Chapter 1499 - 1497: Passing the Baton

Chapter 1499: Chapter 1497: Passing the Baton

Mr. Truman used his campaign as a target for promotion, the first point is actually relatively easy, but not quite that easy!

Is winning a war easy?

The Gafura people used to think it was easy.

Peng Jieao, who hadn’t fought at sea before, also thought it was easy!

Times are constantly developing. Even though the Federation currently shows great potential in military technology, who can guarantee the Federation will definitely win?

No, no one can guarantee that!

Perhaps the Gafura people also have some secret weapons that haven’t been exposed, or maybe Peng Jieao’s Sea Fortress is scarier than imagined. Too many unknown factors disturb people; no one can ensure the war will end as the Federation people wish.

As for the issue of social insurance reform, it is even more so; the problem comes not just from capitalists but from the Federation Government itself!

The problem does not lie with an individual but within the social insurance system of the Federation Government!

If the years required to pay social insurance are reduced, it means people do not need to work as long to receive pensions, which is equivalent to everyone paying five to ten years less in fees.

Currently, the scale of pensions can still function, but what about the future?

With the implementation of policies and the completion of reforms, the money entering the pension accounts will decrease, but the expenditures will remain unchanged.

Will there come a day when the Federation Government suddenly discovers that the account they use to pay pensions... is out of money?

As for infrastructure...

This is an even bigger problem. In fact, the Federation’s infrastructure is incomplete, even though the Federation appears to be one of the more developed and affluent countries in the world.

But in terms of infrastructure, there are still some shortcomings.

For example, some places have train stations, but others do not!

The absence of a train station means that the industrial construction of that area becomes a big problem. Transporting industrial raw materials through road transportation greatly increases transportation costs.

Time-wise, it is far inferior to the speed of railway transportation.

For instance, until now, some places still do not have their own power plants, having to buy electricity from nearby cities.

If, for instance, the neighboring city runs its industrial production at full capacity, it’s possible it might shut off power output to ensure its factories don’t stop due to a lack of electricity.

Many regions have similar problems, with inadequate infrastructure construction making people’s lives inconvenient.

However, relying entirely on the Federation Government for construction is unrealistic because the costs are too high.

Only through cooperation with capitalists, but capitalists always have rigorous demands for benefits; no one does charity unless doing so brings them rewards like tax breaks, for example.

Otherwise, they’d rather burn the money than give it to the poor.

In a capitalist society, there’s a severe standoff in the ideological field. Some believe it’s a standoff between the rich and the poor, but that’s not entirely correct.

This standoff is comprehensive, with each person in capital like an island, and every "other person" is an enemy!

The three major challenges, as part of Mr. Truman’s campaign offensive, indeed brought him much attention. Coupled with his military identity, in the new statistics, the main force from the lower social strata, the working class, holds him in high regard.

The issues he proposes to address are closely related to the interests of the working class; the campaign office’s strategies are very correct and successful.

In the latest opinion poll, Mr. Truman’s support rate has exceeded fifty percent and ranks fourth among all candidates.

If nothing unexpected happens, by around October or November, his support rate should reach the anticipated level, that is, over seventy percent at least!

The election battle has just begun...

Lynch thought for a moment and did not give him any definite answer, because Lynch knew very well, when someone doubts their abilities, telling them, "You can do it," doesn’t necessarily work.

So, Lynch countered with a question, "Do you think we can’t do it?"

Mr. Truman paused, extending Lynch’s idea, subconsciously beginning to ponder why it couldn’t be done.

But after thinking for a few minutes, he couldn’t find an answer!

The Federation’s military strength is the strongest in the visible range; that’s what the Strategic Command says.

They don’t think anyone could crush this country without giving the Federation a chance to resist. The army might have some issues, but eventually, these issues will not be issues.

Regarding the social insurance system reform, someone is already working on more detailed specifics, and from what he currently understands, there shouldn’t be any significant problems.

And lastly, the infrastructure, as long as the Federation Government lets go of some profit points, capitalists will be willing to pay for these needs.

Actually, instead of saying there’s something that can’t be done, it would be better to say Lynch’s question is, "Are you willing to compromise on certain issues?"

Mr. Truman smiled, "Yes, what can’t we do?"

He didn’t think deeply; he just felt that Lynch’s words seemed to have more meanings, but he didn’t realize it at the time.

After missing the topic, he asked a question, "I shouldn’t ask these questions actually..."

There were only the two of them in the rear compartment, with a sealed partition between the driver’s compartment and the cabin, and the risen soundproof bulletproof glass turned the cabin into two separate rooms.

Mr. Truman’s expression was somewhat odd. He didn’t know what emotion he should show.

In his transition from a staff officer to a presidential candidate over these years, he has changed a lot!

Back in the army, right was right, wrong was wrong. You could retain the power to question a superior’s order, but you had to obey it.

Simple, direct, that’s the military.

But in politics, some things have become not so simple.

You have to learn to say some idealistic words, you have to learn to gauge the meaning behind every word of your superior, you have to get along with people you don’t like, and you have to... learn to deceive yourself.

He didn’t like those people, yet he had to gather with them, raising his glass to sing praises for people he liked even less, even now!

The daze in his eyes came quickly and went quickly; he sighed lightly, "Those people, is there anything...," he pursed his lips, "...you know what I mean, do they have any thoughts on the current situation?"

Lynch mulled over it for a while before understanding who Mr. Truman was talking about.

The Duncan Clan case is continually being tried, with evidence being collected and judgments made continuously. In the Duncan Clan issue, "judicial justice" and "procedural correctness" have become the core issues.

These two demands have even surpassed the investigation and trial of the Duncan Clan itself; the Federation needs the public to realize these—

The law is certainly just, and whoever breaks the law will inevitably face due trial.

And behind these surface things, the exchange of interests hasn’t stopped.

Lynch took over these, and now with Landon as a hub, started channeling interests to Members of Parliament.

The method is the same as before. They would introduce those Members of Parliament to buy some financial products of the Foundation, and then each cycle they would receive a sum of money from this Foundation.

This is financial investment; even if exposed, no one can accuse them of committing a crime, as every income source can be traced!

Only those who are truly responsible for these things know these are not ordinary matters.

Mr. Truman doesn’t like these people, but he has to watch Lynch do the same thing as before.

Because behind these things are the two parties!

The Progressive Party and the Conservative Party!

No matter how the Federation Government’s President changes, no matter how the Legislators in the Congress Building come and go, the two party committees never change!

There will always be people constantly coming here, and taking a penny from Lynch’s hand, it’s what they deserve!

And this is the core rule of the Federation, the collusion of capital and power!

Actually, from another perspective, Mr. Truman himself can understand these situations.

For instance, now he needs to host various parties, political-theme salons, or participate in various activities.

Those Members of Parliament also need to do this. The salaries given by the Federation Government may only be enough for them to live on; without other means of earning money...

They might not be able to truly work!

So, at this point in time, the exchange of interests occurs.

Capitalists give them money in exchange for their representation of their interests in the Federation political scene.

After getting the money, they can engage in normal social activities, organize various activities, parties, investigations, and even visits to grassroots cities.

Without money, they can’t do anything.

Mr. Truman is very disgusted with this set of practices, with capital constantly using money to corrupt politicians, but he also knows that people cannot live without these.

He tries not to think about these, but suddenly thinking about the issue, he talks to Lynch about it.

"It’s quite good!" Lynch smiled, "Whether it’s those ’surviving’ legislators or new ones, they show no resistance to these."

"You know, very few people can resist this temptation, and they indeed need these."

"Sometimes, it’s not just wealth, but also a process of building connections, too much to resist, so from the beginning, no one refuses!"

Lynch is not responsible for all matters of interest transfer; he only handles a portion. Since Landon became a Senator, he continually roams among different political groups.

And continually brings some people over to his side, or rather, Lynch’s side.

Just needing to vote for Lynch when necessary, besides getting a sum of money every quarter, they can also expand their network in Parliament and even in the entire political arena. Why would people refuse?