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LordRahl2 was in attendance answering any questions that you, the public had. 
Shylock was also there to help with any questions. I, of course moderated the conference. Here is a polished transcript of the Q&A session.
Q: Why don't we attack Portugal? We could use the help of Ireland
A: Currently, we are fighting Spain. I tend to want to focus our energy on one enemy at a time. I do not rule out an attack on Portugal after bringing peace to Spain through victory.
Q(D43r0n): Something that I know was a hot topic during the presidential elections was the import taxes. Could you summarize our thoughts behind lowering those?
A: Summarizing a complex issue like tax policy can be tough without making slogans. I will try. High import taxes on stuff that we lack 'High' regions for encourages the creation of Businesses that are by their nature globally non-competitive and produce a product that costs the consumer more than they should have to pay. They also generate less tax revenue and usually fail. Lowering the import taxes improves the value of wages. It increases our exports over time in our high sector, and other business use the US market to do business over time. Increasing economic activity and tax revenue (used to run HoW and gov programs).
Q: So is HoW run fully off of taxes or does other money go into the funding for it?
A(Pillow): Let's start with the initial question: Is HoW fully run off tax dollars? Yes. Second part of the question: Does other money go into funding it? Of course, private donations and equipment auctions also make up a small chunk of funding. However, this question can be framed in an odd manner. By framing it as 'taxpayer' money, you tend to make people feel like they are getting ripped in a manner. Due to our low activity rate, HoW is graciously funded. The average tax payer gets far, far, more in supplies than he pays into the system. (Unless of course, he owns ~4+ Q5 companies)
Q: Wouldn't focusing in Asia and expanding there with the help of the Australians be a point of importance we may need further on with the current situation going on over there? Would it not help out with expansion of our country to have more economical power and force with the help of Australia, so that we can help out in any way not only for us but those we have alliances with?
A: Right now we are a member of TAP. Australia is also and we are helping them as an alliance. What disrupted that goal which was our military focus was Spain's attack into Brazil. So we had to shift focus. Phoenix, as an alliance, has to look at the damage % of the 3 alliances. TAP is the swing vote. And having Phoenix countries invade TAP countries is contrary to good grand strategy. Apparently, that is a lesson that requires some thought.
D43r0n: I think it's worthwhile to point out that Iran has been a big mover in getting Australia mostly liberated, to their own detriment.
Q: What's stopping us from taking CEC? We've already invaded a country a part of Phoenix. It's worth 32,000 gold.
A: Great question. We invaded a Phoenix country who was off the reservation so to say (as is Portugal) not to gain a high region or expand. This is actually a defensive war for our AP ally Brazil.
Follow-up Q: Would anyone try to stop us?
A: I do not plan to hold CL for a long period of time. At some point we will return it. I believe an aggressive action against Canada would be opposed by Phoenix, yes.
Q: So do you see any plausible means of expansion?
A: Yes.
D43r0n: But, as always, giving Spain back regions wouldn't happen until there is NAP in place guaranteeing Brazil's sovereignty.
Q: After this whole ordeal with Spain, what do you see us doing?
A: That is not something I am prepared to telegraph right now =) What I have tried to do is at least publish articles that help show the USA where we are headed and why.
Q: What is the government doing to get Hawaii added onto the map?
A: It’s not currently a government priority but I would like to go back for a vacation.
Q: Is the e-USA building a border wall? (if no, when will it be done?)
A: No.
D43r0n: If we were to attempt to build a border wall, we'd be placing defense systems in every region, which is both expensive and wasteful.
By this point, it reached 2300 Server time and I as the Community Events Director was needed to run HoW for our two battles (which we won in heroic fashion. Thanks everyone for being disciplined) so I had to cut us off.
At this time, I would like to thank all the citizens who came out to this inaugural “Ask Your Govt” press conference. Thanks to
LordRahl2 for making it out to answer our questions. A special thanks to 
Liquid HOMICIDE , 
Lich98 , and Shylock for helping me set up the channel and logging the interview for me.
And finally, our next “Ask Your Government” session will be on Thursday (Day 570) at 2200 server time. My guest to answer your questions will be
Lilith of Apollyon so as the time draws nearer, stop on by the irc channel #eUSA.press-conf or as always, IGM 
D43r0n with any and all questions.
D43r0n
D1s R4g editor
4-time MoC
March Community Event Director
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"Ask Your Government" (12 years ago)
Next article:
Q & A with Asuka Langley Soryu (12 years ago)
About the game:
USA as a world power? In E-Sim it is possible!
In E-Sim we have a huge, living world, which is a mirror copy of the Earth. Well, maybe not completely mirrored, because the balance of power in this virtual world looks a bit different than in real life. In E-Sim, USA does not have to be a world superpower, It can be efficiently managed as a much smaller country that has entrepreneurial citizens that support it's foundation. Everything depends on the players themselves and how they decide to shape the political map of the game.
Work for the good of your country and see it rise to an empire.
Activities in this game are divided into several modules. First is the economy as a citizen in a country of your choice you must work to earn money, which you will get to spend for example, on food or purchase of weapons which are critical for your progress as a fighter. You will work in either private companies which are owned by players or government companies which are owned by the state. After progressing in the game you will finally get the opportunity to set up your own business and hire other players. If it prospers, we can even change it into a joint-stock company and enter the stock market and get even more money in this way.
In E-Sim, international wars are nothing out of the ordinary.
Become an influential politician.
The second module is a politics. Just like in real life politics in E-Sim are an extremely powerful tool that can be used for your own purposes. From time to time there are elections in the game in which you will not only vote, but also have the ability to run for the head of the party you're in. You can also apply for congress, where once elected you will be given the right to vote on laws proposed by your fellow congress members or your president and propose laws yourself. Voting on laws is important for your country as it can shape the lives of those around you. You can also try to become the head of a given party, and even take part in presidential elections and decide on the shape of the foreign policy of a given state (for example, who to declare war on). Career in politics is obviously not easy and in order to succeed in it, you have to have a good plan and compete for the votes of voters.
You can go bankrupt or become a rich man while playing the stock market.
The international war.
The last and probably the most important module is military. In E-Sim, countries are constantly fighting each other for control over territories which in return grant them access to more valuable raw materials. For this purpose, they form alliances, they fight international wars, but they also have to deal with, for example, uprisings in conquered countries or civil wars, which may explode on their territory. You can also take part in these clashes, although you are also given the opportunity to lead a life as a pacifist who focuses on other activities in the game (for example, running a successful newspaper or selling products).
At the auction you can sell or buy your dream inventory.
E-Sim is a unique browser game. It's creators ensured realistic representation of the mechanisms present in the real world and gave all power to the players who shape the image of the virtual Earth according to their own. So come and join them and help your country achieve its full potential.
Invest, produce and sell - be an entrepreneur in E-Sim.
Take part in numerous events for the E-Sim community.
