The Last President Read Online Free PDF Page B

carry out our plan and get a Federal government going again, ‘Springfield’ will mean pretty much what ‘Washington’ used to, well within our lifetimes. We’d have some people losing things they’ve worked for, and many people remembering things they didn’t like. So some of them are catching on, right now, that the Restored Republic of the United States is a nice idea but it’s not necessarily the best thing for them.”
    â€œBut, James,
who
?”
    â€œHow many people with a spending problem sleep better at night because their debt is gone, with no one to extend more credit to them and nothing to buy with it? Why would they want to bring back the world of consolidation, bankruptcy, and foreclosure, especially if they have to work at it? How many people played dead, and got a fresh start, by just walking away from lovers or families in the chaos? How many people were in jobs they hated back then and have lucked into jobs they like, now?”
    â€œOh, there are some like that, I’m sure, but come on, James, what about an ex-desk jockey who’s shoveling mud? Won’t he—”
    â€œEverybody doesn’t have to be better off for there to be a movement. Think how many big causes in history turned out to benefit
nobody
. And the benefits of the new world are not illusory, Heather. Re-creating the Federal government is going to be a net
cost
to a lot of people who won’t want to pay that bill.”
    â€œThen should we just give up? Are we too late already?”
    â€œI think we’re still in time, but only just. Right now, I think most people haven’t yet admitted how much they have to lose if the United States comes back.
    â€œBut if we give them a year or two, they’ll see all kinds of practical reasons to put off the Restored Republic for another year, or another decade, or their grandchildren’s generation. My advice as your consigliere is
now
.” He stirred the pot, the red glow bathing his bald spot and sagging cheeks, making him look a thousand years old. “All in the timing. Like the moment for this bisque, and the moment to just enjoy Christmas with company, and every other moment that matters. Hold out your bowl and no more gloomy talk till we’ve finished.”

TWO:
WE ALL FEED OFF THE WRECKAGE
    2 WEEKS LATER. ATHENS, TNG DISTRICT. 2:30 PM EASTERN TIME. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026.
    Jenny Whilmire Grayson thanked the crowd and left the rostrum on the steps of the First National Church (the former University of Georgia chapel) knowing that she had given one of her best speeches, ever: just Christian enough so that her father’s disciples would not feel deserted; heavy on Army, patriotism, and honor for Jeff’s home crowd; enough quotes about restoring the Constitution for the Provi audience that would read the speech in the
Pueblo Post-Times
next week. And she’d written some good catchy phrases, and delivered them well.
    Her father’s expression brought her up short. “Honey, I’m proud of you, of course—”
    â€œBut . . . ?”
    â€œAs we move deeper into the Tribulation, we also move the saving remnant of America toward its union with the Lord, and—”
    â€œDaddy, I can tell you’re not speaking as my father, you’re intoning as the Chief Bishop of the Post Raptural Church—”
    â€œJenny, I
am
your father. You were always my smart, beautiful daughter, and I love you, but if you are going to be our First Lady, you have to be
more
than smart and beautiful.”
    â€œWhat else did you have in mind?”
    â€œAmerica needs a First Lady who is a model Christian woman, because the President and First Lady, in a very important symbolic way, are the national mother and father—”
    â€œDaddy, Jeff has had a vasectomy and nowadays there’s no way to reverse it.”
Sorry about lying to Daddy, Jesus, but we will just have to wait