by Ira Tabankin
@@@@@
The day after China’s announcement has the entire world speaking about nothing else. A large and very wide flatbed truck arrives at our gate at two o’clock in the afternoon. Sitting on the truck is a steam shovel which Franco has been waiting for. I look at the monster machine asking,
“Do I want to know where this came from?”
Franco smiles, saying, “Not really and before you ask, I know how to use it.”
“Can you tell me if I own it or did I rent it?”
“Kind of like you found it.”
“Damn it, Franco, I don’t want to give that asshole Sheriff any reason to arrest me.”
“He won’t, the shovel won’t even be reported as missing. The construction company went out of business. A friend told me where to find it. By the way, a bulldozer will be here in a couple of hours.”
“Why do we need a bulldozer?”
“The price was right.”
Chapter 10
Paul, Randy, Fred and I are looking at Franco’s plans for our shelter when our gate alarm sounds. We look at the monitor seeing an Army HUMVEE at our gate. I ask, “Does anyone have any idea why the Army would be paying us a visit?”
Everyone shakes their head no. “Well, I guess we ought to let them in and see what they want. Randy and Fred, grab your battle armor and weapons and hide in the rear trench in case they’re not who they appear to be. Keep your phone on, I’ll call you and leave mine on so you can hear what’s being said.”
Fred replies, “Will do.”
A few minutes later the HUMVEE pulls up to my front door, two soldier's exit wearing ACUs, (Army Combat Uniform), one of them has a sidearm strapped to his leg. Paul and I meet them in front of the house, “Hi, what can we do for the US Army today?”
“We’re looking for a Mr. Jay Tolson.”
“That’s me, what can I do for you?”
“Sir, I’m Sergeant Franklin and this is Private First Class Brown, we’re on official business for the Federal Government.”
“That doesn’t sound good, would you like to come in? I think I’m past draft age, and if I remember right, I failed my draft physical back in the early 70’s.”
Sitting in our kitchen Sergeant Franklin hands me a sealed envelope with the seal of the DHS on it.
“I’m not sure I want to touch that envelope.”
“Sir, my instructions are to present the envelope to you and wait for your response.”
I look at Paul, who shrugs his shoulders so I open the envelope. Inside is a one-page letter addressed to me. I read the short note, handing it to Paul, who reads it, shaking his head. He slides it back to me, his eyes have turned cold, his fingers open and close next to his hip where his Glock 22 side arm is strapped to his leg. I look up at the Sergeant, “Sergeant, this is an unlawful order.”
“Sir, as I’m sure you know the transportation network has been seriously broken, many cities and towns are very short of food. The Secretary of DHS, which has absorbed the National Guard for the duration of the national emergency, authorized the US Army and National Guard to purchase food supplies from farmers for the distribution to their surrounding towns. The records reflect that you purchased three producing farms, our assignment is to ascertain the amount of stored grains and other food crops you have. You are ordered to sell it to us at current market rates. Payment will be made to you within 90 days from when you present an invoice for payment.”
“What if I don’t want to sell it to you or anyone?”
“Mr. Tolson, per the President’s order establishing a national emergency, you don’t have the option of refusing to sell it to us.”
“Sergeant, yes I do. Any unlawful order doesn’t have to be followed and any law that violates the US Constitution is illegal.”
“Mr. Tolson, the President has suspended the Constitution for the duration of the current national emergency.”
“I haven’t heard anything about that. When was the public announcement made?”
The Sergeant hands us another document, a copy of an Executive Order signed by the President. “Sergeant, the President, can’t turn the Constitution on and off, it’s not a light switch.”
“Mr. Tolson, we’re prepared to pay you the current market price for your stored crops.”
“How would you be paying me?”
“We’ll arrange a direct deposit into your account, less any estimated taxes due.”
“Now, you’re going to charge me taxes upfront?”
“Too many companies, large and small have been claiming losses, they’re not paying their fair share so the President has decided that all government payments will be made net of tax.”
“At what tax rate?”
“The rate depends on your income and combined savings and bank accounts.”
“You’re saying that you’re going to tax me on the accounts we use for working capital?”
“All bank accounts are added together to calculate your tax. Based on the download the Department of Treasury has supplied us with, you are in the 75% tax rate, plus the millionaire 5% surtax. All accounts, both domestic and international are combined to calculate taxes.”
“You’re planning on stealing our crops. You’re going to pay me only 20% of their value in dollars, which won’t be worth the same amount by the time your deposit hits my bank. When you make the deposit, it may then trigger the President’s special tax on bank accounts. In reality, I’m going to be lucky to see less than 5% of the net value of my crops. Nothing will be left to pay my staff and neighbors.”
“Sir, would you rather the town’s people starve?”
“They're not my concern, my family and the families of my neighbors are my concern.”
“Isn’t it true you’re recruiting additional people? Didn’t you just absorb a small construction company?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”
“Care to explain truckloads of cement, rebar, sheet steel and plywood delivered to this address? Or what about the steam shovel and bulldozer?”
“I told the construction company owner, he could store his supplies and equipment here while his normal office is unavailable.”
“Mr. Tolson, what are you building behind the house? Are you aware it’s now against the law for anyone to damage or not use all of their available farm land to grow food crops? No one can let usable farmland sit idle. No one will get paid not to grow crops any longer. The country is hungry, we need to feed 320 million mouths as quickly as possible. We haven’t been able to transport the food we have. We need local farmers to feed their surrounding communities.”
“Sergeant, what I’m building is my business. I assume I’m still allowed to have some privacy aren’t I?”
“Sir, you can as long as your privacy doesn’t impact the production of food or interfere with the required support of the new national emergency orders.”
“Is there a list of these national emergency orders?”
“They often change, we’ll inform you if you’re breaking any of the rules.”
“Sergeant, are you telling me, I’m on ‘double secret probation?’”
“Mr. Tolson, this isn’t the time to be funny. The President is trying to save the country.”
“I thought he did everything he could to destroy the country.”
“Mr. Tolson, that’s treasonous talk. I’d suggest you cease that kind of talk right now.”
“Has free speech been outlawed?”
“Speaking out against the government is now against the law. Speaking against the President is classified as racist hate speech. Posts on the internet can also be deemed as racist or a breach of the federal hate crimes laws.”
“I see.”
“Mr. Tolson, what are your plans? If I have to, I can return with a court order, or with a platoon of armed men, or you can cooperate. Which will it be?”
“Sergeant, I already have contracts to sell my crops, as such you’re violating my predated contacts. We’re goin
g to have a real problem, you see my sales agreement was signed before the President issued this executive order, and as such, my deal will stand. You should also know the local Sheriff also wants my grain, why don’t the two of you figure out who’s going to rape me, then I can set a fair price for my crops.”
“Mr. Tolson, the price has been set by the Department of Agriculture.”
“I’ll be sure to let you and the Sheriff know if any grain is left after my existing buyer picks up his pre-ordered grain. Of course, it will then be sold at the new market prices and I don’t accept dollars.”
“What do you mean you don’t accept dollars? You’re an American business operating in the USA, dollars are the legal tender in America.”
“As an independent business, it’s up to me, the owner to decide how I want to be paid for my products. Not all business owners accept credit cards, not all accept EBT cards. I don’t accept American dollars for any purchase over $10,000. The inflation rate is too high, the dollars devalue weekly.”
“What do you accept?”
“Gold or silver.”
“Sir, that’s unacceptable, the President has signed a new executive order which will be made public very soon stating it’s illegal for US citizens to own gold or silver.”
“No such law currently exists, and until such an illegal law is issued, I only accept gold and silver as payment.”
“Sir, we may be back to check your home for gold and silver. Soon all such private ownership will be collected. A truck will arrive in four days to collect your unsold crops.”
“Better make it a very small truck.”
The two soldiers frown, shaking their heads and the Sergeant says, “Mr. Tolson, we’ve tried to treat you as a professional and a patriot. I see we’re going to have to change our approach, do I need to send an armed squad to take the crops?”
“If you do, it will get very messy.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, I’m stating a fact. I own this land free and clear, the US Constitution provides me certain rights.”
“I’ve already explained to you President Obama has placed the Constitution on hold for the duration of the national emergency.”
“I don’t accept illegal orders and unless you want to start a civil war, I’d suggest you leave my land and not return.”
“We’ll be back and we’ll return with the force required to take what the town requires.”
“Thank you for visiting, please leave my property. ”The DHS has always been a pain in the ass, but this time the President has gone too far, he’s setting up the country for a civil war. We the people aren’t going to accept the President canceling the Constitution. We’re not going to accept the US Army treating us like we’re slaves. The farmers and landowners I know aren’t going to accept the US government taking our crops while paying us shit and taxing the shit payments up front. Had they offered a decent price and terms I would have sold them some crops we have set aside just for this purpose. I won’t allow the government or anyone else to steal from us. We’re working too hard to allow them to walk in here and take what they want. This is still America. We’re going to have to keep an armed, ready action force on alert 24/7 in case they return.
@@@@@
Both Sammi and Shelly called to say they were planning on visiting the third week of June when our grandkids’ school was closed for summer vacation. Lacy and I are overjoyed. We’re going to have a house full. It’s also our chance to talk to them face to face about staying here. We bought the house with the plan of them staying with us. Sammi and Ricky drove to Shelly’s house where they spent a night, then the two families caravanned to our house. They made it in one day. When they arrived, the grandkids ran wild around the house and yard after being cooped up in the minivans for so long. They loved their bedroom, with bunk beds and a tent that could be spread between the beds giving them a built in play area. Their room also had a large TV and a Xbox video game console with their favorite games. They couldn’t wait to change and hit the pool.
Sammi, Ricky, Shelly, and Todd joined Lacy and me on the patio chatting over a bottle of wine and beers for Ricky and Todd while the kids splashed and played in the pool. I started off the discussion, “You know Mom and I love you, we worry about you. We think the economy is going to completely collapse and when it does, you may not be able to get enough gas to get here. It may not be safe to stay in your homes. We have everything you need here.”
Ricky says, “Dad, what about our jobs?”
“Son, we have enough money, none of you needs to work again. If you don’t like living under our roof, we can get you your own house.”
Sammi smiled, saying, “We’re not farmers, we don’t want to play in the dirt.”
“Honey, we’re not farmers, we’re farm, owners. There’s a big difference. We bought the farms to ensure we have a steady food supply.”
Shelly points to the large hole in the field, “Dad, what’s with the hole? Planning on burying half of Nashville?”
Laughing, “Only the bad half. The hole’s deep enough they’ll never find the bodies.”
Todd looks at the hole and the branches leading out from it, “Dad, you’re building a large shelter with underground access from each home.”
“Yes, you win the grand prize.”
“How large is it going to be?”
“Large, Large enough to hold 40 people for months.”
Ricky looks into the hole saying, “Why months? Are you again expecting the end of the world? More right wing bullshit?”
“Ricky, you and I haven’t agreed on politics or our views of the world. I like to be prepared, you think the government will protect you from anything that may happen. You forgot about Katrina and Sandy or Three Mile Island. You forget that the government doesn’t have the resource to help if something happens in the entire country. They had enough problems trying to support a small area of the country, there’s no way they can provide support for the entire country. We’re going to be left on our own to care for ourselves. Just a few days ago the National Guard showed up on my front door to demand I give them my crops to feed the local town. They were willing to use force to get what they wanted from me. Is this what you thought would happen?”
“Where’s your proof this happened? How do we know this wasn’t another example of your right wing bullshit?”
“Ricky, you can believe what you want, I’m telling you, and Mom can back me up, they came here to take my crops. They told me President Obama set aside the Constitution.”
“Dad, that’s a good thing, the Constitution is over 200 years old, it wasn’t written for these trying times. The needs of the many overcome the needs of the one.”
“What about my freedom?”
“Why should your freedom cause harm or the death of innocents? Why is your freedom more important that feeding the hungry.”
“I’m not doing anything to cause the death of innocents.”
“Yes you are, they’re hungry, and you’re refusing to give your crops to feed them.”
“You agree that the government has the right to take what it wants?”
“If it’s for the good of the people, yes.”
“I see, well, I hope you enjoy living in a communist country. I know I won’t. I expect to be paid for what people take from me.”
“It’s people like you that caused our problems. It’s always been all about you, you don’t understand sharing for the greater good. You don’t pay your fair share so everyone is fed and healthy. It’s people like you who have held our progress back.”
“Ricky, it’s impossible to hold a logical discussion with you. Why don’t you leave Sammi and Linda here and you return home? You go ahead and be a good little commie and swear allegiance to the President while being part of the death of the greatest country in the world.”
