Chapter 48 - Protection For Domestic Innovation
March 12, 2013. The Capitol Building.
Inside the historical building, many people were discussing a newly proposed bill.
A middle-aged Caucasian politician stood tall behind the podium, House Speaker John Boehner.
He was a House Representative from Ohio and a Republican.
Boehner was a powerful man considering his leadership position within the Republican Party.
John Boehner was involved in plenty of US committees, including the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Boehner had his disagreements with President Obama due to party oppositions and has clashed in politics many a time.
As a conservative, Boehner was against gay marriage, and his party approved. But he would also support initiatives like Planned Parenthood that destroyed his relationship with the Republican party in the future.
"Thank you all for coming. The President has convened this congressional session using Article II Section 3 of the US Constitution." Mr. Boehner declared with a loud voice.
President Obama walked up to the central podium and started speaking.
"Senators and Representatives, I have gathered you here today to discuss the United State's future. As you all know by now, Future Technologies has made significant contributions to our war in Afghanistan and the domestic economy. Two years' worth of its federal taxes is $100 billion.
I visited young Dalton's headquarters in Austin a few days ago to observe how Future Tech operated.
They are innovators in almost every field and industry—medicine, semiconductors, AI, robotics, material science, micro, and heavy manufacturing. All of these technologies seamlessly integrate themselves to produce products we enjoy and use every day. Who here still owns an iPhone?
The Democratic party has drafted a bill to allow significant consideration in enacting laws in technological advancements.
The first few pages outline federal guidelines allowing aerodyne vehicles across the United States, with varying limitations based on location.
The bill also includes changes with how the US Food and Drug Administration can prioritize testing and trials based on the research's impact on our nation.
Each of you should receive a copy of the draft shortly," Obama stated with a regal aura.
The President stepped away from the podium, and John Boehner took his place.
President Obama has already persuaded the US senators with some old-fashioned politics to expedite the bill's processing.
"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has agreed to a motion to proceed. And Senate President Joe Biden is enacting Cloture Rule. We will be convening in two days to vote for or against the bill." John Boehner declared.
The senators and representatives were dismissed and slowly vacated the meeting hall.
John Boehner was curious how President Obama convinced the entire senate to enact Cloture Rule, rare and risky.
"Mr. President, What makes you so confident in passing this new bill?" Boehner asked.
"This bill is the easiest one yet. I just showed the senators FDA trial results from Future Med, and they all agreed." Obama replied honestly.
"What's so important that persuaded all one hundred senators to utilize Cloture Rule?" Boehner asked curiously.
"Future Medicine is close to perfecting technology to cure all types of cancer," Obama replied with a grin.
"You're joking. That's impossible!" Boehner replied in shock.
"The trials and tests tell no lie. Future Technologies will help the US maintain market competitiveness, and this bill makes sure that happens."
"I know you're against my national security policy, but things will change soon. Finally, you'll get the compromise you've been looking for regarding a post 9-11 society. Future Tech will help us win the wars in the Middle East and maintain western ideologies while we allocate more resources to East Asia and Eastern Europe." Obama explained.
[Even if we win the war, national security will still be at risk from the few remaining radicals. However, it seems like Mr. President is confident in his plans. I'll hear him out sometime], Boehner pondered.
"Thank you for the explanation, Mr. President," Boehner replied before Obama left the hall.
Two days later, at Capitol Hill, the "Protection for Domestic Innovation" bill was approved by a senate majority vote. Almost all senators voted yes, and the bill was enacted immediately after President Obama signed the document.
Government departments from the county to the federal level started changing and adding laws based on the new bill.
Local news outlets caught wind of the new bill's passing and immediately shared the news with the masses.
On a random television in California home, a family was watching the CNN evening news.
"A new bill has been voted on in Congress earlier today. The "Protection for Domestic Innovation" bill was enacted to allow local companies to implement society-changing technologies. CNN sources found several technologies now available to civilians like cybernetic limb replacements and Aerodyne Vehicles. However, you would need an aviation license to pilot one." the newscaster explained while showing marketing images provided by Future Tech.
"Dad, look at the cool flying car. When are we getting one?" the child asked.
"I prefer to drive on the road, son. You can get one when you're older." the father replied.
Vince was watching the news after Aiya notified him about the bill's passing.
[That was quick. I didn't think the President would take me so seriously. But, of course, the FDA trials helped a lot.] Vince pondered.
He called Andreas to discuss Hive Mind Heavy Manufacturing.
"Andreas, how has the Hive Mind expansion going?" Vince asked.
"All of the newly ordered manufacturing drones have been produced. We'll complete the Tech Campus expansion in a week, with the gracious help of our friends at SpaceX." Andreas replied.
"I don't know if you've heard the news, but our AVs are federally legal now. So expect plenty of orders from the military and civilian sectors." Vince instructed.
"Don't worry, Vince. Future Tech should be the largest manufacturer in the United States now, other than the large oil companies. In addition, Hudson employed another 10,000 people for maintenance and quality assurance at the Tech Campus." Andreas replied confidently.
"That's a lot of people. How are we training them?" Vince asked.
"The Future Tech Education sub-division in Afghanistan has completely refined our training process. Hudson is already thinking about a training service business to profit from FT Education." Andreas explained.
"I'll talk to Hudson about his idea. Training potential employees will make it easier for us to expand in the future. Good work, Andreas." Vince replied before ending the call.
News spread about the bill, as Future Tech utilized all platforms available to market products other than consumer devices from 2012.
Civilians could only purchase Future Tech laptops and mobile phones. But now, they could also buy aerodyne vehicles and medical services.
These items required more stringent screening of customers, but none of their target audience had any issue with a stricter verification process.
Vince was watching a professionally directed commercial produced by Future Studios on his FT TV.
The video portrayed a typical American family in distress while the mother was calling 911.
Her husband was suffering from cardiac arrest during dinner and started suddenly convulsing.
Within ten minutes, an emergency AV cleared the area outside the house before landing vertically.
An EMS rushed into their house and used a futuristic-looking tool to save him. The family looked relieved as the emergency personnel boarded him on the AV and flew towards the nearest hospital.
The next scene featured Robert Downey Jr. acting as Tony Stark enjoying a ride on a luxurious AV variant. The director showed a few seconds of his first-person view watching the city skyline pass by.
The AV landed on the Avenger's Tower helipad with a few parked Stingrays before the scened ended.
A new scene portrayed Marco's experience in the Battle of Dehdadi and his eventual recovery using Future Med cybernetics and treatments.
The entire commercial was around five minutes in duration and was advertised around the world.
[I can only sell these products in the US for now, but foreigners learning about them and nagging their governments for approval will benefit exports in the future.] Vince pondered.
Major city governments within the United States began ordering millions of dollars worth of AVs in different variants. While rich and famous individuals started choosing AV options on the Future Tech website to purchase.
Large complexes at the Austin Tech Campus got busy with thousands of employees monitoring and maintaining the Hive Mind manufacturing lines.
Stats last time checked:
Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion
15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)
$50 Billion cash in Future Tech
21,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics)
20,000+ operators under Future Security
Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner
Five company collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E)
Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram)