John Henry Bennots named to succeed Hashimoto
Suldanor Businessman vows continuity
Sulari, Suldanor
May 25, 4467
Bennots accepts the mantle of Party Leader at SPoK's Spring Convention in Kaliburg
Businessman John Henry Bennots was acclaimed "Speaker of the Socialist Party" at the SP's recent Convention to replace the retiring Abe Hashimoto. Bennots comes from a family long associated with Socialist Politics in Kalistan. Most recently, his cousin, Michelle Marks-Bennots became CEO of the successful firm KalMM in Kalistan. Before that, his great aunt, Blythe Johnson-Bennots served at President of the Republic.
John Henry Bennots, who is 59, has thus far been successful at not following in the footsteps of his family's traditional occupation. But when he was invited to speak to the Convention this Spring, whose primary task was to find a replacement for Party Leader Abe Hashimoto, his words excited a significant portion of the gathered delegates, who promptly launched a successful effort to draft Bennots to serve. Two days later, Bennots was named "Party Speaker" by acclamation, and will be entered into the election in Suldanor's contest, as name 1 on the list.
Bennots' acceptance speech hinted at what sort of direction he will lead the Party.
John Henry Bennots wrote:"I am deeply humbled by the Convention's faith in me. My Brethrenist faith tells me that I should say little and listen a lot. If you will indulge me a moment, I think I owe it to the delegates here gathered here to say a few words about the way I think we ought conduct ourselves as a Party. First, we should make friends and try to govern as equal partners. We will not win all the elections, but we don't need to. I am especially proud of the association the Party has with the Conservatives. Protecting Kalistan's Institutions, the pillars which make our nation strong, more than all the bombs and ships we could ever make, will be my first and foremost goal, like it was my friend Abe's.
"We should not be afraid to support private sector growth. Nothing should dampen our fervor for the Dual Economy, but I think too often, the Socialist Party has prioritized the Public Sector, while private sector actors have shown the prosperity and quality of life which can come once human need is satisfied. People not only need to eat: Sometimes they like to watch tv too. Someone needs to make those tvs. Sometimes people like to float around in a pool... I don't know. I'm just throwing ideas out here, but someone needs to make those pools. Nobody needs a pool, and not everyone wants one, but for those who do, Kalistan needs a private sector to make them.
"At the same time, we should not erode the social contract we have with our workers. I am a businessman. My job is turning a profit for my shareholders. But that doesn't mean I need to do it unethically. We can make plenty of money and protect workers' rights. My prosperity is tied to the prosperity of those who work for me. To this, I feel it is my obligation, as a matter of fact, every employer's obligation to act ethically, toward our co-workers, and toward society as well. We can pay our workers well, we can protect their right to collectively bargain, and yes, even to strike, for better conditions. And meanwhile, it doesn't cost us much to let workers make decisions with us.
"While I am on the topic of ethical conduct of business, we also have an obligation to keep our air and water clean.
"Finally, we renew our commitment to social equality, which is the hallmark of Kalistani society. There are not two sets of rights or two sets of responsibilities to society. There is only one set of laws, for foreigners and Kalistani Nationals alike, while in the sovereign Republic. One set of laws for men and women, an every other way nature has attempted to divide people. But in all of us, there is that spark of God, which we recognize in one another when we show each other respect. We do this for all humanity, not just those lucky enough to have been born in Kalistan. I am a nationalist: I believe that Kalistan represents the apex of human social and political development. But humanity is made of the same clay. So we should not promote discriminatory laws, not in any sense of the word."
Bennots finished his remarks guaranteeing continuity between Hashimoto's government and his own should he be lucky enough to be put into the Premier's seat. He seeks to continue to expand Kalistan's consumer good market, but reiterated his unflinching support for both the Dual Economy, and worker's rights. He seeks to underscore Kalistan's traditional role of Guarantor of Peace in the Anantonese Ocean, and seeks to maintain peaceful relations with Kalistan's neighbors. "In particular, we should make an effort to reach out to Baltusia. Preliminary reports show that we have a significant amount in common with our closest neighbors." Lourenne is not to be forgotten though, especially since cooperation over mobile technology continues .
Bennots closed by thanking the Convention for the honor to serve.