Rabblerousing: A Fantasy Speech
“You Don’t Speak for Me, Cindy,” He said. “I think more people should die because of greed, paranoia and the pursuit of the American Hegemony. We’re emptying the nation of undereducated troublemakers, clearing the way for progress as we clear the farms of our fathers for the suburbs of today.” He smiled over the microphone; pleased he used such big words. “It would be a crime to let the terrorists in our country run amuck during the upcoming election cycle. Everyone knows they all vote Democratic, hate homophobes and despise our god-given rights as Americans to sell guns to underprivileged people around the world and within our own ghettoes. Americans have the right to blow away anyone they feel like, as America has the same right to destroy any enemy I see fit to declare.”
Glancing aside at his speechwriter, he paused for approval. Why is she looking at the floor? He told her he forgot his glasses and will try his best. Sniffs and coughing is coming from the gallery, and people look uncomfortable. Still, the soldiers know when to applaud, as their CO’s have grunts waiting to hold the signs up. Summoning up all his failing courage, he smirks into the cameras and tries hard to remember all the big words What’s-her-name used.
“We need to push America forward, into the faces and countries of our enemies, appropriating their resources so we can continue our unchecked consumption, riding an economic train wreck as far as the tracks will take us,” He smiles, pleased. What was that called, he thinks, a metamorph or something like that. “We will ride American rails of global supremacy to the bitter end, delivering our enemies justice and creating a better world in our own image.” A chair squeaked along the sideboard as his speechwriter hurries around the crowded room. He wonders if she ate something bad, but he doesn’t let that stop him:
“And god bless America.”