People's Capitalist Party of Four Hectares

Summary

The People's Capitalist Party of Four Hectares is generally regarded as the second-largest political party in the country, with approx. 950 million registered voters. They typically campaign on a platform of compassionate free-market economics, modestly-sized government with a reasonable, bracketed tax scheme, and hold mixed positions on major social issues.

Platform Breakdown

• Legislative Policy: The PCP promotes a modest set of laws to regulate industry and commerce, including anti-discriminatory laws, a minimum wage law, a worker's/union's rights law, a limited set of environmental regulations, and a law to regulate the employment of minors (defined as those under 18 years of age). They view this is a reasonable compromise between the 'law of the jungle' policies of the Libertarians and the more left-wing views of the Social Reformers.

• Trade: The PCP of Four Hectares promotes free-trade, with mild reservations. They call for an end to harsh barriers such as quotas, while favoring some limited subsidies where needed to ensure a level playing field.

• Taxes: The PCP favors a graduated income tax system as the primary source of income for a modestly-sized federal government. They have proposed the following brackets:

• Brackets
  • Less than or equal to Ç19,999: 10%
  • Ç20,000 to Ç49,999: 15%
  • Ç50,000 to Ç99,999: 20%
  • Greater than or equal to Ç100,000: 25%

The PCP also proposes to reinstate a modest inheritance tax, to the tune of approx. 10% of each credit above Ç2,000,000.

• Education: The PCP of Four Hectares feels that proper education is a key part of their plan for the country. Under their system, all children would be required to attend either public or private schools until the age of 18, or until they obtain a high school diploma, whichever comes first. People's Capitalists advocate funding K-12 schools through taxation. As usual, corporations, scholarship programs/funds and other organizations provide many students with need-based or merit-based scholarships as needed to further their education. In addition, the PCP would set aside a modest amount of money to serve as federal tuition assistance for the truly needy.

• Healthcare: The PCP proposes the creation of a limited national healthcare system, which only those who meet certain economic qualifications would be permitted to join. All basic office visits and most prescription drugs would be covered, with a $10 to $20 co-pay. Certain surgeries and operations would also be covered. Private healthcare would still be available at the expense of the citizen, for those who fail to qualify for the national system.

• Social Welfare: The PCP advocates for the creation of a limited social welfare program, available only to citizens of the country under particular circumstances, for a limited total period of time each year (party leaders currently propose 4 months). The PCP believes this will allow citizens who are simply between jobs to pay for their needs while they seek work, and prevent free riders from living off of the system.

• National Military: The PCP believes that a moderately strong military is necessary for the security of the country, and that it may be used offensively as a last resort. They oppose the draft.

• Religion: The PCP of Four Hectares advocates a secular government and the separation of church and state. However, they believe that people should be free to practice whatever non-violent creed they choose, including non-belief.

• Drugs: The PCP favors the legalization of marijuana and other 'soft' drugs, however they oppose the decriminalization of 'hard' drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

• Firearms: The PCP of Four Hectares believes that citizens should have the right to own firearms, provided they can provide proof that they have completed a basic firearm safety training course and pass a criminal background check.

• Moral Issues: The PCP favors legalizing abortion on-demand, regulated prostitution, and regulated gambling. They oppose capital punishment and they propose to grant federal funds to stem-cell research.

• Overall Political Philosophy: Centrist Capitalism