Election Day: A Harry Cassidy Novel

by Henry Hack

  “In case you ever wonder if we did the right thing with Zinnit and his crony, just realize we would be next on the gallows.”

  “I realize that Harry, and now I’m glad I pulled that trigger. That poor couple. Such wonderful human beings.”

  They saved the two members of the Committee for last, executing them on the same day. The two unlucky victims, selected for their apparent likenesses to Jonathan and Kevin’s photos known to the public, were hung one after another two days before election day with President Nelson proclaiming the final end of the Minutemen. This timing, no doubt, added several percentage points to his margin of victory the following Tuesday.

  “Guess he forgot about me,” Jeremy Riggins said to the assembled group. “Hung both your asses, though. How did that feel Jonathan?”

  They all laughed and Jonathan said, “Felt very good to be sitting here, I’ll tell you that. Right, Kevin?”

  “You said it. I guess they are done for awhile.”

  “And I guess we’re all done now,” Phil MacDonald said. “At least until something breaks our way.”

  * * *

  This ex-patriot group of Americans, one of many similar such groups now in Canada, consisted of Phil MacDonald, Harry Cassidy, Bradley, Connelly, Riggins and a dozen other former Minutemen, Walt Kobak, John McKee, Nick Faliani, Charlie Carson and all their spouses, families and significant others. They had relocated themselves to various cities, towns and suburban areas depending on their individual choices. Groups of as few as four, or as many as twelve, would occasionally meet and discuss current events. And after President Nelson had won his resounding reelection, their mood was dark and gloomy indeed.

  “It looks like they have everything under control,” Harry said. “For a long, long time.”

  “This can’t last,” MacDonald said. “Remember that socialism is great until they run out of other people’s money, and their storm-trooper methods won’t be tolerated forever.”

  “And when will they run out of money?” Nick Faliani asked.

  “I don’t know. They have a few more options.”

  “You mean, like you hinted the other day, we need a fucking break?”

  They all laughed remembering Nick’s fall back line when an investigation was hopelessly stalled. Phil said, “Exactly, and I know where that lucky break is coming from; I just don’t know when.”

  Charlie Carson looked at the aging former mayor of New York City and wished he could share his bit of optimism. He said, “Where, Phil. Where should we look for the lucky break? The American citizens are fat and happy. They’re not going to rise up and rock the boat.”

  “No, not yet. China has to rock the boat for us.”

  “How do you think they’ll do that?” Walt Kobak asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Phil replied, and the gloom re-settled on the group of outcast Americans, if anything, deeper than ever before.

  * * *

  Four months after President Nelson’s re-election, China finally made a move – but not the expected economically driven one – a military one. In a series of rapid strikes, China annexed the independent nation of Taiwan, a country the United States was pledged to assist, and all the disputed islands between them and Japan. They also formally annexed all the disputed areas of Tibet and the nation of Mongolia making them provinces under the rule of Beijing. The takeover was followed by a warning to the U.S., India, and Japan, to not interfere in this “peaceful, rightful, and welcomed annexation, or face terrible consequences.”

  Japan trembled and turned to their now less-than-invincible ally for guidance and support, but the United States government, and its President, said and did nothing. Nelson had already informed the world, by his words and deeds, that America would no longer engage in foreign wars or foreign problems, and the military’s reduction left our forces at a level where they would be no match for China’s. The Pacific Fleet consisted of only two carrier groups, one stationed in the Philippines, and one in Pearl Harbor

  The North Koreans, with China’s blessing, both nations realizing now for certain that America was a paper tiger, prepared its million-man army for a full-blown invasion and takeover of South Korea. The invasion was successful and South Korea fell in two weeks. America and the United Nations stood by in silence. Fortunately, China convinced the North Koreans not to use nuclear weapons against the South, admonishing them that the United States still possessed a large nuclear arsenal and would use it if backed too tightly into a corner.

  Russia followed suit by pledging to retake all the territories of the former Soviet Union, and the middle-eastern based Caliphate turned their eyes on Israel. Without the assistance of the United States, Israel would fall and Jerusalem would be restored as the capital of all Islam.

  As the Muslim Army mobilized for their march on their ancient enemy, and Russia turned their hungry eyes toward the Baltic States, China made its first economic move, and began a series of redemptions of U.S. Treasury bonds. Other countries which held America’s debt, even those considered long-time allies, quickly followed suit. No one wanted to be left behind if the U.S. could not handle the redemption by the Chinese. As the printing presses in Washington churned out greenbacks twenty-four hours a day, China dealt the final blow by announcing it would no longer consider the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency. From now on, any nation or business, or individual buying anything from China had to pay for their purchase in Yuan. The rest of the world happily went along with them.

  President Nelson, his Cabinet, and the shocked leaders of Congress, gathered their economic advisers as the stock market tumbled and the price of gasoline shot up to over six dollars a gallon. “Those bastards!” Nelson shouted to the group assembled in the White House War Room. “How do we respond?”

  “Stop buying Chinese goods,” the Fed Chairman said. “We’re their biggest market.”

  “We can’t buy anything,” the Senate Majority Leader said. “They won’t accept our dollars, remember?”

  “Okay,” the President said. “What do we have that the Chinese want? What do they need that we possess?”

  “Coal, oil, natural gas and food,” the Agriculture Secretary said.

  “And what do we want and need from them?”

  “Just about everything,” the Commerce Secretary said. “Smart phones, TVs, all electronics, – and mostly all other types of consumer goods. We basically don’t manufacture anything anymore, except cars and trucks.”

  “Then let’s explore a barter system with them. No cash – of any kind – involved.”

  “I like that,” the Vice-President said. “Do you want me to make an overture through my contacts?”

  “Yes Jane, as soon as possible.”

  * * *

  The Chinese delegation in Beijing received Vice-President Jane Yale and her groveling entourage with big smiles and lavish food and drink, but it did not take long for her to realize the Chinese were not interested in her proposal. “I don’t understand, Mr. Chang,” she said addressing the vice-premier and leader of the group. “It seems to me that this trade of goods would be highly beneficial to both our economies.”

  “It probably would, Madam Yale, but we are not interested in trading with your country at this time.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You are no longer a hard-working productive country. Your political philosophy and policies have turned your citizens into beggars waiting for their next handout. We know you could never meet the energy and food production needs of China. You can barely feed your own citizens. No one in your country knows how to, or needs to, work anymore.”

  “But we are a socialist state, just like you.”

  “America is nothing like China, despite what you may call yourselves. Madam Vice-President, do you realize that your country is now so military vulnerable and weak-willed that we could invade and conquer you easily?”

  “Are you threatening us, Mr. Vice Premier?”

  “Not at all. We have no interes
t in conquering America. We are content geographically within our newly-established borders. But other countries may not be as disinterested as we are. For now, we will obtain what we need from Canada, Europe, Russia and South America.”

  “You and your government, by not agreeing to this trade proposal, may not be invading us militarily, but you will be strangling us economically. Is that your aim? To ruin America? To see millions of starving people in the streets?”

  “May I remind you Madam, that we have done nothing to cause those conditions. I suggest you look in the mirror. If that situation that you just described occurs, you have no one to blame but yourselves. Now, I believe this meeting is over.”

  * * *

  In a last desperate act to stave off economic disaster, the government sold off its entire stock of gold and silver bullion to foreign governments who paid in their own currencies. The amount received was vast, but the money from the redemptions ran out in four and a half months. One of the President’s advisers seriously suggested attempting to sell Alaska back to the Russians, or to Canada, depending on who offered the most money. Incredulously, another adviser suggested selling Hawaii to the Japanese. Realizing the effects such moves would have on his popularity, the President finally had to give the bad news of the drastic measures necessary to save the nation from economic collapse. In a prime-time televised speech, he blamed China and other nations of the world for trying to economically strangle the United States. He blamed the wealthy Americans for fleeing the country and taking their money with them. He blamed the businessmen for closing their shops to avoid unionization of their employees and to avoid paying the increased minimum wage, so that all workers could have their fair share.

  He blamed everyone except himself, congress and his party. Then he delivered the bad news. “Until we resolve this crisis, we must cut our benefits and programs to a point where we break even with the revenue collected from taxes and fees. To be fair, we will cut everything equally. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, health insurance, disability benefits, food stamps, unemployment insurance, workers compensation and welfare payments will be cut by 43% across the board, effective the first of the month. I have also ordered a 43% pay cut for all members of my administration and all members of the military. Congress has promised to do likewise. We must all bear the pain equally. I know we will get through this crisis. The spirit and strength of the American people will prevail, and we will return to full prosperity in the near future.”

  Jonathan Bradley said, “I wonder why he didn’t announce the resumption of martial law? I expect there will be some major disturbances caused by this cut.”

  “He’s got some breathing room. The people won’t see the cuts until after the first of the month,” Phil MacDonald said. “But we have to get ready to move rapidly once the discontent is at its peak. And this time, we are not waiting for the next election. Now for the key question – Colonel Connelly, can we pull this off?”

  “I am the most positive I have been in a couple of years,” he said.

  “Please give us the details,” Jonathan said.

  “Through my extensive military contacts, I have assembled a stand-by army, a paper army if you will, of over 200,000 former servicemen who have pledged their support to take back our country. Most still have their uniforms, but few have weapons. This army has no armor, no artillery, and no command and control.”

  “And what exactly are they going to do?” Nick asked.

  “Join the real Army when called upon. And the real Army, the real Navy, the real Air Force and of course, the real Marines, are ready to revolt. The troop cutbacks, the hardware cutbacks, and the officer corps decimation have finally taken their toll on our fine servicemen and women. They have been lied to and sold down the river, and their loyalty to their commander-in-chief has been shattered.”

  “I bet this 43% pay cut won’t make them too happy,” Charlie Carson said.

  “I think, I hope, that is the straw that will break their backs and allow us to topple the government. I and a few retired four-star generals and admirals are going to secretly meet with one of the four-stars on the Joint Chiefs of Staff next week.”

  “When you do,” Phil MacDonald said, “lay out our plans precisely. The military takes over the government in a hopefully bloodless coup, deposing the president and his current administration, and dissolving the congress. Then they call for elections as soon as possible.”

  “Is this where we come in?” Jonathan asked.

  “Yes,” Phil said. “You will be the presidential candidate for a new slightly right-of-center party, whose name has yet to be chosen.”

  “How about the Minutemen party?” Walt Kobak asked.

  “No way,” Phil said. “We want no association with that name because of the past murders and the high school massacre.”

  “How about the Patriot Party?” Harry asked.

  “Or the Freedom Party?” John McKee said.

  “Or the Founding Fathers Party?” Jonathan said.

  “Not bad choices,” Phil said. “We’ll kick it around some more. For now, let’s adjourn and await the results of Kevin’s meeting next week.”

  * * *

  When the group once again convened the evening of the day that Colonel Connelly returned from his meeting with the general he said, “I know this expression is well-worn out, but it fits this situation perfectly. I have good news, and I have bad news.”

  A collective groan arose from the room and Phil MacDonald said, “Out with it, Kevin.”

  “The good news, as you see on TV and read in the papers, is the citizens of our country are not happy with their government and have taken to the streets to voice their displeasure. General Reed feels these disturbances will shortly escalate to full-blown riots, forcing the President to once again declare martial law. At that point, the military will make their move to take over.”

  “Sounds exactly as planned,” Harry said. “What’s the problem?”

  “The problem, in this case my bad news, is the armed civilian militia.”

  “Who?” Nick Faliani asked.

  “Over the past several years, the government has been quietly building a civilian army. Remember how difficult it was to purchase ammunition of any kind even before they outlawed it?”

  “I sure do,” Charlie Carson said.

  “Everyone figured the government was buying up all the ammo as a means of gun control,” the Colonel said. “However, the real reason was to equip certain government agencies to defend the government from internal attacks.”

  “Like from our own military?” Walt Kobak asked.

  “Precisely, and General Reed estimates there are more of them than there are of us.”

  “Holy crap,” John McKee said. “What agencies? Who are we talking about here?”

  “The IRS at 20,000 strong. The TSA, the EPA, NOAA, and even the Department of Agriculture, which recently procured ballistic body armor and hundreds of submachine guns with 30-round magazines.”

  “You gotta be kidding,” Nick said.

  “I wish I were.”

  “That is indeed bad news,” Phil MacDonald said, “but I have one very important question. Will they stand and fight? Or will they lay down their arms and flee like the Iraqi military did years ago when confronted by the ISIL Jihadists?”

  “That is the key question indeed,” Connelly said, “and the answer is – I don’t know. General Reed doesn’t know. No one fucking knows.”

  “So we could have another bloody civil war on our hands,” Jonathan said.

  “That seems to be the situation,” Connelly said.

  “What’s your plan now?” Charlie Carson asked.

  “As soon as the moment arrives, we hit the IRS first with a massive show of men and weaponry and hope they capitulate quietly and lay down their arms. And if they don’t, we open up on them with everything we got to send the message out to the others.”

  No one said anything. No one knew what to say as their brains proc
essed this scenario. Finally, Phil MacDonald spoke, “I defer to General Reed and Colonel Connelly. Let us pray to almighty God that the plan works and we encounter no resistance.”

  They went on their way to their homes and families to do the only thing they could do – wait. Wait until the dissent among the populace forced the President to act. And hopefully, they would not have to wait long.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Jonathan Bradley called them all together three nights later and the group was shocked to see him and Colonel Connelly dressed in camouflage and sporting their insignia of rank on their collars and caps. Jonathan said, “General Reed, and all of his fellow Joint Chiefs, feel the President has to move soon, probably in a day or two. The word has gone out and we former Marines and other servicemen are heading to Washington now.”

  “Are you sure you should go, Jonathan?” Charlie asked. “Is Phil on board with this?”

  Jonathan smiled and said, “Phil knows, and he is not on board with this, but he told me he knew better than to argue with a jarhead.”

  “Needless to say,” Harry said, “every one of us here wishes we were going with you.”

  “I know you do,” Colonel Connelly said, “and I know you are all fighters and would acquit yourselves well. But this is a military war, with military weapons. In my truck out there are side arms, rifles, grenades and machine guns – all of which we are trained to use.”

  They shook hands all around, wishing these two warriors a safe journey and a rousing victory. As they walked to the door, they both turned and saluted. “Semper Fi!” they yelled in unison, and then they were gone.

  “That really brings it home,” Nick said. “Seeing those guys in battle dress…”