Posted on 11/18/2023 1:04:48 AM PST by John Semmens
For years San Francisco's streets have been polluted by unsightly and unhealthy homeless encampments, aggressive and menacing panhandlers, piles of human excrement and discarded hypodermic needles. Residents, businesses, and pedestrians have suffered financial losses, physical harm, and inconvenience. City and state officials have refused to deal with these problems.
However, this week's visit by China's President Xi Jinping inspired these same officials to take quick action. It took only three days to make the areas that could be seen or videotaped during Xi's visit appear respectable. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) explained that "when the leader of the world's most powerful and dynamic country pays you a visit it would be unforgivable to not have the place made more presentable. Remember, China cleaned up Beijing for the Olympic visitors in 2012 and 2022. By showing that we can learn from their example we will earn more autonomy when we have to live under their rule in the not so distant future."
Business leaders from Apple, Pfizer, FedEx, Boeing, Blackrock, and Mastercard, government officials Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, White House China advisor Kurt Campbell, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and the 300 others who paid $2,000 apiece to attend the banquet given to honor Xi gave him a standing ovation after his speech in which he asked and answered the question "are we adversaries or partners? China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States."
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Tx) panned the visit, saying "having these senior level meetings without getting anything in return and without having any desired outcomes sets a horrible precedent and makes the United States look incredibly weak."
Presidential Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called McCaul's criticism "ignorant. Xi said he is going to give us another pair of pandas. These lovable creatures have brightened the lives of everyone who has seen them at the DC Zoo. Anyone who can't appreciate that isn't fit to question the President's success in keeping us on friendly terms with China."
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also pointed out that "the President's policies have promoted greater income growth in China. This is good for the globe and good for the United States. Last year we got $760 billion in merchandise from China in exchange for merchandise worth only $393 billion. China invested the $367 billion difference in our treasury debt. This helps us to cover the federal deficit. I call this a guarantee of future friendly relations between our two countries because the only way for them to get paid back is for us to prosper."
Moody's Investors Service disagrees with Yellen, saying "the accumulation of more government debt on top of already record deficits is a sign of financial weakness that will lead to lower credit ratings and higher interest costs." Moody's is the last of the three major credit ratings agencies to still rate US debt as AAA. Fitch and Standard & Poor have already lowered the rating on US federal debt to AA.
If you missed any of the other Semi-News/Semi-Satire posts you can find them at...
https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Opinion/353977-2023-11-18-semi-news-semi-satire-november-19-2023-edition.htm
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I would believe this to be satire but for Yellin spouting equally ridiculous things in real life. She gets an A-plus for consistency.
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