“Okay Steve, but listen, this guy has a lot of apparent and shadow political power already from some of our representatives and at least one Senator. They believe that if you're anti-gun in this country, then you're pro-China. You know that! We need to be very careful with this one.”
“Yeah, yeah Roland. Thanks for the info, see you in the funnies.”
Stephen's wife of thirty four years asked demurely, “Who was that hon?”
“Oh it was just Roland Franks handing off some information on a possible terrorist.”
She shook her head absent mindedly never taking her eyes from her magazine, “When will this stuff ever stop?”
“I know baby, I know.”
10.
The walker hadn't enjoyed himself so much in quite a while, but the burr under his saddle was getting worse. He’d retired to his small room and was mentally going over his presentation when someone knocked. The old hound woofed quietly and began wagging his tail. He asked the guest to come in and was pleased with the visage of Julie with a tall, pleasantly handsome young man in tow.
“Hi Mr. Walker, I'd like you to meet my brother Duncan Parker. He just got here from Great Falls. He said he actually got into some flurries coming over the mountains.” Hugging his arm like a monkey and looking up at him admiringly she added. “I hope I can find someone as good as him someday.”
He faked embarrassment and “unmonkied” himself to shake hands with the walker.
“I've heard a lot about you. Probably more than you could guess. I have a lot of feedback from lumber people all over ... the West practically. I guess you're pretty well known in Utah huh?”
“I'm honored Duncan. I really don't keep up with where I'm known. I'm not important, the movement is. Have you heard one of my speeches ... some call them sermons though they're not meant to be?”
“Yeah, I heard one in Utah, near Provo, about a year ago. I was sort of sweet on a girl in Provo who I’d met while at a building materials conference in Salt Lake about two years ago.”
Julie spouted out, “Sandra! I knew you were sweet on her. Oops, I'm sorry, go on.” she giggled. She got solemn after her outburst and the whole room seemed to take on her demeanor. Duncan volunteered, “We have to do something about our government, but no one knows what. I’ve thought about it almost incessantly ever since your speech. I keep seeing an armed overthrow, but I know that would bring down the good with the bad. I can't see a way out, because as a people, we’ve gotten too fragmented, and it works in favor of the politicians.
“In fact, they perpetuate it. They court certain segments like Latinos, African Americans, gays, and the poor. They tell them they’re fighting for their rights and what they’re actually fighting for is to stay in their ‘cushy’ jobs at any cost. Meanwhile, the way I see it the real demons are being overlooked. China’s taking over our economy with the permission of most politicians and yet China is still getting billions of dollars in foreign aid from many countries. I'm sure there are kickbacks there; the foxes are watching the hen house. I'm almost certain we’re going down the tubes, but see no way to stop it.”
“Wow, you can take over for me anytime Duncan. You’re essentially right. I hope you’ve researched some of those disastrous statistics. I know you didn't finish college, but did you take any economics?”
“Oh, yeah, it seemed pretty straight forward to me at the time, but there are a lot of things happening now that redefine those parameters.”
“Yeah, there certainly are, and we don't need to rehash the hash. We’re in big trouble. Now, what I'm about to say is only a possibility, but it may actually come to an armed overthrow! No politician, including your father is going to give up his or her seat without a fight. The majority of politicians are attorneys and despite all the jokes about attorneys you may have heard and read; they are a formidable group. They can be your best friend or worst enemy and they do it all with the demeanor of an executioner. That's because most of them have left their conscience in the dust somewhere on the path to the capitol. They’ll fight tooth, nail and dollar bill to keep their positions. Unfortunately, many Americans have come to worship the dollar so much they even worship those with money, even if they’ve stolen it, and even if they’re elected corrupt politicians. It’ll be a challenging task to take back this country.”
Duncan asked, “How are we supposed to formulate a plan with so many variables?”
“We erase as many of the variables as we can.” Seeing doubt in the young faces, he went on, “Basically, I believe most people still respect the declaration of independence and the constitution; omit most politicians if it serves their cause. What I’m saying is that most people still want and need a certain level of economic security, freedom from unnecessary government intervention and freedom to worship the way they want. It makes no difference whether they are black, brown, red or white; homo, hetero or bi; everyone wants a fair shake. Trouble is; some of them want it handed to them, whereas some will work for it.
“Politicians tend to cater to those who’ll vote for a handout, and they do it by increasing government programs that take from the ones who work and give to the ones that do not. That’s the radical’s credo and it has to be stopped. The good thing is that most of us who will work, will also work to save our country. We just have to convince those Americans who would normally balk at our type of movement, to join us. That way we remove several variables and tear down barriers of misconception, prejudice and religious intolerance. If we agree on just a few tenants of freedom, we start marching in the same direction.”
“How do we convince Hispanics, African American and even non-fascist Muslim Americans to ... come on board or to even get close enough to listen?”
“Well, that’s where leadership comes in. There are so few people willing to lead and take the reins of government without eventually selling out to the intoxicating effects of power. If we could just recruit a handful of those people we’d be on the way. That’s why I try my best to find the true leader of the groups I visit. They aren’t always visible, but they are the only ones who can truly lead, and be led by a properly elected higher authority.”
“Are you the one who will eventually lead us in this ... what, revolution?”
“No! I’m too old and as soon as the government finds out who I am I’ll be arrested or killed. I often ponder which!”
Julie objected first while her brother seemed to be in deep thought. She said, “Horse crap! First you’re not too old. Seems to me like you’re the only one around here with the balls to do what’s right. What has the government got on you that makes you think you’ll be arrested?”
“Or killed!”
“Okay, or killed!”
“Well, one of the things a government can do is discredit their enemies. At best they’ll try to discredit me.”
Duncan came alive with, “How do we elect or otherwise select these leaders?”
“My God, it’s so easy Duncan. Look around you. Who do you know that exhibits, and lives by leadership principles or traits? If they do, they’ll make an outstanding leader. Think of everyone in your life who’s a good or bad leader. You’ll see what I mean. The good leader is usually a reluctant one, because he or she knows the extreme weight of the responsibilities of leadership. The bad ones don’t give a damn about the people they’re responsible to, and for. They just enjoy the benefits of the position. They’re easy to spot. Just go to D.C. and you’ll see plenty of examples.”
“I never really thought about other people living up to those ethics. I try to live my life based on those