If there is one thing that network news loves, it's press conferences. They don't have to do anything but allow the livestream to play on their frequencies, and today Treasury Secretary of the Independent Systems Consortium was giving them that very gift. In addition to giving the network news a small respite from filling airtime with political posturing and arguing, York himself had shown to provide decent enough ratings with his polished good looks and the scandals that he always seemed to dodge unfazed and unharmed. As the stations all over the galaxy switched to his livestream, they would be greeted with York in a full, tailored business suit behind a pedestal with the ISC logo emblazoned for all to see.
"Fellow citizens of the galaxy, as Secretary of the Treasury for the Independent Systems Consortium, in these uncertain times, I come to you in high spirits and with promising news from the ISC. Leadership involves looking at the current reality and confronting the brutal facts. To that end, the leadership of the FWA and New Republic have failed in their call for leadership, especially as it pertains to an economic recovery that has been fueled by war, a pandemic, and most recently, the splitting of the FWA and the formation of the New Republic by the Core Worlds and many inside the Inner Rim."
With a small sigh and a short shrug, York continued. "The hastiness of this split without considering the economic impact of their own planets and systems is an unfortunate testimony to why both the FWA and the New Republic have struggled to see economic growth. Their banks war with each other over control to determine the value of what has long been the galactic standard currency- the Galactic Standard Credit. Unfortunately, this standard unit has been torn to shreds in an economic power struggle between the two factions, resulting in a severe devaluation. The standard credit has devalued over 20% since the start of the AMS pandemic, and the rate of decline has increased since the split of the FWA. Economic uncertainty is what this split brought the galaxy, and it came at the worst possible time."
York would smile, foreshadowing a potential solution. "Fortunately, the ISC isn't involved in this quibble. We have been busy building our infrastructure, closing gaps in our supply chains, and making life better for the citizens inside our borders. Our planets and systems work together to defend each other and build our economies so that our manufacturing planets and can focus on creating finish goods, our agricultural planets can focus on providing food in such abundance that it can be sold at a price that benefits both the buyer and seller. This allows our untouched planets that are thick with jungles and forests and caves and untouched metal ore veins and other abundant natural resources to benefit from their natural bounty like never before."
York's smile ebbed away, and his hands grabbed both sides of the podium. "As such, the Central Bank of the Consortium will soon be issuing its own currency, the Consortium Crown. The Crown will not be backed by idle promises like the Republic Credits are backed by assurances in smokey back rooms of Coruscant under shady deals that ensure the wealthy stay on top and the poor stay at the bottom. The Crown will be backed by valued goods- everything from precious metals to rare gases stored in secret vaults. At first issuance, our calculations would put the Crown equal to 1.21 Republic Credits. The Crown will only improve it's exchange rate to the Republic Credit as our economies become more integrated, our supply chains complete, and as more systems agree to become part of the Consortium. All this at a time when the businesses and industries inside the FWA and New Republic are infighting, devaluing the currency of the past."
Leaning forward, he intended to draw the viewer in, queuing a call to action. "Independent planets and systems, or planets in the FWA or New Republic that want to do business a different way, a coherent way, a way that is clearly navigating these turbulent times better than the FWA or the New Republic, our door is open to you. If you have been using the standard Credit as your currency or the wupiupi or any of the other countless denominations of currency that have seen their value plummet in this economic climate, you have a lifeline. Through membership in the Consortium, you get access to the Central Bank and you can begin exchanging your currencies for the Consortium Crown. As your government and your citizens put your faith in the Crown, you will see the value of your currency increase which means more wealth simply for changing currency. If you stay with the standard, I assure you, the opposite will continue to happen. In addition, we have fewer regulations and a much more flexible taxation system that fits individual planetary needs and stimulates business. Unlike the FWA or the New Republic, the success of the ISC depends on the Independent success of our member planets. We are stronger together when we are stronger individually, so all member planets and systems are committed to helping other member planets in their economic pathways."
Leaning back, a slight nod would signal that he was nearing the conclusion of his address. "The ISC is unlike any confederation ever to exist on such a scale in the galaxy. We don't have a powerful central planet like Coruscant that can dictate the rules to everyone else. We work together as a consortium to help each other, and by doing so, we help all of us. These are exciting times in a challenging era. Our insistence on collaboration ensures our mutual success. You could be collaborating and succeeding with us. It's an opening invitation to all who will work together for the common good. Thank you all for listening, and my office will be available for any questions. We will answer them as quickly as possible."
The livestream ends, and the nonstop news networks begin their political back and forth on the topic at hand.
"Fellow citizens of the galaxy, as Secretary of the Treasury for the Independent Systems Consortium, in these uncertain times, I come to you in high spirits and with promising news from the ISC. Leadership involves looking at the current reality and confronting the brutal facts. To that end, the leadership of the FWA and New Republic have failed in their call for leadership, especially as it pertains to an economic recovery that has been fueled by war, a pandemic, and most recently, the splitting of the FWA and the formation of the New Republic by the Core Worlds and many inside the Inner Rim."
With a small sigh and a short shrug, York continued. "The hastiness of this split without considering the economic impact of their own planets and systems is an unfortunate testimony to why both the FWA and the New Republic have struggled to see economic growth. Their banks war with each other over control to determine the value of what has long been the galactic standard currency- the Galactic Standard Credit. Unfortunately, this standard unit has been torn to shreds in an economic power struggle between the two factions, resulting in a severe devaluation. The standard credit has devalued over 20% since the start of the AMS pandemic, and the rate of decline has increased since the split of the FWA. Economic uncertainty is what this split brought the galaxy, and it came at the worst possible time."
York would smile, foreshadowing a potential solution. "Fortunately, the ISC isn't involved in this quibble. We have been busy building our infrastructure, closing gaps in our supply chains, and making life better for the citizens inside our borders. Our planets and systems work together to defend each other and build our economies so that our manufacturing planets and can focus on creating finish goods, our agricultural planets can focus on providing food in such abundance that it can be sold at a price that benefits both the buyer and seller. This allows our untouched planets that are thick with jungles and forests and caves and untouched metal ore veins and other abundant natural resources to benefit from their natural bounty like never before."
York's smile ebbed away, and his hands grabbed both sides of the podium. "As such, the Central Bank of the Consortium will soon be issuing its own currency, the Consortium Crown. The Crown will not be backed by idle promises like the Republic Credits are backed by assurances in smokey back rooms of Coruscant under shady deals that ensure the wealthy stay on top and the poor stay at the bottom. The Crown will be backed by valued goods- everything from precious metals to rare gases stored in secret vaults. At first issuance, our calculations would put the Crown equal to 1.21 Republic Credits. The Crown will only improve it's exchange rate to the Republic Credit as our economies become more integrated, our supply chains complete, and as more systems agree to become part of the Consortium. All this at a time when the businesses and industries inside the FWA and New Republic are infighting, devaluing the currency of the past."
Leaning forward, he intended to draw the viewer in, queuing a call to action. "Independent planets and systems, or planets in the FWA or New Republic that want to do business a different way, a coherent way, a way that is clearly navigating these turbulent times better than the FWA or the New Republic, our door is open to you. If you have been using the standard Credit as your currency or the wupiupi or any of the other countless denominations of currency that have seen their value plummet in this economic climate, you have a lifeline. Through membership in the Consortium, you get access to the Central Bank and you can begin exchanging your currencies for the Consortium Crown. As your government and your citizens put your faith in the Crown, you will see the value of your currency increase which means more wealth simply for changing currency. If you stay with the standard, I assure you, the opposite will continue to happen. In addition, we have fewer regulations and a much more flexible taxation system that fits individual planetary needs and stimulates business. Unlike the FWA or the New Republic, the success of the ISC depends on the Independent success of our member planets. We are stronger together when we are stronger individually, so all member planets and systems are committed to helping other member planets in their economic pathways."
Leaning back, a slight nod would signal that he was nearing the conclusion of his address. "The ISC is unlike any confederation ever to exist on such a scale in the galaxy. We don't have a powerful central planet like Coruscant that can dictate the rules to everyone else. We work together as a consortium to help each other, and by doing so, we help all of us. These are exciting times in a challenging era. Our insistence on collaboration ensures our mutual success. You could be collaborating and succeeding with us. It's an opening invitation to all who will work together for the common good. Thank you all for listening, and my office will be available for any questions. We will answer them as quickly as possible."
The livestream ends, and the nonstop news networks begin their political back and forth on the topic at hand.
