by Doug Ball
State of Defense
Doug ball
Copyright 2014 Douglas H. Ball
Discover other titles by Doug
STATE
Of
DEFENSE
by
Doug Ball
Cover by hisfootprintsphotography.com
Copyright 2013 – Demond Davis
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of any character to a real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental or a figment of your imagination. All errors in historical fact are on purpose and any deviation from the truth is fiction. While locations are named, no attempt has been made to picture them as they really are. Everywhere in Arizona is beautiful.
Enjoy
For you, Mom and Dad,
Walter E. and Thelma C. Ball,
thanks for bringing me up in Arizona.
And,
To Patti, my love.
Without you this book would have died long ago.
And then there is
Dave.
You boost me up every time we get together.
And, it was your idea.
STATE
OF
DEFENSE
1
Pearl Harbor Day
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
3:40 PM
“Mr. President, one of these days a state petition to secede will make it to a weary state legislature and they are going to do something about the unrest in their state. You have to remember that even though you won the popular vote and the Electoral College vote count, you did not win a majority of states by any means and in some of those states you lost by a large margin. We will have a major situation on our hands when that happens.”
“You know, Mr. Secretary, that no state can be allowed to secede and you know that we are the teat from which flows the money the states run on, for many of them it amounts to over 50% of their annual budget.”
“Yes, Mr. President, but most of the money you give them is to pay for programs that the Federal Government has mandated. If they don’t accept the money, it is feasible some state will just shut down the program and carry on with their own programs or no programs, all without our benevolence.”
“That could happen, I suppose, but highly unlikely. How would they fund their schools, medical assistance, and welfare systems, let alone their highways, without the federal dollar? It just cannot happen. No state would ever cut themselves off from that amount of money. None.”
“I disagree, Mr. President. All it will take is one brave governor and one bold state legislature and that state will wean itself from the Federal teat, and when one does, others will follow.”
Mid April
Governor’s Office
Arizona’s Treasurer entered the Governor’s office with a stack of printouts under his arm. His walk was heavy and he tried hard to smile, but his eyes did not reflect the format of his lips.
The Governor stood and met him in front of her desk. “You look like a man with no good news. Have a seat. Cup of tea or coffee? Soda? Water?”
“No, thank you.”
“What brings you to this office with such a solemn look on this beautiful April day, as if I didn’t know, or at least, strongly suspect.”
“Short and sweet, the state will be out of funds by July and that may be stretching it a bit. With the down turn in the economy, lack of sales taxes, increase in illegals we have to provide services for, and all the other costs, we might make it until July. And, very honestly, taking all these Federal dollars is costing us about 8.5 cents on the dollar just in management fees. We are paying many people to distribute, plan, oversee, and do the paperwork for every dollar we get. If we could live without it, we’d be okay in six months. But, a lot of folks would then be out of work. I don’t have the answers.
“Would you like to see the figures?”
“No, thank you. I trust you and your office. Besides, it’s all old hat. It costs to get, but is it worth it?”
4 June
Phoenix, Arizona
10 AM
Three men and one woman stood on the steps of the Arizona Capitol building discussing the current state of affairs in their jurisdictions and the state. Their levels of concern increased as more and more information was shared in their discussion.
“It’s time for the hard choices. I don’t care if I get reelected, if things continue the way they are I won’t be able to show my face in my neighborhood anyhow.”
The tallest of the men said, “I’m already getting dirty looks from my neighbors, and that is no fun. I like those folks.”
The woman looked at the pigeons flying above, as she secretly prayed they wouldn’t bomb her new dress, one she had purchased just the night before to wear as she addressed the joint session of Arizona’s two houses of government. “I didn’t get elected to this job anyhow. I moved up as that screaming liberal was grabbed for a cabinet position by our wonderful Mr. Let’s-make-it-better in the Whitehouse. The way things are going, I won’t be elected for the next term. Hard cold fact is there might not be an Arizona as we know it if something drastic isn’t done.”
The Speaker of the House wasn’t a happy camper. “No matter what you try the courts will stop you. The only way to cut the budget is to cut out jobs in the areas of government, law enforcement and firefighters. Service jobs have to stay in place to serve the welfare state our illustrious leader has now boosted again and mandated to the states. Welfare killed ancient Rome, the USSR, and modern Greece, looks like it will destroy our nation also, with Arizona being among the first states to go.”
The President of the Senate groused, “What are you going to propose, Madam Governor?”
She told them.
“Does this seem practical to you? Will your Republicans give up their current stands on a few things?” She turned. “Will your Democrats release the hold on the pet issues they have?” Turning again she addressed the third man, “Last, but not least, will your Hispanics quit trying to defend their relatives, who are illegals, in order to maintain this state for folks to come in legally?” She looked at each leader as she spoke, knowing that she had just pushed all the buttons and yanked all the chains. She also knew that the only reason they were continuing to listen was because they were real gentlemen in public and she was a woman. The gloves these men wore in public were much softer than those worn behind closed doors.
“Will you?”
“I will give it a good look.”
“I, also.”
“You present it and then I will tell you what I will do, Senora.”
“Brave men you are.” She could drip sarcasm with the best of them. “We can whip this problem if we are brave and care more about the people of Arizona than reelection. I would allow myself to be tarred, feathered, and run out of the state on a splintery rail if I thought it would save Arizona.” She could also be deadly serious.
A page came up to the group. “The joint session is seated, Governor. May we announce you now?”
“Let’s do it. Gentlemen, will you join me up front.”
“That I will do.”
“And I.”
“Why not? I would never miss a photo op as good as being on the platform with you. Lead on, Governor.”
As she stepped through the double doors into the House Chamber, the page announced, “The Governor of Arizona.”
7 June
Friday
9 PM
At La Cantina de Los Caballeros a large crowd worked on reducing the stock of Dos Equis and Jose Cuervo behind the bar as the senoritas strutted their stuff and the caballeros licked their lips. The crowd at the bar was three de
ep, greatly hampering the waitresses’ service to the customers at the tables. Of walking room there was little. Dancing room was even smaller, but no one complained about that, the closer the better on a Friday night.
Across town the high class society crowd filled the parking lot with Corvettes, BMWs, and Mercedes behind the Green Frog Tavern which roared with Friday night white wine drinkers being politely chased around the dance floor by Scotch and soda drinkers.
On the other side of the tracks, beer on tap was being drawn from 34 different taps for a crowd in cowboy hats and pointy toed boots line dancing all over the place, between the tables, in front of the bar, and even on the dance floor to the sounds of a live Country Western group that played for less money than the juke box would have drawn had there been one. The Rusty Cactus Saloon was rocking.
All of a sudden someone in each of these establishments shouted, “Shut up. Listen to the tube. The governor is crying.” Slowly each place became quiet.
The Governor spoke with a very serious tone and with tears in her eyes. Her hair was not in its usual perfect condition. Even her make-up looked a little off. There was a shine on her forehead. Reading the script from papers in her hand, she didn’t even look into the camera.
“Ladies and Gentlemen of Arizona, yesterday we celebrated D-Day, a day that will live forever in our hearts, when brave warriors of our nation and others began the final march of World War II. Those warriors fought and some died to establish once again our right as a nation to exist, and to thrive.” She paused to smear a tear, “We are not thriving.
“I come before you this night after three days of difficult struggle and serious discussion within the legislature of this great state of ours with words I wish I didn’t have to present. Making the serious decisions is part of the job.
“Your elected officials of all ethnicities have worked around the clock to agree on what you will learn tonight. Not all have agreed, two resigned and three dissented. That’s what you elected them for, the hard decisions.
“As you know, Arizona is just about broke. We have, maybe, one month’s cash projected, and then none. As a matter of fact, with current projections we will be a few thousands of dollars in debt if we attempt to make payroll in five weeks and some of the checks will bounce. We refuse to borrow more money putting future generations deeper in debt. The national debt is bad enough.
“Something had to change.
“Your legislature and my office have worked hard for the past 3 days to try to resolve the issues without changing the flavor of life of Arizona or burdening the people of Arizona with more taxes, regulation, and debt. As a result, in a vote of the combined Houses of the Arizona State Legislature the following changes have been approved.
“Effective at midnight tonight the borders of Arizona will be controlled by Arizona. Department of Public Safety Officers will stand with Arizona Department of Transportation personnel at every border crossing and check the Driver’s License, Passport or ID papers of all coming into Arizona. Anyone without proper papers will be turned away.”
In La Cantina de los Caballeros it was like someone had flipped a switch turning off all sound except the words of the Governor. The patrons stood staring at the screen as if they were statues. The smell of fear became the dominant perfume. The party was over.
The Governor continued, “The law enforcement agencies of Arizona are being instructed as we speak to check ID on all persons stopped for whatever reason. The border between Mexico and the State of Arizona will be patrolled and anyone attempting to cross south to north at any place other than a legal crossing will be turned back and should there be violence, these patrolling individuals will have the authority to shoot. Beginning midnight this coming Tuesday night, June 11th, anyone attempting to cross south to north will be shot, period. No warning. Arizona will consider an attempt to enter our state illegally an act of war against the United States of America and Arizona, and respond accordingly. Signs are being posted with that warning as I speak.
“Any illegal alien in the State of Arizona may turn themselves in and be allowed to return or even be driven to a border crossing with all their possessions as soon as is practical. School districts will be asked to provide buses - when not needed to transport students - for this purpose. The districts will be reimbursed by the State for all costs.
“People of Arizona, hear me. This will not be easy. We are in trouble. Our budget is 24.2 billion dollars for the next year, 45.7% of that comes from Washington. Unemployment is at a record high. Revenues are way down. The State of Arizona estimates that almost 2.5 billion dollars of our budget goes to pay for education, medical, housing, courts, and law enforcement efforts concerning the illegal aliens in our presence. They are here illegally and will be treated as such. They are not migrants, they are illegal aliens. Each alien who is contacted by law enforcement and does not have proper ID will be allowed 10 days to return to the Justice Court of record or Police Department with proof of citizenship or be removed from the State. All who fail to report with proper paper work within that 10 days and are apprehended again will be deported without benefit of a chance to go home and pack their bags. Those who leave voluntarily will be able to apply for legal entry into this Great Country of ours and the State of Arizona without prejudice in the future.
“The Hispanic caucus of the State Legislature, with two dissenting votes, has voted to approve all of what I am telling you.”
At this point in her speech, Julio Villasanchez stood from his seat in the House Chamber and noisily stormed out. He never said a word, but no one missed his exit, including the Governor and the TV cameras.
The Governor took a deep breath and continued, “Anchor babies will be allowed to return with their parents. Or, the parents will be allowed to leave them here where we will find good citizen homes. Parents choosing to leave their anchor babies behind will forfeit all rights as parents to that child before a judge. Please take them with you; we have no desire to break up families. Anchor babies may return of their own free will by presenting a valid birth certificate at the border when they are of legal age.”
The Governor paused to wipe a tear from her cheek.
Looking straight into the camera she continued, “In 30 days we estimate we will have spent a few hundred million dollars and saved a billion or more. Folks, it is not all about money. It is about security, legality, the law, terrorism, safety, education, jobs, health care, and integrity for the State of Arizona.
“These have not been easy decisions. It will not be easy on anyone in this state.
“Arizona will no longer accept Federal dollars with strings attached for any reason. We are opting out of the Affordable Care Act. If you live in Arizona and receive care in Arizona, it is not interstate commerce. By doing this we will not have to jump through the hoops and we will save a half billion dollars. The two major health care insurance providers in our state have agreed to continue their same excellent service to the great peoples of Arizona.
“All are going to share equally in the cuts that must happen. Our education process will be changed. We are working on changes beginning in kindergarten and going all the way through post graduate degrees at our great universities and colleges. Yes, we will probably lose accreditation in some areas and lose some professors, but we will gain well educated and prepared graduates for our businesses and industry.
“The track of education must be changed to make it more cost effective and produce the knowledge and skills required for our young people to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow.
“All non-violent inmates in our prisons will be placed in work camps where they will be required to work to pay for their food and clothing, along with rent for their bunks and their necessary medical care. Their current cost is in excess of $30,000 per inmate per year for over 20,000 inmates. Business leaders are already studying money-making industries the state can use to facilitate this change. They will have incentives to earn, which will include the shortening of sentences. The
who will not work will go on minimum calorie diets in crowded facilities.
“Violent offenders will be worked in secure factories inside the walls of our prisons to earn their way also. Their current cost is $50,000 per year with an estimated 13,000 offenders. We will give incentives to get them to earn as much of that as possible and still be able to insure the safety of the citizens of Arizona and beyond. Those who choose not to work will be fed a subsistence diet and have no access to canteens or outside food supplies.
“Folks with drug abuse convictions will be moved to a compound in an as yet undetermined location and live behind a fence with no services from the State other than emergency medical care. Dealers and those caught with large quantities of illegal drugs will be sent to that compound after serving out their sentences as prescribed by law. That compound will have all the amenities for a self-sustaining community if they work hard enough. This place will be called Druggersville and will be divided in two parts. The first is for those who want to get clean and will accept professional assistance to that end. The other is where the druggers will live free to use as they see fit. All confiscated drugs will be tossed over the fence for them to enjoy.
“Persons convicted of invasive, penetrating sexual crimes against children will be neutered. Second offenders will receive life sentences. We will not tolerate offenses against persons of any age.
“There are such things as human rights and we in this country have passed many laws to ensure that no one’s rights are violated. But, that has not stopped the violation of the rights of the innocent. When a person violates the rights of the innocent, they must give up certain of their rights to ensure the rights of the innocent will not continue to be violated.
