Anderson sighed, “Our exposure will be the same as when this damned Depression started, Josef. I think we can expect more funding shortfalls, delays in deliveries, increased operating costs, and reductions in revenue. I’m sorry to ruin your parade, but there is no path forward that doesn’t involve a hard fight.”
“He’s wrong.” Larbonne shook his head slowly from side to side. The previous heat of his emotions was replaced now by icy objectivism.
Dominique can always be counted on to master his emotions, Ranell thought. “Please explain.”
“Oui, your government has passed this foolish law,” Larbonne's words were delivered coolly and clinically. “But it is merely an act of desperation brought on by the disastrous state of the global economy. However, much can change in twenty-four months. I suspect international tensions with China or another country will compel your government to abandon the idea. They know that only aggressive monetary policy can avert catastrophe. Gold standards only intensify economic problems.”
“No, it’s Dominique that’s wrong.” A spark of anger crept back into Anderson's words. “He’s just rehashing the arguments that pushed Nixon to take us off the gold standard back in ’71. That disastrous decision led to a decade of stagflation in the ‘80s and the mess we’re in with the central banks now.”
Ranell sensed that his team was losing their good mood due to differences of opinion about government policy. I don’t care about any of that as long as GML stays in business.
“Why don’t we call it a day?” Ranell attempted a rally. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but it can wait until tomorrow. We’ve got the Lockheed Martin contract. Let’s end on a high note and knock off early. We’ll hit it hard again in the morning.”