Executive by Piers Anthony

Author:Piers Anthony [Anthony, Piers]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction; American
ISBN: 9780738806990
Publisher: Xlibris
Published: 1983-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

“I have worked out a basic program,” Senator Stonebridge advised me. “I have cleared it with the other cabinet officers, including your daughter, who requires a great deal more funding for education. But the measures I propose will have such an impact on the planet—“ He shrugged.

“If the others have cleared it, I should have no objection,” I said. “But perhaps you should summarize it for me, so that I’m not caught ignorant when the public reaction strikes.”

“By all means. The program, in broadest outline, is to balance the budget by economizing on existing programs and by bringing in new revenues—about half of each. The cuts come largely from the projected military allocations, in reductions of the generous military and civil servant retirement programs, and virtual elimination of the government bureaucracy. There are presently more than two million government employees, with five major layers of authority, and the inefficiency and waste—“ He shook his head. “Appalling. But there will be repercussions.”

“Against cutting waste?” I asked.

“The typical Navy careerist retires at age forty, with sextuple the benefits accruing to a civilian with commensurate service. He feels this is his right. The typical civil servant retires with triple the private-sector benefits. Retired presidents have extremely generous settlements and perks.”

“They’ll all be screaming,” I agreed. “But my own Navy retirement benefits will be cut too.”

“They are not your primary source of sustenance,” he pointed out.

“True. But Faith will see that no one is reduced to poverty.”

“Sir, I’m not sure you grasp the potential reaction against such reductions. When the average person is hit in the pocketbook, he becomes—“

“I’ll handle it,” I said, unconcerned. “It is the job of the Tyrant to take the heat. You just do what you have to do.”

“Now, the revenue enhancement aspect is similarly difficult,” he said.

“Tax increase, you mean.”

“Not precisely. The present system is patently inequitable and is to be reformed and simplified. Naturally we shall be closing the loopholes, and this will cause a certain backlash—“

“To hell with the backlash!” I exclaimed. “It’s high time we had fair taxation!”

“Every person’s definition of ‘fair’ differs,” he said, “and tends to be somewhat self-serving. For example, the elimination of the mortgage interest deduction—“

“Which means that the poor will pay more taxes,” I said, seeing it. “What does Faith have to say about that?”

“We, ah, bargained,” he said. “Your sister is an attractive and dedicated woman.” I realized with a start that Faith’s initial considerable appeal for men had not entirely abated; Stonebridge had felt the impact. There was nothing serious in this, of course; this man was not about to dally with any Hispanic woman of any age. But evidently he had been satisfied to work things out with her, economically. “She realizes that some sacrifices have to be made, in the interest of the greater good. Since one of the objectives we share is that of full employment at fair recompense—“

“Gotcha,” I said. “She has to worry first about the people who have no homes to mortgage because they have no jobs.

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