money player

"Human nature has two sides: selfishness and altruism. According to Adam Smith's theory, capitalism is to amplify the selfish instinct in human nature into a systematic logic through institutions such as property rights, markets, and profits."

The core of Karl Marx's socialist theory lies in redesigning the way individual interests are realized so that "the choice that is most beneficial to oneself" is also "beneficial to others and society."

Without stopping, Sin Yiu-man took out a two-shilling nickel coin from his pocket, tossed it into the air, caught it in his hand, and showed it to Zhao Jiade.

"I think the most practical significance of the two theories is that they redefine the relationship between friend and foe. In the past, friend and foe were colorful and difficult to distinguish. Now they tend to be solid colors, like two sides of a coin. It's either heads or tails. Whoever wants to stand on the serrations will be attacked from both sides."

Zhao Jiade smiled in support.

Sin Yiu-man put the nickel back in his pocket. "World War II had only ended a few years ago, and various countries were undergoing a reshuffling of power. Nobody was sitting firmly on their chairs. At this time, we could make some small moves, either to buy time for economic transformation, to alleviate employment pressure, or to send dissidents to the battlefield so that we could free up our hands to do something else."

There may be deeper considerations, such as diverting public attention.

Everything is fine, but in short, the time is not ripe for a major war, nor is it necessary. A third war is unlikely to break out in the short term.

In 1946, Churchill delivered his Iron Curtain speech; in 1947, Truman presented the Truman Doctrine to Congress; in 948, the Berlin Airlift took place; and the ongoing Korean War has demonstrated the beginning of the Cold War and the flexibility of the struggle. The Cold War takes many forms and is not limited to military action.

In order to demonstrate the superiority of the capitalist system, maintain social stability, and strike at the Communist Party of the United States, Washington will next introduce a series of pro-people policies aimed at improving people's livelihoods.

Who do you think is the biggest enemy for American real estate developers right now?

Without hesitation, Zhao Jiade replied, "The union."

"In March of this year, the Treasury-Federal Reserve System Agreement was signed. This agreement formally ended the Fed's long-term 'interest rate pegging' policy of cooperating with the Treasury to maintain low interest rates during World War II, and regained the right to formulate monetary policy independently. From that moment on, the Fed became truly independent."

Going forward, the US government will only be able to obtain funds through taxation and national debt borrowing. It will be difficult to monetize fiscal deficits and print money in disguise.

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. Limited fiscal revenue coupled with the need for pro-people policies stifles creativity, limiting implementation to mere window dressing. There's only one way to implement pro-people policies.

Zhao Jiade said, "We encourage consumption."

"Hmm. Qin Shi Huang standardized the width of carts and built roads throughout the country, as well as the Lingqu Canal connecting the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers; Yang Guang excavated the Grand Canal; Friedrich List proposed the theory of productive forces and the theory of infant industry protection, and strongly advocated that Germany build railways. The Pacific Railway Act is a classic example of 'to develop the west, build railways first'."

During the Weimar Republic, organizations such as the German Association of the Automotive Industry promoted the construction of dedicated motorway connecting Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Basel. The Cologne-Bonn Motorway, which opened in 1932, was one such motorway.

After the Nazi Party came to power, it astutely recognized the immense value of this project, took it over, packaged it as one of its own achievements, named it the Reich Highway, and carried out a large-scale expansion.

Do you know what value Hitler discovered?

After a moment's thought, Zhao Jiade said, "When the Nazis came to power, there were millions of unemployed people in Germany. Highway construction is a labor-intensive industry that can quickly create a large number of jobs, stabilize society, and win support for the new regime."

Hitler hailed the highways as a marvel of German engineering, using them to promote the superiority of National Socialism and the power of Nazi Germany. He combined this with the concept of the "People's Car" (the Volkswagen Beetle), painting a deceptively modern, affluent automotive utopian future for the German people.

Sin Yiu-man continued noncommittally, "The Veterans Rights Act stimulated the construction industry and promoted suburbanization; it improved education levels, led to higher incomes, and enhanced consumer spending power."

This is a manifestation of encouraging consumption. For at least the next ten years, the economic development of the United States will revolve around the concept of "encouraging consumption." It is now reasonable to predict which industries will experience rapid growth.

Which industries will decline?

Zhao Jiade astutely grasped the word "trade union" and blurted out, "It's a labor-intensive industry that has reached a bottleneck in its development."

"Since the Wagner Act of 1935 was passed, the right of workers to organize and join trade unions has been legally guaranteed for the first time, providing a solid legal foundation for the vigorous development of trade unions."

The wartime economy required a stable labor force, and the government encouraged unionization to ensure production, leading to a surge in union membership during this period.

In the postwar period, unions such as the Auto Workers Union and the Steelworkers Union, through collective bargaining, secured unprecedented high wages, pensions, and health insurance for workers, shaping a middle-class lifestyle and attracting more people to join.

Today, the power of labor unions is striding towards its peak. Repeated strike victories have changed the mindset of union leaders, who now enjoy the beauty of power itself and should also enjoy the money that comes with it.

Powerful labor unions typically have pension and medical funds, both of which can be used to generate more wealth.

“Mr. Xian, pension and medical funds can be either directly managed by the employer or managed through a trust fund. In either case, the trade union only has the right to supervise.”

"What about voting rights?" Sin Yiu-man chuckled. "With voting rights, there's room for manipulation. We won't discuss the specifics of how to manipulate them yet, but the union has undergone a fundamental change. Union leadership positions have become coveted spots where one can enjoy power and money. Union elections will increasingly resemble presidential elections, rife with conspiracies and schemes."

Speaking solely of overt strategies, what do you think is the best approach?

"Holding a strike to fight for workers' welfare can win public support and gain more votes."

Sin Yiu-man stopped running and walked slowly forward. "Next year is a presidential election year, and also a labor election year. Mainstream labor unions such as the Federation of Industrial Cooperatives and the Federation of Trade Unions are traditional and staunch allies of the Democratic Party."

Many labor unions will hold national congresses next year to re-elect their chairpersons; it's a turbulent time.

He then changed the subject, “The Cleveland Fine Spinner is in Cleveland, an industrial hub and a strike hotspot. Although the Cleveland Fine Spinner currently appears to be a high-quality enterprise, I am not optimistic about its long-term prospects.”

It showed no signs of moving south. Its taxes and labor costs were simply no match for those of the southern textile mills. In addition, the ever-present threat of strikes not only drove up costs but also affected production.

You can keep an eye on it, buy the stock first, and then sell it short at the appropriate time.

When do you think is the appropriate time?

Zhao Jiade's gaze sharpened. "When I need it, that's the right time."

"There has never been a savior, nor do we rely on gods or emperors. To create human happiness, we must rely entirely on ourselves." Sin Yiu-man hummed a song, a smile spreading across his face. "Every sunny day is a good time to strike."

He patted Zhao Jiade on the shoulder and said, "Go back to New York, go to Wall Street, and I'll give you $5. Show me."

Zhao Jiade smiled confidently, "I will do my best to demonstrate."

"Hmm, not bad." Sin Yiu Man shrugged. "Let's continue our workout. I'll treat you to the best soy milk in Singapore later."

After their workout, Sin Yiu Man took Zhao Jiade and Song Chengxiu to Bukit Pasir Road. They tried the modified tofu pudding at Yan Rushuang's Tofu shop and then sampled Indian roti at a stall near the entrance.

The stall owner was Sikh; he was clean and the stall was spotless. The fish curry topping for the pancakes had been modified—it didn't look as yellow, and the savory smell wasn't as strong. (End of Chapter)