A friend e-mailed me this link to an online game where you get to create your own country and rule it. The link is: www.nationstates.net I created my country last night and I created a region for all ClutchBBS members to join, so that we can unite and take over the world!!! If you're interested, create your country and then follow these instructions to join the ClutchBBS region I created for us: 1) Click on "The World" link on the left hand tool bar. 2) Search for "Rocketstonville" in the region search bar. 3) Click on the "Like what you see here? Then move to Rocketstonville" link. This thing has eaten up all my time since last night! I'm addicted!
Here's my country: The Empire of Gavankar "We're the freaks of the industry" UN Category: Inoffensive Centrist Democracy Civil Rights: Good Economy: Strong Political Freedoms: Average Location: Rocketstonville The Empire of Gavankar is a tiny, pleasant nation, renowned for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 6 million have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often. The medium-sized government is effectively ruled by the Department of Law & Order, with areas such as Social Welfare and Religion & Spirituality receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 15%. A substantial private sector is dominated by the Book Publishing industry. Voting is voluntary, Gavankar's children are widely acknowledged as the most foul-mouthed in the region, and thieves are flogged in public for their crimes. Crime is a problem. Gavankar's national animal is the Housewife and its currency is the SwinglineStapler. Gavankar is ranked 64,081st in the world for Largest Defense Forces (per capita).
I vote that the national anthem be "Born to Run" by the Boss, since New Jersey doesn't want to use it.
The Dictatorship of Wackovilleston "Don't mess with the dictator, or he'll kill you." UN Category: Democratic Socialists Civil Rights: Average Economy: Developing Political Freedoms: Some Location: Rocketstonville The Dictatorship of Wackovilleston is a tiny, environmentally stunning nation, remarkable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed population of 5 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt. The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked, socially-minded morass -- is effectively ruled by the Department of Law & Order, with areas such as Social Welfare and Religion & Spirituality receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 39%, but much higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Arms Manufacturing. Crime is moderate. Wackovilleston's national animal is the Crocodile, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the ounce.
The Holy Empire of Chademala "all nations shall bow to the holy empire of chademala" UN Category: New York Times Democracy Civil Rights: Some Ecomomy: Good Political Freedoms: Superb The Holy Empire of Chademala is a tiny, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, intelligent population of 5 million enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct. The large government devotes most of its attentions to Law & Order, with areas such as Social Welfare and Commerce receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 25%, but much higher for the wealthy. A very small private sector is dominated by the Beef-Based Agriculture industry. Crime is moderate. Chademala's national animal is the cheetah, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the dollar.
Cool. It's based on the book Jennifer Government by Max Barry. I listened to that audiobook a couple of months ago at work (I work as a computer drone, so I've found audiobooks to be a good way to pass the day). The book was pretty good, funny with a wicked premise: The world is completely privatized and people adopt as their last name, the name of their corporation. So if you work for Nike, you'd be John Nike or something. The main plot involves some execs at Nike deciding to shoot a bunch of kids that are buying the new Nike shoe in order to increase Nike's street cred. Jennifer Government is a government officer that tries to apprehend the perps. It's pretty inventive and twisted with it's corporate satire, but it doesn't quite come together as well as it should. Still, it was definitely a worthwhile read...er listen.
The Republic of Unkadunkaloooka is a tiny, economically powerful nation, remarkable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 5 million are effectively ruled by a group of massive corporations, who run for political office and provide their well-off citizens with world-class goods and services. Their poorer citizens, however, are mostly starving to death while being urged to go out and get real jobs. The populace has reasonably extensive civil rights, although these are mostly aimed at allowing them to buy whatever they like. There is no government in the normal sense the word; however, a small group of community-minded, pro-business individuals juggles the competing demands of Commerce, Law & Order, and Defence. Income tax is unheard of. A healthy private sector is led by the Soda Sales, Uranium Mining, and Trout Farming industries. Crime is a major problem. Unkadunkaloooka's national animal is the monkey, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the hambone.
The Rogue Nation of KamInHtown. The Rogue Nation of KamInHtown is a tiny, pleasant nation, renowned for its burgeoning longhorn population. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 5 million have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often. The small government devotes most of its attentions to Law & Order, with areas such as Social Welfare and Religion & Spirituality receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 8%. A healthy private sector is led by the Trout Farming, Information Technology, and Cheese Exports industries. Crime is a serious problem. KamInHtown's national animal is the longhorn and its currency is the dolla. My Flag.
The Republic of Jazzholetania "You can't spell Jazz without Azz." UN Category: Corporate Police State Civil Rights: Some Economy: Powerhouse Political Freedoms: Few Location: the West Pacific The Republic of Jazzholetania is a tiny, devout nation, remarkable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 5 million are ruled with an iron fist by the corrupt, dictatorship government, which oppresses anyone who isn't on the board of a Fortune 500 company. Large corporations tend to be above the law, and use their financial clout to gain ever-increasing government benefits at the expense of the poor and unemployed. The tiny, pro-business government is mainly concerned with Law & Order, although Religion & Spirituality and Commerce are on the agenda. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, and Uranium Mining industries. Crime is a serious problem. Jazzholetania's national animal is the 6-elbowed malone, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the hornacek.
The Empire of EL Guatevor "Dont talk about it........ be about it" UN Category: Democratic Socialists Civil Rights:Very Good Economy:Reasonable Political Freedoms:Below Average The Empire of EL Guatevor is a tiny, socially progressive nation, notable for its absence of drug laws. Its compassionate population of 5 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt. The large government juggles the competing demands of Healthcare, Social Welfare, and Education. The average income tax rate is 26%, but much higher for the wealthy. A substantial private sector is led by the Basket Weaving industry, followed by Uranium Mining and Book Publishing. Crime is moderate, and the police force struggles against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. EL Guatevor's national animal is the majestic lowrider and its currency is the 9mm bullets.
The Holy Empire of Satan the Benevolent "Abortions for some, miniature american flags for others" UN Category: Civil Rights Lovefest Civil Rights: Excellent Economy: Good Political Freedoms: Superb Location: Rocketstonville The Holy Empire of Satan the Benevolent is a tiny, socially progressive nation, renowned for its absence of drug laws. Its hard-nosed, intelligent population of 5 million hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion. The medium-sized government is effectively ruled by the Department of Law & Order, with areas such as Social Welfare and Defence receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 21%, but much higher for the wealthy. A substantial private sector is led by the Book Publishing industry, followed by Gambling and Information Technology. Crime is a problem. Satan the Benevolent's national animal is the goat, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the dubya. satan the benevolent has also issued an edict of "no fat chicks".
The Dominion of Insanestonia "What the f*ck you lookin' at?" UN Category: Corporate Police State Civil Rights: Few Economy: Very Strong Political Freedoms: Few Location: Rocketstonville The Dominion of Insanestonia is a tiny, economically powerful nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 5 million are ruled with an iron fist by the corrupt, dictatorship government, which oppresses anyone who isn't on the board of a Fortune 500 company. Large corporations tend to be above the law, and use their financial clout to gain ever-increasing government benefits at the expense of the poor and unemployed. The small government devotes most of its attentions to Law & Order, with areas such as Social Welfare and Commerce receiving almost no funds by comparison. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 4%. A robust private sector is led by the Automobile Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Furniture Restoration industries. Crime is a serious problem. Insanestonia's national animal is the Big Ass Unleashed Pit and its currency is the severed head.
