Chapter Thirteen (2019) Committing suicide as a national sport

Phoenix
The few televisions left around Asyl were all tuned in that afternoon; the Great Leader of the Emergency Government was to address the nation on matters of supreme importance. The dining hall at Phoenix had been transformed into a TV theater, with a huge screen erected at one end. The address coincided with supper time. It was the best-attended meal in Phoenix history. As people gathered their meals, there was much loud discussion about what could be coming. The Presidential seal appeared on the screen. The Phoenixites quieted down. Most looked anxious. Many held hands across tables. Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States My fellow Americans, President Bush the Third began. Our nation and our world are sad and wounded. Events far beyond our control have stripped hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens, and over a billion souls worldwide, of their homes and livelihood. Our nation of wise, broadshouldered people has stood strong in these tribulations. We have paid the war reparations demanded by a vindictive UN. We lead the way in helping the victims of disaster, even as we fight the forces of terrorism and subversion from within. Nevertheless, our best, hamstrung by antiquated structures, is not enough. My father, during his presidency, wisely saw that economic recovery was not possible without unleashing the genius of American business. Accordingly, he declared our Federal Lands to be Long Term Outlook Zones, to be wisely administered for the benefit of ALL Americans, not just a few outdoorsmen and animal lovers. From the great forests thus liberated for development, millions of board feet of lumber flowed. From newly opened oil fields, an abundance of fuel gushed to increase our national security. But even that bounty is not enough for our new challenges. America now, more than every in its history, feeds the world. Much of that world has been forced upon us as refugees, and many more depend upon our exports of grain. Because of this, I have decided, after deliberation with my Emergency Cabinet, our 65 Governors, and prominent business leaders, to turn all food production over to a new conglomerate, AgriCorp. Just as vertically integrated retail corporations changed inefficient, high-priced, small-scale stores and restaurants into the efficient, consistent chains we know today, AgriCorp shall revolutionize agriculture. From the field to the table, all facets of food creation will be part of a balanced, manageable whole. Productivity, quality and uniformity of product will rise to unequaled levels. Some small towns which now serve agribusiness will be retained, although most will be consolidated with others, or eliminated. AgriCorp shall administer all settlements outside of the Metros as company towns. Small, privately held farms will be united under AgriCorp. Their current owners will be compensated by giving them apartments in metropolitan areas, along with whatever retraining they need to become productive members of Corporate Society.

As always, the United States of America has room for the non-conformist and free-thinker. But in these times, such people can easily become pawns of terrorists; Therefore, I am empowering the states to create within their borders Local Outlook Opportunity Zones, places where these people can pursue their ways with no government interference or aid. From the acronym, these shall be known as LOOZes, and their inhabitants as LOOZers. Security needs must be served. Once people are in the Zones, they may not leave, except temporarily and as per the needs of commerce, subject to their Administrators policies. Time is of the essence. All of these changes shall be implemented by June 1st, Two Thousand and Twenty. To this end, I am invoking emergency powers of eminent domain and travel regulation. We must move quickly to meet the threats which, uh, threaten us. These are troubling times, but we of the United States are a tough and proud people. Together, we shall weather this storm, preserving our sacred values and rights. God be with us all. Karl thumbed off the television. The Phoenix people looked around the room. Many were crying. All knew that this was a decisive moment. OK, Karl began. This follows. The Metros have cut us off more every year. Everywhere outstate is just a colony to be milked. The question is, what do we do? Do we become an AgriCorp subsidiary, or try to get one of those Zones set up here? Ideas? Ben? I fought these bastards for my farm for twenty-five years, said the old farmer. They won that one in the end. Ill be damned if theyll win this one! Im for the Zone. We can take care of ourselves. Hell, my great-grandparents did when they homesteaded here! Im with you, Ben, said Karl. But were a couple of set in our ways old farts. Wed never be able to do this without young blood. Lets discuss this. I dont want anybody to make any decisions tonight, but lets see where things lie. Maria? I gave up my country for this place, said the Brazilian expatriate. I let your Homeland Security put their tracker chip in my body so I could stay here. Why should I resign now? Steve, a web designer, said, I climbed out of the inner city by my fingernails. Im not going back. But can we make it on our own without turning weird? asked someone. Thats a good question, Karl said. I submit that we can, but not alone. Supplies wont be a problem, but we need our neighbors to keep us sane. The LOOZ must include our whole area. But what about the children? Better they grow up here than in The Cities! shouted a father. The group discussion lasted through the night, and continued individually for months. All were game to try the LOOZ. After all, they hadnt come here to play by the rules of corporate society, but to develop ways to make people free of it.

Jody
In the Asyl City Hall, the direct line phone to Phoenix rang.

Jody? Its Karl Mueller. We need to talk about this LOOZ thing, right? Hell, yes, we can try for a LOOZ! Jody said. To get plowed under would be a tragic end for this town. All thats left are a bunch of artists and old people, but we can make it. Lets go tilt at some windmills! Karl outlined a strategy that could work. It was risky, but it was that or be swallowed up by the neo-Fascists. She told him to count her in, whatever it took. Jody hung up, wondering what to do next. Skippering her town through stormy times was one thing, but going up against an outfit that could literally buy the whole place was another. At least Karl knew how to play that game. She hoped that he knew how to play rough. She had no doubt that they could make it on their own. With Phoenixs technical expertise, the local growers skills, and their strong sense of community, theyd be fine, IF they could break free once and for all.