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[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

"Our Union is comprised of member worlds who are varried and diverse, with many different customs and ideas. Each member world brings with it its own culture with its own unique and wonderful traditions and values.

We believe that this diversity deserves recognition and protection and propose the following possible laws intended to protect this cultural diversity:

Option A:

Each member world may designate within its own territories cultural customs, historic buildings and locations of importance. Those customs, buildings and locations are granted full immunity from any Union wide laws which might be applied to them.

As a special limitation, however, such status may not be used to avoid economic obligations, including but not limited to trade deals and taxes.

Option B:

Each member world may designate within its own territories cultural customs, historic buildings and locations of importance. Those customs, buildings and locations are granted partial immunity from any Union wide laws which might be applied to them. Specifically, though laws may influence their details, no law can order that they be ended, destroyed or abandoned.

As a special limitation, however, such status may not be used to avoid economic obligations, including but not limited to trade deals and taxes.

Option C:

Each member world may designate within its own territories up to three cultural customs, historic buildings or locations of importance. Those customs, buildings or locations are granted full immunity from any Union wide laws which might be applied to them.

As a special limitation, however, such status may not be used to avoid economic obligations, including but not limited to trade deals and taxes.

Option D:

Each member world may designate within its own territories up to three cultural customs, historic buildings or locations of importance. Those customs, buildings or locations are granted partial immunity from any Union wide laws which might be applied to them. Specifically, though laws may influence their details, no law can order that they be ended, destroyed or abandoned.

As a special limitation, however, such status may not be used to avoid economic obligations, including but not limited to trade deals and taxes.

Option E:

No protections shall be granted to cultural customs, historic buildings and locations of importance. Instead, every union member shall contribute 1000 (to be paid by 240) the creation of a fund from which reparations can be paid to Union members forced to give up their cultural customs when new laws are made which strongly affect them. To qualify, an independent committee of three Senators not involved with the new law (to be assigned by the Chancellor) will adjudicate any claims to this fund up to 5 after the law takes effect (claims made after this are invalid).

Payments can be made in any sum deemed appropriate by the committee, but advised amounts are 2000 for minor adjustments and 5000 for major adjustments. Any time the fund is emptied, every union member shall contribute an additional 500 to refill the fund.

((OOC: For options A-D, you can freely designate customs / buildings / locations, but you cannot use it to gain economic benefit. Designation is done by noting it as such on your worlds wiki page.

For option E, simply make a claim if a new law negatively affects your designated custural customs / buildings / locations))

The following member worlds may vote:

• Astai Republic
• Astrian Colonial Authority
• Federal Republic of Bisidn
• High Chiefdom of Skuldda
• Hiocan Society
• Holy Heimgolian Theocracy
• IO Protocol
• Kingdom of Komès
• Kingdom of Meritonia
• Praetorian Empire
• Principality of Suma
• Silver Forests of Remunzia
• Sundarian Federation
• Tepogranaian Consensus
• Unified Republic of Darya
• Veolian Commonwealth

Voting closes on 2015-12-27 23:59."

((OOC: Special notice by the committee against OOC sneakery: "cultural customs" could be interpreted to include such things as "slavery", "abortion" and "cybernetics".))

[Senator Harek]

"Each world had its own cultural heritage and this should indeed be protected. We should respect customs but also use wisdom to come to a better understanding and adapt to the diversity of this intergalactic society. Union wide laws are there for a reason as we have voted for it in the Senate. This laws should not be an scapegoat. There should be a balanced of want we can and cannot do. The Hiocan Society votes for option D."

[Senator Arzag of Suma]

"The principality of Suma abstains."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

"We strongly support diversity in the Union, and have always supported the protection of this diversity. Even though we do not agree with all ideals and cultural values, we will fight for their preservation in the face of an overreaching senate!"

"Through diversity the Union remains strong and adaptable to changes in the galaxy -- no law should be allowed to destroy or diminish our unique cultural heritage. Options B and D allow the senate to force you to diminish and reduce your customs. Stopping only short of your cultural sites' destruction: all that will be left is an empty shell, a remembrance of the past."

"I urge everyone to think of their own world, and envision a world forced to change, forced to demolish all but three of your most historic sites. Envision the difficulty of choosing between preserving your most historic of sites and the preservation of a valued custom. These are the choices the chancellor asks you to make in options C and D."

"To preserve diversity in the Union, the Veolian Commonwealth votes A."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"The Praetorian Empire votes option B. We do believe that every Union world should have the options to preserve its own culture. However full immunity would make it impossible to set boundaries for what is culture and what is unjustified. The Union will still require a shared understanding to continue to function as a whole."

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

"Senators, despite senator Eldrilith's interpretation, this law has nothing to do with the question of what is culture and what is not. Voting for option A does not make it impossible to set boundaries, as both options only refer to cultural customs, historic buildings or locations of importance.

It is a pity that we actually need a law like the proposed laws in the Union. Apparently some of us are not capable of refraining from interfering in the cultural heritage of others. So, now that the chancellor forces us to choose, we are better off opting for the law that provides the best protection of our cultural heritage. Not a hollowed out alternative."

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

"The Astrian Colonial Authority votes option A."

[Atheos]

Senator Atheos scuffles into the senate room somewhat late, having been busy with culturally important festivities, he notices that the voting is still possible. Senator Atheos moves forward, clears his throat demanding attention.

"Fellow Senators,

The Republic values freedom, freedom of speech. Which allows all of us to discuss these cultural practices and whether we want them in the union. But we also value the freedom that allows us to practice these cultural values. As such we vote option A, which permits the preservation of this freedom we value so much.

Thank you."

[0x71A7E17A (mask of 0x71A7E17A)]

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[Senator Salixa of the Silver Forests of Remunzia]

"The Silver Forests of Remunzia votes for option E"

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

"The Holy Heimgolian Theocracy has let us know via Holo message that they vote for option A"

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

"My fine Senators, I hereby close the vote. These are the results:

• 4 votes for option A
• 1 votes for option B
• 0 vote for option C
• 1 vote for option D
• 1 vote for option E
• 7 abstentions

Option A wins and is hereby signed into law."

[Senator Ght'Twwf of the Socialist Republic of Niom]

((OOC: I have added the Sanctity of Culture Act to the wiki.))