Ericsworld

**Ericsworld**
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	Flag of Ericsworld
	Motto: All we are is dust in the wind
	[1]
Region	Socialist Union
Capital	Ericsworld City
Official Language(s)	English, Ereek
Leader	Eric Birth
Population	26 million
Currency	Erk
	NS Sunset XML

Introduction

The United Socialist States of Ericsworld (U.S.S.E.) is a large, environmentally stunning, and socially progressive nation, notable for its devotion to Social Welfare. Its compassionate population enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption. They are free to do what they want with their own bodies, and vote for whoever they like in elections; if they go into business, however, they are regulated to within an inch of their lives.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, liberal, socially-minded government stops and the rest of society begins, but it devotes most of its attentions to Social Welfare, with areas such as Law & Order and Defence receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 100%. The private sector is almost wholly made up of enterprising fourteen-year-old boys selling lemonade on the sidewalk, although the government is looking at stamping this out.

Retirement homes are often fitted with luxurious suites, Max Barry is this year's Miss Ericsworld, UFO sightings are listed daily in the morning news, and parents live in fear of governmental 'child protection' squads. Crime is totally unknown. Ericsworld's national animal is the red squirrel, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the erk.

UN Category: Scandinavian Liberal Paradise

Maps

Basic Map

Phsyical

Districts

Political Parties

Main parties

Liberal Socialist Party (LS)
Centrist Party (C)
Green Party (G)
Peace Party (P)

Minority parties

Libertarian Capitalist Party (LC)
Conservative Party (CS)
Moral Justice Party (MJ)
Anarchist Party (A)

(I)- Independent/No party affiliation

Government Structure

Ericsworld government is divided into three branches: Exectutive, Legislative, and Judicial. Power is balanced between the three.

The Exectutive branch, led by a chief exectutive or President (currently Eric Birth) ,who is elected by majority vote every 5 years, runs the government departments. Each department is led by an offical chosen by the President and aproved by the legislature. The President and his officals manage how money is spent within the departments and oversee department operations.

As well, the President also has a team of hand-picked advisors who advise him on certain areas.

Bills that have been passed through the legislative branch must be either signed into law or vetoed by the President. If the President vetoes, it can be overided by either a 75% vote for the override by Parliament and/or aproval for an override by all five members of the Council.

President: Eric Birth (I)

Vice President: William Darko (I)

Minister of Defense: Conan McMann

Attorney General (head of Justice Dept.): Raymond Jones

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Jack O'Hare

Minister of Intelligence: Liza Spektanko

Minister of Peace: Samuel Oblong Jr.

Minister of Health & Human Services: Dana Wendale

Minister of Education: Suzy Sandra

Security Advisor: John Smith

Chief Science & Medical Advisors: Dr. Guy Freeman, Ricky Quartz. M.D

Finance Advisor: Bill Van Bismarck

Civil Rights Advisor: Susan Pierce

The Legislative branch deals with the making, passing, and repealing of laws, and as well, has authority to declare war, pass taxes, and decide how much money each government department or agency recieves. There are two parts of the legislative branch: The Council & Parliament.

Parliament is the bottom branch. There are one hundred members--five representatives to each of the nations twenty districts. One fourth of the Parliament faces re-election every 2 years. Bills begin here. Once introduced, they are assigned to the appropriate commitee. That commitee will work on it, and when done, it becomes open for debate. After the Parliament has debated over it, they will vote. If the majority of the Parliament members present (at least 90 members must be present) vote for it, the bill will go on to the Council. However, if the majority votes against it, the bill dies. Members of parliament can also propose changes to the bill, in which case the majority of Parliament will have to aprove it for the alteration to be made.

Party Division:

39-LS

24-G

12-P

21-I

2-C

1-LC

The Council, the upper branch, consists of five members. These five members are chosen by the nation as a whole. Every year, an election is held for one of the five seats. Bills that have been aproved by the Parliament must be aproved by at least three of the five councilmen/councilwomen. Council Members:

Frank Ferdinand (LS)
Mark O’Brien (G)
Emily Laurel (I)
Zachary Slackovowski (LS)
Walter Kerry (P)

History

Fall of the Monarhcy

For several hundred years, the U.S.S.E. was ruled by a mostly benevelont monarchy. However, in 1903 the monarchy was overthrown, the royal family slaughtered, and the nation taken over by the opressive, fascist regime of Luke Vladimir, who imposed strict laws & had those who criticized his government pubicly beheaded. He was most strict on the poor peasents. While the richer men & women lived the good life, they were forced to do most of the hard labor.

The Dictatorship Lives On

After his death in 1923, his son Luke Vladimir Jr. took control. When he was assassinated in 1950, because he had no children, his wife's brother, John Paul McKinney assumed power.

Revolution and Democracy

The dictatorship wouldn't last for much longer. A violent revolution broke out in 1955. The people, especially the neglected, hard-working lower-class, were tired of life under their fascist government. When McKinney was finally, captured, shot, and killed in 1958, the people set up a new, democratic government. A year later, the national constitution was created. The first elections for the Council, Parliament, and the Presidency were held. Larry Quartsmoore was elected as Ericsworld's first President.

Ericsworld Goes Socialist

Many of the revolutionaries during the war were advocates of Socialism. Once the new government was formed a large ammount of the elected leaders, including President Quartsmoore, founder of the Liberal Socislist party, were Socialists. The nation was renamed "The United Socialist States of Ericsworld" (U.S.S.E. for short) in 1960. On the same day, Pres. Larry Quartsmoore signed into law the End To Private Enterprise Act, which abolished private enterprise in Ericsworld & gave the government control of all industry. From that day forward, the U.S.S.E. government would adopt many Socialist policies.

Timeline of Important Events

May 3, 1903- A large, violent battle broke out in the city of Zuhl. Members of Luke Vladimir's militia ravaged their way through the city, killing everyone in sight. Within minutes, soldiers in the Royal Army from a nearby fort were on the scene. A huge battle broke out. In total, three thousand lives were lost. Almost half of those lost were innocent civilians.
May 4, 1903- Luke Vladimir declares war against the monarchy.
August 16, 1903- The largest battle in the war between Vladimir & the monarchy took place just outside Ericsworld City. Almost eleven thousand men died.
August 18, 1903- Ericsworld City was captured by Vladimir's troops.
August 30, 1903- The royal family was captured.
September 1, 1903- The royal family were publicly executed. Vladimir claimed the tile of emperor of Ericsworld.
October 21, 1923- Luke Vladimir died. His son, Luke Vladimir Jr., assumed power.
January 11, 1950- Luke Vladimir Jr. was assassinated. (The assassin was never found.) John Paul McKinney, his wife's brother, had been chosen years earlier as his successor in the event of his death.
November 26, 1955- The Ericsworld revolution began when a small group of poor miners bombed a Ministry of Defense office in Danyok.
February 3, 1958- John Paul McKinney was captured in & shot.
July 7, 1958- A conevention to create a national constitution & a new democratic government began in Ericsworld City. The convention was set up by the leaders of the revolution. Delegates from across the land attended.
March 5, 1959- The Constitution of Ericsworld was ratified.
September 19, 1959- The first elections were held for Parliament seats.
September 20, 1959- The first elections for The Council were held.
September 21, 1959- The first elections for President & Vice President were held.
October 1, 1959- Larry Quarsmoore, Ericsworld's first president, was sworn into office along with Jon Neil, the first Vice President.
October 28, 1959- The first cabinet was aproved by the legislature.
November 6, 1959- The first High Court justices were aproved by legislature.
January 21, 1960- The nation was renamed "The United Socialist States of Ericsworld" and private enterprise was abolished.
June 10, 1976- President Anthony Brown died in a tragic plane accident. Vice President Orval Wendockson became the new president. He is the first only President to come into office as a result of the death of the previous President.
December 27, 2004- The U.S.S.E. joined the Socialist Union.
December 28, 2004- The U.S.S.E. joined The Comintern.

History of the Presidency

Larry Quartsmoore (1959-1964)
Jon Neil (1964-1974)
Anthony Brown (1974-1976) -died in plane accident
Orvel Wendockson (1976-1981)
Mike Jeffete (1981-1996)
Eric Birth (1996-Present)

Natural Resources

Most Abundant Natural Resources in the U.S.S.E.

Iron ore
Aluminum
Lumber
Copper
Diamonds
Fluorite
Other minerals

Culture

Ericsworld boasts a rich & lively culture. Despite the many changes in the nation and in the world, many old traditions are held dear. As well, art and literature are extremely important to the Ericsworldians. There are aproximately 673 art museums in Ericsworld, and, as well, the arts are frequently supported by the government.

Holidays

Sprungsdain- In the native language of Ereek, Sprungsdain is translated into "Spring Day". Celebrated on the first day of spring, this is when people celebrate the transition of winter to spring. In the olden days of the nation, people suffered much during winter. The harsh conditions made travel difficult & food had to be eaten sparingly. As well, it was hard to keep warm. For centuries, many lives were lost during this time of the year. During Spungsdain, people would rejoice for winter was finally over. In some ways, Sprungsdain is a sort of thankgiving. It is a common tradition for people to disscuss all the things they are grateful for over a small feast. There are many games that are played on this holiday, too. In modern times, a large festival is held in the capitol, Ericsworld City. In olden days, some communities held small festivals of their own.

The Day of the Dead- Held every year on the 13th day of June, this holiday is exactly as the name suggests--a day to honor the dead. Death is considered a natural part of the circle of life in Ericsworld. As painful as the death of a loved one can be, death is accepted. On this holiday people acknowledge the fact that death is a part of life everyone must face at some point. As well, they remember all of their loved ones who have left them in the past. They take the time to remember both the good & the bad times they had with them. Visting the graves of their dead family & friends is also frequently done. At midnight on this day, communities gather together for a ceremony that has been practiced in Ericsworld since ancient times. They all gather around a large fire. As they name out the names of those who have left them in the past year, they toss a rose pedol into the fire. Afterwards, the flame is put out & the people have a moment of silence for reflection. The actual length of the moment of silence varies from community to community. Some last a minute. Others can last up to ten minutes.

Fesivus- Festivus is a winter holiday where people tell eachother how they've angered or dissapointed them during the past year.

Dainotgophen- Translated into "day of giving", on this holiday people exchange gifts.

Religion

Ericsworld is a land of great diversity when it comes to religion. There are people of many different religions & belief systems. The dufferent belief systems of others are generally respected and viewed with open-mindedness by those who believe differently.

The religion native to Ericsworld is called Ericzism. Ericzism was widely practiced during the ancient days of Ericsworld, though is not as popular today.

Religious Make-Up of Ericsworld

Non-Religious: 35% (Agnostic 56%; Atheist 44%)
Buddhist: 14%
Wiccan: 25%
Jewish: 10%
Protestant Christian: 3%
Catholic Christian: 4%
Druidist: 1%
Hindu: 1%
Ericzist: 5%
Other: 2%

Languages

English & Ereek are the two main languages of Ericsworld. Though the nation offically declares itself bilingual, there are many languages spoken throughout the U.S.S.E.

Citizens Who Speak English: 90%

Citizens Who Speak Ereek: 85%

Citizens Who Speak Ereek & English: 75%

Citizens Who Can Speak A Language Other Than English & Ereek: 50%

Languages besides the main two that are commonly spoken in Ericsworld include German, Polish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Swedish.

National Motto

The national motto, "All we are is dust in the wind", was adopted in 2004. It comes from the song "Dust In The Wind" by Kansas, a highly popular classic rock song in the U.S.S.E.

Ericsworld

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