Editing Qing Long (section)

== Government ==
Bicameral Legislature. All legislation must pass both houses with simple majorities to become law. If a budget increase is requested by the Executive it must be approved by the Senate, otherwise the previous budget rolls over.<br> 
=== Senate === 
41 Seats - Each Planet or Moon with a population over 100K gets a Senator. Then One Senator for every 1 Million people <br>
Meridian 16 Seats
:Burnet 1 Seat
New Canaan 2 Seats
:Lilac 1 Seat
Muir 5 Seats
:Arminius 1 Seat
:Shepherd's Mission 1 Seat
Fury (GG)
:Coldstone 1 Seat
Highgate 6 Seats
:Perth 1 Seat
Dragon's Egg (GG)
:Yudhishtira 1 Seat
:Nakula 1 Seat
:Deadwood 3 Seats
:Haven 1 Seat
:New Omaha 1 seat

=== People's House ===
Using the Cortex each and every citizen of the Republic can introduce legislation, debate policy, and vote on bills, both from the People's House and from the the Senate. Bills introduced in either house can be voted on no earlier than two weeks after introduction and 'Receipt' by a quorum of citizens. The quorum currently stands at 20% of the adult population. Some bills die in this house because citizens have not looked at them. <br><br>
In addition to voting on laws, the People's House also elects the Executive. The Executive is in charge of the implementing the laws, and running the government. They serve at the will of the People's House. A new election can be called for with a simple majority of either house or senate. Although Executive has considerable power, he or she is more of a bureaucrat than a presidents. The majority of governing is done the Legislature.

:Ballot Boxes - Each household is entitled a single limited use cortex box that uses very strong encryption to send in votes. A two tiered id system is used to ensure the identity of the user. These devices are audited using several techniques, and so far there has been no reported large scale fraud in the system. This does not prevent intimidation, vote buying, or other methods of election tampering. A Ballot Box can be used for Emergency communication, but abuse of this can result in loss of voting privileges AND criminal prosecution.

=== Executive ===
This position is currently held by Janice Bishop a former settler and rancher from Deadwood. 

=== Magistrates ===
The Legislature also appoints Magistrates who mete out justice in the system. Because of the sparse population, these Magistrates tend to have considerable power and become the law. A check on this, is the People's House. Citizens can report the Magistrates for corruption or abuse of power and have their appointments reviewed. While in principle this should work, in practice it is rare. 

=== Sheriffs ===
The Magistrates can hire sheriffs necessary to maintain law and order. In some small towns the Magistrate may serve as Sheriff though this is discouraged.  

=== PDF ===
The Armed Forces of Qing Long is the PDF or Planetary Defense Force. The PDF began as the rebel army against the Alliance made up mostly of volunteers. Now it is a more professional organization. It's primary duties are (a) protect ship traffic and planets from hostile forces, in particular Reavers, (b) anti-piracy, (c) maintain deep space posts to protect the "border". The PDF also maintains a garrison and operated the weapons systems of Pericles Station (officially independent). Occasionally the PDF will escort convoys of ships to other systems. 
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