Possibly, but it depends on the actor though. Not sure if they could get one.
America's Funniest President: Mo Udall Presidency & Beyond
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Beyond that, well, still wondering. But yeah, alot of shows like those like Friends are taking things like same-sex relationships more seriously and more and more actors and actresses coming out over time will affect things and queer representation in media becoming more prominent.
That gives me an idea. If you've heard of the book series The Baby-Sitter's Club, one of the main girls coming out as lesbian.
1994- The 29th and 30th Amendments
1994- The 29th and 30th Amendments
Voting It In
After weeks of discussion, working on deals and pay offs, the time had come for voting. The creation of constitutional amendments were quite a massive deal over for the USA and here, it was not just one, but two. The Askew Administration and their coalition had been working on this for years in the background and it was now time for all of that hard work to go and pay off here. During the Spring of 1994, it would be the finalization of the drafts of the two amendments that have been worked on and then being voted upon.
The 29th Amendment and the 30th Amendment.
The former was based off the Bayh–Celler amendment plan to eliminate the Electoral College. Said amendment was created to address the issues that nearly came up over back when Nixon was elected in 1968 though was disrupted by the presence of George Wallace, due to how the system worked. As such, alot of momentum was behind the new amendment, only falling short due to enough support in key states. While it would become dormant, the ambitions behind the amendment would start returning to relevancy over time, especially under the push by John B. Anderson, former House Minority Leader. The amendment would become supported for similar reasons as stated though now combined to address the issue of third parties and even among the pragmatic, done because it was the growing trend. However, it would grow beyond just getting rid of the Electoral College and changing the voting ground. It would become a more general amendment that would reform the electoral process, with more ambitious ideas being added and a growing coalition of voters supporting it.
The latter meanwhile was a more general amendment, one that was based off the growing momentum off of the idea of term limits being placed. Growing with bipartisan support and later tripartisan support, it would help force to bring about new ideas. At the same time, it also had to fend off major concerns over having a lack of inexperienced politicians writing bills and moreover, the fact that it could lead to the party organizers having more power indirectly as a result. As such, it tooka while to decide how many terms it should be. However, going beyond Congress, it would also expand over to the Supreme Court as well, due to the concerns many have in lifetime appointments over on the Court. Much like the other amendment though, as time went by, it would gather a clearer identity, this time as a bill aimed at handling corruption within the government by addressing additional issues regarding the political system.
However, it would come time to finally put them in. There were concerns of course. From states' rights' concerns to trying to get various politicians to budge and move on the option with often their constinuents making their views quite known in protests and gatherings. However, the support was still quite strong within the two major parties and the Unizens. Every party had their reasons to support each one, from ideals to pragamtism to trying to remain relevancy.
And after long hours... it would be done.
The 29th and 30th Amendments would be added to the United States Constitution.
The 29th Amendment
The 29th Amendment at its core is about electoral reform. It starts off by removing the Electoral College and replacing the United States' voting system with the instant runoff voting method, to be implemented starting in 1996. This would allow for the two-party system to be broken as other parties could now compete within the system. Whenever people vote, they can now rank their choice of candidates by preference. The specific form of IRV that would be decided on would be semi-optional preferential voting; this requires that voters ranking more than one candidate, but do not have to rank all of them. Whether a maximum limit would be implemented was discussed heavily, including just the top 3, though it would be left blank for now, instead the amendment noting that Congress would be able to install a maximum limit at a later date through legislation if they so desired, just as long as it was higher than 2.
Additionally, after much debates and concerns on sticking points, it would be mandated that the IRV voting system become uniform across not just federal elections, but also on state and local elections for single-seat elections. The main concern here was unsurprisingly on whether pushing over on states' rights and the like. However, the main counterpoints were on the maintanance of a uniform voting system for the sake of optimization, but also to ensure some level of equality, lest the concern of the problems of first past the post be continued to maintained over for elections such as for governors and the like. Most of the pressure and arm-twisting came for this as there was a bit of unease, but surprisingly enough, there were few diehards on it and even, it was a matter of principle more than anything else. It was not enough to deter the passing of the bill however.
Lastly were some more miscellaneous requirements and bits of information. Namely on finetuning requirements for political parties to be part of the IRV and also various rules for campaigning. One major inclusion was that it would allow for the federal government along with the states to enact public campaign financing systems. the ideas was to further restrict the influence of corporate and private wealth in campaigns and additionally, other aspects to try and ensure the most equal level of run time for all of the candidates running. Askew pushed for this since he noted that it would grant the people more power to decide their leaders and be fair in the process. While this did gather some concern, the people overall supported this heavily and the previous legislations and executive orders put by Askew was sufficient enough to restrict special interests from influencing the politicians enough to try and strike this aspect down.
Ultimately despite those, this bill passed relatively smoothly, with the changes to be fully applied by 1996, in time for the next presidential elections.
The 30th Amendment
The 30th Amendment started out on term limits and would come to grow to be a list of various reforms across the board though all focused with the major intent of balancing the political system and creating a sense of fairness. First and foremost would be the creation of term limits for many of the federal politicians, as attempts to try and also influence the state to do so would likely be too much of a detriment to the bill. As the finalized version would note:
One of the main aspects of the amendment was the introduction of term limits within Congress and the federal court system, including the Supreme Court. The details of the Amendment would establish the following term limits:
- House Represenatives, having terms of two years, would be able to serve up to nine terms, for a total of eighteen years.
- Senators, having terms of six years, would be able to serve up to three terms, for a total of eighteen years, matching Reps.
- Federal/circuit judges would only serve for a maximum of twelve years.
- Supreme Court judges would also serve for a maximum of twelve years.
. Additionally, rules were added on regarding on how the new Senator would have to fare in how many terms they run. For example, say an indvidual completed three full senatorial terms and chooses not to run for a 4th one. If said indvidual is chosen to become an interim Senator due to the sudden passing of a Senator in office and if their interim tenure lasts less than 36 months, they are still qualified to run for a full 4th term.
A later addition and one that would be of some slight embarassment due to not being added until now would be for the Supreme Court to follow a Code of Ethics. All other federal judges already must followed the published official "Code of Conduct for United States Judges." Said Code of Conduct applies to all employees of the Judicial Branch’s Administrative Office of the United States Courts. The code includes plenty of specific rules on various matters and aspects. However, until now, the Supreme Court was not bound by this and thus, it would be considered a necessary inclusion. The official published "Supreme Court Code of Conduct" was heavily based on the code for federal judges, albeit a fair bit stricter and to subbect the highest court to a level of scrutiny to ensure they maintain their integrity and dignity. Other aspects were just reforms toward how the judges would be processed and chosen, such as done through a nonpolitical board of sorts for their qualifications. This along with various others would be included.
Unsurprisingly, an amendment involving term limtis required much more arm-twisting and with the Senators especially. However, Askew was quite public on this and it would not be long before public pressure would crack over on many of these politicians. The new blood certainly was willing to abide by it since they saw much of the old guard being around too long in formal positions. At the same time, compromises had to be made on the matter for some of them, though it would be done. After some close calls, this would be passed to. The consequences would be massively enormous given the giant political shift and would open the political playing field to various new players, including those outside the two party system.
In fact, many would say that these amendments would not only end the two party system... but would serve as the beginning of the end for both the Republican and Democratic parties.
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Beyond what @Infinity-Blitz7 has noted above, hmmm... hard to say, though Dianne Feinstein would be affected by the political shift. Kathleen Brown unsure on her specific political alignment and for Barbara Boxer... hard to say.
Yup
. Basically, we have the setting for a paradigm shift here because of various factors, though what prevents it from just the parties changing is the term limits and the new system. These pretty much taken the gradually growing cracks with the caucuses of the two parties and pretty much starts splitting them open.Glad everyone is liking this and would wanna hear everyone's thoughts and notices regarding these massive changes to the American political field. I did my best to build up that this would be a logical and plausible goal to all the reform points and changes all coming together for this.
Summer 1994- Tensions and Technology
Many of America's allies and the US itself was quite surprised by the passing of the 29th and 30th Amendments through Congress and the governors. The massive changes that were coming over to the American poitical landscape would have intense rammificiations. The legal infatrsucture that maintained the major two-party system was now torn apart, giving real opportunity for the smaller parties to grow and become major parties with representation on the highest levels. It would provide more opportunity for people to express and explore their true political opinions. The excitement was flooding the voters and the smaller nascent parties were beginning to rise. Some were coming together to merge to become bigger parties to stand stronger and modernize themsleves. Meanwhile, the new rules on term limits, campaigning and so on would make it easier for people to be able to run and not be constrained by their financial situation or not constrained by the old guard. However, most of all, would be that with this new system, many began seeing the Democratic and Republican parties as being antiquated, either because of their sermi-big tent tendencies or because with all of these changes, there was a desire for a new paradigm that better fit the new American political sphere. In fact, many would say that neither party would really exist by the year 2000, which would further fan the flames. Of course, with this, many would expect the Askew administration to perhaps start slowing down and not approach any other major legislation. However, time moved on and the voters were speaking to this. This would not be the only buzz of fascinating news. Two of them involved over the Supreme Court. One was that Udall's first Supreme Court pick, Shirley Ann Mount Hufstedler, choosing to retire now rather than wait for her grace period to finish in 1996, prompting Askew to look for a replacement. However, Hufstedler would stick around for one last case, namely over a case on whether prostitution would count over as pornography. Though unlike the case from a few years back in California, this would make its way to the Supreme Court though one mark of it was that rather than the usual, it was well, porn of a same-sex couple. All while this was happening while Askew would be looking for Hufstedler's replacement.
Technology would also see some developments over during this time period. One news would be coming over from Microsoft as they would announce they will no longer sell or support the MS-DOS operating system separately from Microsoft Windows. Many are wondering more will come given the growing influence of computers and other technologies are growing. In fact, this would be having a prominent influence on various states as they would invest heavily to build up technology sectors. Another release would be the IBM Simon. Initially described as a PDA, they would also have telephone like capabilities; this would have the device be retroactively considered the first ever commercially available smartphone. [1] Another trend that would be noted on technology would be handling the older electronics; as part some of the lingering recycling talks, one was on recycling old technology. Brought when discussing metal, some have wondered if it would be possible to harvest the metal of old tech and used that, hoping it could help limit the need to mine for new metals for this creation. Even manufacturing would begin listening to this as it would affect the future of the design and the procedures for such a matter. A third major note of interest was the creation of an online bookstore that was garnering interest... Akashica. Originally called "Cadabra", the creator Jeff Bezos would choose this partially because of the alphabetized nature of search engines of the time, but also related to the term "akashic records", referring to the mystic compendium of all knowledge of all time, which he liked the sound. While starting as an online bookstore, he wanted it to be the biggest online bookstore ever and as he was looking for investors, he was looking for ways to expand. The modern regulations meant he probably wouldn't be able to expand into other products easily though the growing consumption of media and experiences was suiting well and he began looking into various trends and underlooked bits of literature that he could use to go rise above the other stores of literature. While centered in New York City for the time being, he has considered moving Akashica's headquarters to somewhere in the east coast, especially thanks to the investment by the states and the subsidies. Such was the case over for NeXT Software Inc, Steve Jobs' new company. Having switched to software, the company would end up offered the chance to relocate, with the hopes of helping to bring new life to that part, not to mention taking advantage of the lower prices.
In the meanwhile, international politics would continue to develop. While the Rwandan Intervention would begin wrapping up with the halting of what some would call the "Rwandan Genocide attempt", the fighting would still continue with the growing conflicts between the peacekeeping forces and the RPF, especially their leader, Paul Kagame. Various intelligence networks and so on would begin looking into sufficient evidence regarding whether Kagame did order the assassination. Some suspect that the conflict may see South Africa consider further involvement. This is partly the result out of South African talks with the British, namely with the Republic of South Africa rejoining the Commonwealth of Nations, it having departed the then-British Commonwealth back in 1961. [1] Meanwhile, after a tense political standoff regarding elections in Yemen, things would be settled down over regarding the GPC and the YSP, with the latter winning a minority government though questions remained over in the future regarding the future of Yemen. It was part of the growing tensions over in the Middle East regarding the future political climate, mainly with the gradual increasing instability of oil as a strong export along with the growing frustrations with the various monarchies. With Bahrain down, Qatar have been preparing plans over dealing with the UAE for their involvement in the countercoup attempt though the UAE's leadership in Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan would begin making moves to deescalate the tensions in the area, which, if nothing else, Qatar seems to be somewhat responsive to. Meanwhile, tensions are gradually growing worse in Saudi Arabia with discontent against the House of Saud and there was growing rumors over regarding the leadership issues over in Syria, especially with the declining health of Hafez al-Assad. This would not be the only trouble though. Japan would see a larger tragedy as the members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult execute the first sarin gas attack at Matsumoto, resulting in several deaths and hundreds of injuries. In some positive news though, the Provisional Irish Republican Army announces a "complete cessation of military operations". [1] More and more it seemed tension was everywhere and for some places, it would finally burst.
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[1]- Information and phrasing from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994
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"MR. PRESIDENT! MR. PRESIDENT! IRAN AND TURKEY HAVE DECLARED WAR ON ONE ANOTHER!"
Yeah… was gonna happen at some point. Meanwhile, what does everyone think of what replaces Amazon?
Also, where do you think some tech companies would set up if not the East Coast? Going down south possibly ?
maybe somewhere like Austin or Atlanta, or somewhere in NC for the Research Triangle connection
The North Carolina Research Triangle sounds like quite an interesting place there.
I keep forgetting to consider Texas as one and Atlants does have Georgia Tech. Any other considerations or suggestions?
Remember, Turkey got its NATO membership suspended back in the beginning of 1994 due to their growing problems and other issues. And well, will be getting into the first part of the war. I will say that Iran is not alone here.