Political Appointments System in Hong Kong of HK$220,000 per month (US$28,000) is more than the salary of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and also more than Alan Greenspan earned as the chairman of the US Federal Reserve. A political assistant would earn more than what Tony Snow earned (US$ 14,000 per month) as the former White House Press Secretary. Political observer Michael Chugani said there was no "single credible reason why these novice politicians are being paid more than heads of state of some countries." Lau Ngai-keung was sceptical that political appointments would help to foster local political talent, noting that such appointees may earn
John Stanford (general) Al Gore. John Stanford (general) John Stanford (September 14, 1938 – November 28, 1998) was a United States Army officer who later became superintendent of the Seattle Public Schools. Stanford was born in Darby, Pennsylvania and graduated from Yeadon High School. He subsequently attended Pennsylvania State University, earning a B.A. in political science. In 1975 he received a master's degree in personnel management from Central Michigan University. Stanford entered the U.S. Army after college, eventually rising to the rank of major general. He served during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm and also worked as executive assistant to Secretary