Darkstone Code-Chapter 828 - 826: Legislator
Landon Mayor..., no, now he should be called Legislator Landon.
Through a series of political exchanges, Mr. Landon finally fulfilled his wish to become a Member of Parliament.
This is a change that’s difficult to quantify, it’s hard to say whether this result is truly appropriate.
If purely from the perspective of power control, a mayor’s authority is obviously much higher than a Member of Parliament.
It seems unrealistic, but this is precisely the most genuine situation in the Federation’s political scene.
A mayor, holds majority power within a city.
He can demand the Police Station Director to act according to his wishes, he can require militia to follow his orders when needed, and he can define the future development direction and city planning for hundreds of thousands.
The fate, the joys and sorrows of hundreds of thousands are firmly grasped in the mayor’s hands.
If he wants people to be unhappy, everyone has to wear a mournful face.
If he wants people to be happy, everyone laughs loudly to fulfill his will.
What does a Member of Parliament have?
Nothing much, aside from voting in Congress, their work is just related to various committees, but even within these committees, it’s not up to any single legislator to decide.
It’s decided by voting among several legislators, determining whose voice to heed.
They can create policies and laws that impact the national and even international political landscape, but it’s expressed in a "whole" form.
Zoom in to the individual level, their power isn’t actually that significant.
People may not necessarily respect them, sometimes some enraged citizens might rush to them, point at their noses and curse due to some seemingly nonsensical proposals passed.
Being a Member of Parliament doesn’t seem good, so why does everyone like being a legislator?
On one hand, the positions of mayor and governor are few, tightly held by the two major parties, and not everyone can become a mayor; personal connections, capabilities, and funds are indispensable.
Secondly, being a legislator earns more than being a mayor.
If a mayor makes a large financial transaction, it might alarm the Internal Affairs Department and Duty Crime Investigation Bureau, but not so for a legislator.
At every session, sitting in the tiered conference room of the Congress Building, vast sums of legal money get transferred into legislators’ accounts, without affecting them personally.
All they need to do doesn’t even have to induce moral guilt—just cast an insignificant vote when necessary.
Whether opposing, supporting, or abstaining, as long as it caters to the capitalists’ needs, they won’t be stingy with their money.
Having just been promoted to legislator, Landon is actively expanding his network, having served a veteran legislator for a long time.
Eventually, due to health reasons, the veteran legislator had to leave the job he loved, nominating his assistant, Landon, to take over.
Coupled with Landon’s acquisition of support from the governor and party through exchanging benefits, the position was acknowledged by all through fair and just voting, recognizing Landon’s ability to become the new Member of Parliament.
It’s all due to his standout personal capabilities that everyone chose him, there was definitely no under-the-table operation, everything adhered to the Federation’s rules.
From the first day in office, Landon felt the importance of this job, and the heavy burden on his shoulders; he vowed to guard this position for life, serving the people of the Federation, learning from the veteran legislator...
Just coming out of the Congress Building, Landon was still thinking about a topic discussed not long ago.
People from the Duncan Clan were lobbying, hoping they could pass a proposal titled "Overseas Security Bill".
Landon hadn’t read the proposal, but he already felt the Duncan Clan’s sincerity.
In a formal written style: truly worthy of the Duncan Clan!
Merely from the lobbying, the Foundation he holds shares in achieved a profit; although not much, only twenty thousand, it meant they weren’t short of money and weren’t afraid to spend money.
This was Landon’s first encounter with receiving money even before the task was done or a stance expressed.
People say Congress is a capitalist’s backyard, previously as a mayor below, Landon didn’t quite understand, now he comprehends.
Not only a backyard, but also the backyard of a sky city.
Thinking about this, he got into his new car, one that appeared low-key but had a very luxurious interior.
He didn’t spend a dime on this car, because he recently conducted on-site investigation, clearing the accusations placed on a company.
Some accused a heavy industry of severe environmental pollution, not meeting the Federation’s discharge standards.
Landon promptly focused on this issue and conducted a thorough investigation.
Finally determined it was a malicious report, there was no pollution; when reporters from TV stations held cameras, capturing the factory manager scooping a cup of water from the discharge outlet to drink, people believed.
There are always some who harbor animosity towards the wealthy, feeling the world is unjust, thus abusing some supervisory rights society grants them.
Luckily, Legislator Landon found the truth and presented it to the public, preventing the company from being affected.
As gratitude, the company donated a cheap sedan to Mayor Landon for all he did for the people.
There was no money-power exchange involved here, indeed the car’s ownership ultimately still belonged to the company; they gifted at least the usage rights, see, everything is legal.
The sedan quickly merged into traffic, as he drove, pondering over some matters.
By the time he returned to his mansion, it was already after four in the afternoon.
Being a Member of Parliament has this benefit, time allocation is entirely personal, with great flexibility in workplace location.
Just as he got out of his car, he noticed another car parked beside, inside sat someone he was very familiar with, Lynch.
"You didn’t tell me you were coming!", upon seeing Lynch, Legislator Landon was still quite pleased; in his eyes, Lynch was also a big capitalist, belonging to one of his partners.
Coupled with a decent private relationship with Lynch, his sudden visit was acceptable. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Lynch greeted him, they shook hands, and together entered Legislator Landon’s home.
Situated in the Upper City of Bupen, it’s a detached house, with front and back gardens, a swimming pool, and half a basketball court, covering roughly six to seven hundred square meters.
The price of this house isn’t cheap; however, for a Member of Parliament, it’s the same, real estate agents always find ways to gift houses almost for free to important figures like this.
For example "raffle", "unvisited model house", "participating in a one-person auction"...
They have ways to resolve these issues, thus politicians living in hundreds of thousands, millions worth mansions aren’t anything new to the Federation public.
If they don’t reside in these mansions, that’s news; if any Member of Parliament were to live in a cheap roadside apartment, wearing popular brands, people would just think it’s a damned show!
"Make yourself at home, want something to drink?", as the two entered the room, a maid came up to help remove and arrange their clothes.
This was a forty-something maid, plain-looking, aged, very ordinary.
Many privileges are afforded to Members of Parliament, they can enjoy various known or unknown benefits, yet they also must adhere strictly to certain rules unnecessary for ordinary people.
For instance "maintaining a problem-free family appearance, presenting family harmony".
Thus, even if those legislators reside in high-end properties, they won’t hire young, attractive female servants causing trouble, rather they would hire middle-aged women from poor families, also earning some public praise.
Lynch observed briefly before settling on the sofa, "Anything, whiskey bar!"
The room was quite warm, Landon came over with a wine glass and a bottle, "I’ve always wanted to chat, but you’re always busy, and so am I; either you’re not in Bupen or I’m elsewhere. Today seems my lucky day."
Handing the wine glass to Lynch, the two touched glasses, taking a small sip.
"I’ve come with a question today, do you know the ’Overseas Security Bill’?"
Landon appeared surprised, "You know about this too?", saying so, he moved to a nearby cabinet, fetched his briefcase, took out a file and handed it to Lynch, "Maybe this is what you’re looking for."
Lynch thanked him, took the file, and began reading.
In a phone meeting, Mr. Jeruno was also reluctant to discuss details of the proposal, as they believed those capable of knowing need no telling, and those not privileged don’t need to know.
It’s also a screening method; indeed, aside from some big forces, there are many opportunists and small forces within the United Development Company, not catching the eye of big figures.
Lynch opened and read the file attentively.
The file wasn’t extensive, the core was Jeruno along with some legislators believing the Federation hadn’t actively dispatched troops overseas to protect merchants during commerce.
Personal safety, and property safety.
Of course, they weren’t blaming the Federation Government, as the Federation’s international image remains relatively positive.
Merchants wish to protect their overseas safety by establishing self-armed forces.
Such armed forces are illegal on the Federation Mainland, but during overseas operations, they should be recognized by the Federation Government, necessary aid should be provided by the Federation Government and Military...
