[MN] There's Angry Men in Berlin

[Odinson]

The first day of March wouldn't be remembered as the best day that year. In a country already suffering with more than 3.5% unemployment, taxes had reached "bone-breaking" rates, as one local leader said. The fact that national taxes had reached so high quickly became a story that boiled over into the streets when a local semi-famous Berliner began a small demonstration outside of the Reichstag. Hundreds of other people joined the protest, which was entirely peaceful at the moment. Local reporters documented the events, and started speaking about it on the radio which attracted more people to the peaceful demonstration. The civilians were demanding lower national taxes.

@Fairhold

 

[Odinson]

Over the next two days, the protests did not seem to die down. In fact, the amount of people attending it continued to grow in number. By now, broadcasts had spread the news of the protests to around the country. This only further fueled the number of people attending them. Anyone who was unaware or not thinking of their high taxes of the moment, now at least had it in the back of their minds. The number of protesters quickly swelled to nearly a thousand over this two day period, and showed no signs of slowing. For now, the protests were still peaceful. Their demands were still clear: lower national taxes for the hard working people of Germany.

@Fairhold

 

[Bruno]

Taxed will be Lowered, even if they were contributing to the reorganization of the Former East Germany Portion and working to make the Armed Forces, at least Operational. However the people would be heard. Next Budget organization taxes will be lowered by half.

 

[Joe]

Klaus Mach, the Vietnamese Ambassaador to the Republic of Vietnam's Diplomatic Mission to Imperial Germany, walked up to the double wooden doors. A Vietnamese Marine, dressed in his impeccable winter dress blues, stood guard as still as a statue. In the Marine's gloved hands, he clutched onto a gleaming M14 rifle, the wood shining in the light.

"Good evening, sir," The Marine greeted, snapping to attention. "Trinh is waiting for you."

"Thank you, Corporal." Klaus responded, pushing open the doors and entering the room. "If history were taught in the form of stories-..."

"It would never be forgotten," Julie Trinh, the General Intelligence Directorate Attache responded. "Good evening, Ambassador Mach."

"Good evening to you, too Julie." Klaus said mildly. He slid off his fedora, placing it on the top of the coat rack. "Situation report?"

"I'll be quick, sir, I promise." Julie leaned forward in the leather chair. "The German government have issued a response. They folded and sliced the next fiscal budget in half. Reports are still sketchy and early but I don't think any extra security members other than more posted Marines will be required."

"That was quick," Klaus remarked. "Do we have any ideological concerns?"

"None as of yet," Julie said. "The protestors still have yet to disperse. The 'giddies' back home in the Office of Eastern European Affairs are wary that this might make the government look weak and susceptible to... subversive and pervasive governments..."

"What's your opinion?" Klaus cocked his head.

"I think it's a crock of shit."

"Hm..." Klaus muttered. "Perhaps a meeting with the Kaiser is in order."

"Yes, sir."

 

[Odinson]

Once the German government announced publicly that taxes would be lowered, the protests ended. While most of the people hadn't been angered enough to begin protesting, virtually everyone was thankful that taxes had been lowered. Despite the fact that this may have cut into the government's ability to rapidly expand its military, it did win over significant favor from the people. Praise for the central government came from across the country. The lowering of taxes was largely seen as an act of "respect for the working-man" as one major newspaper put it, instead of political capitulation. The people were now very content.

@Fairhold