Ben's Dream: A Repository

Welcome to Ben's Dream, a universe in which Benjamin Franklin realized his ideal of an American union within the British Empire.

Now, this won't be an outright "timeline," per se. I currently don't have the time to flesh-out a true narrative like some of the other timelines on the boards. This thread will be more like a repository, or sandbox where I can work on various aspects of the universe, not unlike the American Commonwealth shared timeline. Feel free to add comment or make suggestions.

By the way, prepare to see a lot of butterflies.

A lot.


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Union of North America

Capital: Frederickton
Largest City: New York City
Official Language: English
Other Languages: Spanish, French, local aboriginal dialects
Denonym: American, North American
Government: Federal parliamentary democracy, and Constitutional monarchy
Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II
President-General: Katie Couric
Prime Minister: Rick Santorum
Principle Justice: Judith Sheindlin
Legislature: Parliament
Upper House: Senate
Lower House: Grand Council​
 
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The Grand Council

The Grand Council of the Union, also known as the Council, or the GC, is the lower house of the North American Parliament. Members of the Council are democratically elected based on the "First Past the Post" system, although several attempts at reform had been made.

The Council elects a Speaker, which serves as the moderator of debates. He is also next in the line of succession should the President-General be incapacitated.

The most powerful person in Council is the Prime Minister, usually elected from among the members of the largest party, although coalition governments have elected "neutral"or crossbenchers to that position. Officially, he serves "at Her Majesty's Pleasure." His premiership, however, usually lasts while his party holds a plurality, or as long it is politically conducive for him to remain in that position. Among his powers include the ability to appoint members of his cabinet - again, usually from among members of his caucus - as well as members of the High Court. He also appoints the President-General, although officially he "recommends" a candidate for the position.

Members of the Council are elected by citizens of the provinces. The number of Members of the Councils, usually referred to as Members of Parliament or "MP's," are distributed among the provinces on the basis of population. Historically, the size of provincial delegations were based upon their contribution to the union treasury, and the delegations were elected by the provincial legislatures. However, the Reform Acts of 1821 and 1824 allowed for representation based on population and popular election respectively.
 
Cabinet

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Rick Santorum, Prime Minister

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Alison Redford, Deputy Prime Minister

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Sir Jon Huntsman, Jr., Minister of Foreign Affairs

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Gary Sinise, Minister of Defense
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Ted Cruz, Minister of Justice
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Paul Ryan, Minister of Finance
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John Boehner, Minister of Labor and Internal Commerce
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Peter McKay, Minister of Infrastructure
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Stockwell Day, Minister of Cultural Affairs
 
But they are actual people in OTL, technically they shouldn't even exist in this ATL if Ben Franklin is essentially apart of the POD in the 1750s.
 
The Octagon

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92 Pitt Street, also known as the "Octagon," is the official residence of the Prime Minister of North America. The building also holds several offices related to the ministry, including those of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance.

The building is almost as old as the city itself, being completed in 1832 (Frederickton being founded in 1828). The "Octagon" was the private residence of Sir John Jacob Astor, who would later become Governor-General. He willed the mansion to friend and later prime minister Franklin Irving[1], who, in turn, gave the building to the government as a residence for future pm's. Ever PM since then has lived at the Octagon.
 
Ryan at finance were doomed I say doomed!

Although ITTL Ryan is very much a fiscal conservative like in OTL, but the political culture would probably not incline him to make the kind of proposals he has in OTL.

By the way, this is all tentative. I plan to go back, and make some edits and notes once this universe is further developed.

Also, expect a map soon. I'll try to get someone to make a wiki-version of the map as well.

Hang tight!:D
 
The Grand Council of the Union, also known as the Council, or the GC, is the lower house of the North American Parliament. Members of the Council are democratically elected based on the "First Past the Post" system, although several attempts at reform had been made.

The Council elects a Speaker, which serves as the moderator of debates. He is also next in the line of succession should the President-General be incapacitated.

The most powerful person in Council is the Prime Minister, usually elected from among the members of the largest party, although coalition governments have elected "neutral"or crossbenchers to that position. Officially, he serves "at Her Majesty's Pleasure." His premiership, however, usually lasts while his party holds a plurality, or as long it is politically conducive for him to remain in that position. Among his powers include the ability to appoint members of his cabinet - again, usually from among members of his caucus - as well as members of the High Court. He also appoints the President-General, although officially he "recommends" a candidate for the position.

Members of the Council are elected by citizens of the provinces. The number of Members of the Councils, usually referred to as Members of Parliament or "MP's," are distributed among the provinces on the basis of population. Historically, the size of provincial delegations were based upon their contribution to the union treasury, and the delegations were elected by the provincial legislatures. However, the Reform Acts of 1821 and 1824 allowed for representation based on population and popular election respectively.

Don't see why the government should be bicameral when the Albany Plan, with its unicameral house should work fine. Also I don't think the position of President-General would evolve into some like that of a 'Governor-General' with there being a prime minister that really holds power.
 
Don't see why the government should be bicameral when the Albany Plan, with its unicameral house should work fine.

The creation of an American union would have to come by an act of Parliament. ITTL, the British add some of their own features, including a Senate (I might change that name)

Also I don't think the position of President-General would evolve into some like that of a 'Governor-General' with there being a prime minister that really holds power.

Perhaps, but I'll butcher that butterfly later. :D

In all seriousness, you make an excellent point. Give or take 200 years, changes are bound to be made to the political system.

That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. :p
 
But they are actual people in OTL, technically they shouldn't even exist in this ATL if Ben Franklin is essentially apart of the POD in the 1750s.
Ya.

Holy butterflies, Batman!
Seriously, you have a pod in the 1700s, and not only are the same people alive somehow, they follow the same career?
 
Ya.

Holy butterflies, Batman!
Seriously, you have a pod in the 1700s, and not only are the same people alive somehow, they follow the same career?

I promise, there will be butterflies!:p

Besides, this is a work in process. Rick might not be PM for long. I'm just toying around. That's why it's a repository, instead of an outright timeline. I'm just building this universe a little bit at a time, and may add and remove whatever necessary.
 
STOP!

Collaborate and listen...

Seriously, the original idea here is very good, but veers into a rather strange ASB scenario after more than two centuries of butterfly genocide. This is going to inevitably derail your thread with both constructive criticism and classic AH.com public stoning.

I recommend going back to your POD and working from there, describing how and why things worked out the way they did. In doing so, if and when you make it to the modern day it will make more sense to you that you must be creative with butterfly management if you are writing anything other than a humorous parody.

Besides, I want to know how much the failure of the Spirit of '76 had to do with the old codger ITTL.

Good luck.
 
STOP!

Collaborate and listen...

Seriously, the original idea here is very good, but veers into a rather strange ASB scenario after more than two centuries of butterfly genocide. This is going to inevitably derail your thread with both constructive criticism and classic AH.com public stoning.

I recommend going back to your POD and working from there, describing how and why things worked out the way they did. In doing so, if and when you make it to the modern day it will make more sense to you that you must be creative with butterfly management if you are writing anything other than a humorous parody.

Besides, I want to know how much the failure of the Spirit of '76 had to do with the old codger ITTL.

Good luck.

I think I'll take your advice. This does seem a little bit too much like the American Commonwealth TL anyway.
 
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