“I think you underestimate the financial burden of supporting the families of Senate members currently holding seats.”
“Those families should have their own coffers.”
“Most of them used up that money generations ago.”
“Then perhaps they need a pay cut, and we should cut back on chalets, private jets, and gourmet dinners.”
Max laughed. “And that wouldn’t come close to maintaining our lifestyle.”
“Then I suggest selling a few of those planes, yachts, stocks, and real estate. If the Senate liquidated assets and took a substantial pay cut, there’d be money to reinvest. Careful management would keep the Senate funded and allow financial regrowth.”
He cut her a look. “And how do you think the Senate members would take that news?”
“Their personal feelings don’t matter.”
“Says the woman withcustom-madeshoes.”
“I have no debt. I own the same house my father lived in and his father before him. Except for a few luxuries likecustom-madeshoes, I have a minimallifestyle.”
The cocky expression on Max’s face shriveled. “Well, unfortunately, that boat sailed long ago for the rest of us.”
“Sounds as if you should have called a quorum after all.”
“No need.”
“If the funds to sustain the Senate are depleted, then you may not get another chance.” Because Max was right. Senate and Wardens both would react negatively when the paychecks bounced.
“Unless I can secure another source.”
“Which is?”
His smile returned. “Do you know how much money the US military spends a year on defense?”
“Far more than it should.”
“You’re correct. Almost eight-hundred billion dollars, correct. And they waste it on weapons, equipment, just about any unnecessary expense you could imagine.”
Laura couldn’t argue, but the US government wasn’t the Senate of the Old Guard. Just because many held positions in office, it didn’t mean they were any more influential than the next politician.
Some even less so.
“Are you expecting them to redirect part of their budget into the Senate’s bank accounts out of the goodness of their hearts?”
Max’s eyes gleamed. “When the Senate was at its peak, nations offered us their fortunes, their land...” He sighed. “We were their heroes. We garnered more respect than the churches. Hell, even they bowed before us over their deities. We protected them. We delivered. We vanquished their demons. Unlike an imaginary man in the sky.”
Both Senate and Wardens had done far more than that. Much of which shamed Laura.
“We belong in power,” Max said. “We always have. Above any government or religion. A unifying leadership to unite every person on this planet.”
“Even when the Senate held empires hostage, they didn’t rule the world.”
“Only because they were limited in their expansion. We don’t have those limitations today. We can go anywhere we want in a matter of hours.”
“Sounds like you have your poor money management solution all planned out.” And he would fail. The Senate would end, and so would the Wardens.
“I do.” He sat back in his seat. “But I need your support. You’ll be compensated of course. As will all the Wardens. A seventy-five percent increase to your budget plus a percentage ofindependentdonations from concerned parties.”
There was no such thing as free money in politics. Especially when there was no money. “Why?”