I'm building Gundams in America

Chapter 466 Incorporating the US Army (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Wayne nodded slightly upon hearing Matthew's words.

The main reason for this US government shutdown is the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The cause was the failure of the two parties to reach an agreement on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the root of which was funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Democrats wanted to cut funding for ICE and the Border Patrol in order to block the current president's policy of deporting undocumented immigrants, so they directly cut funding to the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of ICE, causing the entire department to shut down.

As a large department, the Department of Homeland Security has a total of 23.5 employees and seven agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the United States Secret Service (USSS), the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

This shutdown resulted in approximately 20 people working without pay, 2.29 people being forced to take unpaid leave, airport security across the United States being paralyzed, causing widespread delays, and more than 1000 members of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) responsible for security resigning.

Many federal employees belonging to the Department of Homeland Security had to go out on the streets to collect relief to make ends meet, and used so-called "emergency shutdown loans" to pay various bills, with many going bankrupt.

The bill doesn't care why you don't have money.

The most amusing thing is that ICE and the Border Patrol continue to receive funding through a $1500 billion special fund under the "Big Beauty Act" and are not significantly affected.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Coast Guard were the worst hit, as they were the ones most severely affected by pay cuts.

A completely undeserved disaster.

Looking at Matthew, who was on the verge of tears, Wayne's face showed pity, and he asked, "Matthew, my friend, a soldier who strives to protect this country should not be treated like this—"

As he spoke, Wayne had already placed his hand on Matthew's shoulder, instantly activating the power of [Basic Witch Doctor].

Warm energy surged from Wayne's palms and quickly flowed into Matthew's swollen shoulder.

Matthew, who had been looking dejected, suddenly looked utterly astonished, staring at his shoulder in disbelief.

He could clearly feel a cool sensation emanating from his aching shoulder, and the pain quickly dissipated.

Even the redness and swelling on his shoulder have visibly disappeared!

"My God—sir, what—what has happened—" Matthew murmured.

His eyes were filled with shock and gratitude.

Wayne then withdrew his hand from his shoulder, and Matthew immediately raised his arm and gently rotated it.

He discovered that the pain and intractable ailments that had plagued him had completely disappeared!

"Oh, sir, how much—should I give you—money?"

Matthew looked at Wayne with gratitude, but his voice suddenly dropped when he mentioned the last word, "money."

Because the government is shut down and can't pay salaries, he's currently broke and has no money at all.

"But can I—can I buy on credit first? I'll bring it to you as soon as the money comes through—I still need to apply for a government shutdown loan later—"

"After the loan is approved, I need to pay the bills first, so I can only pay later—"

At the end, Matthew lowered his head somewhat embarrassed.

As a Coast Guard officer, he really didn't want to owe them a favor, but he had no choice.

"Things will get better, Matthew," Wayne nodded. "The blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven Church are free. You have already given so much to this country that even God can't bear to punish you—go and apply for your interest-free loan."

Matthew gave a wry smile and said, "There are no interest-free loans, sir. The interest rate on these loans isn't low, but it's already quite good to have such an emergency loan—it's much better than the 300%-800% interest rate on payday loans."

In California, the fee for a payday loan is $15 per $100, with an average annual interest rate of 459%, which is considered moderate.

level.

Government shutdown loans also have high interest rates and can be considered short-term transitional loans.

At this point, Matthew hesitated, as this was the first time he had ever heard of the existence of the Church of Heaven.

Then, he cautiously asked, "Oh, sir, may I bring some of my comrades with me to receive your blessing?"

"If possible, could we also join this Church of Heaven? I never imagined that the power of miracles truly existed in this world; it's truly—"

"Although active-duty military personnel can enjoy free medical care, military hospitals can only treat minor illnesses. For serious illnesses, the waiting time for civilian medical care is also very long. Many of my comrades have to wait for half a year for medical care and can only rely on painkillers to get by."

One of their biggest problems recently has been the switching of medical contractors, which has caused chaos throughout the military's medical system.

Matthew understood that his request was somewhat excessive, since the saint in front of him had no obligation to treat them.

He also knew that many people discriminated against active-duty military personnel to some extent, after all, things were different now than before, and the backgrounds of military personnel were more diverse, including a large number of gang members and new immigrants.

To his surprise, the saint Mr. Wayne nodded without the slightest hesitation and agreed to his request.

At the same time, with a look of pity, he asked, "Matthew, how many people are in the Los Angeles Coast Guard?"

Matthew knew he couldn't miss this opportunity. Not only for his comrades' sake, but also to gain the favor of this street saint, he immediately said, "Oh, sir, the entire Coast Guard has deployed about 600 personnel in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area, and over 800 in the greater Los Angeles area, along with an auxiliary volunteer team of 1200 civilian volunteers—"

"Of course, please rest assured, I can't bring everyone with me, God wouldn't allow that—" Matthew joked, then continued, "I think there are about a few dozen people who need your blessing in total—"

As he spoke, a look of unease returned to his face, wondering if what he said would cause the saint to refuse.

Wayne sighed and said, "Of course, Matthew, you have given so much to this country and deserve my blessing. Let them all come."

Upon hearing this, Matthew was overjoyed and quickly said, "That's wonderful, Mr. Saint! Thank you for your kindness! Oh God, I wish Colonel Nathan knew this immediately!"

Good news!

"Also, sir, may I join the Kingdom of Heaven Church you mentioned?"

Wayne nodded and said, "Of course, Matthew, my son, go find old Will, that white-haired old man, he will guide you."

Upon hearing this, Matthew was overjoyed. He bowed repeatedly to Wayne, expressed his deepest gratitude, and left the tent to find old Will.

Seeing the coast guard lieutenant leave like that, and clearly preparing to bring more coast guard soldiers, Sofia, who was pretending to be asleep, was extremely shocked.

It's important to know that the Coast Guard, as one of the six branches of the U.S. military, originated from the Customs Anti-Smuggling Fleet, which has a longer history than the U.S. Navy and is the only military force capable of enforcing the law on its own soil.

The Coast Guard's statutory duties include search and rescue, drug interdiction, immigration interception, port security, marine environmental protection, fisheries enforcement, national defense preparedness, and so on.

The Coast Guard is primarily responsible for intercepting illegal immigrants and conducting drug enforcement operations at sea.

It's fair to say that controlling the Coast Guard has always been the dream of every smuggler.

When Sofia's father, Nicola, was alive, he dreamed of corrupting the Los Angeles Coast Guard, since most of their cargo came in by sea, in addition to air transport.

But this matter is fraught with difficulties. Not to mention that the Coast Guard's garrison areas are frequently changed, it is impossible to corrupt a senior U.S. military officer without connections.

The other party usually stays in the military camp.

Now, with just a few words from Wayne, it seems the entire Los Angeles Coast Guard is about to defect to him.

This stark contrast left Sofia in disbelief!

Looking at the man's back, Sophia suddenly had a strange feeling.

Is this really Bruce Wayne?

Why did it feel like a colossal being, a "Greater Other," had entered her body?

This feeling even made her shudder, yet she also harbored a subtle sense of dependence, which was quite delicate.

Just as she was squinting and her mind was racing, Wayne suddenly spoke in an extremely calm tone: "Awake? Get up and get to work."

Your basic Witch Doctor skill has been improved: Master 42.1% + 0.1%

Experience Points: 81+1

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