May 25, 2020
Private Fundraiser at the Ziegler Estate, Colorado
Representative Dan Ziegler (D-CO)
Ever the diplomatic businessman, Dan “The Man” Ziegler had invited a diverse array of CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and especially tech gurus sympathetic to the democratic party to his primary Colorado estate, a sprawling complex both much too large for a man such as Ziegler and yet never large enough, always receiving renovations to add new amenities and diversions. Dressed in a fitted tux and mingling around with guests, Ziegler’s left hand gripped a glass of chardonnay, his right passing from hand to hand and gesturing freely in conversation after conversation. A jazz band played smoothly in the background, their presence a permanent fixture of events at this property since Ziegler permanently retained them in 2017. The Coloradan had always fancied himself an entertainer, and his jokes over the course of the evening seemed to be landing, not least the ones about Nate Richardson. This was a good sign for things to come. “I appreciate what you were able to do for me on Gao Chemicals,” came a voice from behind the dwarf, his attention turning from the slender, youthful woman in front of him to the aged businessman trying to get his attention. Ziegler remembered the arrangement in question and recognized the man as Ed Chesterman, an agribusinessman. “We are the lifeblood of the economy William, if we’re not doing well nobody is. I can assure you it was no problem.” he assured him, garnering a smile. “Were it not for the innovators and the financiers all of this wouldn’t be possible.” he gestured with his free hand, indicating the opulent surroundings. “Hope all is well with Veronica by the way.” Ziegler added, without real interest. The man’s face turned down. “Actually she’s gotten worse, the doctors don’t know what happened, but she’s done a complete 180.” Ziegler, unsure of what to say to that, decided to remove himself from the situation. “Uh, I’m terribly sorry Edward.” he said, patting the much taller man’s arm before looking at a watch on his wrist. “Oh, looks like I’ve got to start the speech.”
Quickly walking away before the man could respond, Ziegler downed the remainder of his drink and handed it off to an attendant, coughing as some of it went down the wrong pipe but quickly recovering and making his way to the front of the ballroom. At its head was a large gong, an instrument which Ziegler particularly enjoyed using at any appropriate and oftentimes inappropriate moment. Approaching, Ziegler lifted the associated mallet with familiar ease, the feel of the wood handle prompting him to turn it around in his hands a few times and sigh in satisfaction. Allowing a few moments to pass, the congressman turned and rang the gong with much vigor, prompting the gathered guests to shoot their gazes towards him and begin to gather. Those who had not previously attended a Ziegler event were confused, but were filled in by their more experienced counterparts, and before long the entirety of the room had gathered around to hear him speak.
“What a great night huh?” he began, his voice carrying throughout the room. “It is not as often as I’d like that I am able to gather a group of such diverse and ingenious individuals together.” he said to the almost entirely white crowd. “When I became a congressman,” he began in earnest, “I resolved to do two things above all others. One, of course, is to represent my district, doing everything within my power to ensure that the people of Colorado’s 1st can count on their representation to truly be responsive and helpful. The second thing was to help keep the ship of state afloat, not allowing rogue political elements to derail progress and create diversion as American prosperity breeds innovation and comfort for its people. I am pleased to say that I have succeeded in doing the first, and am part of a fantastic coalition of people aiming to do the second.” he declared, indicating the crowd, earning some nods from some, laughs from others, confusion from a few. “However,” he began, his face darkening. “We are faced with a problem. See, the Democratic Party has been and will continue to be a friend of American businesses. For all the bluster of progressives and the Sam Baginski’s of the world, we have not strayed from a commitment to ensuring that corporations and non-governmental entities are able to grow and thrive, free of undue influence. That will continue to be the case, I assure you. But our opponents are growing eager to assault the foundational principle that hard work and enterprise are to be rewarded, not punished. Republicans lie and claim they are the party of America’s businesses, but that could not be further from the truth.” the gathered mass looked intrigued, as Dan continued.
“The ideology of General Bernard Porter is, like a cancer, growing on the Republican Party, turning it into a coalition of anti-business populist agitators who wish to disrupt the status quo. Do not be fooled, Nate Richardson and Congressional Republicans are no friends of business, the man they have nominated is a trojan horse for what is to come. I have been on the hill for a long while now, and I have watched as Republicans turn against the people whose capital keeps the American economy afloat. I have heard many of my Republican colleagues in the house begin to attack businesses as a proxy of their banal culture war, laying siege to job creators on the basis of their belief, your belief my friends, that good employees can come from any background, immigrant, minority, LGBT, what have you. They wish to turn their backs on the builders of our society to embrace the fringe elements, praying that that will somehow save their shrinking party from its inevitable death via self-inflicted wounds. And to that the appropriate response is clear: if they are to abandon reason, to abandon the machine of American growth and innovation, then the like-minded capitalists and independently minded entrepreneurs of America must support the only remaining party which wishes to welcome them, the Democrats.”
Murmurs of agreement went through the crowd as Ziegler smiled to himself.
“Those invested in technology present tonight know this all too well. What up-and-coming Republican officeholder has not railed against “Big Tech”, claiming that you and your associates are somehow responsible for the degradation of American society? Claiming that you are “silencing” them when in reality you provide a valued and important service to all stripes of Americans? What sort of absurd and asinine claim is that?” he questioned, earning signs of support from many of the gathered tech entrepreneurs. “It is the claim of a party that simply does not understand how our economy works. That does not understand progress. That does not understand your mission or the missions of any other industry they will happily chunk under the bus. And as such, they most certainly cannot be trusted to head up an economic recovery.” he made clear. “Whatever your reservations about Jillian Dayton, and I know you have them, I want to make it abundantly clear that Nate Richardson and the Republican party will strangle businesses at a time when relief and understanding is more needed than ever. A democratic congress and White House will provide the stability required to reinvigorate the American economy and look to the future. Governor Richardson’s empty promises of tax cuts and credits are a front for his desire to plunge a knife into your backs at the behest of his far-right donors and supporters, eager for your destruction. If you don’t believe me yet, note this: it is increasingly likely that he will select an evangelical nutcase as his running mate in the form of Laura Dunn, a woman whose social views are so hostile to those held by many of you and your corporate brands that war with the White House is inevitable, especially considering her almost certain to be outsized role as the first woman Vice President.”
“What decision is the most wise then, from your perspective. To support those in the Democratic Party such as myself, whose understanding of these issues has kept you thriving and prospering for years, or to support a party which seeks to vilify you for the sake of social regression, target your CEO’s and board members for the “canceling” they rage so much about, strip you of your right to grow and compete effectively in markets that they don’t approve of? Imagine the impact of a Dunn/Richardson administration on the burgeoning cannabis industry? Casinos? What about those of you involved in the Hollywood productions vilified by Republicans as “Un-American” and dangerous, or the video game industry they decry as the root of gun violence while the NRA yanks their strings? In this time of economic calamity, we need strong, reliable, capable leadership that can shepherd us through a crisis and provide the help businesses need, not a coalition of prudish, anti-progress reactionaries who wish to kill entire sectors of opportunity and damage your reputations.” he concluded, the already sympathetic crowd convinced. “Which is, of course, why many of you agreed to come tonight. You know this already, with your foresight and expertise. As the leaders of your sectors, you know the challenges you would face in such an unpredictable environment. The Democratic Party needs your assistance to prevent such an eventuality, and I trust you are all generous enough to act accordingly.” he finished, prompting sounds of agreement from the crowd and some applause.
“For prosperity.” Ziegler said, snatching a flute of champagne from a waiter after calling him over and lifting it up in a toast, which was joined by the assembled individuals. “Your generosity would be most appreciated by the DCCC and DSCC.” he said, before ringing the gong again, just for fun.
The jazz band started up again.
