Today, I would like to discuss a few improvements that we could make with our nation and website; mainly I will focusing on citizenship and individual rights. Currently, there is not an option listed to include children of Asgardians into our population count. I feel that we are inaccurately ...
Today, I would like to discuss a few improvements that we could make with our nation and website; mainly I will focusing on citizenship and individual rights. Currently, there is not an option listed to include children of Asgardians into our population count. I feel that we are inaccurately calculating our statistics because of this. As the age of sixteen (16) is a commonly used age to define topics of consent and usage, it would be reasonable that those under the age of sixteen could have their parents or guardian designate them as citizens of our nation. Those above the stated age would be able to define for themself if they wish to belong to Asgardia. Now, this age setting is only a suggestion, and it can be raised and lowered as needed, the same as how different locations around the world have the option to raise or lower the legal age to vote for government officials. Accurate statistics allow us to identify instances of population growth, where our financiances are going for citizens, and potential fraud. This can include fraudulent usage, or theft of health cards for free benefits to non-citizens (which is surprisingly common in my country of origin), undocumented numbers of minors getting into locations and activities that they legally should not be doing, and a general misunderstanding of who are people are overall. Now, not all of these instances are necessarily "negative", but there will be-- and believe me, it will happen all too suddenly-- debates on these topics in the future, no matter how much we may choose to either ignore them, or not realize it.
Which brings me to my next subject of debate: uncomfortable politics. We all have a topic, whether ethically or emotionally, that we would rather not talk about, or shove out of the way for another person or time to take care of it. As a new nation with the intention of being a guiding light for humanity's future, we need to air out the skeletons in our closet and face the issues head-on. Ethical conundrums, such as the subjects of race wars, abortion laws, drug legality, gun control, and more, are topics that many of our race either feels passionately about, or has no desire to touch those discussions with a ten-foot pole. The fact of the matter is, if we want to move forward, we have to decide promptly on these kinds of issues and learn to accept differing opinions as civil and intelligent beings. These are hot topics, and it is well known that most will not get along regarding the moral queries they impose. However, there needs to be procedures put in place to protect our citizens during the processes of putting related bills into law. There will be fights, and protests, and mean words said, so we need to be able to protect both city and state from abuse and terrorism during these critical, and uneasy, times. Frankly, there should be protections at all times, but we can easily predict the levels of hate and violence rising during these uncomfortable politics. Still, we need to get through these issues, these differences. Everybody has a personal right to choose their own path in life,-- whether it be pro-life or pro-choice, for or against gun control, to use or not use marijuana or other drugs, etcetera-- but they do not have the right to force their personal opinions on others. Paraphrasing the words of Dame Maggie Smith, "My dear, [opinions] are like a penis. It's a perfectly fine thing for one to have pride in, but when one takes it out and waves it in my face we have a problem." As crude as it may sound, the point is gotten across stupendously. Protect the people from difference of opinion, but also face the problem directly so we can decide on what we want to set as an example to the rest of humanity once and for all.
