Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1387 Mr. Ronald Lee Goes to Washington
"There are two types of hearings in Congress. One is legislative, which is the role of experts in your industry to provide consultation for a certain legislation. The other is called supervisory hearings, which is to supervise a certain person or a certain thing to see if there is any violation of the law by a government department.

Oversight hearings are more legally binding and are more like a super-sized grand jury. Lying or refusing to appear at such hearings can lead to contempt of Congress charges.

Legislative hearings are less mandatory, and there are usually no mandatory legal consequences for not attending.

When Ronald arrived in Washington, DC, his personal lawyer Lindsay Doll kept telling him about some important matters to attend the congressional hearing. While Ronald was listening, he munched on the DC specialty half-smoked sausage hot dog (Half-smoke). This hot dog is bigger than the ordinary one, half beef and half pork, with DC's unique sweet and spicy "Mambo sauce", and it is very addictive when paired with "Dr. Pepper" drink.

"Wait, if it's legislative, why is there a possibility of legal consequences on my subpoena?" Ronald bit down hard, the sauce spilled out, and he fumbled with the napkin.

"Well, nothing is absolute. This hearing on the most-favored-nation treatment for China involves the interests of many industries and companies, so Congress is very cautious about it. In addition, the President is facing lobbying from many interest groups and is hesitant, so the congressional hearing is very important.

So you have to swear an oath like you would in court, and if you perjure yourself you may face a series of consequences, etc."

"Shxt!" The red-orange Mambo sauce fell on Ronald's pants. Although he wiped it off immediately, a small stain was left, blemish on his perfect image. Fortunately, it was on his pants, and he would be sitting and answering questions during the congressional hearing, so it would not be captured on TV.

"Haha, kid, Miss Lawyer is talking about some legal stuff. What really matters is politics. Let me have a good chat with you in private..."

The person on the other side was Roger Ailes. He kept laughing as he listened to Lindsay Dole's words, and he laughed out loud when he heard the sentence "nothing is absolute in the world."

"Hey, Roger, do you think that women can't understand your political theory? That's why you have to teach it separately?" Lindsay Dole has been enduring Roger Ailes's machismo and subtle discrimination against women for a long time, and now it finally broke out.

"Ronald?" Roger Ailes looked as if asking whether this man was trustworthy.

"I graduated from Harvard Law School and have been a named partner in New York for twelve years..." Lindsay Doerr thought Roger Ailes still didn't trust her professional level, so she listed her resume like a machine gun.

"Roger, I trust Lindsay's loyalty as much as I trust yours...if not more..."

"Haha, very good, the loyalty of political consultants is questionable..." Roger Ailes laughed, glanced at Lindsay Dole who had just reacted, and expressed his opinion.

Ronald is not the kind of entrepreneur who got his start with the protection of politicians, but he has helped and donated a lot to politicians, reaching the upper limit of donations to promote certain social issues (such as women's equality, increasing disease research funding and popularizing knowledge). If this number is exceeded, it would be considered a request for a more special return.

Politicians like this kind of donors very much. They are sensible and in the comfort zone of both parties. The only concern is that the donors have done something beyond the normal legal scope and need politicians to "solve" it...

In this way, the relationship between the two parties is strengthened through a continuous cycle of donations and feedback, and then demands for returns at the critical moment are made, which is the kind of "surprise" that politicians hate the most.

At this hearing, representatives of several interest groups will debate the issue from different angles, and their attitudes toward witnesses will also be very different.

For example, there are lobbying for Eastern Europe to accept the transfer of low-end production capacity, for Japan to ease trade restrictions, for Mexico to join the North American Free Trade Agreement to eliminate competitors, and there are various non-economic reasons, such as the convergence of a certain region and some religious groups based on human rights reasons, etc.

The biggest support comes from panda lovers, large companies that have already set up joint ventures or wholly-owned subsidiaries there (such as Coca-Cola and AIA), and large multinational companies that are eager to make a move after seeing Japanese and Korean companies and panda lovers making money there.

"So what you have to do is to align with some of the most favorite ideological creeds of the American Congress. We are the most powerful country in the world, we have the best system in the world, we are the protector of the free and democratic Western world, we are consistent with our allies, we are cautious when doing business with neutrals, we confront bad guys and opponents, and we protect the security of our allies..."

"We are the most powerful. Stay with us and we will protect you from the bad guys... It's like Popeye the Sailor Man. The bad guy is Bruno and the ally is Oliver..."

"Haha, very accurate. Now I'm going to ask you the key question, Ronald..." Roger Ailes leaned forward with his hands, stretched his head forward, his eyes sparkling, "How many skeletons are there in your closet?"

Ronald was a little stunned by his momentum, but he quickly calmed down and replied with a smile, "I think there is probably nothing, except for some personal matters that are relatively conservative by Hollywood standards, such as..."

"Girlfriend? Have you ever done anything particularly embarrassing, like photos, videos, or anything that would cause embarrassing coverage in the pages of serious media?"

"I can say, no..." Ronald shook his head.

"Very good, keep this trustworthy expression. If you look cuter, you can rely on your personal charm to win votes in the parliament like the commander-in-chief. Remember, the first impression is everything. Here, what you have done is not important. What matters is how you make people think you have done...

If you really have a problem, don't panic. Remember the rules that people in Congress like to hear. If you are unsure, ask me about politics and Miss Dole about law. With your sense of humor, you can delay the time until the congressman finishes questioning. You can apply for a break until your protector appears on the scene."

"Who is my protector?" Ronald greeted George Jr. before coming, but he really didn't know who would be his protector in the parliament.

"When you have questions, he will appear. If you don't have any questions, it will just be a normal interview... This is the list of members to be questioned tomorrow. Not all of them will take up the full time. Take a look and you'll have an idea..."

……

"Mr. Li, please come here..." When it was time for questioning, Ronald passed the strict security check and came to the House of Representatives. There were many people waiting there. People from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Appropriations Committee, and the Trade Committee were questioning the summoned witnesses in turn.

"Oh, Mr. Ronald Lee..." The door slammed open and out came a senior executive of Coca-Cola. This time, representatives from Boeing, the American Chamber of Commerce, Motorola, General Electric and others were all called to the hearing and provide professional opinions.

"Ha, nice to meet you here..." Ronald recognized that this was the Coca-Cola employee who went to the other side with him last time and managed to set up a bottling plant over there.

"I'm glad to meet you, too. Our sales in China are growing very fast. If we can watch the latest Hollywood movies in a cinema there while drinking Coca-Cola, that will be our success..."

"Who says it's not..."

After waiting for a while, the Boeing executives came out. Ronald walked in and followed the guidance to the three seats facing the podium. Ronald sat down with two assistants. He also looked left and right at the position of the camera and naturally put his hands on his legs.

Ronald's two assistants were behind him. Roger Ailes pulled him back and whispered to the people sitting in the exclusive chairs on the other side, "That's the new representative of California's 8th District in the House of Representatives, Nancy. She's one of the members who strongly opposes most-favored-nation treatment..."

"Why is she here?"

"Gentlemen, welcome. I am Lee Hamilton, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. I am Ronald Lee, a famous Hollywood director and producer. I have been summoned by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Economic and Trade Subcommittee to testify. Each member of the House can ask questions for five minutes. If it involves important issues, I will increase the time...Please call the witness..."

A staff member came over, handed over a Bible, and quickly said, "Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, may God bless you?"

"I declare..." Ronald said and leaned back. This was his first time appearing in a parliament of this level, and he felt a little nervous for some reason.

"I'm Bill Archer, a congressman from Texas. Mr. Lee, what do you think of the open attitude of the film and television cultural market on the other side of the Pacific Ocean?"

"The strongest in America..." Lindsay Doll reminded him, and found the relevant information and handed it to Ronald.

"Mr. Congressman, the import quota has been opened. If there are Chinese backgrounds involved, the review of co-productions will be smoother and faster. However, not all Hollywood movies are allowed to be imported there because there is no classification system. Therefore, our exports are still subject to content review. In addition, the revenue-sharing contracts for other Asian markets are not yet effective there. One important reason is the high movie ticket prices there..."

Ronald looked at Archer from Texas and smiled at him when he asked questions. He immediately understood that this was an ally of the George family. The questions raised by the other party were all closely related to the various non-tariff restrictions encountered by the imported Hollywood movies in the film market. The questions were very professional and really regarded Ronald as an expert who had a deep understanding of the Chinese film market. There were also some other congressmen in the audience, who often nodded slightly. The C-SPAN photographer finally found a witness that the audience might be interested in. The camera was always aimed at Ronald. Finally, there might be an audience watching...

"I am Charles Rangel, a New York congressman. Mr. Li, what is the market situation of imported TV series on the other side of the strait? Are American TV series treated the same as other imported TV series?"

"America is the best..." Lindsay handed over the TV series output information again.

"Mr. Congressman, the Chinese market uses dubbing for imported TV series instead of subtitles, so the progress there is very slow and the import volume will not be very high. However, some of our TV series about family life are highly praised, such as Growing Pains a few years ago and Lion's Gate last year. The young people there are very yearning for the American lifestyle..."

"Can I ask what details of American life are attractive to young people?" Charles Rangel is a congressman from Harlem, Manhattan. This black congressman also tried to say something nice. After all, there is a little bit of incense.

"Sense of humor..." Roger Ailes thought this was a good opportunity to show Ronald's charm.

"For example, General Motors or Ford cars, General Electric refrigerators, large houses, and Coca-Cola..."

"Hahaha..." The humorous answer made the audience laugh. Charles Rangel was very considerate and added at the end, "On behalf of the black people in America, I would like to thank you for your correct response to the black characters in the film and television dramas..."

"Thank you, Mr. Congressman..."

Soon, several members of the Economic and Trade Subcommittee finished their questioning, and it was time for a break. Lee Hamilton, who supported the questioning, also announced a ten-minute break.

"Ronald..." Several senators came outside. The questioning later today will be a combined one between the two houses, mainly targeting Ambassador to China Winston Lord and Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

The main problem with this review of the most-favored-nation treatment is that some congressmen are trying to link the most-favored-nation treatment with human rights issues, so important government officials were also summoned to testify on the human rights situation.

"Senator Boxer..." Ronald recognized Barbara Boxer, a California senator and panda lover, and quickly greeted her.

"Be careful of the congresswoman from California's 8th District, she is very tough on China..."

"Thank you..." Ronald looked in the direction of the finger and saw a middle-aged lady with heavy makeup that was inconsistent with her age. She looked at the witness with a harsh expression on her face.

"Although she is not a member of the committee, she can ask questions according to the rules..." Barbara Boxer talked to Ronald for a few words and then left. She came to see this friend who brought her important political resources, to support him and tell some congressmen not to mess around.

Then it was almost time for a break, and Ronald saw that the congresswoman from California's 8th District had actually walked out and had no intention of staying to question him, which made Ronald feel a lot more relieved.

"Pa pa..." Lee Hamilton knocked the hammer, ready to resume questioning.

Just then, another man dressed as a senator hurried in.

"What is he doing here?" Roger Ailes suddenly spoke up.

Ronald looked up and saw that it was an old acquaintance, Hawaii Japanese Senator Daniel Inouye. With one sleeve empty, he came over to shake hands with him and gestured to Lee Hamilton, "Ronald and I have known each other for a long time. We met when we were filming The Karate Kid. I came to say hello to him..."

The Chairman showed respect to the senior Senator and signaled the next member of the House to ask the question to take over.

"George asked me to tell you, be careful of Dan..."

As Ronald and Inoue hugged, Inoue whispered something in his ear, and then patted Ronald's shoulder heavily with his only remaining hand. Ronald exchanged glances with him, and Inoue gestured to the person on the stage.

"I'm Congressman Burton from Indiana...I have a few questions for Mr. Ronald Lee." Burton started asking before Inoue completely walked out of the room.

"Mr. Congressman..." Ronald saw that the name on his name tag was Dan Burton, and immediately realized that it was him that Inoue wanted him to be careful of, and turned around to look at Roger Ailes...

"Be tough, use humor..." Roger Ailes mouthed to him. Ronald's heart moved, and he turned to look at Lindsay Doll.

“I can’t remember…” Lindsay Doll also heard Inoue’s words, prompting an answer to a tricky question.

"Mr. Li, may I ask if you are of Chinese descent? Do you have any relatives in China?"

"Huh?" Ronald's hair stood on end. Why did Dan Burton ask me this?

He turned around and looked at Ayers and Dole again. They also looked confused. Why did they bring this up again?

"Mr. Li, are you sure?" Burton raised his voice and repeated aggressively.

"I was just asking if I heard you correctly, and of course not, I am an American-born citizen."

"You don't have any relatives in China?"

"No……"

"I want to remind Mr. Li that you are still testifying under oath in front of Congress. If you lie, you will be held accountable for perjury..."

"Wow..." The other congressmen in the audience began to whisper to each other, and the broadcasters from C-SPAN, that boring TV station, also began to perk up and took close-ups of both sides.

"Tough it up!" Roger Ailes stared at the redneck congressman from Indiana, wrote a capital "TOUGH UP!" and handed it to Ronald.

"Mr. Congressman, I don't know why you ask this. My birth certificate clearly states that my father is from Massachusetts and my mother is from New York. However, I don't have it with me now. If you need it... I can send someone to get it..."

"Hahaha..." There was laughter again from below.

"Bang, bang..." Lee Hamilton started hammering again.

Dan Burton sneered, looked Ronald straight in the eye, and said in a very determined "I caught you" tone, "I want to remind you again, perjury in the House of Representatives..."

"Congressman..." Ronald sat up straight, no longer using humor to soften the situation, and responded directly, "I don't know what your question means. Are you implying that I need to disclose more about my family background? If so, I can answer Congressman directly. My father served in the Marine Corps, and my grandfather was a fighter pilot in the Air Force in World War II. He unfortunately died over the Atlantic Ocean while defending bombers and fighting the Nazis..."