Chapter 1498: Can They Be Achieved?

People were clamoring and shouting, as if everyone had a lot to say.

Mr. Truman looked at these people, with a slight smile on his face, yet appeared calm.

He wasn’t flustered because people suddenly stopped being content with sitting in their chairs; he faced everything with a smile.

The campaign office had already anticipated this topic during discussions before.

After all, the reform of the social insurance system is like taking a slice of many people’s cakes. Previously, no one mentioned it, or if someone did, the issue quickly went silent, precisely because of this.

Capitalists don’t want the President they’ve chosen to stab them in the back, so when someone brings up these issues, they reject them.

But the situation has changed slightly now, because of Nagariel!

Mr. Truman instinctively glanced at Lynch, walking in the front row, their eyes met briefly before parting.

Because of Nagariel’s existence, many persistent problems within the Federation found alternative solutions.

For instance, labor costs are cheaper over there in Nagariel. If not for the Federation still being the major consumer market, if not for the many issues only the Federation can solve, capitalists would have long swarmed to Nagariel.

Cheap labor and more immigrants have relieved capitalists’ labor costs. Simply put, even if wages aren’t high, someone would still be willing to work.

Moreover, it’s voluntary, without a hint of coercion!

This situation threatens the job rights of mainland Federation workers.

The Workers’ Union and the working class continually uphold their rights, for example, a newly passed bill stipulates that the number of mainland Federation workers in labor-intensive industries must account for a certain percentage of the total workforce within a factory.

If they can’t fulfill the job positions for native workers, the factory will be fined!

Who would have thought such a bill could actually pass?

And this is also one of the inevitable factors leading to social insurance reform.

Some immigrants simply haven’t had enough time to re-contribute to insurance before local workers’ employment rates decline, societal anxiety rises, and capitalists no longer need to use insurance issues to make workers accept unfair conditions.

The competition in the employment environment is increasing, making it hard for the working class to find a job they can hold on to until retirement, like before.

With societal development and change, during this great era of evolution, many from the working class have become casualties.

The current situation hasn’t fully manifested yet, but it won’t be long before people realize that during the Great Depression, they lost not only their jobs but also the chance to receive pensions!

At that time, it will inevitably trigger new problems, so starting to address them now is the most prudent way.

This approach not only eases the sudden eruption of conflicts caused by unexpected events but also reconciles the needs of different social classes, which can be said to be quite appropriate.

The campaign office thoroughly understands the complexities involved here and knows how challenging it is to achieve these goals, but they are confident!

Because of the war!

The war allows the President to concentrate power significantly during this period, and the privileges brought forth by such centralized power are higher than those of Congress. In other words, as long as the President makes a decision on certain policies, it’s extremely difficult for Congress to intervene.

Unless the war ends or a presidential transition occurs, and Congress then initiates a vote to repeal the bill.

However… from a political standpoint, the benefits of repealing the bill are far less than those of maintaining it, along with certain unwritten political rules that everyone isn’t aware of. Ultimately, the bill will continue to persist.

Until the next President, who dares to challenge these rules, steps forward!

The chairpersons of both parties’ committees have already understood these matters, and this will stand as a key factor in Mr. Truman’s electoral victory—

A mess always needs someone to clean it up!

Rather than forcibly demanding someone to do what they are unwilling to do, people actually prefer those who proactively stand up to take responsibility.

Gradually, people realized that speaking loudly would not bring any responses, so they began to sit back down.

Throughout the process, Mr. Truman consistently maintained his graceful demeanor.

Once everyone had quieted down, he continued, “Besides reforming the social insurance system, education reform is also in the sequence we wish to promote.”

“If I can win the election, I will only do three things!”

“First, I will lead the Federation, everyone, to garner more acclaim and respect in the international community!”

“Second, I will proceed with the reform of the social insurance system and the education system, aiming to complete these within my term.”

“Third, I will increase domestic infrastructure and public facility construction in the Federation to make our lives more convenient!”

Each item represents the people’s interests!

Mr. Truman’s expression was sincere, combined with the persona cultivated through ongoing publicity, leading more people to believe in him than in any other candidate!

After all, the military profession naturally holds some advantages, such as loyalty to the country, loyalty to the people, etc., which always endears them to people, especially from the lower social strata.

They always have an additional sense of recognition for those with similar special identities.

Soldiers, teachers, barbers, and the like…

After a brief moment of silence, people began to applaud, which meant that they accepted Mr. Truman’s assertions and started trusting him.

He didn’t offer a very enthusiastic response; he just quietly, in a voice so soft people couldn’t hear, thanked those supporters.

Even though they couldn’t hear what he was saying, people knew what he meant!

When the speech concluded and moved into the question session, almost everyone present, except those in the first two rows, raised their hands immediately.

Mr. Truman randomly selected one, and at this moment, even the television host had to admire his courage; not every candidate dares to directly face the public’s demands.

A young man was just about to stand up when a fat man next to him pressed his shoulder and stood up first.

There were too many people; no one knew exactly who Mr. Truman pointed to, and soon the microphone was in the hands of this fat man.

He had a full beard; people who grow such beards certainly aren’t from the upper society, and they can’t even enter the middle class.

No matter how much people like their beards, in upper society, you rarely see “big beards”. People must respect others, and maintaining a clean appearance—especially a clean chin—is one sign of respect.

This isn’t to say that keeping a beard shows disrespect to others, but this is simply how societal values are, and while you can keep your opinions, society reserves the right not to accept you.

He habitually brushed his whiskers by his mouth, a gesture actually meant to wipe off saliva.

A big beard might catch some splashes of saliva when talking, or occasionally trap some remnants from eating or drinking.

So, this habit can be seen as a way to clean it.

“Mr. Truman, I want to know how you plan to reform the social insurance system, more specifically, as it relates to our lives!”

The bearded man’s comments resonated with many, as this was precisely what they wanted to inquire, even the young man he held down was nodding in support.

After having the bearded man sit down, Mr. Truman began speaking about his vision for these changes.

“Our initial idea is to lower the duration required to contribute to social insurance from thirty years to twenty to twenty-five years, at first.”

“If reducing the insurance contribution duration proves to positively impact our society, perhaps future Presidents might further lower it from that foundation!”

Although not detailed, it was enough to excite the people!

Twenty or twenty-five years.

Even twenty-five years represents a leap for many in the working class!

This means that in their short yet lengthy lives, they gained at least an additional five years to relax a bit.

If you ask Federation people now, especially those from the working class, about their purpose in life, most would express a sense of confusion!

Because for these people, they fundamentally don’t know why they are alive?!

Maybe… it’s just because they need to live, so they live?

After brief contemplation, maybe they’ll smile and say to the one who asked—

“To pay insurance…”

Yes, to pay insurance, and once it’s done, life’s burdens are lifted!

It’s quite sad that a person’s most significant life moments are spent creating value for others!

When they finally have time to do something for themselves, they’re old and can no longer fulfill their wishes!

It’s sorrowful!

And now, Mr. Truman aims to change this!

From sporadic applause to standing applause, if anything genuinely impacts voters’ immediate interests, it is undoubtedly this!

“A splendid speech…”

After the speech, Lynch had a brief meeting with Mr. Truman. Mr. Truman, having taken off his coat, took a facecloth from an assistant and wiped his face vigorously.

To ensure he looked dignified and composed, he wore an extra layer of clothing.

This damned weather had already warmed up, and even in the evenings, it was enough to make one sweat!

Handing the facecloth back to his assistant, he exhaled heavily and then laughed, “The script was good, I finally understand…”

He laughed as he twisted his wrist, “You know, how comfortable it is not having to think for yourself.”

He was referring to the speech script. If he were to write it himself, he might do well, but it requires time, something he is severely lacking now.

He then asked, “Do you think the goals I proposed are achievable?”

In reality, even at this moment, Mr. Truman remains somewhat unsure about the campaign’s core three major goals!

Too difficult!