What if you owned your own country...?

[suncrafter]

Lets say that a large tropical island (about the size of Cuba) formed overnight in the middle of international waters. You were the first person there and you claimed it as your own. Your claim is uncontested, so now you have your very own country that is completely independent from any government. At this time you are the only person who lives on the island, but many people want to move there because it is a tropical paradise. You now have the opportunity to establish your own set of laws prior to anyone immigrating to your new country.
Assuming you WANT people to EVENTUALLY move to your island nation - what laws would you establish and why? For example:

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age?
2 - Driving age?
3 - Age of sexual consent?
4 - Voting age?
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)?

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal?
- Pot
- Tobacco
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- LSD
- Caffeine
- Heroin
- Other?

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?)

8 - What would be the name of your country?

9 - Would you have the death penalty?

10 - What would be the speed limit?

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted?

Which of the following would be legal:
12 - Porn?
13 - Prostitution?
14 - Polygamy?
15 - Homosexuality?
16 - Stem cell resurch?
17 - Human Cloning?
18 - Cock Fighting?
19 - Slavery?
20 - Hunting?
21 - Fishing?
22 - Eating meat?
23 - Littering?
24 - Unisex bathrooms?
25 - Suicide?
26 - Gay marriage?
27 - Abortion?

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal?
29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory?
30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene".

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes?
- Income tax? (how much?)
- Sales tax? (how much?)
- Import/Export tax? (how much?)

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen?
33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country?

34 - What type of government would you establish?

35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media?

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand.

[Mari]

Interesting question!

This is probably going to be way~ to idealistic, but still.

First of all, I would put a quota on the amount of people who can move to my island. Actually I have no idea how big Cuba is, but let's just suppose it can't support that many people. With quota meaning that everyone from every country can enter, but only in equal numbers.
So there won't be 100 Dutch people and 1 from Belgium.
Preferably I would have only 1 or 2 families from each country come here, so there won't be too much groupings.
I would not allow cars, but have a great public transport network.
Drinking age would be 16 for low-alcohol drinks, 18 for high alcohol drinks.
Recreational drugs... I think I would ban them
Guns definitely not allowed.
Voting at 18.
Children will be adults at 21 with complete responsiblity for their own acts and the parents are not expected to support them.
Religion would be free, BUT (public) expression of that religion will also have to be conform to public morales. Thereto I would establich a religion council, with 1 person from every religion present on the island whose votes all have equal weight.
I would give this council an advisory position in the government.
The government itself would be a democratic monarchy (is that the right term?) with the monarch not being able to make new laws, but being able to give official advice and suggest new laws and stuff and the right to reject a new law, rule or whatever, if he/she can get more than 50% of the population over the age of 18 to agree with him.
The government would be in the form of a council with 1 person from every area of the island present, that person being chosen by the people living in that designated area. Then the council would choose 6 possible leaders for the council and the public would have to make the final decision on who will be the 3 leaders. These leaders would have equal rights and duties.
In this council, everyone would have equal voting power. The religion council will also have 3 votes in total. Every 5 years there will be a new election.

Legal age for marriage: 18. However in special circumstances it would be possible to apeal to the monarch to give his/her blessings in which case it would be possible to get married at 16.
Public nudity is not acceptable. The religion council will also have to handle cases of public morality.
Marriage between 2 people of the same gender is allowed as is adopting children. Their treatment will be equal.
The official language will be English as it is likely most people allready know the language.
I don't know about the coinage yet, but there will definitely not be 1 cent or 2 cent pieces.
The selling of porn would be illegal, as would the possesion of pornmaterial with children be.
Prostitution will not be allowed.
Animals will be protected and the selling of meat will be regulated.
There would definitely not be a death penalty, but the government would have the ability to banish someone from the island. This off course only in extreme circumstances.
Clothing would be more or less optional. People in public functions would have a uniform, with room for personal touches.
Gambling would be allowed, but the number of casinos etc. would be regulated and there would be a limit on the amount of money that can be used in a bet.
The architecture would be such as that buildings would more or less blend in with the surroundings. Only in a few areas designated for urbanisation can buildings be taller than 2 or 3 floors.
Furthermore, there will be a strong emphasis on preservation of and living in harmony with the existing nature and wildlife.
One of the values I would want people to believe in, is that is easier to destroy something than recreating or rebuilding it. To prevent is better than to try to fix it.
School would be mandatory untill 16.
There will not be an army.
When it comes to immigration: the government is allowed to discriminate in the sense that it prefers well-educated people or complete families. Discrimination against ethnicity, gender, looks, religion, etc. is not allowed.

I'll continue this soem other time, I have class now

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Lets say that a large tropical island (about the size of Cuba) formed overnight in the middle of international waters. You were the first person there and you claimed it as your own. Your claim is uncontested, so now you have your very own country that is completely independent from any government. At this time you are the only person who lives on the island, but many people want to move there because it is a tropical paradise. You now have the opportunity to establish your own set of laws prior to anyone immigrating to your new country.

First, the land belongs, exclusively and forever, to the government It's a mostly benevolent dictatorship.
It's operated according to the single tax principles of Henry George. Visitors, who have the status of "resident alien", pay a land rent based on the size of their leasehold, which they are free to develop in accordance with the ecological principles of the country. Their improvements are transferable, the natural assets of the land are not. Service to the government may be recognised by access to a privy council.
Assuming you WANT people to EVENTUALLY move to your island nation - a dubious assumption what laws would you establish and why? For example:

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? 200
2 - Driving age? no cars
3 - Age of sexual consent? no age. take and pass a test
4 - Voting age? no voting.
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? no age. by examination

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal? none extracted, caffeine as occurs naturally
- Pot
- Tobacco
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- LSD
- Caffeine
- Heroin
- Other?

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?) no
8 - What would be the name of your country? haven't decided

9 - Would you have the death penalty? no
10 - What would be the speed limit? however fast you can run

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted? any

Which of the following would be legal: It's not that kind of country
12 - Porn?
13 - Prostitution?
14 - Polygamy?
15 - Homosexuality?
16 - Stem cell resurch?
17 - Human Cloning?
18 - Cock Fighting?
19 - Slavery?
20 - Hunting?
21 - Fishing?
22 - Eating meat?
23 - Littering?
24 - Unisex bathrooms?
25 - Suicide?
26 - Gay marriage?
27 - Abortion?

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal? non-consensual
29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory? optional
30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene". Sure. We inspect your suitcases. violators deported

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes? as above
- Income tax? (how much?)
- Sales tax? (how much?)
- Import/Export tax? (how much?)

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? be related to me, and on good terms with me
33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country?
no boring or smug ones allowed
34 - What type of government would you establish? dictatorship
35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media? completely
36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand.

[Meriadoc Brandybuck]

Lets say that a large tropical island (about the size of Cuba) formed overnight in the middle of international waters. You were the first person there and you claimed it as your own. Your claim is uncontested, so now you have your very own country that is completely independent from any government. At this time you are the only person who lives on the island, but many people want to move there because it is a tropical paradise. You now have the opportunity to establish your own set of laws prior to anyone immigrating to your new country.
Assuming you WANT people to EVENTUALLY move to your island nation - what laws would you establish and why? For example:

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? 21
2 - Driving age? 16
3 - Age of sexual consent? Marriage
4 - Voting age? 18
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? 20

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal? Caffeine and Alcohol (wine and beer)
- Pot
- Tobacco
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- LSD
- Caffeine
- Heroin
- Other?

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?) Yes. Strict rules set for people who qualify.

8 - What would be the name of your country? The Shire. I don't know.

9 - Would you have the death penalty? Banishing is funner.

10 - What would be the speed limit? 65 on highway/freeway; lower for other roads.

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted? Roman Catholicism would be the country-religion. People from other religions not out to convert everyone allowed.

Which of the following would be legal: Hunting, fishing (within reason, of course), eating meat.
12 - Porn?
13 - Prostitution?
14 - Polygamy?
15 - Homosexuality?
16 - Stem cell resurch?
17 - Human Cloning?
18 - Cock Fighting?
19 - Slavery?
20 - Hunting?
21 - Fishing?
22 - Eating meat?
23 - Littering?
24 - Unisex bathrooms?
25 - Suicide?
26 - Gay marriage?
27 - Abortion?

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal? Anything outside marriage. No birth control, contraceptives, etc.
29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory? Mandatory!
30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene". Yes. No stripping, obscene kissing, etc.

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes? Don't know.
- Income tax? (how much?)
- Sales tax? (how much?)
- Import/Export tax? (how much?)

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? Good morals, no criminal/drug history, etc.
33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country? No criminals, criminal record, drug/alcohol addicts, mass murderers, murderers in general, etc.

34 - What type of government would you establish? Somewhat of a Theocracy/Democratic Republic with a president at the head (me) who has more power than the president of the U.S. The Pope would definitely be influential.

35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media? The government could censor anything they deemed shouldn't be shown.

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand.Good manners, no swearing, no suggestive comments.

[BeardofPants]

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? 18
2 - Driving age? 18
3 - Age of sexual consent? 12
4 - Voting age? 18

5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)?
16

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal?
- Pot
- Tobacco
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- LSD
- Caffeine
- Heroin
- Other?
All

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?)
Yes, but there would be strict checks and balances in place, and no hand guns, unless pertinent to work

8 - What would be the name of your country?
New BoPLand

9 - Would you have the death penalty?
No

10 - What would be the speed limit?
I dunno

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted?
No restrictions, as long as the law isn't broken

Which of the following would be legal:
12 - Porn
13 - Prostitution
14 - Polygamy
15 - Homosexuality
16 - Stem cell resurch
17 - Human Cloning
20 - Hunting
21 - Fishing
22 - Eating meat
24 - Unisex bathrooms
25 - Suicide
26 - Gay marriage
27 - Abortion

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal?
As long as said activity occurs between consenting parties above the legal age, none

29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory?
You can do whatever you want, man

30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene".
No

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes?
- Income tax? (how much?) scaled based on income
- Sales tax? (how much?) flat rate on goods & services
- Import/Export tax? (how much?) free trade agreements

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen?
... the standard sort?

33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country?
No restrictions unless criminal record

34 - What type of government would you establish?
oligarchy

35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media?
no censoring

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand.
Freedom of individual within own abode, otherwise separation of church and state

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

TWELVE BoP? Really?

Oh, must discuss.

[trolls' bane]

Lets say that a large tropical island (about the size of Cuba) formed overnight in the middle of international waters. You were the first person there and you claimed it as your own. Your claim is uncontested, so now you have your very own country that is completely independent from any government. At this time you are the only person who lives on the island, but many people want to move there because it is a tropical paradise. You now have the opportunity to establish your own set of laws prior to anyone immigrating to your new country.
Assuming you WANT people to EVENTUALLY move to your island nation - what laws would you establish and why? For example:

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? See below.
2 - Driving age? See below.
3 - Age of sexual consent? See below.
4 - Voting age? See below.
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? See below.
Answers to 1-5: All of these factors would be determined by extensive psychological examination and frequent tests. Each is granted when the individual is seen fit for any one of them.

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal? Anything not considered to be lethal, and only used in certain national holidays. Laws do not need to be enforced for this, for reasons explained later.
- Pot
- Tobacco
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- LSD
- Caffeine
- Heroin
- Other?

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?) Only certified members of the militia/law enforcement (both considered to be the same thing).

8 - What would be the name of your country? Zeta Neapoli, or the formal name: The Democratic Brendonianist Empire of Zeta Neapoli.

9 - Would you have the death penalty? No. All criminals would be exiled to asteroid forced labor camps, where they would spend all eternity harvesting minerals from asteroids and comets, unless, of course, highly invasive psychological and physical tests determine them to no longer be a threat (if mentally insane, the problem is corrected by surgery, and as much of their non-affected brain is saved as possible, thanks to nanoprobe technology.

10 - What would be the speed limit? It varies widely depending on the vehicle type and the road/track/area in question.

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted? Religion is completely open.

Which of the following would be legal:
12 - Porn? No.
13 - Prostitution? No.
14 - Polygamy? Yes.
15 - Homosexuality? Yes.
16 - Stem cell resurch? Yes: mandatory
17 - Human Cloning? Yes: this is allowed so long as the clones are allowed to live as any other free human, and also must go the most advanced genetic screening possible
18 - Cock Fighting? No.
19 - Slavery? Yes: legal insofar only criminals can be slaves, and even then only if meeting the following provisions: 1) treatment must be completely humane, and be basically the same as those who are not criminals, 2) they can cease to be slaves pending the provisions mentioned in the section on the death penalty listed above.
20 - Hunting? Yes: Only if the animal is either stunned or is eaten.
21 - Fishing? Yes: Only if the fish is either thrown back or is eaten.
22 - Eating meat? Yes.
23 - Littering? No.
24 - Unisex bathrooms? There should not be a problem; people would be brought up to take no notice of others, and should more than likely be accustomed to this. (Please reference the state of affairs in RGB Mars.)
25 - Suicide? No.
26 - Gay marriage? Yes: Again, only pending advanced psychological tests. It has been proven as it is that homosexuality is a mental disorder (for various, usually acquired reasons. Therefore, all attempts will be made to treat it, but if it is simply the nature of the person, they will not be considered different from others.
27 - Abortion? No.

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal? Very little is strictly forbidden, but people will be brought up to frown upon certain acts. The only one expressly forbidden is anything non-consensual or considered "statutory rape", where the "victim" has not yet been approved capable of making a rational decision regarding sex.
29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory? Mandatory, barring only limited public facilities (bathhouse, etc.)
30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene". Yes, pending anything mentioned above.

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes? Income taxes would not be collected. People work for the greater good of society.
- Income tax? (how much?) Income taxes would not be collected. People work for the greater good of society. All infrastructure and necessities are paid for by the government, whom also determines the salaries based on the description below.
- Sales tax? All profit will go to the government, who will assign a certain set re-payment based on the principles below.
- Import/Export tax? (how much?) Very little.

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? Extensive physical and psychological examination (not barring anyone with a physical or mental problem, but it will be the initial priority of society to correct this at no charge at the individual's consent), an advanced knowlege of the workings of the country's government, a pledge of allegiance to the country, and a grueling written test.
33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country? Criminals would be exiled. Those who have a criminal record and are planning on moving in would be granted enterance pending the proceses listed ut supra both in regards to the citizenship requirement and prisoner release evaluations. All others depend on the evaluations.

34 - What type of government would you establish? A direct, socialist, quasi-bureaucratic democracy. It would have a strong central government posessing all of the power, but this in turn would be determined by popular vote of everyone using an advanced computer voting system (thus eliminating the need of a legislative branch). The executive (Prime Minister) would possess certain powers required to run a country, and no more. The Judiciary branch would be part of law enforcement and the militia (trials would be held by a jury of twenty of varying backgrounds, and all psychological or other data required would be available). The Worker's Council, the third branch, protects the interests of the workers (all citizens) and prevents government exploitation, yet also works with law enforcement to prevent the people from exploiting the government.

35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media? The government would control the newspaper. Advertisements would be abolished, and it would be required to put forth all news that concerns the people, as long as the display of the news will not cause further harm to the populace, at which censorship of certain sensitive information would be allowed.

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand. All are brought up to consider everyone equal, and that the people arethe government. Nonlethal drugs are allowed during certain holidays, which take place in a plaza in the center of the city (the plaza would contain theaters and opera houses and lecture halls and the like). Everything else is determined by the laws above.[/QUOTE]


It is important to note this before I close: The people are given their basic necessities and all additional luxuries are paid for by salaries dependent on a yet undetermined basis combining the amount of work, the difficulty/unpleasantness of the work, and the benefit of the work for the community. Hence, eco-economics. Here's an example: You have a garbage man and a doctor. Both are considered equal in value, as they both perform services that improve or maintain the overall welfare of the people.

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

*memo to self. Check if Troll's bane has happened across "Walden Two" and "Twin Oaks"*

[Rían]

One problem with the garbage collector = doctor is that the doctor has years of studying to go thru and pay for, in time and money, while the garbage collector can be merrily doing whatever he/she wants. I think part of the reason why the doctor usually gets paid more is that they are getting paid back for their massive amounts of time and effort spend previously.

[trolls' bane]

I've never heard of either, Sister.

Originally Posted by RÃ*an

One problem with the garbage collector = doctor is that the doctor has years of studying to go thru and pay for, in time and money, while the garbage collector can be merrily doing whatever he/she wants. I think part of the reason why the doctor usually gets paid more is that they are getting paid back for their massive amounts of time and effort spend previously.

I've got that all figured out, too, or at least mostly. Sort of... Well, it could definitely use a little awful lot of work...
But no, I was thinking about this on my bus ride/walk home from school today. They would be considered equal still, but those who spend time and money (actually, college would be nearly free, by means as yet unknown) will be rewarded. Say, for example, the garbage man is active in state functions, and is found to make an excellent orator, or is on the Worker's Council. He then could possibly be considered in higher regard (though still equal in everything but esteem) than the doctor who quit trying to better himself once he left college.

The problem with communism in the past is that it is oppressive and corrupt, and there is no incentive to create a good product when you could have impervious job security and get paid exactly the same if you made something you just threw together. My system, including capitalism, mixes the polar opposites and neutralizes them (giving incentive to to good, even more so than regular old capitalism), and combines both with direct democracy.

It's as simple as that. Just a few kinks to work out (like computer hackers messing with the international voting systems, minute details, and specific policies, etc.), but practicable in reality without great trouble (besides the stressful, near-constant involvement of people in the government).

[Last Child of Ungoliant]

Wll, this is certainly interesting

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? 16
2 - Driving age? 16, but private ownership of motor vehicles would be limited for environmental reasons
3 - Age of sexual consent? 16
4 - Voting age? 16
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? 16

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal?
- Pot not pot, but weed - pot is not pure marijuana, often contains melted plastics, and other more disgusting things
- Tobacco yes
- Cocaine no
- Alcohol yes
- LSD no
- Caffeine yes
- Heroin no
- Other? none

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?) no

8 - What would be the name of your country? Romulus

9 - Would you have the death penalty? for high treason, premeditated murder, rape and paedophilia

10 - What would be the speed limit? depends on the type of area, but generally what it is in UK, except 85 for motorways

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted? no religion would be banned, but all (esp. the 3 abrahamic) would be monitored for any sort of prejudice/hate-preaching

Which of the following would be legal:
12 - Porn? yeah, why not
13 - Prostitution? no
14 - Polygamy? no
15 - Homosexuality? yes
16 - Stem cell resurch? it depends on the purpose of research
17 - Human Cloning? not sure yet
18 - Cock Fighting? no
19 - Slavery? no
20 - Hunting? no
21 - Fishing? no
22 - Eating meat? no
23 - Littering? no
24 - Unisex bathrooms? yeah
25 - Suicide? well you can't really make it illegal, "hey you! you just killed yourself, your comin' to prison!!"
26 - Gay marriage? yes
27 - Abortion? in certain circumstances before a certain stage in preganancy

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal? anything between two(+) consenting adults in privacy of their home
29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory? mandatory in public, but i'm sure nudist beaches etc would be fine
30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene". obscene would be anything designed or desired to cause offence in other persons

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes? straight from wages
- Income tax? (how much?) [b]i guess about 5% of wage would be fine
- Sales tax? (how much?) sales tax? like VAT? if it's like VAT then i guess what we have now, 17.5%
- Import/Export tax? (how much?) 15% of sales value

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? for first generation, then you would need to be of good health, sound mental judgement and possess a skill or craft in which the nation's populous has a deficit or need for, after that you would need to be born here, you can't marry one of my citizen's to gain entry
33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country? people allowed would be those as citizenship law, those not allowed would be criminals in their home nation, or any other nation, or anyone not fulfilling the criteria set out as before

34 - What type of government would you establish? monarchy, nation divided into 10 provinces, governors of each province chosen by head of state. each province divided into 10 counties, Mayors of each county elected by those living in the county. the 100 mayors, 10 governors and the head of state form the upper house of parliament. for the lower house of parliament, the people vote for whichever party they want, and the 250 seats are divided up by whatever party gets what percentage of the vote, i.e if you get 50% of the vote, you get 50% of the seats...you must gain 15% of the vote to get any seats. leader of party with most seats is then head of government. both houses must ratify any bill for it to become law

35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media? full censorship would be in effect during times of national emergency, otherwise free press

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand.well, no vulgarity in public, listening to rap/hip-hop etc would be severely frowned upon, and it would be unusual for men to have short hair

[Tessar]

I wanna go live in BoP's country!

[Miss Cassandra]

Originally Posted by Last Child of Ungoliant

it would be unusual for men to have short hair

Ahah, now thats my kinda country! lol

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Originally Posted by Tessar

I wanna go live in BoP's country!

Oy.
I'm not going to pay taxes for resolving the public health issues in ANY of these countries with majority at 16. or younger

Or buy insurance. *shudder*

[Tessar]

Party pooper!

[HOBBIT]

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? 18
2 - Driving age? 16 learners permit. 17 drivers license.
3 - Age of sexual consent? 16
4 - Voting age? 18
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? 18

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal?
- Pot -age 18- legal with many restrictions. only smoke in certain designated areas like special cafes or whatever. anyone smoking weed out in the open would be arrested.
- Tobacco - age 18 - legal but several restrictions. no smoking in any restaurant, bar, pub, public enclosed place, etc except for places of business whose incomes come from primarily tobacco aka hookah bar. smoking outside allowed. no smoking in private homes when children live there.
- Cocaine illegal
- Alcohol - legal. age 18.
- LSD -illegal
- Caffeine -legal. no age limit of course
- Heroin -illegal
- Other?

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?) - no guns on my island.

8 - What would be the name of your country? Nugentland.

9 - Would you have the death penalty? no.

10 - What would be the speed limit? vary by road. max speed limit 70 mph.

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted? freedom of religion, except nothing tha would go against the laws of my nation.

and no soliciting others religiously - no door to door knocking trying to convert.

Which of the following would be legal:
12 - Porn? legal.
13 - Prostitution? legal but restricted - no street hookers.
14 - Polygamy? illegal
15 - Homosexuality? legal.
16 - Stem cell resurch? legal and encouraged
17 - Human Cloning? maybe
18 - Cock Fighting? illegal
19 - Slavery? illegal
20 - Hunting? depends
21 - Fishing? legal
22 - Eating meat? legla
23 - Littering? illegal, but not too serious
24 - Unisex bathrooms? not illegal but not suggested common practice
25 - Suicide? uh...discouraged but no point making this illegal.
26 - Gay marriage? legal.
27 - Abortion? legal unrestricted

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal? everything between or among consenting partners of legal age, legal
29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory? total nudity in public illegal except in demonstrations, protests, freedom of speech reasons.
30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene". eh.

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes?
- Income tax? (how much?) based on how much you make
- Sales tax? (how much?) 6%
- Import/Export tax? (how much?) reasonable

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? personal review, if i like ya you in at first anyway. no radicals.
33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country?
no radicals. no fanatics. if you appear crazy, especially relgiously crazy - no additance.
34 - What type of government would you establish? enlightend monarchy perhaps? benevolent despotism? :P maybe after my death I'd arrange to put into place democracy.

35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media? Mostly free speach, but not garunteed absolute freedom.

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand.
Bring your own culture. W/E.
__________________

[durinsbane2244]

er, i would make all law illegal, thus living the paradoxical dream.

[brownjenkins]

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? I wouldn't have one for drinking, but for purchase, 16.
2 - Driving age? 21, and a very extensive training and approval period.
3 - Age of sexual consent? 13
4 - Voting age? 13
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? 16

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal?
- Pot
- Tobacco
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- LSD
- Caffeine
- Heroin
- Other?

All of them.

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?) All except those intended purely for killing other humans (automatics, easily-concealed handguns, etc.). The age to use/buy would be 21, with an extensive licensing process.

8 - What would be the name of your country? BJland

9 - Would you have the death penalty? No

10 - What would be the speed limit? 65

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted? Any, but no "official religion" or purely scripture-related BS in the law books.

Which of the following would be legal:
12 - Porn? yes
13 - Prostitution? yes
14 - Polygamy? yes
15 - Homosexuality? yes
16 - Stem cell resurch? yes
17 - Human Cloning? yes
18 - Cock Fighting? yes
19 - Slavery? no
20 - Hunting? yes
21 - Fishing? yes
22 - Eating meat? yes
23 - Littering? no
24 - Unisex bathrooms? yes
25 - Suicide? yes
26 - Gay marriage? yes
27 - Abortion? yes

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal? Rape would be illegal, but anything consensual is okay.
29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory? No laws against nudity, if that's what you mean.
30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene". No laws, other than the ones that already exist involving things like age of consent and rape.

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes?
- Income tax? (how much?) The only taxes would be on income and at death. Income tax would be around 10% for everyone (flat tax). At death, a vast majority of one's income would be taxed to avoid the endless inheritance of fortunes and the development of a "rich class" like we see in the US. Surpluses would be used to reduce the income tax percentage.
- Sales tax? (how much?) None
- Import/Export tax? (how much?) None

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? As long as there is no criminal record, no criteria.
33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country? Basically open borders.

34 - What type of government would you establish? True democracy with local elections for a governing body that would choose three leaders who would work together to make "presidential" decisions (i.e. important matters that couldn't wait for a full vote). All representatives would be limited to one term of five years and staggered so that there would only be one-fifth turnover each year.

35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media? Not at all.

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand. None.

[Lief Erikson]

Your country is by far the closest to the one I would design so far, Meriadoc.

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? 21
2 - Driving age? 18
3 - Age of sexual consent? 21, also has to be within wedlock
4 - Voting age? 18 . . . if we have a democracy. I'm not sure a democracy is the best form of government, and am not sure about this.
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? 21

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal? Caffeine and Alcohol
- Pot
- Tobacco
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- LSD
- Caffeine
- Heroin
- Other?
No drugs except for medical purposes.

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?) Yes, depending on the person's criminal record, sanity record, etc. There would be tight regulations.

8 - What would be the name of your country? I'd let the people vote on that.

9 - Would you have the death penalty? Yes.

10 - What would be the speed limit and traffic laws? All just as they are now in the US.

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted? Christianity is the state religion. All others banned. The Pope is influential in the government, but not single denomination gets to punch about the others. They're all Christian brothers and equal in God's eyes.

Which of the following would be legal:
12 - Porn?
13 - Prostitution?
14 - Polygamy?
15 - Homosexuality?
16 - Stem cell resurch?
17 - Human Cloning?
18 - Cock Fighting?
19 - Slavery?
23 - Littering?
24 - Unisex bathrooms?
25 - Suicide?
26 - Gay marriage?
27 - Abortion?
No to all the above.
20 - Hunting?
21 - Fishing?
22 - Eating meat?
Yes, though with careful regulations and monitoring to protect species from extinction, excessive destruction of habitat, pollution to ecosystems, etc. Programs also will be financed by the government to help out struggling species and environments.
22.5 - Divorce? Divorce should be carefully regulated. It should not be free or easy, and valid cause under law must be proven. Such cause would be physical abuse, your partner having had an affair with someone outside of wedlock, and some other cases. Divorce should be available in extreme circumstances of wrong behavior by the spouse.

All food that is killed in hunting or fishing should be used.[/b]

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal? Anything outside of monogomous, heterosexual marriage.
29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory? Absolutely mandatory. Pictures in magazines, TV or elsewhere would also be monitored for content and message.
30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene". Yes. Abusive language that denigrates or attacks people, people of other races, language that takes God's name in vain, and of course stripping and non-verbal offenses are all punishable.

31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes? I suppose whatever the US has currently instituted. I'm pretty unclear on how this works.
- Income tax? (how much?)
- Sales tax? (how much?)
- Import/Export tax? (how much?)
It depends on what the country's situation is. It's all flexible.

31.5 - Gender differences? Gender should be taken into account in the country's laws. Women and men should have somewhat different roles in government and society because the genetics of the different genders are different in brains as well as in bodies. Neither is less than the other, but each is equally valuable and essential while simultaneously different. So I'd probably keep most women out of certain areas of politics and the military, though I might allow some to slip through the cracks on that. Women, on the other hand, might have advantages over men in getting into jobs that require communication and relating to other people.

32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? The person must be a Christian and willing to follow the laws of the country. Past record should be examined to see what the person has been like, and if the person has had a very serious record for behavior that in my country is illegal, the person would be given a waiting period to find out if he or she has changed or is still the same. If the person maintains good morals for that period without a relapse, the person will be allowed entry.

33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country? No discrimination for entry based on race or gender. Discrimination here exists between people with shady backgrounds who have not gone through the trial period and people without. People with known expertise that would benefit the country might be given some preferential treatment in getting in.

34 - What type of government would you establish? This, of course, is a crucial question. I don't really know yet. Whether it be a democracy, a monarchy or a constitutional monarchy, the person or people would have to abide by scriptural principles and laws. I guess that I'd for a little while have a constitutional monarchy with some noble king in charge, perhaps someone appointed by the Pope. While that king is in charge, free, unmessed-with, extensive studies would be conducted during that trial period to determine what form of government is best. People will be allowed to freely argue both sides and then the Supreme Court come to a decision about which is best. The government will absolutely be somewhat theocratic, though.

I don't know if I'll stick to this. Just for the moment, while my views on which government type is preferrable are somewhat unclear .

35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media? The government is mandated to prohibit the distribution of material that defies Biblical morality. The media and the people are allowed to criticize governmental policies and governmental interpretation of religious laws. They aren't allowed to attack the existence of the religious laws themselves, though.

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish?

There's just one thing I'd like to change here immediately. Currently it is good manners to have one's fork and knife on the left side of one's plate, a system that dates to old English eating habits. It's dated! I'm not left-handed, and neither are the majority of people! I'd have culture place it on the right hand instead of the left for practicality's sake. If people want to arrange it differently, of course this is not a law. Just a cultural tradition I wish existed.

Oh yes, a few other things. I'd want to bring back some good old fashioned manners to society! In the past, in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, gentlemen and ladies were far more polite to one another than they are now. They treated one another graciously and saw one another as highly valuable individuals who deserved great respect. I'd want to bring back wholesome Victorian manners, and the modern desire to neutralize gender "stereotypes" is no excuse for eliminating good manners.

I'd also want to bring back respect for parents and government, and a heck of a lot more of both than currently exists. Parents also, culturally, should have more of a say in who their children marry. Not control, but they should be expected to have a strong influence here that their children can reject if they choose (though this is not recommended).

[Tessar]

1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? 13 with parental supervision (in public places), and 18 without.
2 - Driving age? 17, but you have to pass an intelligence test .
3 - Age of sexual consent? Not in MY country, you don't
4 - Voting age? This is a dictatorship. There will be no voting.
5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? When they're ready to MOVE OUT AND SUPPORT THEMSELVES. >.<

6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal?
You're kidding, right? In my country?

NO DRUGS! NO DRUGS FOR YOU, -OR- YOUR FRIENDS! o(>.<)O

7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?)
Only if they pay for them. I'm not buying you a gun! Crazy kids...

8 - What would be the name of your country?
The Great Country of Tessar! Also known as the GCT!

9 - Would you have the death penalty?
No, but if you ever do that again, I'll make you WISH you were dead, buster.

10 - What would be the speed limit?
ONE BEEEEEEEELLION DOLLERS!

... sorry. I mean 70 mph.

11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted?
When you leave home, you can decide. Till then, you're going to Church every Sunday with me.

Which of the following would be legal:
12 - Porn?
13 - Prostitution?
14 - Polygamy?
15 - Homosexuality?
16 - Stem cell resurch?
17 - Human Cloning?
18 - Cock Fighting?
19 - Slavery?
20 - Hunting?
21 - Fishing?
22 - Eating meat?
23 - Littering?
24 - Unisex bathrooms?
25 - Suicide?
26 - Gay marriage?
27 - Abortion?

NOT. ON. MY. WATCH.

28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal?

... you just can't help yourself, can you? See the above answer. o(>.<)O

29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory?
Eh. Clothing optional till 11 a.m., by which point you're expected to be awake enough to dress.

30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene".
You are being extremely obscene with these questions. IMPERTINENT!
31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes?
- Income tax? (how much?)
- Sales tax? (how much?)
- Import/Export tax? (how much?)

Hooba-jooba-wha? o.O
32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? Don't be a dumbo.
33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country?
Lief can't come in, because he's a meanie head, and SaCaA can't come in, because she's a party pooper, and BoP can't come in because she steals our pants. I guess everyone else can come. Providing there are no wild parties going on past 11:30 p.m.
34 - What type of government would you establish?
This is not a government. This is a DICTATORSHIP.
35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media?
I demand control of the TV remote. That's censorship enough.

36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand.


Don't be a jerk.




WELCOME TO THE GREAT COUNTRY OF TESSAR!