AmEarth

That June, President Chen took to the airwaves for the first time in many months. The citizens of the world had not seen President Chen speak publicly in almost a year. His script had to be perfectly truthful. No mention of aliens was the key element to ensure that his speech worked. This event was announced days earlier on a constant commercial rotation, so billions would be watching. President Chen was particularly popular around the world, but rumors said that he had lost his vocal chords or worse. Presidential speeches always took place at the huge terrace in front of the UN building, and it was packed to capacity that night. President Chen stood before the front row of a bleacher with five long rows of government ministers that included every continent, race, language, and fashion style on the planet. Peter Johansen was sitting directly above President Chen, three rows up.

“Ladies and gentlemen of AmEarth…As you all know, the government of our world now encompasses one hundred percent of the globe. We are a single world with a common interest—the survival and well-being of our species. The human race is better now than it has ever been. Despite the amazing strides we have taken, it is time for change. I must announce that this twentieth eighth ymy presidency will be my last. I believe there is a need for a successor to my post.”

Sounds of shock and dismay rose from those gathered in the bleachers nearby.

“It has been a great honor for me to have overseen so many important developments, and to have experienced them with you, my fellow citizens of the world. I personally asked the supercomputer at NASA to craft the best system of governance with excellent sustainability so that AmEarth can grow and prosper for all. The supercomputer scanned and found the best available candidates for president in the world. It accessed everyone’s IQ, age, health, education, career path, and financial records. It found individuals with selfless dispositions and great credentials to serve AmEarth honorably. Not all individuals are made to be leaders, but those that are can be found. We have received a list of ten potential candidates for president. The vote will take place a month from now. Please study the candidates at your leisure, as they all have a wafer site for your use. All humans over eighteen years of age anywhere on AmEarth have the right to vote. The top three candidates will go to a final vote one week laterS”

Some noises emanated from the audience and Chen continued..iould be heard fo

“Ladies and gentlemen, the tenure of the next supreme president will be defined by the supercomputer based on his or her performance. The next president will be in charge as long as the responsibilities of the position are met. If there is any inkling of corruption, favoritism, nepotism, or improper conduct, it will end the term. You must know that my tenure was ended by the supercomputer as she determined that I was aging and becoming tired. This has been an extremely stressful job, and without the computer’s directives, it would have been an impossible one. The directives pointed at my retirement, and I have yet to find fault in those directives. I will not go against the supercomputer!”

People began rumbling comments, asking for him to stay. He felt the warmth in the voices of the crowd.

“I can’t thank you enough for your kind words. I truly can’t thank you enough.”

People continued cheering for President Chen and this time, he waited for it to die down.

“One important issue that everyone must understand is that technology in our era has enabled the ultimate analysis of the world’s resources and has optimized these things for mankind to thrive. We are at the threshold of a promising and wonderful reality, and I have been lucky to see it in my lifetime. It will be a wonder to see the world ten or twenty years from now. To those who disagree with the use of our powerful supercomputer, I say this: Do you want to go back to a world of wars? Famine? Racism? Disease? Chaos? Financial ruin? I say no, never again!”

The crowd went crazy, and for a while, it looked more like a party than a press conference.

“I have a list of the names of the people who have been selected, and as I call them, I would ask them to come down and share the stage with me. General John Redford of the air force, Mr. Alvin Messersmith of the Interior, Mr. Peter Johansen of Communications…”

The crowd cheered wildly for Peter, something that had not happened with the other two names. The cheering lasted for quite a while and President Chen smiled, knowing that Essie had been right again. Seven more names were called, but the cheering was never equal to Peter’s moment. The ten figures stood in front of the UN Plaza, blinded by the lights and swept up in the madness of the crowd. History was being made.