My American magical life
Chapter 942 - 942 77 A cost of fifty million is too low; make it four hundred million first

942: Chapter 77: A cost of fifty million is too low; make it four hundred million first.

942: Chapter 77: A cost of fifty million is too low; make it four hundred million first.

“Do I think I did a great job?

To be honest, I’m not that happy about it.”

“Chan, what we’re doing is not fair to those businesses operating by the book.”

“Tax advantages allow us to gain an unfair competitive edge.

To secure such unfair benefits, we bribe, we collude with politicians, we lose our bottom line.”

“From a friend’s perspective, I hope you understand, Chan, I feel like we’re doing evil, and it doesn’t feel good at all.”

The words of the blonde did not move Cheng Daqi; his convictions were much firmer than Lisa’s.

He held the steering wheel with one hand and even lit a cigarette for himself during the red light.

“According to Michael Mann’s theory of the distribution of power, it’s inevitable that economic power impacts political power.

But due to many people’s special expectations of politics, a very regrettable phenomenon arises.

Some mistake the involvement of economic power holders in politics for a bad thing.

In fact, it’s a misunderstanding born out of a narrow and flawed belief system.

Politics is a neutral term, so is power.

Those in a dominant social production position naturally gain more economic influence.

Just by obtaining economic influence, they’re already acquiring a certain latent political power.

Lisa, that’s the rule of the real world.

If we want to get ahead, we have to play by the rules—we’re not even going overboard.”

Cheng Daqi’s words were actually quite veiled; they were far from merely not going overboard, they could almost be called ‘moral exemplars’.”

Take America for example, the media, as the ‘fourth branch’ independent of the trias politica, is standardly controlled by the capitalists.

In modern society, institutions with a stance and implicit ideological propaganda become the tools of politicians manipulating public opinion.

The two opposing parties both have their staunch supporters, who back their trusted politicians hoping that these ‘good folks’ will help them and the country.

So the question is, if the politicians from both parties are good people, why do we need to elect a ‘better’ one?

Why not let each party select a person to be the Great Commander and implement a dual leadership system in America?

Although it may smack of returning to Rome, if both parties’ candidates are ‘good people,’ would this not have some practical value?

See, that’s where the problem lies.

The only explanation is that one of them must be lying.

They both claim they’re the best, but one is certainly not as good as the other.

In reality—stripping off the husk of lies, politicians wrapped up in layers of deceit, not a single one is any good.

Politics is a neutral term, politicians are not absolutely rational neutrals; they are puppets of interest groups, favored by certain, or even multiple capitalist groups in America.

Throughout history, every politician has done everything possible to convince people of their righteousness, among them are honest individuals, but in America, Cheng Daqi has yet to find such a person.

America doesn’t idolize justice; their culture stems from Christianity, playing the games of winner-takes-all and God will forgive me.

Compared to those who have gradually turned a global empire into a rotting ship, what has Cheng Daqi really done?

They’ve all scattered the foundation, Cheng Daqi has merely shoveled some dirt!

“Chan, well, you always manage to convince me, but today’s Senate inquiry went so smoothly, isn’t the California Clique’s power a bit too strong?

In California, are they beyond concern now?”

The blonde had just seen Cheng Daqi and naturally wouldn’t overlook Geweil sitting next to Cheng Daqi.

Geweil, the fool, came today as his brother’s representative to control the audience.

Geweil: “Let’s see who dares to obstruct this!”

In fact, at the moment Geweil stood up and led the applause earlier, Lisa understood that no matter how poorly prepared she was, the inquiry would pass safely.

The feeling of futile efforts, only Lisa understood.

“Hahaha, of course not.

You saw it when we visited Niusen the other day too.

He even trembled at the sight of me.

The California Clique is mighty, influential in Congress and within California, but not as terrible as you think.”

Lisa pursed her lips, feeling like Cheng Daqi was bragging again.

It’s all about men’s pride!

“Then why did Niusen single-handedly decide our non-profit application, and now it’s passed with his support?”

Cheng Daqi nodded and replied.

“Congratulations, you’ve observed a true detail, the detail of democracy.

If we see our non-profit application as a bill, then Niusen’s objection was crucial.

If he disagrees and there’s no one on our side among the others, the bill falls through.

But what matters is, when Niusen agreed, the others didn’t oppose us, and the bill was passed.

Noticed anything odd?”

The essence of American democracy lies in this brief exposition by Cheng Daqi.

Clearly, Lisa is still missing the point, not quite getting it.

“Isn’t this the same as my judgment?”

The blonde heard that Niusen could make or break decisions, controlling California’s tempests and thunders.

“It’s different.

The meaning of democracy is that everyone has the right to propose and veto, but since there are so many legislators sharing this power, each person gets only a tiny piece of it.

To make this power significant, the politicians caught up in it have come to a consensus on trivial matters.

As long as it’s unrelated to their interests, their financier’s interests, or the struggle for power, minor proposals are likely to pass as long as someone raises them.”