The Land Of The Free: An American Political Roleplay (IC)

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"The President could have had a bigger victory, his ego can be massaged, or he can veto a good bill and the next President can sign it in their first hundred days."

"If the bill still has legs under the next President who, if a Republican, will almost certainly still veto it." She said with some exasperation. "Voting reform is your thing, I know. It's very noble. I admire it greatly. But it's a very difficult conversation for me as a Republican. Morally, I know it's the right thing. Politically, what you're asking is impossible."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“Thank you, I appreciate it. I’ll need more support down the line, however. New York is a must-win state for us.”

He took a sip of coffee.

“I’m going to have to do it on my next visit, it seems. He’s been difficult to get ahold of, a very busy man.”

"You'll be just as difficult at his age, don't worry." She smiled impishly. "New York is late in the primary calendar. Don't worry, I'll be all guns blazing by then if it's you I go for and not Dayton. Have you heard the news out of Massachusetts?"

[Sanabel]

“Thank you, I appreciate it. I’ll need more support down the line, however. New York is a must-win state for us.”

He took a sip of coffee.

“I’m going to have to do it on my next visit, it seems. He’s been difficult to get ahold of, a very busy man.”

"You'll be just as difficult at his age, don't worry." She smiled impishly. "New York is late in the primary calendar. Don't worry, I'll be all guns blazing by then if it's you I go for and not Dayton. Have you heard the news out of Massachusetts?"

“Yes! I’m glad to see someone taking Winthrop down a peg- a better candidate than Nunez for certain. I would give my support, but I’m going to be staying above the fray for as long as possible.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“Yes! I’m glad to see someone taking Winthrop down a peg- a better candidate than Nunez for certain. I would give my support, but I’m going to be staying above the fray for as long as possible.”

"Quite understandable. The leadership has to be silent about this too but, well... Winthrop waging war on her own Senate colleagues was a step too far. She's a danger to the very integrity of the Party." She shook her head, sighing. "It's a terrible mess. Oh, incidentally, Goldman'll settle for returning to H.U.D. or becoming Transportation Secretary. Doyle wants to be Secretary of State."

[Agarntrop]

John Atang
@JohnAtangNY3

May I remind Gov. Burgun that in the United States - not his racist fantasy world United States, this United States - there is no official nationwide language and citizens and presidential candidates can and should speak whatever language they please.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

John Atang
@JohnAtangNY3

May I remind Gov. Burgun that in the United States - not his racist fantasy world United States, this United States - there is no official nationwide language and citizens and presidential candidates can and should speak whatever language they please.

Liked and retweeted by @SimoneNY12 and @JNLynskeyMA.

[Velahor]

John Atang
@JohnAtangNY3

May I remind Gov. Burgun that in the United States - not his racist fantasy world United States, this United States - there is no official nationwide language and citizens and presidential candidates can and should speak whatever language they please.

Congressman Davit Papazian
@CongressmanPapazian

---

Liked & Retweeted by @CongressmanPapazian

[Sarenium]

"The President could have had a bigger victory, his ego can be massaged, or he can veto a good bill and the next President can sign it in their first hundred days."

"If the bill still has legs under the next President who, if a Republican, will almost certainly still veto it." She said with some exasperation. "Voting reform is your thing, I know. It's very noble. I admire it greatly. But it's a very difficult conversation for me as a Republican. Morally, I know it's the right thing. Politically, what you're asking is impossible."

"I understand," she sighed heavily, somewhat disappointed.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"I understand," she sighed heavily, somewhat disappointed.

"Jillian, if you remain in the Senate and there's a Democratc President in after the election, I promise you we can revisit voting reform like this. I give you my word."

[Sanabel]

“Yes! I’m glad to see someone taking Winthrop down a peg- a better candidate than Nunez for certain. I would give my support, but I’m going to be staying above the fray for as long as possible.”

"Quite understandable. The leadership has to be silent about this too but, well... Winthrop waging war on her own Senate colleagues was a step too far. She's a danger to the very integrity of the Party." She shook her head, sighing. "It's a terrible mess. Oh, incidentally, Goldman'll settle for returning to H.U.D. or becoming Transportation Secretary. Doyle wants to be Secretary of State."

“Doyle is interesting. I’m not sure I’d offer him Secretary of State. Probably Veteran’s Affairs, given his experience. If he would even want it. I’d consider Goldman for either position, but do you think she’s worth flipping to my side?”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“Doyle is interesting. I’m not sure I’d offer him Secretary of State. Probably Veteran’s Affairs, given his experience. If he would even want it. I’d consider Goldman for either position, but do you think she’s worth flipping to my side?”

"She's got New York City ties that could be useful to you, and she's honestly not bad at the actual job she wants, even if she is an honestly incompetent politician." She shook her head. "Well, I'd rather hope you wouldn't offer him Secretary of State, considering. He also said he'd be interested in Defense but I don't think he's got the chops for it. V.A. would be a good pick."

[Sarenium]

"I understand," she sighed heavily, somewhat disappointed.

"Jillian, if you remain in the Senate and there's a Democratc President in after the election, I promise you we can revisit voting reform like this. I give you my word."

"Well," she smiled, "I should hope I get the privilege of being that Democratic President."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Well," she smiled, "I should hope I get the privilege of being that Democratic President."

"I can't say I'd be totally unhappy to see you as President, that glass ceiling's got to break someday, even though I obviously disagree vehemently with a lot of the Democratic platform. I'm a Republican for a reason. I wish you well."

[Azekopolaltion]

(Image)

---

Tim Westra
April 28th, 2019
Healthcare Roundtable - Washington, D.C.

---

"Levi, let's start with you. Along with Governor Caldwell and Senator Winthrop, you are a national proponent of a single-payer Medicare for All system. What would that look like and what would that mean for the average American?"

Levi raised the microphone.

"Before I start, I would like to thank everyone who helped organize today, from the logistics to getting the room all set up.

What does Medicare for All mean for the average American? Simply, Medicare for All is the expansion of the very popular Medicare program already provided for our seniors to cover all Americans from birth upwards. That way every single American is covered by a 'single-payer', which in this case, is the Federal Government. Medicare for All will cover all medical expenditures from dental health to mental health to maternity care to vision to substance abuse rehabilitation, except for cosmetic procedures. It will increase the choice of Americans for what doctor they would like to see. Because, the system as we currently have it, as we can all agree, it is broken. Some private insurance actually restricts what doctors you can see, or where you can go to receive your medical care. So that's something I'm looking forward to changing when we can get Medicare for All to pass. Medicare for All will also mean the elimination of premiums, co-payments, deductibles, surprise bills and the many other numerous costs that come with private insurance in this country. For working Americans and working families across this country, costs will go down - because all of it will be eliminated with the elimination of private insurance. Now, this is where I face a lot of criticism from the Republicans: how dare I touch the sacred private healthcare insurance companies and big pharma! Truth is, the private insurance companies are ripping us off, not only as the broader public, but they are also ringing our Federal Government dry. Do you know that the U.S. Government must spend $843 on administrative costs alone per capita compared to the $175 average in the industrialized West. Canada spends less than that, with $144. We're being robbed, daylight robbery, and the U.S. Congress and Senate are generally reluctant to do anything about it. I'll tell you why, because most people are in the pockets on big pharma and large private insurance companies. So, Medicare for All provides for all services and it does eliminate private insurances, but everyone will be covered. That's the 'all' in Medicare for All. We will have everyone insured, because right now, millions of Americans do not have any. And millions more are under-insured, so when the going gets tough, they are not even properly covered.

But, my Medicare for All plan is not just the coverage of all Americans. My plan includes increased funding into the Indian Health Service, more funding for the Veteran's Health Administration, a stronger focus on mental health in this country and for the prices of medicines to be capped, along with the CEO salaries in the healthcare industry."

"Ok, before we move on to Senator Dayton's proposal, I just want to stay on the topic of single payer for a bit and ask Levi a few questions. First, the question of popularity. The majority of the public is in support of a single payer system, with 54% in favor; after all, any major healthcare reform by the federal government is preferable to the current system. However, more are in support of a public health plan option, with 76% supporting such a policy. This is because many don't want to lose the private insurance plans they currently have and are happy with."

"Another concern about single payer is wait times. A 2010 Commonwealth survey found that 39% of Canadians waited 2 hours or more in the emergency room, versus 31% in the U.S.; 43% waited 4 weeks or more to see a specialist, versus 10% in the U.S. The same survey states that 37% of Canadians say it is difficult to access care after hours (evenings, weekends or holidays) without going to the emergency department compared to over 34% of Americans. Obviously wait times are a problem in both systems, but they are worse in single payer environments."

"Finally is the funding concern, with Americans unsure about how much taxes will go up. And then there are technocratic problems with any fundraising proposal; a wealth tax, payroll tax, and military cuts would still leave a $5 trillion hole in funding for Medicare for All, adding to already skyrocketing debt."

"How do you respond to these concerns, Levi?"

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

John Atang
@JohnAtangNY3

May I remind Gov. Burgun that in the United States - not his racist fantasy world United States, this United States - there is no official nationwide language and citizens and presidential candidates can and should speak whatever language they please.

James Burgun
@RoughRiderGov

---

How is it in any way racist to advocate for a language that the vast majority Americans speak become the official language?

James Burgun
@RoughRiderGov

---

81% of Americans believe that English should be the official language Representative, is 81% of the country living in my "fantasy United States"?

[Dentali]

“What do you think I should tell people?”

"The reason Prendergast's trajectory is up despite the fact that he's a complete ogre is because he's patient and he listens to people. He doesn't talk at them. Does that make sense? You need to show the new, bluer collar base that you'll listen to them. The suburbans you want to bring back to the party are good, that's very good, but they're not Republican members anymore. If you want to clinch the nominaton, you need to find the heart of the Republican Party today, rather than tomorrow. You follow?"

Richardson felt no need to tell her that Prendergast had been copying his retail politic strategy almost best for beat, nor reminder her if his double digit lead. Instead her just Nodded sagely and humbly “I understand that, it’s something I strive to improve at every day. I appreciate your candor.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Richardson felt no need to tell her that Prendergast had been copying his retail politic strategy almost best for beat, nor reminder her if his double digit lead. Instead her just Nodded sagely and humbly “I understand that, it’s something I strive to improve at every day. I appreciate your candor.”

"I think that Senator Bragg and yourself are the only two candidates I can honestly see myself supporting. Wolf Junior is a malformed runt, Prendergast is a crook, Porter's a psychopath, Burgun's.... Burgun." She shook her head. "Is your abortion policy sincere, or are you playing to the base?"

[Sanabel]

“Doyle is interesting. I’m not sure I’d offer him Secretary of State. Probably Veteran’s Affairs, given his experience. If he would even want it. I’d consider Goldman for either position, but do you think she’s worth flipping to my side?”

"She's got New York City ties that could be useful to you, and she's honestly not bad at the actual job she wants, even if she is an honestly incompetent politician." She shook her head. "Well, I'd rather hope you wouldn't offer him Secretary of State, considering. He also said he'd be interested in Defense but I don't think he's got the chops for it. V.A. would be a good pick."

“I don’t know if our policy views align well enough for Defense anyway, sadly. Secretary of State is filled already, in my mind,” he smiled.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“I don’t know if our policy views align well enough for Defense anyway, sadly. Secretary of State is filled already, in my mind,” he smiled.

"Honestly, I wouldn't consider it an entirely out of the box idea to take a leaf from Wolf's book and look for a capable military man." She replied. "For Defense, that is."

[Puertollano]

Levi raised the microphone.

"Before I start, I would like to thank everyone who helped organize today, from the logistics to getting the room all set up.

What does Medicare for All mean for the average American? Simply, Medicare for All is the expansion of the very popular Medicare program already provided for our seniors to cover all Americans from birth upwards. That way every single American is covered by a 'single-payer', which in this case, is the Federal Government. Medicare for All will cover all medical expenditures from dental health to mental health to maternity care to vision to substance abuse rehabilitation, except for cosmetic procedures. It will increase the choice of Americans for what doctor they would like to see. Because, the system as we currently have it, as we can all agree, it is broken. Some private insurance actually restricts what doctors you can see, or where you can go to receive your medical care. So that's something I'm looking forward to changing when we can get Medicare for All to pass. Medicare for All will also mean the elimination of premiums, co-payments, deductibles, surprise bills and the many other numerous costs that come with private insurance in this country. For working Americans and working families across this country, costs will go down - because all of it will be eliminated with the elimination of private insurance. Now, this is where I face a lot of criticism from the Republicans: how dare I touch the sacred private healthcare insurance companies and big pharma! Truth is, the private insurance companies are ripping us off, not only as the broader public, but they are also ringing our Federal Government dry. Do you know that the U.S. Government must spend $843 on administrative costs alone per capita compared to the $175 average in the industrialized West. Canada spends less than that, with $144. We're being robbed, daylight robbery, and the U.S. Congress and Senate are generally reluctant to do anything about it. I'll tell you why, because most people are in the pockets on big pharma and large private insurance companies. So, Medicare for All provides for all services and it does eliminate private insurances, but everyone will be covered. That's the 'all' in Medicare for All. We will have everyone insured, because right now, millions of Americans do not have any. And millions more are under-insured, so when the going gets tough, they are not even properly covered.

But, my Medicare for All plan is not just the coverage of all Americans. My plan includes increased funding into the Indian Health Service, more funding for the Veteran's Health Administration, a stronger focus on mental health in this country and for the prices of medicines to be capped, along with the CEO salaries in the healthcare industry."

"Ok, before we move on to Senator Dayton's proposal, I just want to stay on the topic of single payer for a bit and ask Levi a few questions. First, the question of popularity. The majority of the public is in support of a single payer system, with 54% in favor; after all, any major healthcare reform by the federal government is preferable to the current system. However, more are in support of a public health plan option, with 76% supporting such a policy. This is because many don't want to lose the private insurance plans they currently have and are happy with."

"Another concern about single payer is wait times. A 2010 Commonwealth survey found that 39% of Canadians waited 2 hours or more in the emergency room, versus 31% in the U.S.; 43% waited 4 weeks or more to see a specialist, versus 10% in the U.S. The same survey states that 37% of Canadians say it is difficult to access care after hours (evenings, weekends or holidays) without going to the emergency department compared to over 34% of Americans. Obviously wait times are a problem in both systems, but they are worse in single payer environments."

"Finally is the funding concern, with Americans unsure about how much taxes will go up. And then there are technocratic problems with any fundraising proposal; a wealth tax, payroll tax, and military cuts would still leave a $5 trillion hole in funding for Medicare for All, adding to already skyrocketing debt."

"How do you respond to these concerns, Levi?"

"Thanks Tim, but I don't think your arguments hold much water. Medicare for All and the public option are both very popular, I concede, obviously because the current system is an entire mess. The current system is asking everybody and everyone to fend for themselves or die. It's insane. While you, Tim, cite a statistic of 54% in favor of Medicare for All (still a clear majority), I have seen studies that show its' popularity at 70%. On that question, it's really where you go and where you choose your information from.

For waiting times, I've seen this argument brought out too many times, by I wasn't quite expecting it from you, Senator. Yes, it's true that there are moderately increased waiting times in the countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, but that's only natural for a system that looks after a whole lot more patients! I bet if all Americans could somehow afford their treatment, waiting times would be as long or longer. It's only because in our country that poor people skip going to the doctor or re-prioritize their mortgage or student debt over medical costs that our waiting periods are shorter. But let me clarify something for a moment. Like in Canada and in the UK, the waiting times to not matter if you're in need of immediate life-threatening help, because you're boosted to the top on the line. So people in need of emergency care are treated. That's the kind of system that will operate under Medicare for All.

On taxes, the vast, vast majority of Americans do not need to be concerned about costs going up. Under a Medicare for All system, it eliminates premiums, co-pays, deductibles and so on. So the total costs, not taxes, will go down for the vast, vast majority of Americans. The taxes will be raised on the big corporate, the wealthy CEOs with a wealth tax and closing the tax loop-holes that exist in our system. Think of it this way, currently, the private insurance companies are charging all of us a private tax, one that is so extremely large that they billions in profit per year. This is an unsustainable system. The solution is to remove private health insurance for non-cosmetic procedures and remove the private tax that are levying against average, working-class Americans."

[Dentali]

Richardson felt no need to tell her that Prendergast had been copying his retail politic strategy almost best for beat, nor reminder her if his double digit lead. Instead her just Nodded sagely and humbly “I understand that, it’s something I strive to improve at every day. I appreciate your candor.”

"I think that Senator Bragg and yourself are the only two candidates I can honestly see myself supporting. Wolf Junior is a malformed runt, Prendergast is a crook, Porter's a psychopath, Burgun's.... Burgun." She shook her head. "Is your abortion policy sincere, or are you playing to the base?"

“I’ll be honest... I think life begins at conception, but damn if I have any idea if I’m right. At some point in a pregnancy it qualifies as a life, and people much smarter than me can’t be certain when... this stuff we are seeing allowing essentially infanticide... that needs to be stopped. Judges I pick will be constitutionalists, but their will be no abortion litmus test, I wouldn’t allow bills like the DFLA as President. But I can’t say that in a Republican primary.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“I’ll be honest... I think life begins at conception, but damn if I have any idea if I’m right. At some point in a pregnancy it qualifies as a life, and people much smarter than me can’t be certain when... this stuff we are seeing allowing essentially infanticide... that needs to be stopped. Judges I pick will be constitutionalists, but their will be no abortion litmus test, I wouldn’t allow bills like the DFLA as President. But I can’t say that in a Republican primary.”

"I wouldn't vote for the D.F.L.A. anyway." She shook her head, frowning. "There is an appropriate, moderate answer out there, but either way, I'll be damned if women's health is dictated by an angry Missourian midget who somehow manages to make my drinking look acceptable. What about the E.R.A.?"

[Sanabel]

“I don’t know if our policy views align well enough for Defense anyway, sadly. Secretary of State is filled already, in my mind,” he smiled.

"Honestly, I wouldn't consider it an entirely out of the box idea to take a leaf from Wolf's book and look for a capable military man." She replied. "For Defense, that is."

“I’m not certain about that. Military experience is good, but I would not pick a general. The founders intended for it to be a civilian position for a reason.”

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Burgun realized that unless he did something big his campaign was going to go nowhere fast. So alas he was forced to make a big play. Knowing that he is unlikely to generate the same levels of fundraising as candidates such as Richardson he would need to win based on free earned media. He did a good job during the interview attracting some national attention, but now he needed to do something bigger.

"Hello, folks here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Today I want to talk about common-sense legislation that the liberal elites on both parties, Republican and Democratic believe should not be a thing. Let me ask all of you if there was a proposal supported by over 80% of the country, Democrat, Republican alike. Should that policy become law or should it be swept under the rug by evil establishment forces?

There is a really angry person in New Hampshire by the name of Augusta Merriam. She is truly a liberal elite to her bones, even though she has an R next to her name. Make no mistake folks she is a Democrat through and through! If I win the nomination, or good folks like Sec. Porter or Gov. Prendergast win the nomination she will be in tears. Why would she be in tears? Because we want to make English to the official language of the United States! Now we want to make a language that over 99% of the country speaks the official language, but what does Augusta Merriam do she complains! Who does that? What is even her rationale beyond simple virtue signaling, she is a nasty person. Which logical person seriously believes that it is racist to suggest that English should be the official language of the country? At this point, she should just leave the party if she does not believe that English should be the official language! Angsty Augusta is not a real Republican, a real Republican should primary her in 2022 and kick her out of the seat.

Then there is an angry man in New York called Rep. John Atang. He is truly an angry person, who is probably illiterate as well. He claims that African Americans and whites offend at the same rates! Well, he is probably illiterate because that is not what the FBI says. According to the FBI African Americans offend at higher rates than the average American. But John Atang can't read basic stats on a clearly laid out report, so he doesn't know that. Illiterate Johnny that is what we should call him now! Illiterate Johnny should go back to high school. What is he doing in Congress if he doesn't know how to read? He probably doesn't want an official language because he doesn't know how to read. Poor Illiterate Johnny, he is just a tool used by Angsty Augusta.

Finally, there is also another angry man from California whose name is Papa Papazian, a representative from California. I call him Crazy Papa. He thinks that liberal news outlets such as LA Times are part of an evil fascist media conspiracy to replace Americans with robots. He really is a nutcase belongs in a mental asylum if you ask me. Real danger to society to have in Congress. Crazy Papa is a real danger to America, he probably wants Spanish to become the national language to kill those newspapers! Crazy Papa really is a nutjob. You think I am insane for saying that, but it is true go look on the internet!

So you have Angsty Augusta who is trying to virtue signal, Illiterate Johnny being used as a tool for her, and Crazy Papa who is just there as he is a madman! These 3 folks are the leaders in our great country? Give me a break. If they were leading the country no wonder prior to President Wolf the country was sliding downhill faster than a toboggan. With elected representatives like Angsty Augusta, Illiterate Johnny, and Crazy Papa who need enemies anyways.

It is in opposition to our 3 musketeers that I am running. I am running to continue President Wolf's legacy of talking back to our great country from people like Angsty Augusta, illiterate Johnny, and Crazy Papa. We need to continue the fight, and building upon the Wolf legacy. That is why today I am calling for my first piece of landmark legislation.

Ladies and gentlemen today I am calling as the first candidate in the Republican primary to make English an official language in this great country! I hope that more of my fellow Republicans will join me in making this proposal for America. It is not really a complicated proposal all Americans can speak English why should English not be an official language in this great country

Folks this is not a complicated issue, over 80% of all Americans agree that English should be an official language in this country. A majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents all agree on the simple proposal. So let me ask all of you should 80% of the country be obeyed or disobeyed? Should the opinion of the silent majority be stifled by the likes of Angsty Augusta, Illiterate Johnny, and Crazy Papa? I think not. I am calling on Republicans, Democrats, and Independents of all levels to take up the policy proposal of making English the official language of the United States! No longer will we have those 3 musketeers making our policies.

We will return to sane policies, right policies by building upon Wolf's legacy. The first step would be to make English the national language of this country!

Thank you, and may God bless these United States. And come 2 years from now English become the official language of the United States."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“I’m not certain about that. Military experience is good, but I would not pick a general. The founders intended for it to be a civilian position for a reason.”

"That's fair, I'm just not sure if we've got anyone that firmly in our corner who's got the logistical expertise to actually do it." She shrugged softly. "Where has all the Democratic talent gone?"