News Articles

DEMOCRATIC RATIONALISTS--50 YEARS OF FINANCE

In 2570, the Democratic Rationalist Party will have held the Finance Ministry almost exclusively for 50 consecutive years. The Democratic Rationalists took the Finance Ministry in 2520, when Sojourner Smart assumed the office on the coatheels of popular President Colton White, one of the founders of the modern Progressive Coalition. Their control of the Finance Ministry was broken only briefly last decade when a conservative coalition took the Cabinet for a fleeting few months, only to be replaced by a compromise coalition which put the Democratic Rationalists back in charge of Finance.

"We try to keep the Finance Ministry grounded in reality," said Finance Minister Tanner Woodman. "Aloria has a history of determining its budget through the application of rigid ideological doctrine instead of studious observance of reality. Aloria has historically suffered as a result." Woodman was referring to the flat budgets passed under laissez-faire governments in the 25th century, and to the virtual elimination of all Alorian federal spending in the early 26th century.

The Democratic Rationalists have become known as "great compromisers" while in charge of the office. They frequently try to include all parties in budget talks, and have proven time and again that they're willing to pass budgets that include a little of the requests of as many parties as possible. "Democracy isn't about always getting your way," said Woodman. "It's about deciding what's really important, and compromising with others on everything else."

Woodman also argued that "fair pragmatism" has helped his party hold the office. "Our goal is to keep the ship afloat, to make modest adjustments when needed and always with good reason. I think that's why even opposition voters trust us in charge of Finance. Everyone knows if we're in charge of Finance, whether they agree with our policy choices or not, there at least won't be radical change that would destabilize Aloria's economy."