My American magical life
Chapter 917 - 917 70 Strangled 5

917: Chapter 70: Strangled 5 917: Chapter 70: Strangled 5 In the two houses on Capitol Hill, the scale of the members is quite significant because it integrates the representations of the different regions of America, thereby constructing both the state’s authority and the representativeness of the national organs of power in legal terms.

Applying this logic to the local level, it’s evident that the size of local legislative assemblies tends to be smaller.

Take San Rodolfo as an example; its City Council has only fifteen councilors.

Only fifteen.

Bear in mind, San Rodolfo ranks among the top three in America’s City of Angels, with a population of several million!

Only fifteen, meaning that each councilor represents one out of several hundred thousand!

Isn’t that against common sense?

In dramas about parliamentary proceedings, there are often a bunch of actors to fill the scene, but this is indeed how local political rules work in America.

With fewer people, it’s more convenient for a minority of families to monopolize power, even to the point of turning it into a hereditary system.

What powers does the City Council have?

In America, state powers are pitted against federal authority, with Texas and California representing the two states harboring ambitions of secession from America—of course, most of the time, this is merely ambition.

Within the state, there are different laws from one state to another, different city rankings, and correspondingly, cities have varying degrees of autonomy in administration and legislative authority.

For San Rodolfo City Council, it holds a status akin to a ‘Board of Directors for San Rodolfo’, wielding legislative, supervisory, and significant financial powers.

Because San Rodolfo adopts a strong mayor-council system, the mayor has the right to veto council propositions, making the power struggle in San Rodolfo more complex than ever.

The mayor and the councilors each have their own interests to lobby for and financial backers to please, maintaining a relationship of combat without breakdown most of the time.

However, on certain matters, power holders in San Rodolfo can reach consensus quite easily.

In City Hall, an assistant from the Mayor’s office, holding the LAPD budget adjustment bill just passed by the City Council downstairs, pushed open the door to Mayor Gasetti’s office.

The assistant handed over the bill to his immediate superior and said excitedly and hastily,

“Mr.

Mayor, the results are in; the LAPD budget reduction bill passed unanimously!”

Yes, the LAPD budget was slashed.

All political forces in San Rodolfo shared this desire since Sheriff Gru’s problematic tenure; he only served as police chief for four months but almost turned San Rodolfo upside down.

No politician likes a cop who doesn’t toe the line.

Although America claims to be a police state, it means the rulers control the nation through the police.

Not the other way around!

In the eyes of people like Gasetti, cops are just beggars, unworthy of a seat at the table!

“Even the councilors from the Republican Party agreed?” the Mayor inquired.

“Yes, everyone disapproves of some actions of the former LAPD chief.”

Gasetti’s suspended heart settled.

Gru’s closeness to Republicans was no secret; everyone in the circles knew.

Now, even Republicans in San Rodolfo disapprove of Gru, indicating it’s time to act on the LAPD.

Thinking that enforcing this budget reduction bill would face significant resistance, Gasetti instructed,

“Alright, please invite Sheriff Lake over.”

Soon, the new LAPD Sheriff Lake entered the Mayor’s office.

“Hahaha, how’s the job as sheriff going?

If you encounter any difficulties, let me know, and I’ll find a way to help you solve them.”

Gasetti, an American version of a son-in-law who rose to the top, from a self-made man’s background, skillfully managed his interactions, first addressing Lake’s work situation.

“Mr.

Gasetti, thank you, thank you.

I had understood the situation of LAPD before coming, but only after becoming sheriff did I realize how big the problems were.

Of the four divisions below, two don’t listen to me.

When you and Governor Niusen appointed me as sheriff, you gave me great support, but those people don’t recognize your support in the actual police management!” Lake complained.

It’s not that those people don’t recognize authority; they only recognize the authority of their own gang leaders!

Without mentioning Gru by name, both understood each other’s implications all too well.

Even with a mental preparation, Gasetti was somewhat alarmed by Lake’s complaints.

Two divisions out of control, what kind of situation was that?

“Uhm, Lake, you said two divisions are disobedient, what exactly is going on?”

Sheriff Lake explained with a bitter expression.

“It’s not that they’re disobedient.

They handle tasks and matters very seriously, but they always mess up.

Whenever I investigate the specific processes, they bring out some very sensitive individuals to take the fall.”

“Sensitive individuals?”

Gasetti was well-acquainted with encouraging surface compliance while disobeying secretly, but he keenly caught the main point.

“After I became sheriff, there suddenly appeared many LGBT members in the San Rodolfo police community overnight, as well as some Black people, you know…

Of course, I mean, they are all good people, but sometimes good intentions can lead to bad outcomes, and at these times, as the sheriff, I can only encourage them…”

Seeing Gasetti’s frown deepen, Lake looked even more distressed.

Previously, he was a high-ranking official in the State Police, thinking that taking the role of LAPD sheriff would be a cushy job.

But unexpectedly…

To the world, he may seem the new LAPD sheriff, but in truth, he’s a pitiable figure trembling in the shadow of Sheriff Gru.

“Lake, it’s normal to encounter difficulties at work.

We brought you to LAPD because we hope you can bring about change here.

This is the new LAPD budget reduction bill passed by the City Council; have a look.”