Voluntary Contribution (VC) of funds to the Ministry of Distribution. The current VC rate is 82 percent of income, and it funds a great many important programs demanded by our citizens.
Education — Social Responsibility
In the System, education is mandatory and universal through midschool. The Ministry of Youth focuses on producing good citizens who embrace democratic ideals. The Ministry does not teach the discredited facts-skills- history model but molds young minds to embrace our democratic ideals. Those youth with the highest social consciousness are sponsored into higher education to serve the State.
Health for All
The System is proud of its universal health care, available at no cost to all from the Ministry of Health. Our citizens have repeatedly affirmed their preference for security over individualism, and the State guarantees health and security for all..
Galactic Defense — Resisting the CrimCon
Because of continuing aggression from the CrimCon, based in the Outers, the System is forced to maintain a strong military posture throughout the Inners, the Gulf and the Gassies. Under the Ministry of Peace, our Defense Command (DEFCOM) directs our forces with the cooperation of the United System Interstellar Commission (USICOM) and the United System Defense Alliance (USDA), both representing allied worlds. DEFCOM commands both the Defense Corps (DefCorps) and Starfleet, consisting of our stellar infantry strike forces and our galactic navy. The STRATCOM Information Service is another important element in maintaining galactic peace. Starfleet and the DefCorps have repeatedly defeated the ConFree Legion and the CrimCon's Fleetcom, but the CrimCon continues its reckless and frantic provocations designed to plunge the galaxy into a general war. The System is pledged to resist these piratical attacks. Every System citizen should never forget that the CrimCon betrayed humanity by allying itself with the remnants of the Assidic Empire, and did its best to destroy the System, threatening all humanity at a critical point in galactic development. More recently, while our forces were bravely resisting the onslaught of the Variant hordes, the CrimCon attempted to ally itself with these merciless alien marauders. Although they call themselves the ConFree (Confederation of Free Worlds), the CrimCon is neither a confederation nor is it free. It is a genocidal, dictatorial gang of mercenary anarchists, motivated by loot and greed.
The Ministry of Truth wishes it a pleasant day.
Acknowledgements
I am grateful to a great many people who inspired me with visions of the future, and helped me plot a course to the stars. From Robert Heinlein to Stephen Hawking, the list of those to whom all SF writers owe a debt is too long to acknowledge everyone. I have learned from them all - science fiction writers, scientists, futurists, star chart enthusiasts, astronomers, and all those probing the secrets of the universe.
My special thanks go to Robin Sullivan, publisher of Ridan Publishing, my editor Carol Woods, cover artist Michael Sullivan and starchart artist Hatton Slayden for all their help with this edition.
Regards to all,
Marshall
About the Author
Marshall S. Thomas is a retired Foreign Service Officer who served in East Asia for most of his career. Marshall attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, the University of New Mexico and the University of Miami with a major in Government/ International Affairs and a minor in History. Marshall's 35-year Foreign Service career included postings in Saigon, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Manila, Canberra and Kuala Lumpur.
Marshall currently lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with his wife Kim Lien. His youngest son Alexander, 20, is now in college studying biochemistry. His eldest son Christopher is a graduate of Radford University who studied art and graphic design. Marshall loves to write science fiction but has also written on East Asian subjects including Lotus, the story of a refugee. He was a member of Nancy Mehl's original Write Stuff Writers Forum and is a member of C.E. Winterland's Midnight Forum.
