American Tax Officer

"Indeed, this city is in a terrible state right now," David began. "According to statistics, the number of homeless in the city has reached several thousands, and every week, sometimes up to a hundred homeless people die from starvation, freezing to death, or illness. Have you ever considered what the fundamental reason behind this is?"

After pondering for a moment, the Wall Street Journal replied, "I believe the main reason is the local economic collapse and high unemployment rate."

David shook his head slightly and then said, "That's one of the reasons, but not the main one. The crux of the issue is that local finances can no longer issue relief funds. In the past, the relief money that each person could receive was not much, but at least it was enough to ensure one wouldn't starve or freeze to death."

No one in the audience or online voiced any opposition to this statement. Your next chapter awaits on empire

When America's Treasury first set up the relief fund, it was after thorough data analysis. Let's say each person received 400 US dollars a week.

This amount of money couldn't allow every person to live a decent life, but it definitely meant they wouldn't starve or freeze to death.

"Alright, just now you asked me if the actions and policy directions I take after assuming office might affect the interests of many people in Hollywood," David continued.

"Now I can tell you that if I can collect an additional 10 million in taxes from Hollywood, our treasury would have an extra 10 million in discretionary funds. And this 10 million, just might be allocated to Detroit, saving the lives of those who might otherwise have died from the cold or hunger," he explained.

"So, tell me, should I be concerned about affecting the interests of those in Hollywood or should I just watch indifferently as people in Detroit who might have had a chance to survive perish?" he challenged.

With that, the room fell silent.

At this point, they finally understood why David had brought up the city of Detroit and the homeless who were dying of hunger and cold.

On the other side, Director Obadiah Donald and others who heard David's speech wished they could stand up and applaud on the spot.

The sanctity of human life is the same everywhere.

Although in the eyes of some elites, the lives of ordinary people aren't worth much, such opinions can only be acknowledged privately. If you dared to voice such a sentiment in public, even if you were the President, you could be ousted from office in an instant.

Now, by linking tax collection to the lives of the homeless in Detroit, David had seized the moral high ground, holding the banner of righteousness in his hands!

If Hollywood dared to resist or obstruct tax collection, it would be seen as standing against the people, as uncaring about the fate of the homeless in Detroit!

Besides, Hollywood was merely a metaphor. David's words were actually an indirect morale booster for inspectors in branches all over the country.

He was telling them that their tax audits were aimed at saving the country and its people—go ahead and do it with enthusiasm, and let's see who dares to obstruct!

"Clap, clap, clap, clap..."

Director Obadiah was the first to start clapping, and although Rohan and others felt irked inside, seeing that the Director had taken the lead, they too begrudgingly began to clap.

At the same time, online responses to David's statements were overwhelmingly positive.

"Well said! Compared to human lives, the interests of those Hollywood people don't mean a thing!"

"Director David was merely using Detroit as a metaphor. In reality, as he said, collecting an additional 10 million in taxes could mean many homeless people receiving relief funds, avoiding starvation and freezing. And if it were an additional billion, it could greatly improve our healthcare and public welfare. That's why I support it!"

"Right now, I don't need relief funds, but I can't guarantee I won't be in that position one day. I don't want to find when I'm in need that there's nothing to receive. That would be too despairing, so I absolutely support Director David and all the national inspectors in their tax collection efforts!"

Although America is the most developed country in the world, most of its inhabitants are ordinary people, and they can certainly grasp the importance of taxation.

Many of these people might not need relief funds, but no one can guarantee they won't need them one day.

Therefore, expressing support for David now is also a way to keep their options open for the future.

While the internet was still buzzing with discussion, at the press conference, the journalists had regained their composure and were continuing with their questions.

By 4:30 PM, David was quite exhausted from speaking for so long, and after receiving a signal from Director Obadiah, he finally announced the end of the press conference.

Afterward, Rohan and the others immediately turned and left.

But Obadiah and Donald paid them no attention; they approached David and praised him, "You answered very well, David."

"Yes, with this groundwork, your start in office will be much easier!" Donald also praised.

To be honest, before the press conference, Donald had been worried that David might slip up because he was keenly aware of the American media's ability to set traps.

Not just a newcomer like David, but even the most seasoned veterans with decades of political experience could find themselves tripped up by these media tactics.

Fortunately, this time David not only avoided being tripped up by the media, but also used the topic of the Detroit homeless and the metaphor to gain another layer of legitimacy for the Tax Bureau's collections.

"Your praises are too kind, Director Obadiah, Deputy Director Donald."

"Okay, you've had a long day traveling and engaging with us in the presentation, followed by this lengthy press conference. I'll have Leticia take you to the hotel we've arranged," Director Obadiah added.