America 1982-Chapter 553 - 113: Good Luck to Those Cubans_4

David nodded with some understanding, "Are these bills the reason they admire you? Or is it because of the lobbying fees you pay them, or both? I think the main issue is the fees."

Tommy shook his head with a smile:

"Actually, the lobbying fees depend on what kind of bills are passed. For instance, the Electronic Storage Privacy Bill is quite straightforward. The fees were 30% below the budget because the traditional industry backers behind the senators quickly figured out the benefits this bill could bring them. The most direct benefit is that the R&D company I own helped design a complete hardware system for major automobile transportation and logistics companies, taxi companies, bus companies. They call it the Vehicle Information Recorder, also known as the automotive black box. It’s much more advanced than the $1,500 electromechanical analog driving recorders sold by the Germans. This thing can record data during the vehicle’s operation, such as speed, torque, distance, etc. Every driver’s maneuvers and the car’s performance are logged, and as soon as the driver brings the vehicle back to the company after work, another person from the company can open that thing, connect it to a computer, and find out if the driver has been diligent today—for example, according to regulations, he should rest for ten minutes at the service station, but he turned off the engine for thirty minutes. Maybe his fuel consumption has always been average, and today it suddenly spiked, or the changes in the car’s torque and speed might indicate whether the person driving is a high-paid, competent driver. All this data could be clearly seen through that shoebox-sized hardware. If the unions make a fuss, the company can publish the data and tell them proudly, ’You motherfuckers drive the company’s trucks to pick up hookers on the roadside, steal the truck’s fuel for drug money, and now you dare to ask me for a raise?’"

"If the union’s hired lawyers accuse the company of violating privacy or demand other data, then this bill can be thrown in their faces. It tells them that the storage devices belong to the company; the data inside belongs to the company, and only the company has the right to decide whether to disclose it. Drivers would just have to wait for the company to tell them, either keep working peacefully or let the company inform your family about you picking up hookers on the job, then fire you righteously and hold you accountable. In short, it’s about enabling big companies to exploit their employees more reasonably and legally."

"And the less direct benefits?" David asked, nodding in sudden realization. No wonder the budget was 30% less—those companies would definitely have their supported politicians cooperate with the passage of this bill, after all, it could save a lot of talk and a lot of dollars in the future.

Tommy lit a cigarette and put it in his mouth: "Similar hardware systems were also customized for military transportation vehicles. The equipment and data belong to the military. Even if there are soldiers ready to report their units and the Federal Government comes with a search warrant demanding data to assist with the investigation, they can refuse it based on the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and this bill. The more profound benefit is, if this technology is sold to military forces of other countries in the future, the data can still enable the United States military to take control."

"You’re trying to use a forward-looking vision and massive funds to set the rules of the game in advance, so that by the time most people catch on, they’re already in your palm? If this is a game, it’s a very big and difficult one, Tommy. No one can play such a crazy game." David thought of a possibility, then chuckled dismissively, finding the idea too far-fetched.

"The fun of this game is its high difficulty level, which won’t easily bore people," Tommy said, exhaling a puff of smoke:

"Being like cattle or turkeys, rearing the public in my American farm, and picking one to slaughter for food during Christmas if needed. If Rockefeller can do it, if Morgan can do it, then why can’t Hawk play this game."

"America represents freedom to them," David said with a laugh.

With his cigarette-holding fingers, Tommy pointed at David as if it were the most natural thing in the world: "America is free for all citizens. People here have the right to decide whether to be a head of cattle or a damn Christmas turkey—they’ve always had the freedom to choose. You’re no different, David. So you’d better decide quickly, whether you’re going to provide ongoing electoral support for Jeff."

"Of course, I’ll have some arrangements made right away." David’s bulky frame rose from the sofa and walked toward the door: "Good luck to those Cubans."