Darkstone Code-Chapter 830 - 828: Talking Business in the Congress Building
From a certain perspective, the middle and lower classes of society, who should have been protected by the state, instead become the last "bottom line" on certain issues.
The infiltration of capitalists into the upper echelons of the Federation Government is appalling. A single thought, a sentence, can determine whether a bill will pass. Perhaps they don’t hold "power" in their hands, but capital far surpasses power.
In contrast, it’s the capitalists and politicians who must consider their image in the eyes of the public, sometimes having to restrain their terrifying demeanor.
Those who should be protected have instead become the last defense of the nation. Sometimes... life, society, the world, is truly fucking ridiculous!
The day after Lynch dined with Legislator Landon, members of the Duncan Clan’s lobbying group found him.
They would lobby every legislator as much as possible, which is the key to their consistent success.
Many political lobbying groups, when conducting lobbying, only choose to lobby key figures, such as the leader of a small faction or individuals who can be swayed. For those whom they cannot sway or who aren’t crucial, they won’t bother lobbying.
The main reason is budget constraints; with hundreds of legislators in Congress, handing out twenty to thirty thousand to each one means millions are spent.
Sometimes, those trying to push a proposal find it difficult to earn back that money, and they can’t recklessly act at a loss; they must proceed strategically.
Lobbying requires more than just talking; it requires offering tangible benefits. If lobbying could be accomplished with just words, politicians and capitalists would have been replaced by lawyers long ago.
Just as Legislator Landon arrived at his office, someone came to visit. He had his secretary invite them into his office.
Members of Parliament have offices in the Congress Building where they attend to their own work, such as committee duties, necessitating a workspace where people can reach them during working hours.
Currently, Legislator Landon is a member of the Federation Environment Committee, which is responsible for environmental protection. This committee’s role can be significant or minor.
On a large scale, any factory operation results in pollution to nature, and it’s their responsibility to manage that.
On a smaller scale, as long as the environment isn’t so degraded that even the hardiest plants can’t grow, it’s not considered severe.
Therefore, there are always those eager to exploit the committee’s energy for their own purposes, and they need legislators to speak on their behalf first.
Visiting these legislators in the Congress Building is obviously the simplest method.
To avoid constant harassment, legislators choose perceptive secretaries, who know whom to allow in and whom to keep out.
"Hello, Legislator Landon, I’m...," said a man in his forties, looking very energetic. He was dressed in a proper suit, carrying a briefcase, appearing very experienced.
If someone said he was a government official, Landon might have believed it, although he lacked some of the government worker’s characteristic laziness.
While Legislator Landon was looking at his business card, the middle-aged man smiled and identified himself, "Today, I am representing the Duncan Clan to discuss our proposal with you."
Arrogant!
Indeed, Legislator Landon set down the business card in his hand, swept away by a wave of arrogance that seemed to disturb even his hair.
He had encountered lobbying groups before.
Last year, a northern old city, needing development, planned to bulldoze thousands of acres of natural forest. Local authorities couldn’t make such a decision, so after layers of reports, the state government submitted it to Congress for a final decision.
Before the vote, a lobby group from that area appeared, using plenty of data and evidence to argue the necessity of deforestation for urban development and the local economic growth it could bring.
In the end, they subtly suggested that Legislator Landon consider the local economy’s urgent need for development and the community eagerly awaiting jobs, then gifted him some local specialties—a token from the grassroots.
It’s sometimes difficult to regard a legislator’s actions as professional misconduct. They can, without hesitation, cover up acts of crime and receive various "earnings" without concern about the investigative bureau’s scrutiny.
Ultimately, Legislator Landon reluctantly agreed to their request, influenced by the grassroots’ not-so-small show of goodwill, and voted in favor of the proposal.
He then spent a trivial amount to become a shareholder in an obviously non-legitimate small company, which was suddenly acquired by a big company, allowing him to cash in his shares for a huge profit.
Although this seems illegal, in reality, everyone knows it truly is; there is clear evidence showing he agreed to the proposal because he received money, indicating a link and a motive, and he should be guilty.
But to truly accuse him of illegality, it is first essential to consider that he, as a committee member, only raises or lowers a hand, neither being a crucial figure.
Given an eighteen-vote system where one vote, for or against, makes no substantial difference, his actions don’t constitute professional misconduct and don’t influence the result.
Moreover, his immediate acquisition of an undervalued business, unexpectedly resold at hundreds or even thousands of times its value, speaks more of good judgment than a separate incident’s extension.
So he accepted the money without consequences; it’s what all legislators do.
Regardless of how "outrageous" their behavior may become, it stays within a specific range, like girls who post photographs of themselves in clothes they can’t afford on magazines and newspapers seeking aid yet never consider themselves escorts.
They may act the part, but they will never admit it.
Lobbying groups will never admit they influence others’ decisions; their job is merely to provide more information for more choices.
All legislators will never admit to being mere tools for mercenary acts, insisting that their decisions arise purely from personal judgment.
This representative of the Duncan Clan is different; he doesn’t hide his purpose in visiting, embodying an air of "you must be convinced by me" right from the start, making the experience annoying.
Legislator Landon eyed him as the forty-something man slightly smiled, seemingly unfazed by a Member of Parliament’s sentiment.
"Have you reviewed our proposal?" he asked, pulling out a chair and sitting across from Legislator Landon, even crossing his legs without an invitation.
He placed his briefcase on the table, snapped open the locks, and produced a stack of documents.
Internally, Legislator Landon felt displeased; for him, the rudeness from someone he’d never even heard of was intolerable.
People are like this: if Mr. Jeruno had treated him that way, or even more aggressively or humiliatingly, it might not have mattered.
Yet, being offended by someone of no great renown was somewhat unbearable.
However, he had to endure, because the man represented the Duncan Clan, currently the most fearsome family in the Federation, without equal.
Nodding with some irritation, he responded, "I have already reviewed it..."
The man seated opposite nodded, apparently pleased, "Then, are there any parts of the proposal you don’t understand or find unclear? I can explain them for you."
The man looked up at Legislator Landon, wearing a confident smile.
If they were dealing with a Senator, someone like a former Senator, Governor, or even President would handle it.
Discussions wouldn’t occur within the Congress Building but rather on a golf course, in an opera house, aboard a cruise ship, or on a private beach or island.
The person here was merely a Representative, and from the viewpoint of the Conservative or Progressive Party, replacing a Representative only requires an election or a minor incident, adjusting Congress’s strategy to filter out a few members.
Of course, the prerequisite is enough interest to support such actions.
Speaker Landon shook his head, "No, nothing unclear to me."
The man observed him for another moment, with a grin that was somewhat... unlikable.
He picked up a business card, placing it on the table, sliding it across:
"Legislator Landon, when I arrived, I noticed you’re a member of the Environment Committee, correct?" He manipulated Landon’s nameplate on the desk, clearly labeled "Environment Committee Member" underneath his name.
Legislator Landon nodded, and he continued, "Perfect, our company encounters some confusion concerning Federation’s environmental policies, perhaps you could assist us... "
Legislator Landon hadn’t even expressed a preference yet when the man began suggesting there were benefits to promoting the proposal.
Undoubtedly, this was a consultation service, promising immense income.
Observe, the income is completely legitimate, circumventing all issues. Moreover, he wouldn’t need to do much—consulting on environmental pollution and promoting the Overseas Security Bill have no direct connections. He could comfortably accept this income, pay taxes, and use the money by simply signing a check when needed.
People wouldn’t associate the two issues, except for themselves.
Lobbying strategies were created tailored to individuals’ identities and backgrounds.
Seeing Legislator Landon seemingly hesitating, the amiable man said, "You know, Mr. Jeruno is quite concerned about changes in the natural environment. We’re planning to establish a foundation..."
Landon no longer hesitated, collecting the business card on the table, "I’ve reviewed the proposal; it’s very reasonable. If Congress votes on this proposal, I will certainly support its passage!"
The man no longer needed to say more; he rose, extended his hand, and shook hands with Legislator Landon, "Pleasure working together!"
