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[Blackdutchie]

I motion that in the law be included a minor contribution to communal wealth:

Every citizen will pay one in ten of anything he/she produces to the village. These products will be used for the good of the community. (For example, 1 in 10 pots of harvest are to be stored at a central point in the village, and distributed to starving citizens. And bricks shall also be provided to those in need.) Remaining goods or food shall be stored until needed for distribution or public works.

If the stored food is approaching the point where it might begin to rot, a feast shall be held before it can rot. If after the feast there is still food left, we shall distribute it evenly amongst the farmers.

Those that do not pay their contribution lose their citizenship, they will not be allowed to speak in meetings, they will be allowed to live in the village and attend meetings.  Non-citizens shall have separate seating from citizens so that they cannot mistakenly be allowed to speak. Those that are unable to produce any goods (pregnant women, the elderly, the sick or handicapped) will be exempt from taxes and keep their citizenship.

Even if this law comes to pass, the people must not come to think that this law exempts them from helping their neighbors, if you have plenty of food and your neighbors are starving, do not hesitate to share with them.

[Sheb]

I think this would be too difficult. If Ochita's producing some spears, does he have to produce at least 10, so that the communal stock get 1? Plus, we will have huge heteroclites supplies of everything.

I suggest we only apply this "tax" on harvests, looking at it like some kind of rent for the lease.

As for women, the elderly and other non-productive people, I suggest we use my earlier idea of a day-care center, now that we have a taxeable base.

Citizenship and other stuff can wait a bit, until we grow some more. I suggest we just lay down the basics (Government, tax, property) and expend later on.

Also, what do you think of making a boat-expedition?

[Blackdutchie]

The boat expedition sounds good. But is the single boat big enough to carry that many supplies?
Maybe we should take a craftsman with us as well to make repairs to the boat and equipment. I'd hate to think what'd happen if a spear were to break or the boat to sink.

[Sheb]

Well, the boat was big enough to help us carry the harvest, so should be enough to carry supplies for a few people for a while. As for the craftman, I think Ochita taught his daugther the basis of the trade, and Shet helped me build the boat in the first place and can repair it if needed.

If you add Helop an another strong man for rowing, I think you'll have the perfect party.

[Diakron]

I think a tax is a bit premature at this point. We should actually make the government something that has benefits for the city, Maybe by building a system of road to facilitate the rapid movement of grain.

[Sheb]

We don't even have working carts. Also,  feeding the poor and unable to work is something beneficial. That's why I wanted to do with my social net stuff.

But hell, if you don't want to tax, I won't oppose it, I'm the biggest farmer around after all.

[Nirur Torir]

Scout along the river (opposite direction of the mountains (South, it looks like)), but ask Diakron for some spears first.

((I believe the river flows east, not south.
Incidentally, we can't tax people on 1/10^th of their goods without being able to count.))


The evening Cyrus died, Oleb spoke to his daughters in his hut, describing the trial. ".... So, even though Cyrus didn't kill him, he was just as responsible as Helop. I can't figure out why the people refused to punish Cyrus, despite it clearly being his fault."

Jess, now seven, responded with a simple question. "Why let them pick if they pick wrong? You're smarter, and the spirits are smarter."

"Because, that ..." Oleb paused and looked at her thoughtfully. "It's time for bed."

-----

Oleb comforted Ochita. "The spirits are not angry with you, and have forgiven us. Helop and Cyrus were equally guilty for the murder. We still feel that Helop's punishment will need to be re-evaluated in a year."

-----

At the council meeting, Oleb was firmly against giving more power to the citizens. "They'll be happier and more productive if they aren't arguing every week over what needs to be done. They showed at the trial that they choose poorly; we few can do better. Beyond that, they are happy now. Why do you wish to weaken us by fruitlessly strengthening them?"

He had been considering methods of determining how much grain each farmer owed the city. Tapping his foot in the sand had given him an idea ...

Invent a base-ten number system, to help with taxes.

[Diakron]

Roads where used for foot traveling long before carts where made, beside a primitive way of carrying things was the hand sled (basically a large flat board with handles) and they would travel much faster on a smooth surface

[Sheb]

We are only "ruling" them because we are the most influential citizens. They obey our orders, but only because they want to do so. How can you trust so much power in so few people, without check?

[Nirur Torir]

How can you trust the people not to fight over every disagreement if they all rule?

Once the meeting hall is built, we could let curious citizens listen in on our meetings, and then discuss with us afterwords any concerns they may have. They would feel like they had a part in things, without fighting over who's idea was better.

[Sheb]

And why would they allow us to rule them?

[Nirur Torir]

Because the spirits want us ruling, because a few can make decisions better then the many, and because we'll make life better for them. If they are happy, they will have no reason to complain.

Why are you so intent on having everyone rule?

[Sheb]

Because it is my believe that every man should have a say in it's future. Why don't we put that question to a vote?

[Blackdutchie]

I propose a compromise:
Each profession assembles on a yearly basis, and picks the most experienced member amongst them to represent them as advisors to the council. (this'd be NPC's)

To start with:
The most skilled and experienced farmer
The most skilled crafter
The best hunter (after Myself, as i am already on the council)

And some permanent-ish positions on the advisory council:
The oldest man in the village (changes as oldest people die)
The man with the most children in the village (changes according to who has most children (grandchildren not included(not that that matters for NPC's)))

[Sheb]

That's just useless. Almost nine villagers out of 10 are farmers. Why would only one of them be on the council Maybe there could be some legislative assembly elected by the villager then?