Judd, who is in his sixties and has just retired from U.S. Steel, was born in the 1940s and belongs to the post-World War II baby boom generation.
When he was young, the American economy was booming and civic activities were reaching their golden age. As President Kennedy said at the time: "We have taken over the torch of leadership, not only to fulfill our obligations in the highest office in the country, but also to Do your duty in small towns across the country.¡±
At that time, Americans were more enthusiastic about participating in public events, and turnout was rising year by year, rather than falling, as it is now.
There are various societies in the city, such as bridge clubs, NAACP, alumni associations, bands They participate in various social activities extensively and help each other.
But in the last two decades of this century, the situation was changing. Although the population was increasing, the membership of various societies was decreasing, and some became unsustainable and eventually disappeared.
People are less and less interested in participating in community activities. As Wang Lei said, they watch TV at home and go bowling alone.
Judd recalled the past. He felt that Wang Lei had hit the point and was very dissatisfied with Hawke's interruption.
"Well, I just don't think this method is feasible. No one can spend so much time" Judd's words made Hawke very embarrassed. Although he pretended not to care, he had already forgotten Judd in his heart. De cursed him like crazy.
Wang Lei glanced at Hawke, raised his finger and shook it: "No, no, it's okay. Our students often organize volunteer work in school. Everyone is very motivated, and so are the adults. Americans spend an average of 50 hours volunteering every year. It can go up to a hundred hours, which is two hours a week.¡±
"As long as we are willing to do a little more, and each person gives an extra hour a week, Braddock's two thousand people, that is two thousand hours, which is equivalent to forty more full-time service personnel, and the services we receive will be The quality of life will be greatly improved as a result.¡±
What Wang Lei said is a huge temptation for old people like Eric and Judd. They are older, need care, and need more public activities; they are retired and have a lot of time, which can be used to participate in community activities or do volunteer work.
They are the baby boomer generation who once enthusiastically participated in various civic activities and want to recreate the grand occasion.
"Oh, Rex, you said it very well. When I was young, I worked as a volunteer in the hospital. Now there are volunteers here, but they are too few. More people should participate!" Eric suddenly said He clapped his hands and praised Wang Lei's words.
At this time, there were a few more elderly people outside the door of the medical center. There were about six or seven people watching, and some people also clapped their hands. Judd slapped it particularly hard, and his red face seemed to get deeper, as red as a ripe snake fruit.
Hawke was a little unhappy, but he quickly smiled again and suddenly said: "Eric, you are so awesome. What did you do in the hospital?"
Eric was scratched and waved his arms excitedly: "Haha, of course, I will give everyone directions and tell them where the radiography room is"
"Really, that is indeed very important. But unfortunately, our medical center in Braddock does not have a radiography room. Eric, you are unemployed!" Hawke said with a smile, and everyone laughed.
Eric laughed the loudest: "Yeah, actually I want to serve everyone, but I can only give directions. This feeling is really bad."
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Wang Lei couldn't help but curse in his heart. His speech was very successful. Seeing that he had aroused everyone's emotions, the son of a bitch Hawke made a joke and made all his efforts go to waste.
He wanted to tell everyone that as long as there is enthusiasm, each other's strengths can complement each other, but Hawke did not give him a chance. He already went on to say: "Well, volunteers are a good idea and can give us some help."
"However, this does not fundamentally solve the problem. The most fundamental problem is that Braddock is in decline, the economy is declining, the population is decreasing, and there are too few doctors in the town. Only by revitalizing the economy can more doctors come Go to Braddock and solve the problem of difficult medical treatment!" Hawke once again took advantage of Wang Lei's merits and made a new counterattack with a solemn expression.
"I have a plan. We are going to build a new neighborhood in Braddock to attract high-tech companies to settle in, just like Pittsburgh, to achieve industrial transformation and economic revitalization, create more jobs, and recreate Braddock's past. brilliant."
"By then, we'll have more doctors, better hospitals, and we'll have ray rooms. Oh, Eric, you'll have a job again, Braddock needs you!"
¡°Wow, that¡¯s great!¡± Ari?Laughed with joy, and some people began to applaud Hawke. His words were very provocative and the prospects he described were great.
Damn it, he scored again! Wang Lei's hands clenched into fists unconsciously, and he wanted to fight back! He must fight back!
"Hawk, you're a liar!" It was Judd who spoke.
He stared at Hawke, his face flushed, and the arteries on his neck swelled rapidly, as if he was very excited: "What you said, I said it two years ago."
Judd was not good at words, so Wang Lei interjected at the right time: "There has been no change in Braddock in the past two years. Oh, there are also changes. The swimming pool in the library is closed, and the population of Braddock is smaller!"
Since Hawke has been targeting him, Wang Lei doesn't intend to be polite to him.
"Yes, I said it, and I have been doing this, but I need time, and the plan needs time to show the effect," Hawke said sincerely.
He then said to Wang Lei: "Rex, the school teacher should have told you such a story. A boxer takes his fist back in order to punch it out more powerfully. We are closing those public facilities that cannot be maintained now for the future." able to provide better.¡±
"I heard that you want to be the mayor because you want to keep that football field. But you have to know that the maintenance cost of that field is up to several thousand dollars every year. This money is used as medical subsidies and can help several people. !¡±
Wang Lei had to admit that Hawke is a very strong opponent. He is very funny and can always use humor to resolve unfavorable situations. He is also very sharp and can always find an advantage for himself. He can put his opponent in trouble with just a few words.
" However, Wang Lei is not afraid of him, and his fighting spirit is high. No matter how powerful the devil is, he will be punished by justice.
Wang Lei began to see Hawke as his real opponent. It turned out that he took the election too simply, thinking that if his views were recognized by everyone, he would be successful. Now I know that it's not like that. The campaign is about fighting for each other, just like on the court, every ball must be fought for.
To hell with any decent election, you can only win by defeating your opponent.
As a quarterback on the court, what Wang Lei is best at is having an insight into the situation, avoiding the truth and avoiding the truth, discovering the opponent's weaknesses and delivering a fatal blow.
Hawke is very strong, but he also has weaknesses. He has been the mayor for two years, but has not achieved anything. No matter how beautifully he talks, everyone has doubts about him.
Wang Lei wanted to learn from his strengths and attack his life gate. He smiled and made a gesture of retracting his fist: "Mr. Spencer, don't you think that if you keep your fist retracted for a long time, your arms will be damaged?" Will it tingle?"
"Hahaha!" Eric's big mouth burst into laughter again.
Humor is a weapon, and Hawke uses it well. Wang Lei seemed too nervous before. He didn't lack humor, so he had to fight back.
"Besides, Mr. Spencer, do you have full medical insurance? You may not know that a few thousand dollars can't cover any serious illness."
Wang Lei smiled and stabbed Spencer: "Furthermore, every time the doctor gives a treatment and recovery plan, there is always one item: do more exercise. The stadium is Braddock's last public sports ground, without it , we are missing one of the most used medical equipment, and it will be more difficult to see a doctor in the future. We can¡¯t organize a group to go to Pittsburgh, right?¡±
"Hahaha!" Eric's big mouth laughed again.
"There was a commander-in-chief in the history of China. His army went the wrong way and strayed into the desert. The soldiers had not had anything to eat or drink for several days. The commander-in-chief drew a pie on the paper and told Soldier, this is bread. As long as everyone follows him, you will have bread to eat soon. He also said that there is a plum forest ahead, and you can eat plums in a few days of walking. So the soldiers saw hope and started marching again, but , they walked for three days and three nights, but they only saw the cakes drawn on the paper, and did not see Merlin. As a result, they all starved to death in the desert"
Wang Lei stretched out his hand and drew a piece of cake in the air. He re-adapted the idiom that his grandfather told him back then, "looking at plum blossoms to quench thirst and drawing cakes to satisfy hunger." The meaning has almost completely changed. Anyway, no one knows what the original version of this Chinese prophecy is like.
"Mr. Spencer, you always said that your plan needs time. One year has passed and you need time. Two years have passed and you still need time. Three years have passedwill you still need time? Could it be that the beautiful prospect you mentioned is just Merlin in the desert and will never be seen again?"
Wang Lei smiled and said to Hawke: "Mr. Spencer, do you think the cake drawn on the paper can be eaten?"
"Of course not!" Judd said in a low voice.
"Hahaha!" AriKe laughed so hard: "Wow, these Easterners are so stupid. They actually believe that you can eat cakes on paper. Oh I just think this is incredible. I don't mean to discriminate against Chinese people."
Eric accidentally used the slightly discriminatory word "chink", and he apologized profusely.
"Eric, you are racist. I hope you will not make the same mistake again." Wang Lei said unhappily. However, Hawke's face became even more ugly, and he could no longer maintain the demeanor he tried so hard to disguise.
Because Wang Lei continued: "I also hope that you will not be like the soldier in the story, doing stupid things like drawing cakes to satisfy your hunger."
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