My Little Pony: My Little Pony The Martian

AMICITAS Mission Three – Mission Day 354

ARES 3 solar day 349

[08:07] HERMES: Good morning Mark and the guys. BREAKING NEWS: The Vice President won last night's election, so our government will continue to steadfastly support Mars exploration missions for the next four years. He also mentioned you in his election speech - not just Mark, but all of you, symbolizing the infinite possibilities for the future of mankind.

NASA wants me to convey to you their apologies for not being able to send you your ballot, but they are not sure enough that the signal bandwidth that they just recovered from the communication interruption can send you the ballot file in a format that meets the regulations. But as far as you and me and Anne Montrose are concerned, I think NASA should be very happy that this time it can avoid the risk of further politicization of the already controversial rescue plan.

[08:34] Watney: It’s not a big deal. I haven't had much opportunity to pay close attention to this matter recently. But as compensation I'd better vote twice in the next election.

[09:01] HERMES: Mark, you're from Chicago. You would have voted at least twice in every general election.

[09:26] Watney: Hello! How could you say such cruel and mean words to a poor man who has been deprived of political commentary for more than a year! It would drive people crazy to not see or hear a bit of blabbering braggadocio, recklessly writing bad checks, and narcissistic speech that poisons the mind for more than a year.

[09:53] HEMRES: Mark, after saying so much, I haven’t seen you deny it directly.

[10:19] Watney: No, but it still hurts.

"Election?" CherryBerry asked, "You mean, like that time with Boss Hogg... uh, something?"

"Don't you have elections there?" Mark asked, "Of course I'm not talking about the princess, because the princess is not elected by vote, but what about other government departments?"

Berry shrugged, "We have a... uh... every once in a while, every city and town in the country will send some representatives to the capital to hold a long meeting to discuss important things. They will talk After a lot of talking, everyone went home, and the princesses finished what they had to do. And we also have positions like mayor and mayor, but generally no one wants to do this kind of work, so whoever it is originally belongs to whoever Dry."

"No one wants to participate in the election?" Mark was a little surprised.

"Mark, we don't have guys like Boss Hogg in Horse Country," Starlight Glimmer replied, "Well, actually there are, but it's not because they were elected. Municipal officials are mainly responsible for paperwork and ceremonies. held, that's all. Only ponies whose cutie marks are associated with official government duties would be interested in such a position."

"What about other races?" Mark asked.

"It's basically anarchy over there at the Griffin." Starlight replied.

"Yes," Fireball muttered, "It's just a group of griffins trying to bribe each other."

"It's not so bad now!"

"Huh. The dragon has a dragon king. You do as she says, or whatever. But most of it is our own business. No city, no public services, no government."

"You are all extremely stupid," Tingting said suddenly, "We changelings implement a very good and stable democratic system."

The three ponies and a dragon laughed. "Democracy?!" Spitfire almost laughed in anger, "Do you know what the word means?"

"Of course. It's quite surprising that you know."

"It looks like it's on TV. But you have a queen. An absolute ruler, with the power to decide life and death, and stuff like that."

"But it's also democracy. If the queen is old, or if a daughter challenges her throne, all changelings will choose a side. If the queen loses..."

"You are Yu Yu's daughter," Mark interrupted, "You are very concerned about promotion opportunities..."

"No!!!" Tingting jumped up from her seat next to the workbench, "Being a queen is difficult! And it's very dangerous! It's not fun at all! Only a madman would want to be a queen!"

"Correct answer." Spitfire complained softly.

"But what's the use of these piles of votes and appointments?" Dragonfly waved her hooves disdainfully, "It's all a waste of time and energy. Who would bother the boss just to get a random one? A thankless job that even an idiot can do?”

Mark opened his mouth to refute, but finally decided to keep his mouth shut and muttered, "Maybe this is just a human problem."

"The Earth needs more princesses." Starlight Glimmer repeats the same old tune.

"I've said it eighty-seven times," Mark sighed, "No need."