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

[Dentali]

Nathaniel Richardson
@Governor Richardson

I heartily welcome Arnold Wolf Jr into the race for the Presidency and look forward to a substantive issue based campaign.

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

Bernard J. Porter
@BerniePorter

I welcome the contribution that Wolf Jr. will have for this race, along with his campaign. I support democracy in full, and as such I support his entry into the race.

[Agarntrop]

(Image)
Governor Jonah Prendergast Jr.
@JPJ4USA

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Welcome to the race Arnold Wolf Jr.! From one Junior to another, I'm glad you're here to help guard the defining VICTORY your father laid out!

Liked and Retweeted by @MissouriPeoplesSenator

Barry Anderson
@MissouriPeoplesSenator

I may have my disagreements with Governor Richardson at times, but he does not support pedophilia.

Barry Anderson
@MissouriPeoplesSenator

I welcome the entry of Wolf Jr into the race; I am sure he will have a lot to add.


John Atang
@JohnAtangNY3

So now we have open racism, the accusation that sexual education is "homosexual pornography," and unreal levels of stereotyping coming from major Republican candidates. To think that this was once the party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt...

[Jovuistan]

Arnold Wolf Jr. @ArnoldWolfJr Let me be clear: Richardson probably doesn't support pedophiles. There are however some valid concerns in Porter's speech today. Democrats have allowed a gross lack of morality to invade our schools. Our children are being actively taught about immoral subjects at way too young of an age. They're being taught that theories are facts!

Arnold Wolf Jr. @ArnoldWolfJr We need to return morality to our schools and cast out the disgusting values that the left has brought to our kids. The sanctity of American values cannot be perverted.

[Dentali]

Nathaniel Richardson
@GovernorRichardson

I would like to thank everyone defending my character and my record from the disgusting attacks by Former Secretary Porter, including but not limited to @ArnoldWolfJr and @MissouriPeoplesSenator.

[Azekopolaltion]

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Tim Westra 2020
Iowa City, Iowa
April 25th, 2019

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“Thank you! Thanks for being here! Wow! Thank you, everybody."

"For as long as America can remember, this great state has fed the nation. Hardworking people, industrious Americans, have worked to fuel our country with their agricultural produce. But our nation's economic system is not working for rural America. It's not working for farmers, it's not working for communities, it's not working for our planet. It is working for big agribusiness corporations like DowDupont and Monsanto. Honest folks from Iowa are being exploited by these corporations for the sole purpose of extracting profit from the Heartland.”

"Family farmers are being killed by the big corporations, the revenue of local farms is dropping. Farming is becoming more expensive – and Iowan rural workers are taking on more debt to cover the costs. Then, there's overproduction that makes the goods cheap and allows the big companies to rip you off."

"Our homegrown farm economy is dying. The system is rigged."

“The current president is bribing farmers with excessive subsidies to try and trick Iowans into thinking that somehow, his failed trade strategy is working. But you guys aren't stupid. You know what's up. Wolf is lying to you, he's causing your losses and giving you some temporary cash to keep your mind off of it. All while his big agribusiness lobbyists run off with the cash.”

“The president needs to have a better way. I will be a president that pushes for a farm economy that actually works in the longterm for you guys. And we can do this by building a new supply management model.”

“I would push to have the government guarantee farmers a price to match cost of production. How? Instead of endless subsidies that only cushion your costs temporarily, I'd develop a loan system for production costs. If the farmer can't repay this loan, the government would buy their products at the cost of production. If the private market offers a better price, the farmer would repay the loan. This creates a truly competitive market.”

“What happens when the government receives agricultural produce? We'd be able to provide better prices by holding the produce in reserve, essentially managing the supply and driving up prices for farmers. When the price exceeds a point, we can sell the produce, stabilizing prices once more. Rather than constantly subsidizing farmers, this guarantees them a competitive fair price.”

"In this way, we can sometimes pursue options like the Chinese tariffs without harming farmers. We wouldn't be giving useless subsidies, but rather we'd be revitalizing the farming economy."

"Here in Iowa, farmers are already embracing climate-positive agricultural techniques. And as President, I'll reward you for it. In order to get closer to decarbonization and a healthier environment for our kids, I will create a $10 billion fund to pay farmers for sustainable environmental practices. This makes sustainable farming an economically viable option for farmers, and will reward many of you who are already doing this."

"There is dignity in all work, especially in the work of our farmers who feed America. It's time we value our Iowan rural communities with the respect and the fair system they actually deserve, rather than take them for granted to peddle the interests of big agribusiness."

"It's not just Big Ag that is holding our workers back. For the past few decades, there has been a class war waged against the working families of this country by the billionaire class and the corporate elite. The fat cats in the government colluded with the bigshots of the one percent to destroy the lives of working people in Michigan, in Ohio, in New Jersey, and here in Iowa. They’ve been doing it all over America. While corporations close down plants here in our country to maximize their profits, they throw our workers out on the streets and leave behind ghost towns to die a painful death. Corporations don’t give a damn about you. If they could make a nickel more by killing you, they would. And I’m not even exaggerating. Criminal pharmaceutical executives have ruthlessly marketed and sold their opioid drugs at the expense of thousands of young American lives. It’s not just the manufacturing corporations and the drug companies. Fossil fuel companies, the military-industrial complex, Wall Street, the private prison complex — all of them have collectively conspired to trample on the economic rights of ordinary Americans in order to get away with unethical amounts of profit.”

“Well, we’ve got some bad news for them. We are building a grassroots movement to tackle the unlimited greed of Corporate America. That starts with unions. That starts with workers. That starts with the 99% standing up and saying: you can’t have it all. I’m proud to say that we are running a campaign powered by the people, not big corporations. We are not taking a dime from corporate PACS, or federal lobbyists. You cannot defeat a fundamentally corrupt system by taking their money.”

“Our campaigns message is not about endless platitudes. My record makes it clear that I’ve always shown up for what’s right. I’ve never flip-flopped on worker's issues or consumer rights. I’ve never been vague. My career in politics has only been about making the moral decision. Years before any neoliberal centrist claimed the idea for themselves, I wrote the American Reinvestment Act of 1993 as a Senate policy advisor, which would have doubled the Earned Income Tax Credit to boost our crumbling middle class. I didn’t care about falling out of line with the party. I fought for Americans workers by leading the charge in opposition to NAFTA, against the will of the New Democrats. As a Congressman, I founded the Blue Collar Caucus to give workers real representation in the House. Not only did I loudly advocate against the mass deregulation and dismantling of Glass-Steagall, I authored a bill in 2000 that did not pass, but paved the way for the groundbreaking [not Dodd Frank] Act almost a decade later.”

“This was not always the politically popular choice. I was perhaps the staunchest Congressman against the Iraq War. Not only did I vote against the initial invasion, I went beyond that by being one out of a handful of Congress members who opposed enhancing combat operations in Iraq after the invasion. I didn’t just stand against President Burke and the GOP, though. When I thought President Baharia was wrong, I pointed it out. I opposed the decimation of Libya, which was not convenient for me. When President Baharia tried to push for the TPP, I pushed back. Workers had to come first, not multinational corporations.”

"But let’s be clear: I supported President Baharia 100% on issues where he fought the good fight. I wrote the Affordable Care Act and introduced it in the House! How many people in this race can say they extended healthcare to 20 million people?"

"Those who paint me as a candidate singularly focused on economic action are not getting the facts straight. Yes, I believe the economic standing of all Americans is the single most important issue, along with the climate crisis. But I've been a leader on social issues as well. I have been for gay marriage even when this was not the popular stance. I voted against the Defense of Marriage Act and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I think that societal stigma against any marginalized group has to be combated, regardless of how politically inconvenient it is."

"And the best part is, we know how to solve this. We're not just diagnosing the problem, we're tackling the symptoms. I've done the math, I've looked at the details. We're going to raise wages by providing every worker a living wage through an unprecedented expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit – a real middle class tax cut, not like the Wolf Tax Scam. I want healthcare for all in this country, and we can accomplish this by automatically enrolling every uninsured American and newborn under a public option, which would be made available to all Americans and would be free of charge to the poor. A Medicare for America public option is the best way forward. We're not just shouting about Medicare for All, we have an idea of how to get it done."

"We're gonna enforce a trade policy that puts workers first, not the multinational corporations. We will no longer be outsourcing American jobs and encouraging a global race to the bottom. Instead, we'll work with our trade partners to assess all economic impact of any trade deal, including job loss, and we will make unions a major negotiation party of the trade agreement process. And, if any nation refuses to comply with our labor and environmental standards, there will be economic consequences."

"We want to make unemployment a thing of the past, so even if big plants pack up and abandon our workers, they won't be out of a good job. We will create a Federal Jobs Guarantee to put every single American who wants a good-paying job to work in much needed areas like green manufacturing, infrastructure development, and scientific research."

"And I'm concerned for our young people, who are being crushed under student debt. As it stands, we will cancel 95% of student debt in this country, providing relief to those who need it most. We'll make college tuition-free for all, and reform the federal loan process to lower interest rates and simplify payment procedure. No young person's future should be stolen just because education is a commodity in the wealthiest country in the history of the world."

"I'll make fossil fuel companies pay for the damage they're doing to our home. We have to impose a price on carbon to lower emissions and make the emitters reckon with their actions. And I'll put the energy execs who lied about the crisis in jail for the harm their disinformation has done. I'll vastly expand tax credits to clean energy companies. This requires a full scale mobilization, and the United States is not the type to sit on the sidelines while others do the heavy lifting. We have to pitch in, for the future of our children and our world. We're the first campaign to even have a climate plan! We listen to the science! We understand the urgency!"

"Let's be clear though: the guys in the coal mines are not my enemy. The guys on the oil rigs are not my enemy. They have to put food on the table for their family. But they are being betrayed by a dishonest industry that is not being upfront about how long their jobs will last. Coal is a dying industry. Oil rig jobs are incredibly unsafe and unstable. As president, money raised as a carbon dividend will be invested in transitioning workers from fossil fuel development to clean energy development. Workers in any industry deserve good-paying, safe, and socially beneficial jobs. I promise all fossil fuel workers: I won't abandon you."

"And I'm serious about the damage the Sackler Family and other opioid czars have done to our communities. I'll decriminalize ownership of small amounts of illegal opioids; the Pharma companies who lied about the addictive nature of certain opioids belong in jail, not those who are hooked. I'll create more safe injection sites, where addicts can seek help and be treated as patients rather problems that will solve themselves. I'll create an Opioid Combatting Task Force carrying naloxone to prevent overdose deaths. Our young folks are lying dead on the streets of Ohio and other economically downtrodden states, and we need to treat this with the sense of emergency and sensitivity that it deserves."

"We need to prepare our future generations from the automation blitz that we all know is coming. That means bolstering public education by doubling funding for Title 1 schools, and creating a refundable tax credit for teachers in low-income areas! We need smart policies to incentivize good teachers to apply to train kids in our low-income school districts. We can do that by actually raising their wages with a Teacher Tax Credit. I don't know about you, but I think our teachers are just as important, if not more important, than the bigshots on Wall Street!"

"Folks, I'm the only candidate in this race who has made fighting poverty the number one priority of our campaign. I have released the most comprehensive antipoverty plan in the primary. This would be the logical successor to the New Deal and the Great Society; not just a society that is great for some, but great for all. A Just Society. Our Antipoverty Agenda will expand the EITC, so not a single working person lives in poverty. It will eliminate real unemployment through a Federal Jobs Guarantee, so everybody has a shot at being employed in a good-paying job that suits them. The Agenda will save Social Security by lifting the the Social Security taxable maximum and ensuring that the program is solvent for another half-century. We will share corporate wealth with workers by mandating that the big companies like Amazon and Walmart share stock with workers. We will make pre-k and childcare universal! We will end homelessness by building 7 million new affordable housing units and creating a Renter's Tax Credit for those who are spending too much on rent."

"Wake up, Iowa. This is not a call for you to take a new direction from right to left. This is call for you to go from down to up. Up with the rights of workers. Up with wages. Up with fair trade. Up with creating millions of good paying jobs, rebuilding our bridges, ports and water systems. Up with creating millions of sustainable energy jobs to lower the cost of energy, lower carbon emissions and protect the environment."

"Up with health care for all. Up with education for all. Up with home ownership. Up with guaranteed retirement benefits. Up with peace. Up with prosperity. Up with our working class campaign to restore justice to the White House."

"We are all children of God. We all deserve to operate under America's promise. We all deserve to be treated with dignity. The poor. The hungry. The wretched. This is their country too!"

"These are values we all agree on, whether we call ourselves progressives, conservatives, independents, Democrats, or Republicans. These are values our mothers have taught us since before preschool. The value of honesty. The value of compassion. The value of sharing. So why does the Washington elite run away from these values when it comes time to use them?"

"It's because the system is rotten to its core. The corporate fat cats buy the souls of our elected officials, so that our vote no longer counts. Our democracy died the day the parties ran away from working people and got in bed with the corporate lobbyists. But this campaign will signal to the establishment: your time is up. We have no corporate donors, no Super PAC, no closed-door fundraisers. This is powered by the people."

"Friends, let us rise up! Let us rise up in solidarity and scream to the elitists who ignore us: we are worthy of your respect! We will put workers first! We will unite, and you will understand that your time is up."

"As your president, I promise you: no voice of the grassroots will go unheard. I'm going to the White House to fight for you everyday, not the greedy billionaire class who wants more and more at the expense of the rest of us. We need a new era of progressive governance, bringing our party back to its working class roots and away from the elitist influences that have infiltrated the Democratic Party. It's time to understand that there should be dignity in work; we are not a developing country, we are not a war zone, we are America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world. It's time to stand up unequivocally and tell the establishment: we are worthy, and we will put workers first. And I, Tim Westra, would be humbled if all of you joined our movement today."

"Only together, in class solidarity that crosses bounds like race, gender, and sexuality, can we defeat the powers that be and reclaim our country from the entrenched corporate elite. Thank you, may God bless our workers, may God bless our troops, and may God bless America!"

[Fronket]

Senator Ben Little (D-MD)
April 23rd, 2019
Louisville, Kentucky

Ben stepped off the plane and entered the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. He was here on the request of one Michelle Dalton, former actress and Democratic donor extraordinaire. The Senator had met her once or twice before, probably at one of those fundraisers in 2016 for Secretary Clifford and once at a fundraiser for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. He knew that she had a questionable background that could hurt her against the Kentucky Republicans, but as a party man Ben was interested in reclaiming gubernatorial positions around the country and this state was one opportunity to do so.

He used a cab service to get to the restaurant where he was set to meet the candidate. He walked inside, said the name of the reservation, and waited for her arrival.

Dalton arrived in a smart but functional pantsuit to the cafe "Senator Little thank you for coming" she said broadly smiling and sitting across the table from him. "I know you must be busy... this means the world."

Ben smiled back. "It's not a problem Ms. Dalton, please call me Ben. Actually this is work that I'd be happy to do. I really do hope that our party can reclaim gubernatorial positions around the nation, it's always been my view that states can accomplish more than federal policy. The President can only do so much."

"Now tell me, what do you plan on running on? Why should the people of Kentucky choose you?"

[Fronket]

(Image)
Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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Democrats are leading the way on the healthcare discussion, proposing new ideas and innovative solutions to the healthcare crisis.

(Image)
Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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@LeviMurphy is leading the charge for single-payer healthcare, @JillianDayton is talking about a single-payer plus system similar to that of Australia, @AnneCaldwell has released a plan to expand mental health services for vets, @BenLittle4US is a champion of a multipayer model that would expand BahariaCare, @FrankDoyle is talking about providing all citizens with a free basic healthcare package, and I support a Medicare for America public option that provides free service to the poor.

(Image)
Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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I have a proposal for these candidates with different healthcare visions. I will be hosting a "Healthcare Roundtable," NOT a debate, in D.C. on April 25th for our fellow candidates to clearly lay out their plans to the public and for us to have a conversation about healthcare in America. Press and health experts will be present.

(Image)
Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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How about it? @LeviMurphy @JillianDayton @AnneCaldwell @BenLittle4US @FrankDoyle

Senator Ben Little
@BenLittle4US

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@WestraNJ Tim, I'll be there, just finalize the date and location. #HealthcareRoundtable

[Dentali]

Nathaniel Richardson
Iowa GOP Quad Cities Reception
April 25th, 2019



Richardson was fuming in the car as he listened to Porter’s speech on YouTube. He should have been in a good mood after his speech at the NRA Annual Meeting. Not only had he knocked his speech out of the park but no other Republican candidates showed up to the event let alone speak, it was a snub of one of the most important groups in the Republican Party. By default he scored a big win, but it was darkened by the hatred spewed by Secretary Porter. He directly and openly accused Richardson of supporting rape and pedophillia, something unprescedented in politics, a deeply personal attack on his character and one that tempted Richardson to lose his cool.

Luckily the speech was universally condemned and didn’t gain traction, Richardson hitting back would only give it more coverage and oxygen… the very thing that helped Wolf win in 2016. But he wouldn’t fall for it, despite all the inclinations to the contrary.

Today was a going to be another good day, the Iowa GOP Quad CIties Reception, an annual event that attracted the whos who of Iowa politics. Speaking today were one of Iowa’s 2 Senators and Iowa’s Governor. It being just them in the spotlight, Richardson would not have time to shine addressing the crowd, but it would give him a chance to meet people and make alliances with key figures.

By this time he had attended several Iowa functions for the GOP, listening and learning more and more about local issues and getting on a first name basis with the various local leaders of the state. He was able to begin speaking to attendees at these events with great familiarity even studying a few of them with flashcards beforehand, asking about their families, hobbies and personal goals. It was this kind of friendly, personable activity and retail that Richardson was known for and that his wife was so good at helping him with.

Richardson surrogates were also in the crowd, locals who could direct important people to Richardson, ensuring that no one of import escaped him. Shaking hands, taking contact info and making personal connections. Everyone was heard, and everyone asked about his campaign, the latest developments and what would be happening down the road. Those he had connected personally with previously now asked him about his policies and he was delighted to relate his policies to them in a way that appealed to Iowans.

He listened thoughtfully and attentively to the talk from the Senator and Governor, a bit more of an open forum with a moderator than a speech. He was warm and supportive to them both and gave loud enthusiastic applause to them. He congratulated and encouraged them before and after the event and offered his support in the future. Overall it was a successful day rubbing shoulders with Iowa politicos.

[Dentali]

Nathaniel Richardson
Washington DC
Senator Merriam's office



Among the more moderate Senators in Washington was Senator Augusta Merriam. She like Richardson was considered professional, pragmatic and moderate. Being from New Hampshire she was on the front line of the partisan warfare that defined recent decades, somehow she was one of the few that managed to transcend party and get support from across the aisle, leading to her statewide elections in 2010 and 2016. She was less than popular with most of the Republican party but was very popular in New Hampshire, and in recent years she made tough votes confirming the President's supreme court justices which gave her a lot more credit with the Republican Party.

Most importantly to Richardson Merriam understood what it meant to be in a state or a district that was less than safe. She had lost office before and saw the impact Wolf had on downballot races, and she was likely desperate. Another Wolfite or even worse Wolf Jr in the presidency would likely end any hope she had at continuing in the Senate or moving on to a bigger office. Maybe Richardson in the White House could give her a future....

He arrived for the scheduled meeting, politely introduced himself to the secretary and awaited to enter her office.

[Dentali]

Dalton arrived in a smart but functional pantsuit to the cafe "Senator Little thank you for coming" she said broadly smiling and sitting across the table from him. "I know you must be busy... this means the world."

Ben smiled back. "It's not a problem Ms. Dalton, please call me Ben. Actually this is work that I'd be happy to do. I really do hope that our party can reclaim gubernatorial positions around the nation, it's always been my view that states can accomplish more than federal policy. The President can only do so much."

"Now tell me, what do you plan on running on? Why should the people of Kentucky choose you?"

"(Not Bevin) is a nightmare, he needs to be stopped. Governors have a moral responsibility to act with decency, to do their best to provide good-paying jobs and to provide justice to all Kentuckians... he hasn't done that. He lacks empathy... I was raised in poverty, I suffered and overcame, I started a business and run it with strong values that I learned while struggling growing up."

"I understand what the people of my state are going through, I feel that pain and that difficulty. I can't stand by and do nothing... No one else running has a chance at taking him on. I'm not interested in running some principled idealistic campaign, I want to win, I want to be pragmatic... expand healthcare, teacher pay, fix the roads and give support to communities that are so overdue in getting it."

"Issues that cross ideological, and partisan boundaries, cross boundaries of race and sex and gender... I just want to give the people of my state more of a fighting chance than they have today."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Nathaniel Richardson
Washington DC
Senator Merriam's office

(Image)

Among the more moderate Senators in Washington was Senator Augusta Merriam. She like Richardson was considered professional, pragmatic and moderate. Being from New Hampshire she was on the front line of the partisan warfare that defined recent decades, somehow she was one of the few that managed to transcend party and get support from across the aisle, leading to her statewide elections in 2010 and 2016. She was less than popular with most of the Republican party but was very popular in New Hampshire, and in recent years she made tough votes confirming the President's supreme court justices which gave her a lot more credit with the Republican Party.

Most importantly to Richardson Merriam understood what it meant to be in a state or a district that was less than safe. She had lost office before and saw the impact Wolf had on downballot races, and she was likely desperate. Another Wolfite or even worse Wolf Jr in the presidency would likely end any hope she had at continuing in the Senate or moving on to a bigger office. Maybe Richardson in the White House could give her a future....

He arrived for the scheduled meeting, politely introduced himself to the secretary and awaited to enter her office.

Senator Merriam arrived back from the Senate floor looking a little irritated, clearly frustrating with the whole imbroglio of trying to get a straight answer out of Winthrop, and when she noticed Richardson had arrived, she nodded, dispensing with the handshake and gesturing for him to come straight through to her office. "Good afternoon, Governor Richardson. I hope your journey was pleasant." She moved to sit down behind her desk with a sigh, slapping a stack of papers down on the desk. "God, that woman doen't know her ass from her face."

[Dentali]

Nathaniel Richardson
Washington DC
Senator Merriam's office

(Image)

Among the more moderate Senators in Washington was Senator Augusta Merriam. She like Richardson was considered professional, pragmatic and moderate. Being from New Hampshire she was on the front line of the partisan warfare that defined recent decades, somehow she was one of the few that managed to transcend party and get support from across the aisle, leading to her statewide elections in 2010 and 2016. She was less than popular with most of the Republican party but was very popular in New Hampshire, and in recent years she made tough votes confirming the President's supreme court justices which gave her a lot more credit with the Republican Party.

Most importantly to Richardson Merriam understood what it meant to be in a state or a district that was less than safe. She had lost office before and saw the impact Wolf had on downballot races, and she was likely desperate. Another Wolfite or even worse Wolf Jr in the presidency would likely end any hope she had at continuing in the Senate or moving on to a bigger office. Maybe Richardson in the White House could give her a future....

He arrived for the scheduled meeting, politely introduced himself to the secretary and awaited to enter her office.

Senator Merriam arrived back from the Senate floor looking a little irritated, clearly frustrating with the whole imbroglio of trying to get a straight answer out of Winthrop, and when she noticed Richardson had arrived, she nodded, dispensing with the handshake and gesturing for him to come straight through to her office. "Good afternoon, Governor Richardson. I hope your journey was pleasant." She moved to sit down behind her desk with a sigh, slapping a stack of papers down on the desk. "God, that woman doen't know her ass from her face."

Governor Richardson gave his winning and earnest smile and chuckled as the Senator passed "Nice to see you Senator... If you came from the Senate then you'll have to be a bit more specific in your description... that could describe any number of people." He sat down across from her somewhat relaxed. "Thank you for seeing me, I hope you're doing well."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Governor Richardson gave his winning and earnest smile and chuckled as the Senator passed "Nice to see you Senator... If you came from the Senate then you'll have to be a bit more specific in your description... that could describe any number of people." He sat down across from her somewhat relaxed. "Thank you for seeing me, I hope you're doing well."

"It's Winthrop. Who else?" She opened a drawer on her desk, pulling out a rather large bottle of Polish vodka and two small glasses, pouring out healthy measures into each and sliding one across the table whilst she raised up to take a gulp of her own. "Na zdrowie!" After a gulp of restorative beverage, she sighed and got down to business. She hadn't even questiond if Richardson wanted a drink, it was just a given. An eccentricity on her part, perhaps. "I'm doing about as well as a liberal Republican can in this ungodly age, Nate. Please, call me Augusta."

[Alaskava]

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Residence of Senator Arthur Bragg, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Courtney Bragg took her seat at the large, clunky table that had been set up in the middle of her living room to facilitate the large number of people gathered there. The team had been brought together over the past couple of days following a number of conference calls and emails, and this was the first chance they were all going to meet in person. Arthur had insisted that they do so at his home in Wisconsin for whatever reason, and so now a cast of characters sat attentive, sipping on sodas and bottles of water as Arshwal Bhandari pointed to a particularly important graph stretched out across the table. Arshwal, a veteran of the (Not-Rubio) 2016 Campaign and the 2018 Campaign of (Not-John-James) for Senate, was coming on to manage what would be a dramatic undertaking. A solid asset who was offered a job on the Wolf team in 2016 but turned it down, Bragg had heard very good things about him, and the two had been in talks for a few months leading up to his hiring. Next to him sat Layla Carter, the Senator's current Spokeswoman who would be carrying her role over to the national campaign when they launched. Bragg trusted her dearly, her having worked for him for the past 6 years and made herself very useful in times of crisis. Across the table, Bragg's soon to be national policy director, Tom Lynch, took a bite out of a small prepackaged peanut butter and jelly sandwich, wiping his mouth with a napkin. An independently quite wealthy former top dog at the American Enterprise Institute, Lynch was a core member of the team and a former (Not Walker) associate, though one that Bragg trusted slightly less than the others given his one time work for one of his potential competitors. Beside him was the final member of the "Elite Four", Francis Krasinzki, the Campaign's Communications Director. Francis, a long time GOP Operative attached to any number of Senate Campaigns on behalf of the RNC was coming into this as his first shot at the Presidency, discounting his brief flirtation with Not-Elizabeth Dole in 2000. An old man ahead of his time, Francis was glued to his phone a lot of the time, which is why he was the first to see the news come across.

"Shit, Junior's in." he said, capturing audible groans from the rest of the room, the prospective candidate included. "That's a fat crock of shit." lamented Lynch, "that poor bastard's gotta have daddy on lockdown to be doing something stupid like that." he said, not disguising his distaste for the Wolfs. "Well that changes the calculus a bit." noted Arshwal, pulling out his own phone and shooting a text off. He leaned back in his office chair and sighed. "We're not going to say anything because we've got no reason to." indicated Layla, echoing the thoughts of Senator Bragg, who nodded along. "No reason to poke the bear." she added. "Or little red riding hood." quipped Lynch, earning a collective chuckle. "We'll avoid that for as long as we can, but first we're going to have to deal with Dunn, have we gotten a call back yet?"

Bragg shook his head. There were a couple of meetings scheduled for the week ahead with various congressmen and women who had not yet committed to a candidate and were finding themselves with a dry mouth in an ocean of salt water on the agenda. He thought he had a couple in the bag from the Wisconsin delegation, which was solid and good, but some of the older guard had not yet been assessed in an encompassing manner. Courtney reached out to a friend in Utah to get a head start on fundraising among the Latter Day Saints crowd as well, and apparently that had gone well enough to report to the assembled figures. Overall, things were bumping along smoothly.

"We're close to a wrap on the video." mentioned Francis, "We'll be ready for launch whenever you are, just settling on a venue now for the big huzzah." he added. Bragg smiled at that, shuffling some papers around and once again glancing over the script he had read for the online launch. He had written some of it himself upon his own insistence, though the other suits had been responsible for the final product of course. Traversing Wisconsin had not ever been a challenge for him, giving localized speeches and such to crowds hungry for change. But he knew this was going to be different, his stable of opponents quite strong, the challenges ahead quite heady. He just hoped everyone was ready for it.

He had called Andrew earlier to relay what was going on, let him know he'd be seeing a bit more attention than usual at school most likely, and not all in a good way. Andrew figured as much, didn't have any qualms with it as long as cameras weren't being shoved in his face just yet. Arthur let him know they may be eventually be, provided he was successful in his endeavors. His son thought that was a bit funny, and conceded that that wouldn't be quite the same.

Sitting in his living room now, wife and confidants by his side, Arthur Bragg was ready to rock and roll.

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

Akron, Ohio

Porter arrived at his next two destinations, intermediary destinations before he arrived at Iowa. This time, instead of appealing to the Confederate-flag waving, KKK-loving Southern racist, he was going to appeal to the Midwestern Industrial worker let down by foreign industry and by the establishment. He arrived at Akron, the first of his Ohio run, used to win over the people who were probably less-than-impressed by his culture war rhetoric and were looking more for an economic populist than a social one. These were the votes the Republican Party needed to win again, and the sort of people who'd go Wolf ---> Murphy/Westra in a heartbeat.

"Good morning, Akron!" He yelled out, to much cheering amongst the crowd. You could say anything about his supporters, but unenthusiastic wasn't one of them. He was a populist of both breeds - of the pro-worker type and of the xenophobic type.

"I'll open with a question: a question to all of you. How many of you used to work at factories? How many of you have been laid off because of a factory closure?"

About 55% of the audience raised their hands.

"It is shameful, isn't it? It absolutely is. It is shameful. Chinese industry, American industry - both stole your jobs. Chinese industry took away all the work, and American industry took all your money. But of course they couldn't care less - they only care about their bottom lines.

No matter what they might say - I am the candidate of the American worker. I am the candidate of the common man. And I am the candidate that will take the country back!"

The crowd cheered upon hearing the campaign slogan, clapping somewhat calmly yet still clapping nonetheless.

"I am the candidate that will protect American jobs, and I am the candidate that will hold the line against greedy bosses.

How do I protect jobs? How do I destroy unemployment? How will I bring single mothers out of poverty?

I will end this shameful shambles of an economic system - and I will defend the American people against the Chinese monster. We will build more houses - more factories, and all without raising your tax rates!

It is shameful that the rich have stocked their riches out in Panama and the Bahamas. Truly shameful. They have neglected their duty to this country - even as you have continued paying your taxes.

It is indeed shameful that Amazon, a trillion-dollar company, pays less taxes than you. And I don't mean percentage-wise - I mean in total. We will fix this - we will make them do their duty to this country and pay their damn taxes!"

The crowd cheered once more, clapping.

"It is the duty of every man and woman to serve their country - whether through blood at the battlefield, on the factory floor or in a field so that we all may eat. I will defend your jobs and I will make them pay.

I will make those men who closed the factory you worked in and tried to drive you out of your house pay.

I will make them pay their fair share and I will take this country back!"

The crowd gave him a standing ovation, cheering raucously.

"Thank you, Akron!"

He waved, as he always did, and made his way to Pontiac, Michigan where he could keep appealing to the Rust Belt. This was Porter's identity - Porter's image: the candidate of the working classes. Not of liberal elites or of corporate executives, but of the people.

[Azekopolaltion]

---

Tim Westra 2020
April 27th, 2019
The National Forum on Wages and Working People
Las Vegas, Nevada

Harry Gelford: Thank you all for being here at the National Forum on Wages and Working People. We're excited to get underway with the presidential candidates who are in attendance. Please welcome our first guest, New Jersey Senator Tim Westra.

Tim walked onto the stage, waving at the applauding audience. He felt quite at home; a union-hosted conference on economic issues in Nevada. Where else would he feel in his element? He took a seat next to the interviewer.

Harry Gelford: Senator, thanks for joining us. Wages for the bottom 50% of workers have largely stagnated over the past 30 years, while income inequality has exploded to levels equivalent to the Gilded Age more than a century ago. The top one percent has more wealth than the bottom 90 percent combined. What are you gonna do about this?

Tim Westra: Well, Harry, you just stole my talking points. He laughs. First of all, let me just thank the SEIU for hosting this remarkable conference. It is an honor to be in the house of labor. The work that you are doing everyday to advance economic equality in this country really inspires me. Unions are what keep me going everyday, the labor movement was what pushed me into this profession and I'm so grateful for all that you do. Unions were my first partner, they were my best partner, and they will be my last partner.

Today's America is a dark reality for working people all over the nation. Whether you are a domestic worker, a manufacturing laborer, a farm worker, or unemployed, the signal that we are getting from Washington is: we don't give a damn about you. The government continues its policy of handouts to the billionaire class, but when it comes time to give our working families a helping hand we always get that stupid question: how you gonna pay for it.

The cornerstone of my campaign is Progressive, Popular, and Paid For. I have laid out the most expansive, the most progressive, and the most detailed economic agenda out of any candidate in this race. I'm the only person running for president that has said that fighting poverty will be my number one priority as president. From day one, we are going to start the process of enacting the Antipoverty Agenda that I have released.

The Antipoverty Agenda is not just for the unemployed. It is for the working poor, the lower middle class, the whole damn working class that has been left behind by decades of unfair policy from both sides of the aisle.

So, I want to make the agenda crystal clear. It's not just vague talking points, it is unprecedented policy action. I'll just list it off. Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and making hard work pay. No working person should be living in poverty. By increasing EITC payments, providing monthly cash assistance, and extending eligibility to more people, this federal program can function as a Guaranteed Minimum Income to the working people who need it most. In a future that will be dominated by gig jobs and automation, we need to ensure that every hour of work is well compensated for. That's what my bill, the RAISE Act, will do. As president, I will make this a top priority so that every worker can see a wage increase.

We will eliminate unemployment through an expansive Federal Jobs Guarantee. Since the 1990's, job growth has been one of the only factors that has reliably reduced poverty. Guaranteeing a stable, good-paying union job through a public option for employment will lead to permanently low, virtually nonexistent unemployment levels. It will ensure job security, not just an abundance of jobs. This is not just a meager "public employment program," which my colleague Senator Doyle has proposed. This is a $5 trillion proposal to ensure that every person who needs a job gets a job. An employment guarantee. This will be desperately needed to protect workers from the threat posed by automation.

Our seniors should not be living in poverty and destitution. We will save Social Security. By raising the Social Security taxable maximum to $250,000 and ensuring that high-earners lift their own weight in payroll taxes, we can keep Social Security solvent for our seniors for another 50 years and continue to make good payments to our elderly.

We will share corporate wealth with workers, as laid out by my workplace democracy plan. We will require that large corporations share at least 20% of their stock with their employees through worker-controlled funds. This will go a long way in closing the CEO to worker pay ratio.

We will tax income inequality at large firms. It is a national disgrace that CEO pay is almost 300 times that of the average worker. Those kind of pay disparities will be taxed and discouraged.

We will make prekindergarten and childcare universal. I have introduced a bill to accomplish this, and we can work with private providers to create an affordable government-backed childcare system that allows workers to work without worrying about childcare. Nobody should have to choose between their child and their paycheck.

We will eliminate all medical debt and create a universal healthcare system. Medical costs are the number one cause of bankruptcy in America. With a Medicare-style public option that is free to the poor, by allowing the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug costs, and by eliminating all existing medical debt, we can significantly reduce poverty that comes as a result of the unjust status quo in healthcare. Some are saying they want to force workers onto one government plan. I say, union workers should get to keep the private plans that they fought for if they so choose!

the most comprehensive antipoverty plan in the primary. This would be the logical successor to the New Deal and the Great Society; not just a society that is great for some, but great for all. A Just Society.

We are all children of God. We all deserve to operate under America's promise. We all deserve to be treated with dignity. The poor. The hungry. The wretched. The workers. This is your country too!

These are values we all agree on, whether we call ourselves progressives, conservatives, independents, Democrats, or Republicans. These are values our mothers have taught us since before preschool. The value of honesty. The value of compassion. The value of sharing. So why does the Washington elite run away from these values when it comes time to use them?

It's because the system is rotten to its core. The corporate fat cats buy the souls of our elected officials, so that our vote no longer counts. Our democracy died the day the parties ran away from working people and got in bed with the corporate lobbyists. But this campaign will signal to the establishment: your time is up. We have no corporate donors, no Super PAC, no closed-door fundraisers. This is powered by the people, by the working class.

Only together, in class solidarity that crosses bounds like race, gender, and sexuality, can we defeat the powers that be and reclaim our country from the entrenched corporate elite. It's time to stand up unequivocally and tell the establishment: we are worthy, and we will put workers first. And I, Tim Westra, would be humbled if all of you joined our movement today. Thank you, may God bless our workers!

[Puertollano]

(Image) Arnold Wolf Jr. @ArnoldWolfJr Let me be clear: Richardson probably doesn't support pedophiles. There are however some valid concerns in Porter's speech today. Democrats have allowed a gross lack of morality to invade our schools. Our children are being actively taught about immoral subjects at way too young of an age. They're being taught that theories are facts!

(Image) Arnold Wolf Jr. @ArnoldWolfJr We need to return morality to our schools and cast out the disgusting values that the left has brought to our kids. The sanctity of American values cannot be perverted.

Lilyana liked and retweeted.

[Dentali]

Governor Richardson gave his winning and earnest smile and chuckled as the Senator passed "Nice to see you Senator... If you came from the Senate then you'll have to be a bit more specific in your description... that could describe any number of people." He sat down across from her somewhat relaxed. "Thank you for seeing me, I hope you're doing well."

"It's Winthrop. Who else?" She opened a drawer on her desk, pulling out a rather large bottle of Polish vodka and two small glasses, pouring out healthy measures into each and sliding one across the table whilst she raised up to take a gulp of her own. "Na zdrowie!" After a gulp of restorative beverage, she sighed and got down to business. She hadn't even questiond if Richardson wanted a drink, it was just a given. An eccentricity on her part, perhaps. "I'm doing about as well as a liberal Republican can in this ungodly age, Nate. Please, call me Augusta."

Richardson nodded sagely when offered the drink, "I'm trying to drink less but thank you for your offer... Thats actually somewhat what I wanted to talk to you about... how can a liberal Republican thrive in this age? Maybe move to the next age?"

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

Pontiac, Michigan

Continuing on his Rust Belt tour, he went to a more strategic state: Michigan. He played the Battle Cry of Freedom to start off, marching in after the song was finished, and coming into yet another cheering crowd.

"Hello, Pontiac!"

The crowd cheered once more, as Porter waited for them to finish.

"Let me tell you all a fact: since 1947, the economy has nearly quadrupled in size. And yet wages, in real terms, have only increased by 50%. This is shameful. It is violently shameful that the rich and the powerful of our economy have stolen over 350% of your wages.

Under a Porter administration, we will take back that 350% from the 1%. You people deserve more. You have given your sweat, your hard work and years of your lives for this country. Sometimes even your blood, like me. The least you deserve is a living wage."

The crowd cheered, being mostly disaffected Midwestern industrial workers who would like a raise.

"We must declare that all people have the right to a living wage for a hard day's work. Anything else is a failure of the richest in our country to provide for the rest of us. It is, quite frankly, unpatriotic to pay your employees anything less than a living wage. It is a moral and social failure of our society that there are single mothers out there forced to work two full-time jobs. It is shameful."

He slammed his fist against the podium, prompting applause from the crowd.

"It is our duty as a society to take care of the less fortunate, and look what we have done! We have created a society of rich vultures, feasting off of the suffering of the rest of us! We need to increase the minimum wage, put it in line with economic growth and build a new nation where all can live a good life! Let us take our country back and finally achieve the American Dream!"

The crowd rose to their feet, applauding. This crowd wasn't as rowdy as the Akron or Charleston crowds, but it was good enough.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Richardson nodded sagely when offered the drink, "I'm trying to drink less but thank you for your offer... Thats actually somewhat what I wanted to talk to you about... how can a liberal Republican thrive in this age? Maybe move to the next age?"

"Governor, the liberals have left the Party, and were it not for the fact that an Independent candidacy would almost certainly fail in 2022, I'm pretty sure I would have too. Do you have any idea how sick I felt having to vote to confirm (not-Kavanagh)? Of course the weasly little pig did it. But I can't say that out in public, because he's the fucking precious child of the kind of animated, drooling goons that now control the Party." She scowled, taking another large swig of her drink. "I'm reasonably certain that the Party will need to be thoroughly beaten and humiliated before it learns its lesson. As eager as I would be to see someone like you return us to normalcy, I won't deny I have my doubts about 2020 on the whole. The Democratic field is good. Strong figures."

[Puertollano]

Levi Murphy Reno Visit
Reno, Nevada



Levi's visit to Reno started with a stop at a popular Cafe, called Coffeebar Reno. This cafe was emblematic of a new generation of entrepreneurs, with trendy interior decor and a hunch to know how to make a good coffee. The Senator ordered a coffee and cheese and ham toasted sandwich in store, along with his team, and they took a seat. While there, Levi spoke with many of the different patrons, mainly about who he was and what he was doing in Nevada. The campaign had shifted gears after a great deal of effort in California, the time was to re-focus on the early states in order not to slip behind. The previous polling proved just that. Although increasing by a few small points in the early states, Levi saw his largest spike in the national polling: where he took pole position. That, inevitably, was a good sign that the Californian effort worked. Levi received his coffee and sandwich and ate in store, giving a generous tip to the waitress. Following his breakfast, he went back into the kitchen upon an invite by the manager to speak about business and the state of the economy. There, Levi emphasized the need for more job security among the people of Nevada and the United States, so that they can then spend their discretionary income in places like the Coffeebar. His appearance was appreciated, and after his visit was posted on social media, would encourage many more people visit there.

Like he always does, Levi also spoke with the workers about whether they were unionized or not. Some were, some were not and he encouraged those who were not to join their union.

Next, Levi visited a campaign fundraiser in the University of Nevada, Reno. College groups were forming around the country to help elect Levi Murphy, the most progressive candidate in the race, and young supporters of Levi invited him into the University to help raise funds and reach out to a younger demographic. He received glowing applause when he entered a lecture theater at the University, as the young students were very enthusiastic and supportive of Levi's candidacy. There was even some staff there too, such as janitors, lecturers and gardeners that arrived because they were interested in what the Senators campaign was all about. At the end of the meet and greet, the campaign was able to raise a couple thousand by the end of it. Senator Murphy made his way around the room to speak with all of them and offered them his policies and how it could impact them. The most popular was the elimination of student debt and universal healthcare. The campaign also didn't miss up on the opportunity to enroll all of them to vote. "It's time your voice is heard, finally," Levi said to the young people. "Our politics is so skewed to the right, so much so that I am the only candidate that supports Medicare for All, I am the only candidate who has stood up in the Senate and openly supported the Off Fossil Fuels Act, as I co-sponsored it. If you all enroll, and then use your power to vote, the Democratic Party establishment and the Republican establishment will have to concede to our people-powered movement. Trust me, and enroll to vote."



Levi was invited to NPR Radio in Reno, he obliged, to get his word out among the local communities in Reno.

Interviewer: Welcome back. We have Senator Levi Murphy from Minnesota on today. Senator Murphy is running for President of the United States as a Democrat. Let's give him a warm welcome to our show.

Levi: I appreciate the invitation to come on.

I: Of course. I want to get straight to it. What do you see as the biggest issues facing Reno, or Nevada more broadly?

L: Well, Reno, like many cities across America are facing truly difficult circumstances economically, people are struggling out there and it is not nearly ever talked about by politicians, both Democrat or Republican. We have this thing in the U.S. called deaths of despair, people who have had their lives destroyed by this unmitigated form of corporatism, who then turn to drugs, alcohol and other forms of instantaneous pleasure. The truth is: Nevada and Reno are the hardest hit by deaths of despair. I think there is a good map that really details how bad is has gotten in Nevada, would you be able to get that up?

I: Sure, we can look for it. Here, we've got it now. Listeners on the radio or online can see the map on our website. You are right, Nevada is hard hit. So what do you propose to fix this, Senator?

L: The cause of it is generally the economic pressure on families and working people across this great state and country. People are doing it tough. That's why I want to see Medicare for All, that expands the successful and very popular Medicare program across the entire country to cover everyone. From birth to death. Every other country has a system similar that provides free healthcare for all of its citizens, so that's what I intend to do. And you know what? Medicare for All will also include mental health services, because I truly believe mental health is as important as the general well-being of your body. Suicide is a pandemic in our country, at least compared to other industrialized nations around the world. We need to treat mental health seriously, and act on it.

I: Who do you intend to pay for it?

L: It's quite simple. The U.S. already spends trillions of dollars on the military each and every year, President Wolf expanded it by a few billion during his tenure. Nobody ever questions him with, "how do you pay for it?". Now, I'm not saying that you personally wouldn't, but there is a general double-standard when it comes to these issues. According to the establishment in Washington D.C. there's always enough money for more bombs and drones, but they suddenly recoil in anger when we propose giving everyone healthcare. So, this is how we pay for it. We've got to cut back on our military spending, bringing our troops home and providing them with a well-funded VA is the best way. Then we can raise taxes on the richest, reverse the Wolf tax cuts for big business and introduce a wealth tax on the elite earnings on some of these billionaires. Simple.

My other plans include creating an economy that works for all us, not just the rich few. That means creating an environment that works for the working people of his country, that puts them first not the profits of the large corporations that buy-out the politicians. I am not funded by any large business-people or Super PACs, I'm running an 100% Grassroots campaign from donations of my supporters, not lobbyists and big pharma. I want to see free healthcare for our citizens, free education from pre-K to college-level, not Walls along our Southern border. I want to see immigrant workers treated with the same respect as American citizens. I want to re-open the legal border crossings that Wolf shut-down. I want everyone to enjoy the American dream, and that includes the future generations. That's why I want to see a transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. A Green New Deal that will create 20 million new, renewable jobs that will provide the back-bone of the new economy of the future. Let's put workers first, I'll put big corporate last, where they belong.

That's my plan for America.

[New Cobastheia]

"Definitely nothing I'd disagree on there," She took another sip from her bottle, "I'm curious, you choose to endorse Clifford in 2008 and 2016, you're telling me your a shoot for the moon Progressive, and during both those campaigns she wasn't exactly known for being the most progressive candidate running, so I suppose I'm curious as to why you did it?"

"Honestly? Baharia was a first-term Senator. He talked a good talk but I had concerns he wasn't wholly qualified. He proved me wrong, and I'll grant him that, but I just wasn't sold on him in the beginning. As for 2016, I had a long hard conversation with the Baginski people. I spent plenty of time talking to them. He's got his heart in the right place but Jesus, that campaign was so badly put together. Like... It was a total disaster." He shook his head. "I wanted him to be more viable, really, I did. That and honestly, his wobbly position on guns puts me on edge."

"Hmm, I can understand that, "She said wondering if the man knew she had stumped for the Baginski campaign, "I suppose I'm worried about the, well I don't quite know how to put it, but the story of the campaign. Regardless of if you are a Progressive or not, in the last two primaries you supported the more moderate candidate, you're challenging a Progressive Senator, one who you're to the right of, add onto the fact that a number of more establishment people have taken up progressive positions since 2016 regardless of if your just as progressive now as you were when you were Governor... it's well, you can see what I'm saying."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Hmm, I can understand that, "She said wondering if the man knew she had stumped for the Baginski campaign, "I suppose I'm worried about the, well I don't quite know how to put it, but the story of the campaign. Regardless of if you are a Progressive or not, in the last two primaries you supported the more moderate candidate, you're challenging a Progressive Senator, one who you're to the right of, add onto the fact that a number of more establishment people have taken up progressive positions since 2016 regardless of if your just as progressive now as you were when you were Governor... it's well, you can see what I'm saying."

"I know. I understand your concern entirely. I endorsed Abby Winthrop in 2016 though, Representative Nez. I had high hopes for her. She seemed so promising. But, well..." He scratched the back of his neck. "She's no Ted Kennedy. She's creating division and resentment in the caucus that'll make it harder, rather than easier, to pass our platform. And her vote on Moore's Medicare bill reeked of egotism. Something has to be done. Someone has to do something."

[Sarenium]

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