Don't be afraid. I dare you.

Written for the Daily Flash Fiction Challenge with a word limit of 300.

The prompts: This story must contain the line: "I can't believe we got away with it."

Don't be afraid. I dare you.

“Let’s be honest, Mr. Chairman. I can say anything I want and you still lose, just so long as my final statement instills fear. You see, people are idiots. If there are two or more possible outcomes to an event, people will always give a disproportionate weight to the most negative outcome.”

“Sure, healthcare costs are out of control and it’s time for the government to do something. We all agree that to do nothing represents a non-sustainable proposition.”

“Everyone that cares to check will find that the current bill we oppose represents many of the ideas we have proposed in the past. Even our newest member, Senator Brown from Massachusetts, voted in favor of a similar bill for his own state just a few months ago.”

“Let’s face it. The only reason we oppose this legislation is because it came from your party. A victory for you is the same as a loss for us. Sure, the American people will suffer, but that’s okay; just so long as we regain power.”

“Now, for my closing argument,” said the senator as he turned to face the camera.

“Americans this bill will cost your children and your children’s children. Don’t let this death-panel bill ruin our country. We are only trying to save you from a bill that would spell Armageddon for the United States. We have a free solution that we will unveil soon. It is kept in a file next to a map of Iraq’s WMD’s.”



“And how does the senator from Massachusetts vote?” Reid couldn’t help but roll his eyes at her own question.

After the vote, there were high fives all around.

“I can’t believe we got away with it,” one GOP member was heard saying.

Deep pockets were harvested. The post-vote party went on for days.

Word count 300