America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 349 California Consortium

For the East Coast and Southwest of the United States.

The west coast of the United States is a laggard.

It really developed in the middle and late twentieth century.It was not until this century that it became one of the new economic centers of the United States.

In the early part of the last century, it was regarded as the wild land of America.

Even Hollywood, in the beginning, was the filmmakers on the East Coast at that time, in order to escape Edison's patent pursuit.

Deliberately rushed to a remote place to develop, and then formed a film gathering place.

It was not Los Angeles that developed earlier in California, but San Francisco.

Compared with Los Angeles, San Francisco's climate and geographical conditions are even better.

West Coast local time, at two o'clock in the afternoon.

Abel's Boeing 747 "Smith" landed at San Francisco International Airport.

Shortly after the roar of the engines shut down, Neil Bush and Abel disembarked from the plane.

Abel's father-in-law came to San Francisco last month.

As soon as he came, he was appointed as the executive director of Pacific Energy Corporation.

The responsible work direction is to communicate with more than 1000 workers of Pacific Energy Company.

His other identity is the executive director of California Pacific Electric.

The task of this company, like that of Pacific Energy, is to communicate with workers.

The difference is that California Pacific Electric has more workers, about 500.

In addition, he also obtained the status of independent director of General Electric, independent director of Microsoft, and independent director of Google.

Executive directors and independent directors are generally members of the company's board of directors.

The difference between the two is that executive directors often hold high-level positions in the company.

Independent directors are generally not directly responsible for the company's affairs, and at most they only have a supervisory role.

That is to say, independent directors are often honorary positions and supervisor positions.

The executive director is the real power in the board of directors.

"Are you sure you're really going to my date tonight?"

On the VIP lane leaving the airport.

Neil Shrub confirmed to his son-in-law again.

Abel smiled and nodded:
"It's been agreed, isn't it? And I'd like to meet these so-called "worker aristocrats". You know, I'll have to deal with them sooner or later."

"That's true." Neil Bush nodded.

As executive director of Pacific Energy, and California Pacific Electric.

This evening, Neil Shrubs met with the head of the AFL-CIO in San Francisco.

A worker's guild leader named Mos Corso.

This is also Neil Shrub's main work here recently.

Mos Corso is a typical "guild noble".

His grandfather, Kabuda Corso, was a well-known labor union activist in California in the 60s.

His father, Daliso Corso, is the current chairman of the California AFL-CIO.

Moss Corso, 41, himself is the head of the AFL-CIO in the San Francisco area.

As for the AFL-CIO.

Its full name is the American Federation of Labor-Confederation of Industry Associations.

It is the oldest and largest trade union organization in the United States, consisting of 68 trade unions from different industries.

Its influence even exceeds that of the National Rifle Association.

The Rifle Association has only about 500 million members.

The AFL-CIO figure is 1300 million.

It can also be understood that the AFL-CIO is an enhanced version of the National Rifle Association.

The difference is that the AFL-CIO has its particularity, and it is difficult for the rich and powerful to mix in, otherwise it would be too ridiculous.

Unlike the NRA, the rich and powerful can easily get in and influence it.

But is the AFL-CIO fair?Are you really dedicated to working for the welfare of the workers?
Perhaps it was true when it was first produced, when it was still progressive.

However, it has experienced more than 70 years of ups and downs.

It has already become a semi-bureaucratic monopoly organization with a big tail.

There is no fundamental difference from those interest groups who have been lobbying endlessly on Capitol Hill for many years.

The leadership of those guilds that have degenerated into bureaucratic institutions have long since separated from the general guild members themselves and become "worker aristocrats".

For them, the interests of workers in general are no longer the highest priority.

The interests of the guild organization were ranked first.

The "nobles" can also gain economic and political power from it.

The AFL-CIO, which has 68 joint unions, is such an existence.

Moss Corso and his family are part of the nobles who occupy the top of this existence.

Neil Bush didn't come to California to do business and make money.

The real purpose of his coming here is to be superior.

His main task here naturally became the job of contacting this kind of person.

This is the advice of Abel's Smith Brain Group, and their own Brain Trust over at the Shrub family, to Neil Shrub.

According to this suggested route, some people have successfully gone through it more than 30 years ago.

The man's name was John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

He is the youngest general in the history of the United States, a gentleman who is good at brainstorming.

When he was young, he was mainly in charge of the family's internal business and the cooperation with trade associations such as the AFL-CIO.

During his ascension, organizations such as the AFL-CIO provided great support.

After he took office, he himself gave a lot back to these organizations.It can be said that he is the most guild-friendly leader in the entire history of the United States.

With this successful example ahead, Neil Bush can naturally follow this path.

It's been a month since he came here, and Neil Shush's own ability is not weak, and the starting platform is high.

As a director of so many super large groups, he easily hooked up with these American working aristocrats.

Like this Moss Corso and he became a good "friend".

He had just returned from Texas when Mos Corso invited him to meet for dinner.

As for Abel, he offered to go as well.Neil knew that this was a good son-in-law who wanted to stand up for him.

Worker aristocrats are not workers, they are rich as well, or should they be called workers rich?

Since he is a rich man, the richest man in the world stands behind him.These rich workers must be more friendly to themselves.

The son-in-law and his son-in-law were also there that night.

Met Mos Corso at a fancy restaurant in San Francisco.

It was different from Neil's previous encounters with Moss Corso.

During this meeting, Neil was surprised to see that Moss' father, Daliso Corso, director of the California AFL-CIO, was also among them.

This made Neil subconsciously look at Abel who was smiling next to him.

He knew that Daliso Corso would appear, and it was most likely related to his good son-in-law.

"Hi! My friend, good evening." Neil called Moss enthusiastically.

Moss also stood up from his seat, walked outside with a smile, and came over to hug Neil.

"My friend, it is so good to see you again."

Behind Neil, Abel smiled faintly.

Behind Moss, his old father also smiled kindly.

If there is a reporter or something at this time, take a picture of this scene by the side.A few years later, when Neil takes office in California, he will release the photos.

As long as there is a backer who can withstand being revoked, not being killed in a car accident, or committing suicide with eight shots in the back.

The reporter who filmed this scene has a high probability of being selected for the Pulitzer Prize.

What a classic scene, it expresses the concept of "American rule" very vividly.

After the two "good friends" hugged, the rest was naturally the real dinner.

Abel stepped forward, and Daliso Corso, who was in the seat, also came out.

After some greetings and introductions, everyone became "good friends" and then took their seats.

"The weather and climate in San Francisco is so good. In comparison, New York is terrible."

Abel looked at the father and son with a smile, "It's not December yet. The temperature in New York is almost below zero, and you have to wear thick clothes when you go out. But here... look, everyone is still wearing shirts, company commander There are no sleeves!"

"Hahaha~" Daliso Corso said with a smile: "Who can say otherwise? That's what makes the Bay Area so good. It's a real paradise."

Daliso Corso is about 60 years old, wearing a suit and leather shoes, looks like a big businessman and rich man.

Such a man of fortune was the chief representative of the California workers.

It can only be said that this is the characteristic of a capitalist country!
Both parties enjoyed the meal quite happily.

There is no talk about work, nor about interests.

These things, they are not suitable for discussion on the table at this time.

When you really need to use these things.

As long as the real interests are in place, the support of the Koso father and son will also be in place.

Everyone is now just deepening the connection and promoting the connections between the two parties.

It is a necessary social interaction before cooperation.

About an hour later, Abel and Neil left the restaurant.

"How do you feel?"

After getting in the car, he looked at the handsome son-in-law who got in.

Neil Bush asked with a smile.

"Too tiring. I feel more tiring than negotiating with Soros." Abel shrugged.

Neil Bush laughed.

Compared with many times, business negotiations can be straightforward.

Of course, contacts and exchanges on the political side will appear much hypocritical.Since you want to be hypocritical, of course it will consume more brain power.

It is necessary to try to guess the other party's true intentions through facial expressions, movements and tone, as well as the content of the speech.

This is of course much more tiring than commercial negotiations.

But isn't this the charm of Zhengzhi?
Neil Bush thought so anyway.

Abel's father-in-law said with a smile: "Leave the tiring things to me. You can do the easy things."

Abel smiled and shook his head lightly, then said seriously:

"The first step seems to have been successful. Now let's look at your other work, Neil."

"Of course!" Neil Shrub was full of confidence, "I have sufficient experience in dealing with energy workers! I am very confident in this aspect. As for other aspects, I need your help."

Most of the bush family's business is in energy, especially the oil industry.

This industry also has a large number of industrial workers.

Neil was in charge of the work of the family before, so he was quite experienced.

Pacific Energy and California Pacific Electric are also in the energy industry, but they are somewhat similar.

According to the advice given by the think tank, what Neil had to do at the beginning was to deal with the industrial workers and energy workers here as much as possible.

Try to gain their favor as much as possible, and let them cast their precious votes when Neil needs them.

Abel nodded slightly, "For us, Silicon Valley is not a big problem."

Abel has invested in so many IT, semiconductor, and Internet companies, in addition to eating their future growth.

He is also strengthening his influence in these areas.

"Workers" in these fields also have a large number of votes in their hands.

Their voices are relatively loud and can easily influence voters.

The Internet plus the media is the voice of a modern industrial country.

"However, in order to ensure stability, I will contact California next." Abel said to Neil.

Neil nodded, knowing what "California" his son-in-law was talking about.

That obviously wouldn't refer to the state of California in particular.

"California" in Abel's mouth.

It refers to a consortium similar to Texas, mainly in San Francisco, whose influence spreads throughout California, and even the California consortium on the west coast!

The California Consortium is one of the top ten consortiums in the United States. It owns major commercial banks such as Bank of America, Western Bank Corporation, Safety Pacific Corporation, and companies such as Wells Fargo and Crocker National in the San Francisco area. It is a rising in the United States after World War II. Emerging consortia.

Inside this consortium, there are Bank of America Group, San Francisco Group and Los Angeles Group.

The economic strength of these three groups increased dramatically during World War II with the rapid development of California's military industry.

In particular, the growth rate of financial capital is particularly alarming, forming a large consortium with the Bank of America as its financial center.

As early as 1974, more than 1671 years ago, this huge consortium already had assets of [-] billion US dollars.

In terms of volume, it ranks third among the top ten consortiums in the United States.

It and the Texas consortium formed a new force in the military industry group, and became a force to compete with the old consortium in the Northeast.

Simply put, it is an enhanced version, an enhanced version of the Texas consortium that has no financial flaws.

The combination of the two parties represents more than [-]% of the "workers" in the US military-industrial complex.

The difference is that Texas, as the core of the South, still had some influence in political governance.

Dixie was very famous back then.

The California consortium is richer, but before modern times, the West Coast was a remote area of ​​the United States.

It is only now that its political influence is getting stronger and stronger.Twenty years ago, the California consortium was a consortium with money and industry but little influence in the country.

That is to say, there was too little right to speak in this area at that time, and the stronger California consortium would choose to cooperate with the Texas consortium.

Let's all fight against the traditional East Coast, mainly those ancient syndicates in the Great Lakes region.

Herbert will support Neil to develop here, and there are probably some reasons for this.

Because of the California consortium, it has always had a good relationship with Texas.

"So what are you going to do?"

Looking at his handsome son-in-law, Neil Shrub could be said to be more and more satisfied with Abel.

Seriously, if it wasn't for Abel.

Neil felt that in his life, he could really only be the economic steward of the shrubs.

It happened that his talent in this area was obviously inferior to that of his younger brother Marvin.

The investment field that Ma Wen is in charge of has been more profitable than the one he is in charge of all year round.

And the child of the bush, it is impossible to say that he does not want to be righteous.

It's just that the old father made such an arrangement.

And from a realistic point of view, this arrangement is the most appropriate and beneficial for Neil himself and the family.

Forced by reality, Neil Shrub had no choice but to obey this arrangement.

It was the presence of Abel, and the help of his union with little Laura.

Only then did he get rid of this fate, and Neil had a deep understanding of this.

This made the old father-in-law simply ignore Abel's "reckless behavior" in a certain way.

"I have a good relationship with Wells Fargo," Abel said. "I'm going to talk to John Stumpf."

After Abel's showdown to Wall Street last year.

In the financial market, Smith Capital's main source of funds for doing things has changed from the original big investment banks to Pacific Bank of Commerce, Wells Fargo and First Citibank.

Pacific Commercial Bank is Abel's own bank.

So in fact, Abel's real sources of external funding are Wells Fargo and Citibank.

From last year to now, the two banks have at least made hundreds of millions of dollars in profits from Abel.

Mainly interest and fees.

Especially when it comes to the NOK incident.

In two months, Wells Fargo earned at least $1.34 million from Smith Capital.

No matter from the point of view of profit or future money scene.

Both Abel and Smith Capital are super VIP clients of these two banks.

Ordinary bank tellers will have a very good attitude towards big customers who come to make deposits.

In fact, it is the same with the senior management of the bank, but the threshold for their good attitude needs to be relatively high.

Like the top executives of the four major banks in China, if you want them to have a good attitude, it is estimated that you have to have hundreds of billions of deposits.

But if it is specific to the branch president of a certain small city, a deposit of hundreds of millions can make the president treat you as his best friend.

In the same way, Abel can make money for these two banks.

John Stumpf, the chairman and CEO of Wells Fargo, is of course friendly to Abel.

Wells Fargo is one of the core of the California consortium.

Abel's idea is very simple, that is to contact the California consortium through Wells Fargo.

See if you can cooperate with them to strengthen the relationship between Smith Capital and this consortium.

In contrast, Neil's affairs here are secondary.

After all, if Abel can have a good relationship with the California consortium.

It won't be very difficult for them to help with Nanier's matter.

Conversely, if the relationship between Abel and the California consortium is not good.

Given the relationship between Neil and Abel, it is impossible to ask the California consortium to help.

"John Stumpf?" Neil nodded. "It is indeed a good channel. But if necessary, I have Jerry Brown's contact information. I also know a few people from the Wilson family."

How could Neil, who mainly stayed in Texas, have contacts in this area.

In fact, these contacts were mainly given to him by George and Herbert.

Herbert had been a party whip for some time.

"Let me speak with John Stumpf first."

Abel said.

Neil nodded and stopped talking. In this regard, he also felt that it was better for Abel to lead.

After all, it doesn't matter whether it's the Brown family or the Wilson family.

They are actually one of the members of the California consortium.

With the help of the California consortium, it would be just as easy to ask these two families to help.

The reverse is also true.

The son-in-law and the son-in-law left the restaurant, but they lived in different places.

Neil Shrub lived here in the property of the Shrub family, a villa located in San Francisco.

Abel has a lot of luxury houses here to live in.For New Start Real Estate, California is the state with the most investment in the United States.

Who said that in the next few years, this area will become the fastest growing and most stable area in the United States.

The son-in-law and the son-in-law separated and went to rest.

(End of this chapter)