The Inter-Regional Welfare Act

In brief, I propose that we implement an Inter-Regional Welfare Plan in Duetaria.

Realising the appalling state in which many Duetarians live, and understanding the moral obligation of all governments to its citizens, the Government of Romardia has drawn up the Welfare Act (to be voted through representation). Each Duetarian Government should undertake to promulgate the below conditions, and to fully ratify each clause. The Welfare Act proposals are:

1. To combat DISEASE, in each nation there will be founded a National Health Service (NHS), that will provide full medical care to all citizens of said nation unable to afford private healthcare.
2. To combat POVERTY, in each nation there will be founded a National Social Welfare Service (NSWS), that will provide full pecuniary support to all citizens deemed unable to support themselves, and that will provide a State Pension, regulated by a Ministry of Work and Pensions, to all retired citizens, with special regard for those without Private Pension Funds.
3. To combat IGNORANCE, in each nation there will be founded a National Education Service (NES), that will provide for the setting up of state primary, secondary and Sixth Form schools/colleges, free of charge, to any child who so chooses to attend these schools. Special Provision will be made for children who cannot afford Private Education, over those who merely do not want to pay, and State Examination Boards will be founded to regulate school standards and qualifications.
4. To combat SQUALOR, in each nation there will be founded a National Housing Committee (NHC), that will provide for the building and establishment of state housing for those deemed unable to afford Private Houses. Housing standards will be strictly monitored by a Ministry of Housing, and it will be a necessity for governments to regularly combat homelessness and unemployment within this clause.

We must never once shrink from the responsibilities of compassion for our citizens, and we must continually strive to preserve the well-being of our nations.

The Government of Romardia

In walks the Karkelbanian Home Minister Johnathan Yelt.
"We in Karkelbania have voted d as we believe that a sub clause on Minimum wage should be added here.
We also propose that the NSWS should have powers to force those who they deem it necessary into Military service if they can find no other job.

Immersed in chat with Luschian Treasury Minister Amy Adams, the Ravenburger-Morovian Interior Minister Richtenburg is prodded to attention by his colleague Sohm.

"Indeed, I would readily vote for the amended act - I find the Karkelbanian proposal thoroughly laudable and lucidly pronounced! But it is unquestionable that this act MUST be passed - the international standing of Duetaria depends on it!"

Amidst cheering and placard waving, Richtenburg returns to his conversation with an adoring Adams.

"Karkelbania finds Ravenburg Morovia's obviously Romardian influenced remark disgusting. State your problems with our proposals do not simply dismiss them sir."

Given the somewhat lukewarm response to our backing of Karkelbania, we the government of Ravenburg-Morovia below state our own attitude to the Inter-Regional Welfare Act:

1. We agree to the Socialist principle of the Welfare Act, and fully support the move for compassionate conservatism in government.
2. Furthermore, we unequivocally agree with the clauses of the Welfare Act proposed by Romardia, and have already set up a National Health Service.
3. However, we must also stress our approbation to the Military Clause added by Karkelbania, and hence move to pass the Welfare Act with this amendment.

The Government of Ravenburg-Morovia

Journalists flock up to a small delegation of ministers from Duetaria's constituent nations as they leave the Capitol Hall in Barienna, Ravenburg-Morovia. Ravenburger-Morovian finance minister Trauttmansdorff barks for silence and, clearing his throat, begins an announcement.

"After a meeting between the chief financial and health ministers in the Duetarian nations, we have decided that there must be immediate action regarding the Welfare Legislation proposed by Romardia. The Act must be put to a final vote in the Grand Council."

Yes we agree, and therefore we ask Ravenburg- Morovia to create a new poll to decide this.

The Grand Council Chamber falls into a hushed silence as Lady Speaker Ellen Page bangs her gravel on the high table.

"As Lady Speaker of the Grand Council," the twenty-one year old minister begins [note: watch her latest flick, 'Juno' - tres super!], "I hereby state that the cabinets of each nation of Duetaria will convene to decide upon the future of Romardia's proposed Welfare Act!"

Immediately, the respective governmental bigwigs begin to file out.

Having voted democratically for the proposed Inter-Regional Welfare Act, the World Assembly Delegate State hereby details the finalised Legislation passed by the Grand Council:

Realising the appalling state in which many Duetarians live, and understanding the moral obligation of all governments to its citizens, the Government of Romardia has drawn up the Welfare Act (to be voted through representation). Each Duetarian Government should undertake to promulgate the below conditions, and to fully ratify each clause. The Welfare Act proposals are:

1. To combat DISEASE, in each nation there will be founded a National Health Service (NHS), that will provide full medical care to all citizens of said nation unable to afford private healthcare.
2. To combat POVERTY, in each nation there will be founded a National Social Welfare Service (NSWS), that will provide full pecuniary support to all citizens deemed unable to support themselves, and that will provide a State Pension, regulated by a Ministry of Work and Pensions, to all retired citizens, with special regard for those without Private Pension Funds.
3. To combat IGNORANCE, in each nation there will be founded a National Education Service (NES), that will provide for the setting up of state primary, secondary and Sixth Form schools/colleges, free of charge, to any child who so chooses to attend these schools. Special Provision will be made for children who cannot afford Private Education, over those who merely do not want to pay, and State Examination Boards will be founded to regulate school standards and qualifications.
4. To combat SQUALOR, in each nation there will be founded a National Housing Committee (NHC), that will provide for the building and establishment of state housing for those deemed unable to afford Private Houses. Housing standards will be strictly monitored by a Ministry of Housing, and it will be a necessity for governments to regularly combat homelessness and unemployment within this clause.
5. To fully incorporate plans for all eventualities, the NSWS is given the right to conscript all peoples FOR WHOM THERE IS NO OTHER GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT into the Military Forces of that Welfare Service's Nation.

"We must never once shrink from the responsibilities of compassion for our citizens, and we must continually strive to preserve the well-being of our nations." - Lamberto Raimondi Prasca, Prime Minister of Romardia, 2008

The Grand Council of Duetaria

King Wake bangs his ceremonial scepter on the floor of the Grand Council chamber.
"I do justly proclaim the Welfare Act into Law. All Duetarian citizens now abide under it."