Conspiring

Wait, what? asked George as if taken by total surprise, I thought that you were definitely voting for Obama? She laughed and looked around about the park. Her smile seemed to quickly fade as she looked out over the large pond with its sprinkling of orange and red leaves which floated on the surface. She sighed as she watched another float down, tumbling through the crisp, morning air to join the others. I guess that I am going to miss this. Miss what? What are you talking about? asked George sounding half confused and irritated. Jolene just smiled at him and said, Lets just enjoy the day together and forget about the nonsense that is going on in the rest of the world. George just looked at her dark brown eyes set against her curly strawberry blonde locks dangling in the breeze on her forehead. She could see what she had announced had affected him strangely. She thought that he would understand or at least respect her opinion. She had changed her expression to one of deep thought when his eyes met hers. She sat looking at him as if she was searching for a way to reach out and touch him not physically but emotionally. She wanted to tell him her reasons for her sudden change, but saw that it would only bother him even more. A smile grew on her face as she stood up from the wooden bench. She wanted to move. George watched as she smiled and stood as if she was on some wonderful bliss inducing drug. Lets go for a walk. Its a beautiful day. We need to enjoy all that we can, she suggested as she did a little twirl deciding on which way to walk. He looked at her with an odd expression on his face. It was a look of total bewilderment. She smiled even broader holding out her hands to take his. Come on, it will be nice, She said with a smile almost pleading. George stood without taking his eyes off of her face. He was looking for anything that could explain or hint at why Jolene had changed since two days ago. Does this have anything to do with your church meetings? Jolenes church had always seemed to be a normal run of the mill church. Its doors were always open, but Jolene had always been pretty much a Sunday church goer. Every Sunday, she would get up early and meet the rest of her family at her moms house which was a block from

the church. She would eat breakfast with her mom, brother, and sister and then they would walk as a family to the church. After service they would walk back home and help her mother around the house with some chores and then go out for a Sunday lunch. It had been a family tradition ever since she had been a little girl. George never said anything about it. He thought that it had been nice of her family to do something like this together. She had invited George several times but he turned her down saying that it was more of a family thing for her. He was not much of an organized religion type of guy. He believed in the Bible, Jesus, and God, but he believed in communing on his own. He didnt like things being interpreted for him. If he had questions, he would ask several people trained in the area of his interest. Things had always run like clockwork since he first met her and learned of her family a year and a half ago. Things had settled quite nicely into a regular routine and they had both adjusted to dating each other with their individual family peculiarities. They would go to work, meet after work, go out and spend the rest of the day with each other. On Sundays she would spend the day with her family and he would do his own thing. It was a nice little break to just do their own thing. Their weeks had a nice, enjoyable rhythm. George had grown very accustomed to it. He liked it and could have spent the rest of his life doing this scheduled. As all things go, it had to be shaken up a little. I have some bad news about tomorrow evening, said Jolene when they met for dinner after working Monday. Whats that? Our church is having a thing. I know that we were planning on going to the movies, but this is all of sudden and my parents think that I should go, she said warily, wondering what his reaction would be to the change in plans. Oh, well, we can catch it another day, he said trying to hide his disappointment. She smiled brightly and said, Thank you for understanding. Its all part of having a relationship, he answered echoing her smile. She went. He noticed that she was different somehow. She was quiet, seemed more pensive than usual. He wanted to know what happened at the meeting but didnt want to pry. He had a good thing going with her. That was part of her world that was just hers; just as spending Sundays with his other friends, watching the game or just working on his projects was his. It was just one meeting. One meeting turned into two then three. Soon George found himself having to make several adjustments. He just bit down and made the adjustments to what he thought was a perfect

schedule. After three weeks the meeting schedule settled down to just two a week. He was glad when he heard the news. Now he could plan his week knowing that Jolene would just be at church on Sundays and have a meeting for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. As long as there were no more surprise changes to his schedule, he could deal with it. Besides, since he had been seeing Jolene, he had fallen behind on other personal obligations. He thought that the extra time would give him a chance to catch up on them. What could he say? He liked his personal days and didnt want anyone to mess with his schedule so how could he realistically? He just went along with it feeling better about himself for making the adjustments, secretly hating the inconvenience to his schedule but glad that the variable dates of the meetings had settled down. Besides, Jolene seemed happier and more full of life after several meetings but still very pensive. He started to wonder what they were about but withheld prying. She looked out over the pond again as she quietly without a sign considered his question. He just stood adjusting his jacket nervously. He wondered if he had pushed too far with his question. He felt relieved when he saw her smiling as she watched a mallard come in for a landing. I love how they put their feet out and just glide across the surface of the water. I always like to watch them land too, said George in a quiet voice as they watched two others perform the same maneuver. Putting out their feet in front of them and holding their wings in place they glided until they touched the water surface. They would skim along the top until their forward speed slowed down enough that they just plopped down into the water and started to swim. So, which way should we go? she asked as if George had never asked a question. I dont care. You choose, he said in a reluctant tone. He was irritated by her avoidance. She heard it but continued to smile. Lets go this way. It has been a while since we have gone this way, she pointed up the macadam path that snaked alongside the pond and then off into the trees on the north side of the park, We can enjoy the smells of the leaves and their colors. George just smiled and said, Okay. His mind whirled for a way to crack her shell against his question. His mind was in a turbulent fight. They had a wonderful thing going on and he believed that it was because of the space they allowed each other. He needed to know what was going on. He decided that maybe they needed to take their relationship a notch higher.

So, are you still going to the Obama rally with me? he finally asked after they had walked in silence for about one hundred yards. I dont know, she answered quite quickly, but in a thoughtful tone, I dont think that it would do any good. I think that I have definitely made up my mind. She had said the last part hoping it would resolve the whole matter and he would, as his nature had always been, respect her opinion, let it go, and not to pry. But George took this as just more avoidance and felt as if there was much more to what was going on. He needed to find out. Jolene had been a stark Obama supporter from the beginning. She understood that he hadnt had much of a chance fighting an uphill battle against the remains of the Bush administration and individuals like McCain and the psycho cheerleader from Alaska who had stood in the way on purpose out of spite. She realized that he fought against prejudice which had always been alive and well in this country. She knew that he fought against the country being divided and coward into sheep by bosses that ruled with fear and an iron fist. She knew that the country was being squeezed by the rich and powerful in a global collusion to get what they wanted which was more and more. They had talked about the numbers and the economics. They had long discussions about Georges theory on how after the Civil War greedy industrialists were crushing the American Workers into cowering sheep. He explained how the Bill of Rights had absolutely no meaning at work. He explained how capitalism pitted individual against individual. He explained that labor unions and womens suffrage was only granted because the October 1917 revolution had put the fear of workers uniting and taking away the richs posh lifestyle into a very real context. He had explained his theory how Roosevelt had unwittingly set up even more problems. Individuals were now totally depended on corporations for income and this gave the corporate leaders unlimited powers over the employees. That is until unions came along and balanced it out retrieving some of the power back to the employees. But they became corrupt as their leaders gained power by the employees dependency on them. But Roosevelt had started creating more and more government programs which created more and more of a dependency of the individual on the Federal Government to solve problems and handle things which had always been handled by communities when people depended on one another. This in turn gave more power to the Federal Government and less reliance on one another. Now people were being squeezed for more and more. He knew that she knew that the Job Creators were withholding growth and jobs to get Obama out. He had become a loose cannon in the world Bush and Cheney had worked so hard to create. He was a loose cannon because he cares and wasnt playing along with the global collusion of the Bilderbergs. He felt as if she had all of sudden abandoned his theory he had worked so hard to put together. He knew that this was going on. He knew he was right about the elites fear of communism forcing them to throw a bone of womens vote and union recognition out for the people. He knew that the red scare was nothing more than the rich and elite trying to hold on to

their positions and posh life styles. He knew this because communism was nothing more than people helping one another and looking out for one another and sharing in good and bad times. People working for the prosperity of the community and as the community prospers, each individual prospers and communities helping out neighboring communities and so on. Fascism, the government in Pyongyang, and Socialism were just extremes of Capitalism with the only difference being the amount of freedom of choice those in power allowed the average person to think that they had achieved through dividing the herd and promoting dependency on the government. They were all pretty much one group living off of and controlling the labors of the rest. Communism was not that; it was people sharing their labors and realizing that we are all in this together. The only thing wrong with it was that the elite would lose their power and influence. There was far more money to be made from keeping people loyal to companies and divided. He knew she knew this. He just couldnt understand why she would vote for someone who was against everything that they knew. So, why the change? he finally asked. Look, can we just enjoy the time we have together? she asked as she continued her walk trying to enjoy the colors and scenery. He sighed and stopped. She stopped when she saw he wasnt coming. She saw the defeated look on his face. Arent you coming? We have so little time to enjoy this. Cant we just enjoy what little time we have left, she implored. He had been looking down at the ground but now he looked up at her with amazement. What are you talking about? What do you mean by what little time we have left? he asked demanding an answer with his eyes. Ive asked you to join me at the meetings, she said. So this does have to do with the meetings, he charged. She was quiet as she stood there looking at him. What is going on at those meetings? he asked in a kinder voice, Im sorry about sounding gruff, but I love you and I am concerned about you. But you havent asked me to marry you yet, she ventured timidly. George looked around the immediate area and seeing no one, got down on one knee and asked, Jolene, would you make me the happiest man on the face of the earth and become my bride?

Are you serious? she asked looking down at him with the most serious expression that she could muster. Yes, he answered without breaking eye contact, I think that maybe its time that we moved this to the next level. Her expression quickly changed to that of a smile as she kneeled in front of him giving him a hug and said, Yes, I will. But well have to do it quickly. He kept hugging her as he asked, Why is that? You really should just come to the meetings with me. Cant you just tell me what is going on? We need to open up and share everything if we are going to build a life together. Okay, she said releasing him and standing up with him, You have shared everything with me and I dont want you to be left out. I really wish you would come, they explain it so much better than I can. He dusted a leaf off of his knee and said, Im sure that you can do it well. Give it a try and if I am confused or have problems understanding, I will go with you. Okay, she replied a little nervously as they began walking slowly side by side down the path disappearing from view in the burst of orange, red, and yellow foliage, I think Obama is trying very hard. I do agree with your theory, all of the pieces are right there written in history books, not to mention the motivation is there and has been a driving force throughout history. I agree that history shows over and over that one group rises and subjugates the majority with fear and dependency. Then why vote for someone who is just going to feed into that? interrupted George. Well, the democrats are owned by the same plutocracy. Yes, but Obama hasnt been playing their game that well. But he gave all of that money to the big banks and automakers? Yes, thats a problem with our politics. We elect lawyers to make economic decisions. It is like hiring a doctor to fix your transmission. They go with what they know and that is big businesses. In Roosevelts time it worked because his grand schemes employed many small companies and the owners werent as greedy because much was done by hand and they needed many employees to complete the contracts on time. This in turn injected a lot of money into the level that truly drives the economy. Now, a lot is automated and there are fewer employees; more

money ends up in the owners pocket and very little is injected into the levels that drive the economy which is driven by consumer demand. Well, anyway, I agree with everything you said and so do my church leaders. Im, Im losing you on this. Why then vote for Willard and his army of rats? She stopped and looked at him with a smile and said, Because he will deliver what we need. George stopped and looked at her with a question stamped on his face. He was thinking as she took another step to move closer to him. What is he going to deliver? George finally asked almost in a whisper. Think about it. He wants more freedom for huge corporations. You said it yourself that if corporations didnt try to screw workers, acted ethically, or cut corners, they wouldnt need unions and regulations. They would gladly poison the planet to make a bigger profit margin; especially areas where they dont live. And you want that? No, silly, now let me finish my thoughts, she said with the award winning smile that first lit up Georges life which was the deciding factor in asking her out on their first date, He wants to give them the freedom they want, they are his masters to begin with. Anyone knows that it is community demand and new businesses that create far more jobs than large existing ones. They want to streamline and automate to save on labor costs. He also wants to pursue war with Iran. Anybody with any military or history training could spot that one. They are rich with oil, the Saudis want it and so does BP and now the country is surrounded by areas of U.S. military operations. Its only friend along with Syrias is Putin. Syria, he has mentioned using military force; especially since Syrias oil was given a better rating. And again, you want this? Oh, you are so sweet, said Jolene reaching out to touch his cheek, It is going to happen anyway. With or without Obama, Americans are all worried about themselves that most families are almost strangers to each other. They are all worried about their football games and money and shopping and the Kardashians. They are the only ones who could possibly put an end to the schemes but they wont because they have no idea, are too self-consumed about individual gratification, or have no understanding. The news is so selective and censored anymore. National Security is a label that can be applied to anything and is to hide the schemes. World War III is going to happen. The planet will be poisoned in the pursuit of personal wealth and greed for more and more. The oceans will boil and die. Bees are dying at an alarming number and with them the food chain. Working people will eventually be squeezed to the point that they explode

and revolution erupts across the globe. It is just with Romney, it will definitely happen and very soon. And you want this? This is what all of those meetings have been about? No silly, we want the Rapture, she said with a smile, Our immortal souls will rise into the sky through a brilliant shower of rockets and nuclear ash. He will put things into motion quicker to bring about the Rapture. George just stood in disbelief staring at her not knowing what to say.