Kalistani Major History

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Kalistanis would rather Surf than vote
Political Apathy sets in as Republic begins to slide into History
Sulari, Suldanor
February 17, 5148


Surf fans watch 18th Annual Big Face Championships in Sulari in December

The last of the enabling acts which will extinguish the Republic is set to pass in just a few short weeks, and yet Kalistanis seem mostly ambivalent about the passing of the 1100 year old regime.

"How's it any different than what we've had over the last ten years," said Becca Armie, 20, of Sulari Suldanor. "We haven't had good honest government in Kalistan for longer than I've been alive, and I don't really think it makes much difference who rules in Kaliburg. My life won't change much at all."

Armie's ambivalence toward the composition or structure of the Kalistani government is borne out in a number of sources, including recent election results, where a mere 15 percent of the population bothered to even show up to vote, to recent polls taken by The Republic and other Kalistani news outlets. In one such poll, we asked readers "What would you rather be doing: Surfing or Voting." Surfing won by 42 points, 71% to 29%. When we asked those who selected Surfing "Do you know how to Surf?" only 23 percent of those people responded affirmatively. We put politics up against several other activities including doing drugs (69%), Going to Brethrenist Meeting (62%), detailing your car (60%), watching Bad Movies (55%), and eating mystery food (53%). The only thing that people preferred voting to, in fact, is "listening to bad music", where voting won by a resounding 8% over that option.

The apathy is also reflected in low turnout for recent liberal demonstrations. Despite Liberals attempting to convince Kalistanis that it was imperative and essential to show up and show the Kaliburg government how opposed the people are to the end of the Republic and the rise of economic nationalism, most Kalistanis stayed well away from the demonstrations. "We didn't go," said David Gorem, 32, of Gendaris. "Personally, when the liberals are out here prophesying the end of times, I can see right through that. I say let there be an emperor. Maybe we might get some respectability around here."

Institutionalist spokeswoman Nora Farnham said "Well, obviously we would prefer to have more enthusiastic support across Kalistan, but the Party has, I think, done a good job in making the case that the things they like about the Republic will not change once there is a monarch. There will still be ODEN, we want to revitalize the NSP, we want to do what we can to jumpstart our cultural institutions and our scientific and technological knowledge bases. And frankly, I think that most people will welcome the changes when they are implemented."

In other related news, the National Assembly have begun discussions about who will become the First Leader of the restored House of Ananto. "We have candidates narrowed to a handful of candidates who have earned the trust and admiration of the people, and who meet our various criteria," said Farnham. "We are looking for a person who has a history of philanthropy and public service, who is not married, and who can make a substantial donation of money to capitalize the Household. We need someone who already knows how to perform executive functions, and has experience working with diverse communities. Of course, we will insist that he is a member of a Brethrenist Meeting as well. This describes many individuals, but there are a few other criteria as well which will weigh on the decision. The most important is whether he can get the support of the population." The Front runner at the moment is a member of Kaliburg society named Derek Talmadge, age 27, who is a well known club owner in Kaliburg. But other candidates are said to be in serious contention, including chief fundraiser of the National Opera, Vincent Lemon, and Director of one of the largest charities for disabled children, Fredrick Guerra. No announcement will be made until the decision has been made, and the Emperor-elect stands before the population for election.