The game follows a few rules:
- If you anger a senator with more reputation than you, you lose health and money (i.e he could have sent you to jail for a short time). The money and health lost is roughly proportional to the reputation of the senator.
- If you anger a don with more notoriety than you, you lose health (you'll have a hit ordered on you, or something of the sort). The health lost is roughly proportional to the notoriety of the senator
- If you give in to a senator/don who is threatening you, you lose reputation/notoriety
- If you work with a senator/don who is neutral or an ally then you will gain reputation/notoriety
There are a few more rules, but nothing too convoluted. Hope this clears things up!