Geomyidae

Flag of Geomyidae
Motto: "Keep your head down."
'coming soon'
Region	PEEL
Capital	Geomys
Official Language(s)	Rodentian
Leader	President Jameson
Population	36 million
Currency	The Nut
NS Sunset XML

The Republic of Geomyidae

Overview

Geomyidae is a small, generally inoffensive nation in Central New America. Their government is democratic, though voter turnout has reached depressing lows. Their economy is strong and growing, with a strong foundation in farming, particurlarly cattle. Historically they have remained isolated politically and economically from the rest of PEEL, but recent political changes have led to some regulated trade, leading to unprecedented economic growth for the small nation.

Government

Branches

The government of Geomyidae is democratic, with most key officials including the President being nominated for and voted on by the people directly. Geomyidae is composed of 7 politically-defined districts. These districts have their own local government, which have a high degree of autonomy in their internal affairs. The national government consists of three branches, ruled by the Executive Cabinet, the Council of Judges, and the Senate.

Executive Cabinet

The Executive Cabinet is headed by the President and consists of his VP and a number of Secretaries, each heading a department including Defense, Agriculture, Economics, and Education. These Secretaries are selected by the President, but can be rejected by a 2/3 vote of No Confidence from the Senate. The government branches run from this office are responsible for all decisions related to the implementation of the government's policy, including welfare, economics, military, education, agriculture, industry, and diplomacy.

Council of Judges

The Council of Judges consists of 7 Chief Judges, one from each district. The process of selection is left to each district, but nominees can be rejected by a standard 2/3 vote of No Confidence from the Senate. Such a decision can be overturned only by a unanimous vote of confidence from the standing Chief Judges. The term of a Chief Judge is not limited, though they may be replaced by their own districts at any time according to their own laws or policies. Selection processes vary widely, from free elections in Kingsland to direct selection by the District Governor in Spleen. Removal procedures are fairly uniform, with candidates serving until they die, step down, or are voted out by the senate or people. The one exception is Spleen, which has no mechanism for removal of the standing judge; once appointed, a candidate serves until dead or voted out by the national Senate in a vote of No Confidence. In addition to defining the interpretation of law for all lesser courts in the nation, the council has the power to repeal or force modification of laws passed by Senate. In both cases, 5 of 7 judges must agree to the change.

Senate

The Senate consists of 100 members. Candidates serve 8 year terms, with staggered elections every 4 years. The number of representatives from each region is adjusted at each election based on relative population. The Senate is responsible for debating and formalising terms for all new laws. Laws may be proposed by a Senator, by the President, or by the council of judges, but the Senate writes all final bills. Passage of new legislation requires a simple majority, while changing or repealing an existing law requires a 2/3 majority. Overriding a presidential veto requires a 3/4 majority. The Senate cannot override a veto from the Council of Judges.

Political Parties

The Geomyidaen constitution does not define roles for parties, but they are not forbidden either. The nation is fragmented into many parties, with a number of national parties as well as regional parties in most districts.

Centrist Party

The Centrist party is the largest poltical party in Geomyidae. The party's platform has always been built on traditional economics and favors a large agricultural base for the economy and minimal international trade.

Modern Party

The Modern party is an old party which until recently was active only in Spleen. The Modern party are enigmatic, radical conservatives who believe in big government, traditional moral values, and are opposed to all forms of wealth redistribution. Recent internal changes in the party have led to a new platform based mainly on opening the borders to foreign trade and an increased budget for technology. This has caused the party to gain popularity outside Spleen, among a growing and vocal minority who want to open the borders to greater PEEL culture.

History

Geomyidae has remained isolated for most of it's history. Their economy, which remains largely agricultural today, was small and closed but generally self-sufficient. Not only isolated from the world, the districts are largely independent as well. Aside from merchants and diplomats, few have traveled beyond their home districts, so each has a very distinctive culture of it's own. This only began to change with the introduction of Geomyidate Television, which began to create a stronger shared national culture.

Districts

Spleen

Spleen is the largest district in Geomyidae, but it is also one of the least populous. It consists entirely of farm land, and is the center of the nation's beef industry. Cows outnumber people 3:1. The capital city is Dungport. Spleen is the most conservative district in Geomyidae, and it's district government is one of the most restrictive. The governor position is held for life, and carries powers which stretch the bounds of what the Geomyidae Constitution dictates.

Kingsland

Kingsland is a medium-sized district, but has by far the largest population of any district. Kingsland contains Geomys, which houses the governments of both the district and the nation. Kingsland is very modern; it's outlying farms are highly automated, and the capital is a man-made mountain of steel and glass. It has the largest middle class and highest average quality of life, but also the highest unemployment and the most homeless people.

Old Geomyid

Old Geomyid is the smallest district in Geomyidae. Largely consisting of national parks, portions have been mined for oil and uranium. The capital, Graefar, is the oldest city in Geomyidae. A few blocks of the old city have been preserved, while the surrounding, modern city has grown over the centuries. The only significant tourist spot in the country, Old Geomyid and particuarly the city Graefar are synonymous with Geomyidaen Culture in much of PEEL, though they are actually a small, distinct cultural group.

Media

Geomyidae Television (GTV)

GTV is a government service, and is the only source of broadcast television in Geomyidae. There are three national channels: GTV1, usually referred to as the Geomyidae News Network or simply GNN, which broadcasts news and weather all the time; GTV2, which shows documentary, educational, or otherwise factual programming; and GTV3, which broadcasts entertainment programming. Each district has one or more local stations as well, broadcasting local news and other programming. Program content is selected by the government-appointed officers of GTV, but the content is produced by private or public studios. Censorship is the rule, with anything officially concidered offensive rejected. Any company can produce content and compete for air time, and even rejected shows can be sold in stores or displayed in theatres, but no company may broadcast programming over the airwaves except GTV.

With the growing availability of international programming via sattelite television, GTV has been forced to adapt and change to hold audiences, which has led to a decline in standards on GTV3 and many local GTV stations. An alternative station broadcast out of Geomys, officially GTV Geomyid 3, has been so popular it is now available in most of Geomyid. It's edgy programming is shocking but their dark humor has a strong appeal to the 18-35 bracket. Among it's hit shows are "Master Pork", an animated cartoon about a perverted pig with super powers, and a fake news program called Expletive Deleted. GTV's lowbrow adult comedy has been so successful it has recently become available internationally.^OOC1

Alternative Media

Given the government's control over all television, people looking for a broader perspective seek it in other media. Unlike television, other media are largely unregulated. Books, videos, magazines, and newspapers can be published and distributed freely. Most newspapers are local, distributedly mainly within their home cities or districts, but a few have gained national recognition.

Empty Pockets

A popular left-wing newspaper available in all districts except Spleen. Presents only well-researched, supported articles, but has no fear of stepping on toes. It also contains a famous Letters section, which has been used as a forum for informal public debate between many famous and influential minds.

Future Historians

An independent organization that collects and catalogs all the factual details of the country from political events to birth notices. Publishes a daily leaflet, containing descriptions and references for the most significant new facts catalogued that day. Widely read by politicians, businessmen, and academics nationwide, but available by subscription only.

News Archive

A listing of news items and stories from various media

• • 'Lead story from Empty Pockets, a popular "alternative" news source'
    Corruption in the Electoral Council
    'An editorial by Ridley Lambert'
    Well, I thought I had seen it all. I thought our government was perfectly corrupt. I didn't think things could get any worse. I was wrong.
    
    The Electoral Council has finally ended their 8-month stalemate over the results of this year's mid-term presidential election. After 8 months of political infighting, I thought any decision would be better than continuing the debate. I was wrong about that too.
    
    Our new president has finally been decided; a man named Jim Jameson. If you've never heard of him, I'm not surprised; as a candidate for a fringe party, he was not listed on the ballot. He's a member of the so-called "Modern Party." From his acceptance speech, which was curiously released simultaneously with the Council's announcement, we are told his platform is built on a single idea: bringing an end to the isolationism which has dominated Geomyidaen international policy for many years. You can easily imagine how he built up support during his campaign, as the anti-isolationist movement has been growing rapidly in the past decade. And you'll have to imagine it - because it never happened. I've checked all the media archives, and the only record I can find of a campaign is a single speech, given in the remote district of Spleen.
    
    Did that get your attention? A relatively insignificant district with a population of less than 4,000, Spleen has gained notoriety lately as the birthplace of the Antitraditionalist (ATD) movement. The ATDs first made news three years ago when they organized protests denouncing President Gunther - the most popular president in our nation's history - as "an evil hypocrite with no soul." Many believe that they were responsible for his assassination last year shortly after his re-election, as well as the subsequent assassinations of Vice-President Nanners and the majority of their cabinet.
    
    According to a poll conducted by an independent agency, of over 10,000 people surveyed, only three had ever heard of Jim Jameson. So how is it that a man who was not listed on the ballot, and who is completely unknown to more than 99% of the population, managed to win a presidental election, even a rushed and poorly-organized mid-term election?
    
    I'm making it my personal mission to find an answer, so keep reading Empty Pockets for more information.