The Return of Elliott Eastman Read Online Free PDF

derivatives, is painless and eliminates our growing deficit, which he feels is the single greatest threat to our nation. He also believes that with the explosion of various financial instruments in the last few years, the income stream will be quite substantial.”
    “I might agree with him, but it is pointless to discuss this any further. You’ll never get Congress to agree. The banks have enormous sway over them. They’ll not even get the bills written.”
    “Could you kindly identify the members of Congress who would most strenuously oppose such a bill?” Attorney Dale asked softly.
    Goldman scratched his chin. “You’d have everyone on the Senate Banking Committee, Coryn, Graham, and Lanting against it. You’d probably have trouble with Bainer and Whitback over at the House Ways and Means Committee, and of course the House Speaker Cobbings will side with them. And that’s just to name a few.”
    Attorney Dale swiftly wrote the names down on a note pad.
    “If this bill were to be written, Mr. Eastman has argued it must be done with great care so as not to allow Congress to merely spend the monies. He also wants to be clear that this is not to apply to the savings and checking account transactions of the general public. He expressed a desire that the bill be very specific. It would require a division of the SEC to manage the monies and secure a lock box style of accounting, so not a single penny is misplaced. He’d like you to manage that division, under the SEC, and imagines there will be a sizable pay raise for this new staff, something in the six figure range for you as well as a spot on the national stage. The SEC would be the natural governmental body to oversea such a fee arrangement, as they would be on the front line of collections anyway. You have three years left in your term. You would be the inaugural General in the ‘War on the Deficit.’”
    Dale could see the lights glimmering in Goldman’s eyes as he imagined himself on the cover of TIME magazine.
    Attorney Dale continued. “If Senator, I mean the former Senator Mr. Eastman, can get the bill to the floor he would respectfully hope you would endorse it, and he means strongly endorse it. He believes your endorsement would go a long way toward getting the bill passed.”
    “Of course. I’d have no problem with that,” Goldman swiftly replied. “But with the powerful lobbyists that every major corporation has at their command, there is not the proverbial snowballs chance in hell of such a thing happening.”
    “But if it was to take place, do we have your word that you would strongly endorse such a bill?” Dale pressed the chairman.
    “Yes, you do.”
    “Thank you for your time Mr. Chairman.”

Chapter Eight
     
    Elliott Eastman paced softly across the thick carpeting of the Oval Office with his hands folded behind his back. The sun was just rising to the east of the White House, slowly spreading thin fingers of sunlight across the Rose Garden. Elliott was humming softly. The door swung open and in walked President White with a big smile on his face. He greeted the former senator warmly, grasping the proffered hand saying, “It’s been awhile, Elliott. It’s so good to see you again. Can I offer you some coffee or tea?”
    “No thank you. You’re looking well, Samuel. The presidency must agree with you.”
    “Agree? Other than a constant headache and a couple dozen bleeding ulcers, I’m just peachy,” the President laughed heartily.
    “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
    “Yes, it is a marathon everyday, but we’re doing okay. The poll numbers are still lower than they were, but they seemed to have stabilized and the team has high hopes I’ll win a second term.”
    “Is it too early for congratulations?”
    “Well the election is still a year away Elliott, so I’d say it’s a tad early.”
    “Let’s sit and talk. I’ve got two ideas that, when linked together, I think might just win you a second, and possibly a third