FLAMES OF LIBERTY (1960 American Political RP) - IC

[The Rio Grande River Basin]

I will now take any questions you might have.

“Sir! Peter Yarnsen of the Daily Record. What do you say about Senators Long and Sparks? According to information we’ve received, Senator Long is looking for prospective running mates. Would you run with Senator Long? Or Senator Sparks?”

[Azekopolaltion]

I will now take any questions you might have.

A reporter from the National Review raised his hand. "Sir, you've slandered our brave men who are fighting for freedom and democracy in Africa of committing war crimes. How dare you!? Our boys are fighting the good fight to stave off Fascist expansionism, and you are slandering them! Have you got no shame, sir?"

"I will not be deterred by those who beat the drum of false patriotism and by the innuendo that I am against our armed forces. I myself put my life on the line for this country and against fascism when I served in the Navy during the Pacific War. The slaughter of civilians in Western Africa is no war against fascism; it is war against humanity. If we were truly interested in fighting against the fascist expansionism, we'd be fighting in the Congo directly against the Germans."

[Sao Nova Europa]

A reporter from the National Review raised his hand. "Sir, you've slandered our brave men who are fighting for freedom and democracy in Africa of committing war crimes. How dare you!? Our boys are fighting the good fight to stave off Fascist expansionism, and you are slandering them! Have you got no shame, sir?"

"I will not be deterred by those who beat the drum of false patriotism and by the innuendo that I am against our armed forces. I myself put my life on the line for this country and against fascism when I served in the Navy during the Pacific War. The slaughter of civilians in Western Africa is no war against fascism; it is war against humanity. If we were truly interested in fighting against the fascist expansionism, we'd be fighting in the Congo directly against the Germans."

"Do you have any actual evidence that our boys are massacring civilians? How dare you use one or two isolated cases to attack our brave men. Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You claim that over 300,000 American soldiers deployed in Africa are criminals and butchers?"

[Azekopolaltion]

"I will not be deterred by those who beat the drum of false patriotism and by the innuendo that I am against our armed forces. I myself put my life on the line for this country and against fascism when I served in the Navy during the Pacific War. The slaughter of civilians in Western Africa is no war against fascism; it is war against humanity. If we were truly interested in fighting against the fascist expansionism, we'd be fighting in the Congo directly against the Germans."

"Do you have any actual evidence that our boys are massacring civilians? How dare you use one or two isolated cases to attack our brave men. Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You claim that over 300,000 American soldiers deployed in Africa are criminals and butchers?"

"It is no fault of the boys serving in Africa that our political leadership here at home is fighting a bloody war. A war against vague insurgency is necessarily a war against civilians. What else can you call the indiscriminate bombing campaigns, not to mention the widely seen massacres in Senegalese villages? When the enemy is ill defined, when our forces are fighting blind, when the Washington leadership has failed our arm forces, what more can you expect? And you, sir, should be ashamed of yourself for dismissing these truly soul-shaking events as 'one or two isolated cases.' It shakes our country's moral core to see even on of these sickening acts, using American taxpayer dollars against innocents. As a journalist, you sir should do better in speaking truth to power. I won't be bullied into swaying from this message."

I will now take any questions you might have.

“Sir! Peter Yarnsen of the Daily Record. What do you say about Senators Long and Sparks? According to information we’ve received, Senator Long is looking for prospective running mates. Would you run with Senator Long? Or Senator Sparks?”

"The first votes have yet to be cast, the first debate hasn't even happened. It is a bit early for either candidate to be behaving like the presumptive nominee. I'm my own man with my own message, and none of my colleagues in this party will distract me from my mission against this immoral war. The American people are sick of this kind of politicking that undermines our effectiveness once in office. I refuse to play any such games."

[The Rio Grande River Basin]

“Congressman Byrne, so what would your plans for civil rights and economics be? Senators Long, Sparks and Nelson, and Wallace Disney have all given detailed explanations of their plans. What would yours be? Are you for, or against civil rights?”

[Azekopolaltion]

“Congressman Byrne, so what would your plans for civil rights and economics be? Senators Long, Sparks and Nelson, and Wallace Disney have all given detailed explanations of their plans. What would yours be? Are you for, or against civil rights?”

"Our struggle with race is our nation's original sin. I defer to those peaceful activists of the South so eloquently taking the fight to racial hatred and separation on the basis of one's skin color. If one cannot enjoy the full promise of our nation, the promise we all so crave, simply on account of the shade of his skin, then what kind of promise is that at all? I am for Civil Rights, unequivocally. It is the moral duty of the modern American citizen to be in support of this struggle. And I ask my party, and more importantly Congress proper, to act together before we see the kind of public outrage chaos, disorder, and, god forbid, violence that might permanently end our chances of passing a comprehensive Civil Rights bill."

[The Rio Grande River Basin]

“So what about economics? Do you have any ideas that differentiate yourself from the likes of Long, or Nelson, or Jackson? Are you a new-dealer? What are your plans, actual plans and promises you can make the American people? And what do you say about the accusations you are inexperienced, and merely here because of your family? How can you prove to the American people that you are not, as some claim, another young upstart?”

[Azekopolaltion]

“So what about economics? Do you have any ideas that differentiate yourself from the likes of Long, or Nelson, or Jackson? Are you a new-dealer? What are your plans, actual plans and promises you can make the American people? And what do you say about the accusations you are inexperienced, and merely here because of your family? How can you prove to the American people that you are not, as some claim, another young upstart?”

"The common problems the diverse people of our nation face are war, poverty, and tyranny abroad. My candidacy is about restoring America's moral center. We must set an example at home and beyond our borders. We must be that shining beacon of light for the world, and we can't do it with blood on our hands. Nor can we do it with our own domestic failings. In a country with so much wealth, it is wrong that we have not yet ended the scourge of poverty in this nation—both in our urban centers and our rural areas. Ending the war and ending poverty: these are my goals on the foreign and domestic fronts."

"You ask me to differentiate myself. Senator Long, respect as I have for him, I believe risks the possibility of progress with his rhetoric. You do not win votes on Capitol Hill by threatening to literally hang other Senators. For all those whom he purports to care about—the poor, the sick, the elderly, the working people of this country—his presidency would be stunted by one big detraction: his own ego, and his own cult of personality."

"To those who say I am inexperienced, I ask them to look at my record. Perhaps it is true, I haven't had as many years in this political hellhole as some others. But I see that as a mark of strength, not a downside. I have shared many of the real experiences of Americans in this country—experiences where I wasn't shielded by the privilege of politics. I served overseas in Japan at the height of the war; I know the cost of violent conflict, as do so many Americans who served there alongside me. When I was working as a labor lawyer in Brooklyn, I stood up against the bosses and for the working poor—I sought justice in the courts and made a direct difference instead of just talking about it. And I grew up near the shipyards of Brooklyn, which were once a beacon of our nation's industrial strength."

"I am more than a handsome young face—as necessary as a fresh face is for our politics. I am more than my family name. I am a set of real experiences—experiences that uniquely equip me to lead in this new era. It's time to go beyond the political dynasties, beyond the ancient faces hoping to nail us to our past. Let's look to the future. Let's expand federal vocational training programs specifically designed to combat urban poverty. Let's create a national health insurance plan for our poor and for our elderly, so that those who need care the most can afford to access it. Let's make heavy investments in childhood public education, so that everyone has a shot at social mobility."

"Am I a New Dealer? It's an outdated question, over two decades out of date. Let's not look to the lingo and the policies of the past. Let's look to the problems and solutions of the future."

[Catalaonia]

"Mathew Churn from The Boston Globe. Considering you lack of experience, relevancy and notoriety, is their really any point in running against highly well-known figures such as Long, Sparks?".

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

On January 7th, 1960, Governor Nelson would give a speech in Polk County. Iowa, that reflected the tone of the campaign on the question of ‘states’ rights’

As a Governor, I believe that I have a responsibility to say thisL People have rights and responsibilities. States have responsibilities, but they do not have rights. Never in our constitution, nor in the amendments made by those that follow, is there ever a suggestion that states have rights. You don't need to take my word for it, you can read the constitution for yourself. Every single instance of rights mentioned in our constitution applies to the American people and they apply to individuals.

To some, this might seem to be a minor quibble, but this is fundamentally important to understanding the nature of the global titanic moral struggle that is currently being waged between Democratic Republics and Fascist Dictatorships in our time. As our declaration of independence states, we are endowed with certain unalienable rights. That there is a certain spark of worth in the human soul that guarantees its rights, that most certainly does not apply to that which we create to serve us, namely, our governments, our states.

But the fascists, fundamentally, do not believe that. They believe that in creating the state, we submit ourselves to it and therefore have rights that trancened and can be separate from the rights of individuals. It is no coincidence that the creed of those within these united states, whose worldview is most closely aligned with the fascists in Europe, I speak of the opponents of civil rights, is the creed states rights. They’re well aware that once they've forced the submission of the rights to these invented rights of government, they can leverage that submission into imposing tyranny on all levels.

I say this without restraint and with complete conviction, that any individual, no matter how high, or how low, insists on the unconstitutional notion of the rights of states, is acting as a witting or unwitting tool of fascistic ideology. We recognize this most clearly when it is repeated by the klu klux klanner, but it is at its most dangerous when it is coming from the mouths of those who either in pretense or ignorance, present an interest in the good will of all.

My Fellow Americans, I believe in our constitution, which is by I believe that people, not governments, have rights and that it is the sacred responsibility of all governments, the federal government most of all, to protect those rights.

[Union Princes]

"Now that that's out of the way," the Speaker said somewhat smugly, "I'm willing to take some questions from the press."

"Mr. Speaker, a reporter from the New York Times, I would like to ask you about one of Mr. Walt Disney's comments in the interview with Michael Jackson. He stated in that interview that the United States should stop seeking new enemies outside of the struggle against Nazi Germany. Do you agree with this sentiment or do you believe that the United States should be involved in more foreign conflicts to stop, let's say, China from joining the Axis camp?

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

"Mr. Speaker, I'm a reporter here on behalf of ABC, with an overwhelmingly democratic senate showing a willingness to deploy the unprecedented tactic of bypassing the fillibuster with a simple majority for the GVR Act, there seems to be a large degree of bi-partisan unity around this bill in its current form. If the house is not intending to send it to the president as is, what do you believe the house intends to change in the bill?"

[The Rio Grande River Basin]

"Congressman Byrne, from what I can tell, many people have been calling for these things very loudly, from Senator Long, to Senator Gary and Governor Graythorpe, and Senators Long and Sparks, as well as Governor Graythorpe have come out against the war. So again, how do you intend to differentiate yourself, in terms of policy? Do you have one landmark policy you wish to have passed?"

[Arvenia]

Senator Thames "Tommy" Mitchell (R-NH)
January 2, 1960
Mitchell Manor, Concord, New Hampshire, USA
The Mitchell Manor was a big manor located in a remote part of Concord, New Hampshire. Senator Thames "Tommy" Mitchell (R-NH) was raised there during his childhood up until his studies at Oxford. He then inherited the manor after his father, the renowned and philantropic businessman Walter "Walt" Mitchell, passed away from lung cancer in 1952. He, his wife Lucine and her youngest daughter Sylvia currently lives there while Lucine's eldest children, Annabelle and Neville, have moved out and formed their own families. Tommy's mother, Cynthia "Cindy" Mitchell (neé Stevens), who served as a nurse for both the US Army and the Concord Hospital, also lives in the manor, but might get sent to a retirement home soon due to her ailing health.

As a US Senator, Tommy is determined to change America for the better. The South is still dominated by racial segregation, the Nazis are about to win the Space Race, drugs have started to sweep across the US and the African Campaign has caused a ruckus among ordinary US citizens. The Jackson Administration was not making enough progress lately and Tommy fears that the US would be plunged into chaos soon.

Tommy would be running against numerous Republican candidates such as Governor Robert Nelson (R-NY), Senator Constantine Aleskevitch (R-CT) and even film producer Wallace Disney. He is also disappointed to learn about some Democrats who wish to run for President, most notably Senator James Grant Long (D-LA) and Senator William Dupont Sparks (D-AL). The former is a left-wing populist who wants to waste the entire US economy on crazy social programs and even wishes to hang fellow Senators like Tommy himself. Damn, Long even appointed his own mother as the new Governor of Louisiana, who in turn made her son a US Senator. The latter is a Dixiecrat who wants to retain racial segregation in the South. Although there were some moderate Democrats such as Thomas C. Byrne (D-NY) and Elizabeth Goodyear-Roosevelt (D-NY), Tommy still didn't have enough faith in the Democratic Party. That's why he identifies himself as a so-called "One-Nation Republican". With his own style of "one-nation conservatism", Tommy is determined to rehabilitate America and then lead her towards a brighter future.

He was making preparations for his political campaign. Harvey Baldwin, Tommy's campaign manager and fellow member of the National Unity Coalition (NUC), helped the ambitious senator with his speeches as they discussed politics and economics. They were also talking about Tommy's safety due to an assassination attempt back in 1958. Tommy is due to be protected by armed bodyguards throughout his campaign.

Senator Thames "Tommy" Mitchell (R-NH)
January 3, 1960
Concord Square, Concord, New Hampshire, USA
Senator Thames "Tommy" Mitchell (R-NH) was feeling a bit nervous about his coming speech at Concord Square. His speech was to be witnessed by many people, ranging from ordinary Concord residents to countless reporters, including those from the good old Concord Monitor. With Lucine and Sylvia by his side, Tommy made his way up to the stage where he will speak directly to the audience. Harvey Baldwin was busy talking to the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen", Harvey said. "Here comes our future President. The man who will save America from numerous threats. The man who has a new plan for our economy. The man who you can all rely on. Senator Thames Mitchell!"

The audience began clapping as Tommy came closer and Harvey stepped aside. With enough determination, Tommy verbally unveiled his political agenda to the masses.

"Dear people of America. We are in the middle of a crisis. A crisis shaped by prejudice, addiction, war, doubt, madness and corruption. We are seeing these things happen across our beloved country. They are decimating us. Our way of life is being threatened by them. They show up from every corner of our lives.

In the Deep South, segregation reigns supreme as blacks are being denied basic civil rights and life opportunities. The Dixiecrats are hellbent on retaining their political, social and economic privileges while disguising said privileges as "states' rights". They want to remain as the iron-fisted dictators of the South. They want to be sure that people of color are denied a path to freedom and prosperity. They would even go as far as to join forces with both the KKK and the ANV. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 helped people of color overcome racial discrimination by enrolling them in white schools, even if it required military assistance. However, I don't think the Jackson Administration had done enough to dismantle segregation and enforce the Civil Rights Act. We need another Civil Rights Act and a stronger stance against the Dixiecrat dictatorship. It is a matter of time before Dixiecrats decide to either deport all people of color to Nazi-occupied Europe or restore slavery across America.

In many large cities and small towns, our youths are being exposed to drug addiction. Such addiction is making them unstable and close to death. Many of your youths have succumbed to drugs and it is heartbreaking. There must be a reason why this happened. Why are our youths getting addicted to drugs? When will they ever be freed from drug addiction?

Across the world, the Nazis and their like-minded lackeys are ruling Europe and parts of Africa with an iron fist. Even though they are anti-communist, they are also anti-liberal, anti-capitalist, anti-democratic, racist and reactionary. They won't stop until our way of life gets destroyed and we are all forced to follow their twisted ideals. Free France is still locked in a struggle against African rebels, which has caused a ruckus among our fellow Americans. Most Americans wants to keep our troops in Africa, while some wants the opposite. China, on the other hand, is slowly drifting towards the German sphere of influence and that might pose a big threat to our presence in Asia.

Overall, our economy is doing great, but I have my doubts about it. Whether we give in to the New Deal or remain loyal to the free market, we clearly need an economic agenda. We don't need one that wants to waste our entire economy on the redistribution of income and wealth. Nor do we need one that heavily favors powerful companies and wants them to rule our country. All we need is an economic agenda that keeps our economy stable and gives our people jobs.

But I'm here. Your savior. A so-called "One-Nation Republican". I have been to Oxford and it taught me a lot. If I haven't been there, I wouldn't have been here. I wouldn't have been a politician. I wouldn't even had married a beautiful woman like Lucille. Life would have been radically different. But now that things are the same, I have a plan for our country. We need to keep our nation united. We need to keep our economy stable. We need to keep our ideals alive. And we definitely need to keep our people motivated. I hereby announce my intention to run for President. With me at the White House, our country will prevail against fascism, communism, segregation and anarchy. Vote for me and we would be headed towards a brighter future. If there ever will be a bright future."

The audience clapped as Tommy finished his speech. He felt relieved and some tears were streaming down people's cheeks.

"Now that's over, I can now answer some questions."

[The Rio Grande River Basin]

"Senator Mitchell! Polina Nasikova of the Daily Record! What do you say to the detractors who claim you are merely "a corporate stooge", or an elitist? And what do you say to the claims that you are merely a spoiler for Governor Nelson's campaign, to ensure Disney's victory? And what are your opinions on the Democratic frontrunners, Sparks, Long and Byrne? Why should people trust someone with not a shred of actual executive experience? And what are your actual ideas?"

[Arvenia]

"Senator Mitchell! Polina Nasikova of the Daily Record! What do you say to the detractors who claim you are merely "a corporate stooge", or an elitist? And what do you say to the claims that you are merely a spoiler for Governor Nelson's campaign, to ensure Disney's victory? And what are your opinions on the Democratic frontrunners, Sparks, Long and Byrne? Why should people trust someone with not a shred of actual executive experience? And what are your actual ideas?"

"Well, Ms. Nasikova. My father didn't run a big business. His business was small and local. My family is composed of middle-class people, not upper-class ones. It is obvious that "corporate stooges" only serve big businesses. The claims that I'm merely a spoiler for Governor Nelson's campaign is not quite true. I don't personally know Governor Nelson nor does he know me. We hail from the same party, but our policies might be different. The claims that I'm only here to ensure victory for film producer Wallace Disney isn't true either. I don't personally know Disney nor does he know me. I have seen his films, but I haven't personally met him in my entire life. Regarding the Democratic frontrunners, I have nothing against Representative Byrne and his stance on civil rights, but I do question his views on the African Campaign. I believe withdrawal is not possible due to the risk of fascist takeover, but we all want fascists to stay out of our business. While I have nothing further against Byrne, I do have serious issues with both Senator Long and Senator Sparks. The former is a left-leaning fool who wishes to waste our entire economy on wealth redistribution and give key political positions to his family. Even if he is fairly popular among the masses and opposes racial segregation, his economic policies would pose a threat to our economy and leave us vulnerable to a fascist invasion. The latter, on the other hand, is an opportunistic Dixiecrat that I have warned you all about. I consider him to be one of America's worst governors due to the fact that he completely bankrupted his native Alabama and fought to keep prisoners enslaved by the prisoner-leasing system. He tries to use states' rights as a way to support racial segregation across the South. If he becomes President, he would spread racial segregation across the US and give Dixiecrats more power over everyone else. Regarding my experience, I have been a legislator since 1934, starting first with the Concord City Council. Then I moved to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Then I moved to the US House of Representatives and was part of the House Committee on Financial Services. And now, I am a US Senator. I have sponsored and opposed numerous legislations. I have sponsored and supported the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Regarding my policies, I identify myself as a follower of one-nation conservatism. I wish to preserve our established institutions and traditional principles within American democracy, while bringing in social and economic programs meant to benefit every American. In my opinion, American society needs to develop in an organic way, rather than through simple engineering. Every wealthy American shall have a responsibility to help the poor and steer America towards a better future."

[The Rio Grande River Basin]

"Sir. You have not answered my question on policy. What is a landmark plan you support, and why should the Americans support a Senator who has not run a state before? Why should they vote for you rather than the more experienced Governor Nelson, who is both better known, and has given more detail, on a similar campaign platform to yours? And you aware that Senator Long's plans are not particularly extreme, considering his recent statements. How could his policies lead to a fascist invasion?

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

"Senator Mitchell, its Elvin Avila and I'm here on behalf of the Nation. Governor Nelson has been running for president since middle of last year, since you've only announced now, Why isn't it probable that the only effect of your campaignwill be the split the moderate republican vote?"

[Turkducken]

"Mr. Speaker, what is your response to the controversial comments made by Senator Long - including a threat to hang sitting Senators?"

The Speaker frowned. "Of course the questions would be about the election." he silently swore to himself, "Senator Long should apologize for his actions and words. I don't make comments about the internal affairs of the Senate, but that is my opinion." he waved away the question, "Anything else is idle gossip that is neither my constitutional or legal responsibility."

He searched for a new question.

"Mr. Speaker, a reporter from the New York Times, I would like to ask you about one of Mr. Walt Disney's comments in the interview with Michael Jackson. He stated in that interview that the United States should stop seeking new enemies outside of the struggle against Nazi Germany. Do you agree with this sentiment or do you believe that the United States should be involved in more foreign conflicts to stop, let's say, China from joining the Axis camp?

The old man cracked a small smile at this, "Well I don't know about the comments made by Mr. Disney have any bearing on much at all. It's not everyday Mickey Mouse advises you on Foreign Policy." his attempt at humor drew a small chuckle from a reporter.

He quickly restored order to his own face, "Next question."

"Mr. Speaker, I'm a reporter here on behalf of ABC, with an overwhelmingly democratic senate showing a willingness to deploy the unprecedented tactic of bypassing the filibuster with a simple majority for the GVR Act, there seems to be a large degree of bi-partisan unity around this bill in its current form. If the house is not intending to send it to the president as is, what do you believe the house intends to change in the bill?"

The Speaker leaned into the podium slightly, and prepared himself to answer the big question, "The Democratic Senators that made a correct decision to vote for temporarily suspending the filibuster for the Voting Rights Act made the difference its true. However that final vote was very close, I believe it was something like fifty-five to forty-four. The whole process was unexpected, but welcome. While the Senate does write its own bills and vote on its own bills, and the House does the same. Between that and the simple fact is that this was an unexpected bill. I'm not quite sure how it made it through the Senate committees in such a short amount of time, but it did." he leaned back from the podium, "The Senate has a right to draft its own bills and so does the House. As I said previously, we will have a voting rights bill before November."

Satisfied in his answer, he looked again for more promising questions, but felt the need to wrap this up soon enough.

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

Representative Randolph-Richter, in Early January, after announcing a press conference in D.C., gives a short speech followed by questions:

After taking a full review of the field, stirred particularly by Senator Spark's odd bill on the protection of the practice of child labor, I have come to the conclusion that there is no presidential candidate currently in this race that is a credible representative of the views of my constituents, my state, the southern United states and all those across this nation that share our views on real american liberty.

It is why, despite what I would have otherwise preferred, as evidenced by the fact I have chosen now, with only a month to do to the Iowa primary, to announce my run for the nomination of the democratic primary. I am well aware that this campaign will be, to say the least, an incredible long shot. I have no misunderstanding of that. But I run to represent the silent many, who have long been ignored, inside of the democratic party and within this country, if for no other reason than ensuring that the eventual nominee will understand the importance of representing our cause.

What is our cause, you might ask? It is the cause of Americans across the country demanding that we be left to our own devices. Demanding that we no longer face unjust impositions from our federal government. The founders designed our union to have equal representation in the senate for one simple reason. Regardless of size or location, we are a union of states that turn to the federal government for collective security and voluntary interstate cooperation, not to be dictated from a strong central government. That has always been the American way of governance.

The federal government is an appendage of the states, it is not the other way around. It therefore mustn't become large and unwieldy. That is why I am running on the devolution of the regulatory powers and the provision of services that does not occur, expressly, between states, down to the level of state governments. It is not right that our seniors should fear the profligate spending on the federal level might take their social security away from them, or that inflationary pressures will erase its value. That is why I am calling for social security to be put into the hands of state governments for them to run, providing an option for states to choose to pool their money together through the federal government, but not requiring it. It is why I am calling for a permanent commitment, enforced by law and if necessary a constitutional amendment, that ensures that the federal government climbs out of its debt and never returns to it.

As for those rioting in our streets, using the excuse of the war, we can not allow agitators and criminals to use these protests as cover for their illicit work. While I do not believe that it is the role of the federal government to act directly, except in the most extreme circumstances, there have many documented cases of people from one state, leaving to another to agitate across state lines. As this is a matter of interstate relations, it is well within the purview of the federal government to aggressively go after these individuals.

Lastly, I want to say a few things about our tax code and our teachers. Many of us are well aware that we are facing a crisis of underfunded schools in this country. Some of us want to use this as an opportunity to impose federal funding and therefore control of our education system. This is a result of an insidious trick. By imposing large costs in federal taxes on our citizenry, the level of government that funds out schools, the state and local level, have their capacity to generate revenue greatly diminished, so as not to overbears their constituents. This process is unacceptable. We must make space for increased teacher pay, alongside funding of other public services, by means that don't put the federal government in control. This is why I support not only the lowering of federal income taxes, but the expansion of access to state and local tax deductions. In doing this, we can ensure that it is our states and towns that control our schools, while ensuring those schools remain properly funded.

Now, I will soon be on my way to campaign in South Carolina, the first southern state voting in these primaries, for most of the next 2 months, with the exception of returning to Virginia for constituency services and D.C. for important votes. But in all honesty, I believe participating in this campaign at the moment is the best way I can represent the interests of my constituency at this moment. However, before that, I am willing to take a few questions.

[The Rio Grande River Basin]

“Congresswoman! Nigel Hawkson of the Daily Record. What are your opinions of the Equal Rights Amendment, and what are your views on the detractors who claim you are merely making Senator Long’s victory more likely?”

[Turkducken]

Representative Randolph-Richter

"Representative," a man spoke from the front of the press pool, "Hiddleston, CBS political correspondent. The Democratic Primary so far, and excuse my language, seems like its gone absolutely insane. I think voters of all stripes across America wish to see reasonable candidates this November. Would you make any assurances that you can be a reasonable national voice and not just a regional voice?"

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

“Congresswoman! Nigel Hawkson of the Daily Record. What are your opinions of the Equal Rights Amendment, and what are your views on the detractors who claim you are merely making Senator Long’s victory more likely?”

"Firstly, I remain an ardent advocate for an Equal Rights Amendment. I believe the way that one goes about changing the purview of federal power is not through the congress seizing power bettween perceived constituional gaps, nor in the decision of activist judges, but by a super majortity of congress or the states putting forth a consitutional amendment and three quarters of our states agreeing to one without coercion. If one can build that consensus for anything, while I might fight against it in disagreement, I would not deny its legitmacy.

As for Senator Long, I have thought about this for awhile now and If I thought that me running would make it more likely for Long, in his current bombastic, threathening to lynch the congressmembers form, to win, I would have never decided to run. I run because I believe, first and foremost, that I will be a moderating force in this race, capable of bringing the democratic party toward an acceptable nominee, wheter or not that nominee is me. Besides, few states in this race are winner-take all, delegates will be distributed more or less proportionally. With the current number of candidates in the race, splitting is unlikely to be particularly serious."

Representative Randolph-Richter

"Representative," a man spoke from the front of the press pool, "Hiddleston, CBS political correspondent. The Democratic Primary so far, and excuse my language, seems like its gone absolutely insane. I think voters of all stripes across America wish to see reasonable candidates this November. Would you make any assurances that you can be a reasonable national voice and not just a regional voice?"

Natalie subtly smiled at the notion she could possibly be a national voice. She'd love absolutely nothing more than that.

"I think, quite frankly, that the difference between being a reasonable national voice and a reasonable regional voice is less of a question of content than it is expectations. That wants, needs and views of Virginias are not all together that different from those of all americans, north and south. Its why this state has produced more presidents than any other, from Washington to Woodrow. But there are expectations that a woman in her 30s from the south such as myself may not be able to serve as a national voice. Perhaps I might be able to shift those expectations, but I am mostly focused on representing the unrepresented, wherever that might bring me."

[The Rio Grande River Basin]

Davenport

A small motorcade drove through the city. Senator Long waved from his convertible, as confetti showered down upon him. They headed towards a massive open-air platform just outside the Town Hall, where they would hold an event, and court the endorsement of the mayor. It was virtually a parade, big band in tow, New Orleans music blaring out, as food trucks; right from Louisiana, stormed the city, offering campaign posters along with speeches by the horde of surrogates and free BBQs. Despite all of his railing against the elites, his campaign had millions of dollars, and hundreds of thousands of volunteers. Small donations added up, after all, and waves of Share Our Wealth Society members marched and drove along the streets, knocking on doors, and campaigning, he prepared another fiery speech. Of course, he was the favourite to win, but...

Anyhow, this procession would head on a path towards New Hampshire, crossing from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont. They would blitz through the major cities, spending a day currying favour with important mayors and councillors, whilst having their surrogates and procession tear through cities, riling up supporters.

His parade blared out “Every Man a King”, as his car arrived at the town hall. He marched towards the stage, preparing for another fiery oration.

His aides marched up to the stage, set up in front of the City Hall, as he began his speech.

“Folks! I’m sure y’all know who I am. So I ain’t gonna bore ya with how I was born and all that. You lot don’t care, and frankly, ya shouldn’t. You want solutions, and James Grant Long is gonna be the one to give ‘em to ya. Those corporate stooges, they’re gonna try and stop us from takin’ what’s rightfully ours. We’ve got everythin’ our people need! Why not let all have their fill an’ lie down in the ease and comfort God has blessed us with?! Why?! Why do the top 40 men have more wealth and power than half the nation?! Why do they have that, when the good farmers, the ones who feed us, barely own enough to pay off their debts. I’ll tell ya why!

Greed! The greed of the men like Disney, the greed of men like those fellas, takin’ from the good folks of America, the land of Brave and Free!

And then ya have folks like Sparks! The ones who want to send ya kids off to the factories! But what do we say? NO! We want change! And Sparks is regressive on everythin’! He don’t represent change! He represents those fascist scumbags! He’s just as bad as those goose-steppin’ brown shirts! I am the true choice for America! Not the greedy penny-pinchers like Disney! Mark my words; if hell freezes over and folks like him win, we’ll be far into deficit, just only the likes of Goldman Sachs will ever see the money!

We ought to take care of every single one of our citizens, whether he is black or white, I do not care. Every man from America deserves the god-given right to be fed, to be housed, to have a job, to be taken care of. There is money for it, and we need to use it! But the likes of Jackson won’t do it, because they’re too busy countin’ pennies from those lobbyists!

And finally, if Jackson is such a good general, then why haven’t we won this damn war? It’s time for those brothers, fathers, friends and sons, to come home! It’s time for our boys to come back, and rejoin their mothers and fathers, not wrapped in flags, but with a proper education, and a good job! It’s time for America to come home! And when I become president, they will! SHARE OUR WEALTH!”

The crowd cheered and cheered, and broke out into choruses of “Every Man a King”. Perhaps he really could win this. He headed in to answer a few questions, before meeting the Mayor, and let his surrogates shout.

“Well, fellas, good to see y’all again. Any questions?”

[Catalaonia]

Davenport

A small motorcade drove through the city. Senator Long waved from his convertible, as confetti showered down upon him. They headed towards a massive open-air platform just outside the Town Hall, where they would hold an event, and court the endorsement of the mayor. It was virtually a parade, big band in tow, New Orleans music blaring out, as food trucks; right from Louisiana, stormed the city, offering campaign posters along with speeches by the horde of surrogates and free BBQs. Despite all of his railing against the elites, his campaign had millions of dollars, and hundreds of thousands of volunteers. Small donations added up, after all, and waves of Share Our Wealth Society members marched and drove along the streets, knocking on doors, and campaigning, he prepared another fiery speech. Of course, he was the favourite to win, but...

Anyhow, this procession would head on a path towards New Hampshire, crossing from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont. They would blitz through the major cities, spending a day currying favour with important mayors and councillors, whilst having their surrogates and procession tear through cities, riling up supporters.

His parade blared out “Every Man a King”, as his car arrived at the town hall. He marched towards the stage, preparing for another fiery oration.

His aides marched up to the stage, set up in front of the City Hall, as he began his speech.

“Folks! I’m sure y’all know who I am. So I ain’t gonna bore ya with how I was born and all that. You lot don’t care, and frankly, ya shouldn’t. You want solutions, and James Grant Long is gonna be the one to give ‘em to ya. Those corporate stooges, they’re gonna try and stop us from takin’ what’s rightfully ours. We’ve got everythin’ our people need! Why not let all have their fill an’ lie down in the ease and comfort God has blessed us with?! Why?! Why do the top 40 men have more wealth and power than half the nation?! Why do they have that, when the good farmers, the ones who feed us, barely own enough to pay off their debts. I’ll tell ya why!

Greed! The greed of the men like Disney, the greed of men like those fellas, takin’ from the good folks of America, the land of Brave and Free!

And then ya have folks like Sparks! The ones who want to send ya kids off to the factories! But what do we say? NO! We want change! And Sparks is regressive on everythin’! He don’t represent change! He represents those fascist scumbags! He’s just as bad as those goose-steppin’ brown shirts! I am the true choice for America! Not the greedy penny-pinchers like Disney! Mark my words; if hell freezes over and folks like him win, we’ll be far into deficit, just only the likes of Goldman Sachs will ever see the money!

We ought to take care of every single one of our citizens, whether he is black or white, I do not care. Every man from America deserves the god-given right to be fed, to be housed, to have a job, to be taken care of. There is money for it, and we need to use it! But the likes of Jackson won’t do it, because they’re too busy countin’ pennies from those lobbyists!

And finally, if Jackson is such a good general, then why haven’t we won this damn war? It’s time for those brothers, fathers, friends and sons, to come home! It’s time for our boys to come back, and rejoin their mothers and fathers, not wrapped in flags, but with a proper education, and a good job! It’s time for America to come home! And when I become president, they will! SHARE OUR WEALTH!”

The crowd cheered and cheered, and broke out into choruses of “Every Man a King”. Perhaps he really could win this. He headed in to answer a few questions, before meeting the Mayor, and let his surrogates shout.

“Well, fellas, good to see y’all again. Any questions?”

"Hugh Donald from the Davenport Express! Can you give us a statement on the recent clash between Civil rights protesters and the Dixiecrats in your home state?".