Kalistani Major History

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Kalistan in Ferment
Youth abandons Ruling Kalistani Democrats enmasse
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 1, 4879


Thousands of Students gather at Revolution Plaza to hear Socialist Speakers Present Vision for the Future at December's "Party Party"

The Youth are abandoning the Democratic Party as a new spark of interest in Socialist Politics rises on the ruling Party's Left. At recent events in the once and apparently future capital of the Republic, and the center of Kalistani finance, culture and political authority, Socialists have attracted the attention of the thousands of Youth in the region to political events which feature music, drugs, and food. Recently, bands and artists have begun working with the Socialist Party to attract crowds and these political and cultural events appear to be spreading to other cities in the Republic.

"We've had successful rallies, I think we can call them more like Parties than anything else, across Ananto, Suldanor and Neveras, all historically SP strongholds and have even hosted a few events in Odufaray and Vrassa City, though we find support for the Democrats to be a little stronger there and support for the SP to be a bit more reserved," said Party Speaker Marguerite Beloit, who recently hosted four Party Parties in two weeks across the Republic. "The goal of course is to mobilize, to train leaders and organizers and to identify candidates to run against these Democrats."

Beloit explained that in the couple months running up to the previous snap elections, the weakness of the Party's candidate bench was largely the reason that her Party had such a dismal night at the polls. "It's one thing to get people excited about voting, and its quite another to give them someone to get excited about voting for. We won't make that mistake again. We have commitments right now from individuals to run in more than 75% of all member-districts across the Republic, and we are at 100 percent in Ananto and Neveras. We will have years to train these folks and to preview our Party's agenda to the public and I think when the next election rolls around in 84, we'll come in big."

The Party Parties have also started attracting attention from major musicians in the Republic. Recent bands to play at a Party Party have included alternative acts like Alternica from Suldanor and Ghost in Shades from Neveras. These music events have complimented the political speeches on offer during breaks, and bands have written pro-socialist music specifically for the occasion. Members of various bands and recording artists have also been spotted in the crowd on a number of occasions, including RF artist Tonya X, who is said to really enjoy the events and the opportunities to partake in the National Product with friends and fans alike. Said Tonya X: "Here, I'm not just a RF club diva. I'm also a voter and citizen too, and I think it is important to show up and be counted among those who want to see a change in our Government."

The collapse of support among the youth of Kalistan for the Kalistani Democrats accompanies some bizarre and questionable legislative proposals which have been passed entirely over any objection by the KDP. The Government continues to maintain the titles "Shahanshah" and "Wazīr-ē-Āzam" for the names of President of the Republic and Premier of the Republic respectively, despite those terms having no historical or cultural basis in Kalistan. The Moving of the capital was entirely unprecedented, as was the desire of the Democrats to enter Kalistan into several collective security agreements, despite our country's stated and long standing neutrality policy. A number of other policies have been upheld by the Government regarding the replacement of the Dual Economy by a system of social democracy with heavy means testing, ensuring that working and middle classes are left out of the prosperity of Kalistan.

In all, the Socialist Party has said that enough is enough, and has pledged to overturn most of this legislation as soon as it gets the opportunity. Meanwhile, Kalistani Socialists are building parallel organizations across the Republic, including those involved with provision of need in accord with the tenets of Ethical Socialism, which are open to all regardless of income or means. The success of the Party Parties have helped fund many of these organizations: Each Party solicits donations from attendees, the money which goes to supply the nascent Food Bank and Job Corps with funds. "When we are seated in Government, we will push for reauthorization of these institution on a national scale, but right now, we are are beginning to do it ourselves," said Beloit. The Food Bank provides fresh food for consumers free of cost to the consumer, and all food is purchased directly from independent farmers across the Republic. So far, more than 100,000 meals have been served, according to the SP's records. The Job Corps provides out of work Kalistanis job training, resume and interview skills training, and technical training for enrollees, as well as recommendations and placement services. "I've had more luck getting a good job after three months in the Corps than I did in two years of actually working," said Jim Eisenberg, who was just accepted as a plumber's apprentice after three months in the Job Corps.

As Kalistani institutions continue to slide into disrepair out of neglect and incompetence, and as global challenges begin to rise once more beyond Kalistan's boarders, the Socialists are positioning themselves well to begin to reap some of the political benefits of this ferment. Only time and elections will tell whether their strategy will pay off in seats in the National Assembly, but meanwhile, the Socialists are showing that they CAN lead, whether inside or outside of the Government. And leadership is what is desperately needed in Kalistan are this moment.