The citizens of  Sauga City began discussions about the ownership of their Energy/Industry (E/I) hex early in the morning on June 14, 2010, the property that powers the entire Civic Mirror economy. Sauga City is grade 10 class from Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary in   Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and lead fearlessly by instructor Kirsten Anthon.   The Government began the discussion with their post:

“Should the Government take full responsibility for the E/I hex in the year 2001, or a private citizen?

This is NOT a Referendum, just a census. The Government currently has no plans to take the E/I hex from its owner, but now is the time to voice your opinion if you feel that we should.”

Stephen G responded first,”

“The government needs to control the EI hex. We let a private citizen control it and it was handled irresponsibly with the majority of people losing someone in their family due to the poor handling of the EI hex.”

Gurman responded,

“I believe that the government already took many units from the e/i, the deaths were also actually cause of the government. They could have powered other things than the security. That would have meant 7 less deaths.”

This is a difficult decision for any country to make.  Citizens feel they should trust their government but can the private sector handle these utilities, and the power that comes with them, better?

On Tuesday May 11, The Civic Mirror Trenches posted an article about Ze Empire!’s,a grade 11 Civics class lead by instructor Paul Chafee at Heritage Woods Secondary School in Port Moody, BC, economic hardships.  Citizen Jason.K felt cheated when the government forced him to sell his hex for less then market value.  The government argued back that they needed to buy the hexs cheaply to enable them to give units away for free, creating a national system.  Arguments ensued, a trade embargo was threatened, and citizens feared the lack of trade would cause casualities throughout the country.  Administrator Nathan.R commented on the embargo:

“Spreading your ideals in the means of killing others to prove a point. Perhaps a more diplomastic approach is needed rather than telling your fellow citizens to stop trading with the government causing more than 25 deaths in the country. If you calculate how many necessities the government holds, you have I think 13 food units, and 12 shelters. By refusing to trade with the government will condemn 25 people to death. Please everyone, by following a terrorist, it only makes a more violent conflict.”

Citizen Jason.K responded to the Administrator’s comments,

 ”The only reason we resemble a terrorist is only because of the government. I was a normal citzens untill the government threatend me to sell my develpoing hex for a price to nothing. Since i refuesed the government refuesed to trade. This is worst then resesmbling terrorism, it is terroism. By making me homeless, foodless, and giving me non of these, the government is going to take over everyone by threathening. Citizens who are satisfied with this system such as Kim, beware that one wrong step, government will turn on you.”

Frustrated Citizen Ayrton.S added to the argument,

” But what i meant was that sure its great right now but soon enough things will go down hill and lives will be lost and then i will ask you was it worth all the lives that were lost? couldn’t this have been avoided if you had just restored our country into a proper democracy? and then what can you say?”

In response to messages posted between Citizen AdamO and Citizen Jason.L, Administrator Nathan.R posted,

“It’s obvious now of your plans and that you are conspiring with Jason who owns the hex turning into an EI one. This is morally wrong and illegal, if you would only see the governments point of view, the argument would be resolved. Most people agree that since we are doing everything in our power to ensure the country succeeds, why stop that? It only prevents/slows the progression of this country in the name of good and you should stop before things get out of hand.”

After some more back and forth and namcalling, Citizen Allison.K stepped in as a mediator of sorts,

“okay I uderstand where everyone is coming from but I find that we need to calm down and well talk like civil human being. The government should know that they have lost some of the classes trust and should work to earn that back.

They lost this trust either due to some of the bills they have passed or just they way they came to power and are not having the citizens involved when it comes to the bills. Also (in my opion) they should explain any of the new bills or things they do so that we know why instead of just asuming that what they are doing is for their own personal gain.”

The argument ensues, pulling in more citizens to comment.  When one citizen comments that the CM is just a game, other citizens jump to remind the class that the game is meant to simulate real life and thus taken seriously.  Interestingly, a citizen from another country, Citizen Gurkanwar of Supermanistan, joins into the debate to add his or her two cents,

“i know that as a foreigner, i should just keep out of other’s businesses, but this debate seems to be quite powerful. just to clear things up here (PS. i do not know where you guys are from, who you people are, and who is the assumed good guy/bad guy, therefore all my opinions will be unbiased) our history teacher had said that communism/dictatorship at its fullest is actually good… but the thing is it has yet to bloom to its fullest, therefore what you see is only the negative part of it, not the good effects (because those are the parts that are delayed) and also, not to burst any bubbles here, but either someone here is trying to achieve their hidden agenda, or the gov’t is pretty darn smart and well planned out. anyways, i would personally recommend that Aryton, stand strong on your point but instead of opposing the gov’t, go with the flow for a while, try and see what they’re really like, because the way it sounds, for now, it seems that the gov’t is doing what it can to stabilize the economy. why deal with 2 issues at once (stabilizing the country and trying to deal with the gov’t) when you can deal with them one by one (first lets stabilize the country and then when thats out of the way lets deal with the gov’t) and if they do something that prevents the stabilization then you can hold that against them as a proof of their corruption and you will be able to get some support from your fellow citizens. again, i do not know anyone from your classroom, i do not know where you guys are from, therefore i am not supporting either side (neither do i have a reason to do so). the debate seemed to be quite intriguing to me therefore i decided to drop off my personal opinion. and again, i suggest your country should worry about the matter at hand before worrying about the matters you might have to deal with in the future. also, if all goes well and they ARE a communist/dictatorship party (again, i am not saying they are, just saying IF they are) then who knows, maybe they turn out to be the ones that can bloom the effects of communism/dictatorship to its fullest”

When the postings peter out, there is not real agreement but both sides have certainly been able to vent their frustrations.  Has your country had any heated debates?  Reply to this post or send us an email so we can share your story with the Civic Mirror Community!

A governments budget is both difficult to plan and incredibly important.  There are many citizens who depend on a balanced budget to live happier, healthier lives but it is also impossible for a government to pay for absolutely everything.  As many citizens from around the world can now attest to, some programs that benefit the general public must be sacrificed for the good of the economic health of the country.  The citizens of Ania, an eighth grade Civics class from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia, recently found themselves with just those kinds of decisions.

The discussion began with this question:

“What do you think should be added to the government budget?”

Citizen Stephen was the first to put his two cents in,

“Helloooo~

My opinion on the government budget (This is my own opinion, I am not representing DYMS right now) is that the government should put an extra $150 from the Health Insurance payment and put the remaining $200 into reserve.”

President Ava responded,

“Hello everyone,
I know that health care is an important part of Ania’s sucess but the owner’s of the health insurance hex have refused the money that the government offered them, so there will be no part of the government’s budget going into health insurance (i’m just letting you guys know this because some of you wanted a bigger portion of the budget being spent on health care.) If you have any questions/concerns of or pertaining to health insurance I suggest you take it up with the owner of the hex. I greatly value each and everyone of your ideas for the budget and hope to see more!!
Thanks,
Ava Chafin (president)”

Much like the debates going on within the government of the United States, there are some citizens that would enjoy the benefits of government run health hex while others see the private sector doing a better job. Healthcare is certainly an important topic in Ania, but is it the only topic that is important enough to be decided? This budget discussion is still a new one, it will be enlightening to see how it plays out.  Until then…

Eutopians seem to be growing out of their Utopian existence and into something else entirely. On March 2, 2010 an announcement was published for all of the Eutopia citizens:

“This is a message from your Prime Minister:
There have been some forum topics that have come to my attention and I would like to clear some things up. For one, anybody considering siding with the people that have directly threatened the LIFE of your Prime Minister should think twice. I have never threatened anyone’s well being and this person will be sued A.S.A.P.. I suggest that for the better nature of this country, you listen to what I have to say. There are obviously going to be problems, and we cannot deny the fact that not everyone can be rich. The only thing we can do is try to distribute necessities as well as we can and THAT is why we have the e/i hex. If the people of Eutopia! somehow decide to take me from the government, I say good luck to you, because you won’t see any help from me in any form. I am trying to help you and if what you decide is to throw that back in my face, then you better not ask for my help in ANY way, shape or form. Just like Mr.Ross, YOU teach me how to treat you.

Thank you.

–
Stephanie.C
Prime Minister, Eutopia!”

It took less then two hours for the first citizens to respond.  The first was Citizen Amandip.S:

“We teach you how to treat us. You’re the PM of Eutopia! you need to get involved with wats going on in out country. how can we not ask you for any HELP, your the PM of this country. if you didnt want to help us, then way did you become the PM, let someone who acually cares about our country and wants to help others and improve our country. your just gonna help your “LITTLE” party of people, you don’t care about us. more than 50% of the citizens are homeless and hungry, i’ve asked atleast about 3 times for an EI unit for my family, luckly i asked you guys once more and if you said no 1 of my family member would have died. so YOU NEED TO HELP PEOPLE, CAUSE NOW YOUR SHOWING US HOW YOU SHOULD BE TREATED….right now there are 63% of the citizens saying they want to change the government and the 37% that are saying no are from your party, BUT YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY, SO THAT MEANS THAT PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY ALSO WANT A CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT.”

Citizen Summit.G continued the conversation:

“We don’t need your help, and don’t try getting the peoples trust back because you messed up and now, its ovaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa “

Prime Minister Stephanie.C defended herself:

“Are you kidding me? Everything I’ve ever done was to help our country and I feel really bad for you guys not being able to accept that because of your own greedy wants.”

To which Citizen Amandip responded:

“Our own greedy needs, what r our needs, that we wanted to buy something that we wanted to make some money and survive in the environment u have created. i bet you cuz some people arnt in houses or have food that one of their family member has died. And what have u done to help our country, before you said im not gonna help, but now ur saying i have helped a lot, the only thing u probably did to help noting because u have set these “laws” that disable people from doing what they want. the rule that really bugged me was the forum one cuz tell me wat is illumanati or how r they gonna kill people in the game, and how is it a harm for them to wright forums, forums are for people to present their ideas and say wat ever they want. Before i thought we didn’t need a change in government but now i see THAT WE NEED A CHANGE IN OUR GOVERNMENT UNLESS THEY TAKE AN ACTION THAT WILL BENEFIT EVERYONE TO SOME EXTEND.”

Citizen Gavin pressed the issue even further with a significant historical comparision:

“Dont get to comfortable as PM. There will be change coming soon. This country is going to be a people’s country not Nazi Eutopia.”

Personally effected by the situation, Citizen Amardeep even threatens the existing government,

“your not a good Prime Minister and don’t try acting like one. Your trying to act like the good guy but you don’t care about the people. You stole my e/i hex and now I am going to sue.”

Citizen Inderpreet gets the last word in, though for some it is beyond meaningful,

“Dont trust the government”

This is obviously a hot topic in the country of Eutopia, a country who has seen leadership problems in the past.  Will they be able to get past them this time or are they destined to be ruled by dictators and despots?  How terrible is PM Stephanie?  Are the citizens complaining because things are not going well for them, in other words, would they hate any leader they had?  Only time will be able to competely answer these questions.

Much like other governments from around the world, the citizens of Graceland, a class from Mountlake Terrace High School in Washington State, have realized that their environment can and may be in danger. Although it is important to earn a living and keep the country working economically, it is easy to abuse the land Gracelandians share causing irrepuable damage. Gracelandians seem to be in an uproar about recent land development and through the guidance of their instructor, are discussing possible action to fix the problem. According to Instructor Ryan Niman:

“What should we do with the hex being developed? Why? These are the options I’ve heard:

* Let Nathan decide - he owns it!
* Let the President decide - she’s in charge!
* Make a Power Plant
* Don’t make a PowerPlant - another one is already being developed
* Make a farm, insurance company, school, or something else

So, how should this be decided? What should it be? Why?”

Representative GraceG begins the discussion,

“I think that Nathan should decide on what he wants that hex to be. Because he owns that hex, and he bought it. So I don’t think its really fair to him that we are telling him what to make it.”

AdamO, a citizen from nearby Dinoland shares his point of view on the subject,

“Pardon me for invading your forum, but I have a thought on this. Nathan owns the hex, correct? If he owns the hex, it is his property to decide what to do with. True, the government could seize it so they could decide, but it should not be up to the president. The president is not in a legal position to dictate what somebody should do with their property.”

Interestingly, it seems all of the citizens agree Nathan should be able to decide, but what happens when he makes a decision the citizens disagree with?  What will they do when his decisions affect their own families?

In what seems to be a Civic Mirror first, the country Dinoland, a Ninth Grade English class from Mountlake Terrace High School has declared war. On Friday Febuary 5, 2010, the Dinoland government made this declaration:

“Attention, citizens of Dinoland and the people of the NFPC and Graceland! Dinoland, during today’s government event, declared war on the NFPC and Graceland. This is to root out corruption and immorality in their said governments and to prove Dinoland’s might. We may be small, we may be poor, but we are a country of faithful citizens and good human beings, and we ARE mighty enough to clean up the wrongs of those countries around us.”

Stunned by this declaration, Citizen VincentM responded,

“So our dinoland has voted (5/5 for house and 3/3 for senators I may add) to go to war eh? Well, as a citizen of dinoland, I want to know why?!?! What purpose dose it serve? I know that the answer was corruption in the two countries, but if the problem is corruption, then were is it, show me evidence! If you, the government, can’t tell me why, then you are telling me that you voted on something for no reason!?!? I want answers, and good answers at that not “for fun”! Also, if you can’t give me a satisfy answer, then the government don’t care about what laws it pass, then that’s all the more respond not to have a dictatorship. Respond to this as soon as possible!”

Certainly there is, at the very least, great unrest between the citizens within these Global Powers. Members of the Dinoland Government responded publicly,

“Vince, our sources within Graceland have insider information on a corrupt congressperson who keeps messing stuff up. And there is a grudge between certain members of our gov’t and certain members of the NFPC. We do too care about the laws we pass- every one of them benefits the people, which you would realize if you actually read them. And the dictatorship idea is dead. And about that: one person doesn’t necessarily represent a whole organization, and vice versa.”

Not easily persuaded Citizen Vincent replied,

“Government, if your source of corruption was a guy on there government messing things up, everyone has a person messing up things! This guy just got elected, and he is probable working on his hidden agenda, and it is there problem, not ours! How annoying is it, to declare war, FOR THE MISTAKES OF ONE PERSON!!! It there problem, It them who should solve it!
“…there is a grudge between certain members of our gov’t and certain members of the NFPC…” So what? You don’t need to wage war in order to settle this, why not does something more logical, like find out why you have a dispute, and come up with a solution….
“…the dictatorship idea is dead. And about that: one person doesn’t necessarily represent a whole organization, and vice versa.” Thank you for ending that idea and everyone who thinks that dictatorship is a good idea; well, how? How is this a good idea, I want to know? It best to have every man and every women represent them self. Personally, I think we should not have a government at all, just the people, but this is the word of one person, and the government would never vote for this, who wants to lose power.
Disclaimer: all quotes are from the government, which I am not part of, and are only used to support some of my points.”

While Vincent and memebers of the government/citizens of Dinoland verbally duke it out, the readers of the forum may have been caught off guard by Senator BrennanD of Graceland,

“Hello I am a Citizen of Graceland and I would like to simply open up discussion between our two country’s I would like it if a representative of your country (I would prefer adam) would meet me in Mr.Nimans classroom after school when it is convenient. I would also like to invite Vincent since he seems to also have a opposing opinion on this war as well. I will be in Nimans (Instructor Ryan Niman) class both before and after school if anyone would like to discuss this matter further. Looking forward to a lively discussion.”

The offered meeting to determine peace is accepted by Citizen VincentM in his reply,

I would be honred to meet represents’ from Graceland, however, pleus don’t bring Adam. I will come myself, you may choose who the other person is. If Thursday, February 25, 2010 before or during (depending how long it goes) tutorial. If you and another (preferable your president) where to come, we can work out a deal. My land’s president is Torn, FYI. Please respond so that we can put this whole matter behind us, because this is pointless”

Will the countries go to “war?” How is war fought in the Civic Mirror? What will the consequences of this meeting be and can these countries put their differences behind them? We will have to wait and see…

The citizens of Eden, a class from Hudson High School in Hudson, Massachusetts, are working to create laws that will better their country and (hopefully) give some citizens more well being points.  In order to help Edensians write these bills, their Instructor Ken High posted this assignment,

“As citizens or government representatives, it is your job to pass laws and policies that will help you gain Well Being points or fulfill Hidden Agenda goals. Therefore, each of you must persuade the government by proposing at least one bill that you want to be passed as a law. Your classmates can then comment on your proposal and engage in a discussion before the lawmaking session tomorrow.”

In response, Edensians came up with many useful ideas.   Each citizen had different goals in mind, however, when creating these laws.  Citizen Trevor wanted to be sure the president as the head of the government did not hold too much power,

“Any property bought by the government should be used for the government. Not for the president to use for his own purpose. What ever the government spends the money one, its only for governmental use.”

Citizen Shannon responded with,

“Why would we have the government use the property they bought for the government it should be used for the people so that they have what they need to survive. I think you are saying this because you are a reprisentive and think that you should get special treatment because of it.”

“I propose that we make a law saying that anything bought by the government should be used for the well been of the people.

I also propose that we pass a law to keep the government from seasing and buying any citicen ouned land.”

While her fellow citizens worry about individual versus government rights, Citizen Rachel felt it was just as important to protect the environment,

“I think that a law should be passed to keep a certain amount of wilderness hexes from being developed on. For instance, only one wilderness hex per year. This will help ensure that we still have enough wilderness hexes to keep our well-being points high and the citizens happy.”

In a third vein,Citizen Melissag wanted to ensure the economy had boundaries as well,

“I think that agoodlaw that should be passed is one that allows a cap unit prices.That way if someone wants to buy a food unit they do not have to pay $400 for one because that is ridiculous and based on what else every person has to buy like health care, power, education, security etc. having a food unit or any one of those other “necessary” units cost too much is not right. The price of units should be affordable but obviously not too low, so no one is making money.”

Edensians have a lot of interesting ideas for their country.  It is obvious that Edensians care deeply about their country as well as their own self interests, however, it seems as though there is an underlying current of mistrust as well.  While citizens can suggest as many laws as they like, at the end of the day, they must trust that the government officials they have elected will represent them.  Will the government live up to these expectations or make choices to fulfill their own self-interests?  Only time will tell….