Chapter 35

We hit the road a week later. In the interim, Aaron gave us an update on the border project. He assured us that it would be ready and waiting for the unveiling. I was exceedingly pleased at this news. It would be a huge surprise and demonstrate our resolve to implement our agenda. The first campaign stop proved the worth of Rhonda's advice about doing the Oprah show.

For the first rally she had chosen Omaha Nebraska. I didn't understand her reasoning at first but was at least bright enough to catch on when she explained "a lot of people feel left out and neglected by politicians. This won't be easy but by covering the same places they do plus the spots they ignore we should pick up more votes."

When we hit the Border States our promise to stop illegal border crossings was met with deafening applause and cheers. I outlined exactly how much the problem was costing each state and the country. We also stressed the amount of illegal drugs smuggled across the border every day.

In manufacturing centers we outlined our ideas to improve trade by forcing countries to abide by trade agreements. In areas where tech industries were located our plan to protect intellectual properties and patents was well received but even more so was our outlining of improvements in education.

We saved our ideas on defense until we got to military bases. This is where it would get risky. I began by attacking the U.N., stating that it was "a corrupt organization populated by many countries that don't even have a legitimate government" and that "they use us as their enforcement arm and a cash cow to fight battles of no interest to America while letting corrupt dictators have free reign over innocent people in places where they could actually make a difference."

I then hit my main target. "Before long, we will have to fight a battle. Not against a country but against fanaticism. These terrorists hate America and everything she stands for. They despise the fact that we have freedom. They can't stand the fact that under our laws every male and female of every religion and ethnic group are equal and entitled to live and worship as they see fit. To them we are the 'Great Satan' who must be destroyed. They haven't learned from the others who have tried and failed miserably in this endeavor. When they strike, as they have before and will again, I ask that you be ready. If I am elected you can be assured that you will be equipped as never before to deal with our enemies. Technology is a wonderful thing, but only if you are intelligent enough to develop and use it. In this we are much better prepared than any enemy we will face. To put it bluntly, we are a lot brighter than they are. They actually believe that it is desirable to die for their cause. When they attack, you will be able to grant them their wish quickly and efficiently while helping me receive my wish that you are standing tall at the end."

I asked if there were any questions and of course there were. I knew the "new tech" would perk up some ears. They liked the idea of new lighter weight and better body armor and seemed intrigued by the hints of new weaponry. Almost as big a hit was the flat statement that the military was grossly underpaid for the service they provided. After that it was time for a mini concert.

Connie, Tina, Angel, Jackie, Angeni, Rhonda, George, Gene, Adam, and Kathy) were visiting the military installations with me. We had decided to record a live album containing message songs such as "It ain't easy bein' green" (we ripped off Kermit's title), "It's a long way down" (for the Airedales), and "on, over, under (the water)" (for the Navy). All the songs went over great. Of course, we took requests too and during these stops we usually performed for three hours or so. Needless to say, we weren't exactly running a conventional campaign.

John, Paul, and George weren't kidding when they said they appreciated what we had done for them. The Beatles reunion tour began in America. They donated all proceeds to the "America First" party. Our group joined them as the opening act at a couple of stops on the tour. Musically, it was the rally in Joe Robbie stadium that thrilled me the most. We performed with Jimmy Buffett there after the speeches were over. The place was packed and rocking like it was the Super Bowl again.

"Heat" joined us on many of our stops, also. Joan, Alannah, and the rest were still together and going strong. They refused to use Adam's program though. Actually, it was more like they were pissed because we offered it to them!

The most popular song we did there came from Adam's music program. Titled "Learn the Language", it had four verses. Each one described the difficulty communicating with someone who didn't speak english (convenience store, telemarketer, help desk, and employee). The chorus had the title in four different languages (plus english) for a total of twenty counting the fade-out.

The opposition finally woke up and realized we might be a threat. Old friends were calling and telling us that people had been asking questions and digging for dirt. Sometimes when they got too pushy, it almost came to blows.

They managed to find out very little and the majority of that wouldn't hurt us. The adoptions of Tina, Kathy, and Faith helped a lot, since we were often seen together. So did my long association with Rhonda. I hadn't been spotted with Jackie, Angeni, Angel, or Sharon for quite some time.

They did attack my association with American Health Products. This was the company Nina and Megan had started. We purchased much of the medicine for the state programs from them. The fact that the prices were lower and that other states were doing the same didn't seem to matter.

It only took one commercial to shoot that one full of holes. One 30 second slot showing a price comparison between AHP and their competitors, followed by the savings per year to the state, did the trick

The teachers union (American Federation of Teachers) launched a massive campaign against us, too. It was nice to not only have plenty of cash to drown them out with facts, but to have friends who did the same. For every ad they ran, there were three to prove they were being untruthful on every point.

Adam was being sneaky in the background. He let us know every move the competition was planning ahead of time. This helped immensely in counteracting any negatives. Another thing he came up with was kind of sneaky also, but it worked just as well.

Someone had actually started a "youtube" clone and two more had followed. Videos of Gore and Bush looking completely inept started appearing. There were many to choose from. This helped increase the interest of younger voters quite a bit. We were already stirring up support unheard of since the Kennedys.

"Learn the Language" shot to number one on the country charts, giving us hope among another crowd. Just for the heck of it, we quickly recorded an album with the same name filled with patriotic songs about hope for a brighter future and correcting the course we were on.

The idea of curtailing illegal immigration and increasing the levels of those allowed to enter through legal means was not forgotten. It was made a central theme of the campaign. Other items on the agenda were: a renewal of technical innovation, return of the responsibility of education to the states, and tax reform.

Our plan for taxes was to implement the "Fair Tax" (fairtax.org). We felt that the name was very near the truth. What better way to tax fairly than a consumption tax? Every point was stressed, including the fact that an amount equal to the expenditure in this plan up to the current poverty level would be returned to every household each month. Under this plan, if you made under that amount you weren't taxed at all. That wasn't the main reason we wanted it passed though. The benefits for buisinesses would be considerable.

We had started our campaign earlier than anyone for a specific reason. We needed poll numbers to force inclusion in the debates. Two months after we began not only were the debates assured but Bush and Gore had to be a bit petrified since the polls showed us with 32%. The debates made it even better. Here's how it went:

First debate:

MODERATOR: And now the first question as determined by a flip of a coin, it goes to Vice President Gore. Vice President Gore, you have questioned whether Governor Bush has the experience to be President of the United States. What exactly do you mean?

Gore replied about balancing the budget and started his "lockbox" spiel that comedians loved so much before talking about improving schools and lowering taxes. Bush had the first reply and describing how he'd use the budget surplus to cut taxes and how Gore would increase spending before I got my turn.

The Vice President and Governor have grand plans on what to do with a budget surplus. Tax reform, as well as protecting Social Security and Medicare should be top priorities. Unfortunately, I haven't heard them state where these surpluses would come from. My administration would build this surplus by restricting foreign aid to only those projects that are designed to make a nation self-sufficient and will be limited to goods and services. No aid would be provided that can not be delivered directly where needed, too much of this ends up in the hands of corrupt officials today. It disgusts me to see this great country of ours prop up dictators when we have so many problems here at home. Pork projects imbedded in bills will cause those bills to be vetoed and when that bill is vetoed I will be glad to tell the American public why I did it. There are also too many departments in the federal government with overlapping and conflicting responsibilities. This needs to be streamlined and rectified. This will result in a surplus which will be used to begin repaying the funds taken from the Social Security trust fund by the government. In addition, the monies in this fund should be invested in interest bearing accounts to work more like a savings account than the governments private slush fund it is today. Unlike my worthy opponents, Taxes may be reduced even further when our national debt is paid down. Many people do not realize that the third largest expenditure in the national budget is interest payments on our 362 trillion dollar debt. If we paid this off, taxes could be reduced drastically and we would still have a massive surplus. Until it is paid off, any statement about their being a surplus is fallacy. Presently, we're using our Visa to pay the MasterCard bill.

MODERATOR: Let me ask you all this and we'll move on on the subject. As a practical matter, all of you want to bring prescription drugs to seniors, correct?

GORE: Correct.

BUSH: Correct.

SUSSMANN: Ditto

An argument began between Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum while I watched patiently until Jim asked me if I had a comment. "Let's let them calm down a bit first" got them to shut up finally before I responded.

Sussmann: The problem with prescription drugs is immense. It takes over 350 million dollars and 3 years to get a new drug approved. These costs are passed on solely to the American consumer and a very large portion of those consumers are the elderly. I will propose a prescription drug plan that will cost Medicare recipients twenty dollars per month and cover 100% of their prescription drug costs. Drug approval will be faster, cheaper, and the patent period extended to fifteen years. Drugs will be imported if the same product can be purchase for less cost overseas. The result will be that a one hundred dollar medication that can be purchased for twenty dollars in India will cost twenty-five everywhere. The up-front cost to drug companies will be greatly reduced and that cost will be spread over all consumers and not just Americans.

That got them fired up again and I heard FDA approval, unsafe, and other drivel before I got the last word.

Gentlemen, I am talking about drugs the FDA has approved for sale in this country, manufactured by the same companies which hold the patents. Why should the American consumer pay twice the amount for the exact same product? You say it would be unsafe, and to that I would ask; why are we allowing American drug companies to manufacture and market unsafe drugs overseas?"

They started spluttering again until Jim interrupted them.

MODERATOR: I have an idea. If you have any more to say about this, you can say it in your closing statements and we'll move on, okay? New question. Vice President Gore. How would you contrast your approach to preventing future oil price and supply problems like we have now to the approach of Governor Bush and Governor Sussmann?

He replied with the pat answers about renewable energy and increasing supply. Bush responded with heating assistance and tapping the Alaskan reserve. What an opening!

Those are some grand plans, I'll grant you. My idea is a bit different, however. Personally, I believe it is time to wean ourselves from the Middle Eastern teat. Yes, we should cut that umbilical cord right now. Private enterprise in this endeavor has been stifled for decades in this nation. That time will be over if I am elected. Within one year we will have an alternative source of energy and within five years we will no longer need to import oil. If I am not elected this will still occur, but take much longer. Many people have purchased my book outlining our plan, and for this I am grateful. It has allowed many schools to become world class learning institutions. More than a few have declared it a work of fiction and me a dreamer... or an idiot. Some critics such as the Vice President have even read it. Others, like Governor Bush, used the cliff-notes at best. Maybe I am a dreamer. I dream of greatness yet to come. I am not the first to do this, however. Bobby Kennedy once said. "There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" I believe as he did. So I say to the disbelievers, make room on the non-fiction shelf for that book. You're going to need it. After all, it is quite a large tome.

I thought the last debate went just as well. The first question was:

"There has been talk of discontinuing so called 'birthright citizenship' in this country even though the 14th amendment states, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." What is your position on this?"

The question was for Bush, and he was sucking up to the Latino population as usual. He used up his time speaking but saying nothing. Gore was almost as bad, but more boring. Unlike them, I had something to say on the matter.

"It's true that many people believe the 14th amendment means that if you are born in this country you are automatically a citizen. They should do some research. The intent of the amendment can be determined quite clearly from the transcript of the debate when it was proposed. It is clear from the record that they meant subject to the jurisdiction of the United States in every sense and not owing allegiance to anyone else. It would be difficult to argue that illegal aliens and temporary visitors are not subject to a foreign power, or that they do not owe allegiance to anyone but the United States. This would make any offspring subject to the jurisdiction of the same government as their parents. They should not be granted citizenship automatically. American citizenship is not cheap. It must be earned to be of any value. It shouldn't be automatically granted because you or your parents broke the law by sneaking into the country. I believe that confusion like this was anticipated and was the reason article five of the 14th amendment states that 'The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article'. We don't need a new amendment to correct the problem. Simple legislation would clarify things."

The second question was for Bush and on trade. "There is great concern in America regarding the trade imbalance. How would you address this issue if elected?"

He showed his ineptitude once again, spouting his "free trade" agenda. I got to respond first and jumped all over him.

The Governor has just outlined the path to unemployment and poverty in this country. I sincerely doubt the public cares to follow that path. Free trade has been attempted. The result is the largest trade deficit in history and the exporting of American jobs overseas. Ross Perot's "giant sucking sound" is now a reality. Our steel, textile, and high tech industries have been greatly harmed because trade agreements are not enforced. Countries are allowed to steal patents, dump goods, and pay their employees wages that are barely above slave labor status while we do nothing. Until we can repair the mess we're presently stuck with, no new agreements should be struck. What good do cheaper sneakers do us if people don't have a job to buy them? What incentive do people have to invent and innovate when those ideas can be stolen from them without fear of repercussion? How are we helping people in other countries when the results keep them living in poverty? I have seen too many jobs around this nation leave for China, India, Mexico, and other places to believe that the Governor is correct."

I didn't understand Gore's response, he rambled on about us being the greatest power and human rights but I didn't hear a word about trade.

MODERATOR: All right. Another -- the next question also on health issue is from -- it will be asked by Marie Payne Kloep, and it goes to Governor Bush.

MEMBER OF AUDIENCE: Are any of you concerned with -- are any of you concerned with finding some feasible way to lower the price of pharmaceutical drugs such as education on minimizing intake, revamp of the FDA process or streamlining the drug companies' procedures instead of just finding more money to pay for them?

He went into his disastrous Medicare drug proposal and Gore rebutted with his "he supports big drug companies" and "he's in bed with big drug companies" directed at me.

"My solution is a bit different, as I stated in a previous debate. I would propose that re-importation of medication from other countries be pursued. These medicines are the exact same drugs produced here, and by the same companies, yet the average cost savings is 40%. Why is that? The American consumer is footing the bill for the research, that's why. In many cases the research costs are vastly inflated due to the fact that much of it is done by federally funded university studies. We should have a federal drug program that has a schedule of what will be paid for each medication. If a company won't sell it at that price, we'll find a different supplier. Why also is it that the 'big drug company' that the Vice President infers I favor sells its product at a vastly lower price than the average? Perhaps because that company values public health over profits but I'll leave that up to you to judge. This, along with increased patent length, speedier approval, and lower costs for clinical trials would have an immense impact on prices."