Romans!

I am here before you today to stand for my second Consulship.  Two years ago 
with the death of my father, the injury to my sister, and the failure to 
retain Rogators, I was unable to complete my tasks to my satisfaction and 
that of my colleagues.  I therefore ask that I be given the chance to 
complete such.
We must fix the constitution once and for all so that Romans believe that 
they have a stake in our success, or the gods forbid, our failure.  Right now 
it is a simple thing.  If we are ever to succeed in our long term endeavors, 
and I say long term, because it is going to just be that, Roman citizens must 
accept the authority of the magistrates.  Because of this the constitution 
must be reworded.
Next we must make sure that no threats of law suits to the Senate (the BoD of 
Nova Roma) or the treasury are viable.  Again this means several changes to 
the constitution, that should be carried out as soon as possible.
Last week we saw again that people wish to impress their religious views on 
other people.
This must cease.  Nova Roma is a tolerant nation.  I will work closely with 
the College of Pontiffs to insure that the constitution reflects this.  Even 
though I support healthily debate and espouse the use of rhetoric to 
entertain and educate, it is very Roman, when someone says enough, it should 
be enough.
The Roman Religio is one of the greatest reasons for this recreation of the 
republic.  It should be foremost in the hearts of all Romans to reestablish 
the pact between we and the Gods.  But those Romans who follow other paths to 
religious fulfillment should not be mocked or harassed in public.  He is 
already protected in private.  A man comes to his religion because it is a 
matter of satisfying his faith.  The state religion remains the Religio Roma, 
but privately anyone can believe what they wish, and are guaranteed that 
right under the Nova Roma constitution.  And that right will be defended.
The Senate of Nova Roma is composed of the men and women who have sacrificed 
much of their time and wealth for this republic.  Yet most of the citizens do 
not understand its function nor its mechanics.  I plan to revive the ancient 
practice of having the Senate meet twice a year under the gaze of the public, 
so that the citizens may have a better appreciation               
of what the Senate undergoes to maintain the high standards of this republic.
Finally the question of the Gens.  Before the Senate spends time and debate 
about how to do this, no one ever has asked the people, if indeed, they want 
to go through such an upheaval.
That will be my first priority.  You will speak, and we the Senate will 
listen.  Then and only then will we continue forward.
I will work with the Praetors in completing our civil and criminal law 
programs, to revise the forum moderation and set up the courts.  Most of this 
work has been completed already, 9-11-01 interrupted it, but it is ready to 
proceed.  All I need is the mandate from you, the people, and it will be 
done.
Thank you for listening
The Gods Preserve our Republic!

Salvete
Quintus Fabius Maximus
Proconsul
Former Praetor Urbanus
Senator
Pontiff
Former Curule Aedile
Quaestor
Paterfamilias
Roman reconstructionist.

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