America 1982

"We're not going to tell them what the damn shape of the earth is, Jeff! We're going to get these old guys to support you and donate their pensions and retirement funds to your campaign, okay? ?There are so many places where you need to spend money, and now we can’t even afford the basic expenses of setting up an election political action committee!” Tommy interrupted Jeff.

Jeff looked puzzled: "Besides campaign ads and printing leaflets, what else does it cost? Last year, when Zach ran for election, he placed a thirty-second ad on the TV station and distributed campaign leaflets, which probably took less than five minutes. One hundred dollars.”

"You think advertising means buying a thirty-second spot on a TV station, letting your family sit in the living room and entertain yourself, bragging about being on TV? No, unless you can't even win the party's primary election, just declare Quit the election, otherwise as long as you are still campaigning, your TV campaign ads and local talk shows will not stop. The cost is not calculated by seconds or time periods, but by months. It takes at least one month to convince voters watching TV. There is some impression on your face. It will take at least two months for them to be willing to listen to what you want to say. It will take at least three months for them to consider clearly whether you are the person they need." Tommy pointed hard with his fingers. Touching Jeff's chest:

"Then, your photos will appear on all large billboards and all mainstream newspapers and magazines in this area. At the same time, you need specialized stylists to help you design to make it easier for them to win votes from different groups. Get a more approachable hairstyle and wear more appropriate clothes. You need an etiquette assistant to always remind you what actions to take when rallying with voters, so as not to make them feel rude, or your opponents will seize on the flaw and slander you as a Arrogant bastard, you need an assistant to remind you what to do today, even your four children and your wife to accompany you to attend various occasions, a social etiquette, etc., etc., these expenses all need donations. To support.”

Jeff, who was obviously much taller than Tommy, was forced back step by step by Tommy: "So, the veterans have to pay these bills for me? Even my wife and children?"

"Those veterans can't afford that much money, but at least the amount should allow you to set up a political action and campaign action committee. Only by having your own political action committee can we go and get more donations." Tommy from Jeff's He took out the cigarette case from his coat pocket, shook one out and bit it in his mouth.

Jeff asked in confusion: "Why should we set up this committee?"

“Because the U.S. Federal Campaign Law stipulates that individuals and organizations cannot donate more than one thousand dollars to each candidate, but if you have your own political action committee, this limit will become five thousand dollars. This rule The law makes it easier for those large donors to find fewer people to send money to them. For example, if he wants to donate 100,000, he only needs to donate to your committee in the name of 20 reliable relatives, instead of having to risk it. There is a higher risk of leaks. Find a hundred employees who may leak the secrets at any time to donate to you." Tommy lit the cigarette and returned the cigarette case and lighter to Jeff.

"Wait a minute, why are veterans willing to donate money to me?" Jeff put away the cigarette and thought of another question.

Tommy puffed out a puff of smoke: "Because of this special election, the main contestants are focusing on race. Cuban immigrants in the 18th District have accounted for 45% of the total population. Do you know what this concept is? If Cubans support a certain A candidate is almost certain to win, but veterans will not like this kind of person. In the 1960s and 1970s, Cubans often hijacked American passenger planes, and soldiers were responsible for every rescue operation. What do you think? Will veterans who have witnessed Cuban terrorists killing their comrades have a favorable impression of Cuban immigrants? Will they donate to a politician who supports those hijackers and forgets the merits of the military? Of course not, and currently the top three candidates for election are all It’s a woman, the army believes in the supremacy of the strong, and women in the army have no fucking experience of being strong, only the experience of being raped.”

"But you are different. Your father was a soldier, and you were also a soldier. As long as you package your image well and get those rude old bastards who are willing to treat you as one of their own to support you with some money, it shouldn't be a problem."

Jeff looked at Tommy with an embarrassed expression, and said in a low voice: "...I...I don't want to defraud everyone of their money, and I can't...I mean I have never helped those veterans, I have never even helped them before. I thought about telling them the truth about the world."

"You can tell them what you can do for them after you are successfully elected, or you can ask them what they need you to do. For example, some of their veterans living in nursing homes will say to you, Jeff, I hope the elderly There are more young and beautiful female caregivers in the hospital, and there are also alcoholic veterans who say to you, Jeff, I hope the bar can give a discount to those of us who have shed blood for the country. All you have to do is tell them to use the money to support You, after you are elected, you send all the beautiful Cuban girls to nursing homes for them to choose from, and you will persuade the country in Congress to open veterans bars specifically for veterans. This is not cheating, Jamie, this is a deal, just like you give your customers It's the same as repairing pipes. They pay you and you fix the pipes for them. That's fair." Tommy smiled and said to Jeff in a gentler tone:

"You are a kind person, Jeff. After you are elected, you can help countless people discover the truth. Before you go in front of countless people, the rules of the game are like this. You must accept donations from people to go further. If you feel Sorry, just tell yourself that you can work hard to repay those who have helped you after being elected."

Jeff looked at his two friends, Zach and Alan, who were sitting on the sofa in the living room in the distance. Apparently they had just heard the conversation between him and Tommy. He asked his two friends: "What do you think I should do?"

"I think what Tommy said makes sense. I didn't donate money last year, so...it failed. No one even remembers my name." Zach, who signed up for the election last year, said.

Allen thought for a moment and came up with a smart idea: "If you feel guilty, you can repair the pipes for free to those who donate after the election. Repairing the pipes is very expensive, right?"

"That's right! For everyone who donates, I can repair their pipes for free." After hearing his friend's words, Jeff's eyes lit up and he said happily.

Tommy sighed, put his arm around Jeff's shoulders, and lowered his voice: "That's an issue we'll consider after we're elected. You can put it aside for now. What do you think of Martin?"

"The kids love hearing his jokes. I mean, he's pretty good." Jeff turned to look at the restaurant. Martin was telling jokes at the table, making the four children laugh out loud.

Tommy also looked at Martin, looking at the warm picture and said softly: "Very good, if you really like him, you must remember what I say next, so that Martin can continue to be your campaign manager. , but if you remember some key issues incorrectly, I guess he will blame you for being queued up to have his anus exploded at the police station. It’s up to you to choose.”

Second update yesterday~