The America We Deserve

[Abraham Washington]

Massoud

Somewhere in the rugged, mysterious mountains of northern Afghanistan, a freedom fighter recieved an enigmatic message. One that warned him against not only a threat to his life but also of a plot to strike at the heart of the most powerful nation on Earth.

The clock was ticking. The great game was afoot again in the wildlands of central Asia...​

 

[Abraham Washington]

Time, Enough...

As a new day dawned, the final grains of sand slipped from the hour glass. Time was running out. Only God could know whether those brave few men and women had done enough. The future of America now balanced precariously on a fragile knife edge. America’s destiny was up for grabs, its fate waiting to be written...
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[Abraham Washington]

9/11/2001

“We now interrupt this program to present breaking news from New York City...”​

 

[Abraham Washington]

“We are recieving reports that law enforcement has thwarted an attempted hijacking of several airliners across the eastern seaboard. We now go to our White House Correspondent for more information on this incident...”

“Thanks Peter. The White House will reportedly make a statement at noon today on the arrests made. At the present moment the White House has made no comments on the potential motives of such a plot, but we do know that they intend to launch a full investigation.”

“Well that was a close call! Thankfully nobody was hurt!”

“Yes Peter, it is truly a testament to the strength of our airport security and the dedication of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies that the hijackings failed and nobody was taken hostage aboard those planes.”

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[Abraham Washington]

It was another regular day in America, another beautiful September morning and another starlit night from sea to shining sea. Americans went to work, children went to school. People laughed, people cried, people fell in love. 3,000 men and women went home to their families. The twin towers stood as strong and resilient over the Manhattan skyline as they had ever been, as much a symbol of America’s continuing freedom and prosperity as Lady Liberty herself. A poignant symbol tying America’s past to America’s future in a new millenium. September the 11th, 2001 was just another normal day.

As people continued unwavering in their optimism for the new century and the new American dream, nobody truly knew how close the world had come to changing forever. Perhaps in another world, another life far far away, things were different. Perhaps in another alternate timeline, things were no so quiet, peaceful and prosperous at the turning of the centuries. Perhaps but for one subtle change, the threads of fate would have twisted a different way...

But not this time. The towers still stood, destiny had chose a different path. America and the world marched forward into the new frontier of the 21st century, not with fear but with hope.

Things would be alright, a new future was waiting to be written...

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[Abraham Washington]

Making America Safe Again

As America continued on as nothing happened and the thwarted hijackings faded out of the news, the Trump Administration got to work. Most in the Administration were pleased at the efficiency of their efforts to apprehend the suspects, but Trump knew how close they had come to the brink? Trump had predicted that terrorists would soon move against the United States and he wasn’t very comfortable with being right. He felt an obligation to get to the bottom of this and ensure terrorists could never get so close to pulling of such a complicated operation again.

But where could they start? Nobody really knew what the motives and intentions of these hijackers were. Why hijack four airliners, why today and why here? All these questions and more would have to be answered through clear and concise investigation.

Trump’s first orders once the investigation was completely was to immediately strike back at the terrorists. Trump was not an interventionist however and he didn’t want to get America bogged down in another war against insurgents like Vietnam. Trump believed in strong action of course, but he also believed that war was a last resort. Trump wanted to take a more surgical approach, striking hard at the source. Trump would immediately mobilize special forces and intelligence assets around the globe to pursue Al-Qaeda and other affiliated terror groups, while military forces were deployed if surgical military strikes were needed. He would apply pressure on governments that harboured such terrorists, such as Afghanistan, to extradite them. If they didn’t, he would take countermeasures such as seriously upping America’s support for groups such as the Northern Alliance. Hopefully his history of deal making would enable him to strike a good deal for America. All the while, Trump reached out to and began closs cooperation with governments such as Russia and India to counter the rise of international terrorism. These countries had their share of experiences with terrorism themselves and would be happy to help Trump get the job done.

As these actions occured behind the scenes, the story itself would quickly disappear from the news and Americans would continue about their lives as normal. Thankfully, on the day the world could have changed forever, it didn’t.

The attention of America would instead turn to other issues emerging in late 2001.​

 

[Abraham Washington]

The First Year

As 2001 drew to a close, the focus remained on domestic issues. Trump would eventually sign campaign finance reform into law in November 2001, significantly strengthening his hand for next year’s mid terms. The success of this law would allow Trump to move forward with his drive for electoral reform.

Meanwhile, Trump continued to up the ante in his quest to secure the border. Having already deployed troops to the Mexican border and authorized the creation of ICE, Trump also pushed for the creation of a border fence or “wall”. This would become a controversial issue in 2001 and 2002, before the Trump administration came to a deal that allowed him to secure the border but also win the support of moderates.

However, all this was overshadowed by a new scandal. The Enron scandal. When the Enron Corporation declared bankruptcy, it sparked a new debate on the excesses and corruption withing many American corporations. Thus, in 2002 Trump would turn his attention to reforming the business world and cracking down on corporate fraud. If Trump wanted to make good on his promises, he would need to tackle corruption in both the public and the private sector.

The Enron scandal also allowed Trump to shift the political debate towards an issue he had been concerned about for years, the consolidation of media corporations. First he would have to focus on tackling fraud in the private sector of course, but then he could use public anger to inspire further change in the business world...​

 

[Abraham Washington]

The Final Frontier

All the while the Trump administration moved forward with their domestic policies, they did not neglect NASA. On the contrary, Trump’s 2002 budget - taking effect in September 2001 - included a huge boost for NASA’s funding. Trump had an ambition to return American space exploration to its former glory in the new millenium. As a result, Trump set America a challenge: return to the moon before the end of the decade and use it as a springboard for a Mars landing by the next decade.

In order to achieve these aims, Trump increased funding for NASA and directed their mission to focus on space exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. Trump’s increased funding allowed NASA to increase the amount of missions they undertake each year. It also allowed them to begin experimental research on new types of spacecraft and new types of propulsion that would enable future manned missions to other planets.

At the same time, Trump encouraged the growth of the private sector in space exploration, unleashing the power of the free market towards America’s goals of conquering the heavens.

For the first time since the 1960s, America was moving full speed ahead on a new mission to the final frontier of mankind. America’s destiny lied in the stars, and the 2000s would become an exiciting time for space enthusiasts.

The 21st century would become the beginning of a new era in space exploration.​

 

[Abraham Washington]

State of the Union

January 29, 2002

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and my fellow Americans:

A year has passed since the day I was sworn into office and made solemn promise to the American people: that I would fight for the America they deserve. A year later, I can now say that the state of our union has never been more strong at the turn of the century.

Over the last year, we have made incredible progress and achieved extraordinary success. We have faced challenges we expected, and others we could never have imagined. We have shared in the heights of victory and the pains of hardship. We endured floods and fires and storms. But through it all, we have seen the beauty of America’s soul, and the steel in America’s spine.

And now, a new wave of optimism is sweeping America. We have passed bold new reform to restore American’s faith in government, we have guaranteed quality healthcare to millions of Americans, we have removed the burden of taxation and regulation on American citizens, we have brought back jobs and secured America’s future prosperity.

We have unleashed the American dream and are in the process of making America great again for all Americans.

But we must not get complacent. This administration is already moving forward with more reform and we expect this congress to follow suit.

We are reforming the finance sector and putting an end to corporate corruption and fraud.

We are negotiating fairer trade deals that put America first.

We are encouraging further space exploration, to secure America’s place in the space age.

We are combatting the threats of terrorism and organized crime at home and abroad.

We are securing the border from illegal immigration and ending the flow of drugs to America’s inner cities.

We are working to make America a freer, safer and greater place than ever before. A place where all dreams are truly achievable.

The forgotten men and women are forgotten no more. And we are carrying out our duty to give hardworking Americans the America that they deserve.

Thank you, and God bless America.


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[Abraham Washington]

Financial Reform

As public anger grew over the Enron scandal, Trump was able make full use of the bully pulpit to enact new financial reform legislation over the course of 2002. Several bills related to the matter would come to Trump’s desk, each dealing with a different part of the financial sector. These bills would seek to strike a balance, eliminating fraud, corruption and loopholes without overly regulating businesses.

Trump’s final act of financial reform was a roll back of Clinton era deregulations to mortages. Trump’s economic advisors were concerned that these deregulations could lead to a housing bubble in the future. Trump agreed, despite his misgivings over rolling back deregulation. However, whole the bill passed congress due to Trump’s campaigning, it was hugely controversial. By this point, Congress and the political establishment were worried that Trump was going to far in his quest for reform.

By the summer of 2002, a backlash was developing against Trump. The political establishment was preparing to strike back. Was this the end of the line for Trump’s ambitious agenda?

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[Abraham Washington]

A Tale of Two Koreas

The 2002 FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan, was an historic occasion. The USA achieved their best result since 1930. The South Korean hosts shocked the world by making it to the final. Finally, England ended 36 years of hurt by winning the World Cup Final on penalties and bringing football home.

Ashley Cole celebrates after scoring the winning penalty for England in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final

However, amid the jubliation of the World Cup, a new crisis was brewing. North Korea was believed to be developing nuclear weapons. Time was running out, and urgent action was needed. The Trump Administration began to up the pressure on the North Korean regime, hoping to pressure them into giving up on their nuclear program.

Unfortunately, these actions only provoked North Korea and brought the peninsula to the brink of war. Through the summer and fall of 2002, North Korea continued to make bellicose threats towards South Korea and the west. It was clear that the Trump Administration’s current approach was not working.

Instead, Trump approached Russia and China to make a deal. These were strange bedfellows, yet nevertheless necessary allies in order to counter the rogue North Korean regime.

After striking a deal with these two nations, Trump decided to pursue a “good cop, bad cop” approach to the situation. Trump would be bellicose and aggressive, in the spirit of the madman theory while Russia and China would apply light pressure behind the scenes for North Korea to change.

After a military clash between the two Koreas in mid 2002, fears of war grew. These fears were only exacerbated by Trump’s aggresive rhetoric. Trump’s political opponents tried to use the Korean crisis to paint him as dangerous and unfit, but there was a method to Trump’s madness.

US and North Korean officials met behind the scenes to discuss peace. The actions of diplomats on all sides during the crisis helped prevent war, and deal would later be struck that would change the face of east Asia...

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[Abraham Washington]

A Rising Tide

Anger was simmering. The tension was palpable. Congress and the American political establishment were growing tired of being humiliated and pushed around by the upstart Donald J. Trump from Manhattan. They grew worried that their time was coming to an end, that the two party system and American politics as we know it would end if Trump continued unfettered with his “reforms”.

On a dark, brooding night in the city of Columbia, the Democrats and Republicans plotted their next move. These dinosaurs of a bygone age, relics of the 20th century, planned to make one final stand. One final hail mary pass to retain their place in the sun.

The tide was turning against Trump. America was entering a recession in the latter half of 2002, despite Trump’s reforms. The American public were worried over a President that could lead the nation to war in the far east. While Trump wasn’t so concerned about what was happening in the short term, the political establishment in Washington hoped to exploit public fatigue to strike back against the Reform party and stymie Trump’s agenda.

They were planning an all out war to maintain control over Congress and defeat the Reformers in the midterms. A vicious storm was gathering over the horizon.

Was Trump strong enough to weather it?

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[Abraham Washington]

The Calm Before The Storm

As the summer of 2002 drew to a close, the midterms became the centre of attention for the Trump Administration. Victory for the Reform party in the 2002 elections was crucial for Trump’s agenda going forward. If they fail, Trump may never get the chance to reshape American politics and return control to the people. Trump has only one chance to end the duopoly and create a new America, the America that the people deserve.

Trump was planning a huge campaign across all 50 states to support Reform candidates and help them take control of Congress. Working with his Chief of Staff, he hoped to win over voters and elect a Congress that can help him finish his ambitious agenda.

The climatic moment of Trump’s presidency was fast approaching. This truly was the calm before the storm...

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[Abraham Washington]

WAR!

As September began, the three main parties of American politics all geared into action. President Trump meanwhile began his 50 state tour of the nation, holding massive rallies wherever he went. This was part of a 50 state strategy that was intended to capitalize on the broad support for President Trump and allow Reform candidates to come through the middle where possible. The ultimate goal was for the Reform party to seize control of the House and become kingmaker in the Senate. A new mandate for Trump would allow him to finish the job and the implement the key parts of his agenda. A defeat would halt Trump’s agenda in its tracks and derail the Trump train.

The future of the nation was at stake!

It was war!

The Reform Party centered its campaign around three key policy proposals:

1. Immigration Reform
2. Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure
3. Reforming the Electoral System

This broad populist agenda would help win votes from all across the country and form the framework for Trump’s 2nd term. It was to be called Reform’s Contract with the American Voter.

History seemed to be against Trump. Rarely had an incumbent party gained seats in Congress. However, America had never seen a President Donald Trump before. This time, things could be different. Trump was a winner, and winners aren’t losers.

Trump’s bold and brash style of campaigning electrified the country, gathering significant interest for a midterm campaign. This would be to Trump’s advantage, as he attracted millions of voters from around the country who had never voted before in a midterm, allowing the possibility for several upsets.

On September 1, Trump gathered his war council in the oval office and began his crusade across America...​

 

[Abraham Washington]

The Campaign

Wherever the President went, huge crowds gathered to hear him deliver his vision for a nation governed by the Reform party. In his flamboyant rallies, Trump would frequently savage and attack his political opponents, both Democrat and Republican, in a manner reminisicent to his 2000 campaign. Indeed, in many ways 2002 was an extension of 2000, with the only difference being that Trump had control of the almight bully pulpit.

Trump’s encounters with the press were even more intense. While the press loved to follow the controversy of the Trump Administration, they would often get on his bad side. Trump even walked out on an interview one time, blasting the media as he went. It was clear that Trump would have to find his way around the “failing media”.

As a result, the 2002 election would see the rise of the “new media” to replace the old. The Reform campaign would make even greater use of theburgeoning world wide web in their ‘02 campaign. This revolutionary new form of campaigning would help Reform gain the upperhand against their rivals.

As November 5 approached, the Trump administration held their breath as they hoped to achieve the impossible: win control of Congress for the Reform party. It would be a hard mountain to climb and Trump’s legacy was on the line. Had they done enough to win?

Only God knows...
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[Abraham Washington]

Decision 2002

We can now project that control of the House now goes to...
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[Abraham Washington]

...The Reform Party!!!

And with that, the Reform party now controls Congress and will elect the first Reform party Speaker of the House in America’s history. Truly a tremendous victory for the President tonight and an historic and shocking moment in our nation’s history.

The Reform party also now controls a sizeable percentage of the senate, acting as kingmaker and at this time denying either party the majority in the upper house.​

 

[Abraham Washington]

2002 Final Results:


Senate:

DEM: 39
GOP: 34
REF: 27

House:

REF: 226
GOP: 128
DEM: 91

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[Abraham Washington]

Trump’s Triumph

He had done it. The “people’s president”, had rallied the people once again to deliver a shock to the political establishment. Riding on a wave of public backlash against an obstructive congress, Reform candidates had won state legislatures, governorships, Senate seats and most importantly control of the U.S House of Representatives.

This freed up the President to move forward with his plans for the nations. Like his political idol, Teddy Roosevelt, Trump hoped to break up the destructive monopolies in the media and in business that were restricting American commerce and free thinking. He also wanted proper immigration reform that would lead to responsible and merit based immigration as well as a secure border. Finally, Trump wanted to continue his push for denuclearization around the world. With tonight’s victory, all of this was possible.

However, Trump’s ultimate and final goal still lay just out of reach. While Reform now controlled the agenda in American politics, they did not have enough influence to push through constitutional reform. Consequently, Trump’s audacious electoral reform amendment remained on the drawing board.

Yet, Trump could feel he was getting closer to his realizing his dream. Soon he will be able to finally implement his vision. Just over the horizon, a new America waited...​

 

[Abraham Washington]

KIM JONG-IL TO STEP DOWN, CITING “ILL HEALTH”
KIM JONG-NAM HEIR APPARENT
December 2, 2002

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA - North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-Il announced his intentions to step down today through state media. Citing “ill health”, the North Korean dictator wished for “a new generation to take the helm” and lead the hermit nation “to glory”.

His successor is expected to be his son, Kim Jong-Nam. Not much is know about the 31 year old except that he is expected to be a reformer and open to dialogue with South Korea and the West.

MORE TO FOLLOW​