Kerns served as Interim President while Cyberia gained citizens, and political parties organized in preparation for the upcoming October Elections, and also some other issues, such as whether Cyberia should be a Commonwealth or a Republic. During this time Cyberia was Governed by a Council of Ministers.
Setting Up a Government
The October Presidental Elections gave the Cyberia's founding father a great victory over Quentyn Daniels and some others 68-4%.
After this, he organized a Constitutional Convention, which began to decide what the final form of the Cyberian Government should be. Some argued for a Parlimetary Government, others for a Presidental System similar to that in the United States with a strong Presidency. Those arguing for a parlimentary system argued that too much power was given to an executive in the United States and countries similar to it. Those arguing for a Presidental system argued that there needed to be checks and balances which were absent from most Parlimentary Governments. The opinions for the most part broke down along regional. Most who were for the Parlimentary System were generally from Australia. Those for a Presidental system were mostly from the United States.
In the end, the Constitution gave more concessions to Ken Kerns and supporters of the Presidental System, but did give some ground to the parlimentary system. The Constitution was ratified by the people after the Convention. But it has settled very little. Since it's ratification, it's been amended fourteen times, with many other proposals waiting to be voted upon.
The December elections were Cyberia's first for the nation's legislature. The Conservative Party won 38% of the vote for the Chamber of Deputes and finished first among all parties, though idealogically they were in a minority, as the rest of the Chamber was made of Leftists to Center-Leftists in the Socialist, Labor, Progressive Futurist, and the Liberal Democrats.
Deputy Peter Hickey(PFP-Mattimeo) was elected Speaker, a post he would hold until June. He helped establish many of the procedural practices still used to this day.
The Era of Acting Presidents
President Kerns developed computer problems. His subsequent absensce sent Cyberia into an era of chaos governed by Acting Presidents.
The first acting President was Matthew Powell. Powell's administration was terribly inactive and complaints from members of the Chamber of Deputies lead to calls for his replacement.
That replacement Chris Harrop of the Conservative Party. He became President when the candidate the Liberals wanted, Mike Goldman decided not to run. Harrop appointed Skinner Layne, temporary Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Harrop and Layne sought to eliminate the Communist Party headed by Michael Rosario because they saw it as an anti-democratic party and therefore unconstitutional. What happened from here is unclear. What we know is that a move was made by Peter Hickey to impeach either Harrop or Layne, and the other resigned in protest. The cause of the calls for Impeachment is unknown at this time, but it is thought that they were caused by the attempt to expel the Communist Party.
Both Rosario and Layne claim that it was over a ruling by Layne banning the Communist Party. Vadim Pokilitov claims that it was over Layne actively participating an investigation. However the only confirmation the Official Historian Found was an e-mail from Layne to Rosario in which Layne stated he would investigate Rosario's website to see if there was cause to procede to trial and arguments. Peter Hickey on the other hand claims that the impeachment effort began because Layne had asked him to join a conspiracy to run Rosario out of Cyberia.
Peter Hickey followed this up with his own tenure as Acting President. The Hickey Adminstration was rocked by violent terrorism. Governor John Jacobson(CP-Corli), a Layne loyalist attempted to have his province secede from Cyberia. Ken Thacker, then Commander-and-Chief of the military retook the province, but Jacobson was never punished.
In addition to this, Hickey had to deal with the continuing meance from Fascist David McNamara, the first of many incidents, when McNamara hacked into the Cyberian Website and began to put pro-fascist messages on the news ticker and the website text.
After two weeks of this, Kerns returned, and many attributed his return to the restoration of order in Cyberia. During Kerns's absence Cyberian websites could not be updated thus a temporary website was set up by Deputy Vadim Pokilitov(PFP-Mattimeo).
When President Kerns returned, he would find that a lot had changed since he left, and that Cyberia now had a a powerful new force on the left, one that was critical of his liberal-leaning Administration.
Cyberland Exodus and Its History
In March, 1998, Layne and Harrop began a new Republic, Cyberland. The members were mostly Conservatives of one sort or another. It left the CP with only seven members, and struggling for six months. It would not be until September, 1998 when the CP would make a strong showing.
On March 25, 1998, President Kerns signed a treaty with Cyberland. The treaty called for peace, but also barred trade and citizens from the other country posting on each other's forums, although this provision was ignored by many Cyberland citizens.
Cyberland by the nature of it's general idealogical position on the right, the nation became splintered into variations of Conservatism. The fights were over issues such as bans on Alcohol and Cigarettes which Layne proposed. In one incident, Cyberland's Deputy Prime Minister was forced to resign for making anti-Catholic remarks.
In addition to this, allegations of fraud hung over both National Elections. This lead to a final blow up in a Summer Election that was tainted with charges of voter fraud, because of an alleged Coup Attempt, Layne evicted political opponents Gary Ceres, David Oatney, and Daniel Davis, all of which would play prominently in Cyberia in the future.
After those July Election, Cyberland continued but not for much Longer. It ended with little ado. It heightened feelings of illwill against Skinner Layne in Cyberia. The end of Cyberland though would bring on Conservative pick ups and a strong Cyberian right-wing that would reach new heights of power in the months ahead.
The Dual Menace of Rosario and COS
Ken Kerns got into a foreign policy mess by signing up with the COS a Micronation that sought to claim other micronations. Kerns failed to disclose his Cyberian Citizenship. When Kerns left, the President Pro Tempore attempted to annex Cyberia. The embarrasing situation ended with an apology from the President and official recognition for the COS.
Meanwhile, while keeping an eye on problems abroad, President Kerns knew that Cyberia's political situation at home was becoming increasingly volatile.
The Conservative Party and a coalition of more Moderate Parties such as the PFP and the Liberal Democrats formed a coalition to fight Communism and Marxists Proposal. In Response, a coalition of Left Wing Parties formed the United Coalition of the Cyberian Left. The two coalition squared off in debate after debate on issue after issue.
One person bothered many in the FC more than anyone else: Michael Rosario, the Governor of Menet. For instance, President Kerns was angered by his interference in foreign policy matters and other national matters.
Menet was sued by Thacker Defense Industries for tax fraud for charging TDI taxes on all of it's profits, while other industries were only charged taxes on profits made withing their provinces. Though Rosario won the case and was not found liable, all of Menet's tax laws were struck down as unconstitutionally vague.
Rosario was also investigated by Hickey and charged with stock fraud for selling too many stocks in the Kerns Corporation. Though Rosario was not convicted of stock fraud, he was convicted on other related charges. They include: trying to bring a lawsuit against Peter Hickey and Ken Kerns, in an attempt to delay an investigation; obstruction of Justice (which he was convicted), gross negligence in regards of his bookkeeping of his stock ventures; offering to drop out of the Presidental election in exchange for Ken Kerns testifying (he was convicted of attempted bribery for this).
Some still raise questions about the judgement of the Court, however. Some insist that Peter Hickey engineered a politically motivated vendetta against Rosario and used a minor mistake and turned it into a federal case, and that Justice Vadim Pokilitov was part of this conspiracy. They point to an alleged directed verdict in a criminal case which under U.S. Common Law is forbidden. They also point to Ken Kerns statements before the trial that the country might go down because of Rosario as a conspiracy to tamper with the jury.
Still others insist that Rosario was inadequately represented, and that the Negligence Conviction was the most he would have gotten, had he retained competent Counsel, and that Justice Pokilitov's decision though not accepted Constitutional Practice in Federal Courts, is practiced where he lives in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, others insist that the case was correct from beginning to end. This is a debate that raged on, and still colors Cyberia's dealing with Rosario and his allies.
At about the same time of the Rosario trial, David McNamara was indicted for treason for trying to spread e-mail viruses to it's citizens. McNamara fled the country claiming that the Special Prosecutor, and Terry Clare's parrot had attempted to assassinate him.
The McNamara incident would not have much impact on Cyberia, though he would make an occassional return attempt, but the Rosario conviction would have an impact for a long time to come.
East Cyberia
The Rosario Conviction began a chain of events that would greatly weaken the Cyberian Left, which is still reeling from the effects to this day.
In July, the UCCL broke up just before the Rosario Conviction. Rosario left East Cyberia angrily complaining about the Justice System. Indeed from Prision he changed the Welcome to Menet Page, that he had the password to, to a page entitled, "Welcome to Hell".
He bitterly wrote, "If you don't go the Hickey way, he will get you in the end." Rosario's lamentation didn't last long, however, because within a month he would leave to create a new nation called East Cyberia to encourage people to leave the VCC.
The Cyberian Communists and some Socialists joined in a revolt against Cyberia, claiming the assistance of East Cyberian troops. The Rebellion was put down in Mala, as the Revolutionaries fled to East Cyberia, though to this day East Cyberia claims ownership of Mala and Windsor, despite the relative inactivity currently of those who revolted.
The Result of the Revolution had been a lowering of the Socialist Party and the left-wing in Cyberia. The Revolution made the SP a shadow of it's former self and effectively killed the chances of SP Party Leader Gov. Richard Pond(Bava) of capturing the presidency. He instead had to rebuild his party.
The 1998 Presidential Election
After a year of turmoil and controversey, President Kerns declared that he was retiring to spend more time on his real life studies.
Two Candidates Emerged. The first was Chief Justice Vadim Pokilitov who drew criticism from the President for trying to run from the bench, after which Pokilitov opted out. The other was newbie Bill Barker(CP) who decided to run but then changed his mind and decided to gain more experience in Cyberia by running for Mayor of Kernsopolis.
President Kerns decided that it was best that he run again. Kerns was challenged by Former Defense Minister Ken Thacker who ran a campaign as an economic conservative, despite affiliating with a liberal political party. He also blasted the President for his mishandling of the COS matter.
Thacker was leading in polls two weeks before the election, but the wheels to his campaign began to fall off. His party leader Peter Hickey, announced that he would not support him because of his opposition to Cybercare, and Gary Ceres, a prominent Conservative formed the Conservatives for Kerns organization.
Thacker then engaged in a debate with newbie Corli Gubenatorial Candidate Adam Graham(CP) on various issues. Thacker vigorously defended abortion rights which lead strong supporters like Tim Dunkin to reconsider their support for Thacker.
Graham decided that despite being a newbie that he should run because he didn't want the the conservatives to have to chose between two social liberals - a hobson's choice, as he called it. Graham announced four days before the ballot was sent out by President Kerns. The tide began to turn against Thacker and by the time the votes were counted, Thacker had dropped from First to finishing in third palce. The results of the first ballot: Kerns won 41%, Graham took 31%, and Thacker finished 26%, with 2% going to a write-in candidate. More than half of Thacker's support appeared to have vanished.
The Vice-Presidental Race appeared to be settled with a Majority of the ballots cast coming in for Jeremy Groghan(CP). But some late ballots that were counted by Chamber Speaker Terry Clare, all six of which were for Daniels forced a VP run-off along with the Presidental run-off, with Groghan winning 48% and Daniels 46%.
As a candidate, President Kerns had another problem to worry about. He had been administering the election when he reported to a a Liberal Party Member his disappointment with his vote for another candidate. The result was called "e-mail gate" which included calls by Deputy David Oatney(CP-Menet) for an Impeachment Inquiry. Adam Graham dismissed the act as unimpeachable and thus the first Presidental Run-off in Cyberian History got under way, and a somewhat friendly relationship between Kerns and Graham despite their political differences.
The second campaign was dominated by negativity. Kerns called Graham "inexperienced", while Graham accused Kerns of being "idealogically bankrupt". Both campaigns were rather negative, to the later regret of both candidates. Outside sources were negative as well. Speaker Peter Hickey threatened to call for Mattimeo to secede if Graham were elected President. He made a blistering attack against Graham that was so uncivil that Senator Alan Grieve announced his resignation from the PFP thus beginning it's breakup.
The day before voting officialy began, the Malan Advocate broke the story that Graham was a Life Chancellor in Skinner Layne's new Republic of Vivaldia. Allegations that Graham was a Skinner Layne plant dominated the final days of the Campaign.
Though these allegations proved to be false, as was found out in the months ahead, at the time the effect was devestating, since it was coupled by the fact that Graham had not brought the information forward himself. Graham, upon finding out Layne's past activities, conceded the election for fear that Layne may have used espionage to gain him votes without Graham's knowledge.
Ken Kerns accepted the concession and a suggestion that Graham offered that Hickey who had promised to prosecute Graham was not appointed. Hickey was furious and left hurling expletives at the President.
Though both Graham and Kerns were content with the outcome, Acting Election Commissioner Terry Clare was not. She argued that the election was tainted, should be overturned, and a new election. Justice Pokilitov disagreed. The election results stood and Ken Kerns was re-elected President with 63% against Graham's 37% (not bad for a newbie against Cyberia's Founding Father).
Since the Election
Governor Adam Graham(CP-Corli) was critisized for not having done anything as Governor during the election. Since that election, that has never been a criticism leveled at him, since it has been nothing but the opposite. Graham and Governor Richard Pond(SP-Bava) each formed active provincal governments including legislatures, and in Corli's case a Court.
In addition to this, the Graham as a Skinner Layne plant theory has fallen apart, with his successful defense of Tim Dunkin against Vivaldian Treason Charges and his defeat of Layne for Prime Minister of Vivaldia. Even fierce critics during the campaign such as Alan Grieve and Peter Hickey have apologize for their words on this issue.
As for Senator Alan Grieve(CD-Mala), he was elected Speaker of the Chamber after the Presidental Elections and after the January elections was elected Senate President Pro Tempore.
As for Peter Hickey, his absence from Cyberia did not last long. He returned to Cyberia to be appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by the President he had attacked before leaving. His tenure did not last long. He was critisized and eventually censured by Adam Graham for making statements on political issues in Cyberia which Graham stated was improper for a Judge to make. Retiring from the bench he returned to the Chamber of Deputies for a fourth term in the Chamber, and a third as Speaker. Hickey continues to battle Conservatives over issues such as abortion.
As for President Kerns, his second term has brought some important developments such as the Ceres Civil Rights Acts and the Insurance Portability Act in the first Assembly following his re-election, but overall the Administration has neither proposed or gotten big ideas or plans through the Chamber and as this is being written, Cyberia does not even have a budget, although he has been pushing for legislative reform.
In Early Febuary, 1999, President Kerns again disappeared from Cyberia for about three weeks due to Computer problems. After that, he was attacked for not updating the website fast enough and not pushing major ideas.
In January, Cyberia elected it's first bicarmel National Assembly. The following assembly provided little legislation, in fact only three bills reached the President's desk, and only two became law.
Cyberia also has moved to the right. Social Liberterianism is no longer a certainty in Cyberia as Cyberians voted overwhelming to allow provinces to ban and outlaw drugs, and thus far both Bava and Corli have taken the opportunity and done it.
Cyberia continues to grow . Inactivity remains Cyberia's undisputed number one problem as three fourths of the citizens don't vote.
In December of 1998, prospects for peace with East CYberia began to grow. The question of peace has become less relevant as the question has now become whether East Cyberia will even exist in the near future as infighting has torn about the Socialist Country.
Further Historical Links
Cyberia's Political Parties: A Brief History
Cyberia's Newspapers: A Guide
Historian's Notes
Cyberia continues to grow and so will it's history. In the months and years to come this history will have to be updated. Who knows? You may be the one to write the next chapter in the Grand and continuing story of Cyberia.
I hope that this history has helped the reader to understand Cyberia. I certainly have learned a lot since joining Cyberia.
Compiling this history was difficult. Some matters such as what happened with the impeachment mess during President Kerns's absence was impossible to sort out. Still in almost everything else, we got to the bottom of what happened and what went on. For that I'm greatful to several people.
President Ken Kerns-After the '98 Presidental race he gave me this job. He has been an enormous help to me in writing this history by providing me with newspapers from the past, and answers to questions.
Peter Hickey-His help was invaluable on the David McNamara matter. Keegan Drake, Jack Santucci, and Scott Rosen, all provided valuable insights into early Cyberian life. Richard Pond was also a great help on Socialist Party History. Michael Rosario - his unique perspective on matters in Cyberian History was invaluable. It's always helpful to have different perspectives.
There are several others that gave me information, I can't list them all but I am grateful to them for their help.
He who does not learn from History is doomed to repeat it.
