Chapter 107: Day 247 (5) – Constitutional Headache

Chapter 107: Day 247 (5) – Constitutional Headache

I looked over the written-up portion for the Immortal Council during the lunch break. “The Council will appoint someone to lead the group of people and organization managing its affairs in the city. But they are subject to oversight from the President for funds spent.”

“To prevent finances from being used up by a single person. After Ben, there is a lot of mistrust for single people managing large portions of the city’s treasury on their own,” Clarissa explained.

“It is fine. Entry requirements at the discretion of the Immortal Council, with the initial entry fee being a level 4 monster crystal.”

“Yes. Once there are three people. The Immortal Council will form and be validated by the President. They will manage their own affairs, have the privileges you listed, and manage their own members internally.”

“Good. I noticed the authority to declare war rests with the President, but defense lies with the Immortal Council.” That was something I didn’t like.

“I know, but people didn’t want the power of war to be held by people unelected.” I frowned at that. “There will be no civilian command, but attacking other cities, and meeting with them will be the Executive branch of government.”

“It should rest with the Immortal branch.”

“Unless you want to barrel your way through, that isn’t happening. Even the order faction under Chris and members of our own power faction were hesitant at unilateral war and diplomatic powers.” I let out a sigh. That was frustrating, but I could accept that with everything else I had gotten.

“This afternoon’s session will be heated. It is deciding the scope of that the government will operate.”

“As little as possible.”

“I know you say that. But how much is that? There is still the issue of the pregnant women.” I let out a groan at that. I really didn’t want to deal with that and wished the issue would just disappear. Why didn’t anyone else in any of the stories I had read, had to deal with something like this. I guess I would have to wing it and go with my gut. “In addition, there is the judicial system. Also, a possible Congress.”

“No Congress. Judicial system will be fast and efficient under the Executive branch. Nothing longer than ten days. None of this months and years nonsense for a court case. Also, no precedent. That leads to a mess. We will use the European system of the law is the law, but exceptions can be made in individual cases.”

“People don’t understand that.”

“Well too bad for them. I want a streamlined bureaucracy. When I say streamlined, I mean streamlined.” I was not going to generate jobs just so people could have jobs. Justice would be swift, exceptionally swift one way or the other.

“Finally, there is the push back about charity and religion.” I finally knew why God didn’t directly bother with people after Jesus. It was because the devil was hiding in all the headache inducing details.

“Almighty System, give me strength. Any religion will be treated as any other business. If they want to do any kind of charity, the compromise is that they must remain out of politics and how the city is run completely. Violating this law will be death.” If people wanted to waste crystals, fine. But I wasn’t going to let them infect the government or my taxes. Those had to go into upgrades. That, businesses, and having other people defend the city were the only reasons to have a government in my opinion.

“Extreme, but I suspect Pastor Charles will grab onto it with both hands.”

“Charity otherwise will be illegal. If anyone does charity, all their wealth will be seized for investment into the city. Perhaps a city charity fund for upgrading the city?” Focus that charity where it needed to go, upgrades.

“Something to consider in the future. But that can be written in.” Clarissa was busy taking notes on everything I said. I never imagined having a secretary, but was appreciating it quite a bit.

“What we need is a dedicated research initiative. The issue with the crystal powder drugs and stats makes the need all the more pressing. The limited testing and investigation Tyrese and his guard have done is not enough.”

“Who are you thinking to lead such a group? Not very many people are qualified.”

“Well, the person who figured out crystal powder would be a good start. I would need to speak to them first. Chase was it?”

“Yes, Ken has blocked any time I have tried to speak with him.” I waved my hand at that. Of course, Ken wouldn’t let someone that clever out of his sight.

“I will speak with him. Let Ken know and sort out the details with Ken’s people. Let’s make it happen tomorrow. Dinner?”

“I will look into arranging it. We can go to the Gray Duck, or the new restaurant, the Red Apple.”The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.

“A new restaurant, really? There is enough business?”

“It is less upscale, than the Gray Duck, but Ken is looking to corner the entire restaurant food industry along with several other business ventures.” Drugs or potions, whatever he was calling it.

“I know the outfitters and spice store. I should check out one of those potion dens. Also, that reminds me, you need to settle my tab with Lady Shi and Elise. I need crystals for my two new outfits.”

“Of course. I will have them ready for you for after this afternoon’s session. Ken’s other restaurant is In And Out. Quick simple meals for cheap. They are doing vegetable-based burgers.”

“The Red Apple?”

“They focus on stews.”

“Arrange a dinner for the Gray Duck. Since Ken owns everything, might as well pick the fanciest. Also, their food quality is top notch.”

“Do you want me or anyone else to sit in on that meeting?”

“Do you want to?”

“To open up the area outside of the city for settlement and to the people.” That was another issue, who would be allowed to grind level 1 monsters. “Let people make their own fate.”

I considered what he was saying. “No. Crystals are superior and the only source of food we have. Settling outside the city will limit the spawn rate. Also, even if it is possible, things will just be vanished away as trash when no one is looking.”

“Then what do you suggest the people to do?”

“Fight outside the city for crystals. Push themselves to go after level 2 monsters. Many will die. But it is the only way to handle the housing crisis and crystal crisis.”

“With no limitations?” He was clearly making a move if he was asking such a question. I turned to Clarissa since I wasn’t entirely sure about that issue.

“He will probably take donations from people to build up his own power base. It isn’t charity, since people would be paying for mental health services that a church provides,” Clarissa whispered. That made sense and wasn’t a problem.

“Very well, no restrictions on hunting outside the city. However, everyone will be subject to the tax at the store, without exception.”

“Very well.” I felt dirty that a discussion on pregnant women had morphed into this. Politics was like wrestling pigs in the mud. You would never win, and the pig always won since they were happy wrestling in the mud. I couldn’t decide if the pig was a metaphor for my political opponents or the entire process.

The discussion continued on issues I didn’t need to speak up on and was eventually called to a stop at the end of the day. I walked slowly back to my home with Clarissa. “You made it through and handled yourself quite well,” she said.

“I was an idiot. Let me ask you as a woman. The issue with pregnancies? Did I handle that correctly?”

“It is a complicated situation regardless with no good answers. I will personally say that I am surprised you are willing to support any children and wouldn’t force the women to have abortions.”

“That...that would just be horrific. Have you ever read about the Roman Empire in detail?” I asked.

“No.” I shook my head at her answer. No one learned from history it seemed like.

“I used to be a big fan. Their armies and their government were just so exciting as a kid and learning about history. But then I learned how they treated babies and children. If I can’t be better than the Romans, well I might as well declare myself dictator and have a harem full of slaves. Go full evil dictator.” I let out a long sigh.

“Well thank you for not going full evil as you call it. If a solution to the housing issue is found?”

“We can change the laws. But one lesson I learned from American politics, learn when to put an issue to bed so it doesn’t keep coming up over and over.”

“Now I am curious. What political party?” Clarissa asked. I gave her a look. She really asked that question. Not like it mattered anymore, but I was curious why she asked it.

“What do you think?”

“I would guess neither, but you are too well informed about situations and have opinions.” She said that in such a dead pan way I couldn’t tell if she was making fun of me or genuinely curious.

“What about yourself?”

“Neither. I considered voting pointless. Corporations run the world.” She said that with a straight face and dead-pan voice. I broke out laughing. Several people stared at us, but I couldn’t help it. It was just such an over the top answer from someone who had worked at a large corporation.

I finally calmed down. “Thanks for that, I needed the laugh,” I said with a smile.

“No problem.”

“I suppose you deserve an answer. Politics was my soap opera. You have a reoccurring cast of characters that are all bumbling about and drama every week. It is also the TV show that would never end. You have the backstory, which his all of history. Now I am stuck in the middle of the soap opera, and it is just as messy and frustrating as I imagined.”

“Still, no party?”

“Really, you want an answer?”

“Yes, not like it matters anymore.”

“I suppose not. I was a libertarian. A big believer in personal freedoms.”

“A Bernie supporter?”

“On and off. Honestly, I try not to care. Not like anything I would have done, would have mattered in the slightest. What does one vote matter? In the end it is all a soap opera, mindless entertainment, Miss Corporation.”

“Fair enough. I didn’t think you would answer the question.”

“Well as long as a politician doesn’t show up in the arrival demanding things.”

“You know you jinxed it.”

“Yes, I know.”