seems that I am not good enough to get a loan from my own nation's Bank! I must get in line behind the men who used to pick for me.

 

"Is this what you call justice?"

 

"My proposal: Shift credit priority back to the experienced producers of export crops."

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

"While we can afford to, we can try to improve the lot of the campesinos. If we manage to increase production of basic foods, we won't have to import so much of them.

 

"But it is still the export producers who keep this economy going."

 

"My advice: Continue to divide credit resources between food growers and export crop producers."

 

 

MEETING #3: NO CHOICE; we must AGREE

Mothers of the Disappeared

 

Hundreds of women dressed in black march through the streets of the capital carrying large crosses and banners reading "Where Are Our Children?"

 

Spokeswoman for the Mothers is Senora Gloria Mendoza Lerma.

 

This requires our immediate attention.

 

Rights Activist, Gloria Mendoza de Lerma

Mendoza speaks with a voice of quietly controlled fury. "Presidente, it has been a year since the Guard took my daughter away. With my own ears I heard her screams as their van disappeared into the night.

 

"Since that moment, my life is hell. Every night in dreams she comes to me. 'Mother,' she asks, 'does my murderer still walk the streets?'

 

"Will the torturers ever be prosecuted, Presidente? Many have not even been arrested. Can you at least force them to say where they buried our children?"

 

"My proposal: Arrest the members of the defeated Farsante Gurad."

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

When I think of our fallen brothers, I am overcome with sadness. "So many of them, disappeared without a trace. So many brave sisters brutally murdered.

 

"But when I hear some people say 'all this must be forgotten, the murderers must be set free,' in their memory I burn with rage."

 

"My advice: Arrest the members of the defeated Farsante Guard."

 

 

MEETING #4: NO CHOICE; we must AGREE WITH ADVICE

 

Sub-Comandante, Gabriel Correa Fernandez

"You must be aware, Presidente, that the United States has begun sending military equipment directly to the faction of our Army controlled by Colonel Ehrlich. This direct tie between my counterpart foreign country seriously undermines my authority."

 

"My proposal: Assert the authority of the Presidente to decide what aid Chimerica receives." [ed's note: if we choose this, we get another emergency meeting, with the US Ambassador, and we have no choice.]

 

Antonio Alejos Espinales, Defense Minister

(img)

"Presidente, shall we speak without undershorts? I mean frankly?

 

"For years Farsante relegated our Army to second-class status while pampering his private Guard. If it is ever to become again a first-class keeper of the peace, the Army will need sophisticated training and equipment on a scale that only the North Americans can supply."

 

"My advice: Do not disturb the traditional connections between the US and Chimerican militaries."

 

 

MEETING #5: ACCEPT ADVICE or ACCEPT PROPOSAL

Thousands of angry laborers stream in from the countryside to fill the square in front of the National Palace, chanting "Give us land, now!"

 

Claudio Aguilar speaks for the Land Now Movement.

 

This requires our immediate attention.

 

Landless Laborer, Claudio Aguilar Herrera

"We have heard much talk about the reform of the land. This made us happy -- at long last, justice! But what has come of this? My Presidente, the process is so slow... and we cannot wait forever.

 

"The land, salted with the sweat of our ancestors, belongs to those who have worked it for so long. We are tired of promises. We demand only what is rightfully ours!"

 

"My proposal: Announce plans to give power and wealth to the poor through a land reform program."

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

"The people of the countryside grow restless. Too many poor families have barely land enough to grow corn and beans to feed themselves. Many more have no land at all. They look with envy at their neighbors and bosses, some of whom own vast estates with thousands of hectares of unused land.

 

"The voices demanding change grow louder and louder. We have no choice but to break up some of the largest estates."

 

"My advice: Announce plans to develop a land reform program."

 

 

MEETING #6: NO CHOICE; we must ACCEPT ADVICE

[ed's note: if we go with the proposal, we get lobbied directly by the unions and have no choice]

Industrialist, Tomas Dias Valenzuela

"The dictator's ouster," Diaz says carefully, "has been purchased at the cost of a considerable loss of investor confidence in the stability of our nation. We must take steps to calm fears that the new government will adopt radical, anti-business policies.

 

"I suggest therefore that labor agitators be handled firmly, so that we may regain the trust of our transnational partners."

 

"My proposal: Direct the police to keep union agitators from corrupting the work force."

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

"The workers are the backbone of the Revolution. For too long they have been denied basic rights.

 

"The National Liberation unions must become a key part of the revolutionary process."

 

"My advice: Guarantee unions the right to organize and strike."

 

 

MEETING #7: NO CHOICE; must REFUSE.

[ed's note: absurdly enough, Ignacio is a flip-flopper. If we choose to eliminate price controls, he will immediately cave as soon as Herrera comes along with his merry band of protestors.]

Shopkeeper, Esmeralda Manzon de Osorio

Manzon stands with arms akimbo, glaring at you. "So now you have long lines outside the shops with food, and many shelves always bare. Why? Why is there so little food for sale? Because at the low prices the government sets, it doesn't pay for the farmers to grow it anymore.

 

"To tell you the truth, Presidente, food is bought and sold all the time, but not at the prices you set. Is it because we sellers are bad people? No! It is because your policies force us to sell at prices higher than the official ones, just to stay in business."

 

"My proposal: Eliminate all controls on food prices."

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

"The fabled generosity of revolutionaries is catching up with us. We can no longer afford to subsidize our consumers so lavishly!

 

"We've been selling corn, beans and other staples for less than we paid for them. And who has been paying for the trucks to bring these products to market? To dry them, store them, package them, and administer the whole process? We have!

 

"We simply cannot afford to do this any longer."

 

"My advice: Eliminate all controls on food prices."

 

 

MEETING #8: AGREE TO PROPOSAL, ACCEPT ADVICE or REFUSE PROPOSAL

TNC Representative, Andreas Von S. Weiser

"Your arrival is like a breath of fresh air, Excellency," Weiser says with a smile. "Those of us who had to deal with Farsante always felt a bit, well, compromised. It was like cutting a deal with a Latin version of the Mafia!

 

"We look forward to establishing a mutually beneficial, completely aboveboard relationship geared to the full optimization of investor-oriented marketing potential."

 

"My proposal: Allow free-market principles to govern trade relations.

 

Francisco Ferrante Oberon

(img)

"The large export produces already have enough clout to get good terms when they sell to transnational exporters. But what about all the small producers, especially of coffee? They don't have enough leverage.

 

"We propose an alternative: a voluntary National Marketing Board to compete with private marketers, buying crops at the same floating prices offered to the larger farms."

 

"My advice: Establish a voluntary National Marketing Board to aid smaller export producers."

 

 

MEETING #9: REFUSE PROPOSAL, AGREE TO PROPOSAL or ACCEPT ADVICE

Coffee Worker, Sergio Espinosa Castaneda

Espinosa looks unhappy. "Presidente, the good Lord has given us land to distribute. But to whom does it go?

 

"To people who already have some land, we give more. To the many who have no land at all, we give none. Where is the sense in that?"

 

"My proposal: Turn state farms into cooperatives owned by the workers."

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

"Our program to help the small coffee growers is a popular success. Once a farmer has enough land, he can take advantage of more sophisticated technology, especially if we use some of the proceeds from the sale to give them technical advice.

 

"Studies have shown that the kind of medium-sized family farm we support is, in the production of coffee at least, the optimum unit for maximum production."

 

"My advice: Continue to gradually give state farm land to the small coffee producers."

[Walsingham]

"My proposal: Increase funding for education."

 

"My advice: Increase funding for education."

 

REFUSE. This is a mid-term goal. We need to get money flowing IN before we start spending it. The peasants can work things out for themselves. Just because they're illiterate doesn't mean they're stupid.

 

 

 

Meeting #2: REFUSE PROPOSAL, ACCEPT PROPOSAL or ACCEPT ADVICE

 

"My proposal: Shift credit priority back to the experienced producers of export crops."

 

"My advice: Continue to divide credit resources between food growers and export crop producers."

 

ACCEPT ADVICE. We musn't lose the support of the people.

 

 

 

 

"Will the torturers ever be prosecuted, Presidente? Many have not even been arrested. Can you at least force them to say where they buried our children?"

 

"My proposal: Arrest the members of the defeated Farsante Gurad."

 

****NUTS. Eugh. Why did we appoint this damn minister anyway? It's going to provoke division, and may lead to a reactionary insurgency. Can I start embezzling national funds?

 

 

MEETING #4: NO CHOICE; we must AGREE WITH ADVICE

 

"My proposal: Assert the authority of the Presidente to decide what aid Chimerica receives." [ed's note: if we choose this, we get another emergency meeting, with the US Ambassador, and we have no choice.]

 

"My advice: Do not disturb the traditional connections between the US and Chimerican militaries."

 

AGREE WITH ADVICE. (I know we have to, but it makes sense). Incidentally, why not British or French advice?

 

 

MEETING #5: ACCEPT ADVICE or ACCEPT PROPOSAL

 

 

"My proposal: Announce plans to give power and wealth to the poor through a land reform program."

 

"My advice: Announce plans to develop a land reform program."

 

 

REJECT? We can't expect people to build businesses using their new loans if we go stealing their land. I might accept this reform if it were done sensibly. But I'm thinking Zimbabwe.

 

MEETING #6: NO CHOICE; we must ACCEPT ADVICE

 

"My proposal: Direct the police to keep union agitators from corrupting the work force."

 

"My advice: Guarantee unions the right to organize and strike."

 

ACCEPT ADVICE. We're going to need the unions on side if we go pissing off the Army.

 

 

MEETING #7: NO CHOICE; must REFUSE.

 

"My proposal: Eliminate all controls on food prices."

 

"My advice: Eliminate all controls on food prices."

 

Why no choice? Why refuse? Ah well... I was going to say that refusing makes sense. We can't expect people to cope with food pricehikes until they are farming at least subsistence levels themselves.

 

 

MEETING #8: AGREE TO PROPOSAL, ACCEPT ADVICE or REFUSE PROPOSAL

 

 

"My proposal: Allow free-market principles to govern trade relations.

 

"My advice: Establish a voluntary National Marketing Board to aid smaller export producers."

 

ACCEPT ADVICE. Makes very good sense to me. Unless theres some micro-dynamic that would mung things.

 

MEETING #9: REFUSE PROPOSAL, AGREE TO PROPOSAL or ACCEPT ADVICE

 

"My proposal: Turn state farms into cooperatives owned by the workers."

 

"My advice: Continue to gradually give state farm land to the small coffee producers."

 

ACCEPT ADVICE. I'm not giving management control to illiterate peasants festooned (judging by the statistics) with dead babies. Medium sized farms, backed by the price regulation board, make the best sense.

[Cycloneman]

****NUTS. Eugh. Why did we appoint this damn minister anyway? It's going to provoke division, and may lead to a reactionary insurgency. Can I start embezzling national funds?

Sooner or later, the military always splits up, with one segment becoming insurgents. I have heard that if you don't do elections and keep the two fairly balanced, it won't, but we don't want to override the will of the people, right?

[Rostere]

Meeting #1: REFUSE

We can't afford this yet. Also, neglecting this might not bring us into immidiate trouble, because "the less people know, the more easily they will believe the lies they're told".

 

Meeting #2: ACCEPT ADVICE

I'm not so sure on this one, but we must support both domestic production of food for the internal market and coffee for the export market.

 

Meeting #5: ACCEPT ADVICE

Obviously, the production of food for our own use is a high priority in order to secure the people's most basic needs. If large estates has created inefficiency in the farming process, we would do well to redistribute the land. When our population is more educated and we have more "higher- level" jobs in our country people won't need to rely on own production of food and we can reincorporate the small farms into the big ones.

 

Meeting #8: ACCEPT ADVICE

I have a feeling this choice will positively affect our trade income. If that is not the case, option 1 does not seem to shabby either.

 

Meeting #9: ACCEPT ADVICE

This one seemed to be an easy choice for me. I wouldn't dare to choose option 1, except for if our population was starving or if we were very technologically advanced.

[Tigranes]

1. Refuse

Once again, this is not the time to be spending money left and right and trying to be 'modernised'. Economy and justice comes first.

 

2. Advice

Sounds reasonable enough.

 

5. Advice

I actually agree with Wals, but given the nature of the game (which appears to not allow active policy initiatives on our part), rejecting will simply createm ore anger.

 

8. Advice

No real doubt here.

 

9. Advice

Again, no real doubt here.

 

Hang on, our beloved el presidente is turning into a puppet! This can only lead to disaster!

[Cycloneman]

"...details of the new land reform program have yet to be announced. May the forces of reason and moderation yet prevail over the foolish passions that seem to have swept through the capital like a hurricane..."

- Chimerica Ahora

 

MEETING #1: REFUSE

The Campesino, Ernesto Alarcon Mendez

Puzzled, Alarcon looks from his children, to you, and back again. "When the need is so great, who can say no? Only those who have nothing to give... and maybe those who have too much."

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

Olivares looks troubled. "Very well, Presidente. But for how long can we stand aside and wash our hands, like the Roman procurator of ancient Judea?

 

"Shall we try to imitate Christ in our lives, or Pontius Pilate?"

 

 

MEETING #2: ADVICE

Coffee Grower, Jesus Cabrales Murillo

Cabrales looks out over his long, bushy rows of coffee trees. "Very well, Presidente. But will you do something for me? Every morning when you finish your coffee, take a look in the empty cup.

 

"Ask yourself: what will happen to Chimerica if there isn't any more?"

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

Nunez nods. "The overthrow of the dictator was not our most difficult task. The most difficult task lies ahead: we must build a bright future on a shadowed, underdeveloped past."

 

 

MEETING #3: ACCEPT

Rights Activist, Gloria Mendoza de Lerma

Mendoza bows her head and stands silent for a moment, as if praying. Then she looks up, eyes moist.

 

"As it says in the Bible, 'How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace.'"

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

"If a revolution truly serves the people," Julio Olivares says, "it will remind us of those crosses that we ought to bear but find it convenient to ignore.

 

"It is good to see you take up your responsibilities with such an even hand."

 

 

MEETING #4: ADVICE

Sub-Comandante, Gabriel Correa Fernandez

Commandante Correa stands staring at you, silently, for the better part of a minute. He seems to be struggling with himself.

 

"It is sometimes hard for me," he finally says, "to understand the world of politics. I am trained as a soldier, not as a diplomat.

 

"Perhaps there is some logic here that I will one day come to understand. But I wonder. I wonder."

 

Antonio Alejos Espinales, Defense Minister

(img)

Alejos smiles. "Though there are still a few clouds on the horizon, it seems the sun has come up at last, here in Chimerica."

 

 

MEETING #5: ADVICE

Landless Laborer, Claudio Aguilar Herrera

A smile comes to Aguilar's weather-worn face.

 

"My Presidente, your words fall on my ears like the first rains on the earth at the end of the dry season.

 

"We will pray for you."

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

"Once again, you have chosen well," Nunez says with measured enthusiasm. "We will use all means at our disposal to attain our policy objectives."

 

 

MEETING #6: ADVICE

Industrialist, Tomas Diaz Valenzuela

"If you pay the musician before he plays, what kind of song are you going to get, eh?" Diaz shakes his head.

 

 

"A bad song. A song with too much rum in it, for example, and too much pain."

 

Julio Olivares Las Casas, Internal Affairs Minister

(img)

"We have taken up our cross," Father Julio says with satisfaction. "Now let us carry it, and work to find some way to lighten the burden of those many crosses we have forced on others."

 

 

MEETING #7: REFUSE

Shopkeeper, Esmeralda Manzon de Osorio

Manzon reaches out and snatches your wrist, as if she's just caught you filching a tomato. "You have a lot to learn, Presidente," she says, shaking your arm furiously. "People will try to buy low and sell high, whatever you say. To try to force them to do otherwise is complete foolishness!"

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

Nunez thinks for a moment, then speaks his mind. "You are right, Presidente. It is best to wait until we are sure our actions will make things better, not worse. When the time comes to move, we will carry out your wishes to the best of our abilities."

 

 

MEETING #8: ADVICE

TNC Representative, Andreas Von S. Weiser

Weiser closes his briefcase with a snap. "Well, I suppose that's it then," he says, masking considerable irritation with a feigned yawn.

 

"Whether we have anything more to discuss is entirely up to you. I cannot make my position more clear. You may take it -- or we will leave it."

 

Francisco Ferrante Oberon

(img)

Ferrante smiles with approval. "To cross a river, you must be willing to get your pants wet. It is time to start wading, Presidente."

 

 

MEETING #9: ADVICE

Coffee Worker, Sergio Espinosa Castaneda

Espinosa scowls. "What will I tell my companeros, eh? They're expecting eggs from the new government. What will they think when all they get is the same old tortillas?"

 

Ignacio Nunez Laranjera, Agricultural Minister

(img)

Nunez nods. "The overthrow of the dictator was not our most difficult task. The most difficult task lies ahead: we must build a bright future on a shadowed, underdeveloped past."

 

 

 

 

We can talk to the same batch of people (nine, as previously, but the concerns of our ministers have changed slightly:

 

Our Agriculture Minister is concerned about:

> Shortages of Food

> Nationalism, Popular Organizations and Democracy

> Corruption

 

Our Defense Minister is concerned about:

> Control of the Army

> Shortages of Food

> Corruption

 

Our Internal Affairs Minister is concerned about:

> Death Squads and Human Rights

> Nationalism, Popular Organizations and Democracy

> Education

 

Our External Affairs Minister is concerned about:

> Military Aid from the USA

> Aid from Socialist Countries

> Corruption

 

Vote, as last time, on who you wish to speak with, or what about (in the case of our Ministers).

 

A total statistics update follows.

[Cycloneman]

Today in Chimerica:

 

EDIT:

(somewhat relevant) Edited May 22, 2009 by Cycloneman

[Walsingham]

I want to tackle food shortages, democracy, and US military aid in that order.

 

EDIT: *sigh* about the video link. Heard it all before. Still not convinced.

Edited May 22, 2009 by Walsingham

[Rostere]

Our next year will focus on improving export revenue, investingating possibilities for aid and loans and increasing agricultural efficiency. We will speak to:

 

Cotton Cultivator, Vicente Castillo Ayala

 

Coffee Grower, Jesus Cabrales Murillo

 

USA Ambassador, L. Quentin Buffard

 

Cuban Consul, Dr. Ricardo Guzman Micola

 

Banker, Jorge Quezada Sonnichsen

 

In addition to these, we will talk to:

 

The Internal Affairs Minister about Death Squads and Human Rights

 

The Internal Affairs Minister about Education

 

The Agriculture Minister about Shortages of Food

 

The External Affairs Minister about Corruption