The Systemic Lands

Chapter 107: Day 247 (5) – Constitutional Headache

I looked over the written-up portion for the Immortal Council during the lunch break. “The Council will appoint someone to lead the group of people and organization managing its affairs in the city. But they are subject to oversight from the President for funds spent.”

“To prevent finances from being used up by a single person. After Ben, there is a lot of mistrust for single people managing large portions of the city’s treasury on their own,” Clarissa explained.

“It is fine. Entry requirements at the discretion of the Immortal Council, with the initial entry fee being a level 4 monster crystal.”

“Yes. Once there are three people. The Immortal Council will form and be validated by the President. They will manage their own affairs, have the privileges you listed, and manage their own members internally.”

“Good. I noticed the authority to declare war rests with the President, but defense lies with the Immortal Council.” That was something I didn’t like.

“I know, but people didn’t want the power of war to be held by people unelected.” I frowned at that. “There will be no civilian command, but attacking other cities, and meeting with them will be the Executive branch of government.”

“It should rest with the Immortal branch.”

“Unless you want to barrel your way through, that isn’t happening. Even the order faction under Chris and members of our own power faction were hesitant at unilateral war and diplomatic powers.” I let out a sigh. That was frustrating, but I could accept that with everything else I had gotten.

“This afternoon’s session will be heated. It is deciding the scope of that the government will operate.”

“As little as possible.”

“I know you say that. But how much is that? There is still the issue of the pregnant women.” I let out a groan at that. I really didn’t want to deal with that and wished the issue would just disappear. Why didn’t anyone else in any of the stories I had read, had to deal with something like this. I guess I would have to wing it and go with my gut. “In addition, there is the judicial system. Also, a possible Congress.”

“No Congress. Judicial system will be fast and efficient under the Executive branch. Nothing longer than ten days. None of this months and years nonsense for a court case. Also, no precedent. That leads to a mess. We will use the European system of the law is the law, but exceptions can be made in individual cases.”

“People don’t understand that.”

“Well too bad for them. I want a streamlined bureaucracy. When I say streamlined, I mean streamlined.” I was not going to generate jobs just so people could have jobs. Justice would be swift, exceptionally swift one way or the other.

“Finally, there is the push back about charity and religion.” I finally knew why God didn’t directly bother with people after Jesus. It was because the devil was hiding in all the headache inducing details.

“Almighty System, give me strength. Any religion will be treated as any other business. If they want to do any kind of charity, the compromise is that they must remain out of politics and how the city is run completely. Violating this law will be death.” If people wanted to waste crystals, fine. But I wasn’t going to let them infect the government or my taxes. Those had to go into upgrades. That, businesses, and having other people defend the city were the only reasons to have a government in my opinion.

“Extreme, but I suspect Pastor Charles will grab onto it with both hands.”

“Charity otherwise will be illegal. If anyone does charity, all their wealth will be seized for investment into the city. Perhaps a city charity fund for upgrading the city?” Focus that charity where it needed to go, upgrades.

“Something to consider in the future. But that can be written in.” Clarissa was busy taking notes on everything I said. I never imagined having a secretary, but was appreciating it quite a bit.

“What we need is a dedicated research initiative. The issue with the crystal powder drugs and stats makes the need all the more pressing. The limited testing and investigation Tyrese and his guard have done is not enough.”

“Who are you thinking to lead such a group? Not very many people are qualified.”

“Well, the person who figured out crystal powder would be a good start. I would need to speak to them first. Chase was it?”

“Yes, Ken has blocked any time I have tried to speak with him.” I waved my hand at that. Of course, Ken wouldn’t let someone that clever out of his sight.

“I will speak with him. Let Ken know and sort out the details with Ken’s people. Let’s make it happen tomorrow. Dinner?”

“I will look into arranging it. We can go to the Gray Duck, or the new restaurant, the Red Apple.”

“A new restaurant, really? There is enough business?”

“It is less upscale, than the Gray Duck, but Ken is looking to corner the entire restaurant food industry along with several other business ventures.” Drugs or potions, whatever he was calling it.

“I know the outfitters and spice store. I should check out one of those potion dens. Also, that reminds me, you need to settle my tab with Lady Shi and Elise. I need crystals for my two new outfits.”

“Of course. I will have them ready for you for after this afternoon’s session. Ken’s other restaurant is In And Out. Quick simple meals for cheap. They are doing vegetable-based burgers.”

“The Red Apple?”

“They focus on stews.”

“Arrange a dinner for the Gray Duck. Since Ken owns everything, might as well pick the fanciest. Also, their food quality is top notch.”

“Do you want me or anyone else to sit in on that meeting?”

“Do you want to?”

“Yes, since I would be able to handle any more in-depth questions this Chase might have about the role. Do you want research to be under the Immortal branch or the Executive branch.”

“Immortal branch. Since there will be a lot of top-secret information most likely.” I wasn’t going to let any advantage get away from me, no matter how small. Clarissa nodded at that and made a note. She then checked her watch.

“Lunch is about over. Time for the afternoon session.” I held back a sigh as I made my way from my home to the Meeting Chamber.

I took my seat. The convention was called to order. I just sat there and looked imposing while Clarissa barreled through agenda items, getting an actual Constitution hammered out. It helped quite a bit if someone started to cause trouble, I would just stare at them.

Some people just stopped speaking and sat down. Others trailed off. No one was brave enough to argue with me thankfully. I wanted to get this done and over with.

“That brings up the next issue, the pregnant women and future pregnancies,” Clarissa said. She looked over at me. My gaze went to the pregnant woman who was part of Charles’ religious faction as one of the delegates.

“You should speak,” Charles said. The woman nodded and stood up.

“My name is Shante. I am worried about my child.” She hugged her belly. It was political theater and emotional manipulation. Even though I knew it, it was still effective.

“I arrived in Purgatory on day 40. At the time, the only thing I could was work at the brothel. There weren’t enough crystals for a restoration. By the time I knew, I was already pregnant. My only option is to have the child.” She must have been eighteen or twenty. She then burst into tears. Okay, maybe not completely staged.

“I don’t know what will happen. Everything…I am sorry.”

“You are safe now. Just sit.” Charles led her back to her seat. He then stood up to speak.

“We must seek compassion for those who can not seek it for themselves.” He then stared at me. If he was thinking about fighting me on this, he was sorely mistaken. Well time to sort out this mess and piss people off.

“I agree. That is why we should make an exception to the charity laws for everyone currently pregnant and who may arrive pregnant in the future. As well as all future children that might arrive. However, the government cannot support or subsidize people becoming pregnant into the future,” I said.

“You would forbid people from having children?” Charles asked. I could sense he wanted to fight me on this. Well time to exercise my verbal muscles and brain. It was kind of refreshing to have someone speak up on this, and at least it would find any issues with my solution to this problem.

“Yes. It is hard to say. But there is a housing crisis coming and the ongoing crystal crisis. The poverty will only get worse. For the women already in a tough situation, they shouldn’t be punished,” I said.

“And if women become pregnant?” You really want to put me in a hard spot. But the devil was truly in the details.

“The death penalty for the mother after the birth.” I hated to say that, but if people were allowed to have children, there would be starving children. People would grab them and abuse them. There weren’t resources to support children. I would not have starving kids begging and dying on the streets of a city I was in charge of.

“If anyone wants to legally have a child, then they must pay 200,000 points worth of crystals to guarantee the child’s future. Which this city and I will personally guarantee.” My one good deed to soothe my soul. Spare the children from what suffering I could.

“You would take a child away from its mother?” Thank you for looking at things in the worst light. I could see everyone staring between the two of us. I wondered how many thought I would just melt this man.

“I would punish the mother for breaking what will soon be the law. Otherwise, children will be starving to death in the street.”

“There is another option.” A man spoke up from Chris’ faction. “A forced abortion and restoration.” That was horrific. It would also need to be carried out in the plaza itself to be near the pillars. That was all we needed around here, public surgery right in the middle of the city.

“No,” I said loudly and clearly. “I know this is an issue there will be no agreement on. I am making a unilateral decision on this issue. I will not have starving children in the streets, but I will also not punish children for their parents’ mistakes.” I then raised my hand up to stop the man from speaking again.

“Before you say a fetus isn’t a child, I don’t care and will not have that debate. In the end it is pointless. The fact is we are not equipped for surgery. To subject anyone to surgery without proper drugs is no less than torture. I will not condone that.”

“In cases of rape?” Charles asked. You really wanted me to cry tears of blood, didn’t you. You were going on my shit list now. It was a valid question and one that needed an answer. But one I didn’t want to answer. Now I knew why so many politicians just gave non-answers to questions like this. There was no good answer to something like that.

“To be decided on a case-by-case basis. I will not have this city support social programs it cannot afford. Already paying for public showers, organizing cheap meals, and to support new arrivals is quite a lot. The defense and growth of the city is far more important.”

“The people in the outer city will starve and suffer. There is already an abundance of human misery. Now you would condemn the women as well?” Charles said.

“Then propose a solution to the problem and don’t just complain about mine. Where will the crystals come from?” I asked.

“From the hunters who kill monsters.”

“Even with them it is not enough. While 250 people a day doesn’t seem like a lot it will add up over time. No taxes, no taking from other people, no charity. Where will crystals come from? They are needed for the defense of the city. Points add up.”

“You are condemning thousands to suffering.”

“Millions. I am condemning millions to death and suffering. Or did you forget my speech this morning? This government is not for the people. It is for the management of this city.”

“Matthew 7. Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment, you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”

Oh, this man was really pissing me off. “Yes, it is a nice quote from the Bible. But it does not answer the question. I want specific answers, not a sermon.”

“A solution will come in time. We just have to keep exploring our options.” Nope. Just nope.

“Not acceptable. This government needs to be long lasting and stable. I do not call the Immortal Council, Immortal as a joke. With stats and restoration, people living extended periods of time is not just something I am making up. In addition, the scaling of this place implies centuries. Centuries. I will have a government that will stand that test of time. If the situation changes the government can adapt when that happens. For now, we have to deal with reality as it is, not as we wish it to be. Now, do you have a better solution besides wealth redistribution and weakening this city?” I honestly didn’t think he had one.

“To open up the area outside of the city for settlement and to the people.” That was another issue, who would be allowed to grind level 1 monsters. “Let people make their own fate.”

I considered what he was saying. “No. Crystals are superior and the only source of food we have. Settling outside the city will limit the spawn rate. Also, even if it is possible, things will just be vanished away as trash when no one is looking.”

“Then what do you suggest the people to do?”

“Fight outside the city for crystals. Push themselves to go after level 2 monsters. Many will die. But it is the only way to handle the housing crisis and crystal crisis.”

“With no limitations?” He was clearly making a move if he was asking such a question. I turned to Clarissa since I wasn’t entirely sure about that issue.

“He will probably take donations from people to build up his own power base. It isn’t charity, since people would be paying for mental health services that a church provides,” Clarissa whispered. That made sense and wasn’t a problem.

“Very well, no restrictions on hunting outside the city. However, everyone will be subject to the tax at the store, without exception.”

“Very well.” I felt dirty that a discussion on pregnant women had morphed into this. Politics was like wrestling pigs in the mud. You would never win, and the pig always won since they were happy wrestling in the mud. I couldn’t decide if the pig was a metaphor for my political opponents or the entire process.

The discussion continued on issues I didn’t need to speak up on and was eventually called to a stop at the end of the day. I walked slowly back to my home with Clarissa. “You made it through and handled yourself quite well,” she said.

“I was an idiot. Let me ask you as a woman. The issue with pregnancies? Did I handle that correctly?”

“It is a complicated situation regardless with no good answers. I will personally say that I am surprised you are willing to support any children and wouldn’t force the women to have abortions.”

“That…that would just be horrific. Have you ever read about the Roman Empire in detail?” I asked.

“No.” I shook my head at her answer. No one learned from history it seemed like.

“I used to be a big fan. Their armies and their government were just so exciting as a kid and learning about history. But then I learned how they treated babies and children. If I can’t be better than the Romans, well I might as well declare myself dictator and have a harem full of slaves. Go full evil dictator.” I let out a long sigh.

“Well thank you for not going full evil as you call it. If a solution to the housing issue is found?”

“We can change the laws. But one lesson I learned from American politics, learn when to put an issue to bed so it doesn’t keep coming up over and over.”

“Now I am curious. What political party?” Clarissa asked. I gave her a look. She really asked that question. Not like it mattered anymore, but I was curious why she asked it.

“What do you think?”

“I would guess neither, but you are too well informed about situations and have opinions.” She said that in such a dead pan way I couldn’t tell if she was making fun of me or genuinely curious.

“What about yourself?”

“Neither. I considered voting pointless. Corporations run the world.” She said that with a straight face and dead-pan voice. I broke out laughing. Several people stared at us, but I couldn’t help it. It was just such an over the top answer from someone who had worked at a large corporation.

I finally calmed down. “Thanks for that, I needed the laugh,” I said with a smile.

“No problem.”

“I suppose you deserve an answer. Politics was my soap opera. You have a reoccurring cast of characters that are all bumbling about and drama every week. It is also the TV show that would never end. You have the backstory, which his all of history. Now I am stuck in the middle of the soap opera, and it is just as messy and frustrating as I imagined.”

“Still, no party?”

“Really, you want an answer?”

“Yes, not like it matters anymore.”

“I suppose not. I was a libertarian. A big believer in personal freedoms.”

“A Bernie supporter?”

“On and off. Honestly, I try not to care. Not like anything I would have done, would have mattered in the slightest. What does one vote matter? In the end it is all a soap opera, mindless entertainment, Miss Corporation.”

“Fair enough. I didn’t think you would answer the question.”

“Well as long as a politician doesn’t show up in the arrival demanding things.”

“You know you jinxed it.”

“Yes, I know.”