How to fix the Third Imperium.

I'm still suffering from Traveller burnout, but something inside me still wants to fix the setting.

The core problem is that the standard assumptions has the 11,000 worlds of the Imperium united under a consistent government that works. Barons speak for their worlds, trade goes on, and we're all a happy family (the Imperial Navy is standing by to enforce that happiness, by the way.) This is all well and good, but not very realistic.

First of all, I've tried but I can't find any examples in history where a state survived for very long with the travel times of the Imperium. Ignore the X-boat network for a moment, and Capital is years from the farthest border. The worst London ever was from it's far-flung colonies was months, and even there they required a great deal of local autonomy and decision making. India wasn't ruled from London, it was ruled from Calcutta and New Delhi by the Viceroy, even then a large part of the British Raj was actually ruled by local monarchs who paid tribute to the British and received trade and military support in return. Another good place to look for inspiration is the Holy Roman Empire. (Yes, I know the joke.) At best a collection of squabbling semi-independent states, the HRE, lasted for close to 900 years because it was flexible and decentralized.

( So, let's apply this to the Third Imperium. )

This, to me anyway, is a far more realistic look at the 11,000 worlds of the Third Imperium.

(Was this the kind of thing you were thinking of, freetrav?)

I can think of two guys reading this who want to know when the 18% part kicks in.

Faith in humanity: ZERO

Wal-Mart worker dies after shoppers knock him down

A worker died after being trampled by a throng of unruly shoppers when a suburban Wal-Mart opened for the holiday sales rush Friday, authorities said.

At least three other people were injured.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in Bentonville, Ark., would not confirm the reports of a stampede but said a "medical emergency" had caused the company to close the store, which is in Valley Stream on Long Island.

Nassau County police said the 34-year-old worker was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6 a.m., an hour after the store opened. The cause of death was not immediately known.

A police statement said shortly after 5 a.m., a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking (the worker) to the ground." Police also said a 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for observation and three other shoppers suffered minor injuries and were also taken to hospitals.

OK, time to end this Black Friday farce. No more doorbuster sales, no more limited time specials. And anyone who lines up hours before opening should be ticketed for loitering.