Article 18: Provinces
This is part 18 of a series. Go to the 1st Paper for the first part.
Daily Blurb
Febuary 10, 1779
Thank you to everyone who submitted
Vision has been restored and is now on its original path. At least, that was the original objective. No one denies that voting is a great idea that will cement Vision ideals. However, some people are worried about how our nation will function in the future. There are some varying opinions, with many people holding many different points of view. But, one thing has become clear. The people from the provinces were not consulted during the revolution. It is only now that we will hear their views.
Here we have gathered the thoughts and opinions of people hailing from the province.
Jean E: Province of Arktin, female
The revolution carried out in the city was meant to give people a say in government. Our question is which people? None of the people on the temporary national council are from any of the provinces. This is the hypocrisy of the revolutionaries. They speak of freedom, yet they have chosen their own brand of freedom. We in the province are not free to choose our own freedom. We are not free to choose.
Cary Kathrine: Province of Bagzida, female
All men have been set free during the revolution, yet some are let free from their cages while others merely are allowed to fit their hands through the bars. Those in the capital fought for their freedoms and so, they have had their freedoms granted to them. We here in the provinces did not fight and are unworthy of the entirety of freedom. When the temporary council was chosen, most of the positions were given to members of the council.
This is fundamentally unjust. The council makes up solely 23% of the population, yet commands 78% of the political power. If one decides that economic and scientific production is the true measure of worth, then the capital makes up 36% of the economy. This is still a far cry from the 78% of the council that they make up. In fact, it is my home province of Bagzida that should have most of the power making up 42% of the economy and 33% of the population. We make up 7% of the council.
I’m not saying that representation should exactly meet the population or the economic output of the province. However, the numbers should not be entirely divorced from each other. We must not give 23% of the population more than 78% of the power. The current system is nearly as unjust as the old. We must change if Vision I to truly be an Egalitarian society.
Gareth Masou: Province of Teren, Male
I don’t know much about no politics. All I know much is me own two hands, and me hard work. I is an immigrant here, and I am proud of it. I was a hard hard worker. In me own land, and in me Vision. Shows dedication. Shows courage. As I said, I don’t know much about no politics, but I know that I don’t want me representation to be by no lawyer. Just cause he is the richest does not mean he is the best to represent my province. I was an artist in me old country. I made beautiful paintings, made children laugh, made smiles. I have also toiled for Vision. I worked, I slaved. I gave up treasure and time and bone. I no become after this. I become happy. Contributed in ways not measured by wealth.
See, there is a rumor that no province people are in government. That isn’t exactly true. Thing is, wealthy province people are in counsel. But, they are not real province people. Don’t work hard, they did. We work hard. Me, family, me neighbors, we work hard. We are real province people. We are real voters.
Francois Regatte: Capital of Forcastle, male
I think that we will be able to do wonderful things with a government-run by the people. I am, however, worried about our national newspaper. What happened to the People’s Advocate was terrible. A national paper could further impair the freedom of the speech. They will further their own purposes. What they say will go. If opposing newspapers, such as the once People’s Advocate, are destroyed, we may be at the mercy of the capital. Our thoughts will be controlled.
Jasmine Cruz: Province of Teren, Female
We may have revolted. We may have secured our liberty. We may have set Vision on the right track. But, we have not solved the underlying problem. We fought the aristocracy, not because we wanted to be free. That came later. We fought the aristocracy because they wanted to hand Vision over to the Eastern Empire. We wouldn’t let that happen. Almost no one in Vision disagrees with that. But, the Aristocracy was right in that we need food. We have not solved that problem. The people in the capital may have gotten food and money that was held by some rich aristocrats. The urban poor may be able to find solace in such places as the Golden Spoon. Here in the provinces, we have nothing. Our farms aren’t doing well. We are starving. The Capital needs to do something about this.
If you have compliments, critique, or just want to start a discussion, feel free to comment below!
