The Second Declaration

by T Emerson May

  Tim Mullenski, reporting from Denver, on his daily appearance on his network, announced, "The President of the United States today announced sweeping reforms and changes in the US government. His joint Executive Legislative task force, which includes five top legislative leaders, announced the reduction in government spending and the federal budget."

  "The President said that the shortfall in revenue which resulted when the breakaway western states withheld federal taxes resulted in the only course of action available. First on the list will be foreign aid, which essentially is terminated. Next on the list is a ten percent reduction in the salaries of all Legislators and employees of the Executive branch. The Judicial branch is not affected."

  Tim continued, "The huge deficit will be wiped out nearly by a stroke of the pen as soon as these changes are put into place. Welfare and medical aid will be next on the list as the government searches for some way out of its fiscal predicament."

  "Tim, when can we expect to see some benefit from these changes?" asked his anchor.

  "Very soon. They really had no choice. I expect to see government spending to go down by as much as forty percent. The money is simply not there to spend. Also, the people are watching the example set by the North American Union. That nation seems to be doing very well with just a fraction of the tax money being paid by American citizens."

  "That's true, Tim, but of course the NAU is smaller, in terms of population and therefore has less tax base."

  "Certainly, but their government expense, as a percent of the Gross National Product, is far smaller than ours."

  "Thanks, Tim. Always enjoy your reports. We'll be back after these messages."

  Sam Brouchet was nervously shifting his massive weight from one foot to the other, waiting for Linda Hargrove to come out of the office complex. He had been rehearsing his speech for what seemed like hours. He didn't want to screw this up. Linda came through the revolving doors, looking as trim and attractive as always. Sam's pulse quickened and he muttered to himself, "Damn, what if she says no?"

  "What if I say no to what, Sam?" Linda had heard what was supposed to be a whisper. Sam blushed noticeably.

  "Linda, get in the car. I want to drive over to the park for a few minutes."

  "No driver today?" Linda was mindful of Sam's odd behavior.

  "No, I wanted to be alone for a few minutes."

  Sam drove the mile and a half to the city park located near the cabinet's office building. He finally could wait no longer and, while driving, blurted out, "Linda, will you marry me?"

  Linda looked at him for just a few seconds and then said, "Sam, you big gorilla, I thought you'd never ask. Of course I'll marry you."

  "You will?" asked Sam, a bit incredulous at her quick response.

  "Yes, I will marry you. You thought I'd say no, didn't you, Sam?" Linda was smiling that disarming smile again and Sam was anything but composed.

  "Actually, I didn't really know what you'd say. I figured the odds at about fifty-fifty."

  "So you had it down to oddsmaking did you. Did you consult your bookie before asking me?" There was good natured sarcasm in her voice.

  "No, Linda, you know what I mean. I was hoping you would but afraid you wouldn't. Oh damn, Linda, this is the greatest day in my life. You know I think the world of you."

  "Yes, Honey, I know. And I feel exactly the same about you. When do you want to set the date?"

  "Would tomorrow be too soon, Linda?"

  "Yes, Sam. Tomorrow would be too soon," she laughed. "Sam, since we don't have to go to the park, why don't we go over to my place for a couple hours? We could surely find something to do over there." Linda had moved over near Sam and put her hand between his legs. To Sam, that was the signal she used to indicate her willingness to enjoy his masculine prowess. Sam looked at her and noticed that she had pulled her dress far up above her knees, exposing a vast expanse of luscious thigh.

  "Linda, I don't know if I can wait till we get to your place, if you keep that up," said Sam with some difficulty as Linda was now stroking his hardening shaft.

  "Well, we are government officials, I guess. I don't want to be arrested for screwing in the front seat of the car. Drive faster, Sam. Drive as fast as you can."

  Tom Adams announced in October that a ten year project would begin immediately that would bring water for irrigation from the great glacial lakes in Manitoba into the parched high plains of Dakota, western Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana through a series of canals and pipelines powered by nuclear generators. When completed in the beginning of the 21st century, the fresh water would provide the new country with all its water needs for the predictable future. The water diversion project was estimated at over 150 billion dollars in current measure, but it assured the continuation of farming in that area without reliance on nature for favorable rainfall. The project was a brainchild of John Tramber, a staff member of the newly formed Bureau of Engineering, a part of the Department of Mining. Sam Brouchet had entered John's office one day and saw John gazing at a map of the new country. "Pretty impressive, eh John?" asked Sam.

  "You bet it is, Sam. I've been looking at the geography of Manitoba. Do you see all those lakes up there in Manitoba? They contain billions and billions of gallons of water that just flow off into the Hudson Bay. Suppose we could divert just a fraction of that water down into our wheat and grain country. Do you realize what that would do for our farmers?"

  "Yeah, I see what you mean, John. But what would it take to move that amount of water to the south? That would take some pretty high powered pumping equipment."

  "Not really. We move that kind of oil through pipelines all the time. I don't see it as being any different. What if we used nuclear powered pumps? That way the maintenance would not be so intensive. That's very remote country up there. I don't think anyone would raise hell about nuclear contamination and such. Once we got it going the nuclear supply would last for a year at a time, unlike diesel powered pumps that need constant fuel replenishment."

  "You may have something there, John. And the heat from the nuclear action would heat the water for its trip south in the colder weather, when the surrounding area is frozen. Why don't you work up a plan and get back with me next week? I'm going to talk to Tom Adams about it in our next cabinet meeting. I got a feeling we're going to make some Dakota farmers very happy."

  A first anniversary celebration of the nation's founding was held in Seattle and throughout the country, with invited guests from all countries with which diplomatic ties had been established. The celebration in November was attended by over 300,000 people from across the NAU who planned their vacations to coincide with the event. In a speech on the first night of the gala, President Jeffries stated, "One year ago we forever altered the maps of North America with our bold creation of a new nation. Now our beloved Canada is no more. It has passed into history like so many hundreds of other countries that appear now only in historical gazettes and almanacs. We mourn her passing; she was our Motherland. But as all students of history know, countries are merely lines drawn on a map by diplomats, kings and power brokers. Nations, on the other hand, are a state of mind, a collection of likeminded people who share a common goal, a unified purpose. We believe the nation we have created more accurately represents the likemindedness of our people. Canadians, Californians, Oregonians and Kansans now constitute this great country of ours. Long may she live!"

  "The Premier to Remarry" was the headline emblazoned on the front pages of all the major newspapers of the NAU in late November. Tom Adams and Theresa Winston had decided in August that they should wait an appropriate time for the announcement of their remarriage to each other.

  Tom had brought the subject up at dinner one evening at his residence. "Theresa, what would you say to a proposal of marriage?"

  "Why, Tom, how romantic of you," she quipped.

  "Theresa, don't dodge the question. Will you marry me?"

  "Tom, do you think we've waited a proper time since Susan died? I don't w
ant people to think we're being improper."

  "Theresa, everybody knew my marriage with Susan was over years ago. I can still honor her memory as the mother of the children even as we get married."

  "Yes, Tom, I will be proud to become your wife and First Lady of the NAU."

  "Theresa, I love you more than you can imagine. I know we will be the happiest couple in this country."

  "Tom, we already are. The marriage will make things a great deal more convenient."

  The date set was December 20, a private reflection of the events which had brought them together a year earlier. The marriage was the occasion for a celebratory reception numbering over 1000 guests from the North American continent, Europe, Africa and Asia. The Premier and his bride took a two week honeymoon trip to Japan, Korea and China to enjoy their time together and to review trade pacts already consummated with the three countries.

  In January the new Legislative Assembly building was completed. Construction workers had worked round the clock for several months to complete the project as quickly as possible. It was a special project for the new government; they wanted to use it as a showcase for the energy and skill of the workers of this new nation. The building was totally non traditional, unlike any other such edifice in the world. It was built using the latest in modern construction methods. It employed active solar heating, along with ground source heat pump technology for heating and cooling. Conservative estimates placed the savings in this area alone would amount to over a million dollars in ten years of occupancy. The greatest coup, however, was the method employed to fund the project. Always mindful of the intent of their new constitution, the building was lease purchased from the construction company for a 20 year period. Thus, the government was not obligated to pay for the entire project in the first year.

  When Tom and Theresa returned from Japan, it was a cloudless day in early January, a rarity for the Seattle area. They drove past the new Legislative Assembly building on their way from the airport. Construction workers were putting the finishing details on the outside and the sidewalks. Tom turned to Theresa and said, "Do you realize that one year ago, we moved government operations here from Denver, set up shop in leased buildings throughout Seattle, and gave this new country a kick in the backside. Now, here it is, a year later. The new building is complete, the country is doing well by every measure, and more important, you and I are together. It almost seems like a dream."

  "This is no dream, Tom, it's reality. That building is real, and this car is real. Want me to pinch you, to make sure?"

  He leaned against her and kissed her lightly on the lips, placing one hand softly against her cheek. She looked at him intently, so much pride in her heart for this man, so much love stifled for so many years. "Sweetheart, fate has a way of taking us through such convolutions before leaving us at the place we know we ought to be. Just think, if I had married you instead of Bob, how different would all this be? Would there even be a North American Union? Would Bob have been a Senator? Would you have been Governor? It's such a fascinating thought, isn't it?"

  Tom did not attempt to answer her question. He knew there was no answer to such a question. He only knew that Fate had been kind to him, very kind.

  Chapter XVI

  Veritas

  The President entered the large conference room. Already seated around the great walnut table were his closest advisors, the Secretary of the Treasury, State, Defense, Commerce. Also seated were Alfred Ridgeway and Franklin Peabody, wealthy industrialists and entrepreneurs. At the far end of the table sat one more guest, a member of the cabinet of the North American Union.

  "Good day to you all, gentlemen," opened the President. "I am happy all of you were able to join me today. The weather has been bad over much of the northeast since yesterday. I'm glad none of your flights were delayed. Alfred, Frank, I'm especially pleased that both of you were able to fly in to Washington this morning."

  "Wouldn't have missed this meeting for the world, Mister President," answered Ridgeway.

  "Well, if you've all had your coffee, shall we begin? John would you start us off with a briefing on the treasury bill status?" The Treasury Secretary shuffled his notes and took a quick sip of water before beginning, "Last week's auction was very successful. We sold only point five billion at six and that should conclude our sales for this year. The deficit is nearing zero and with the legislative guidelines in place to restrict deficits, it looks like clear sailing for the remainder of this fiscal year."

  "Thanks, Ed. Roger, can you fill us in on the status of our foreign trade deficit?"

  "Not much to say, Mister President. It dipped to a fifteen year low last month. Just barely over a hundred mill. I think we can look for that kind of showing for the next several months. We're hoping for surpluses after about six months."

  "Great. That's a swift turnaround. State, do you have anything for us this morning?"

  "The situation in the former Soviet Union has stabilized very nicely. Premier Platukin seems to have resigned himself to the role of a coordinator. The republics are stabilizing. They appear to be headed for the formation of a loose union based on economic needs. In general, things are very stable throughout the globe."

  "Alfred, do you or Frank have any comments to make or any questions to ask?"

  "Well, I just want to say that I think you gentlemen have done a fine job, really first class. The economy has not looked this bright in forty years. Interest rates are down nicely. Deficit spending is a thing of the past. I think it was really clever the way you handled the public debt problem. I think we've got things under control again. Just a fine job," said Alfred Ridgeway.

  "I just have to second that, Alfred. You've done a magnificent job under very trying circumstances. Though things didn't go quite as we planned, overall it worked out very nicely, "agreed Franklin Peabody.

  "I think Sam can perhaps bring us up to date on the western situation. Anything of a critical nature, Sam?"

  "No, everything is pretty quiet out in Seattle. The first year passed pretty much as we planned. The economy is in great shape. Unemployment is way down. We may even have to import some workers from the east, assuming their visas are in order." Laughter followed the last remark delivered by Sam Brouchet.

  "Well, there are some reports I want you all to look at. They're in front of you. Why don't you study them for a few minutes, and we'll resume in fifteen minutes," said the President. "Sam, could you come up here. We want to talk to you for a minute."

  Sam rose and walked to the far end of the table where the President, Ridgeway and Peabody were already gathered. As he approached the men, the President extended his arm. Sam took it in his own. Ridgeway put his arm on Sam's shoulder. "Sam, I'm really proud of you," said the President. "When Bob Winston was killed in the riots last year, I was afraid the whole plan would just unravel. You held it together. You provided the firm hand that those fellows needed. We owe you a great debt of gratitude."

  "Hear, Hear," said Ridgeway. "We've pulled it off, old man."

  "Sam, where are you today, officially?" asked Peabody.

  "Officially, I'm on a three day holiday in Texas. I'll have to explain my roundabout flight path," Sam joked.

  "Let us know if we can help you with a cover, Sam."

  "How's Adams holding up, Sam. Is he filling the post of Premier well?" asked Peabody.

  "Oh, I think so. He's married now, as you know. To Theresa Winston. He's actually a good administrator. I think he'll work out fine. I'll be around to keep an eye on him if need be."

  "Has he ever voiced any suspicion about your role or ours?" asked the President.

  "No. I'm sure he doesn't suspect a thing."

  "Well, Sam, I know you have to be on your way. When we meet again it will be in an official capacity. We have many open doors to the NAU. You can walk through any of them, you know." The President walked Sam to the massive doors of the conference room and was about to say his farewell but he knew he and Sam had unfinished business. "Sa
m, about our talk last year concerning the troop movements, you came across a little hard-nosed. You had some of us scared out here."

  "You gave us no warning that you would pull something like that. That wasn't in the game plan, was it?" asked Sam, still a little irate about the exchange over the perceived military threat by the US president.

  "I didn't want you to know in advance, Sam. You might have tipped your hand if you had known. I'm sorry I didn't give you some advance warning, but we just felt that we had to test their military preparedness. We found it very ingenious. Dan Wolfe did a hell of a job with his advanced work using air and army national guard units."

  "Well, I had to appear as though I would kick ass if necessary, Mister President. Nothing personal, you know."

  "A 'turkey shoot on I70', Sam? That was a great line. I have to tell you, we enjoyed that out here."

  Sam looked the president squarely in the eye and, smiling just barely, said, "Don't ever pull something like that again without giving me a little advanced warning." Without giving the president of the United States a chance to respond, Sam turned his massive body and left the room.

  The president muttered to himself, "Sam, Sam, you really must watch that nasty temper of yours."

  Tim Mullenski saw Sam as the two of them got out of their cars almost simultaneously in the parking lot for private planes. Sam at first purposely failed to recognize Tim. But when it was obvious that Tim was walking towards him, Sam returned his wave.

  "Sam, what the hell are you doing in Washington? I thought you'd never set foot in this town."

  "Oh, nothing, really. I was here in town to talk to some engineers about a project we're involved in out west." Sam lied. He was supposed to be in Texas. His presence in Washington could prove to be compromising. He thought quickly of some way to misdirect Tim.

  "Engineers in D.C.? I didn't think there were any. Oh, well, how are things going out in the NAU? Since I transferred back to Atlanta, I haven't seen or talked to any of the old gang."