The New Founders

by Joseph F. Connor

  “We must understand when it comes to regulation that it is the regulators who gain from the regulation, not their fellow citizens who suffer to live by them. Seems the old adage is true, that laws are made for the few, not for the many.”

  Walters shot up out of his seat once again. Anders followed suit and rose with the now official candidate for president. Walters wrapped up the point.

  “A founding father once said, ‘I own myself the friend to a very free system of commerce, and hold it as a truth, that commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive and impolitic—it is also a truth, that if industry and labor are left to take their own course, they will generally be directed to those objects which are the most productive, and this in a more certain and direct manner than the wisdom of the most enlightened legislature could point out.’”

  Murray frowned from behind the glass, a bit perturbed that James Madison was not referred to by name. As he peered into the studio, Walters translated this passage into modern language, saying that while bureaucrats in government who pretend to be all knowing impose regulation on industry and people under some fantasy of fairness, the constraints of regulation were generally unjust and oppressive because they hit the most productive people the hardest.

  The next call came from Jerry in California.

  “Mr. Walters, do you have any original thoughts of your own or are you going to sit there and quote a bunch of dead guys all day? I mean come on, this is the twenty-first century, not the seventeen hundreds.”

  Josh’s first instinct was to protect his guest and move on to the next call. But Walters would have none of that. He sat back down in his seat and, taking a more serious tone, pulled the microphone toward his face.

  “Jerry, you have a point. This is the twenty-first century and times have changed. But a good idea then is a good idea now. Just as a bad idea then is a bad idea now. I quote the founders because they built a great country out of nothing. They put laws in place and put a Constitution in place that has stood the test of time and remains the cornerstone of the greatest country on earth.”

  Josh Anders reclined in his chair as the man to his right let loose.

  “How about bad ideas, Jerry? Encouraging illegal aliens to come into our country and appeasing them, is that a good idea?

  “Is pressing one for Spanish and two for English on your phone a good or bad idea?

  “Is socialism a good idea, Jerry? Redistribution of wealth and the political policies of the current administration? How did that turn out in the Soviet Union?

  “I quote the founders because they were men of character, men of dignity, who put their country before their own individual well being. Wouldn’t you like to see a politician with those qualities in the twenty-first century Jerry?”

  The caller had hung up during Walters’ lecture. Anders said there was always at least one of them every day.

  “We have time for one last call.”

  Kathleen in New Jersey wanted to know what Walters thought about recent demeaning remarks about women in our country. Frank cleared his throat and got ready to answer. But Kathleen added that in 1776, Abigail Adams wrote, in her most famous letter to her husband, John, in Philadelphia, the new code of laws (which the founders were in the process of creating), to remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than their ancestors.

  Frank knew of the letter and said that he hoped Jerry was still listening since he had not quoted a founder. His caller actually had. This elicited laughter behind the glass. He answered the caller by noting that he was troubled by recent events.

  “I think you ladies are in the number of the best patriots America can boast. I will not allow such treatment of American Patriots. And by the way, I am very impressed by your knowledge of one of our founding women. Abigail Adams was a pioneer of her generation, much like the many patriotic women of today.”

  Walters smiled and offered a slight giggle, subconsciously, but openly flirting with the caller. He mouthed to Josh that she sounded attractive.

  “At the risk of putting the entire male population in an unfavorable light, I’ll add that I would never put such unlimited power in the hands of only husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. And we cannot let that happen, now can we?”

  At that point, both Frank and the lady caller laughed together.

  Gail Anders quietly applauded to herself, listening to Walters use the words of her heroine, Abigail Adams.

  Anders was mesmerized by Walters’ mastery of history, policy and connection to the people as they went to another commercial break. While he was pleased with the show to that point, the General was not. He felt as if the last forty five minutes was a one on one conversation with Josh and he needed to talk to the people. Anders respectfully disagreed, but to no avail.

  The remainder of the show would involve interaction between the father of the country and the populace which went by in a flash. Frank Walters was in his element and at his best in direct dialogue with the people. He loved every minute of it, even though Josh seemed uncomfortable ceding his show to the candidate. But Anders knew his audience had just been schooled by the most powerful figure in American history and sensed the excitement was building.

  Knowing the interview was ending, Walters asked Josh if he could sum up his interview with a quote from a fellow Bostonian, President John Adams. The guest mentioned that it had been forty minutes since he last quoted a founder, so he thought it was as good a time as any.

  “The safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of Almighty God; and the national acknowledgement of this truth is not only an indispensable duty, which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety, without which social happiness cannot exist, nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed.”

  Anders announced that they were out of time and thanked Walters for his truly amazing interview and his blockbuster presidential announcement.

  Mr. Walters asked for a few more seconds. Josh agreed and the candidate once again rose to his feet as if before a multitude of onlookers.

  “I love this country. And understand by loving the country, by definition, I love its people. After all, what is a country if not the sum of its people? Americans have the same genetics as all other humans. So what has caused our country to become such a success while other countries failed?

  Walters closed his eyes as if visualizing his words.

  “The answer is that the civil society we established allows and expects the best from each of us. Each of us in turn offers our best, knowing that we as individuals and society as a whole will benefit. I see a current in America today that punishes, derides and deflates our tide of greatness; lowering our expectations and leaving the ship of our society stuck in a quagmire of rocks and mud.

  “When we release the anchor of this current presidency, like a great ship, our society will once again elevate on the tide of our individual achievement. Individual achievement leads to societal greatness. That, my friends, is my American Message. Thank you and God bless.”

  Anders leaned in while reaching for the control panel.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I can add nothing more. Thanks for listening folks. Good day.”

  Chapter 21

  As he became accustomed to doing on the talk show circuit, Mr. Walters removed his headphones and placed them gently on the control panel. He leaned toward Josh to shake his hand, complimenting him on a job well done. They both felt the interview went well. The candidate was about to find out how well.

  “I believe we touched the American people today. Men and women were calling from sea to shining sea.”

  Steve Anders laughed and quietly whispered to Murray that Walters did resemble Kate Smith when the light hit him just right. Looking straight ahead, Murray mentioned that Ms. Smith had a smaller nose.

  “Your radio signal is far stronger than Mr. Jenson’s,
wouldn’t you say, Mr. Anders?”

  Josh quickly explained how radio simulcasting worked; that his show aired across the nation by way of individual radio stations that signed an agreement with the Josh Anders Network. Josh’s words were abruptly interrupted by his producer’s voice through the studio intercom. He informed Josh that the switchboard blew a fuse toward the end of the segment from the overload of callers.

  He also relayed that everybody at the Boston flagship station, including upper management, was looking for Walters.

  “I think a couple of big wigs may be on their way out to your house!”

  He then yielded the phone to the president of the radio station in Boston, who repeated the news that the circuits had overloaded, and added that every top advertiser and many new prospects had called to ask for time on the next show with Walters. The station head then asked if he could speak to Frank directly. Josh told him he was already on the intercom.

  By now, the rest of the team had entered the studio with Josh’s wife, Gail. All congratulated the guest as Walters tried to focus on the words emanating from the speaker overhead.

  Murray stood off to the side, impressed by Frank’s poise and confidence, given Frank was in the middle of one personality trying to talk over the other. He asked for quiet as he tried to listen to the head honcho’s words to Walters.

  “Mr. Walters, you are the real deal, the candidate for president we’ve all been waiting for.”

  The first president thanked him for his kind words and support. He said it was always good to know that he had such support in the great city of Boston. He ended the conversation to the applause of the team. As he put his hands up, showing his humility, Pepper entered the studio holding his cell phone up.

  “Mr. Walters, I have a phone call for you. It is Connor Walters.”

  The General immediately took the call and turned his back on the team. He only spoke for a few minutes outside of earshot of the other men. He deliberately spoke softly to keep the conversation as private as possible. When he finished, he flipped the phone closed like any twenty-first century man would do. He insured that the microphones in the room were dead before addressing the team.

  “Mr. Walters’ son and I spoke. His father tried to listen to the show but has taken a turn for the worse and may not survive the night. He was lucid enough to listen to the beginning, and told his son that he could die a happy man, knowing that he contributed a small part to the betterment of our country.”

  Murray noticed for the first time since their encounter in Philadelphia, that a small tear appeared at the edge of the General’s left cheek. Murray was relieved to find out that the General was at least partly human, but was still not sure if Washington was real flesh and blood. He had seen sorrowful emotion, but he had yet to see any outward sign of physical injury or pain.

  Washington asked the group to offer a prayer for Connor’s father. The people in the room bowed their heads in silent prayer.

  Amen still hung in the air as Steve Anders interrupted the touching moment with some good news from his ubiquitous iPad.

  The blogs on Josh’s website were already hundreds strong and growing. The response was overwhelming. For every negative comment, there were a hundred vowing support and their votes. People were already asking how they can donate to the campaign!

  The team was fired up as the phones rang off the hook. Even the Drudge Report instantaneously linked to the story about the man who intended on challenging the Republican candidates and the incumbent president. But the one man who remained stoic was the General.

  He sat back in his chair, contemplating the news just told to him. Josh Anders mentioned it to him. Pepper brought it up. Steve Anders all but confirmed it but now it was reality. The first president, a man who served two terms running this great nation, and the first modern leader to voluntarily abdicate power, rather than seek an additional term, had begun his campaign for a third term. And there was no turning back.

  The General thought to himself once again that he had never originally campaigned for the job. He was virtually appointed president the first time and was unanimously elected for the second term without much of a fuss. But now he was in for a fight. And not the fight he was accustomed to, with cannons and gunpowder, wartime strategy and taking hills and bluffs. This would be a battle of words, ideas, policy, and desire.

  Once he realized this, his apprehension eased and his confidence grew once more. His core values were second to none and he feared no man when it came to a debate geared toward the good of the country. He again stood at attention and addressed his cabinet of the minute.

  “Guys, we’ve had a very successful day today. You’ve all done great so far, but there is a lot of work ahead and only a little time in which to accomplish it. But right now while we have the rest of the day free, I would like to travel to Boston and see this great city again. I read in one of Mr. Jenson’s books that there is such a thing as the Freedom Trail tour, a walking tour of some of the historic sights of the city? Might we partake in that?”

  Murray smiled noting that Walters reverted back at times, but sounded more like a twenty-first century man since he assumed the Frank Walters identity. Josh thought the tour of Boston was a great idea and asked Murray and Hahn if they could take Mr. Walters to see the sights. He would supply them with the limousine and a credit card. Hahn scoffed at the credit card, stating emphatically that money was no object to him and that he would handle all expenses.

  Murray was actually fine with going to Boston on Josh’s dime, not wanting to shell out anything for expenses if he didn’t have to. He thought back to his days in junior high school when he tried to fit in with the popular rich kids, pretending to keep up with their spending habits.

  Josh was not up for another debate with Hahn. He gave them a wave of his hand, saying Steve and Pepper would stay back and plan the candidate’s week ahead. This statement pushed Murray and Hahn’s buttons, but they both felt time alone with Walters would ease the tension. So they gave each other a look and left without further comment.

  The car pulled up to Boston Common within sixty minutes of the show’s end. Few people noticed the three men leaving the luxury car. Walters leaned in and told the driver to meet the group in Charlestown near Bunker Hill in two hours. Murray and Hahn were surprised at the order, given that each man had never walked the tour themselves. As they looked at their leader, he addressed them.

  “The book said that the tour can be completed in two hours if briskly walking. Let’s get going.”

  The asthmatic Murray and younger Hahn had trouble keeping up with the General’s long strides and fast gait. Hahn thought that Walters must have worked out the last two days in the hotel gym as he watched his older and smaller colleague try to keep pace. Given his stature and short legs, the Virginian needed to double time his walk just to keep up with the candidate.

  Having covered the Boston Common and Statehouse as they received a personal history lesson from the man most qualified to give it, the men halted at the Granary Burial Ground cemetery. Walters paused at the entrance.

  “This is the final resting place of some great men. Let’s pay them their due respect.”

  Walters pointed out the gravesites of John Hancock, Thomas Paine and none other than Samuel Adams himself.

  He described Sam Adams as a great man, a deeply religious man who came from a family of maltsters. He portrayed the less famous Adams as a man who fought endlessly against taxation without representation.

  Murray thought he knew everything about the founders. Hahn thought he knew everything about everything. But in only a few minutes, Walters taught them that long before anybody poured tea in the harbor, Sam Adams was the driving force behind protesting the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, movements which opposed British taxation of both printed material in the colonies and imported goods from the British Empire.

  “The latter led to the British occupation of Boston and along with the Tea Party, a precursor to the Revo
lutionary War. Onward, men.”

  Murray and Hahn were floored. Each knew about the Boston Tea Party but was less informed regarding the other acts. Murray leaned in to whisper to his younger teammate. “Can’t wait to see what’s next.”

  “When’s he gonna show us where Cheers is so we could meet Sam Adams and Sam Malone? I could use a beer.”

  Hahn got a laugh from Murray but Walters continued on as if he said nothing.

  After traversing through a few of the less notable highlights of the tour, they came upon the site of the Boston Massacre, now State Street. It was time for the two new founders’ next history lesson.

  “Tensions were high during the British occupation. It came to a head right here, the exact spot where the Boston Massacre took place.”

  Again both men knew of the massacre but not of the detail as the General did. Murray asked Walters to elaborate.

  “Redcoats stood guard in the wake of the Stamp Act, trying to quell any potential riots. It came to a head and shots were fired. Five men lost their lives and Sam Adams arranged for funerals in their honor. Let’s move on.”

  Faneuil Hall and Paul Revere’s house followed and the men came upon the Old North Church. Again, Washington paused to pay umbrage. “This is the Christ Church, the tallest church steeple of its day. The Sons of Liberty warned the citizenry about the British invasion. Paul Revere told Robert Newman to hang two lanterns in the steeple to alert the populace that the British were approaching by sea. Then Revere and William Dawes rode the countryside warning all of the impending British invasion and start of the revolution. We continue.”

  This history professor was all business. Murray and Hahn looked at each other and shrugged.

  “You ever hear of Robert Newman or William Dawes?”

  Hahn shook his head again joking that the only Newman he knew was a mailman in New York City.