Set in an alternate 1930s, Howard Scott of Technocracy Inc has done the impossible and become president of the United States of America. There's much work to be done to solve the mess of the price system has caused and usher forth the Great Resequencing.
Machine Men with Machine Minds: Technocracy Inc Plan Quest
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Introduction - Director Selection, 1933
New
===
Introduction - Director Selection, 1933
===
The Entente's defeat in the First World War had devastating impacts on America's economy. The European continental has fallen under the domination of German hegemony, though only after a great convulsion of violence that lasted years was put down. Communists nearly swept Eastern Europe and Berlin itself, only to be tragically crushed by the iron fist of the Heer and Freikorps. The Red Army was driven back to the Dnieper, where Lenin's successors attempted to build a functioning socialist state out of a war torn Russia. The Soviet Union's only ally to help ease this trying transition was the industrial juggernaut of the Brazilian Popular Republic.
Germany's new trade bloc Mitteleuropa subsequently raised tariffs on American goods to deny it access to European markets. America's allies of Britain, France, and Italy struggled to pay their war debts, now owing money to a victorious Germany in addition to Wall Street. France and Italy fell to right wing revolutionaries in 1919 when veteran paramilitaries and worker organisations seized power. Their subsequent governments put debt repayment to America on hold, indefinitely, and no negotiations could convince them otherwise.
The post war recession only ended in 1921 with a modest stabilisation brought about by increased trade with Britain and Asia. Though unemployment and union militancy remained a concern during that time, the economy looked like it was recovering, and prosperity was returning to the country bit by bit. The warning signs of deep economic insecurities were there though, and one group that sounded alarm bells the loudest was the emergent Technical Alliance.
Formed in Columbia University in 1919, the Technical Alliance functioned as a think tank that attracted numerous engineers, technicians, intellectuals, union organisers, and economists to itself. Its groundbreaking work was the Energy Survey of North America, documenting wasteful industrial practices by corporations and unexploited hydroelectric potential that held the potential to revolutionise production on the continent. The group soon ballooned into a political advocacy group that networked with unions and progressives in other states, forming the core of a movement that argued for the rationalisation of the American economy. It put itself to work acting as consultants to reorganise firms and advise state governments on economic and technological matters, though their pro-economic planning stance made them many political opponents.
Its most prominent member was an engineer by trade, Howard Scott. The man lacked any academic background, but bluffed his way into the upper echelon of the nascent group with his on the job experience, decent grasp of numbers and engineering concepts, and absolute confidence bordering on arrogance about his expertise. Strongheaded and highly opinionated, it was a miracle that he didn't split the movement several times in disagreements with colleagues. It was during the 20s that he began taking public speaking lessons, at the advice of his close friends. It proved a wise decision that removed his stage fright induced stutter and voice cracking.
Their time to shine came in 1926, when Britain defaulted on its war debts. The bankrupt nation was unable to maintain its payments to America. This sent shockwaves through the fragile economy of the United States, ending the short lived prosperity with yet another recession. President Coolidge deferred to economic orthodoxy by refusing to intervene, despite worsening conditions. In 1929 his successor, Herbert Hoover, maintained even stricter non-interference policies, even as the recession failed to end on its own. Contrary to financial experts, the market was not correcting.
It became apparent to everyone that America had entered into a Great Depression when unemployment reached over 30% and thousands of banks closed. The situation went from bad to worse when the Midwest and Great Plains suffered an environmental catastrophe as farmers eroded the topsoil through overproduction, hoping to turn a profit to make ends meet. The dry, overworked soil was kicked up by windstorms, producing massive dust storms that covered entire towns and buried homesteads in dust. The Dust Bowl caused hundreds of thousands of displaced farmers to desperately flee to the coasts, searching for a job.
The traditional party system broke down as the Democrats and Republicans struggled to provide answers to the mounting problem. They were bleeding membership to Progressives, Farmer-Labor, Socialists, Communists, Fascists, Futurists, and National Syndicalists. In fact, the Republicans were committed to tripling down on doing nothing, when Andre Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury for Coolidge and Hoover, won the nomination on a platform of doing even more nothing. It went further than doing nothing as Mellon promised to use the power of the federal government to shut down state government's recovery initiatives in order to "stop them from distorting the market and prolonging the crisis." Mellon remained committed to staying the course despite their plummeting popularity.
The Democrats found themselves on the back foot too. The Northern and Southern Branches couldn't readily agree on a candidate, lacking an unifying popular figure. In a divisive knife fight between southerner William H. Murrary, former New York Governor Al Smith, and populist Huey Long, the conservative segregationist eked out an extremely unlikely win. Voters in northern and midwestern states were demotivated to show up, while state parties bit the bullet to reach across the aisle to form fusion tickets in battleground states.
The Technical Alliance underwent its own rebranding into Technocracy Incorporated. In spite of Scott's insistence that it was not a political party, its leadership and rank and file members campaigned like a political party. Howard Scott found himself running for president, campaigning on delivering technical expertise to solve the failures of capitalism and rationalise the economy through government planning. It was an eclectic mix of anti-populist rhetoric coupled with its political allies rallying supporters by promising radical change to end the Great Depression. It secured strong alliances with Northern Democrats, Wisconsin Progressives, Minnesota Farmer-Labor, Socialist Party of America, surviving IWW members, and Californian Republicans, cementing themselves at the centre of a powerful political coalition.
Drawn to the movement too were fascists inspired by the corporatist policies of Italy and France, yet outright facism was rejected as too populist and reactionary by Technocracy Inc's leadership. It was a matter of personal taste over the aesthetics of politics, rather than any grounded distaste for the movements. In addition, Technocracy Inc spurred any alliance with the Communist Party of the United States of America to distinguish itself on the national stage. Though it managed to pick up the nominal support of breakaway communist groups that left the CPUSA over disagreements with Foster and Browder leadership.
Come election, in an unlikely series of events, Technocracy Inc gained the second most electoral votes, second only to the Republicans in the 1932 presidential election. Neither won an electoral majority needed to win the White House, so the decision went to Congress. It was there that Democrats were faced with a deal with the devil, and in the end voted in favour of Technocracy Inc to stop the Republicans from winning a third consecutive term. Howard Scott and his running mate Walter Rautenstrauch became the first third party candidates to win the presidency. Scott was sworn into office in March, 1933 as the 32nd President of the United States of America.
In the first hundred days in office, President Scott signed numerous new agencies into being to fight the Great Depression. The most important is an experimental office to implement economic planning in America. It took some inspiration from Woodrow Wilson's wartime administrations that oversaw sections of the economy, except much more ambitious in scale. It didn't go nearly as far as the president wanted it too, but it was a start. Its task was to coordinate the government's efforts in lowering unemployment, ending the Dust Bowl, and restoring industrial output, yielding unmatched federal power in the history of the country. It was a fight to even sign it into law, but barely passing meant it passed. The only question was who would lead the new organisation?
Pick one.
[ ] Frederick L. Ackerman: Born July 9, 1878, he received an education as an architect in 1901 from Cornell University, and worked on planned community projects Sunnyside in 1924 and Radburn in 1928. He was an original member of the Technical Alliance, the precourses to Technocracy Inc, and contributor to the movement. In real life, Ackerman oversaw the urban renewal of tenant buildings in New York City in 1935 by the New York City Housing Authority, resulting in the construction of the First Houses. Here, his political loyalty and experience made him an obvious candidate to lead the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
[ ] Marion King Hubbert: Born October 5, 1903, he was a geologist and geophysicist that contributed greatly to the field of geology. He received his Bachelor of Science in 1926 and Master of Science in 1928 from the University of Chicago. A long time member of the Technocracy movement, he directly contributed to its foundational texts of energy accounting and economic planning. In real life, King Hubbert worked for the Amerada Petroleum Company, taught geophysics at Columbia University, served as a senior analyst on the Board of Economic Warfare during WW2, and worked for Shell Oil Company until retirement in 1964. He later developed peak oil 'theory.' Here, his connections meant he easily found himself in charge of the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
[ ] Harold L. Ickes: Born March 15, 1874, he received a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1907. He entered into politics afterwards, joining Theodore Roosevelts' Bull Moose party in 1912. A lifelong progressive, when the party folded with the Republican Party he often clashed with the political establishment in Chicago. In real life, Ickes served as FDR's Secretary of the Interior from 1933 to 1946 and was chairman of the Public Works Administration (PWA) from 1933 to 1939, overseeing the construction of numerous megaprojects during the 30s. Here, he's been recommended by coalition members who want to put a Progressive Republican in charge of the United States Civilian Planning Administration to appease Congress.
[ ] Rexford Tugwell: Born July 10, 1891, he studied economics at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and got his doctorate at Columbia University. He approved of Wilson's government industrial planning during WW1, seeing it as a successful experiment in economic planning. In real life, Tugwell served in FDR's Brain Trust of experts and advisors to tackle the Great Depression in 1932, became the Director of New York City Planning Commission in 1938, and Governor of Puerto Rico in 1941, before returning to academia in 1946. Here, his outspoken support for economic planning and experience meant he was fast tracked to the position as head of the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
[ ] Robert Moses: Born December 18, 1888, he earned a Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University in 1914. Soon after he made a name for himself in New York City by tackling the corruption of Tammy Hall and patronage networks that dominated city politics. It's no small irony then that his rise in prominence came from attaching himself to New York governor Al Smith in 1919, whereupon he gained considerable influence. In real life, Robert Moses used federal funding available from FDR's New Deal to make many of his proposals a reality. He directly reshaped New York City's landscape, often for the worse, and did so without ever holding an elected office.
Here, his connection to New York officials and ability to navigate politics has secured him a position as head of the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
[ ] James P. Cannon: Born February 11, 1890, he joined the Socialist Party of America (SPA) in 1908 and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1911. He was personally trained by "Big Bill" Haywood, head of the IWW, and is an experienced union organiser. In 1928 he was expelled from the Communist Party of the United States of America over disagreements with its leadership. Since then he's become a follower of Leon Trotsky, and a key member of the leftmost faction of the coalition. In real life, James P. Cannon founded a new socialist political party that merged with other Trotskyist parties in 1934 and 1938.
Here, he represents a major concession to the IWW by granting him control over the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
12 Hour Moratorium
===
Welcome to the Technocracy Inc Plan Quest! This is heavily inspired by Blackstar's long running and award winning Attempting to Fulfill the Plan MNKh Edition.
It's a plan quest, so if you're reading this you probably know how it works. If not, you've got three things to manage: dice, generic resources, and political support. Actions cost dice and resources to implement, and sometimes have a political cost to them as well. You'll see how it works when we get to turn 1.
There'll be a few changes. This quest will be using d50s in place of d100s, so each 'dice' assigned per project will in fact represent 2d50s, instead of 1d100. Dice will be assigned as if they were a 1d100 for the sake of bookkeeping. That way the dice quantity isn't unreasonable to keep track of. Bonuses to dice will apply to each d50. That's to provide more consistent results and bonuses to dice rolls, since d100s are extremely random. The chance of failure is part of the game, but the chaotic nature of it can make it unfun.
As you've no doubt noticed, the support system has been tweaked too. That's because America is not a Marxist-Leninist party-state, so you unfortunately have to contend with other political parties trying to influence politics. They will take issue with certain actions you take, and attempt to use their power to undermine your decisions in favour of their own. Since this is the honeymoon period after a major victory, support across all categories is sitting at a comfortable 55 out of 100. Do not expect that to last.
Congressional Support: 55/100
Represents how much Congress tolerates your position in office. Unfortunately, since democracy still matters if it drops too low that's a problem. Congress will impeach you and force President Scott to appoint a new candidate, a process which they will stonewall until they get one they like.
Coalition Support: 55/100
Represents how much your political allies support your decisions and general cohesion of the coalition. If it drops too low, Coalition members will leave, depending on policies passed or blocked, weakening President Scott's government and forcing him to replace you to win back their support to avoid a rudderless presidency.
Party Support: 55/100
Represents how much of an ice chewing number cruncher you are, and if President Scott thinks you're a sycophant in his corner or not. If it drops too low, you'll be deemed unreliable, forced to resign, and replaced by someone more pliable to President Scott's vision.
The following vote will determine the prioritisation and funding allocation of the first four year plan. Your initial goal will be to tackle the Great Depression, though long term, it's to survive Howard Scott's wild ride and establish the North American Technate. Good luck.
Introduction - Director Selection, 1933
===
The Entente's defeat in the First World War had devastating impacts on America's economy. The European continental has fallen under the domination of German hegemony, though only after a great convulsion of violence that lasted years was put down. Communists nearly swept Eastern Europe and Berlin itself, only to be tragically crushed by the iron fist of the Heer and Freikorps. The Red Army was driven back to the Dnieper, where Lenin's successors attempted to build a functioning socialist state out of a war torn Russia. The Soviet Union's only ally to help ease this trying transition was the industrial juggernaut of the Brazilian Popular Republic.
Germany's new trade bloc Mitteleuropa subsequently raised tariffs on American goods to deny it access to European markets. America's allies of Britain, France, and Italy struggled to pay their war debts, now owing money to a victorious Germany in addition to Wall Street. France and Italy fell to right wing revolutionaries in 1919 when veteran paramilitaries and worker organisations seized power. Their subsequent governments put debt repayment to America on hold, indefinitely, and no negotiations could convince them otherwise.
The post war recession only ended in 1921 with a modest stabilisation brought about by increased trade with Britain and Asia. Though unemployment and union militancy remained a concern during that time, the economy looked like it was recovering, and prosperity was returning to the country bit by bit. The warning signs of deep economic insecurities were there though, and one group that sounded alarm bells the loudest was the emergent Technical Alliance.
Formed in Columbia University in 1919, the Technical Alliance functioned as a think tank that attracted numerous engineers, technicians, intellectuals, union organisers, and economists to itself. Its groundbreaking work was the Energy Survey of North America, documenting wasteful industrial practices by corporations and unexploited hydroelectric potential that held the potential to revolutionise production on the continent. The group soon ballooned into a political advocacy group that networked with unions and progressives in other states, forming the core of a movement that argued for the rationalisation of the American economy. It put itself to work acting as consultants to reorganise firms and advise state governments on economic and technological matters, though their pro-economic planning stance made them many political opponents.
Its most prominent member was an engineer by trade, Howard Scott. The man lacked any academic background, but bluffed his way into the upper echelon of the nascent group with his on the job experience, decent grasp of numbers and engineering concepts, and absolute confidence bordering on arrogance about his expertise. Strongheaded and highly opinionated, it was a miracle that he didn't split the movement several times in disagreements with colleagues. It was during the 20s that he began taking public speaking lessons, at the advice of his close friends. It proved a wise decision that removed his stage fright induced stutter and voice cracking.
Their time to shine came in 1926, when Britain defaulted on its war debts. The bankrupt nation was unable to maintain its payments to America. This sent shockwaves through the fragile economy of the United States, ending the short lived prosperity with yet another recession. President Coolidge deferred to economic orthodoxy by refusing to intervene, despite worsening conditions. In 1929 his successor, Herbert Hoover, maintained even stricter non-interference policies, even as the recession failed to end on its own. Contrary to financial experts, the market was not correcting.
It became apparent to everyone that America had entered into a Great Depression when unemployment reached over 30% and thousands of banks closed. The situation went from bad to worse when the Midwest and Great Plains suffered an environmental catastrophe as farmers eroded the topsoil through overproduction, hoping to turn a profit to make ends meet. The dry, overworked soil was kicked up by windstorms, producing massive dust storms that covered entire towns and buried homesteads in dust. The Dust Bowl caused hundreds of thousands of displaced farmers to desperately flee to the coasts, searching for a job.
The traditional party system broke down as the Democrats and Republicans struggled to provide answers to the mounting problem. They were bleeding membership to Progressives, Farmer-Labor, Socialists, Communists, Fascists, Futurists, and National Syndicalists. In fact, the Republicans were committed to tripling down on doing nothing, when Andre Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury for Coolidge and Hoover, won the nomination on a platform of doing even more nothing. It went further than doing nothing as Mellon promised to use the power of the federal government to shut down state government's recovery initiatives in order to "stop them from distorting the market and prolonging the crisis." Mellon remained committed to staying the course despite their plummeting popularity.
The Democrats found themselves on the back foot too. The Northern and Southern Branches couldn't readily agree on a candidate, lacking an unifying popular figure. In a divisive knife fight between southerner William H. Murrary, former New York Governor Al Smith, and populist Huey Long, the conservative segregationist eked out an extremely unlikely win. Voters in northern and midwestern states were demotivated to show up, while state parties bit the bullet to reach across the aisle to form fusion tickets in battleground states.
The Technical Alliance underwent its own rebranding into Technocracy Incorporated. In spite of Scott's insistence that it was not a political party, its leadership and rank and file members campaigned like a political party. Howard Scott found himself running for president, campaigning on delivering technical expertise to solve the failures of capitalism and rationalise the economy through government planning. It was an eclectic mix of anti-populist rhetoric coupled with its political allies rallying supporters by promising radical change to end the Great Depression. It secured strong alliances with Northern Democrats, Wisconsin Progressives, Minnesota Farmer-Labor, Socialist Party of America, surviving IWW members, and Californian Republicans, cementing themselves at the centre of a powerful political coalition.
Drawn to the movement too were fascists inspired by the corporatist policies of Italy and France, yet outright facism was rejected as too populist and reactionary by Technocracy Inc's leadership. It was a matter of personal taste over the aesthetics of politics, rather than any grounded distaste for the movements. In addition, Technocracy Inc spurred any alliance with the Communist Party of the United States of America to distinguish itself on the national stage. Though it managed to pick up the nominal support of breakaway communist groups that left the CPUSA over disagreements with Foster and Browder leadership.
Come election, in an unlikely series of events, Technocracy Inc gained the second most electoral votes, second only to the Republicans in the 1932 presidential election. Neither won an electoral majority needed to win the White House, so the decision went to Congress. It was there that Democrats were faced with a deal with the devil, and in the end voted in favour of Technocracy Inc to stop the Republicans from winning a third consecutive term. Howard Scott and his running mate Walter Rautenstrauch became the first third party candidates to win the presidency. Scott was sworn into office in March, 1933 as the 32nd President of the United States of America.
In the first hundred days in office, President Scott signed numerous new agencies into being to fight the Great Depression. The most important is an experimental office to implement economic planning in America. It took some inspiration from Woodrow Wilson's wartime administrations that oversaw sections of the economy, except much more ambitious in scale. It didn't go nearly as far as the president wanted it too, but it was a start. Its task was to coordinate the government's efforts in lowering unemployment, ending the Dust Bowl, and restoring industrial output, yielding unmatched federal power in the history of the country. It was a fight to even sign it into law, but barely passing meant it passed. The only question was who would lead the new organisation?
Pick one.
[ ] Frederick L. Ackerman: Born July 9, 1878, he received an education as an architect in 1901 from Cornell University, and worked on planned community projects Sunnyside in 1924 and Radburn in 1928. He was an original member of the Technical Alliance, the precourses to Technocracy Inc, and contributor to the movement. In real life, Ackerman oversaw the urban renewal of tenant buildings in New York City in 1935 by the New York City Housing Authority, resulting in the construction of the First Houses. Here, his political loyalty and experience made him an obvious candidate to lead the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
- Old Guard Technocrat (starts with +15 Party Support, and +5 Party Support a turn)
- True Believer (will not deviate from President Scott's vision, unlocks additional options to expand technocratic influence)
- Architect (+10 to housing related rolls and services rolls)
- Experienced managing projects (+5 to all rolls)
- Competent administrator (+5 to all rolls)
[ ] Marion King Hubbert: Born October 5, 1903, he was a geologist and geophysicist that contributed greatly to the field of geology. He received his Bachelor of Science in 1926 and Master of Science in 1928 from the University of Chicago. A long time member of the Technocracy movement, he directly contributed to its foundational texts of energy accounting and economic planning. In real life, King Hubbert worked for the Amerada Petroleum Company, taught geophysics at Columbia University, served as a senior analyst on the Board of Economic Warfare during WW2, and worked for Shell Oil Company until retirement in 1964. He later developed peak oil 'theory.' Here, his connections meant he easily found himself in charge of the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
- Co-Founder of Technocracy Inc. (starts with +30 Party Support, +5 Party Support a turn)
- True Believer (Will not deviate from President Scott's vision, unlocks additional options to expand technocratic influence)
- Personal friends with Howard Scott (Can survive low Party Support and Coalition Support, and has lower support costs for choices)
- Dabbles in economics (+5 to all non-petrochemical rolls)
- Geologist that really knows oil (+20 to all petrochemical related rolls)
[ ] Harold L. Ickes: Born March 15, 1874, he received a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1907. He entered into politics afterwards, joining Theodore Roosevelts' Bull Moose party in 1912. A lifelong progressive, when the party folded with the Republican Party he often clashed with the political establishment in Chicago. In real life, Ickes served as FDR's Secretary of the Interior from 1933 to 1946 and was chairman of the Public Works Administration (PWA) from 1933 to 1939, overseeing the construction of numerous megaprojects during the 30s. Here, he's been recommended by coalition members who want to put a Progressive Republican in charge of the United States Civilian Planning Administration to appease Congress.
- Progressive Republican (starts with +10 Congressional Support and Coalition Support, -5 Party Support a turn)
- Skilled orator and experienced political operator (+5 Congressional Support and Coalition Support a turn)
- Knows how the sausage is made (unlocks pork barrel options to gain additional support and funding)
- Years of experience in local government (+5 to all rolls)
- Favours construction machinery for projects over shovels and picks (+10 to all infrastructure and heavy industry rolls)
- An avid civil rights advocate (unlocks options to tackle segregation)
[ ] Rexford Tugwell: Born July 10, 1891, he studied economics at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and got his doctorate at Columbia University. He approved of Wilson's government industrial planning during WW1, seeing it as a successful experiment in economic planning. In real life, Tugwell served in FDR's Brain Trust of experts and advisors to tackle the Great Depression in 1932, became the Director of New York City Planning Commission in 1938, and Governor of Puerto Rico in 1941, before returning to academia in 1946. Here, his outspoken support for economic planning and experience meant he was fast tracked to the position as head of the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
- Member of the Progressive Party (starts with +5 Coalition Support, +5 Coalition Support a turn)
- Advocate of economic planning (+5 to all rolls, -5 Congressional Support a turn)
- Economist (+10 to all rolls)
- Interested in agricultural modernization and industrial agronomics (+5 to all agriculture rolls)
[ ] Robert Moses: Born December 18, 1888, he earned a Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University in 1914. Soon after he made a name for himself in New York City by tackling the corruption of Tammy Hall and patronage networks that dominated city politics. It's no small irony then that his rise in prominence came from attaching himself to New York governor Al Smith in 1919, whereupon he gained considerable influence. In real life, Robert Moses used federal funding available from FDR's New Deal to make many of his proposals a reality. He directly reshaped New York City's landscape, often for the worse, and did so without ever holding an elected office.
Here, his connection to New York officials and ability to navigate politics has secured him a position as head of the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
- Veteran of New York politics and administrations (+5 to all rolls)
- Experienced at navigating patronage networks (+ 5 Coalition and Congressional Support a turn, can survive low Party, Coalition, and Congressional Support, and has lower support costs for choices)
- The man really loves his cars (+15 to all car dependent infrastructure rolls: roads, bridges, parking lots, and tunnels)
- The man really hates poor people (-15 to all rail, trolley, metro, or bus related infrastructure rolls)
- Extremely racist to boot (all projects deliberately affect black communities negatively if possible)
[ ] James P. Cannon: Born February 11, 1890, he joined the Socialist Party of America (SPA) in 1908 and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1911. He was personally trained by "Big Bill" Haywood, head of the IWW, and is an experienced union organiser. In 1928 he was expelled from the Communist Party of the United States of America over disagreements with its leadership. Since then he's become a follower of Leon Trotsky, and a key member of the leftmost faction of the coalition. In real life, James P. Cannon founded a new socialist political party that merged with other Trotskyist parties in 1934 and 1938.
Here, he represents a major concession to the IWW by granting him control over the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
- Honest to good actual Trotskyist (starts with -20 Congressional Support, +5 Coalition Support, and -5 Party Support, -5 Congressional Support a turn)
- Friends on the other side (unlocks options to add Trotskyists to the coalition)
- One Big Unionism (unlocks options to incorporate the IWW into the administration)
- Taught by the best union organisers in the country (+5 to all rolls)
- Experienced party administrator (+10 to all bureaucracy rolls)
12 Hour Moratorium
===
Welcome to the Technocracy Inc Plan Quest! This is heavily inspired by Blackstar's long running and award winning Attempting to Fulfill the Plan MNKh Edition.
It's a plan quest, so if you're reading this you probably know how it works. If not, you've got three things to manage: dice, generic resources, and political support. Actions cost dice and resources to implement, and sometimes have a political cost to them as well. You'll see how it works when we get to turn 1.
There'll be a few changes. This quest will be using d50s in place of d100s, so each 'dice' assigned per project will in fact represent 2d50s, instead of 1d100. Dice will be assigned as if they were a 1d100 for the sake of bookkeeping. That way the dice quantity isn't unreasonable to keep track of. Bonuses to dice will apply to each d50. That's to provide more consistent results and bonuses to dice rolls, since d100s are extremely random. The chance of failure is part of the game, but the chaotic nature of it can make it unfun.
As you've no doubt noticed, the support system has been tweaked too. That's because America is not a Marxist-Leninist party-state, so you unfortunately have to contend with other political parties trying to influence politics. They will take issue with certain actions you take, and attempt to use their power to undermine your decisions in favour of their own. Since this is the honeymoon period after a major victory, support across all categories is sitting at a comfortable 55 out of 100. Do not expect that to last.
Congressional Support: 55/100
Represents how much Congress tolerates your position in office. Unfortunately, since democracy still matters if it drops too low that's a problem. Congress will impeach you and force President Scott to appoint a new candidate, a process which they will stonewall until they get one they like.
Coalition Support: 55/100
Represents how much your political allies support your decisions and general cohesion of the coalition. If it drops too low, Coalition members will leave, depending on policies passed or blocked, weakening President Scott's government and forcing him to replace you to win back their support to avoid a rudderless presidency.
Party Support: 55/100
Represents how much of an ice chewing number cruncher you are, and if President Scott thinks you're a sycophant in his corner or not. If it drops too low, you'll be deemed unreliable, forced to resign, and replaced by someone more pliable to President Scott's vision.
The following vote will determine the prioritisation and funding allocation of the first four year plan. Your initial goal will be to tackle the Great Depression, though long term, it's to survive Howard Scott's wild ride and establish the North American Technate. Good luck.
Last edited:
Frostbyght
Not Dead Yet
- Pronouns
- He/Him
As long as we don't pick Moses, I'll be a happy camper.
- Location
- USA
Yeah big no to Moses, I do like Ickles- can tackle segregation and two of the supports get +5 a turn though we would have to make sure we shore up party support each turn. Ackerman would be a nice pick as well with a +20 to all rolls that will help out a lot.
Frostbyght
Not Dead Yet
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Ickles isn't a bad choice, although Hubbert appeals to me (Drill baby, drill! We can solve a Depression with Oil, right?).
Tugwell' not a bad pick either. God knows the dustbowl could use some attention. The drop-off of Congressional Support will hurt though.
Tugwell' not a bad pick either. God knows the dustbowl could use some attention. The drop-off of Congressional Support will hurt though.
dex10awesome
Anarcho-Determinist
- Location
- Australia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
So, evidently our main concern is securing our place in all of this. These are all fascinating, though obviously the joke option of Moses can be safely ignored. 
So, we have three priorities: Securing our Predominance in Politics and Institutions, Key Political Changes, and Project Completion.
Building the associating between technocracy and getting out of the Great Depression is going to be key, along with any other reforms that we might have. Our best chance is through a mixture of relatively decent public support but also the undemocratic support of institutional power. We won by the skin of our teeth and only through a congressional coup, thus we need to really shore up things. Our continued survival clearly is only due to the incompetence of our enemies and we have no idea how long that will continue.
This means Cannon is likely the worst option (but by far the MOST INTERESTING) because of the sheer danger (but in terms of going out with a massive impact and popularization of socialist ideas it is tempting and I definitely wouldn't be opposed). This means that those without constantly losing support don't need to fight a constant battle to survive and constantly complete projects that would boost support but not necessarily keep our place.
My suggestion for this is simple: Fredrick Ackerman. He is competent in rolls, he does not cost us support and he can give further institutional power to the technocratic movement. Moreover, we have no idea if WW2 will occur, but building up a staunch industrial base and a stable political system with what we have, is for the best.
Picking others would likely mean losing control (which I have no idea if that means the plan quest shifts or ends prematurely), both due to other movements gaining predominance and the sheer instability that they will end up causing.
So, we have three priorities: Securing our Predominance in Politics and Institutions, Key Political Changes, and Project Completion.
Building the associating between technocracy and getting out of the Great Depression is going to be key, along with any other reforms that we might have. Our best chance is through a mixture of relatively decent public support but also the undemocratic support of institutional power. We won by the skin of our teeth and only through a congressional coup, thus we need to really shore up things. Our continued survival clearly is only due to the incompetence of our enemies and we have no idea how long that will continue.
This means Cannon is likely the worst option (but by far the MOST INTERESTING) because of the sheer danger (but in terms of going out with a massive impact and popularization of socialist ideas it is tempting and I definitely wouldn't be opposed). This means that those without constantly losing support don't need to fight a constant battle to survive and constantly complete projects that would boost support but not necessarily keep our place.
My suggestion for this is simple: Fredrick Ackerman. He is competent in rolls, he does not cost us support and he can give further institutional power to the technocratic movement. Moreover, we have no idea if WW2 will occur, but building up a staunch industrial base and a stable political system with what we have, is for the best.
Picking others would likely mean losing control (which I have no idea if that means the plan quest shifts or ends prematurely), both due to other movements gaining predominance and the sheer instability that they will end up causing.
nachtingale
19. On that "honk, mimimi" type beat everyday.
- Location
- Malaysia
- Pronouns
- He/They
[X] Robert Moses
LET'S GO MOSES DESTROY THOSE LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS RAHHHH
LET'S GO MOSES DESTROY THOSE LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS RAHHHH
Anchises
Leader of the Coconut Tree Fremen
- Location
- Germany
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Like Moses is the exact kind of "professional" a political movement that is in denial about being a party would pick. He thrived in a New Deal environment historically and under Technocracy his allure would be amplified. The anti-corruption narrative and his expertise would make him seem like the perfect choice.
edit: He also isn't a front row figure of national politics but has experience. I assume Technocracy would try to distance itself from previous administrations and deliberately pick second row functionaries somewhat removed from the Washington stink.
edit: He also isn't a front row figure of national politics but has experience. I assume Technocracy would try to distance itself from previous administrations and deliberately pick second row functionaries somewhat removed from the Washington stink.
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Listen if we're playing as the Technate I want to fully embrace the madness that entails.
[ ] Marion King Hubbert
[ ] Frederick L. Ackerman
Edit: And a vote for Moses, I like Anchises' logic when it comes to RPing this out and I think it would be funny to see SV handle having to actively neglect train infrastructure.
[ ] Robert Moses
[ ] Marion King Hubbert
[ ] Frederick L. Ackerman
Edit: And a vote for Moses, I like Anchises' logic when it comes to RPing this out and I think it would be funny to see SV handle having to actively neglect train infrastructure.
[ ] Robert Moses
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
[] Frederick L. Ackerman
If we're embracing this, I choose Ackerman.
If we're embracing this, I choose Ackerman.
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Frostbyght
Not Dead Yet
- Pronouns
- He/Him
There's a 12 Hour Moratorium folks.
Voting isn't open yet and you can only pick one candidate.
- Pronouns
- He/Him/They/Them
What's the IWW's current relation with Technocracy?
Upon further reflection, Ackerman's architect bonus has been revised to apply only to housing related rolls and services rolls to better reflect his the work he did in real life. He designed apartments, not industrial parks or hydroelectric dams.
Howard Scott kept writing for them and other Technical Alliance members did work with them one Big Union fits Technocracy's desire for centralization and standardization. Why have all these pointless unions when you could have one single union?
Howard Scott kept writing for them and other Technical Alliance members did work with them one Big Union fits Technocracy's desire for centralization and standardization. Why have all these pointless unions when you could have one single union?
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hubbert is my pick!
MaironHWH
Fruity Little Know It All (Derogatory)
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[ ] Write In - Senator Huey Long
hearing big things about this guy, apparently the Archangel Gabriel has possessed him after a car crash and now he's dedicated to a true Jeffersonian Dictatorship. also he will abolish prohibition
hearing big things about this guy, apparently the Archangel Gabriel has possessed him after a car crash and now he's dedicated to a true Jeffersonian Dictatorship. also he will abolish prohibition
- Location
- The observable universe
Either Ickes or Tugwell for me, we need those modernization options
bookwyrm
Doom of Public Libraries
- Location
- Wichita, Kansas
[ ] Rexford Tugwell: Born July 10, 1891, he studied economics at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and got his doctorate at Columbia University. He approved of Wilson's government industrial planning during WW1, seeing it as a successful experiment in economic planning. In real life, Tugwell served in FDR's Brain Trust of experts and advisors to tackle the Great Depression in 1932, became the Director of New York City Planning Commission in 1938, and Governor of Puerto Rico in 1941, before returning to academia in 1946. Here, his outspoken support for economic planning and experience meant he was fast tracked to the position as head of the United States Civilian Planning Administration.
Picking this because I think on an rp level it will be a really really interesting dynamic as a kinda OTLish ostensible professional steady hand as viewpoint into the Technocracy, and it would be really fun to duck and weave around either pretending we never even heard of Scott if he and his flame out and then also steadily climbing up into the inner clique if they solidify themselves as the administers of the American state. Plus, I think Rex is really our man in terms of someone from the New-Dealer radlb tradition who can be just as crazy as the Technocrats. (the dude wrote out a constitution for a proposed Newstates of America with a life peerage senate, massively expanded civil rights, and also an election board in charge of all elections pushed up to one of the six branches of government)
And then on the mechanical and practical side of things, American agriculture pre-electrification, pre-revitalized study of forestry and conservation, etc..., etc..., is definitely the number one great satan of any form of high modernist America, progressive or otherwise. Hell even Hoover had some, grossly inadequate, farm rescue shit in response to the Great Depression, along with the Republican orthodoxy of saving banks and keeping the dollar strong and then just waiting out the consumer crunch and squeeze on actual people.
Picking this because I think on an rp level it will be a really really interesting dynamic as a kinda OTLish ostensible professional steady hand as viewpoint into the Technocracy, and it would be really fun to duck and weave around either pretending we never even heard of Scott if he and his flame out and then also steadily climbing up into the inner clique if they solidify themselves as the administers of the American state. Plus, I think Rex is really our man in terms of someone from the New-Dealer radlb tradition who can be just as crazy as the Technocrats. (the dude wrote out a constitution for a proposed Newstates of America with a life peerage senate, massively expanded civil rights, and also an election board in charge of all elections pushed up to one of the six branches of government)
And then on the mechanical and practical side of things, American agriculture pre-electrification, pre-revitalized study of forestry and conservation, etc..., etc..., is definitely the number one great satan of any form of high modernist America, progressive or otherwise. Hell even Hoover had some, grossly inadequate, farm rescue shit in response to the Great Depression, along with the Republican orthodoxy of saving banks and keeping the dollar strong and then just waiting out the consumer crunch and squeeze on actual people.
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Theaxofwar
Definitely not a Bunny Cat in disguise.
- Location
- Standing right behind you
I am joining the Anyone But Robert Moses caucus
- Location
- Fort Worth, TX
[ ] Frederick L. Ackerman
- Pronouns
- He/Him/They/Them
[ ] Marion King Hubbert
[ ] Rexford Tugwell
[ ] Frederick L. Ackerman
[ ] Rexford Tugwell
[ ] Frederick L. Ackerman
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always_confused
Perpetually unwanted
- Location
- SEA
Willing to rp vote for Moses but my personal preference is Ackerman.