Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Hello, Ronald, long time no see. I didn't expect you to make another interesting movie."

Old George shook hands with Ronald, then bent his hands and placed them on his chest, making a signature gesture to praise the kid.

"I just found some investors for the talented artist. I'll introduce this to Mr. President. This is the director and star of this movie, Kevin Costner." Ronald smiled and pulled Costner out and introduced him to the President's family.

"Mr. President, Madam..." Costner smiled and stepped forward, kissing Barbara's hand very gentlemanly.

"Hahahaha..."

The group went to the White House screening room and watched "Dances with Wolves".

Ronald had watched the movie several times, and he found that the President was not really interested in the movie. Instead, he twisted his neck left and right until Costner and India appeared.

Ronald now understood that this White House screening must be a gesture of Old George to please the people and be his Mr. 80%. He tried to use India.

But Mrs. Barbara was very immersed in the plot and watched it very seriously all the way.

After watching the movie, Barbara asked the attendant to bring fast food, and everyone ate some food in the lounge.

"This is the sushi that Diane wanted. I picked some egg rolls, vegetables, and eel sushi. You know, my husband doesn't like sashimi. He will lose his appetite at the sight of it."

Diane was dressed very conservatively today, with a knee-length skirt and flat shoes. She looked like a good wife and mother in Hollywood movies in the 1950s. Barbara liked her very much and even introduced a few words about food. Of course, she immediately went to chat with Kevin Costner. The male stars with the old Hollywood style were her favorite.

"Do you want to see my Oval Office?" Old George walked up to Ronald with pizza and Coke and winked at him.

"Ah, of course, I have always wanted to see the office of our country's supreme commander. It's my honor." Ronald followed immediately, still a little puzzled in his heart, what could Old George say to him?

"Would you like some whiskey?"

"Thank you, I'll have some."

Old George led Ronald to the Oval Office, asked the entourage to leave, and personally took out a bottle of opened whiskey.

"Hmm..." Ronald took the initiative to pour two glasses of wine. After the president clinked glasses with him, the two drank them all.

"I know everything about George Jr. You did a good job. I hope he can achieve something, but he is not suitable for politics." The president pondered for a moment and said something to praise his eldest son.

He knew very well that his wife Barbara doted on the youngest son Jeb, the eldest son who was most like her, and was not liked by his mother. Perhaps it was because the two looked too much alike and had both cheated on their husbands, which touched some of Barbara's hidden pains. Unlike Jeb, he was very obsessed with his Latino wife...

Thinking of this useless son, Old George was a little helpless. He was actually captured by a short Latino woman who taught Spanish. It was not at all like the mate selection criteria that young people from a long-standing family in New England should have.

Parents always want to create better conditions for their children. The most important thing for a political family is that someone inherits the political resources and connections they have accumulated over the years. But George Jr. may not be smart enough to handle these, and Barbara is unwilling to help him.

Fortunately, in these two Japanese mergers and acquisitions, George Jr. has accumulated enough resources under Ronald's help. Even if he doesn't go into politics in the future, it's no problem to be a happy rich man under his protection.

George Sr. turned his head and glanced at Ronald. The young man didn't take credit, nor did he say anything inappropriate. He just looked at him respectfully, "The Congress will print it next week.

"Thank you, Mr. President. This is an honor for me and all the creators." Ronald was basically sure that this was George Sr. rewarding himself in disguise. Anyway, it was a good thing, and Ronald immediately expressed his gratitude.

"Do you want to go into politics?" George Sr. suddenly asked, "I talked to Daniel (Inoue) before, and he spoke very highly of you. You understand the rules of politics and have a suitable background. "

Old George looked at Ronald, waiting for his response. This man is a suitable candidate for politics, with a certain public opinion base, and knows how to make deals on Capitol Hill in Washington. If he can become a politician, he will be a good supporter for George Jr. and his family in the future.

"I know nothing about politics, and I am not an actor. My interest is in creating movies and TV shows..." Ronald made a joke. The success of the former president gave many Hollywood people inexplicable confidence.

"I understand, cigar, want one?" Old George thought to himself, you have done so many things for my son, and now you have expressed that you don't want to enter politics. From this point of view, either Ronald is an honest man with no political ambitions, or he has great ambitions... In either case, he can handle it clearly when he is the president.

"Thank you..." Ronald helped cut the cigar and light it, and enjoyed a fine cigar with the president in the symbolic office of the country's highest power.

"If you have anything, you can let George Jr. come to me." The two chatted for a while, and Old George said to Ronald with a smile.

"I will. Mr. President has helped me a lot in my career..." Ronald guessed what the old man meant. There really was nothing important that needed his help. Anyway, he left a message and limited the favors he asked for to the scope of his career.

"You are really a political talent, but it's a pity that your ambition is not here..." The commander laughed, and put his arm around Ronald's shoulder and patted him.

"Beep..." He rang the bell and called his entourage, "Take a group photo of us here..." Then, the commander signaled his entourage to send Ronald out.

"Hey, what did Tom say? (Tom Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives), okay...hahahaha..."

Ronald, who followed his entourage out, heard the commander's very confident laughter, as if he had achieved some major political move.

"Oh, you're back..." Diane was already waiting for him in the green living room commonly used for private receptions. Her husband disappeared for a long time, which made Diane a little upset. She was very happy to see Ronald back.

"Where's Kevin?" Ronald took Diane's hand and asked about the situation.

"Mrs. Barbara personally took him to visit the White House. I don't want to go, so I will wait for you here."

"Ronald, it's a shame you didn't go with me and Cindy...

After a while, Kevin Costner also came to the lounge, and the group walked out again.

"Where have you been?" Diane asked Kevin Costner.

"We went to the swimming pool, the Lincoln Bedroom, and the rose garden, which was designed by Kennedy's wife, Jacqueline. Listen.

Kevin Costner

Thinking of this, he shook his head regretfully, "It's a pity that the Commander-in-Chief received some important people in the Oval Office. Cindy and I only saw one door and were not able to go in and experience it for ourselves. We don't know where it came from. What distinguished guest..."

"Pfft..." A mouthful of mineral water spurted out from Ronald's mouth.

…

A few days later, the commander-in-chief answered many questions in front of White House reporters. In the past few days, he has signed the Disability Protection Act and raised the upper limit of troops stationed in the Middle East to 400,000. However, what attracts the most attention is the new government budget bill that he announced that he will sign and pass. The bill would reduce the federal budget by nearly $500 billion over the next five years and includes $140 billion in new taxes...

"I...didn't your dad say during the election campaign that he would not raise taxes?" Ronald called George Jr. in shock. George Sr.'s promise during the campaign still rang in his ears, and it actually came to fruition.

"We voted for your father. This is an important consideration. This is too much." Next to Ronald was Douglas Jr., who worked for George Sr. in Staten Island and Manhattan and attracted many donors and votes. Yuan, his credibility is not very good now.

"Hey, I just found out. I heard that Jeb is supporting this bill." George Jr. said that he didn't know about this new bill in advance.

"Really?" Little Douglas didn't believe it. This family had no credibility now.

"I promise, otherwise I will give you a heads-up in advance. House Whip Gingrich and Elephant Party National Convention Chairman Ed Rollins are very angry."

Little George explained briefly that his father really attacked suddenly. After George Sr. proposed the budget, Gingrich angrily hung up the phone call from the commander-in-chief to explain. And Ed Rollins was so angry that he sent an open letter to Elephant Party members in the House and Senate, telling them to distance themselves from the leader.

"What do you think, little George?" Ronald sounded like he still believed what his eldest son said. He was not favored to begin with, and coupled with some strange words the commander-in-chief said to him in the White House, taken together, it seemed that the commander-in-chief was really determined to do something big.

"I am an old Ronald Elephant Party member, and my philosophy does not allow me to raise taxes on the people." Little George was also very angry this time. His political allies are now blaming him. His political agenda is huge. Shocked, I am now discussing with my wife to leave my father's team and return to Texas to make plans.

"Don't worry, Ronald, Doug, I will keep your kindness in mind. I have a way to compensate you. After I finish handling the things here, I will go to New York to find you. Laura, Tell the daughters to keep their voices down..." The voice of his wife Laura instructing the children could be heard in the background.

"How much money will we lose if this bill passes?" Ronald asked Lawrence, the accountant in front of him. He heard that taxes would be increased by 140 billion, and he quickly asked him to come over to settle the accounts.

"In fact, you will not pay more, but will save a tax." Lawrence got the latest version of the draft tax increase bill. This bill actually has little to do with billionaires like Ronald.

The main part of the tax increase comes from middle-class families. The draft raises the top personal income tax rate from 28% to 31%, increases wage and consumption taxes, and limits tax deductions for high-income individuals.

At the same time, it increases access to the earned income tax credit for low-income families and limits the top rate on capital gains tax to 28%.

"In general, he has the greatest impact on middle-class families, but it reduces taxes on the poor and rich. Even if you are a high-income individual in Hollywood, you still need to pay a higher minimum federal income tax."

"That seems like a lot..." Ronald muttered. America's tax laws are, at least on the surface, very fair. Because wealthy high-income individuals have various tax exemptions and exemptions, the taxes paid by a high-income individual may even be lower than those of the middle class.

In order to reduce this unfairness, the federal government has established a minimum federal income tax, stipulating that tax deductions cannot be less than a percentage of the tax payable. The original tax rate was 21%, which means that no matter how many tax deductions you have, you still have to pay 21% personal tax, and the new bill of the president has raised this tax rate to 24%.

"In comparison, the new tax law can save you millions of taxes every year." Lawrence smiled and crossed out

The highest federal capital gains tax rate is limited to 28%, and the deferred tax benefits for investment income have not been cancelled. And many corporate income tax exemptions have not been cancelled as expected.

Therefore, compared with the remaining dividends Ronald receives from the Directors Guild every year, the bulk of his income includes movie dividends, video tape income, and his own investment income. Because it is operated through a company, he will pay less tax.

"But the donors and voters who I mobilized to vote for him will not believe me this time." Little Douglas, who was originally interested in local politics, was still angry. The political resources he had accumulated in Staten Island and Manhattan were wiped out by the President.

"Don't complain, at least your investment income can be exempted... dollars, which is enough for you to buy a congressman." Donna next to him poked Douglas. Compared with being a politician's wife, she certainly wanted to be an investment analyst she liked.

If Douglas runs for a congressman in the future, she will have to face a difficult choice. Donna is only happy to get rid of Douglas's political career at one time. In the future, the financial sources of the two will be more inclined to investment.

"Okay, that's it... As long as we don't raise taxes, we can't control anything else." Ronald had basically figured out why George Sr. did this.

Lawyer Lindsay Dole, who is familiar with the law, called him and told Ronald that due to the recent economic downturn and the increase in federal spending, the fiscal deficit has reached a worrying level.

The Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Balanced Budget Act passed by Congress has strict regulations on the increase in government deficits. If the deficit budget is to be increased, government spending must be reduced. Such a large-scale spending cut can only start from two places, government health care and pensions, or national defense.

And national defense... The tax increase bill represents the choice made by the president, not to cut costs but to increase revenue. This almost makes it clear that the defense budget will increase significantly next year...

"Well, okay, I'll just be my rich heir and never want to go into politics again." Douglas sighed, and his ambitions that were originally aroused by some of his comrades in the Elephant Party also disappeared.

"The president is not completely abandoned by us..." Douglas joked after his psychological burden was lifted.

When answering another question from the reporter, the president mentioned the movie "Dances with Wolves" and called on Congress to pass the Indian bill.

This move actually made the Elephant Party members very angry. The president almost betrayed the Elephant Party and colluded with the Donkey Party. Although the Elephants are the minority party in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, they openly abandoned most of the opinions of their own party members for the budget and some unimportant bills (such as India

No matter what the members thought, Ronald calmed down and thanked the president for this performance.

At least the large-scale release of "Dances with Wolves" was greatly helped by the president. In order to reduce the media's backlash against the tax increase, the White House is desperately provoking the "India

The Donkey Party, which likes this bill, has much more influence in the media than the Elephants, and is helping the White House manipulate the media agenda, either explicitly or implicitly. After all, the poor benefit from this tax increase bill, and the tax increase offends their own votes, which also makes the Donkey Party happy to watch the joke.

For a time, except for some local TV stations, most national TV stations reported India at full speed

As for the news reports on the tax increase and the Elephant Party whip and the chairman of the National Conference openly opposing the president, the time occupied by the TV station was not as much as the discussion of the new film "Dances with Wolves".

"The president's approval rating has dropped from 79% at the beginning of the year to just over 55%," Richard The latest news from De.

"It seems that we have become the beneficiaries of Dances with Wolves." Ronald smiled.

The President gave such face, watched Dances with Wolves in the White House, and verbally praised the film to reporters. It seems that he wanted to save the approval rating that was almost certainly declining. After all, this film may be the only issue that can gather more than 80% approval rating in the short term.

"I think it seems useless..." Richard shook his head. Compared with the tax increase, which is related to his personal interests, an Indian

Even Richard had many complaints about George. Their agent's income, and most of them were within the scope of tax payment.

"Don't worry about him, our box office will increase." Ronald understood Richard's grievances, "As long as the box office of the movie exceeds expectations, I plan to give a bonus to the main creator."

Ronald knew that most Hollywood practitioners were affected by the tax increase, and he made up his mind that as long as the box office of Dances with Wolves was good, he would give a little money to all the staff of the film to make up for the extra taxes they had to pay this year.

Come with a little favor to buy people's hearts.

"You and Niceta have it too, I will compensate you in other ways." Ronald said to Richard with a smile. His agents, especially Richard, have helped him do a lot of work that is not within the scope of agents. It is time to give them more benefits to repay their years of loyalty.

"Look at my lips, the president is a liar!" The figure of Ed Rollins, chairman of the Elephant Party National Convention, appeared on TV. He sent notices to members and candidates facing the mid-term congressional elections, asking them to keep their distance from the president. As a result, he was removed from his position by the White House Chief of Staff Sununu and powerful people in the party.

The media likes the former chairman very much, and the picture of scolding their president on TV. This sentence was originally the slogan of George Sr. during his campaign, "Look at my lips, no tax increase." Now that it has been changed by his own people and openly said on TV, it has become a laughing stock across the country.

I worked late last night and I am very sleepy today. I will update these first and make up for it tomorrow