My Fellow Wintreans,
As we've seen time and time again, the Underhusen has become irrelevant. While it may have at one point served a necessary function in the region, it now mostly exists only to pass procedural amendments and commendations (if it does anything at all). Why hold on to something that most people agree serves only a ceremonial role except to hold on to it for tradition's sake?
I, and several others, almost certainly agree that if we simply remove the Underhusen -- and by extent, the Storting as a whole -- the Cabinet could easily perform the same duties (what little that is) as they do most of it already. We've had questions and concerns over the past year or more about where the government ends and the administration begins. And we've had trouble trying to clearly separate them as a monarchy is quite by design entrenched in both. Would it not be easier to just combine the two?
"But isn't that a lot of work for the Cabinet?" you may ask.
But what is it that the Underhusen actually does? The large majority of recent Underhusen bills have been either procedural rules, which would no longer be necessary, or Commendations, which would be proposed by citizens in the Citizens' Platform and given a simple vote by Cabinet members. Rare duties of the Underhusen such as persona non grata acts and changes to citizenship requirements are essentially administrative in the first place, and others like treaties and holidays are heavily influenced by Cabinet ministries. Now that's not much extra work, is it? More novel ideas such as the body that went on to become the Citizens' Council was at first a proposition to the Underhusen but later was implemented by the Monarchy when it became clear the Underhusen would not listen. The Monarchy already can do what the Underhusen can, and it has proven to be more efficient at it.
"So then how would citizens get involved?" you may ask.
1) Thane elections are already open to citizens to run in, so you may join the Cabinet in that path.
2) The Citizens' Council will continue to exist (at the Monarch's desire) and serve as citizen representatives in Cabinet discussions, an advocacy group for ordinary citizens who wish to more privately express their views, and jurors in appeals cases (read on).
3) Legislative propositions may still begin in the Citizens' Platform to be moved on to the Cabinet for voting.
As Wintermoot recently proposed, we will have an area for citizens to more easily submit and promote their ideas related to the how the region is run. This will give citizens the power make their voices on legislative matters heard, although as we have seen over the years, there is not much to be heard in a largely nonpolitical Monarchy such as ours.
"But if we give over all of the power to the administration, how will we hold it accountable?" you may ask.
We update and overhaul our judicial system and criminal laws, which are ensconced in our Fundamental Laws and so not easily able to be taken advantage of by the administration. The administration already has the power to deal out punishments as it sees fit as is evidenced by the Discord Operators Team and the ability to ban people. We need a clear list of what is considered an offense as well as the correlating punishment. This will help prevent claims of preferential treatment or unfairness. If a citizen wishes to appeal a decision made against them by the administration (a decision that results in more than just a minor muting or such on Discord), they may call for a trial by a jury (consisting of non-Cabinet members such as the Citizens' Council and/or randomly-selected active citizens). In such a trial, the administration must present a representative to submit evidence against the defendant, and the defendant may in turn submit evidence in their defense. The jury will then decide the defendant's guilt and punishment (or removal of punishment). This process will help prevent claims that the administration has too much power as the power over punishment is given back to the people.
"But the Underhusen (and by extension the Storting) is a long-held tradition -- and institution -- of Wintreath!" you may exclaim.
Should we always hold on to the old for the sake of holding on to the old? Should we not evolve and adapt to an ever-changing and growing community? Is there not room for something better and more efficient? Should the farmer not burn his fields to kill the weeds and brush to create fertile land for his crops? The Underhusen does not make Wintreath what it is, and I dare say it never was. We must burn down the old so that a better system may take its place.
Thank you, and may the Papa and the Mater continue to bless Wintreath.
