by Mark Goodwin
They found a pretty nice looking pine that looked full and natural. It didn't have the perfectly manicured shape of a commercial tree, but it was pretty.
"Shelly and I are getting married on the day after Christmas." Wesley announced.
"Wow! That's quick." Matt responded.
"Yea, well technically we are living together. We are trying to stay pure, but being under the same roof isn't easy." Wesley said.
"Well, that is understandable, but it's not the best reason to get married. You need to know that she's the person you want to be with forever." Matt replied.
"I do know that. It's the reason I brought her here." Wesley said.
"Then may God bless your wedding and your marriage." Matt said.
When they got the tree back to the house, they trimmed it just a bit to even out some wild limbs. They took the tree inside and Shelly was showing off her ring. It was rather small, but she couldn't have been happier with it if the diamond had been ten times bigger. The ring had been Adam and Wesley's Mom's engagement ring. Adam had kept it since she passed several years earlier. He had never intended to sell it. This was a nice way to keep it in the family.
Everyone celebrated with warm cookies and hot cocoa. Adam hated to ruin the mood, but the curiosity was killing him. Matt was trying to make himself think about other things, but he was anxious to see what was going on in the world as well. He had no satellite or internet at his home, so Adam's house was the portal to the information super highway for Matt.
Adam clicked on the news, but surprisingly, there were no reports of widespread rioting. All was not well in the land of America though.
Amy Stein was reporting outside a large bank in Lower Manhattan. The few people who had been spooked by the lowering of the FDIC limits were withdrawing cash from their accounts en masse. Over one hundred people were in a line that snaked out the door and into the street where it was beginning to snow. Amy finally got one of the people who were coming out of the door to speak to her.
"What’s going on inside the bank?" Amy asked the man.
The man replied "People are trying to access their cash and they are being told they can only get $500 dollars in cash. The bank is offering to give depositors bank checks or cashier's checks with no fee instead of more cash."
Amy inquired "Why can't they get more than $500 in cash?"
"The tellers are saying they don't have enough cash in the vaults to hand out more than that. A bank manager was explaining to the lady in front of me that several depositors had been in the bank early that morning and made huge withdraws. She asked how much, but he wouldn't give any more details." the man answered.
Amy Stein thanked the man for talking with her as he walked away. She continued her report. "We are also hearing that most all ATMs are completely drained of cash. New York Fed President, Sydney Roth assured CNC in a telephone interview earlier today that the trucks would be running to get the banks resupplied with cash tomorrow morning. Today's shortage has produced a sense of uneasiness in all depositors. Many of the people we spoke with in the bank lines today were not depositors with more than $75,000, they were just concerned that there could possibly be a bank run and they wanted to make sure they had some cash on hand."
CNC went back to the studio where Ed Nolan was reporting.
"Gold jumped to $8,650 today." Ed said." The yellow metal has quickly rebounded and made new highs after the 20 percent correction which took it down below $6,000 on Monday. While this type of volatility is pure adrenaline for traders, the common man can really get hurt bad trying to dabble in the gold market. Today, we have Wall Street trader Dan Ingles to tell us what is going on in the metals market.
Dan, How are you?"
The camera panned out to bring Dan Ingles into the shot.
"I’m great Ed." Dan replied.
Ed asked "What happened? When the markets reopened on Monday, gold had crashed. It lost more than $1,200 of the per ounce price in early morning trading before the markets even opened. We saw a short pop Tuesday morning, but gold finished the day down another $320. All of a sudden, it shot up like a rocket this morning. Gold had regained all of its losses by the time the markets opened, then it took off to make new highs all day."
Dan answered "It’s hard to say what caused the volatility the rest of the week, but today's action came from individual investors who are having trouble getting cash out of the banks. I think a lot of investors are looking for any vehicle that they can use to get that money out of the bank. As Amy reported a few minutes ago, depositors can't get their cash out of the banks because they simply do not have enough paper currency to hand out. Gold investors can go online and purchase bullion by using a wire transfer, a personal check or even a credit card. Many of the online dealers charge a higher fee for credit card orders and they have limits on how much can be purchased using a credit card, but it’s still an option."
"Is using gold as a means to get your cash out of the bank a good plan?" Ed asked.
"I wouldn't do it." Dan replied. "As soon as the banks are restocked with currency, the price could go right back down. My suggestion is to hang on. This will get resolved soon."
Matt commented sarcastically "Yea, everything will be just fine."
CNC's Patrick James was reporting live from D.C.
The good Reverend Terrence Sharpe had organized a march on DC. There were thousands carrying signs and chanting in protest to the benefits cuts.
Patrick James didn't have to look long to find Terrence Sharpe. In fact, when he made visual contact, the reverend was already making a bee line for the cameras.
"Reverend Sharpe, can you tell America why you are protesting today." James started.
"Patrick, what has been done to America's poor today is unconscionable." Sharpe began. "These are the very people President Al Mohammad has sworn to protect and help, and after they have put him in power for eight years, he makes this cowardly move."
"Do you think it’s possible that the president had no choice but to enact the 15% cuts? It is much better than the 50% shortfall in the SNAP budget at the beginning of last month. Wouldn't you agree?" Patrick James rebutted.
"Patrick, is the man that steals 15% of the food off of your table any less a thief than the man that steals 50% of the bread from your mouth? The amounts are not the issue here. The issue is that these are the people who can least afford to make a sacrifice. If cuts must be made, they must be taken from those who can afford them. Poor folks in America already don’t have the assistance they need to survive. A family of four has been receiving $668 per month in food assistance for years now. Despite the rapid increases in food costs, they have not seen any increase in assistance. Now, in a time when they most need an increase, they are getting their benefits cut. What are they supposed to do, eat beans and rice for breakfast lunch and dinner?" Sharpe protested. "Babies can't live on beans and rice, Patrick."
Patrick said "But the president didn't cut the WIC program which gives mothers of children age five and below, food benefits in addition to the SNAP program. We have done reports in nations where the children do live on rice. They may only eat rice once or twice a day in fact. The poor in America still live at a higher standard than most of the world."
Sharpe retaliated "What about Social Security Patrick? Those people have worked hard, paid into that system and now been cheated out of what they thought was going to be a good retirement."
"I don't disagree with you Reverend." Patrick James replied. "I’m just trying to look at the issue from the administration’s perspective. From what I understand, our country has reached the limit on our credit card. We are now faced with the task of learning to live on what we make. Many families have had to go through the same thing, and they often come out on the other side stronger than before. They emerge with a new skill set of being able to do more with less. Many families with the best money management skills are those who have went through bankruptcy.
It’s not just the poor and the retired
Reverend, the military, the congress and even the president himself have been subjected to the cuts."
Sharpe continued his protest "People who have enough to survive might make it out on the other side stronger, but many of these folks are going to starve Patrick. We also heard a rumor that all Earned Income Credits and Additional Child Tax Credits will be canceled next year."
Patrick said "We did hear the same thing concerning those credits. We are still in the process of verifying the validity of that claim, but our source close to the president has told us that it is only the refundable portion of those credits that would be canceled. For example, if you had a $250 tax liability at the end of the year, and a $1000 EIC credit, the credit would only be worth the $250 to eliminate your tax liability. You would not get a check for the remaining $750. This would prevent negative taxation. Negative taxation is when people get a bigger tax refund check than the amount deducted from their paycheck in the previous year. "
"Folks depend on that money Patrick." Sharpe said.
The rest of the family had wandered into the room where Matt and Adam were watching the news.
"Sounds like a bonus for doing nothing." Janice commented on the EIC tax credits.
"Paid for by those who do something." Adam added.
CNC showed that the crowd continued to grow in D.C. The estimates at 5:00 pm were over 200,000 protesters.
As the sun began to set, CNC did show several instances of rioting that grew out of the protests. It seemed more like the bad elements that were taking advantage of the situation than the true believers from the previous SNAP riots.
The sun set around 5:30, so the evenings got cold soon after. Matt and Karen headed home to get a fire going in the wood burning stove. Miss Mae was resourceful. She would dig a tunnel under the covers on Matt and Karen's bed to keep warm when there was no fire in the stove, but they didn't feel right with her unattended in the cold evenings. Besides that, they did not want to be walking on the road when it was completely dark.
CHAPTER 37
"Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth."
-George Washington
Paul Randall began his first video address since the attack on the cabin.
"America, my family and I have gone dark because there was a military style attack on our previous refuge two weeks ago. My son Robert was killed defending his mother and myself. He and my other son Ryan killed several of the attackers while we waited for our back up security team to arrive.
They have killed Robert, but his patriotism will live on in the rest of us. Our resolve has never been stronger. Christmas is next week. It will be a very difficult time for our family this year without Robert. We hope that you will remember us in your prayers this holiday season. We will certainly be praying for you.
We have sought peace at every occasion, but now violence has been thrust upon us. I am certain that our enemies will not cease until their murderous ambition is satisfied.
Our attackers had no distinguishing identification, so we have no evidence to show other than our word, but the stench of Mustafa Al Mohammad is all over the attack.
Anthony Howe has voiced his resolve to take your guns after the inauguration in January. I urge you to decide what you will do now. I urge you to decide how you will do it. Make up your mind this day as to whether you will hand over your freedom or stand your ground. Remember, if you decide to stand, you are not the criminal. The tyrant that oppresses you and violates the Constitution which is the law of the land is the criminal. It is not about your right to defend yourself, it is about your duty to defend your country.
If God will protect us, my family and I hope to mourn the loss of our son over the holidays. In the new year, I will return to my regular video messages. We will stand by your side as you draw a line in the sand and say "No further!"
Remember it is always darkest just before the dawn. May God grant you peace, love and joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Merry Christmas America."
After Paul put down his headset, Kimberly gave him a huge hug. They had not thought much about Christmas. It was so painful to just wake up and find that Robert wasn't there.
The soldiers assigned to the armory had done their best to make sure it was decorated for Christmas. The chef Larry Jacobs had sent was a Texan and had made so many of the traditional Christmas cookies and treats they had all grown up with. The Randalls weren't in the mood to eat much, but the soldiers appreciated the great food.
Ryan was distant. He had signed up for the Texas Air National Guard. He was headed to Kelly Field in San Antonio the day after Christmas. He had to be here; he couldn't abandon his mom before Christmas, but mentally, he was already at Kelly Field. He knew a fight was coming and he wanted a front row seat.
CHAPTER 38
"Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances."
-Benjamin Franklin
Karen walked into the work shed situated back near the creek.
"What are you working on?" she asked.
"A doll house for Mandy and Carissa." Matt answered. "There are no toys at Walmart. If I want to give them anything, I will have to make it."
"It’s adorable." Karen said. The doll house was a mess. Karen was not in the habit of saying she liked something if she didn't. She was brutally honest most of the time. This time, she was still being honest. The house was a mess, but the thought and the time that Matt was putting into the project was adorable to her.
Christmas was only three days away, so Matt was determined to get the doll house finished today. He was never scared of trying something new. It usually didn't turn out as grand as he pictured it in his mind, but you could never say he didn't try.
The days of the Barbie Dream House were over. When the dollar started crashing, Walmarts all over the country began to close up. 98% of everything sold at Walmart was imported from China. The loss of value in the dollar meant they could no longer purchase China's cheaply produced products. Walmart’s costs began to sky rocket as the dollar plunged. They tried to increase prices to keep up with the rising costs, but consumers simply could not pay the new prices. Inflation was running rampant and those who still had jobs spent every last dime on food and housing.
Grocery prices had more than doubled since the October riots. Gas was now $15.00 a gallon. The ration cards were still the law, but they were no longer needed. Few people had money to buy more that the 5 gallon allotment.
"What could I make for the girls?" Karen asked.
"Janice is making corn husk dolls for them. Why don't you make some dresses for the dolls?" Matt suggested.
"Oh, that’s a great idea. Can we go over there tonight so I can get the measurements?" Karen asked.
"We need to conserve gas. Let’s walk over there first thing in the morning. I wouldn't mind catching some news online at Adam's while we are there." Matt said.
He had never gotten satellite, phone nor internet. The companies had quit sending out servicemen to connect new service or repair outages. Many customers had stopped paying their bills due to economic conditions and the communication companies had to lay off most of their workers. The local phone company was still operating. They provided service for paying customers, but if you had an outage, you were on your own. When folks had outages because of line trouble, they just did without and closed their accounts. It was the same story with satellite and cable providers all over the country.
Water and electric utilities were still in good repair except where rioting and fires had destroyed critical infrastructure.
The next morning, Matt and Karen walked to Adam's farm. They had found a short cut through the woods that got them there in twenty minutes.
When they arrived, Matt and Karen noticed the gifts beneath the tree. They were all wrapped in bright, colorful store bought wrapping paper. Matt suddenly realized how
far things had gone. To see that wrapping paper and know that it would not be on sale after Christmas this year made him consider how his country had just crossed over into uncharted territory.
Karen pulled Janice to the side to secretly get the measurements of the dolls. Matt asked Adam if they could catch a few minutes of the news. The local channel Matt got played world news at night for half an hour, but 30 minutes could not adequately cover the quantity and magnitude of the ongoing economic meltdown.
The guys made a pot of coffee and went to the living room. CNC was reporting on the chaotic conditions popping up in some of America's big cities.
Cleveland, Chicago, San Diego, Buffalo, Newark and several other large municipalities had taken bankruptcy over the past few years. They had followed the Detroit template in reorganizing. The president had come up with a massive bailout called City Protection Relief or CPR to fund bankrupt city's police and fire departments. Funds for that program dried up in November, and the municipal patients flat lined.
To cut costs in several of the bankrupt cities, police officers had been fired. Those who wanted their jobs back had to come back on the force with no benefits and work on salary, which meant no overtime pay and a minimum of 50 hour per week. The decent cops left the cities. The only ones who stayed were the ones who had some method of supplementing their income. Drug protection, extortion, and cash "discounts" for speeding tickets were among the top forms of supplemental income.
With the lack of a sufficient or honest police force, pockets of those cities had erupted in horrific violence. Gangs were fighting for control of larger and larger parts of the cities. Thugs were no longer content to sell crack on the corner. They were pulling home invasions in the affluent neighborhoods and staying in the captured properties.
Karen and Janice stayed in the kitchen to chat.
"Do you think you would want to make the cake for the wedding?" Janice asked.
