Grit and Ferocity

The studio lights seemed to permeate through every crevice. Producers and electricians and other staff members busied about the space, ensuring that this show would be a knockout. This warm summer day became belied by the artificial lights and pumping air conditioning system. Makeup and hair crews applied their talents to the two figures on stage. Jill Mackey peered at her subject for tonight with slight disdain and a little wonderment. She stood 5'9" but could not compare to the 6'8" of Mr. Taylor Goshon. Jill revealed nothing that would indicate her 57 years on this earth. She wore a purple pantsuit with pearls and buttons and matching pumps. Goshon exhibited his 63 years of life with a thin grey beard that wrapped around his visage. He wore a light blue shirt and dark suit, a grey and white striped tie, and brown loafers.

Two minutes remained until the on air signal came through on this live half hour show in Wilmington, Delaware. The countdown to the opening of the show gave way to applause from the eager audience.

“Hi, and welcome to another edition of The Delaware Moment I’m your host Jill Mackey. Today I’m with presidential candidate Taylor Goshon.” Applause. “He’s presented some rather controversial stances over the past few weeks on the campaign trail. Prepare for an exchange of ideas and a moment for questions from the crowd. Now, without taking anymore time, welcome to the show Mr. Goshon.”

“Thank you, Jill. It’s a pleasure.”

“Now, you’re the first presidential candidate in history to be described as a transgender man.”

“Yes.”

“How does it feel to be a trailblazer in such a race where conventionality has been the focus of your opponents?”

Goshon cleared his throat. “Well, I know that I’m up against a group of respectable candidates. I think that my position as a transgender male should have nothing to do with my policies.” Applause.

“I see. So, what is the main concern for you during this campaign season?”

“Income inequality. I think that it is a facet of a free nation. It’s just a fact of existence for a free market. Some people will produce more and earn more money. Others will have meaningful, gainful, and purposeful work but that doesn’t mean that they’ll necessarily create as much value as say a CEO of a company.”

“You were CEO of Delavillage and you have since left that position to engage in your political career. Do you not think that the income inequality of your workers and your role as the top executive of that company created envy and even hatred?”

“No. Not with my company. Everyone knows his or her position in the structure of the firm. I have janitors who do fantastic jobs cleaning the offices.”

“You don’t outsource?”

“No. And I have data entry workers who complete their tasks with verve and even excitement. That is because I pay them at the rate of which they are valuable. Plus with bonuses and benefits, they are encouraged to work smarter.”

“Don’t you think that the janitors and data entry workers should be able to attain your status?”

“I would give anyone the opportunity to take my job. But you must be aware of what it entails. A tremendous amount of brainpower, decisiveness, and planning goes into it. Not to mention, everyone outside of the company will hate your guts for your position but secretly covet it. In a day, could you beat professional basketball megastar Gatley Svenson in basketball?”

Jill looked perplexed for a moment. “Why no. I could practice really, really, hard, though.”

Goshon laughed and scratched his beard. “Even if you practiced for hours at a time, you’d still need to slip a mild sedative in his drink to slow him down. Then, you’ll need to switch out his gym shoes to make them either too tight or too loose. You could try all of these things and he’d still win. His athletic ability would be too much even if he poured every ounce of your fiber in wanting to win. My point is that inequality is what makes capitalism the system of justice. You get what you deserve.”

“You speak about capitalism. Why is this the most hated system of all? There’s socialism, communism, fascism, even Nazism. But capitalism beats all of those hands down when faced with comparing social systems. Why is that?”

“It is because people don’t know what it is. People continue to scream bloody murderer over it but can never present enough evidence to convict it. It’s the only system that says that you are a human being. It is the only system that says that you should treat yourself and others with a sense of goodwill and trade. In fact, only capitalism can permit such actions to manifest.”

“Okay. We’re going to open it up for some questions, now.”

A youngish, pretty girl in a green dress stood up. She was about 20.

“Hi, Mr. Goshon. Why is it possible for a transgender man to run for president but not a transgender woman?”

“I think that the field is open for anyone. Gay, straight, trans, as long as you have ideas and the conviction to back them up, everything else is incidental.”

Jill pointed out the next questioner.

“Thank you, Mr. Goshon for all that you do,” the individual said. She was in her 30s and wore a red shirt and glasses.

“Thank you for your support,” Goshon said smiling.

“I just wanted to know, where did you get the drive and determination to become a potential President of the United States?”

Goshon’s face grew cheerful. “I grew up in Delaware. Went to schools here, worked long hours to get where I am. I’m proud of the dimes that I’ve accumulated. Every one. Now, the grit and ferocity that I got I can only claim myself. Now, of course there were a few people along the way who helped me, but I primarily thank myself.”

Jill looked squarely at the camera. “Well, that’s all the time we have for The Delaware Moment, I do thank you for joining us. Catch us next week for another installment. Bye.”

As the audience filed out and Jill and Goshon were being de-mic'ed Jill turned to Goshon.

“You’ve just captured your home state.”

“I think so.”