I missed my wife. Especially tonight. Nikki and I had similar political views, and the results of tonight’s election would determine who would lead our country for the next 4 years. Our idealistic views didn’t completely align with either party. The Republicans believed that each person was responsible for making his or her own way, with just enough governmental control to prevent the country from going into complete anarchy. The Democrats believed that the government was responsible for the wellbeing of the people and that the government should have control over most things. My thoughts were somewhere in between the two. I liked having control over my business, and had to admit some of the regulations made it pretty damn hard to get things done. I also knew that as someone with privilege, I had the responsibly to help those less fortunate. In a perfect world, businesses would always charge a fair price, and everyone would help their neighbor without the government telling us to. In this election, though, I voted for the Republican candidate. Obama’s main platform was health care. And yes, the healthcare system needed reform, but government provided healthcare wasn’t the answer. I wish I knew what the answer was.
Taylor had a suite at the hotel and a group of us gathered to watch the results. We sent our absentee ballots weeks before to make sure our votes would be counted.
“I’m just gonna skip this one, guys. The results will be the same if I watch or not,” Zac told us.
Taylor and I looked at each other, knowing that being alone couldn’t possibly be the best thing for Zac right now.
“Don’t you want to come out to the party? There will be food there.” I said, looking at Zac’s ever shrinking figure.
“I’m not really hungry. And I don’t feel like being around a lot of people,” He said, easing farther down the hallway toward his room.
“You need to come to the party. It will be good for you. This is history being made,” Taylor put his arm around Zac and steered him back toward the suite. Before, Zac could have knocked Taylor down without even thinking about it. But I could see that Zac didn’t have the strength.
“Pizza will be here soon,” he said, opening the door to the suite.
“Fine.” Zac immediately slumped down on the couch and I made my way over to the mini bar with Taylor.
“Cheers to the hometown boy,” he said, holding his own glass out toward me.
“You know I voted for Bush again, but may the best man win,” I said, clinking my glass with his.
“Oh he will,” Taylor said.
I ignored the comment. I came to witness history, not to argue. I wandered over to the TV to see how far ahead my candidate was. I was shocked to discover that the projections were in favor of Obama. “Damn.” I said.
“Oh yes,” Taylor said, “We are going to change for the better.”
I rolled my eyes and went to pour another Jack and coke. Taylor followed me to the mini bar.
“If you think for a second that your party cares at all about any of the issues we’re working on, any of the stuff that you act like you care about, too—“ he said.
I noticed Zac slink away out of the corner of my eye. I would have to go check on him when Taylor finished with his rant. Right now he needed an argument to burn the alcohol out of his system. And maybe I did, too.
“Republicans are not my party. You know I don’t go with party lines,” I replied. “I simply voted for the best candidate. Obama is too extreme and wants too much government control. As much as you claim to care about being independent, I’m surprised you voted for him.”
“I don’t like to be controlled, but unfortunately, not all business make the right decisions. Maybe more regulations are needed so that people don’t get taken advantage of.”
“Or maybe we can set a good example for other business leaders. If we can show other people the way that they should act, then maybe we can make the world better without the government dictating our every move.”
“Ok, yeah. A washed-up band from the 90s is who people are looking to for an example.”
“Did you hear the crowd tonight? They were shaking the venue. And the hundreds of people that went on the walk? They care about us, too. So no, we may not have the whole world, but we can use what influence we have to make it a better place.”
Taylor rolled his eyes. “Ok, so we have control over the what, 50,000 Hanson fans still left in the US. That wouldn’t even fill half of one of the venues Taylor Swift sells out.”
“So you want to be Taylor Swift now? Cause in my book, Taylor Hanson is leaps and bounds above Taylor Swift.”
“Well, I’m just saying she is a good songwriter like us, she started young like us, but she is so successful, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
“No one stays on top forever. In ten more years, she’ll be fighting us to book the 1,500 seat venues. But, if you are so determined to be Taylor Swift, we can get you a sparkle dress and let you dance under a water effect at our shows. The fans would love it.” I said, referring to her now infamous appearance on a recent award show. The rain didn’t have a damn thing to do with the song, but I guess that’s what the kids were doing now.
“Right,” Taylor rolled his eyes and pushed past me back toward the TV. The election coverage was wrapping up. It was pretty clear that Obama would win.
“Well, looks like the best man won,” I clapped Taylor on the shoulder.
“Looks like he did,” Taylor smirked. “Hope you can live with that for the next four years.”
“Of course I can. The people voted, and I will respect the person that won.”
“You’re a good person, Isaac,” Taylor said, looking like he was going to get a little bit emotional.
“I try to be. I’m going to check on Zac and turn in. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Where did he get off to?”
“Looks like he is outside on the balcony.”
“Ah. I’ll go. Looks like he could use a beer anyway. You get some rest,” Taylor said.
I nodded. “I am exhausted all of a sudden. I’ll see you in the morning.”