Kalistani Major History

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Profile of a President: Robert Delgado-Bennots
Incoming President of the Republic more a playboy than a politician
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 9, 5057


Kalistan's New President, Robert Delgado-Bennots aboard his sloop off Port Davon

The recently elected President of the Republic, Robert Delgado-Bennots, is unlike the run of the mill socialist politician in Kalistan. Delgado, 61, is a man of wealth and leisure. Delgado made his fortune in foreign currency speculation by the time he was 35 years old. He had all the comforts of life: He had cars, he owned a home in all five districts, he owned several yachts and was well known as champion sailor. "I had so much money that my money made me money" said President Delgado before his inauguration. "I couldn't spend anything: everything that I bought was seen as an investment, and most people were happy to give me things for free, simply because I was me and they believed that me being seen with their things would make other people want their things. It was bizarre, when you think about it: A person with an abundance of wealth actually spends less of his money than a person who lacks wealth, and he simply proceeds to get wealthier and wealthier." And in all likelihood he would have continued on that track. But a single moment changed his life and his mind forever.

"I was driving one night near Luxon, on a very curvy road, and they tell me I had a stroke," said Delgado. "I lost control of the car and spun out right through the guardrail and down into the gulch below. They said that when James and Cathy [Whitcomb, two hikers who were in the area and has heard the crash, saving Delgado's life] found me my car was on fire, and the only thing that saved me was that my roof had been torn off in the crash and my gas tank punctured so the car didn't explode." Recovery for Delgado was very lengthy and extensive. Four major surgeries, a year and a half of traction to mend his bones and then two years of rehabilitation brought the financier back from death's door.

"But it wasn't cheap," said Delgado. "The Liberals, who I supported my entire adult life, had cut support for health care in the Republic for a time, and needless to say, I was not among those who they believed needed support. Fine, I said. Its true: I could buy the entire hospital on a whim, and the medical bills would not hurt me. But how many Kalistanis would bills like mine hurt? What would they do? Would they be forced to die if they couldn't pay the bill as easily as I could? Who's mouths were Liberal policies taking food out of?" The President was explicit: "Who would die because they didn't have money like mine?"

While in the hospital, many people initially came to see Delgado, but none were more regular visitors than the couple who had rescued him. "While most people were asking me for money or financial advice, my friends, the ones who pulled me from the wreckage of my car, they came to see me every week. Most times, they just came to talk with me and find out how things were going for me. Some times when I felt like giving up, they would cheer me up. They told me first about the fact that their only son had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and that he would likely die within a month, even before their own family. They were good kind people, and they thought I was just some guy who was in trouble and needed a friend. They had no idea who I even was."

The gift they gave Delgado, upon successful completion of his treatment was a copy of Bennots' Ethical Socialism. (Delgado is, through his mother, a member of the Bennots family, hence the hyphenation in his name.) "I told them I was a Liberal and they said , read it anyway." said Delgado. "It was written in a Vrassan that I find very stale: of course, the book is like three thousand years old, but after working through it the first time, I called up James and Cathy and invited them to my place in Kaliburg, for dinner." He said the two young wilderness fanatics were in awe at his modern and palatial home. "They asked if they were even in the right place. I am assuming they didn't do any sort of research on who I was, but they seemed out of sorts and a bit off when they arrived, not sure if they were at the correct address. I had to walk to the end of the driveway to encourage them to come up."

During dinner, the three started a conversation that would last to this day and lead ultimately to Delgado's adoption of socialism. "They became my closest confidants," says Delgado. "Over the years, as we talked about philosophical and practical topics, they really made strides to welcome me into their family. I helped them with their son's funeral, I was with them to celebrate the birth of their second child, and so forth. I spared no expense. When James wanted to open up a vegan restaurant, I was the first person to offer him seed money. When Cathy completed her PhD, I helped her find a teaching job. And in exchange, I learned why they were so passionate about their ideology. It really is rather simple: Need should not exist. For anyone. If we can. we should utilize the instruments of the state to ensure that nobody goes without."

Delgado formally retired from finance, and decided to return to college. "Well, attend college, really," he said. "I dropped out my first semester, because of course, I knew everything already, and there was nothing these eggheads could teach me. I was very very wrong." Delgado pursued his new passion, which was learning. "Since I was not trying to get a job, I felt free to study what I liked." His new found philosophy did not mean, however that he lived an austere life. "I cut back a bit, but I wouldn't say I have had a hard life by any stretch of the imagination." He got rid of his houses on the mainland, donating them to Brethrenist Meetings, where they were turned into temporary living situations for people in difficult relationships. He sold off or donated most of his cars and jets to charity. "I won't get rid of my sloop, though," said Delgado of his 50 foot catamaran sailboat. "She's a nice vessel and I love to sail."

Delgado also devoted his life to humanitarian work. "Before the SP rolled the Liberal meanstested policies back, I was paying for lots of people to get treatment. We founded a research center to help kids with terminal illness, regardless of ability to pay. We build affordable homes for families, and had a very successful program to retrain workers to make sure that skillsets matched the needs of employers, and then we followed up and advocated with those workers to ensure that they got good jobs where they earn a good living and are fulfilled in their job." All of these projects has only put a "slight dent" in Delgado's fortune.

Meanwhile, Delgado kept up a sort of playboy public persona. He was spotted at famous Kaliburg clubs, he dated supermodels and famous actresses. He was a regular endorser of Double O Rum from Odufaray. He served as ODEN ambassador for a year nearly 10 years ago, though he was clear: "I enjoy ODEN's cigars, but the harder stuff? I'll leave that for the kids. I've already had a stroke for heavens' sake." He continued sailing competitively and for pleasure. "But," he added, "I don't much like driving anymore. If I need to go somewhere, depending on the amount of time, I'll either sail or fly."

Six years ago, Delgado decided to get into politics. "I was studying public policy at the time," said Delgado, "and figured that if I could make a difference in the lives of hundreds or thousands as a private citizen, imagine what I could do in the Government!" He officially joined the SP and over the next few years, campaigned tirelessly for successful Socialist Candidates across the entire Republic. This last election, he was nominated for the office of President of the Republic from the Socialist Party, and was elected handily, on the second ballot.

Now that he is President, Delgado still keeps up with James and Cathy Whitcomb, and they still meet for dinner once a month. He also continues to work with his various foundations, though has become an ex officio member of them, to prevent any hint of conflict of interest. He has also entirely finished divesting of his portfolio of stocks and securities, opting to sell rather than place them in a blind fiduciary trust.

But he still owns his sailboat and still can be seen plying the waves of Davon Bay weekly. "I don't think I will ever give up sailing," said President Delgado. "Or smoking. Or women."