The Ghost of George Washington

by Arthur Bliss

Soviets screwed over the United States, Europe, Korea, Israel, even their supposed buddies in China with their twisted left-wing totalitarianism. And you know who suffered most? The Russian citizens. I can't believe you'd actually defend the Soviets."

  "You're ignorant. You're a libertarian. It's the worst kind of capitalist. It's like a religion of greed."

  "You don't know shit about libertarianism. There's nothing more incompatible with totalitarian governments like communism and the Nazis than libertarianism. It's the foundation of America."

  "The foundation of America is white privilege!"

  "What part of 'all men created equal' do you not understand?"

  "The part that left out half the population: the women!"

  "Fucking feminists."

  "Do you guys have to cuss so much?"

  It was Isabella. She looked as innocent as her words sittingg calmly in the pure white flannel pajamas.

  "You know, it doesn't have to be all about Mammon or all about Marx. There is another way to live your life besides making it all about economics."

  "But economics is the key to the oppression of the masses. Deliberate privation keeps us all enslaved to the capitalists. The American dream is a total lie," Kara argued.

  "What about privation of the soul? What good is material wealth if we are spiritually barren?" Isabella asked.

  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," quoted Wayne.

  "Exactly. Matthew 5:3."

  Daniel let out an annoyed sigh, "Here in America there's this thing called separation of church and state. We're not a Christian country, we're not even a Judeo-Christian country. We're a country that values liberty and justice for all."

  "You forgot the under God part," enjoined Wayne.

  "Added in 1954!"

  Kara appended, "to contrast with godless communism which didn't need an 'opiate of the masses' or the promise of a fair afterlife to distract from real life concerns."

  "It's about love," Isabella said, "not distraction. It's about God's love for all of us, even people who've turned away from him."

  Wayne added, "That's right. Our nation was built on Christian values, including liberty and equality. The whole idea of a brotherhood of mankind came from the Church. Even the idea of allowing freedom of religion also comes from Christianity. You can't force someone to accept God's love.

  "I believe in America and I believe in God. I was born in communist China, but adopted by a God-fearing couple in Arkansas who taught me that God loves me. I thank Jesus every day for bringing me to America, for giving me the gift of his salvation, and helping me to understand that we are all in need of his forgiveness."

  "Look, Wayne," Daniel began, "That's really nice and all and I also believe in America. But I don't think you need to have Christian values to be an American. And, really, if American values are Christian values, then aren't Christian values also capitalist values? These are the same values that saved communist China from falling into total ruin, because it learned to be capitalist."

  "Well, I would agree that Christian values are American values and that does include capitalism," Wayne replied, "The Bible says 'each will receive his wages according to his labor.' As long as you have private charity through the church, why do you need socialism at all?"

  But Isabella saw it differently, "Socialism is not incompatible with the Bible. Christianity is the original socialism because it cared for all of society, not just one class or one race. In order to reach everyone, you need socialism, whether through a government or not. Jesus often spoke of his love for the poor and needy. Pope Francis says human rights are just as violated by economic unfairness as terrorism and he's right, of course."

  "Finally there's one pope I can agree with on something. Now if he'd fix the sexism, homophobia, birth control..." said Kara.

  Wayne interrupted, "Of course Pope Francis would say that. He is a socialist! Pope Francis has said a lot of stupid things and seems pretty anti-American in general. It's no wonder so many Catholics think he's not even the real pope."

  "Those aren't Catholics!" replied Isabella forcefully, "They are heretics."

  "Hitler was a Catholic and a socialist," Daniel inserted, "Fifty years ago the Catholic church finally apologized for persecuting Jews for more than a thousand years and for helping Hitler commit the Holocaust. But I guess it didn't occur to them that socialism, which led to the Holocaust and more than one hundred million dead, was also a problem."

  Austin was ready with a response, "Jews brought their persecution on themselves. They were kicked out of countries over one hundred and fifty times, places with different cultures, ethnicities, and religions. People don't want to be exploited and eventually get fed up."

  "Are you saying that the Jews deserved the Holocaust?" Daniel shuddered.

  "What Holocaust?" Austin replied sardonically.

  A barrage of insults followed until Austin seemingly recanted, "I'm not saying it didn't happen. I'm just saying it's used as an excuse for Jews getting away with murder."

  Turning to Kara, he added with pathos, "Like their treatment of the Palestinians."

  "Don't even try, Nazi," was Kara's retort, "I'm just glad there are so many witnesses to you goose-stepping. You best forget about college, Herr Austin."

  "I'm not afraid," Austin said, sounding afraid.

  There was an uneasy silence and the air was thick with emotion. But then the old man, who I had forgotten was there, said with a genial grin, "Oh look. The stew is almost ready."

  Turning to me he continued, "I think you are the only one I haven't heard from. Want to tell me a little about you?"

  "Um, my name is Casey. I'm from Florence, Oregon. I'm... not sure of my major yet."

  "That's because you don't have any opinions," Kara said cooly, "I knew it right away."

  "But, that's not true. I do have opinions."

  "Okay, well who are you voting for?" Daniel asked.

  "I... I... I don't know."

  "What kind of person could be undecided in this election?" asked Daniel, "I hear about these 'undecided voters' and I think, what a bunch of idiots. If you don't know enough to vote now, then you shouldn't vote ever. No offense."

  "Uh, yeah. I probably won't vote," I sighed.

  "Good. I'm voting Trump. I'm not with him on free trade and immigration, but the corporate and tax stuff? Niiiice," Daniel smiled, "How about the rest of you?"

  "Trump," Austin said, surprising no one.

  "Jill Stein, but if this was a competitive state I would vote Clinton," Kara said.

  "Trump for a lot of reasons," Wayne said, "But I really would have preferred Cruz. Or, even better, Huckabee."

  Kara couldn't resist, "Of course you would."

  "Clinton has my vote," Isabella added, "She is the only one that seems to really have a plan, at least one that I agree with. She seems genuinely compassionate towards the poor and suffering."

  "Compassionate? The robot?" Austin couldn't believe his ears, "I mean, she literally admitted she was a robot."

  "You're such a moron, Austin," Kara said with a laugh, "You even make neo-Nazis look bad."

  "Casey, would you like some pajamas too?" the old man asked. It was then that I noticed everyone else had already changed into the flannels he had brought out.

  "Oh, sure. Thank you."

  Changing into the warm, soft fuzzy pajamas was a welcome turn in the evening. Although the smell of the savory stew permeated the air, I could still detect a faint, natural scent of flowers from the pajamas. I drew a long breath and felt like things were going to be okay for the first time since the incident with the driver.

  When I returned to the room, wooden bowls had been filled with the thick stew, fragrant steam piping off and humidifying the room. The old man handed me a bowl that seemed unnaturally heavy, though only half full. I thanked him and looked around at the others who all seemed entirely absorbed in enjoying the stew.

  I took a spoonful. And then another and a
nother until the bowl was empty. I was greatly relieved when I saw, as the others had second helpings, that there was plenty for me to have another one too.

  Our bellies full and our bodies warm, the soft darkness of the night brought a relaxing stillness to the crowd that only a little while before had been arguing.

  Finally, Kara asked the old man, "So who are you voting for?"

  The old man smiled broadly and leaned back in his rocking chair.

  "And who are you anyway?" Daniel added, waving towards the wall, "How did you know all those people in the pictures?"

  The old man took a deep breath and knitted his fingers together in front of his mouth, staring briefly at the wood stove as the lamp's flicker reflected in his eyes.

  "I'm with Casey on this one. I'm not going to vote. You know what Mark Twain said: if voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it."

  "How can it not make a difference? There would be a huge difference between a Trump presidency and a Clinton one," Kara asked, "Are you not following the election?"

  The old man lowered his hands and smiled again, "Oh, I'm following it. I still read the newspapers when I walk to town each week."

  I thought of how an old man like him could manage hiking so many miles each week and wondered if I could even keep up.

  "Well, who do you agree with more?" Daniel offered, "Trump or Clinton?"

  "May I tell you a story instead?"

  Daniel looked confused.

  "It may answer your question," the old man suggested.

  "Um... okay. Yeah, of course."

  "Thank you. Once upon a time there was a boy who grew up in a small town in Utah during World War Two. His father was in the Office of