Over the past year, Talossa has shrunk in size.  Too many people have lost their citizenship, and too few have immigrated.  In fact, over the last year, the immigration rate has dropped by an astonishing 50%.

Fewer new citizens means that we're missing out on those who would be active and engaged, with new ideas and new energy.  It means fewer people to play games, run for office, write new poems, or just chat.  The necessary work and old institutions are divided up among a dwindling number of Talossans -- or worse, simply discarded.  It means that the same people stay in power, month after month, year after year.

According to the Seneschal, "the Government is not sure why immigration has dried up," but she notes that application numbers have been steady.  In other words, people seem just as interested, but they don't stay interested.  She suggests that "that Talossa is right now unattractive to newcomers," and that advertising wouldn't help.  On this point, she states, "I am convinced that you can't create a marketing campaign for a pile of garbage."  It's a problem with Talossa itself: she thinks that perhaps people just don't want to be here, and so they don't immigrate.

There's a serious crisis.  What should the Government be doing?  If this was a priority, what would we expect our Government to do?

Draw attention to the problem.  One of the most fundamental parts of leadership is helping to direct attention.  Since this is a serious crisis, and the Government has admitted they are at a loss, they should be shouting to the rooftops for help.  We have many citizens who pay only intermittent attention: perhaps one of them might have an idea.  Maybe you, reading this now have an idea.

Try new things.  The Government's signature policy on immigration was to make it harder to immigrate by barring any applicants with an essay of low quality.  This approach has rightfully been abandoned, but what has replaced it?  If we can't just advertise our "pile of garbage," then there must be other ideas.

We should be trying lots of things, since if we try nothing, we're certain to achieve exactly that: nothing.  Maybe we focus on our strengths with heraldry, and appeal to the online heraldic community?  Maybe we incentivize recruiting with awards, and publicize those awards with recorded video speeches?  Maybe we explore reaching out to former Old Growthers to invite them back?  Maybe we offer prizes for Talossan language writing, and then advertise those prizes on conlang forums?

Set goals.  The immigration rate has nearly halved during this Government's time in office.  Faced with that problem, a Government that was serious would set a goal for recovery.  An actual goal would demonstrate accountability.  It's much better than simply accepting decline.

The Avant Government is not doing any of these things, since solving this crisis is not one of their main priorities.  That's not good for the country.

The Progressive Alliance will prioritize immigration, the lifeblood of our country, by working to publicize the issue, trying lots of new ideas, and setting reasonable goals.

@Sir Lüc Mr. Secretary, when possible, I am ready to move this back to the CRL.

Congrats Dame Miestrâ!

-Txec R

I would like to issue a hearty congratulations to the Seneschal, the Most Honourable Dame Miestră Schivă UrN-GC.  I just noticed today that she is now the longest-serving Seneschal in Talossan history.  She has been in office for an astonishing 1,225 days so far -- and we're only halfway through the term!  She's leaving her closest competitor, Mic'haglh Loquatsch, in the dust, already exceeding his record by more than a hundred days in office.

Congratulations again to Seneschal Schivă!

It is possible to think something is a good idea even if you don't think you're likely to benefit from it in the near future.

To which Government Ministry should the Director of STUFF be responsible under El Lexhatx C.2?

Quote from: xpb on June 24, 2025, 11:59:50 AMI support keeping the Senate with powers that exist today.  Perhaps the notable efforts being made in this activity could be redirected to other issues.

Do you like the set of super-legislators overwhelmingly dominated by one party which can trash anything your party puts forward, despite majority opinion, because you think one day you'll get that majority?

I support keeping the Senate with powers that exist today.  Perhaps the notable efforts being made in this activity could be redirected to other issues.

I support 1.2.5. My major concern is 1.2.1.4 which limits the number of terpelaziuns for everyone but the opposition leader. Is that section being revised or withdrawn?

I don't wish to comment on the merits of the bill but I have to say this H.1.2.5 should go on some sort of handbook for how to write an addendum that is consistent in form, tone and style with the preexisting legislation.