“What we had it seems the CEOs of America have been stealing. And nothing has been done to them. Creative accounting, I think they call it. Why hasn’t Congress done something to them? You just let them steal more from us without suffering any consequences. When are you going to help the people you represent?” said BJ, adding his beliefs. The thought of the government waste and inaction burned at him. With his parents sick and unable to retire, he had been sending his sister half of his government pay to take care of them.
The small group grew larger and more boisterous and antagonistic in their opinions. “We are doing everything we can,” Selmon puffed.
“It’s been going on for ten years and I haven’t seen anything but some wrist slapping,” said Sullivan.
Ruben smirked. “Longer than that, Sully. I remember all those Savings and Loans problems my parents were always crying about. All that killed my father and drove my mother to an early grave.” This was one of the few things that seemed to anger Ruben. He was still resentful of his father dying right after he’d entered the service, and he still felt the Savings and Loan scandals were responsible for his death.
Surprised at Beau’s views on the subjects, Krysti listened intently to his stand on the varied issues. “Beau’s points are well taken,” she whispered to Sunday and Michael.
Marix was stunned. “You cannot end government programs like that.”
Krysti shook her head. “You can’t continue to give everything away and never get anything back.”
“Well, you sure as hell can cut some of the fat off,” Ruben added. “Those politicians are always going on fact-finding missions, when the fact is they’re wasting our money.”
“I just hate to see them make him angry,” sighed Sunday.
Ruben continued instigating his friend. “Way to go Beau. Burn him.”
Others were angry at such an outspoken stand that was not politically correct. “What makes him think his ideas will work?” said Larry James.
“None of the other plans have worked. Beau’s right about the minorities,” said Warren. “We need to give them respect for who they are. It’s something they don’t have. My family has been here for ten generations. My roots are the United States of America. I’m an American.”
Unlike Beau, and those who knew him, most were hesitant to voice their true opinions. Instead, they listened to the argument move toward its heated conclusion.
“The Republican Party is making a comeback and uniting once again,” said Selmon.
“You don’t understand. Damn it, can’t you see? It’s not your party. It’s not the Republicans or Democrats, or the Liberals or Conservatives. All you politicians are so hung up on your party. When you win an election you are still supposed to represent the people, even if they are not in your party. You’ve forgotten the main issue — no, the only issue! You’ve forgotten the people.”
“So what are you, Liberal or Conservative?” Selmon asked.
“Neither.”
Ruben mumbled, “At times he tends to be radical.”
Sully added, “Especially when pushed.”
BJ nodded. “No joke.”
Selmon grunted at their comments and aimed his question to Beau. “How do you feel about the resurgence of the Democrats?”
Beau sipped his drink. “They should be taken to the nearest tree and hung.”
Aghast at the comment, Selmon said, “That’s murder!”
Beau threw back, “That’s justice.”
“We’ve done so much for this country,” Selmon almost spit out.
Ruben said, “I haven’t seen anything you’ve done.”
“Neither have I,” BJ added.
Almost pleading, Beau said, “Senator, look in your heart. What have you really done for the American people or our country?”
Trying to skirt the question like a professional politician, Selmon asked, “So you think the Republicans can solve our problems?”
The others, except for BJ, Sunday, Ruben, and Sully, listened in shock and awe to the banter between Beau and Selmon.
Almost laughing Beau said, “Oh no, absolutely not. I think the Republicans should be hung next to the Democrats.”
Selmon blurted, “You’re a radical.”
Behind him Ruben shrugged. “I told you.”
“You and the others are the problem, Senator,” said Beau.
Before the bewildered senator could respond, Beau continued. “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
Recovering quickly, Selmon responded with, “That is the most un-American thing I have ever heard.”
Beau smirked. “I was quoting someone else.”
“Then he is a despicable person for saying that,” Senator Selmon added
Slowly a smile filled Beau’s face. “The person who said those words was Abraham Lincoln.”
Regaining his composure, Senator Selmon asked, “So, pray tell, what is your solution?”
Even Marix was curious. “Yes, what do you suggest?”
Sully smiled, Ruben shook his head, and BJ gritted his teeth. All three knew their friend’s feelings and how he would answer.
Beau said, “You don’t want to know.”
Selmon nodded. “Yes, I do. Tell me.”
His lips became two thin lines and his temples pulsed; then from between gritted teeth Beau responded. “A total violent overthrow of the system as it exists today.”
Shocked at the revelation, Selmon gasped. “That’s treason.”
“No Sir. What you have done is treason,” said Beau. No one was able to respond as Beau took a swig of his drink. “If Jefferson and Washington were alive today, they would overthrow this government.”
While the others failed to respond, Ruben held his drink high in a toast, and jumped to a mock attention, then blurted, “To the revolution!”
Immediately, Sully and BJ chimed in as they clinked their glasses to Ruben’s. “To the revolution!”
Always the good politician, Selmon tried to control the runaway rhetoric. “We’re doing everything for the people we can.”
“I don’t mean giving it away.” Beau shook his head. “Don’t you see that you’re destroying our country?”
Smugly, Selmon said, “Nothing will happen to our country.”
The disgust was evident in Beau’s eyes. “I’ll bet the leaders of the Roman Empire said the same thing as you.” There was a slight pause and then Beau finished. “Where are the Romans now, Mr. Selmon?”
“Our country is different,” Selmon retorted.
“No it’s not,” said Beau. “This is worse because we have the opportunity to learn from history but we’re making the same mistakes.”
“You’re a soldier and must serve God and your government,” Selmon threw at Beau.
With a heavy heart Beau shook his head. “God has nothing to do with this, but I do serve the people of my country, not the government.”
The men rallied to Beau’s defense. Ruben moved in front of Mr. Selmon and rolled his eyes. “Mr. Selmon, you said God. In a war, which side ya think God will pick?”
“The righteous side, of course.”
“I assume it’s us,” interrupted Warren in his best Bostonian accent. “I’m sure both sides pray to God before they go into battle. Indeed it has to be a difficult decision for God to choose which side lives and which side dies.”
Beau shook his head. “Personally, I think God’s pissed at both sides.”