United Federation of Planets Communications - Communications Array Alpha

Once more the Netherlands has a liberal prime-minister, this has not occurred since 1918. Cabinet Rutte-I takes office after 127 days of forming a new government. Jan Peter Balkenende of the Christian Democratic Party (CDA) has turned over control to Mark Rutte of the Liberal Party (VVD).

During the formation days, several government options were explored. Emotions ran on high, because the Christian democrats did not want to work together with the Freedom Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders. The Liberal Party and Christian Democratic Party eventually agreed with support from the Freedom Party in order to receive their majority of 76 seats in the House of Commons. Afterwards the new ministers and state secretaries went to the Palace, where they took their oaths of allegiance and were subsequently appointed at her Majesty's pleasure.


An official picture with H.M. the Queen, presenting the newly appointed Ministers of the Crown.

A glorious day for my party and liberalism!

I love how the two woman in the second row are having a little chat.

Are they liberals in the classical sense or modern sense?

Conservative-liberals. Classical-liberalism is almost non-existent these days.

wienergobbler wrote:Conservative-liberals. Classical-liberalism is almost non-existent these days.

Indeed, sadly.

Depose the Monarch, form a Republic.

A monarchy conducted with infinite wisdom and infinite benevolence is the most perfect of all possible governments. Yet something as curious as the monarchy will not survive unless you take account of people's attitudes. After all, if people do not want it, they will not have it.

So that translates as: I have a title upheld by an archaic system of Government and don't want that threatened. No one person is born with a 'god given' right to be the biggest benefit claimant in a nation.

The reign of kings is eternal wisdom; and from this we may conclude that not only the rights of royalty are established by the laws of the gods, but also the choice of individual to occupy the throne is a result of their providence.

If you really believe that bullshit then I suggest you read Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes as he tries to rationalise absolute monarchy.