1.   At first, getting rid of staffers will be a snap, because those let go will be Democratic appointees who have lost their patrons.

2.   No late fee is levied, and tapes are due in a week, two weeks or even a month, because merchants fear losing patrons to competitors.

3.   He lost his patron with the death in February of Deng, pioneer of the economic changes that have let millions of Chinese lift themselves out of poverty.

4.   Several entertainment and leisure venues have also lost patrons.