Re ...the people of the world are going to have to choose a side. I hope this means we’re near the end point of the war.:
I think you’re right. I hope you’re right!
The overwhelming winner was this graphic so that is what it will be.
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Yesterday I mentioned that I thought the CCP, at all levels, was running out of resources. I start poking around today when what do I see?
1. "Recently, various local authorities have resorted to imposing fines as a means of raising revenue."
2. "Several major national and regional state-owned banks have announced restrictions on withdrawal limits for depositors." The daily transfer limits, in dollars, range widely from a cumulative maximum low of $694. FWIW - In many videos about money matters in China there are background clips of people or machines counting massive stacks of 100 Yuan notes. This is because they are a very photogenic bright red. 100 Yuan is worth about $13.50. Think of them as a ten-spot.
3. "Merchant sailors engaged in international maritime transport revealed to media in May of this year that they have recently faced the most stringent enforcement by Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration. Numerous ships have been fined and some have been seized. For example, a bulk cargo vessel was fined 50,000Y (~$6,918US) simply because an Indonesian crew member hoisted a PRC flag upside down. This so-called enforcement is breeding more sever corruption."
4. "Another netizen reveals that the Maritime Safety Administration allows local units to raise funds. In one province the maritime administration demanded 2,000,000Y (~$276,484US) from each port, threatening to conduct daily inspections of ships in the harbor otherwise. Domestic Trade Ports couldn't afford this so they were subjected to constant harassment."
Almost all of the rest of the China news seems to be about the impending collapse of the PRC Real Estate Sector.
Taken separately they are anecdotal. Taken together they begin to paint a picture of impending disaster for the CCP and the PRC. How many dots do you have to connect before even the dullest can see what is coming?
WWG1WGA
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)