Minnesotan Confederacy

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United Empire of the Minnesotan Confederacy
MN_flag.png MN_seal.png
Flag and Coat of Arms of Minnesotan Confederacy

Motto: L'Étoile du Nord.
Anthem: Hail! Minnesota
Map
Capital Neo-Minneapolis (6,976,900)
Spoken Languages
 - Official
 - Unofficial

English
Spanish, Hmong, Somali
Government

 - Kaiser
 - Chancellor
 - Ruling party
· Absolute monarchy
· Free-market capitalist state

His Imperial Majesty J.L. I
Calvin Cyprian, Jr.
Minnesotan Patriot Party
Establishment
 - joined Union
 - seceded
 - formed confederation
 - became a monarchy
 
May 11, 1858
June 8, 1949
June 23, 1965
October 3, 1985
Area
 - Total
 - % water

2,423,070 km²
7.027%
Population
 - Total (2006)

80,757,865
GDP
  - Total (USD)
  - GDP/capita (USD)

$22,934,825,655,795.91
$68,702.81
National animal
English name
Gavia immer
Common Loon
National flower
English name
Cypripedium reginae
Showy lady slipper
National tree
English name
Pinus resinosa
Norway Pine
Currency 1 dollar ($) = 100 cents (¢)
Time Zone(s) Central: UTC-6/-5 - Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Int'l Abbreviations
 - sport
 - government

MIN
MIN, MNC
Naval Craft Classification
  - Military
  - Civilian

MCS
MCV
Internet TLD .mn, .mc
Calling Code +1

The United Empire of the Minnesotan Confederacy is an absolute monarchy located in the Midwest, and comprised of the following states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (note: Puerto Rico was granted statehood). In addition, Liberia, the Philippines, and the Minnesotan Confederate Outlying Islands (comprised of Virgin Islands, Navassa Island, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau, Micronesia, Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Navassa Island , Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Island) are self-governing Commonwealth Realms that acknowledge Kaiser J.L. I as sovereign. The Minnesotan Confederacy also has domion over a sizable chunk of Antarctica. While the Minnesotan Confederacy is an authoritarian single-party state that never holds elections, the government is highly decentralized and almost completely free of corruption. Most civil liberties are fully protected, on paper and in practice, by the government; however, even the remotest semblance of dissent is ruthlessly smashed. The Minnesotan Confederacy has a robust free-market economy characterized by tremendous annual growth, minimal inflation, a favorable balance of trade, and huge budgetary surpluses. The nation is a prominent actor on the world stage.

Population

Ethnic Demographics

One of the Minnesotan Confederacy's finest assets, it is almost universally agreed, is its rich diversity of unique and wondrous cultures, a blend of West, East, North, and South, all converging in a single nation, and working together in harmonious coexistence to build a great nation. While the majority of the nation's population (just under 90$) is white, many minority groups have a large presence, as well, particularly African Americans, both black people whose families have been in the country for centuries as well as new arrivals, most notably Somali refugees. Southeast Asian refugees are also a sizable minority, especially Hmong; the Minnesotan Confederacy does, in fact, one of the largest Hmong populations in the world. Also prevalent are immigrants from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Hispanics (especially Mexicans), Native Americans, and other groups are present, as well. Remarkably, for such a diverse nation, racism is very rare. Skin color is usually the last thing a person notices when he meets someone else, and interracial dating and marriage are quite common. The bulk of the population is warmly receptive to immigrants, whatever their country of origin, and immensely proud of the nation's diversity.

Age Distribution

Minnesota's diversity is not limited to ethnic background. There is also great diversity in age. About half the population is under 35, while approximately half is 35 or older. Children (those between the ages of 0 and 18) make up 29.7% of the population. Young adults (19-34) make up 21.7%. Middle-aged people (35-64) make up a sizable portion of the nation, at 38.6%. Finally, senior citizens (those aged 65 or older) make up 12.1%. It should be noted that infant mortality is extremely low, while life expectancy and standard of living are quite high. It is not unheard of for a person to remain in peak condition in his mid-70s, or for a person to live past the age of 90. Health care is 100% privatized and profit-driven, ensuring that ample competition exists, giving people a wide variety of choices, and ensuring that only those who can provide the highest quality and most affordable health care stay in business. For the few who cannot afford health care, private charities and individual citizens' generosity ensure that everyone is provided for.

Religion

More than 8 in 10 Minnesotans adhere to the Christian faith. About 6 in 10 Minnesotans are Protestant, and 1 in 4 are Roman Catholics. 15% follow no religion, and 1% are followers of a religion other than Christianity; of these, most are Jewish, Buddhist, or Muslim. It should be noted that while most people who follow other religions are foreign-born, a great number of foreigners have also converted to Christianity. The Minnesotan Confederacy permits complete religious freedom, and churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques abound and are often filled to their capacity. The state's religious demographics are as follows: Lutheran 26%; Baptist 5%; Methodist 4%; Presbyterian 3%; other Protestant 20%; Roman Catholic 25%; other Christian 1%; other religion 1%; and not religious/Agnostic 15%.

Culture

note: As Minnesotans are a majority in each of the states due to mass migration, this applies to each state in MC, but not Commonwealth realms.

Minnesotans are, on the whole, a charitable, friendly, compassionate lot. In fact, the friendliness of Minnesotans is so legendary, it gave rise to the term "Minnesota nice." Minnesotans, for example, will often do their best to help a lost traveler, by either giving him thoroughly detailed directions, or sometimes even drawing the visitor a map. A large percentage of Minnesotans donate to private charities, put aside their own interests to help others (for example, if there was a vaccine shortage, one might willingly give up his own injection and let someone else have it). Family ties are also strong, and Minnesotan families are known for their endurance, closeness, toughness, and commitment to stick together and help and love their fellow family members, no matter how odd or dysfunctional some may be. Community ties are also strong, and many Minnesotans volunteer in their neighborhoods, socialize with their neighbors, and cooperate together on such issues as crime prevention, child safety, and environmentalism. Minnesotans are a jovial, pleasant sort, and smile and laugh easily, which often helps ease tension or helps visitors feel welcome. However, Minnesotans are also known for their rather reckless driving, and for displaying aggressive attitudes on the road. Minnesotans are also known for their distinctive Midwestern accents, fondness for such outdoor activities as hunting, ice fishing, and fishing, and words such as "hot dish" (casserole) and "uff-da" (the equivalent of "phew!").

Holidays

note: an asterisk indicates that workers and schoolchildren are traditionally given the day off on that holiday.

Date Official Name Remarks
January 1 New Year's Day*
February 14 St. Valentine's Day
moveable Good Friday*
moveable Easter Sunday**
May 11 Minnesota Day* Commemorates the day Minnesota joined the Union.
May, last Monday Memorial Day* Honors the Minnesotan Confederacy's war dead.
June 8 Independence Day* Commemorates the day Minnesota seceded from the Union and became an independent nation.
June 23 Confederation Day* Commemorates the day Minnesota and all the other former states that currently make up the Minnesotan Confederacy joined together.
September, first Monday Labor Day* Celebrates the achievements of workers and the labor movement. Also marks the traditional end of summer.
September 19 Kaiser's Birthday* Celebrates the birth of Kaiser J.L. (b. 1956.
October 3 Crown Day* Commemorates the day the Minnesotan Confederacy became a monarchy.
November 11 Veterans Day* Honors all veterans of the Minnesotan Confederate armed forces. A traditional observation involves the ringing of a church bell 11 times at 11 A.M., remembering those who fought for peace.
November, fourth Thursday Thanksgiving* Celebrates the giving of thanks to God for the autumn harvest. Traditionally includes the consumption of a turkey dinner.
December 24 Christmas Eve*
December 25 Christmas Day*
December 31 New Year's Eve

note: **As Easter is on a Sunday, they would have had the day off anyway.

Language

English is the official language, and proficiency in speaking it is a mandatory requirement for becoming a citizen. Spanish, Hmong, and Somali are spoken by minorities of those groups, but most native Minnesotans can also speak at least one of these languages, albeit not fluently, and many signs are posted in English as well as these three languages. French is the most popular language taught in schools, followed closely by Japanese and German.

Sports

Minnesotans are sports enthusiasts. A great enthusiasm for the outdoors predominates most Minnesotans' minds, and winter sports such as ice hockey, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing are immensely popular. In the summer, fishing is extremely popular, as is hunting in the fall. Minnesotans' favorite "ball" sports are football and baseball, although basketball and soccer are not too far behind. Major professional sports teams are the Vikings (football), Twins (baseball), Timberwolves (basketball), and Thunder (soccer).

National symbols

Education

Minnesotan education is voluntary and 100% privatized. Schools operate on a competitive, commercial basis, meaning that there is an abundant number of schools, all actively competing to provide the highest quality education, in order to make a profit. This competition also keeps prices low, and for those who can't afford it, churches and private charities often provide free education. Homeschooling is another option.

Preschool

Ages 4-5

In this stage, young Minnesotans learn the basic foundations of reading, writing, communications, and mathematics. The main emphasis at this stage is on social skills, positive interaction with peers, team work, mannerisms, and verbal communication.

Elementary school

Ages 6-10

In the first two years, students are drilled in lessons in nationalism, the basics of capitalism, and undying loyalty to the Kaiser. Rudimentary military training, such as gun safety, how to use weapons, amateur guerrilla tactics, etc., are usually taught around this time. Mostly, however, the emphasis is on mathematics, reading, grammar, science, and critical thinking. They are also indoctrinated in anticommunist propaganda. Students are also introduced to great literature, especially literature with underlying free-market themes.

Middle school

Ages 11-14

Students are introduced to more difficult math, such as algebra, as well as more advanced science and literature. Students reach an adult reading level around age 12, take at least three science classes by 13, and master pre-calculus by age 14.

High school

Ages 15-19

What little math, reading, science, etc. that the students have not mastered are finished here. They are introduced to political science and economics, and taught only pro-government, pro-capitalism, anti-democratic lessons. Some military training is also given. Students are also required to master at least two foreign languages. Home economics, drivers education, and others are also taught. Requirements for graduation include: an adult reading level; mastery of calculus or an equivalent; taking a minimum of five different disciplines of science; learning two foreign languages; passing a "Good Citizen" test; and writing a 25 page essay. Only when these requirement have been met is the student permitted to graduate.

College

Ages 20+

The Minnesotan Confederacy's colleges are ranked among the best in the world. Hundreds of courses, of all sorts of fields, are offered. Colleges have very strict admission policies, extremely strict standards, and are rigidly authoritarian in administering discipline. Failure, academic dishonesty, slothfulness, and inefficiency are not tolerated.

Politics and Law

Military

Economy

Historical timeline