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The single most descriptive word for the Free State is “Controlled.”

Everything in this society is controlled for the betterment of the society as a whole. This control is intense, pervasive and intrusive. Free State propagandists harp on the need to spy out and inform on any suspicious activities or behavior. The people are repeatedly reminded that the Free State provides them with the only real security available in a very unsafe world. And the propagandists are preaching to a very receptive audience.

Control begins in the cradle. With the slogan “Every Baby a Wanted Baby!”, the Free State imposes its own unique brand of social responsibility and public morality upon their brave new world. Every person wishing to join the Free State for any reason, must be classified. Once classified and a review of medical status is completed (including a through examination for any communicable diseases), the Citizen, Second or Third is asked if they have any interest in marriage. If so, they are entered on the “approved” marriage list for their class. Persons not on this list are ineligible to marry others in their own class. No one is required to marry anyone else. Citizens who marry Seconds have their own status lowered to that of their spouse. Within marriage, the Free State insists upon control over how many children a couple may have. The permit to have children is specified on the Free State Marriage License.

For Natural Aristocrats, the license to have children is unlimited. For Citizens the basic number is two children, with excellent prospects of one or more additional children being approved. The higher a Citizen’s rank and more meritorious his career, the more likely approval becomes. For Seconds, the license is for one child with applications considered for a second on a case by case basis. As with Citizens, rank and meritorious service is taken into consideration. For Thirds, the license is for one child only, with a second child approved only under the most extraordinary circumstances.

Natural Aristocrats may adopt only other Natural Aristocrats. Citizens may adopt a NA child without regard for their license limits. Seconds may adopt Citizen children in lieu of their own. Thirds may adopt Second children in lieu of their own, but each placement is on a case by case basis.

The Free State controls its population the same way they control everything else---with a carrot and a stick. No child in the Free State goes without. The Free State boasts of how well everyone under their control is doing. And they are right. It is care provided for at a staggering price in personal freedom and right of choice. Unlicensed children or children born without the benefit of wedlock are taken from their socially irresponsible parents and raised by the state.