America and Onward

[Vazdul (Formerly Chairman of the Communist Party of Ontario)]

Interesting concept. I like this.

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Historically important Congressional races:

In Wisoconsin, despite losing the state in the general election, Joseph McCarthy won re-election to the HoE, as he was allowed to run for both the Presidency and his House seat at the same time.

In Connecticut, the same thing happened to Prescott Bush, who won re-election while running for the Presidency. He, however, won his home state in the Presidential election.

In Minnesota, former Governor Harold Stassen won election by a less than 50% margin to the HoE as a Progressive. He was looking forward to 1960.

In Arizona, Congressman Barry Goldwater won re-election.

Historically Important Gubernatorial races:

In the state of California, Congressman James Roosevelt ran, winning with 54% of the vote.

In Ohio, Robert Taft Jr. won re-election.

In New York, Nelson Rockefeller won re-election.

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Comments, Questions, Critiques, Complaints, Compliments?

[feeblepizza]

Great!!

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

American and Onward Part IX
The Second Term of President Henry Wallace

President Henry Wallace had won re-election. With that, he retained his place as the President of the Renwed States of America. However, Despite the enthusiasm his supporters felt at his re-election, things were not as well as they seemed. The American Corporations, despite strict government oversight, were not doing that great. It was said that supply shipments were late, and that products that arrived were of a lower level of quality than expected. Wallace wanted to knuckle down on the corporations, and msot of all, on Joseph Patrick Kennedy who was at the head of the American Corporations. However, Kennedy was both powerful and popular, and his son Robert was the House Majority Leader in charge of the Progressives. So, for the moment, Wallace would consolidate his power and begin meeting with Congressmen to discuss ousting Robert Kennedy from his position as Majority Leader.

However, at the same point, the Kennedys themselves were plannign on moving up on the political leader. Joseph Patrick Kennedy had recently met with several Progressive Governors, as well as with all of President Wallace's Ministers, and the heads of several American Corporations. Meanwhile, his sone Robert was meeting with military officials, especially with Minister of Warfare Richard Nixon, and also building up connections with other Progressives in the HoE. The Kennedys could very soon be "movin' on up".

Because of the failures of the American Corporations to provide supplies to farmers and small stores, discontentment was growing among the Western famers that had never been friendly to Wallace in the first place. Wallace asked Minsiter of Diplomacy Robert Lafollette Jr. how he, a Progressive, was able to control them, and Lafollette admitted that he had never been popular as leader of the Western Plain, and had relied upon the impovershed in the cities for popular support. However, Lafollette had, at one point, support from the farmers.

In order to boost patriotic fervor, Wallace announced that he would begin negotiations with Canada in order to reclaim the state of Maine, which had been enveloped by Canada in the period between 1944 and 1950. Wallace also began negotiations with the USSR, which was the dominant power in the world at that point, in order to talk about regaining Canada for the United States. The USSR had come upon hard times, and saw this as an opportunity to gain massive amounts of supplies for their starving. Eventually, Wallace negotiated the trade of one ton of various grains in order for the United States to take control of Canada. Immediately, this quota of grain was put on rural farmers, while the United States military began paving "The Road to Alaska" in order to funnel military supplies up there. Wallace saw a strategic move in order to make Alaska the "buffer zone" in case of a Soviet attack. Canada, which in the wake of World War II had become a rural, lawless wasteland without Americans buying timber from there, voiced no complaint.

Because of Wallce's new building and farming planse, severa farmers protested. However, they had little voice in government because of the few Congressmen there were to speak for them. Their most vocal advocates were Congressmen Robert Dole of Kansas, and Congressman Barry Goldwater of Arizona, who spoke about the burden that Wallace's actions had put on America's workers and farmers. However, they were in the minority, and the Centrist Party had no clear stake in standing with the "Farm Party" that was the American Patriots.

House Minority Leader Barry Goldwater (AP-AZ) speaking against Wallace's plans for America

In 1957, as the "Road to Alaska" began construction, riots began popping up in major cities and in the Mountain/Plains West where the most was being demanded of the workers. One worker famously spoke:

President Wallace tells us we're in a worker's paradise. If this is a worker's paradise, then why do I hate it?
                                               -Speaker Unknown

This was one of the most famous shots at the President of late. The American Patriots, who had made gains in the last election, and the Centrist Party which was looking forward to 1960, were both gearing up for a full out Presidential campaign. Donors from Hawaii for either Party were growing and money was being poured into states such as Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and  Rhode Island; all of which were state that either the Centrists or the American Patriots had the possiblity of winnign in the 1960 election.

Two years after the election and they were already gearing up to throw me out.
                                                                     -President Henry Wallace; June 3, 1957
Congressional Balance of Power 1956-1960

Progressives: 70; Leader: Robert Kennedy
American Patriots: 44; Leader: Barry Goldwater
Moderates: 4; Leader: Prescott Bush

More to Come!

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Comments, Questions, Critiques, Complaints, Compliments?

[feeblepizza]

The American Patriots will pull off an upset in the next election. I can feel it.

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

The American Patriots will pull off an upset in the next election. I can feel it.

Right now I'm not sure if I'm going to make this a Distopia timeline, or a story about a new America. I originally planned for this huge dystopia, but now that people, or at least you, are observign the elections, I'm not sure on how to proceed.

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

America and Onward Part X
A True King's Murderers

In 1958, President Henry Wallace announced that he woudl not run for re-election. This was not a surprise, but it did create an open field.

After having consulted with my closest friends and adivsers, I have made the decision that, come 1960, I will not run for re-election. By then, I will have served this great country for six years, and after the campaign is thorugh, for seven. I came in with much momentum, doing my best to distribute wealth fairly, and make government an institution for the people. I hope that when I leave office, people will remember me that way.
                                         -President Henry Wallace; November 3, 1958

President Henry Wallace announcing his intentions to not run for re-election in 1960. An angry worker from Michigan had thrown an egg at the President. The car manufacturer was quickly escorted away by the Secret Service.

It was unlikely, at least at the time, that America, at least the majority of America, would remember him that way. Riots and strikes were forming in major cities, and farmers in rural areas were refusing to ship out their good, focusing more on feeding the community around them. This put Wallace's plans for Alaska on hold, at least for the moment, however, he was determined to press on, appropriating more funds from richer areas in order to pay farmers more for farming, and workers more for working.

In 1959, President Henry Wallace was glad to announce, after two years of fighting with the country that had elected him, that the "Road to Alaska" was open, and the Alaska was paid in full. Despite the good news, the full payment for Alaska did not mean anything for several families around America except empty stomachs.

In February, the President made his first true diplomatic voyage, meeting with the Prime Minister in Great Britain. It was seen as a symbol that the new country would finally begin expanding and would join the United Nations soon, which at the time was dominated by Soviet controlled nations and the Soviet Union itself. Since America's collapse, the Soviet Union had consolidated its power in Eastern Europe, controlling all of Eastern Europe except Poland and Germany. Meanwhile, Nazi Germany held control of France and Poland. Nazi Germany and the USSR shared an uneasy alliance and an even un-easier border.

After leaving his return vessel after his diplomatic mission, Henry Wallace began shaking hands with members of the crown in New York City, when he noticed a glint coming from the tops of one of the buildings...

President Henry Wallace Shot Dead! October 1, 1888-February 13, 1959

President Henry Wallace was shot down by an unknown assailant earlier today in New York City after de-boarding the USS Roosevelt! While shaking hands with members of the crowd, the gunman fired from an opposing building and made his getaway. The President was immediately taken to the hospital when he was announced dead on arrival. His funeral will be held this Friday and attended by various national leaders including the new President Joseph Kennedy, members of the cabinet, and Congressional leaders. The nation mourns.

Kennedy: Now why'd you ever get into this business?
Agent: To get on the inside of this government.
Kennedy: Why?
Agent: To work my way to the top. To become powerful.
Kennedy: You seem like a smart young man. Too bad you got into killing Presidents, I could've made you part of my cabinet.
Agent: You still can. No-one knows.
Kennedy: What's your name, anyway?
Agent: Shriver. Sargent Shriver.
Kennedy: Funny name.

[feeblepizza]

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Care to explain?..........

[feeblepizza]

Care to explain?..........

Poor President Wallace was assassinated!

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Care to explain?..........

Poor President Wallace was assassinated!

Poor? You like Wallace? You hate Joseph Patrick Kennedy? You don't like Sargent Shriver? You like Wallace?

[feeblepizza]

Care to explain?..........

Poor President Wallace was assassinated!

Poor? You like Wallace? You hate Joseph Patrick Kennedy? You don't like Sargent Shriver? You like Wallace?

I hate Wallace with all the fiber of my being. It's just sad to see him die.

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Care to explain?..........

Poor President Wallace was assassinated!

Poor? You like Wallace? You hate Joseph Patrick Kennedy? You don't like Sargent Shriver? You like Wallace?

I hate Wallace with all the fiber of my being. It's just sad to see him die.

OK. I thought your frowny face was a comment on my writing. I thought it meant "fail", as in "nice try, assassinating the President! That's not going to boost  your readership! (looser)"

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

America and Onward Part XI
Camelot Rising; the First Term of President Joseph Kennedy

On February 13, 1959, Minister Joseph Patrick Kennedy took the Oath of Office and became the Second Presidenf of the Renewed States of America. He had garnered the office through manipulating his way through "Post-American Politics" (politics after the collapse of the US), and had become the next in line for the Presidency once Henry Wallace became President. After Wallace's fatal shooting, Kennedy was sworn in.

Despite having only served the end part of Wallace's second term at that point, Kennedy was already prepared to unveil his new cabinet, which was quickly confirmed by Congress in the wake of the death of a President.

The Kennedy Administration:
Minister of Wealth Distribution and Economic Policy: James Roosevelt
Minister of Diplomacy: Richard M Nixon
Minister of Warfare: Omar Bradley
Minister of Justice: Robert Sargent Shriver

The surprise pick for Kennedy's cabinet was that of Justice Ministry agent and complete unknown, Robert Sargent Shriver. The only record of him outside of his birth certificate and the Justice Ministry records was him being on record as one of the delegates from New England voting for the ratification of the Constitution, and the Re-Unification of America.

Minister of Justice R Sargent Shriver, the new kid on the block

As for Kennedy's activities as President, he earned the nickname "Moonbeam" from his constituents for his perceived obsession with space exploration as a viable means for the future. Between 1958 and 1959, House Majority Leader Robert Kennedy, the Presidents' son, sponsored forty three bills involving the shifting of federal funds to the new National Aerospace Exploration and Advancement Ministry, or "NAEAM", which was pronounced "name".

Kennedy also sent more funding up to Alaska, where the RS was building infrastructure and military bases. Several of his own party began referring to him as the "Warpig" because of his continued funding of military projects.

Kennedy appointed the first Alaskan President, which was agreed to under the Alaska Pact which stated that Alaska would be a separate state from the RSA, however, the President of the RSA could appoint the leader, and Alaska was pledged to help defend America. This began what some called "Buffer Zone Diplomacy", which explained why the RS hadn't approached Mexico about giving back New Mexico. They saw it as a good buffer zone between them and the Confederacy.

as for the new Alaskan President, Kennedy chose a seasoned hand at politics...

Washington Congressman Henry M Jackson was chosen to be the First President of Alaska. He had served in politics since 1941, working for the United States, the Pacific Progressive Coalition, and the Renewed States, and was seen as an able choice.

Through all of this, the economy continued to tilt downward. Throughout the rest of 1959, both the Centrist Party led by Prescott Bush, and the American Patriot Party led by Barry Goldwater, were preparing for the 1960 election.

In Congress, the Kennedys pulled off another coup in the ousting of House Majority Whip George McGovern, a Wallace  supporter, and the filling of that positiong with Minnesota Congressman Hubert H Humphrey, a Kennedy ally. House Minority Leader Barry Goldwater said privately "These damn Kennedys have got to be stopped!"

New House Majority Whip Hubert H Humphrey

In October, 1959, President Kennedy was glad to announced the first attempt at space exploration by America. Many inside his cabinet saw it as foolhardy and reckless. Minsiter of Diplomacy Richard Nixon privately told New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, "I don't want any damn part of this." Nevertheless, Kennedy's plans moved forward...

It's more of a test, really. We're just trying to see if we have the capabilities to launch rockets. We're not putting anyone inside there or planning an exploration of the Moon! The fact is that in 1957, the Russians launched Sputnik, and we've got to make sure that we can counter that. It's part of our pride as Americans.

Even so, many in the cabinet felt that the rocket was not ready. NAEAM head scientist Niels Bohr said, privately, of course,

If this rocket fails, and it will, this will be the greatest disgrace for America since World War II. It'll  make the world think that America is that easy to beat, that easy to disgrace, and God-forbid, that easy to conquer.

On October 30, the day of the launch, only a handful of scientists, the President, two members of his cabinet; Nixon and Roosevelt, and Arizona Congressman Barry Goldwater were there. Goldwater was there as a representative of the state of Arizona, where the launch was taking place.

T-Minus Five, Four, Three, Two, One...

Kennedy: sh**t!
Nixon: sh**t!
Roosevelt: sh**t!
Goldwater: sh**t!
Bohr: This is what you asked for, Kennedy.

To be continued...

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Comments, Questions, Critiques, Complaints, Compliments?

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

America and Onward Part XII
The 1960 Presidential Election

The 1960 American Patriot National Convention

For the American Patriots, 1960 was seen as their year. They had spent the last six years in the new America as the Minority Party, and with the souring economy, the food shortages, government inefficiency, and heavy taxation; their more Conservative approach was seen as a viable alternative. There were a number of candidates who stepped forward to run for the American Patriot Nomination. They were:

House Minority Leader Barry Goldwater of Arizona

House Minority Whip Robert Dole of Kansas

Congressman and former House Minority Leader Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin

Governor Robert Taft Jr. of Ohio

Eventually, Congressman Goldwater won the nomination at the convention to thunderous applause. He was seen as the best choice for the American Patriot Party, as he had been there since the beginning, and had been one of the most vocal critics of the Wallace Administration.

House Minority Leader Barry Goldwater accepting the American Patriot nomination for President

The 1960 Centrist Party National Convention

As for the Centrist Party, no-one opposed Congressman Prescott Bush's nomination for President, however, there were a number of speakers at the convention, who were seen as the future of the Centrist Party, including...

House Centrist Party Whip Gerald Ford of Michigan

Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York who recently changed his party registration

Congressman John B Anderson of Illinois

Congressional candidate Donald Rumsfeld of Illinois

The Keynote Speech was given by none other than

Congressional Candidate George Bush of Arizona, and the son of House Centrist Leader Prescott Bush

The 1960 Progressive Party National Convention

The Final, and largest party, the Progressives, held their convention as well. President Joseph Kennedy announced he would not run for re-election given his age. This lead to a number of candidates announcing their running, including...

Minister of Wealth Distribution and Economic Policy James Roosevelt

Congressman Harold Stassen of Minnesota

House Majority Whip Hubert H Humphrey

Congressman and former House Majority Whip George McGovern of South Dakota, a rare "Plains Progressive"

Many of the candidates for the Progressive nomination were seen as insufficient for various reasons. McGovern was seen as a fringe candidate and Wallace supporter. Stassen was seen as a rogue Liberal that would take their party in the same direction as McGovern. Roosevelt was too connected to the Roosevelt name, and to the Kennedy Adminsitration. This left only one choice.

House Majority Whip Hubert H Humphrey of Minnesota accepting the 1960 Progressive Party Nomination for President.

Coming up: the Results

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

House Minority Leader Barry Goldwater Wins Election to the Presidency!


House Minority Leader Barry Goldwater (AP-AZ): 60 electoral votes
House Majority Whip Hubert H Humphrey (P-MN): 50 electoral votes
House Centrist Leader Prescott Bush (C-CT): 8 electoral votes

This isn't done yet. More to Come...

[feeblepizza]

YAY FOR PRESIDENT GOLDWATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

Comments, Questions, Critiques, Complaints, Compliments?

[feeblepizza]

VIVA LA GOLDWATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

America and Onward Part XII
The Conservative Revolution

Election night, only one month ago, was America's repudiation of the over-bearing and authoritarian policies of the Wallaces, the Kennedys, and the Humphreys! That election night was the night that the farmer, the worker, the businessman, the tax payer, and most of all, the American family went to the ballot box and voted "No" to the progressive politices of the Progressive Party! And that, is why I stand here today, as America's newest President for America's newest decade!

So spoke newly sworn in President Barry Goldawter, who had won the election of the year before by expanding traditional Conservative territory and combining it with working class areas that had at one time voted over-whelmingly for Progressives and Democrats alike.

Minister of Wealth Distribution and Domestic Policy: James Rhodes
Minister of Diplomacy: William Buckley
Minister of Warfare: Richard Nixon
Minister of Justice: Robert Taft Jr

As for the background behind Goldawter's cabinet, Congressman James Rhodes of Ohio, an American Patriot, was chosen because of his experience in small business. Writer, author, and speaker William Buckley was chosen for his ability to communicate and negotiate. The only member of the Progressive Party in Goldwater's cabinet, he had been chosen because of his experience in the position as well as to appear bipartisan. Robert Taft Jr. was chosen for the final position because of his experience as an Attorney.

The first steps the Goldawter Administration took were in the method called "Privatization". Goldwater passed Legislation that allowed people to bid on pieces of the American Corporations. With those pieces, they would take their property and set up Independent corporations which would copmete for both government and private business based on availibility, quality, pricing, and so forth. Several Progressives and even some Centrists protested, but Governor Nelson Rockefeller (C-NY) endorsed the move, saying:

This is how America was run in the old days. I should know, my parents and grandparents became rich because of the free market, and because of that, they were able to feed people, not with hand-outs, but with jobs. This will allow economic growth and deficit reduction.

By shifting operating, production, and shipping costs off to private owners, Goldwater was able to reduce taxation and to reduce the deficit. Goldwater's first year in office was deemed successful because of that.

As the new heads of the new privately owned corporations worked to make their businesses more efficient and more appealing to local store-owners, which had become the main distributors of commercial products, more goods were bought by store-owners, and with that, more goods were available to the buyer. The economy gradually improved as time went on, and by 1963, with the improving economy, it looked like the Progressives might be up for another loss in 1965.

In 1963, President Goldwater attempted to pass the Balanced Budget Amendment, authored by House Minority Leader Robert Dole (AP-KS). The amendment stated that the Renewed States of America was required to acheive a balanced budget by 1970, and to maintain it from then on, by "whatever means necessary". The Amendment was opposed mainly by Progressives, but also by some Centrists, chief among them Congressman John Anderson of Illinois.

President Goldwater, your attempts to neuter, yes, I said neuter, the livelihood and opportunities of the poor of the United States of America is utterly outrageous. Nay, not outrageous, but barbaric. Barbaric, I say that you should attempt to leave poor and starving families out in the cold for the sake of you 'balanced budget'. If my fellow countrymen are willing to support this, then I say 'what a country we live in'.

However, Congressman Donald Rumsfeld (C-IL), went against the comments of his colleauge Anderson, and supported the amendment, saying:

How are we to survive, as a union, if we do not adhere to the principles of a balnced budget and a good government? Well it is my opinion that we can not continue down this path. Throughout the fiscal years of 1954 to 1961, we had continually ballooning deficits that not only caused payment shortages and debt, but also caused the continued weakening of the Renewed States dollar.

Seeing the conflict in his own party, House Centrist Leader Prescott Bush was worried about his party falling apart. He began talking to his son, Congressman George Bush of Arizona, about re-uniting the party. The Bushes talked with family friend Gerald Ford about finding common ground between the warring factions. In Prescott Bush's words:

Centrism alone isn't going to unite these people. We need something more.

However, nothing, at least for the moment, came from those meetings. There was talk about Rumsfeld joining the American Patriots and Anderson joining the Progressives. This would skim two people from the Centrist Party's already thin ranks, leaving Prescott Bush, Gerald Ford, George Bush, and Margaret Chase Smith of New Hampshire.

Eventually, the Balanced Budget Amendment, which required two thirds of Congress to vote for it failed, however, Goldwater promised to get back to that, and the American people supported him.

In 1964, with high approval ratings, a good economy, and a much reduced deficit, President Goldwater announced that eh would be running for re-election. Not many wanted to challenge him, and rather focus on re-election.

The Progressives that announced that they wouldn't run were:
House Majority Leader Robert F Kennedy
Former House Majority Whip Hubert H Humphrey
Former Minister of Wealth Distribution and Domestic Policy James Roosevelt

The Centrists that announced they would not be running were:
House Centrist Leader Prescott Bush
Congressman George Bush
Governor Nelson Rockefeller

With that, more minor candidates such as Harold Stassen, George McGovern, JOhn Anderson, and Margaret Chase Smith had a chance to win their respective parties' nominations.

Congressional Balance of Power 1961-1966
Progressives: 62; Leader: Robert F Kennedy
American Patriots: 40; Leader: Robert J Dole
Centrists: 6; Leader: Prescott Bush


Coming up, the 1965 Presidential Election...

[feeblepizza]

I hope Goldy can get his budget passed.

[Assistant to the Regional Manager Cathcon]

VIVA LA GOLDWATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think it would be more accurate if you said..

VIVA EL GOLDWATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!