The long flight from Australia gave the travelers an opportunity to discuss issues, as well as catch some much needed rest. At the first meeting, Lisa presented Gwen with a laundry list of issues facing her in Washington.
"The conflict of interest situation is really gaining traction in both Houses of Congress," began Lisa. "While as President, you are not subject to the pertinent or perhaps impertinent statute, there is an obscure law that's causing problems. Kate, could you explain it to everyone?"
"I'll try," responded Kate as she studied her notes. "The Title of Nobility is a provision in Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution that prohibits the federal government from granting titles of nobility, and restricts members of the government from receiving gifts, emoluments, offices or titles from foreign states without the consent of the United States Congress.
"Some members of Congress are insisting that when Lady in Red sells music, fashion, movie tickets or any of our many other franchise products in a foreign nation, you're receiving an emolument, which is a salary, fee, or profit from employment or office," finished Kate as she looked up from her notes and directly at her sister.
"So they're saying that as long as Lady in Red does any business internationally, I'm breaking the law, unless I place the company in a blind trust, or something similar?" asked Gwen to clarify her understanding of Kate's statement. "Congress feels I'm accepting remuneration from foreign governments when Lady in Red does business with them? I'm receiving forbidden 'Emoluments'?"
"That's it in a nutshell," replied Kate. "Then there are the issues with the rest of us being either directly or indirectly involved in the profits from Lady in Red. Jason, Lisa, and I are obvious targets since we profit directly as owners, although Jason is technically only married to an owner, but we can't deny that he benefits from his wife's ownership share in the company. Federal employees are prohibited from participating in matters where they could enrich themselves. There are very few situations where the outcome of any decision made by any of us, except perhaps one that adversely affect the economy, couldn't be interpreted as making money for Lady in Red, and therefore for ourselves."
"Does this mean that I'll be removed from office, or that many of my appointments will not be approved by the senate, or both?" questioned Gwen as she turned to look at Steve with concern as she asked Kate to respond.
"It seems to be a possibility, and if Lancer has his way, a strong likelihood," answered a dejected Kate.
"Steve?" was all Gwen said as she sought her husband's wisdom.
"This is exactly why I never wanted to be involved in politics," replied Steve grimly. "You've led the country back from the brink of war. You're improving America's standing in the world community. Every leg of this peace tour has improved America's standing around the world. You're the best thing that's ever happened to the Presidency, yet petty political hypocrites appear to have the potential to remove you from office, as well as block your choices for your cabinet. How badly do you want this job?"
"You know I never sought the office and I was even uncomfortable accepting it. If I hadn't had you to back me every step of the way, I never would have accepted the Vice Presidency," responded Gwen sincerely.
"You said something the other day in response to a question about conflict of interest that really helped me see this issue clearly," revealed Steve. "Lady in Red has spent more on the welfare of people of the world in the last few years than any sovereign nation. I would submit to all of you that the goals of Lady in Red supersede the office of President, if a choice must be made between the two."
"Oh, wow!" exclaimed Kate as her face seemed to illuminate. "You're right! We've been fixated on protecting Gwen's position as President like it's the most important thing she can do, but it isn't!"
"Exactly what are you saying, Steve?" questioned Gwen with increasing emotion. "Do you think that I should resign?"
"No, I don't. I do think you need to stop worrying about the politics. I want you to concentrate on doing the best job as President you possibly can. If the idiots in Congress want to hamstring you, or even remove you from office, it's their loss, not yours. I expect the American people to make their voices heard on the matter, but if they don't strongly support you and your agenda, then they don't deserve you."
"I think I get what you're telling us," chimed in Naomi. "There comes a time when the citizens of a nation need to decide their course. If the American public wants Gwen to lead them, they'll need to get involved. If they don't want her, or if they don't want to exert the effort required to keep her, she'll return to private life, and by so doing, continue to improve millions of lives around the world with her work in Lady in Red. Gwen has nothing to prove! She doesn't need the Presidency, it needs her!
"The real danger for Gwen is not that she could be removed from office, but rather that she becomes distracted by the possibility. She simply has to be the best President she can possibly be. Protecting herself from Representatives and Senators shouldn't even be an issue for her. The American public should be fighting for her Presidency. If they don't, they'll get what they ultimately deserve, which in this case would be a much less effective leader."
"That's kind of what I'm thinking. If the citizens of the United States care so little about who occupies the White House, why should Gwen expend so much energy and effort for them? She doesn't need to fight for the office. She'll be fine without it, and many would argue that she'd be better off. But will the country? Voters didn't elect Gwen, but I think they need to take steps to make their opinion known," argued Steve.
"That's placing a lot of faith in the people of the country, as well as the willingness of Congress to accept the desire of the people," cautioned William Patterson. "The possible result would be for Gwen not to have her cabinet selections approved, and eventually to be removed from office."
"Isn't that rather extreme?" questioned an obviously distressed Paula. "Gwen's doing an incredible job as President! How could Congress remove her from office?"
"If enough members of Congress decide that Lady in Red's business revenues are considered emolument, they'll be able to impeach, and even convict, if Gwen doesn't place it in some sort of trust," explained Kate. "We all know they won't be acting in the best interests of the nation, but when has that ever concerned them?"
"I've discussed this with Steve several times since taking office," admitted Gwen. "We will not be surrendering any of our interests in Lady in Red. We've worked too long and hard and can help far too many people, to allow it to languish. It sounds odd, but the Presidency has already taken too much of my time and energy away from our company. If our work for the United States isn't accepted, or appreciated by most Americans, than we really shouldn't be here, should we?"
"I've come to that same conclusion," stated Steve with a sigh. "I believe the nation needs you far more than you need the pressure and aggravation you've been dealing with. Keep doing your best as long as you're President, but stop getting sidetracked by the politics. Let Congress and the everyday, average citizens decide what they can live with. If they want you to continue, you will. If they decide to remove you, that's okay, too. We've all been expending far too much energy on something over which we have no control. Just let it go. It'll all shake out one way or the other."
"I've got to say that I'm quite surprised that you'd let members of Congress berate Gwen without taking some measured steps of your own," allowed Ted. "It doesn't go with what I've come to expect from you."
"I never said that I wouldn't extract some satisfaction from these politicians, but not while Gwen's in office. I don't want anyone accusing her of abusing her office in any way. When Gwen becomes a private citizen, all bets are off," replied Steve calmly, but with the deadly demeanor those close to him had come to recognize.
"You know what?" asked Gwen rhetorically. "I feel better already! I'm not going to play their games to keep a job I never sought and only accepted because I was asked and I thought it would help the country. I'll do my best as long as I hold the office, but I won't be trying to placate any politicians.
"I gave up working with two hospitals as a pediatric surgeon when I assumed the vice presidency. I wasn't too pleased about doing that. You all know how hard and long I worked to attain that position. I love helping children and if I'm removed from office, I'll be back in the operating room as quickly as I possibly can."
"How will we handle our confirmation hearings, if we ever even have them?" asked Kate. "I'd become a government employee if I was approved as Attorney General and there could be no denying the conflict of interest."
"Kate, tell Congress that you'll accept no compensation from the government for your service. Then you wouldn't actually be a government employee," pointed out Steve. "I seriously doubt that simple ploy would satisfy the Senate, but it's worth a shot. If they don't approve your appointment, you'll be advising Gwen and even speaking on her behalf without any official title, much like I do. She may ask you to keep an eye on the Department of Justice and even have people report to you without the formality of an official position. Congress will have to pursue the situation and either pass laws with a large enough majority to prevent a Presidential veto from overriding them, or accept that Kate is in charge. I don't think any of us care too much which way they go. That's how it's going to be during Gwen's remaining time in office."
