BAD WINE CRAPPY CHOCOLATE

CHAPTER FIVE-7

"Mr. President, we can't have the most powerful military on earth, and live up to our obligations to the American people, with the current level of tax revenue," said Tom Flanders, the Democratic leader from the senate. "So we either have to scale back in those areas, or raise more revenue. It's as simple as that."
"It's too much spending," countered Neil Rice, the Republican majority leader from the house. "Like that bill you people passed to send more aid to Indiana and California. Hell, their budgets are just plain out of whack. When are they going to get some discipline?"
"The economy is slowing down," pointed out Hazel Bender, the minority leader from the house. "If we make radical cuts in spending, we'll throw the country into a recession."
"You bleeding hearts want to bleed the taxpayers dry," responded Eddie Wainwright, a senator from the opposite party, in a caustic tone.
"You just don't give a damn about anyone but your pals!" Hazel shot back.
Wainwright stood up. "I give a damn about the taxpayers who are having their wallets picked clean!" he bellowed.
"Look, people, let's tone it down," Briar implored them. "I know you all have legitimate points of view. But like it or not, we've got to find a way to work through this, which will mean making some tough choices."
"With all due respect, sir," Bender responded. "You're not up for re-election this year, or for that matter ever again. This is your second term. We have to think about facing the voters."
"So you're going to buy the votes you need to win?" said Ken Sanders, a Republican from the house, with disdain.
"Ah, saved by the kitchen staff," President Briar said with great relief when the food arrived.
After finishing their meal, the seven tried to engage in pleasant conversation. However, when the discussion turned back to the people's business the rancor quickly returned. Wainwright and Bender almost came to blows at one point. Their host suggested a recess.

"Senator Cane, there's something in the oval office I'd like to show you. I think you'll find it very interesting."
Chris followed Briar into the circular room. He could not help being taken aback by the history that had been made here. The President sat behind his desk and motioned for Chris to take a seat in front of it.
"You didn't have anything to say in there, senator."
"Frankly, Mr. President, I didn't see an opportunity for a constructive dialogue. Both my party and yours have some very different ideas about how to go about solving problems. The only thing we're going to accomplish here today is eating lunch."
"I know. I feel like a turtle on its back sometimes. I didn't take this job to be a referee. But it seems like that's the only way I'll ever get a bill on my desk that will deal with this country's problems."
Briar looked out the window for several moments. Chris waited patiently for the conversation to continue.
"You're widely respected in the senate, and you also know a lot of people in the house, I'm told."
"I'd like to think that I've been able to get some worthwhile legislation passed over the years. And you can only do that by working with people. But it gets more difficult to get things done with each passing year."
"I know what you mean. Congresswoman Bender was right. I am a lame duck. And while that means I don't have to worry about facing the voters, it also means that I have close to zero clout, even within my own party. This is why I said no to a bipartisan group from the house and senate that wanted me to address a joint session of congress to ask for an end to the bickering. Then they suggested that I ask you to do it. They thought you might agree to my request out of your respect for the office I hold. Would you be willing to give it a shot?"
"I don't think it would be appropriate," Chris replied hesitantly. "It's never been done before by a senator. Only presidents and foreign dignitaries have addressed a joint session of congress. In any case, I'm not sure that I'm the one to do it."

"I've heard that you like to think outside the box," Briar said. "So this should be right up your alley. There's a recession going on and people are losing their homes. We have to act quickly, and that's just not possible right now with all the animosity in this city."
"I'll give it serious consideration, Mr. President," Cane responded in a thoughtful tone. "What should I tell the others if they ask me why I came in here?"
"Just tell them I showed you the bust of Lincoln. They'll believe it, since you're from Illinois."
Five weeks later Chris Cane sat in his office, preparing to give the most important speech of his life. President Briar had convinced the leaders of both houses to let him address the congress to plead for unity. He did not know that the members of the Roster Committee intended to use this opportunity for their own purpose. The American people were clamoring for real change. Chris and his colleagues felt the time was right to introduce a bill calling for a constitutional amendment that would create a different form of government. Senator Cane would be the one to explain their reasoning.
"You look scared to death," Roger Rainer said as he walked into the office and sat down. "Don't worry, you'll be able to make the case for it."
"I'd agree with you if I was giving a campaign speech. Voters, more often than not, want to be sold something. But that's not who I'm speaking to tonight."
"Wrong! That's exactly who you should be talking to—the people outside Washington. They're sick and tired of the government's inability to manage the country's affairs. They'll jump at the chance to do away with the federal bureaucracy. Forget about your colleagues. Most of them will stick to the party line no matter what. The only ones who won't are the incumbents who realize they won't be re-elected anyway. They'll be willing to consider just about anything. "
"I'm not afraid of failure as much as I am afraid of success. If I endorse this new government, and it doesn't pan out, my conscience will never let me rest."
"But if it does, you'll be remembered as a modern founding father." "Only if the constitutional amendment passes."

"If it does, you'll have a good shot at being one of the seven senators, since I'm sure Foster would support you."
"I thought the Mibil was going to make his kind of political clout obsolete," Chris said with a wry smile.
"Now you're talking about a fantasyland, my friend. Well, I'm going to get a good seat to watch your speech. Break a leg, boss. But just in case things don't go well, can I count on you for a good reference?"
"As much as you can count on anything in this world, my friend."
"I wonder if we should wait until more people are on board," Rainer said in a suddenly pessimistic tone.
"Autumn doesn't wait for the last leaf to fall before it ends," the senator responded, with a bravado he didn't really possess. "We need a change."
"I'll see you in the funny papers," Roger said as he left.
The senator was rereading the text of his speech for what must have been the thousandth time when his secretary interrupted him.
"There's a Jack Ruderman here to see you, senator."
For a moment the name meant nothing.
"Show him in," he instructed her after finally recognizing his name.
Chris had expected the inventor of Vitala to be a bookish individual. Instead, Jack came across as a very personable man, with a glint in his eye and an expression that told you he was always looking for a reason to laugh. Yet, in spite of those attributes, the pharmacist's countenance was tempered by a grave concern about Allisours' use of his concoction.
"Thanks so much for seeing me, senator. I know you're a busy man, but I won't take up much of your time."
"What can I do for you, sir?"