The first debate of the elections: domestic affairsNatasha Nosov, one of Trinitas most well-known news anchors, moderated the debate and was not shy to publicly express her political leanings.
M: "Firstly, allow me to start by thanking you both for coming here today to debate before God and the Samantran people. My name is Natasha Nosov and I will be moderating this debate. I have always voted Legion but I believe we are all Christians and Samantrans and I will do the best of my ability to be fair to both of you.”
“Let's start first with Ms. Litvin. You proposed a bold economic plan seeking to cut corporate tax from the current rate of 25% to 15% over the course of 5 years. How will the Samantran people benefit from such a proposal and where are you going to make cuts in order to make up for the lost revenue?”
Yeva: "By cutting taxes on businesses all stakeholders benefit, whether it's the shareholders by getting better dividends, the employees through better wages, the customers by getting cheaper products or local communities by getting more jobs as companies have more money to invest. These will grow the economy and allow our government to see greater growth in revenues from other sources: sales tax, dividends tax, income tax etc. We are also committed to cut waste in government spending. This is why we proposed a five year plan, to give the budget time to adapt to the change.”
M: “Mr. Kuzmin, your party has opposed the cut in tax for companies yet it proposed no change as an alternative. Is our current tax system perfect that it needs no change?"
Boris: “First of all, what the business environment needs is stability and predictability and the government has provided that. In fact we have seen Samantra prosper decade after decade. As the old saying goes "if it it's not broke don't fix it". “
M: “Under your proposed legislation package, there is one proposal that has caused arguably the most controversy. You are proposing to abolish the current law that mandates that any income married women earn be received by their husbands. Why does Samantra need such a change?”
Yeva: “We in the Republican Party believe that the law has outlived its purpose. It sought to solidify marriage in society and it has achieved that but now it is counterproductive and it has in fact become one of the reasons young women refuse to marry. By abolishing the law we are merely giving married couples the chance to arrange their affairs as they see fit.”
Yeva Litvin, candidate of the Republican Party, had at times a hard time explaining why Samantra needs her party’s proposed reforms.
M: ”Mr.Kuzmin Your party and yourself have been adamantly opposed to the change. Why is that?"
Boris: “The law has been in place before the start of the Sacred War and, I would like to remind that, it is in fact one law that both the communist and the fascists betrayers have sought to end. The law is in place to solidify marriage and the role of husbands and wives have in a marriage. Marriage is not just a contract, is a way of life. What my colleague here is proposing is to keep all the benefits of marriage the law provides but cut all the pieces that does not suite some in this country. With all due respect, if some disagree with this arrangement then perhaps marriage is not for them.”
M: “Ms. Litvin, what is Samantra's form of government?”
Yeva: “Samantra is a sui generis form of government in that…
M: ”Sorry to interrupt you but let me quote from the Republican Party platform:
“The Party defends the Republican form of government of Samantra which has been in effect since the abolishing of the monarchy in 1952.
Are you in disagreement with your party’s platform?”
Yeva: “No, but I acknowledge the fact that Samantra's institutions have evolved into what is now perhaps best described as a Christian Republic.”
Boris Kuzmin, candidate of the Legion, expressed concerns and opposition to the proposed changes of the Republicans but at times felt that he didn’t offer an alternative vision for Samantra.
M: “Mr.Kuzmin what is Samantra's form of government?”
Boris: “Samantra is a Christian theocracy. Our head of state is our Lord Jesus Christ as determined in the
referendum of 1954 which passed overwhelmingly with over 95% percent of voters in favor. Until our Lord returns, in charge of the country is the Vicar of Christ, the Patriarch of Rus and all the Slavs, his holiness Alexy.”
Yeva: ”With all due respect, the referendum carried huge symbolic value but it had little legal implication.”
Boris: “I firmly disagree, if anything this election is symbolic since the President of the Duma serves at the discretion of the Patriarch. “
M: “Please, let us move to the next topic: education. Ms. Litvin, under your proposed reforms, we would see the public funding of secular schools for the first time since the Sacred War ended. Why should Christian taxpayers pay for such schools?”
Yeva: “Samantra has come a long way since the end of the Sacred War. Our society is changing and through these measures we seek to accommodate those who perhaps do not see fit for their children to have a Christian education. “
M: “So you believe that children should be robbed of the chance to know the teachings of Christ, our faith and our culture just because their parents want so? “
(Yeva takes a couple of moments before she could muster an answer)
Yeva: “No, not at all I… we believe the proposals will be in the best interest of all.”
M: “Mr. Kuzmin you and your party expressed vehement opposition to the change tell us why.”
Boris: “Firstly, because it is a false problem. We have private schools in Samantra and many of them are secular in nature. People are free to enlist their children in those schools. Education and healthcare are areas where the secular government has no jurisdiction and this proposal is just a way for Republican Party to attempt to extend control in areas where they have no jurisdiction. “
M: “Ms. Litvin you proposed to reform our immigration system from one based on the country of origin and the religion of the immigrant to one centered on the skills of the immigrant. Why is the change necessary and how will it benefit the Samantran people?”
Yeva: “Our economy is rapidly changing, it is becoming more advanced, more complex and more integrated in the wider Mundus economy. But with these changes the requirements for the workforce also change. With the proposed legislation we seek to implement a system based on the skills of the immigrant, the more he or she can contribute to our economy the higher the score. Right now the current system is ill adapted; we currently take in immigrants who cannot even speak our language…
(Boris interrupts): "But they know the Lord and they can learn our language."
M: “Mr. Kuzmin please let Ms. Litvin finish. I assure you that you will get a chance to reply. Please, Ms. Litvin...”
Yeva “I was just about to conclude that right now we have people coming in with no marketable skills and who do not even speak our language and yet we live behind those who do have the skills our economy needs and can benefit our country.”
M: “Please Mr. Kuzmin something tells me want to reply.”
Boris: “Implementing such a system would be a huge mistake and against the core values of Samantra. What my colleague is proposing is a materialistic system that diminishes the humanity of potential imigrants by reducing their value to just their work skills and rating them based on that. You might not have “marketable skills” but if you have a connection to this country through the millions of Samantrans that
fled abroad during the Sacred War, if you are part of the Slavic civilization or just love the Lord and are fleeing a hostile regime there is a place for you here. Skills and language can be learned but kinship cannot.”
M: “We are almost out of time. I would like to conclude by asking one more question to each of the candidates. Mr. Kuzmin, throughout this campaign Ms. Litvin has been attacked in the most unchristian manner referring, among other things, to her marital status, her faith and her morals. What do you say to those that engage in such conduct?”
Borus: “I have worked with Ms. Litvin in the Duma for the last four years and during this time I have developed a deep respect for her and friendship. I challenge any man to fight me in the ring
[1] if he engages in such attacks.”
M: “Ms. Litvin throughout this campaign Mr. Kuzmin has been attacked in the most unchristian manner referring, among other things, to his character, his intelligence and his faith. What do you say to those that engage in such conduct?”
Yeva: “I deeply respect Boris and I consider him a friend. I have had the pleasure of meeting his wife and children on several occasions and I know he is a great father and protector. His family, his party and the country are better thanks to him. Those that say such reprehensible things simply do not know Boris. “
M: “I would like to thank you both for your time this evening. It’s been an honor to moderate this debate. Before we conclude, let us all present here and the viewers at home, join in saying the Lord's Prayer.
(The moderator stands up and begins):
“Our Father in heaven…”