Vox Populi - The Populares

[Winter]

The Vox Populi Party - The Voice of the People
aka
THE POPVLARES

Tribune Lepidus stands on the Rostrum outside the Curia, preparing to speak. The people in the forum pass lazily by, used to politicians of all stripes extorhing away on the podium, trying to curry favor with a people they did not know.

Lepidus was mindful of these things as he readied himself to speak. He was also mindful of what would happen if he failed to day. This speech would be the test, and if it succeeded, perhaps his new strategy could be put into play...

Lepidus begins to speak:
For too long, expansionist and militaristic needs have taken center stage in Rome. Senators speak of a war with Carthage as if it would be nothing, a mere drop in the pond. They do not see, as I have seen, what war will bring to the people. They do not see that instead we must build our economy. We must fight our foes that live close to home so that we may not be dragged into a war with a great power across the sea!

It was working, the Plebes were gathering, listening. Usually a politician would speak on some obscure topic, but his one seemed to know them, what they wanted...

The Populares will always put the economy and the populace first in their thoughts. War will be a last resort, and not an afterthought. We will only fight those that we truly must fight, and we will focus on economic and infrastructure improvements during peacetime. We will strive to improve the lives of our citizenry, and ensure that war is fought as efficiently and bloodlessly as possible. We are Tribunes, Quaestors, Praetors, and Consuls united to protect Rome and her best interests. We are the Vox Populi, the Voice of Rome!

The Crowd cheered, and the Senators on the steps of the Curia took notice. "Perhaps," Lepidus thought, "I may make a few followers of them yet."

PLATFORM
THESE IDEALS GUIDE ALL POPULARES

1. The Republic must always put economic and infrastructural needs ahead of military ambitions except in cases where we are attacked or overtly provoked.

Membership:


Lucius Aurelius Lepidus (Winter)
Marcus Claudius Clarus (Snowball)
Caius Scipio (Pontifex)
Marcus Appuleius Saturninus (Xavier Dragnesi)
Oppius Aulus Caelinus ( Selifator)
Julius Licinius Aurelius (Voltaire le Philosophe)

[Snowball]

I belong on the members list as well.

[Winter]

ooc: my mistake

[Pontifex Maximus]

Caius Scipio enters the party headquaters and registers his name on the wax tablet.

I hereby announce that this party's politics and ideas align with my own.

raising a clenched fist.

My allegiance lies with these men and their ideals for the betterment of Rome!

[Xavier Dragnesi]

Marcus Appuleius Saturninus also enters the party headquarters, and signs his name on the tablet.

Ah, the Plebs. Rome's heart and life force. Where would we be if we didn't support them.

[Selifator]

Oppius Aulus Caelinus walks up to the tablet, "Put my name on the list, and let all know that I shall be a support to the Plebs from this day on!"

[Snowball]

To the best of my ability i will try to vote for members of this party when voting in the elections, and i hope this is a feeling shared by the other members as well.

[Winter]

Attention, attention senators!

Lepidus was standing at the head of a meeting of several like minded senators in Rome. They were meeting in a rented building in the Forum so as not to attract the attention of their senatorial colleagues.

I thank you all for coming tonight. Now I'll remind you all that so far we've agreed to name this little, well I guess we could call it a "party", the Vox Populi. However, I'd like to ask you senators now if we should start forming a cohesive platform. With this many senators under one team we could really become a power in the senate hall. What do you say?

I'll start. I think that after the eventual capture of Rhegion, we should initiate a series of economic and infrastructure projects before we even think about further pursuit of war. Anyone agree?

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

I, Julius Licinius Aurelius, wish to join this organization.

[Xavier Dragnesi]

Yes, I believe that after the capture of Rhegion, for the sake of the people, we should stop warring for a year or two, and build some infrastructure that will both benefit them, and hopefully our treasury. Once we have build that up, we should have the resources needed to wage war again, with a happy population to support us.

[Snowball]

I agree, we need to build up a strong base of power so that we can better ensure our safety and prosperity in the future.

[Selifator]

That seems like a good plan, senator Lepidus. The fight for Taras was a victory, but that army is not capable of an extended campaign. Our people are wary of war, for who must we fight? We have no enemies, there are only independent tribes surrounding us, and the people are not going to bother with them.
If we wish to expand then we must first make the Plebs content. And as always, we must do this by expanding the markets and providing a healthy place to live.

[Winter]

Right then, I think it is of general agreement that the first plank in our collective platform shall be "The Republic must always put economic and infrastructural needs ahead of military ambitions except in cases where we are attacked or overtly provoked."

[Snowball]

Aye, that sounds very reasonable.

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

Right now I believe we must punish Rhegion and strike a delicate balance with Carthage in our foreign policy.

[Kneißl]

I wish to join this party, even though i am a Patrician, the people must come first. Other Senators speak of the people as if they were mere animals. Nay, they nust be treated as humans. Investing in Rome itself is the only way!

[Pontifex Maximus]

Friends, the time has come to have more party cohesion in these times. If we are to achieve our goals, we must communicate with one another and establish the best selections for each office. Whle I admit, I have not been supportive of every party member in the elections, this is only because I have not had the pleasure to discuss the issues with you gentlemen.

Now, down to business. Although I am a pacifist by nature, these various, pesky insurrections must cease. Although I have proven to the senate my capabilities in this area, them seem inclined to vote in my rival for the office of Praetor this term. That is fine, we can advance elsewhere.

Moving along to the Carthaginian issue, are there any here of the opinion that Carthage must be attacked? I think they have done nothing to warrant military action from the legions. Their behavior has been irritating, to say the least, but they are in good standing with the people and our government at the moment. Should they be attacked? Furthermore, at this point, are we capable (militarily and financially) to wage a costly war against the most powerful trade empire of the region?

[Winter]

The point is moot Praetor. Carthage has defied a clear warning from the Senate and the same Senate has already voted to declare war.

[Snowball]

Indeed. as for attacking Carthage itself in Africa i do not think we should endeavor. I am however steadfast in my opinion that their holdings in Sicily should be brought under our control, it is vital for us to gain more land.

[Pontifex Maximus]

If we are to do this, then, it should be done quickly and thoroughly. We must seize their island strongholds of Sardinia and move to capture Sicily. Their island colonies would only serve as a staging point for any invasion force headed to Italy.