Mulhollandgradia

Flag of Mulhollandgradia
Motto: Judge Not Hungry Thieves, But Capitalism's Gluttony
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Region	Pan Horvathia
Capital	Mulhollandgrad (Legislative Capital) Salvador-Horvathia (Lord Protector's Residence)
Official Language(s)	Mulhollandgradian (72%), Horvathian (27%), & Roonsburgian (1%)
Leader	Lord Protector HORVATH II Chancellor KATHRYN
Population	1,694,000,000
Currency	Electronic Grain Unit (EGU)
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Government

Main Article Mulhollandgradian Politics

The United Socialist States of Mulhollandgradia (USSM) is a unitary parliamentary system. It is composed of seven administrative regions and have federally appointed governors. The seven administrative regions are: MulhollandgradiaSSR, Pan HorvathiaSSR, IngenuusSSR, Christian CommunismSSR, PromethiaSSR, the Taylorian IslandsSSR, and HaraiSSR. In addition there are two capital cities (located geographically within MulhollandgradiaSSR): Mulhollandgrad and Salvador-Horvathia. Four administrative regions (MulhollandgradiaSSR, Pan HorvathiaSSR, IngenuusSSR, and Christian CommunismSSR) were signatories to the SUBOS (Soviet Union of the Brotherhood of Socialists) Pact, which provided for a common currency (EGU), common defence, and unity in the name of the HORVATH. As the role of individual governments became less necessary, the SUBOS structure took more presidence.

The July 2005 - Constitution of the USSM provides for a Lord Protector as head of state. This position is elected nationally for a lifetime appoitment. The Lord Protector is a unifying figure, with few political powers and a constitution prohibition in regards to commenting on politics. The position has now begun to be understood as the visible leader of the Horvathian Church.

The constitution also provided for a Chancellor Democracy. This provides for a proportionally elected Parliament with a 5% threshold for party representation in the Parliament. A Chancellor with great political power, who can only be removed by a "Constructive Vote of No Confidence." A "Constructive Vote of No Confidence" requires that when a "Vote of No Confidence" is taken a new Chancellor and coalition government are prepared to take over. It does not allow for the immediate calling of new elections, unless called by the Chancellor.

Armed Forces

The USSM maintains a large active duty army of 1,684,000, with 842,000 reservists. It maintains a nuclear deterrent of three hundred nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missile launchers. The military is constitutionally under the command of the Chancellor subject to the parliamentary procedure for waging war. The army fights in the name of the Lord Protector, although he or she has no power in regards to the military chain of command. The Lord Protector maintains a legion of knights of about 1,684, who are a very selective organization of former members of the People's Army, who are also ordained Horvathian priests. They are constitutionally prohibited from engaging in missions outside of Salvador-Horvathia, unless defending a Parliament approved missionary operation.

Military service in the USSM is voluntary with many more applicants than spots available. Because of budgetary and political constraints, the size of the active-duty, reserve, and Horvathian Knights are a statutory percentage of the population at any particular time. Active-duty forces are 1%, reserve forces are 0.5% and the Horvathian Knights are 0.000001% of the population.

Religion

Despite historic turmoil, 94% of the USSM identifies Horvathianism as their religious preference. The remainder of the country is split between Bradonianism (the predecessor to Horvathianism, 1%), Christian Communism (2.5%), and HOPE (2.5%).

Horvathianism is a religion that is considered practiced through actions that bring about unity in the world. This is because Horvathians believe that before creation the entirety of the universe's lifeforce was confined in a single point before the INDIVIDUALISTIC INCARNATION, or the Big Bang. Ultimately, only the SOCIALIST MIRACLE can bring about the SOCIALISTIC ASCENSION, or Big Crunch. At that moment, all life shares there individual experiences collectively and the meaning of life is answered. This can only occur after it has occured on earth, the HORVATH taught the method by which to bring it about.

An individual striving to bring about the SOCIALIST ASCENSION must have a heartfelt faith in the BRADY, the HORVATH, and the SOCIALIST MIRACLE. The BRADY represents an Enlightened figure, who has ASCENDED, but must wait until the SOCIALIST ASCENSION for the COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE and the meaning of life. Further, the teachings of the HORVATH (I) should be respected for there previous and future ability to bring peace on earth and unity among the region's historic Socialist countries in the name of SUBOS. Finally, the Socialist Miracle must be respected, which means an understanding that all must be taken care of and have an equal say in the affairs of their own lives and the governance of the communities that they live in.

Individuals must make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Salvador - Horvathia, where Charles Leonardo Vinchensa announced Horvathianism, and meet with a Horvathian Knight once in their lifetime.

Demographics

The USSM is a very diverse polity, having been constructed from eight historically independent countries/regions. Nevertheless, only three languages are spoken with great prevalence: Mulhollandgradian, Horvathian, Roonsburgian. These languages are all members of the Pan Horvathian family of languages. It should be noted that the three prevalent languages are those languages historically spoken by the people who voluntarily agreed to associate with the USSM.

The other six countries/regions were brought into the USSM either by force or because the government in the territory collapsed. Therefore, they were all expected to learn Mulhollandgradian and encouraged to convert to Horvathianism. Most did so willingly, impressed by the level of support and development provided by the central government. With the exception of the historic RoonsburgSSR, no region within the USSM has actively tried to disassociate with the USSM.

Consequently, Mulhollandgradian is the most spoken dialect with 72% of the USSM speaking it. Horvathian is second most spoken, being spoken by 27% of the population, namely the inhabitants of the region HorvathiaSSR. Roonsburg is spoken by only 1% of the population.

History

The Founding of the USSM

The Leonian Monarchy of Marc Richard II was overthrown by a Communist revolution involving Charles Leonardo Vinchensa, Paul Christopher Richardson, Sr., John Stalin, Raymond Cardinal Jackson, and Count San Giorgio. The Leonian Empire controlled most of the territory now controlled by the USSM. After the revolution, HORVATH I, a prince, seized control in Pan Horvathia, an area to the East of Leonia (now Mulhollandgrad), the Leonian Capital. In the Southeast, Achmed the Snake quickly organized a Socialist and Pacifist Republic.

The leadership of the Revolution quickly allied with HORVATH I and Achmed the Snake. Count San Giorgio, a member of HORVATH I's court, had aided the revolution with his blessing. Further, HORVATH I prevented supplies from reaching his uncle Marc Richard II allowing the success of the revolution. He claimed that he did this understanding the inevitability of Communism and that he was an enlightened prince. Charles Leonardo Vinchensa believed HORVATH I claimed and swore loyalty to him.

Charles Leonardo Vinchensa was elected the first Chancellor of the USSM and he appointed Paul Christopher Richardson, Sr. to the position of Lord Protector. At that point, the position of Lord Protector was solely a military position. Therefore, he was the Commander-in-Chief of the People's Army.

The USSM & the Defunct Cold War Dictatorships

The Signing of the SUBOS Pact

As the country was established, Chancellor Vinchensa met with the leaders of Pan Horvathia and USSRoonsburg and established the SUBOS Treaty. The Treaty provided for an integrated defense structure, a common currency, and a common foreign policy. In light of the Treaty, USSRoonsburg opted to disband their army and be protected by the USSM.

The currency adopted was the Electronic Grain Unit (EGU). It was convertible at a fixed rate into grain. Therefore when an agrigultural crisis occured anywhere within SUBOS (or in a non-SUBOS ally), the USSM would wantonly distribute spare EGUs. However, these humanitarian acts, backed by an official promulgation that the USSM would help feed any Socialist country experience the pain of a "5-Year Plan" or "Great Leap Forward," placed enormous strain on Mulhollandgradian agriculture. The Parliament responded by banning meat eating, to provide additional grain (as animals consume much more grain than they produce in new food).

In response, the capitalists formed the Marshmellow Alliance led my McVania. Members included BlarghCo, Tinashappyplace, the Empire of Timmay, and the Lizonian. Later the Free State of the Promethians, joined the Marshmellow Alliance. In response to the EGU, the Marshmellow Alliance adopted a common currency, Monopoly Money. It had been argued that the name was an ironic insult against the EGU. Many believed that the EGU would fail and be as worthless as money in the game Monopoly. However, this was not the case. Both EGU and Monopoly Money became very strong currencies, with EGU usally being stronger.

Ironically, the EGU is often valued at such a high rate on international currency markets that more grain can be purchased by purchasing other currencies than by converting to grain at the fixed rate. Such speculation in grain in frowned upon by the government of the USSM. The value of the EGU falls in international markets when there is a famine in the USSM (historically it would drop when there was a famine in a regional Socialist country because of the EGU guarantee).

The Bradonianian Ascendancy

As the Marshmellow Alliance grew in strength, a new power rose in the region, the Holy Empire of Bradonia. Fearful that Bradonia would ally itself with the Marshmellow Alliance, particularly because of the religiosity of the founder, Chancellor Vinchensa immediately declared Bradonianism the official religion of the historically atheist USSM. He announced persecutions of believers of HOPE, angering McVania. The BRADY, the religious leader of the Holy Empire of Bradonia, was pleased with the events and swore an alliance to the USSM. McVania swore revenge.

Hostilities continued to intensify between the two alliances. Both the USSM and McVania denied that the rivalry was motivated by religion, but instead that it was motivated by a difference over political ideology. SUBOS grew with the addition of Islam-Judaism, Alvarezistan, Barvaria-studenland, Anywherebuthere, and the Ingenuus. Chancellor Paul Christopher Richardson fearing war with the Marshmellow Alliance ordered ten nuclear tests within a period of five days. These acts were not authorized by the Parliament and led to regional outrage, although outrage in SUBOS was effectively muted. McVania denounced the tests, but responded in kind. Pan Horvathia responded to McVania tests with tests of their own.

Chancellor Vinchensa, in hopes of allaying fears of military aggression within SUBOS, promised that the USSM would defend any bona fide Socialist country within the region, whether or not they were in SUBOS. He then agreed to station nuclear weapons in any country requesting them. Beduh, the leader of Anywherebuthere, accepted the offer. The two leaders further agreed that the USSM would send settlers to Anywherebuthere.

Chancellor Vinchensa in hopes of touting the peacefulness of the USSM proposed the "Socialist Railway," which would connect all of SUBOS. Although with the need of considerable diplomacy, construction of the railway began and by the end of the year all SUBOS nations (and Bradonia) were connected via a high-speed railway. He then allowed free and fair elections to the Parliament of the USSM.

He won re-election, but not without instigating political turmoil. Four political parties were represented in the Parliament, Communists (led by John Stalin), Socialists (led by Charles Leonardo Vinchensa), Social Democrats (led by Paul Christopher Richardson, Sr.), and Bradonians (led by Raymond Cardinal Jackson). In the first session of Parliament, John Stalin denounced the teachings of Bradonianism as deviating from Marxist-Leninist-Horvathian teachings in a fiery speech on the floor of the Parliament. In response, Raymond Cardinal Jackson charged onto the floor of Parliament. He proceeded to John Stalin and bludgeoned him to death. A riot ensued in the Parliament and Paul Christopher Richardson, Sr. in his role as Lord Protector disbanded Parliament. He denounced Chancellor Vinchensa's ineptitude in transitioning to democracy.

The Harai Crisis

As the Mulhollandgradian polity appeared to dissolve, a crisis occured involving the uncivilized territory of Harai. Citizens of Mulhollandgradia and McVania had been found cannibalized. The leadership of these tribes appeared unwilling or incapable of negotiating. In response, SUBOS and the Marshmellow Alliance set aside their differences and agreed to massive military operations against the Harai.

M, the leader of McVania, led into battle the combined forces of McVania and BlarghCo and occupied the Eastern region of the country. Lord Protector Paul Christopher Richardson led the forces of the USSM into battle. To facilitate the war, the USSM ceded New Mulhollandgradia to Islam-Judaism as a staging ground for combat operations. The military operations were a resounding success with most of the Harai being slaughtered by one of the three armies.

The sheer brutality of the combat operations led to dissension within the Marshmellow Alliance, but M made sure that this was quickly muted by signing a treaty with the USSM, providing for assistance of the USSM in eliminating any country that would seek to leave the Marshmellow Alliance. After combat ended, McVania annexed the Eastern half of Harai, the USSM annexed the Western half of Harai, and Islam-Judaism continued to occupy the territory known as New Mulhollandgradia.

In light of this amazing military victory, Paul Christopher Richardson, Sr. allowed the Parliament to reconvene. At the first session, he withdrew his Social Democratic Party's support for the Chancellor precipitating new elections. Despite the merger of the Communist and Socialist parties, Paul Christopher Richardson, Sr. won an outright victory in the election and was declared Chancellor. He subsequently kept the title of Lord Protector and became the undisputed leader of the USSM. Charles Leonardo Vinchensa left the USSM in disgrace and traveled to Bradonia for a religious pilgrimage, having converted to Bradonianism himself.

Lord Protector and Chancellor Paul Christopher Richardson, Sr. retracted long-standing USSM policy and allied the country closer with McVania. He adopted Monopoly Money instead of the EGU and publicly converted to HOPE. He made a religious pilgrimage to McVania. He later attempted to court the Empress of the Smithsonian, D, in hopes of marriage as a means of projecting the power of the USSM. M likewise tried to court D, but Richardson, M, and later Vinchensa were rejected in their marriage proposals.

This change in foreign policy by the Chancellor led to a small revolt by Raymond Cardinal Jackson. It was quickly and brutally suppressed. Cardinal Jackson was publicly executed for treason.

Charles Leonardo Vinchensa returned to the USSM, having been ordained a Cardinal in Bradonianism himself. He then traveled to a small town in the countryside. He renamed the city, Salvador-Horvathia, and announced that HORVATH I was the savior. He blessed his announcement "in the name of the BRADY, the HORVATH, and the SOCIALIST MIRACLE, AMEN." In light of the popularity of this announcement and because of the urging of HORVATH I, Paul Christopher Richardson had no choice but to relinquish the title of Lord Protector to Charles Leonardo Vinchensa.

At Salvador-Horvathia, Lord Protector Charles Leonardo Vinchensa assembled a religious army designed to promote Horvathianism. In Mulhollandgrad, Chancellor Paul Christopher Richardson maintained control of the People's Army (who had remained loyal to him despite his abdication of the title of Lord Protector). San Giorgio became active in politics again and began a guerilla war to restore the monarchy. Both armies engaged in operations against the guerillas.

Chancellor Richardson and M had made secret agreements to attack Tinashappyplace and Timmay and divide the territory between them. Richardson explained to the people that capitalist, unenlightened monarchs led the two countries. He revealed that in Tinashappyplace the citizens were given forced heroin injections to keep them happy. The military operations were a resounding success. The USSM annexed Tinashappyplace and McVania annexed Timmay.

The Horvathian Coup

During these times, revolutionaries overthrew the HORVATH. They suceeded because SUBOS was occupied with the situation in Harai. The HORVATH fled and sought refuge in the USSM. He was immediately accepted by Chancellor Charles Leonardo Vinchensa, who declared that he would not be surrendered for any reason. The revolutionaries quickly allied with McVania against the USSM. They demanded the quick return of HORVATH to Horvathia for trial.

While the HORVATH stayed in the USSM, he impressed average Mulhollandgradians with the knowledge of his support for SUBOS and his concern for the needs of everyone. He became revered and the Chancellor pledge the loyalty of the USSM to the HORVATH. He returned to Horvathia and the populace overthrew the revolutionaries and celebrated the return of their Prince.

The Workhorse War

See Main Article: The Workhorse War

Over time, the rivalry between those individuals loyal to Charles Leonardo Vinchensa and those loyal to Paul Christopher Richardson divided the country into two sides. In only a few months the USSM would be involved in a full-fledged civil war that caused intermittent warfare throughout the entire region. HORVATH I ordered Pan Horvathian troops to be stationed at all USSM nuclear weapons sites. Because of the immense popularity of HORVATH I and the decision's legality under SUBOS Article VII, Lord Protector Charles Leonardo Vinchensa and Chancellor Paul Christopher Richardson did not oppose the order. This decision prevented nuclear weapons from being used during the Workhorse War.

As the war concluded, the leaders of the armies met with HORVATH II and agreed to peace terms. These terms led to the signing of the SUBOS-USSM Equivalence Treaty. The signatories were HORVATH II for Horvathia, Achmed the Snake for USSRoonsburg, and Paul Christopher Richardson for the USSM. KATHYN was promised that she could run in the election for a lifetime appointment to the position of Lord Protector.

The followers of the late Lord Protector Charles Leonardo Vinchensa founded the Horvathian Socialist Union Party (HSUP). Whereas, those who followed his sucessor Lord Paul Christopher Richardson, Jr. founded the Communist Party (CP). After KATHRYN's defeat for the position of Lord Protector she founded the Libertarian-Socialist Party (LSP).

In the first post-war Parliamentary elections, the CP garnered 50%, the HSUP garnered 36%, and the LSP garnered 14% of the vote.

The Constitutional Protectorship

Before the results of the election were announced, KATHRYN announced that the LSP's preferred coalition partner would be the HSUP, under the leadership of Achmed the Snake. However, after the results were announced that coalition became impossible as it would only garner 50%, not the necessary 50% + 1. Therefore she pursued a coalition agreement with the CP under the leadership of Paul Christopher Richardson, Jr.

The CP and the LSP agreed to form a coalition government. The coalition agreement provided for the strengthening of social welfare and increased liberty, however it did not reach agreement over the issue of military spending. The agreement provided for Paul Christopher Richardson, Jr. to become Chancellor and for KATHRYN to become Foreign Minister.

Chancellor Paul Christopher Richardson, Jr. spent his first days in office performing a major public relations blitz. Foreign Minister KATHRYN identified a potential Libertarian-Socialist alliance to join and began to propose cuts in military spending.

The Roonsburgian Independence Movement

Achmed the Snake, leader of the HSUP, began to question the actions of the Chancellor and the Foreign Minister publicly at a press conference. He declared, "To have been in office even two days and not discussed the historic greatness of SUBOS and allow consideration of NUBOS in Parliament is irresponsible. NUBOS must be implemented now."

He later added at a speech to the Roonsburgian members of the HSUP, "Perhaps the USSM has became too self-sufficient. It is beginning to believe the lie promulgated by Joseph Stalin and later retold by John Stalin, the lie of 'Communism in one country.' Communism must be spread by any means necessary, but preferably through the strength of its success and the generosity of Socialist countries. That is what SUBOS did. It spread Communism. It made the USSRoonsburg the great country that it became. HORVATH I and Chancellor Charles Leonardo Vinchensa understood this. As a result of this Chancellor's inability to do so, I have transmitted my intention to reestablish the USSRoonsburg to Lord Protector HORVATH II, Chancellor Richardson, himself, and to the territorial governor of RoonsburgSSR. As the leader of a sovereign country, I can take steps to build NUBOS with or without the USSM." At the conclusion of the speech there was thunderous applause. The crowd declared "To the Glory of the Working Man! To the Glory of NUBOS!"

On Friday, July 29, 2005, the Parliament of the USSM voted to recognize the independence of the United Socialist States of Roonsburg (USSR) 251 - 249. A very intricate political bargain was struck by Achmed the Snake, KATHRYN, and Raoul Rossi, a Member of Parliament for the CP. The HSUP, the LSP, and MP Rossi would vote for the independence of the USSR. They would then choose KATHRYN as the Chancellor, until the next election called by the LSP. Finally, for Rossi's vote he would be given leadership of the HSUP and KATHRYN's former position as Foreign Minister. Achmed the Snake offered this agreement to Rossi, because he had been the chief of staff for the former Chancellor and later Lord Protector Charles Leonardo Vinchensa, and was credited with envisioning SUBOS. Achmed hopes that he will support his proposal for signing a NUBOS Pact.

The Legality of Roonsburgian Independence

Intricate legal problems remain, regarding whether or not MPs who accepts the citizenship of the USSRoonsburg or reside in its territory will be allowed to continue to vote. This problem is particular acute as the constitution of the Mulhollandgradian Protectorship did not provide for a Constitutional Court.

The Horvathian Knights have been rumored to be arguing that the Lord Protector HORVATH II should resolve this crisis. Chancellor KATHRYN disagrees arguing that the MPs were elected nationally and will be allowed to retain their seats until next election (presumably including Achmed the Snake, the elder statesman of the newly independent USSRoonsburg).

The next election does not need to be called for five years. Because the new Constitution allows only Constructive Votes of No Confidence, it is unlikely that an election or new government will occur unless KATHRYN either chooses to allow it to occur or she dies.

The NUBOS Question

On July 31, 2005, KATHRYN became Chancellor. The theme of Chancellor KATHRYN's Inauguration Speech was that the USSM should be tranformed into a neutral country and that it needed to attone for the "sins of the USSM's past." Her speech was poorly received by average Mulhollandgradians.