America: From a Fallen Child Star to the Head of the University of the West

Chapter 118 Victory is achievable whether you advance or retreat.

After Wilder was seated, he waved to the audience, and his supporters immediately erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Crane, sitting to the side, glanced at Wilder, then turned to Sean, his tone becoming steady: "Mr. Pan, what you just said was very eloquent. Citizens, yes, citizens. But citizens need more than just eloquent words; they need concrete policies and tangible results."

"You mentioned that undocumented immigrants also pay taxes. Okay, I admit they do pay sales tax, and some even payroll tax. But what are you trying to say? That you want to give them the right to vote? That you want them to enjoy the same benefits as citizens? Then please, in front of everyone in this hall, clearly state: 'Do you support giving undocumented immigrants the right to vote?'"

This is a trap. If Sean says he supports it, Crane will cut that sentence out and broadcast it throughout California, causing him to lose all his swing voters.

If he says he doesn't support it, Crane will accuse him of playing word games and being all talk.

It's a win-win situation whether you advance or retreat!

But he doesn't think he'll lose to his opponent in the art of winning.

Sean looked at Crane and calmly replied, "Senator Crane, you're using a fallacy again."

The other person raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

“What I’m saying is that those who don’t have the right to vote also pay taxes and contribute to this country. I’m not saying they should immediately have the right to vote. What I’m trying to say is: when we talk about ‘taxpayers,’ we should realize that this word is much bigger than ‘voters.’ We should realize that some people are contributing but have no voice.” His voice was clear and firm. “And you, Senator Crane, in your 25 years in this district, have you ever spoken up for those who have no voice? Have you ever thought about who will represent the interests of those who won’t show up on election day?”

Crane opened his mouth, but Sean didn't give him a chance to interrupt: "You just asked me where the money for my policy comes from. I'll tell you: from where they should be paying taxes, but aren't paying enough. Multinational corporations hide their profits overseas, tech companies use complex equity structures to avoid taxes, and the super-rich pay almost no taxes on their asset appreciation. These people, shouldn't they be taxpayers too?"

In the audience, someone nodded slightly.

"Does that include your friend Musk?" Crane interrupted sarcastically.

Sean looked at him coldly: "You're interrupting me, sir. That's very impolite!"

"This—we are debating—" Crane's tone softened slightly when he saw Sean's expression change.

"Enough! I said you're interrupting me!" Sean said, feigning anger. "And were you just accusing Musk?"

I have no interest in any of this. If you have evidence of his tax evasion, report him to the IRS!

,

Kran was taken aback.

“Let’s get to the heart of the matter,” Sean continued. “You say if I tax tech companies, they’ll leave. I ask you: where will they go? To Texas? Does Texas have the talent pool of Silicon Valley? Does it have Stanford and Berkeley? Tech companies come to California not because the taxes are low, but because it’s where they can make money. And they should give back to the place that made them money.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Crane forced a smile and said, "That sounds nice. But do you know how big California's budget deficit is right now? Do you know how many small businesses have moved away because of the heavy tax burden? Your nice words won't solve any real problems."

Clearly, he was trying to save face after his recent embarrassment.

"So what problems have you solved in twenty-five years?" Sean countered.

Kran was speechless for a moment.

Sean looked at him, pressing him: "You say small businesses are moving away. I ask you: what have you done for small businesses in the past twenty-five years? Have you supported any small business loan programs? Have you ever thought about why small businesses would rather move away than stay in their hometowns?" He took a step forward. "Because they feel that nobody in Washington listens to them. Because they feel that those people in tailored suits sitting in Capitol Hill offices have no idea how difficult it is to run a store, pay salaries, and pay taxes."

Although small business owners may not think this way, it is essential for him to "speak up" for them at this time.

Having a loud voice can be quite useful in debates.

“You say I’m an actor, inexperienced. Yes, I haven’t sat in Washington for twenty-five years. But I’ve at least been to Watts District, to Bakersfield, to places you might only see on ballot maps, to listen to your constituents’ stories,” Sean said clearly. “Senator Crane, how many stories like that have you heard over the years?”

A hush fell over the auditorium. Crane didn't answer. Wilder, sitting to the side of the stage, slowly lost his smile, staring at Sean with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

In the eleventh row of the stands, Earl was also staring at Sean. He was holding a baseball cap in his right hand, the brim slightly deformed from his grip.

"That kid—"

Dan, who was standing next to him, glanced at him and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Earl replied, but he didn't look away.

On stage, Crane spoke again, his voice lower than before: "Mr. Pan, the stories you told were very touching."

It's true. But politics doesn't run on sentimentality. Politics is about compromise, deals, choosing the less bad option from a multitude of bad ones. You'll see how difficult it is to achieve your ideals once you're actually in Washington.

"Your constituents aren't here to listen to your complaints," Sean said, narrowing his eyes.

Crane, who had been confident in his words, suddenly glanced insecurely at the audience below the stage—

Damn it, did he just make a mistake?

Unfortunately, he didn't have Sean's ability to judge people.

"Alright!" Sean laughed again. "Maybe. Maybe one day I'll become like you. Maybe one day I'll be sitting in an office and think that people who come to me for help are just numbers and votes, just a nuisance. But at least today, I'm not."

He turned to the audience. "I'm not standing here today to persuade Senator Crane. I know I can't. I'm here to tell you: someone is listening to you. I may not have the answers, I may not be able to do many things, but at least I'm here. I'll sit among you and listen to what no one else is saying. Because you are not numbers, you are not votes, you are citizens."

This time, applause erupted simultaneously from several directions, no longer sporadic. Sean looked at Crane, whose expression remained unchanged, but the number above his head had dropped to -12.

At this point, the host interrupted, saying, "Gentlemen, you have ten minutes left for the free debate. Please continue."

Crane took a breath: "Mr. Pan, you said you would listen. Okay. I have a question for you: After you've listened, what then? You heard those stories, and then what? What can you give these people besides what I heard?"

"I heard it, Crane," Sean said calmly. "It was a strange sound."

"You, you're not going to downplay the important points!" Crane raised his voice.

Sean looked at Crane with a calm expression: "I can give them a choice. A choice that isn't you, or anyone else like you. A choice that isn't someone who listens, tries, makes mistakes, but at least comes. You say politics is about compromise, I know. But politics can also be about change, it can be someone walking in and telling those who have been forgotten: you haven't been forgotten."

Crane shook his head: "Young man, you'll understand when you're older. Those you promise will ultimately be disappointed. Because what you can give is always less than what they want."

"Maybe," Sean said, "but at least I won't tell them they don't deserve more."

The two men stared at each other, and the auditorium fell silent for a few seconds. Then, Crane spoke up: "Alright, I'll ask you a specific question. Where does your labor training center get its money? Don't just say it comes from where it's supposed to be collected. Be specific."

He thought Sean would avoid this sensitive issue, but after thinking it over, Sean made his own plans.

The chips have been laid, and the pie has to be drawn.

But who can be sure whether he is a selfish and incompetent second-rate cartoonist, or an unparalleled genius like Ma Liang with his magic paintbrush?

"First, we need to re-evaluate California's federal vocational training funding. Currently, the funding utilization rate is less than 40%, with most of it being consumed by administrative costs. We can improve the efficiency of this area and save at least $80 million annually."

Crane frowned.

"Secondly, we can partner with community colleges and local businesses, with businesses providing equipment and internship positions, and the government providing venues and basic teaching staff. Students would sign agreements to work for the businesses for at least two years after graduation. In this way, the government doesn't have to pay for everything, businesses get trained workers, and students get jobs."

"Third, a portion of my data tax proposal is specifically earmarked for worker training. If it doesn't pass at the federal level, I'll try to push it through in places like California. Several state legislators are currently interested in this."

After listening, Crane paused for a few seconds and then asked, "Do you think your data tax proposal will pass Parliament?"

Sean chuckled. "When you were pushing for the agricultural trade agreement, did anyone tell you it wouldn't pass?"

Kram remained silent in response.

Wilder, sitting to the side of the stage, suddenly laughed: "Brilliant." His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for those in the front row to hear. "Truly brilliant."

"Ahem, sorry!" He then raised his hands again. "Like I said, I'm just a spectator. You guys continue."

Crane then looked away and said to Sean, "Mr. Pan, you're more difficult to deal with than I expected."

Sean looked at him: "Thank you, that's a compliment to me."

“This isn’t a compliment,” Crane said, “it’s a reminder. You did very well today. But one debate doesn’t win an election. You have a long way to go.”

"I know.

Crane nodded and turned to the host: "I have no more questions."

Then, the host looked at Sean.

"I don't have any either," Sean said.

The host then cleared his throat: "Now, let's move on to the closing remarks. Three minutes each. Senator Krane, you may go first."