MacArthur's Freehold

Chapter 37

Chapter 37 -- GJNXPULCRYXYONIHFKF

After lunch Carter and Jessica, along with Tommy and James, were in Donald's office, watching the news. Despite the majority of it being propaganda these days, it at least contained factual items about government activity. They were closely monitoring legislation, watching for signs that the final assault was imminent.

Legislation and court rulings on first and second amendment issues in particular were watched closely, as were those regarding education. The likely coming ban on home education, and the likely restrictions on private schools, was expected to be a pivotal development. There were now millions of people who had removed their children from the public schools and some, particularly the ones who had formed separate communities, would resist.

"The least favorable situation" Donald said "as the Council sees it, is for some of the serious incursions to occur before the election. We're hoping they'll wait until afterward, to ensure they're firmly in control. If they do, the dam breaking will be all the more forceful."

"The things happening now, like the incident in Tennessee, or the camp out in Kentucky" said Tommy. "Are those unrelated to us, we're not moving yet?"

"No." said Donald. "There is some stuff like that happening on its own, and there will probably continue to be some. We're not inciting any independents yet, although we are in contact with some of the ones more inclined to restraint. The ones we can work with will be waiting for a signal.

"One important thing is that once the decision is made, we'll wait for a while after the election. Let things calm down, and wait for the best opportunity."

He turned the sound up on the television as a familiar face appeared.

"McCormick" said Carter. "What's that bastard up to now?"

Despite being crippled by Carter's attack just before the previous election, or perhaps because of it, McCormick had been handily elected to the Senate and, again probably aided by his dramatic story, was a rapidly rising star. Ever the demagogue, he quickly joined the worst rabble-rousing of the recent arrivals, attaching himself to the most radical causes. Home education had become one of his favorite targets.

Although he was able to us a walker or even a cane to walk, he elected to use a wheelchair when appearing in public. Not that the occasional photo or video of him walking didn't occasionally surface - they only appeared in the fringe media.

"... and the uncontrolled indoctrination of these young children by parents who are white supremacists, practitioners of hateful religions, cannot be prevented while they are allowed to hide in their communes, away from public view, with no responsible control. So I join Senator Cooper in sponsoring Senate Bill 5395, the Child Education Integrity Ace, to protect the constitutional right of our nation's children to an suitable education."

"And the sheeple will eat it up." said Carter. "How do we breed stupidity out of the population when this is over?"

"If we succeed" said Donald "it'll be forced out of them. The same way it was bred into them by the welfare state, the new generations will have no choice but to be responsible. The kind of people who survived two hundred years ago will be the new survivors."

"This guy is more evil than I ever imagined." said Carter. "Back then he was just another low-budget politician, now there's no doubt about what he is. I wish I could have aimed higher. Next time I will."

"Next time?" Jessica asked.

"If it's the big one, I should be the one." said Carter.

"You don't have to do that to yourself." she said. "There will be plenty of men to do the job. There's only a handful of us here - do you think we should let ourselves be shorthanded here?"