Free The General's President by John Dalmas Page B

a more varied stage performer than Reagan had been.
    "For now though," Haugen said, "I'm the boss. Someone has to be. The situation demands it, to reduce the time needed to make decisions and start actions.
    "Not that I intend to try running everything. I intend to let people and cities and states solve their own specific problems so far as they can. Or to keep their problems if they want to, so long as those problems do not seriously impede national recovery. The main federal function, as I see it, is to create a situation where people can solve their own problems, with a little intelligence and guts. But creating such a situation is going to take some doing, take some time, take some changes. Because in recent decades, despite important progress in certain areas, government has, by and large, inhibited real solutions, imposing its own prescriptions and programs and creating a large array of new problems.
    "Don't misunderstand me. This will not be a simplistic, hands-off government. Just now, things are in serious shape, and we'll do what is necessary to get them back on track again.
    "Some of the things this government will do may prove not to work. When that happens, I will not keep failure alive by refusing to admit that government was wrong. Or that I've been wrong. If I establish some program or executive order and it clearly isn't working, isn't working in spite of having had reasonable time and resources to work, I'll change it or throw it out.
    "But I do not intend a society and economy planned and controlled by government. We are not the Soviet Union. We will try not to repeat our own mistakes and we will certainly not repeat theirs. We will give private individuals as much freedom and opportunity as circumstances permit.
    "And mentioning the Soviet Union brings up another matter: foreign affairs." The president paused and scanned around. "So what I have to say now, I am directing not only to you, but to other nations, other governments.
    "As of now, it cannot be taken for granted that any of yesterday's foreign policies will necessarily be in force next month. Consistency in policy is a virtue only so far as that policy works. Our foreign relations with all countries will be reviewed, with the help of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. And of course with the policy level of the State Department and informed persons outside government.
    "These informed persons outside government will include foreign ambassadors and, when it seems useful, the heads of foreign governments. I suspect that some of them will be interested in learning firsthand what this new, little-known American president is like."
    The president stood for a moment with lips pursed, as if considering something, then looked the audience over. "And that, my friends, is all I have to say tonight," he finished. "I've got a lot of work waiting for me. Wish me luck with it, as I wish you luck with yours. Thank you for listening, and I'll talk to you again soon."
    He raised his hand in a half wave, half salute, then turned and left the dais, accompanied by Grosberg and Lynch. Secret Service men, who'd been standing quietly at the sides of the dais, preceded and followed them. In the audience, a few people were getting to their feet, but most still sat, sorting out what they'd heard. There was a growing buzz of quiet voices.
    Morrows looked around, then within. Well , he thought, I don't know how I'll feel about this tomorrow, but right now I feel better than 1 did when I got here.

NINE
    Excerpt from a sermon by Reverend Delbert Coombs, of the Stalwart in God Church of the Apocalypse.
    Do you believe, do you really believe, that you can fend off the wrath of God at this late day by changing your earthly ruler? No way! Man has been too long on the road to hell! It started with Eve accepting the forbidden fruit from the serpent in the Garden of Eden. But that was just the first