by D G Hervey
“Oh,” responded Bachie.
Not slowed by the interruption and keeping her focus, Djang asked, “Are there any other nominations?”
Djang was greeted by silence. After a substantial pause she said, “Then let’s vote. All in favor of Fran, raise your right hand.”
Everyone excepting Fran raised their right hand. “So it is unanimous,” concluded Djang. “Madam Speaker, this meeting is now in your hands. Do you have anything you would care to say to us?”
“Okay. Since I did not know in advance to create an agenda, I’ll wing it,” responded Fran. “Thank you Djang, Gulgin, Bachie, and Weinfur for your confidence. Djang, I hope you were correct in expecting that I can be a successful consultant, so I can stay off of the government payroll. I expect to enjoy being a Taxer and hope to run for reelection when the time comes.”
Thinking of her prior position as an officer in ML’s company, who interacted regularly with Agni and the Hidden officers, Gulgin was disappointed not to have been considered for the office of Speaker of the Taxers. She attempted to hide her feelings as she said to Fran, “I hope your term as Speaker is productive.”
Fran paused a moment to gather her thoughts and then said, “First off, the expenses the government incurred making the repairs mandated by Jupiter’s radiation, which was exacerbated by the sun’s CME, need to be approved. However much that was, it was a necessary expense and I appreciate Agni’s promptly seeing to the repairs. I believe that it will generally be up to us to draft and pass the appropriations bills. One of us may need to draft a bill to that effect before our next meeting.”
Weinfur responded, “That seems a prudent step and a good precedent to set.”
Speaker Fran said, “Since this meeting is not being recorded, we need a secretary from among us, or someone who is non-voting, to get our minutes assembled.”
“For this one meeting only,” offered Weinfur, “I am willing to take minutes and I’m willing to draft a bill for the emergency repairs, as you requested. I’ll see if I can get someone with a quantum computer to be secretary to the group, by our next meeting. For now I’ll use my own quantum computer, if no one objects.”
No one objected and Weinfur departed for a short while.
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“That,” confessed Fran, “was a nice break for me to be able to compose my thoughts. First and foremost, regarding the government’s total budget, we need to find out from our Secretary of the Treasury what reserve there is in the treasury.”
“Just a moment,” requested Weinfur. “I’m not as fast as a practiced secretary would be. . . Okay, go ahead.”
Fran stated, “We need to identify what items we should address in Calypso’s budget, and we need to figure out how much should be spent on each. I believe we should have the executive branch of the government propose a budget bill for us with line-item justifications for each.”
After a short pause Weinfur prompted, “Okay,” indicating that she was caught up with her minute taking.
“Utility costs are an important factor in any budget; the services must continue uninterrupted,” remarked Fran. “Since utilities have costs associated with their production, distribution and maintenance, we need to know what they are, so the government can set up a rational basis for charging for them until and unless there is a company or co-op formed to take that over. In that case we’ll need to know what to charge the business for the transfer of ownership of the facilities.”
Djang asked rhetorically, “I wonder, what incentive could motivate one of Calypso’s citizens to establish and run a co-op here?”
Undistracted by Djang’s comment, Fran continued, “With regard to other existing activities and ongoing research, there is much that must be included in the budget for the government. Work that clearly needs to be funded includes the mining of the asteroids, construction of additional spaceships, buildout of decks within Calypso, and assembly and testing of the next new breeder reactor.”
Weinfur added, “Many scientific and medical research projects need continued funding in order that we maintain acceptable technological progress relative to Earth’s. A matter of special interest to us is human life extension and for good reason. We know that a factor ML had in selecting us is our probable longevity. But it will certainly increase the likelihood of success of this venture if we manage to have some of us still alive when we reach our destination. Then some of us may encourage our offspring to take the opportunity to settle on the surface of a planet or moon. Otherwise, they may be so satisfied with life in a spaceship that they see no benefit in anything else. So, we view human life extension more from a community perspective than on an individual basis.”
Gulgin observed, “So we will need to get a list of all government-funded projects, again from the executive branch of the government. This means we need to know how many people are being paid on each of these efforts, and what other resources are anticipated to be needed within the next budget year.”
Fran stated, “Okay. I’ll bring these items up to President Agnieszka. Besides continued government expenses, we should discuss the assets the government owns, which businesses will need to purchase or lease, and the prices to be charged for their sale or their use. The income from businesses purchasing and leasing government property should enable us Taxers to levy only minimal taxes for quite a while.”
“Ugh,” grunted Weinfur. “So that means we in business will be funding the government?”
“Only to the extent that is fair and equitable,” replied Gulgin. “The executive branch is in favor of businesses getting started. I’m confident they don’t want to gouge Calypso’s budding entrepreneurs. Besides, we Taxers have a say in that matter.”
Fran related, “With regard to private businesses purchasing or renting commercial and agricultural property, the government, that’s us, in conjunction with the executive branch, needs to establish prices to be charged per square meter. Within Subtle and Hidden, the prices probably should be a function of a number of factors. These need to include, at least, the deck on which the area is located, the depth of regolith used, and the installed infrastructure, such as water supply and drainage.”
Gulgin added, “As I understood ML’s speech to Calypso at large, each woman was given ownership of the living area occupied by her as an inheritable possession. I guess we each should get a formal title for our dwelling. In any event, current residential space is not included in the government’s possessions. Sooner or later, many a daughter will want to move out of her mother’s quarters and get a space of her own. I certainly did. So there needs to be pricing for living space which is adjacent to current living spaces on the Deck 3 of each cylinder.”
Fran remarked, “That would facilitate getting additional space for certain family living arrangements that may be desired by some of our matrilineal groups such as the Khasi.”
“I don’t even understand what that matrilineal consideration is all about,” remarked Djang. “I’ll ask my Parrot later.”
“For businesses dealing with the public,” added Bachie, “the proximity of commercial space to the living areas should be a consideration in pricing of areas. For example, grocery stores need to be close to or within neighborhoods. There are bound to be businesses run by bots involved in mining and smelting that will want space on the trailer, so trailer space needs to be priced as well. There could also be private enterprises wanting space back on the trailer for such activities as construction or the production of electricity.”
“Another factor we should consider,” Fran emphasized to her fellow Taxers, “as was eluded to a moment ago, several of us are in a conflict-of-interest position regarding the price to be charged for leasing or purchasing certain types of area. Most of us will be recusing ourselves from voting on such items in any budget proposal. Thus, we need to rely on the executive branch to make specific recommendations for such potentially conflicted items. Then those not recused can pass that portion of the budget with impunity. Subsequently, we ca
n all vote on the total budget. I’ll bring that up to President Agnieszka.”
“So, I’m off the hook and don’t have to draft that bill,” remarked Weinfur.
“Good,” responded Djang. “That has been an issue I am glad we have addressed. I was not sure how we Taxers could avoid citizen complaints in such instances.”
Fran stated, “Regarding the sale or lease of government-owned equipment, a rational basis needs to be established for the prices that should be charged for bots and other assets. A bill dealing with this will have clauses from which most of the commercial-business-women Taxers should recuse ourselves. I will also ask for a bill drafted by the executive branch for us to consider.”
Djang responded, “It is becoming clear what the role of the Taxers must be. It is becoming less of a problem in my mind now.”
Everyone looked at Weinfur. Eventually she stated, “That was a lot to try to keep up with. But I believe that, even without it being recorded, your temporary secretary has not missed a subject. Fran will be having quite a discussion with Agni, it seems, to get them to do what is needed.”
“Finally,” Fran suggested, “there are two subjects we will need to address at our next meeting. One of our privileges is the approval of the President’s appointment of members of her cabinet. President Agnieszka already has nominated secretaries provisionally functioning for her. We need to address their approval. A second thing for our next meeting is to decide, not just the level of taxes but, what type of taxes need to be implemented. As far as taxes go, personally, I favor a value added tax.”
Djang commented, “Taxing, that is what we were really elected to do, isn’t it?”
Fran ran out of subjects she’d thought of for discussion at their initial meeting. So she decided as her final item at this meeting to make a request of the other Taxers, “Please submit items to me within three days that you’d like to have on the agenda for our next meeting. Clearly, there is nothing by way of legislation that we should pass today. No one has drafted any bills. If you would like some help, ML clearly trusted Jon to provide such assistance. I’ll tell you that he kept the work he did for her confidential. I would like for us to meet again a week from today and regularly once a week unless something mandates a change. Does anyone have anything else to bring up before our formal meeting is adjourned?”
No one did, so the formal meeting adjourned. But the women stayed and chatted a while, just to get to know each other a bit better, and to understand each other’s point of view.
Chapter 12 - Nascent Cabinet Meeting
President Agnieszka held her first meeting with the beginnings of her cabinet. Present were Vice President Jelena, Admiral of the Fleet, Simona, and those nominated to be secretaries of various departments: Ilaki for Secretary of the Treasury, Uleran for Secretary of the Fleet, Ristin for Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and Kallik for Secretary of the Interior. There were other positions for which she had yet to select a nominee, but she did not yet feel a need for all of the positions that the constitution had allowed.
“I have several purposes for this get together,” began Agni. “The Taxers branch of the legislature has held its first meeting. They request that we get some economic issues addressed. Another purpose of mine is, so far Calypso has too few women willing to start businesses. I suspect that one major drawback is the uncertainty regarding the government’s pricing for manufacturing businesses, retail and office space, agricultural real estate, and some of our equipment that is already on hand. A third purpose is to try to ensure that our citizens develop a positive perception of our government. Finally, I’d like to offer our Admiral of the Fleet, Simona, an opportunity to give us her wish list. She apparently feels we need to address a variety of research topics. Once presented we can prioritize them and perhaps try to find experts to work on the ones we judge to need prompt action.”
“It sounds as though much of this will be my responsibility,” responded Ilaki, the nominated Secretary of the Treasury.
“Yes, Ilaki,” agreed Agni. “Initially, at least, there are a number of tasks that you will need to address. The Taxers branch of the legislature, at its initial meeting, pointed out that it is appropriate for the executive branch to recommend prices for several of our assets and services. Some of the Taxers will have to recuse themselves from voting on certain budgetary line items due to conflicts of interest.”
“That is wise of them,” responded Ilaki.
“The first subject for us arising from the Taxer’s meeting,” reported Agni, “is, how much did it cost to recover from our recent damage in the passing of Jupiter? I am pleased that the Taxers desire the drafting of an ex-post-facto appropriations bill to authorize the expenditures the executive branch made in the emergency restoration of facilities and services after the Jupiter-CME ion storm. But clearly the Taxers need to know what that cost was so they can authorize or approve it.”
“That seems prudent,” Ilaki responded.
“Another Taxers’ issue,” Agni reported, “is that we need to propose a budget for running this government. Speaker Fran and I want it to be put on a pay-as-you-go basis. We need to define our sources of revenue and estimate our expenditures. ML left us with substantial capital resources and no history of any taxation. Insofar as it is possible, I want us to keep intact the monetary resources she left us, as a cushion for emergencies. So we need to develop an initial, rational price for acreage offered for sale to private companies for agricultural, industrial, forestry, commercial, medical, and future residential purposes. I agree with the Taxers’ suggestion that the prices should vary with the deck level and eventually also with time. Clearly, for now at least, the one-G force at Deck 3 makes it the most desirable for long-term habitation by our citizens. But there may well be need for medical facilities in rather low or micro gravity environments, such as for burn victim recovery. The gymnasts have already established facilities to keep alive the men’s gymnastics events at seven-eighths G, so the women don’t have to strive for the arm strength that men gymnasts develop.”
“Based on comments made by others throughout Calypso, and relayed to me by my Parrot,” Ilaki remarked, “I have anticipated some of what you request, and already have preliminary numbers to put before the group. At present, our primary expenditure is for salaries. We clearly need to get more women involved in running their own businesses, to reduce the government’s payroll. But, we have substantial, essential research that I see no way to maintain, excepting with government sponsorship. If think-tank-type companies are formed, then the government may get bids for research. But the government will still be paying for the research to be done. When hiring the researchers is our desired approach, clearly the government sets the priorities of what research will be pursued. With think tanks, it would be nice to have some of our brilliant citizens decide to exercise their own judgment regarding what they would like to research and develop and profit from. That would create more businesses, and some that are tailored to the wants of our population.”
“Wonderful, Hawaiian efficiency,” commented Agni. “That is why I nominated you to be the Secretary of the Treasury. I am pleased that you are already working these issues and thinking of others. Hopefully, more citizens will see their way clear to go into business for themselves once firm costs are established. The investment in equipment and space are major start-up costs for businesses. There is hardly a way for a business to boot-strap itself up from nothing. They will have to satisfy the current level of demand from the outset. For some, these start-up costs will include the price the government will charge for them to purchase agricultural and forestry acreage. The interest rate that the government will charge on any debt that we finance should be low. The income from the sales and rentals will long be major sources of income for our government.”
Ilaki stated, “I agree with that.”
Agni continued, “Our price for leasing square meters of commercial space and the purchase price of government-held property, inc
luding bots and non-AI equipment, should be set low enough to encourage entrepreneurship. Surely, up until now, the uncertainty of the costs involved in being in business would deter anyone who lacked enough faith in the fairness of our yet-to-be-tested government. It is no wonder that we’ve had so few women willing to make a leap of faith and start a business.”
“Well, it is not exactly a land grant situation,” piped up Kallik, the nominated Secretary of the Interior, “such as the USA employed to settle its acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase and other parts of its West.”
“But,” Ilaki interrupted, “I’ve tried to figure out ways to set up a generous government. Nevertheless, I agree with Agni. The revenues from the sales and rental of government assets and the interest on the debts of businesses to the government, should be major sources of income for a while. Such income should permit the Taxers to levy only minimal taxes.”
“That is clearly desired, but, I’ve got another problem,” reported Agni, “that of perception of our government. Perception is important. This all relates to the surveillance that ML had the company put into place. Jon, of all people, characterized this surveillance as ‘Big Sister’ watching. ‘Big Brother’ surveillance is, as I recall it, a term from an old science fiction novel with the title 1984. Calypso’s surveillance is a double-edged sword. It lets us all feel safe from some potential dangers - someone gone amuck, which is why ML instituted it, to protect us from such dangers. But, it leaves very little that is private. That may be more acceptable because we had years with no males looking on. Jon has not bothered to look either, as I’m sure most of our citizens know.”
“He is atypical, I’m sure,” remarked Uleran. “But then, we chose him because he would be different, better different.”
“No doubt,” agreed Agni, “it is prudent for us to be sensitive to the concerns of our citizens. Even Ilaki indicated moments ago that her Parrot aided in her anticipation of financial matters of general concern. I expect her Parrot was prompted by her to summarize such concerns of our citizens. But our women can know when a Parrot-prompted review is requested and by whom. I worry that our people may begin to consider their government too invasive. We need to not provide substance to the notion that ‘Big Sister’ may over-do the invasion of a citizen’s privacy. What the government is doing is merely maintaining the surveillance that ML established. It is what our citizens are accustomed to living with. So, it seems that it will be wise for government officials to minimize any evident intrusion into our citizen’s privacy and to do any research into personal matters only when it is truly necessary. In general we should use a quantum computer to initiate research into any citizen’s conversations.”