-
Add Bookmark | Recommend this book | Back to the book page | My bookshelf | Mobile Reading
Free Web Novel,Novel online - All in oicq.net -> Historic -> New Era 1912 Chapter 9: Lobbyists lobby Washington. Congressmen only care about self-interest (please give me your monthly vote!¡
Previous page Return to Catalog Next page
- After Zhang Yi finished his studies, he went to lobby the princes. He once drank with Prime Minister Chu. During the dinner, Prime Minister Chu lost a piece of jade wall. The guests suspected Zhang Yi and said: "Zhang Yi is poor and has no character. He must have stolen the prime minister's money." "Jade wall" So, everyone arrested Zhang Yi and tortured him hundreds of times with wattle sticks. Zhang Yi refused to admit it, so the retainer finally had to let him go. His wife said: "Oh! If you don't read the lobby, how can you be punished?" Such humiliation." Zhang Yi said to his wife: "Do you think my tongue is still there?" His wife replied: "My tongue is still there. //www.//. Zhang Yi replied: "That's enough. "
"Historical Records"
As a political phenomenon, "lobbying" activities can be said to run through political life in ancient and modern times. For example, in ancient my country, admonishment was very popular and even developed into a professional "lobbyist". The most typical example is Confucius's travels around the world and the alliance between Su and Zhang. Today's lobbying activities are most typical in the United States and can be called a major spectacle in American politics. An American political scientist once said: American politics, in a certain sense, is the interaction of interests between different interest groups. For their own different interests, many social fields, industries, companies, and groups in the United States are scrambling to organize, equip, and find their own lobbying teams or spokespersons, thus forming the American lobbying industry that has emerged around Capitol Hill in Washington.
The lobbying phenomenon in the United States has a long history. The earliest lobbying activities against U.S. congressmen in the United States were concentrated in the lobby of the Willard Hotel in Washington, the capital. In the 19th century, many U.S. congressmen lived here, and many lobbyists worked in the U.S. Congress. When congressmen returned to their residences from Capitol Hill, they lobbied the US congressmen in various ways in the lobby of the Willard Hotel. Hence the name "lbby" in English.
Since these lobbying organizations represent numerous interest groups that have an interest in various policies of the U.S. Congress, the lobbying industry has prospered and continued to prosper for many years. Just as savvy investors will prepare a variety of operating plans to avoid market fluctuations and risks, lobbyists representing various interest groups must also do everything possible to avoid the decline in the interests of their clients due to changes in congressional policies. Some lobbying organizations that try to influence Congress on multiple issues will be active and exert influence for many years.
The key reason why the American lobbying industry has such energy is that they are extraordinary. They are all well-known heavyweights. For those members of Congress who have retired or lost their re-election bids, as well as key administrative officials and staff who have served in Congress, the lobbying industry actually provides them with a lucrative "re-employment" opportunity, and many of them are happy with it. "Use the remaining heat" here.
No. 400 North Congress Street, Washington, a three-story building, quietly put up a sign a year ago, and this copper nameplate clearly bears the word "company" in Chinese. This is the name of the company. Branch in Washington¡€A year ago, Carlisle, the son of a missionary, as the vice president for government relations in the United States, submitted a lobbying registration form to the U.S. Congress in the name of the company. Carlisle was responsible for the company¡¯s Midea¡¯s ¡°lobbying¡± activities.
At this time, in this room with only three offices, there were only a few desks with the company's logo. Quietly, Carlisle and the company jointly created a new record: for the first time in history, a Chinese company opened an office in the United States. A "full-time lobbyist" was hired full-time, and it also became the first "full-time lobbyist" company established by a company in the United States. Before this time, countries' lobbying in the United States often went through embassies and legations in Washington. This is the first time that a company is engaged in lobbying matters full-time.
After last year's midterm elections, as many as 105 former members of Congress registered as lobbyists, and as many as five important members of them became employees of the "company". Compared with the past, those ambassadors and ministers only "served when needed". "Use" them, but these people have signed long-term contracts with the company.
"Mr. Parson, I hope you can win over Mr. Johnson, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and help him submit a bill to the House of Representatives!"
While speaking, Carlisle, the son of an American missionary and a top student at Yale University who grew up in the United States, took out a bill from the drawer. .
Lobbying is the most important political game on Capitol Hill. Many sitting members also use it as an important source of information to deal with complex issues and propose legislative motions. They will seriously consider the suggestions or motions put forward by lobbyists, and sometimes they will also use them as a source of information that they approve. The content is absorbed into legislative activities. Even if they get enough benefits, they may directly submit the bill prepared by lobbyists to Congress.
Of course this requires paying a sufficient price.
"This is¡¡"
Looking at the bill, Parson, who has served as a member of the House of Representatives from three circles and chairman of the Federal Appropriations Committee, was slightly surprised, because the proposal was to give China equal treatment.
"Mr. Carlyle,??You should know that a lot of work needs to be done to pass such a proposal! "
For Parson, the annual commission of US$10,000 is certainly generous, but this proposal still gives him the "smell of money."
"Of course, Mr. Parson, you can get a grant of two hundred thousand dollars, and you can get no less than 100,000 awards!"
After some careful consideration, Parson slightly raised the price.
"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, an additional 10% return! I can guarantee that this bill will be passed by the House of Representatives. If it is increased to $600,000, it can be passed by the Senate!"
A 2-year-old law prohibits federal employees from soliciting or accepting donations in federal buildings. Although the Pendleton Act has long since become a relic of the past, it was a reformist response to the bribery of the Gilded Age. However, members of Congress remained committed to this principle until this time. They're always out of the office, raising money somewhere else.
In this case, the Willard Hotel, the residence chosen by most members of Congress, has naturally become the best place to go. Every day, there are many former members of Congress and government officials in suits and ties in the lobby of the Willard Hotel. Dignitaries are waiting for the current congressmen here, and in the restaurant of the Willard Hotel, in front of the tables, deals are often made with congressmen. Here, everyone abides by the city's rules.
However, for some people, their meetings with congressmen are often in the hotel suite rented by the Speaker of Congress. Only "rookies" will wait in the lobby, while in a suite on the fifth floor of the Willard Hotel, Congress Johnson, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, met with Parson in his long-term rented suite.
Johnson is in his late sixties but looks much younger. He is lean and has dark skin. This is because he plays golf in the sun every day. In fact, as members of Congress, most of their lifestyles are like his, spending their days on the golf course or in their country houses. Although this is his "home" in Washington, very few people know that he bought a country house in the suburbs of Washington and lived there with a Swedish woman. In terms of age, that woman can be his daughter, but in terms of appearance, that woman can participate in a beauty pageant.
As the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, one of the standing committees of the House of Representatives, he is undoubtedly a "powerful" figure in Washington. To a certain extent, he can influence the foreign policy of the United States. After the outbreak of the all-out war in the old continent, whether it was the Allies or the The Allied Powers are paying more attention to this country than before. For the Allied Powers, they hope that the United States will join the Allied Powers and join this war. For the Allied Powers, they hope that the United States will at least remain neutral. Therefore, both sides hope to use him to influence U.S. foreign policy, and in this process, Johnson has become the target of diplomats from various countries.
But for Johnson, he has realized that now neither the Entente nor the Central Powers have anything to exploit. This is not because their countries are on the verge of bankruptcy. How is this possible? It's because the Allied Powers and the Allied Powers realize where the bottom line of the United States lies, and naturally they will no longer pay for him as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
However, after becoming the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, his expenses were very large. In the past two years, he had spent a lot of the hundreds of thousands of dollars he had received, such as the beautiful country house and attached land in the suburbs. Nearly two hundred thousand dollars went to him. Add in the expenses here and there, and he doesn't have much money on hand anymore, and every month, the beautiful, sexy, and even more enchanting Alice in bed costs him thousands of dollars, just in one bed A few weeks ago, he had just given Alice a diamond necklace.
If he continues like this, he will soon go bankrupt. Therefore, he urgently needs to expand his "income sources".
Standing in front of the window, Johnson sipped a cup of Jakarta coffee.
"Do you know what it means to do this?"
Johnson didn¡¯t even look back at Parson behind him.
¡°Probably you will lose the support of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.¡±
In the lobbying system in Washington, there are also people who serve the American Chamber of Commerce in China, and in the past few decades, the American Chamber of Commerce in China has promoted changes in the United States' China policy by providing donations and even bribes to members of Congress. , of course, the change they hope for is for the United States to "tear off the last trace of pretense" and directly claim benefits like the countries in the Old World. However, in the past two decades, because Congress is unwilling to tear through the pretense, and in Congress The presence of a large number of congressmen who were extremely anti-colonialism led them to abandon this plan, but in order to maintain relations with Washington, they wrote hundreds of thousands of dollars in checks in Washington every year.
"But I thinkThe check of US$1,000 that the American Chamber of Commerce in China issued to you last year and the monthly check of US$3,000 to the Democratic Party are not irrefutable! "
Putting the cup on the table, Johnson sat down opposite Parson.
"Have you contacted Secretary Lansing?"
Johnson appropriately reminded that if Lansing and State Department officials were not consulted on this bill in advance, it would undoubtedly be a huge pressure on Lansing. As a Democrat, Johnson did not want this to affect his relationship with the State Department. .
"Not yet. I think I'll visit Lansing and the other friends in the afternoon."
Parson said meaningfully, and his meaning was very clear, that is, he would only launch a comprehensive lobbying after Johnson agreed.
"that¡¡"
After a moment of silence, Johnson thought about it in his mind. As the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, he has the right to view all diplomatic secrets. Parson's lobbying is obviously related to the "revision of the New Testament" proposed by the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Chinese State Council some time ago. "It's not irrelevant. Obviously, the Chinese now regard the United States as a breakthrough.
China!
Johnson thought about the descriptions of China by friends who had been to China. Compared with the old continent, China has a greater tradition of "bribery", and their "bribery" skills are quite large, even beyond people's imagination. Many businessmen When they first interact with Chinese officials, they are always surprised by their appetite. But later, they learn that behind that appetite are greater interests and a tradition of "greed".
So now, Johnson felt his heart pounding. He realized that perhaps China would become his new source of wealth, a source of wealth that surpassed that of the Allied Powers and the Allied Powers.
"This matter is very complicated. Although the United States does not have a direct unequal treaty in China, the open door and interest-sharing policies are fundamental to ensuring that the American business community is treated fairly. This proposal will not only damage the American Chamber of Commerce in China. interests will also harm the interests of the American business community!"
"Of course. I don't deny this, but old friend, you have to know that Americans, at least the American people, are naive. They naively support many idealistic things, just like they stubbornly oppose the American colonies. They share the same aversion to unequal treaties.¡±
Parson¡¯s words were just that Johnson crossed his arms and said calmly:
"But, we still need to consider the corporate world?"
¡°The industry supports the State Department, and now China has replaced the Old Continent and become the most important equipment export destination for the U.S. industry.¡±
"I know this."
When Johnson's voice fell, he saw Parson take out a note from his pocket. He was very familiar with that note because it was a cashier's check.
¡°I think China is willing to give generous rewards to any friend who helps them in this proposal.¡±
The bribery in Washington is blatant, even straightforward without any cover-up. In fact, it is precisely because of this that the current owner of the White House opposes the special committee and even wants to eliminate this hotbed of "", but he is We cannot regret this tradition.
Seeing the $20,000 cashier's check, Johnson couldn't help but smile.
"I think it is true that the establishment of the United States was based on my opposition to colonial rule. If I reject this proposal, I think I will always be condemned by my conscience."
Conscience condemnation!
If you don't take the check, you will definitely be reprimanded by your conscience. Of course, Parson will only think so in his heart. For him, all he needs now is for the other party to make a promise and accept the check. A check.
"You will be punished if you don't take it!"
Parson laughed in his heart, but he knew that neither he nor Johnson had the right to laugh at each other. They were all the same kind of people and could sell everything for money. Of course, this had nothing to do with betraying the country. Although he is employed by a foreign company and lobbies local officials, this does not mean betraying the country, but well, this is also for the commercial interests of the United States!
While Johnson was making a check mark, Carlisle kept looking at the list on the table. If everyone on this list can be convinced, then there will be no doubt that the proposal will be passed. If this proposal is passed, Then this will undoubtedly be another victory in his career.
Another victory!
In silence, Carlisle thought about one of his victories, which was to lobby members of Congress to reject the steel ban submitted by several agricultural state legislators.Although it was difficult to make the export proposal, he finally did it, and in order to achieve his goal, he even used a lot of despicable means that violated his personal creed.
Every congressman can be bribed. Similarly, 0% of congressmen have stains of one kind or another. Carlisle is very clear about this. In the end, he used the stains of those congressmen to successfully block the bill, but If that bill is approved, the company's two steel companies, Lianyun and Dagang, will not only lose three large-scale iron-making blast furnaces with an annual output of one million tons and open-hearth equipment with a capacity of two million tons, but will also lose one of the world's largest iron-making blast furnaces. n four-roller thick plate rolling mill, which is the world's first extra-wide thick plate rolling mill of 5 meters. Large warships such as battleships and cruisers need to install large areas of armored steel plates, which requires the steel plates to be as long and wide as possible to reduce Riveting workload. At a time when huge arms demand is driving the rolled steel market, companies would lose that equipment if a ban were passed.
Now, the company can still accept the equipment under contract next year. At that time, in order to prevent the proposal from being passed, he used some despicable means. But now, thinking about the current task, he hesitated. There were some things that he was unwilling to do, especially
"This is my profession, and my profession requires me to temporarily give up my personal moral beliefs!"
Finally, Carlisle made a decision in his heart
"I hope the chairman can understand all this!"
With a soft murmur on his lips, Carlisle's thoughts drifted to the other side of the ocean, - Didn't finish reading? Add this book to your favoritesI'm a member and bookmarked this chapterCopy the address of this book and recommend it to your friends for pointsChapter error? Click here to report
- Previous pageCatalogNext page