RK is sitting at his casino bar when his accountant brings him a paper prepared by an economist, commissioned by him.  He turns to the people he is with and begins to talk

"This here is one Joe's take on what the war might mean for the wider economy here.  I don't really understand it, but see if any of you guys can make sense of it"

"The war had many effects, beyond the deaths, change of city heads and emergence of new families.  The economy was affected greatly.  Prior to the war, there was in existence around $1Bn, afterwards, this had dropped to $545M.  That’s the equivalent to a 45% contraction of the economy.  The effects of this are felt across the eight cities; average wealth tumbled, the credit marketplace was in freefall – credits soared to $350k each, then fell to $135k, before settling at their current rate of approx $195k.  A bold and successful money lending service operated out of New York ceased when it’s CEO Gaius, a reputed crime boss, was shot dead, after a protracted gun battle that captivated many of the inhabitants of these cities.  It seems unlikely that the economic conditions are right for the return of such a large scale operation at the moment, though it is inevitable that a similar service will emerge at some point in the future.

There is currently a recession of sorts, business as usual, but many of the contributors to the black market are presently not bringing in the kind of money their forefathers are.  This will, of course, change as they progress, but for now the pyramid of cash has a strong cadre of multi-millionaire Dons, Consigs and Bosses, with a large number of Capos and lower ranked members and associates making their way in this world.

Fortunes were lost in the course of the war, some of the esteemed dead were said to be Extremely Rich when they died, with personal holdings in the tens of millions.  There are some economist who say that a war costly in manpower and finances is good for this thing, that is stimulates growth and that there follows a concentrated  burst of business activity as newly formed families look to increase their earnings and strengthen their members, whilst established families need money to look after the children of the fallen.

War – what is it good for?  Well, a rapid rate of growth, a burst of activity and a lot of conversation, perhaps."

I think the idea of a Mafia recession is some what of a good thing, purely on the basis that to have no money in this world, the chances of war is slim and not to mention to fate of the bodyguards who go hungry because their boss can't afford to feed them.

I personally like it, for too long now this world has been victim of inflation, people having far too much money to know what to do with other than buying more bodyguards and feeding the one's they already have, I think a short term recession will do us all good.

Very nice speech sir.

War - what is it good for?

A wise person once said "Absolutely nothing"

I will say it again, War - What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

I believe there is still a money lending fish around in New Orleans, if you visit the city and ask for CODFISH you will be met by someone willing to lend you some money.

One of the biggest things to come out of the war to the great relief of the beef cattle rearers down south, to the cooking oil producers and to chicagos fast food joints is that Iota has given up his diet and is back on the burgers.

An interesting way of putting things.  You seem to have a different way of thinking, Mr. Kuklinski.  Interesting perspective.

Your point summarizes alot of points that probably only a handful of mobsters even come to grips with. My perspective lies parallel to your own, RK. In this thing, we have alot of upcoming mobsters who are determined to lay their lives on the line for their family and their city. The true allegiace of a determined mobster in my opinion in non-comparable. Of course, that is depending on what type of determination he/she may have. Back to the subject of war. My father shared a quote with me in his journal, one he had from a book from some old war veteran. It stated "How can something that causes nothing more but catastrophe and turmoil result in a 'victory' or celebration. I did not know exactly what that meant firsthand until just days ago. War claims the lives of the best mobsters any of us in this thing will ever have the privelege of working with or even against in all honesty. Some make it, some do not. If they do, which has in fact happened. The Bosses and Capos that have been sitting at their positions for some time that have awaited leadership positions  now have their chance to progress further and give their shot at being as successful as their predecessors or even higher. If they are not cut out for it, then they will learn very fast what the sand at the bottom of the river tastes like before his breath is even absent. There are one or two that are  alive today that should have been the first to die but cowardliness can give you just enough leverage as courage sometimes. War definitely changes the business world. Rebuilding, restructuring, businesses. It's kind of like going through a depression and rebuilding from it everytime.

Indeed the war has taken many lives and this quite obviously meant in a large loss of money, but like you have mentioned Mr.Kukllinski new godfathers have come of it and new crews have been formed so surely this means that soon the economy will get back to a steady rate?

Indeed the war has taken many lives and this quite obviously meant in a large loss of money, but like you have mentioned Mr.Kukllinski new godfathers have come of it and new crews have been formed so surely this means that soon the economy will get back to a steady rate?

It may be true that there is a rapid growth after every war and that our community becomes more active.However...the growth that we see after each war are only compensations for the great loss and most if not all of the activities on the streets are that of explaining the reason for the war,counter reaction on the explanation and then followed by the rebuilding process.Ahhhh...rebuilding process...the rapid growth,as well as the all the activities after each war is aimed to rebuilding that which was lost.I agree to what sir El_Nino said...War,what is it good for?Absolutely nothing.

It's an interesting perspective on things you raise there Mr Kuklinski and certainly one I would never have began to figure out or understand. The figures show the negative affects on the market, but while I'm sure the fallings of the higher, wiser and older members have degraded the market place and the economy as a whole, I'm sure descendants and kin may have enherited contributions of sorts.

Be it these kin may chose a normal civilian lifestyle or choose to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers, I'm sure the economy will blossom and grow again regardless.

Great take on things that a few of us may not have realised.