Xi has selected the men he will go to battle with. The Politburo Standing Committee is China's equivalent of the presidential cabinet. (Stole this info from the internet - not my research)
Li Qiang Age: 63 Current political post: Party secretary of Shanghai. Seen as Xi's most trusted junior colleague, Li worked in small counties in Zhejiang province. When Xi was party chief of Zhejiang, Li served as his chief of staff. His team's handling of the Covid outbreak in Shanghai earlier this year was contentious and residents were critical of it. There was speculation on whether this could have affected his political future. But with this appointment, it is clear his loyalty to Xi has placed him in good stead. The titles of the members in the Standing Committee will be confirmed next year, and many believe Li will become the next Premier, the second-in-command after Xi.
Zhao Leji Age: 65 Current political post: Head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Zhao has been seen as a rising star in the Chinese leadership, and has close links to the Shaanxi province, much like Xi. After entering the Qinghai provincial government, he swiftly rose up the ladder and became governor at the age of 42 - the youngest person to become a provincial governor. As the head of the anti-corruption body, Zhao is responsible for maintaining party discipline and has reported a number of senior officers for accepting bribes throughout the years.
Wang Huning Age: 67 Current political ranking: First secretary of the Communist Party's Secretariat. A former scholar and professor, Wang rose through the ranks after catching the eye of senior politicians. He was recommended to then-president Jiang Zemin and promoted to become Jiang's consultant. As the party's political theorist, Wang is considered to be the brains behind many Communist Party concepts, including the ideologies for three leaders: the Three Represents of Jiang Zemin, the Scientific Outlook on Development of Hu Jintao, and Xi Jinping Thought. China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative was also believed to be his idea. He is said to get along well with all factions in the party.
Cai Qi Age: 66 Current political ranking: Mayor of Beijing. A close ally of Xi, he has worked under the Chinese leader in the Fujian and Zhejiang provinces and has called for absolute loyalty to him. Beijing's hosting of the Winter Olympics earlier this year, at the height of the pandemic, was seen within the party as a success and reflected well on him. But he also attracted controversy when he launched a plan in 2017 to reduce the population of the capital, that ultimately forced out many low-income earners from the city.
Ding Xuexiang Age: 60 Current political ranking: Director of the Office of the General Secretary and Office of the President. A trained engineer, Ding started his political career at a government-affiliated research centre in Shanghai. Though he lacked experience as a provincial-level party secretary or governor - usually considered essential in the climb to power - he became Xi's secretary in 2007. Since 2014 he has been the head of the presidential office, effectively acting as Xi's chief-of-staff. A strong advocate of Xi Jinping Thought, he is one of Xi's most trusted aides. He has accompanied the Chinese leader for many trips within China as well as abroad - observers say he has probably spent more time with Xi than any other official in recent years.
Li Xi Age: 66 Current political ranking: Party secretary of Guangdong province. A Xi loyalist with close ties to the Chinese leader's family, Li is seen as a crisis-solver for handling a 2017 scandal in Liaoning province over falsified economic data. He was the party leader in the politically significant city of Yanan, which Mao Zedong used as the party's headquarters during World War Two and where Xi spent seven years of hard labor. In Guangdong, Li pushed for the development of the tech industry and economic reform. He also issued new trade policies and promoted regional integration in the area.
I’m planning to visit some local coin shops this week to purchase my first pieces of silver but have literally no idea what I’m doing. I’m not sure if it’s better to buy coins or bars. Do these shops negotiate prices? Does the price depend on the quality and cleanliness of the piece or is it just standard pricing per ounce? Just a few of the things I’m thinking of to prepare.
I fully believe DJT will be back in the White House sooner rather than later but I’ve been thinking lately about the long term play. Thinking about my kids and grandkids and the future they’ll have. Let’s say Trump gets 6 more years in charge, is that enough time to completely eradicate the DS and set our country on a winning trajectory that will last 2 or 3 generations?
A team/company/country is only as strong as its bench. Thinking about Trump’s 6 plus another 8 with Lake/Desantis (both are certainly young enough to effectively lead us 14 years from now but what about after? Is our bench deep enough to see our grandkids and great-grandkids live a life of individual freedom and patriotic strength?
Who are those players? Are they in the shadows or not yet relevant. Trump said our country will be set up properly and that it would outlive some of us. How deep is the deep state? How deep is our bench? Who will carry the torch once ours burns out? Who will carry the fight for a generation? What’s the succession plan?
Question. My 2021 tax bill is now due. It’s been awhile and things have probably changed. Do I send it to DC or straight to Ukraine?
I’m genuinely curious what interesting rabbit holes have been explored by other anons and which ones still keep you going back for more.
Am I the only one who constantly fat-fingers the deport and block button when trying to click on the “comments” link? I’m usually on a mobile device so things get a bit scrunched. Just curious if anyone else has issues or if I need to put my thumbs on a low calorie diet. 👍🏻
Can Killary end the 70 year drought?
