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Tiny community of Corbett creates a lasting monument to fallen soldier Jeff Lucas - Oregonian

To see this come to be -- although it is not sufficient -- would make Jeff feel good. But the broader point is to honor all those who serve ... It makes a statement," Sorensen said. So does the stadium. Since 2001,

Random Ring Remarks: Kofi, HHH/Bret Hart, Royal Rumble, Cena a Heel?, & More - Bleacherreport.com

I think he'll be revealed as the leader of Nexus. But that group could be done ... even if they're not very good. However, never say never in the wrestling business. I think it's much more likely that The Rock would ...

Philadelphia's Naval Square a condo success story - Philadelphia Daily News

Few people dispute that the development has been as good for the neighborhood as it has for Toll Bros ... The gate still makes longtime residents angry, even as Southwest Center City improves and buyers point to the ...

Let's Be Honest: Microsoft's Mobile Business Is A Fantasy - Huffingtonpost.com

... business model is fatally flawed. Why? Microsoft is still trying to jam the square peg of the old PC-based operating system software model into the round hole of mobile. And that game is over for good ... makes

A great recipe is just the beginning - Raleigh News & Observer

... good business planning and increasing competition ... agricultural economic development coordinator for Orange County and project leader for the center. The 10,400-square-foot facility will have an area for ...

American people want what they want, and now - Arizona Daily Star

which would bring Minority Leader John Boehner into the speaker's office ... and the truth is that it makes no sense. In the punditry business, it's considered bad form to question the essential wisdom of the ...

For Eagles defensive leader Stewart Bradley, competitive streak a family tradition - Philadelphia Daily News

a long wingspan and good instincts. He is smart ... That attitude makes his mother shudder, but it is just what the Eagles need. Last year, they were lost without Bradley, who became a full-time starter in 2008.

Promises Aren't Enough: Business Schools Need to Do a Better Job Teaching Students Values - Wall Street Journal

... business school, students are asked to list the qualities that a successful business leader should possess. While vision ... and recusing ourselves from teaching leadership makes it worse. No Substitute for ...

A lousy April we can avoid - Huffingtonpost.com

There was Majority Leader McConnell crowing about the Senate's passage of what's been dubbed the "Stop Taxing ... What makes this especially frustrating is the lack of intensity and focus among so many people who ...

When Is An Executive Too Good To Let Go? - BusinessWeek

to provide advice and assistance concerning "recently formed joint ventures and business combinations, business development opportunities ... ease out a leader whose company is acquired, or maintain links to someone ...

Open Question: Is my essay grammatically correct? Also, what should I put for the last sentence or two?

Here's my essay! It has to be in business letter FORMAT but it's not a business letter, just simply about me! Is everything grammatically correct? (It's for English class) And what should I put for a closing? Thanks!: Dear Mrs. ***, My life was a lot easier when I didn’t have to be in charge of it. I cherished childhood as much as I possibly could because I knew that the sooner I grew up, the sooner I’d have to take more control! As a baby, I had a huge head of hair; an afro, I’d like to call it. I must say, I was a genius baby. I potty-trained myself, taught myself how to read, tied my shoes on my own and I put myself to bed at a reasonable time each night. My older cousin, who’s my sister’s age, used to call me Martha, like Martha Stewart, because I was so incredibly organized and self disciplined as I am now. Don’t get all caught up in my perfection, now. I had some flaws. My mom would always try to get me to say things, as any normal excited mom would. She’d say, “Mommy, Mike, Mickey, mine…” and other things beginning with ‘M’, all of which I could say perfectly fine. Then, she said my sister’s name, “Meaghan…” and my response would always be, “MMMBEAGHAN!” So, maybe I was a bit of a quirky baby, if that’s even possible. And if it is possible, that’s definitely carried on to now. My personality is something that’s pretty hard to describe, as it usually depends on the weather. On rainy days, I always want to stay inside in my pajamas and sleep. If it’s sunny, I typically want to be outside going places and doing things. Also, the slightest things can make me extremely mad, like when my room isn’t organized, and the smallest things, like glow sticks, can put me in the best mood ever. I absolutely love to hang out with my friends, because that’s where all the memories are made. I love to laugh, too, because it earns me some rock hard abs which seem to have mildly disappeared since my six year gymnastics career when I was younger. In my middle school life, I’ve been on Honor Roll, or High Honors, and Principals Citizenship every semester of every year. Last year, I was a proud member of NJHS and I was a yearbook editor with my best friend since kindergarten. As for the organization when I was young, I’m definitely still that way today. I always clean my room without being asked, and, man, should you see how organized my locker was last year. Now, I just hope this organization will help me in my future! I hope to maintain my grades at P********, while keeping organized so I can be as stress free as possible in my high school career. I’m extremely excited to meet more people than I have already who have the same interests as me and who I can count on for a lot of things. When I’m an adult, I really want to be a teacher or something else involving kids. When I babysit my neighbors, I absolutely love it. I love hearing their little stories about karate class, watching Phineas and Ferb with them, and painting their nails in whatever color they want. Also, I think I’m a good leader because I like being in charge and doing things the way I want to do them. I’m organized, so I’d have things very well planned out, and I have a soft spot for the adorable faces of toddlers with tons of energy. Finally, I’ve had plenty of role models to look up to. My 7th grade teacher, Mrs. ******, was my favorite ever. She made school fun, so we got a lot of information out of our lessons, and I honestly looked forward to going to school every single day. Sincerely, Emily M***** Please take some time to help me out! If you don't have time to help edit it then please try to help with a sentence to finish it. Thank you so much! more

Resolved Question: Are these Zodiac Flower Power Signs true?

Remember these aren't Decans. They're meant to represent the each Star Sign. Honeysuckle "My vines climb to great heights." March 21 – April 19 If you are born under the sign of the honeysuckle you are sweet to the senses of others. Meaning, you naturally entice others with your charm and grace. You have a smooth confidence that attracts a wide variety of friends and business partners. Just as bees can’t resist the lure of the honeysuckle – people can’t resist your energy. You are the first of the flower signs and so you are assertive and a natural leader of the vine. Honeysuckle people are strong and determined, weaving their way through any challenge, and are quite deft at finding innovative solutions. Poppy "I provide beauty to your senses." April 20 – May 19 If you are a poppy among the zodiac flower signs you love the finer things in life, and you love to share them with other people. You have a flare for design, a good eye for detail, and a knack for putting things together with style. Refinery comes natural to you, and you have a classy way about you that others find alluring. Poppy people are about pleasure: giving and receiving it. You enjoy security and comfort. Those with the flower sign of the poppy are very resilient too, and can weather any storm because of their patience and headstrong nature. Lavender "My beautiful expanse will inspire you." May 20 - June 20 If you are a lavender flower sign you freckle your landscape with beautiful ideas. You love to share these ideas with other people and get more new insights as you do so. You are expansive in your expressions, and you always seem to be able to find your muse. You are amazingly productive, creative and have an active mind. Sometimes you feel pulled in too many directions, but part of the lavender’s beauty is that it spreads itself far and wide for all to enjoy. Accanthus "Look to my petals for your nurturing." June 21 – July 22 Sensitivity is the watchword for accanthus flower signs. You are perceptive, and have high intuition in matters of the heart, and environment. You often react to others (even when they don’t speak their feelings, you still know what is going on inside their hearts), and your surroundings. You are warm and sympathetic, and a natural healer too. Accanthus zodiac flower signs are highly influenced by outside forces – especially the pull of the moon. A secure home life, surrounded by friends and family who love you and you love back often help ground you and keep you from falling prey to negative influences. Sunflower "I will brighten your darkness." July 23 – August 21 Sunflower signs are warm, open, and natural leaders. You rise to any occasion with confidence and assurance – you have no doubt that you are the perfect person for any challenge, and you know how to reach to the top. You tend to be the center of attention and others look to you for advice and mentoring. You are a loving, faithful and tenderhearted friend. You are generous and enjoy a wide range of intellectual gifts. Morning Glory "I bring you clarity." August 22 – September 22 Morning glory zodiac flower signs are thoughtful and reflective. You tend to think and plan first before you take any action. You are organized and very observant. You have a natural eye for detail, and can be very analytical. You love to help people, and often use your organization skills to help others who struggle in “getting their act together.” You bloom beautifully right where you are planted, and you have a neat way of making things right and tidy. People come to you for guidance and healing. Rose "I will balance you in my beauty." September 23 – October 22 The rose zodiac flower sign exposes the truth in all things. If you have this flower sign you have a unique ability to see the hidden meanings in things and expose the underlying evidence for what it is. You have an eye for classic beauty, and you love to surround yourself with beautiful things too. You are attracted to philosophy, poetry and art. Because you see the beauty and truth in all things, you do not tolerate injustice or cruelty. You are most happy when you are with friends and family – taking a walk and enjoying nature. Chrysanthemum "My mysteries are forever unfolding." October 23 – November 21 You have many layers to you, and just as soon as someone thinks they have you identified, you pop out with another blossom of surprises. You like clarity and honesty in all things. In fact, when situations are murky or unhealthy you are the perfect sign to come in and clear the air or heal the situation. You are focused and tend to be serious in your emotions, but you are very intuitive and help others identify areas they need to work on for their own emotional growth. You are active and amorous with no end to suitors.Narcissus "Escape into my dreamy depth." November 22 – December 21 Narcissus zodiac flower signs can be very influential and enjoy sharing their philosophical ideas with others. You are direct, to the point, trustworthy and honest. You are naturally wise, and you also are gifted with good luck. You come on strong, but have a sensitive side you don’t share with too many people. You have an active imagination and love to dream the days away. Carnation "Simplicity is its own reward." December 22 – January 21 Those with the carnation flower sign are beautifully adept at putting things in order, and organizing. You are strong willed and determined for others to see your point of view. You are a natural leader, and others look to you to lean on. You can be driven and determined and this makes you a strong personality. You are no stranger to hard work, and you like to get things done your way. You like security, particularly if you are building a comfort zone with your own two hands.Orchid "My uniqueness is my effectiveness." January 21 – February 19 Those with the zodiac flower sign of the orchid are curious and inventive. You can be contradictory but you know exactly where you are coming from. You have a dreamy persona and people are attracted to your unique, sometimes eccentric ways. You have a different way of looking at the world. You are a natural humanitarian, and love to unravel mysteries. You are also very good at organizing or completing tasks that allow you to establish order.Water Lily "My roots touch unseen knowledge." February 20 – March 20 Water lily flower signs are perceptive and deeply psychic. Water runs through all the flower signs but especially through yours and this accentuates your intuitive abilities. You are sometimes able to absorb ideas and thoughts of those around you. You can be emotionally swayed by other people's feelings too. Sometimes your emotions can run out of control, but you can turn to your natural creative abilities to help you get grounded. You are a natural artist, dancer, and musician. You are also an excellent communicator, and may be drawn to other languages too.The Black Zodiac is composed of 13 fictional zodiac signs which were created by Dark Castle entertainment and used in the movie Th13rteen Ghosts. There are some speculations that circulate around the net about the real version of The Black Zodiac, no proof has been found.That's the point, them matching the original Zodiac. And there's no such thing as the Black Zodiac.The Necronomicon is a fictional grimoire appearing in the stories by horror writer H. P. Lovecraft and his followers. It was first mentioned in Lovecraft's 1924 short story "The Hound",[1] written in 1922, though its purported author, the "Mad Arab" Abdul Alhazred, had been quoted a year earlier in Lovecraft's "The Nameless City".[2] Among other things, the work contains an account of the Old Ones, their history, and the means for summoning them. more

Resolved Question: pisces how to interpet daydreams?

However, the meanings to your nightly dream symbols are also applicable to your daydreams. The content in your daydreams are also helpful to the understanding of your true feelings and in fulfilling your goals. Just as your worrisome daydreams can unwittingly come true via repetition in your mind, you can use it as a tool to your advantage and make positive events happen. You can utilize daydreams as a technique to visualize what you want and hope to happen. It is said that many athletes, musicians and business leaders utilize daydreams to envision success. They anticipate or imagine landing the perfect jump, closing a deal, or making that hit single. Tiger Woods, for one, has said to use daydreams to improve his golf game. You, too, can utilize daydreams for something as simple as studying for and acing the next test or for landing that job. Positive daydreaming is healthy. It serves as a temporary escape from the demands of reality. It is also a good way to release pent up frustrations without physically acting them out. All to often you worry about your job, your family, finances, a relationship, etc. It is a way to leave the world behind and ponder about what could've been or should've been. It relieves stress, improves attitude, fosters creativity and refresh the mind, body, and spirit. What you daydream about is indicative of what you may be really feeling. It reveals your unconscious thinking. Below are some common themes: Disaster: When you envision the worst-case scenario about a situation, you are experiencing a disaster daydream. Such daydreams reflect your worries and fears. Next time you start daydreaming about something terrible happening, imagine something positive instead. Eventually, Escape: Daydreaming about exotic getaways/adventures or faraway lands, suggests that you may be feeling stuck in the same old routine. You want to try something different or uncharacteristic of yourself. You may also be feeling overwhelmed, stressed out or are looking for some sort of escape. Take some time to for some relaxation. Glory: Daydreams about heroic acts indicates that you are looking for attention and/or respect. Perhaps, you are feeling ignored or powerless in your real life. This daydream may serve to motivate you. Love: Thoughts of falling in love or being in love is a common daydream subject. It suggests that finding love is one of your immediate goals. Consider your actions in your daydream when you find love. If you are seeking love to make others jealous, then it suggests that you are also looking for a status symbol. You maybe craving attention. Revenge: Daydreams about revenge may serve as a safe outlet for you to relieve your anger toward someone. Having these daydreams on a regular basis may be a strong indication that you will act on your thoughts. . Find out what is behind the daydream: There is usually a link between your daydream and the emotions are experiencing in real life. Try to pinpoint what aspect of your life or situation that may be triggering the daydream. in your daydreams are an indicator of what you are really feeling in real life. 2. How do you feel in your daydream? Just as in your nighttime dreams, the feelings you experience 3. Look out for recurring themes: Daydreaming about the same thing repeatedly is a good indication that you need to deal and confront the situation. more

Resolved Question: Will you join this ? MUSTTT READD!!?

Game Introduction eRepublik is a massively multiplayer online game, social networking and strategy web browser game developed by eRepublik Labs which launched on October 21, 2008 and is accessible via the Internet. The game is set in a mirror world (called the New World) where players, referred to as citizens, join in local and national politics, set economic policy, start businesses and wage wars with other countries. Politics As simple citizens, players can join a party by reaching a certain level. Once they have joined a party, they can run for party presidency. If they convince their party colleagues to vote for them and they become the leaders, they can choose their party candidates for congress or presidency. Wars To declare war on other countries, the president of the country proposes to the congress the declaration. If the vote passes, the two countries are at war and each region is attacked at the order of the president. In wars, the citizens of the respective countries fight independently on the battlefiled against other country citizens aim is to capture 75% of the region under attack along with its Capital. Why Should I Join? If you are Strategy game addict and have loved playing old school games like Risk. This is definately your cup of tea but it is only alot more better and far more interesting than the board game risk. This browser game adds element of politics and economy along with war. Just makes this game just about for everyone. If you are lover business tycoon games , war or enjoy politics join this game. Situation of Pakistan in the Game. Pakistan in the game is a very small country one of the reasons is that this game has not recieved proper promotion in Pakistani Media. Game strength is on the number of Citizens and Pakistanis are simply not aware on what they are missing out on. More importantly India currently controls NWFP and Pakistan is struggling to get it back due to its low population numbers. This game definately deserves to be checked , So The QUESTION IS , WILL YOU JOIN ? Oh and if you do , please use this link as your referral link :) http://www.erepublik.com/en/citizen/profile/3737420 SO PLEASE , Will YOU JOIN ? more

Resolved Question: Help me think of any kind of leader...?

for a histroy project, we have to choose a current leader...this could be anyone in politics, business, coaching, but someone alive.then we have to list 4 attributes/tendencies that Machiavelli believes makes a good leader. Then i must state how my leader either follows what Machiavelli said a good leader is like or how this person doesnt follow...i can probably do that part on my own but i just need someone to give me a few leaders to choose from that are in the news since i need to find a specific example to follow the attribute with a link to prove it....oh and it cant be obama since that was an example. i just need almost like a controversial leader or something...help? more

Resolved Question: Which political party is killing the middle class?

Bill Clinton signed NAFTA and issued a record number of H1b visas to displace middle class workers from their jobs. And what is Obama doing to stop any of this? The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking. Here Are the Stats to Prove it "the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough. Here are the statistics to prove it: • 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people. • 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007. • 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans. • 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings. • A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. • 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year. • Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008. • Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975. • For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together. • In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one. • As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets. • The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. • Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008. • In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector. • The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago. • In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks. • More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying. • or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011. • This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour. • Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. • Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009. • The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income. Giant Sucking Sound The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool. "http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=^DJI,^GSPC,SPY,MCD,WMT,XRT,DIA more

Resolved Question: Why is the Obama recovery looking more like Obama’s Beltway Chainsaw Massacre?

Regarding the new CBO report on the stimulus (coincidentally — or maybe not coincidentally — released on the same days as GOP leader John Boehner’s jobs speech), McQ says pointedly: “Of course it boosted the GDP by a sizeable amount. When you pour almost a trillion dollars out of the government bucket and that is part of the calculation of GDP, then naturally the GDP is going to be ‘boosted’. The question is, what good did it do. Claims of ‘increasing the number of people employed’ is, as is obvious, a guess cranked out by an economic model. But look around you. When what the bucket has dumped out drains away, what do we have? 9.5% unemployment – at least at an official level – 1.5% higher than what was promised if the “stimulus” wasn’t passed. A stagnant economy. Businesses neither expanding nor hiring. Car sales – down. Housing sales – way down. Consumer confidence – in the tank. Expanded regulation, increased taxation and a war on business…So let the left and the media try their best to make this more than it is – the effect on GDP calculation that absurd levels of governmental deficit spending will have. Take that out and there isn’t much to shout about, is there?” Libs S/F/O more

Resolved Question: Tell me...why is life so shit?

Here I am again on this stupid board..I really don't know why..because none of y'all can help me. I'm so freakin depressed to the point I don't even cry any-more..its like I've become devoid of emotion. I have forgotten what joy feels like..all i ever feel is pain and hurt. The saddest thing is..I would have once described myself as very optimistic..full of life..real go getter!..Ha..not any-more...I remember once hearing the phrase 'shadow of former self'..and i have to be honest to myself... I am becoming that. I am disillusioned with the world..and my own life. I don't whether I'm coming or going. I feel that many people have done me wrong and have gotten away with it....so I'm left to wonder if maybe i deserve the bad things that have happened to me. Seriously...you name it..its happened to me. I cant be arsed to go into detail about specific experiences...but yes they have not been pleasant at all. Anyway..I went to the doctor once, and told him how i was feeling..because I was contemplating taking my own life. He wanted to put me on medication..and i refused..I would have preferred counselling..but i was told the waiting list was like forever..anyway..i left his office..pretty much feeling the same..only a bit better...because I'd finally admitted to someone else...how i was feeling. Anyway i busied myself with things for next few months..went on holiday, started a business..continued to take care of my children (i am a mother)...I just focused on other things and not me...and it helped. Well recently ..as much as last week. I was involved in a...lets call it a ..hell..i'll just tell you...7 years ago one of my children was abducted from me by my ex partner. I have never seen her since, she was taken abroad and I have travelled back and forth to no avail. Anyway..I saw my ex-partners sister last week, and i confronted her about the situation, which left me emotionally drained and wanting to kill someone. I have not been the same since. I just feel that life is a bag of shit...its not what you make of it..because even when you do..there are other people that can still disturb your equilibrium. I just feel that i am constantly recovering from one let down or another..give me a break for crying out loud! The world is a wicked place, where it seems materialness, money, vanity and self worship..proceeds love, honesty, morals and family togetherness/value. World leaders are corrupt and care more about power..than human life. I just want out! Yes I know i have my kids, who need me, and love me..but what use am I to them..If I'm a miserable recluse? *sigh*...I just feel really fcked off right now. I don't know what to do. My life seems to be in a mess...I don't feel i have the strength to make it right either...I am single, so there is no one else to lean on to give me strength..my kids rely on me..but i have no one. My friends and family have their own lives..and because I don't trust people now..I have pushed everyone away..I have realised people like to see another person down..as it makes them feel better about their own lives...so now I am highly secretive. Protection barrier. Oh well...ive actually forgotten why i started to write this...i suppose i wanted to rant for a bit..it be nice if one of you maybe felt the same way i feel/felt..and had a inspirational story where you raised against the odds...thanks in advance to any kind responses and to any nasty comments *middle finger*WOW...so many comments..in so little time..I feel loved! Some comments stick out more than others. Kelly..I hear you, I dont want to put my kids through a bad time, but medication is not for me. I need to feel in control, and the idea of chemicals contolling my responses, does not sit well with me. My depression is 'situational'. I will work out a plan.. I always do..as someone pointed out..I just need that time. I'm pretty broke right now..which only adds to my feelings and makes me feel trapped. But overall i reckon i am resilient character, and i shall once again..overcome this. Highland..thanks for your words of encouragement..your awesome too. I think i'm going to submerge myself into some positive reading until I can make a clear decision on what i am going to do for my future..and focus on feeling better. Every dog has its day. Also, what does not break you..can only make you stronger..this is a transition..and i shall overcome this. Thanks for all the words of encouragement... more

Resolved Question: What is the president doing to end free trade and job outsourcing?

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=^DJI,^GSPC,SPY,MCD,WMT,XRT,DIA The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking. Here Are the Stats to Prove it "the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough. Here are the statistics to prove it: • 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people. • 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007. • 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans. • 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings. • A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. • 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year. • Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008. • Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975. • For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together. • In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one. • As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets. • The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. • Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008. • In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector. • The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago. • In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks. • More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying. • or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011. • This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour. • Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. • Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009. • The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income. Giant Sucking Sound The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool. " Bill Clinton started the "giant sucking sound" when he signed NAFTA. What is Obama doing to stop this destruction of our jobs? more

Resolved Question: Stuck on College major: Pre-med or Accounting?

So I'm an upcoming senior, and will be apply to colleges soon. I'm so torn between majoring in Chemistry/Pre-Med or Business/Accounting/Finance. I loved AP Chemistry when I took it, but I don't know if I want to go all in depth in college, and what jobs would there be? My main goal would be to go to medical school after undergraduate studies, but I don't know if I want to / if I'll make it through 12+ years of schooling I could also go into Accounting/Finance, and either strive for a CPA certified accountant or a financial analyst. I've always liked math, and I feel I would find a steady job if I majored in business. People have told me that I'm a good leader and can communicate easily. I've felt obligated to become pre-med because of my academic standing (4.65 gpa, 33act), but I also do have an interest in it. Accounting would be WAY easier in college and to find a job and be steady. Does anyone have insight to what I should do, any advice? Thanks!PE2008- I actually have no interest in becoming an engineer. I've looked into it, and the whole physics and machinery just turns me off. So I don't think I want to go into chemical engineering more

Resolved Question: What is the thesis statement in this?

"Any roll-call of America's heroes invites one last question. Whom do Americans most admire? What are the signs by which they may be known? No doubt they stand for qualities that seem precious for the group good. Yet scores of worthies, men of high intellect and character, have missed the magic ranks of those- in uniform and buckskin, on horseback or trudging afoot or spanning the sky, at statesman's desk or inventor's work-bench- whom Everyman takes as his heroes." (476) "Certain professions have yielded few national idols. The artist, admired so keenly by another business civilization, the Renaissance, has not met with much popular honor in America... No American writer has received such homage as did Voltaire in Paris in 1778... The scholar as a type has never kindled American imagination... The average american is prone to believe that nobody becomes a teacher who can succeed at any other trade..." (477-79). "The law has trained more American heroes and leaders than has any other profession... But the lawyer qua lawyer, in America as elsewhere, has never been able to match the soldier or explorer as an inevitable hero type." (481) "The sort of man whom Americans admire, trust, and are willing to follow can be sketched with a few lines... At the basic level he must be self-respecting, decent, honorable, with a sense of fair play... He must be firm and self-confident in leadership: Davy Crockett's "Be always sure you're right, then go ahead!"... But a reputation for "genius" is unnecessary and may do the hero harm. An able man must not glory in his cleverness... Vanity or personal arrogance in any form is taboo." (482-83) "The hero of a democracy cannot invite public opinion to go to hell... He must pay tribute to conformity... Fundamentally the hero is required to be chaste, loyal, honest, humble before duty and before God. He is apt to have a dash of Puritan conscience, but the beauty of holiness is no more expected than is a sense of poetry... Hard work, tenacity, enterprise, and firmness in the face of odds are the qualities that Americans most admire, rather than originality or eloquence of tongue and pen." (485) "What is their common denominator? All of them, the people believe, loved America more deeply than any selfish consideration. The hero as made in America is a man who has the power and yet does not abuse it... A Chief Executive may then be called to office who rules as a minor Augustus over a gilded age, or serves as the genial host at a great barbecue." (487) "Our heroes, we believe, are cast in a different mould. Their ruling passion, as we see it, is a sense of duty, alert to the best among the stirring impulses of their time, and able to make that impulse effective. They translate the dream into act. The supreme leader is he who can hitch the great bandwagon to the star of American idealism." (487) I really think it's the fourth sentence that starts with "No doubt" because isn't that what he's trying to prove? Help, please. more

Resolved Question: Who agrees that we should end free trade?

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=^DJI,^GSPC,SPY,MCD,WMT,XRT,DIA The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking. Here Are the Stats to Prove it "the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough. Here are the statistics to prove it: • 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people. • 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007. • 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans. • 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings. • A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. • 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year. • Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008. • Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975. • For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together. • In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one. • As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets. • The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. • Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008. • In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector. • The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago. • In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks. • More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying. • or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011. • This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour. • Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. • Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009. • The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income. Giant Sucking Sound The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool. "Cob, you mean life isn't painted in all black and white like you thought it was?Barry Marx, if only it were that simple! more

Resolved Question: do you treat your wife the same as muslim men do,read on?

1.Make her feel secure; (sakina- tranquillity) QUIT BEING AGGRESSIVE 2. When you go home say 'Assalmualikum.' It kicks the shaitaan out of your home! 3. Prophet (saw) described the wife as a fragile vessel and said to take care of this vessel that’s fragile. Remember that there is goodness in this vessel so treat it gently. 4. When you advise her, do so in privacy, in a peaceful environment. NOT IN PUBLIC as it’s a type of slandering. 5. Be generous to your wife- it keeps her LOVED 6. Move and let her have your seat. It will warm her heart. 7. AVIOD ANGER. HOW? Keep your wudu at all times. Prophet saw said if your angry, sit down, if you’re sitting, then lie down. Follow the sunnah! 8. Look good and smell great for your wife. IT keeps the LOVE! 9. Don’t be rigid. It will break you. Prophet (saw) said 'I am the best amongst you and I am the best to my wife'. Being rigid and harsh will not bring you close to Allah and neither does it make you more of a man. 10. Listen to your wife-BE a GOOD LISTENER 11. YES to flattering NO to arguing. Arguing is like poison in a marriage. Al zawai said 'When Allah (swt) wants evil for people He will leave them to argue amongst themselves'. 12.. Prophet (saw) said to call your wives with the best name, any name she loves to hear. Prophet (saw) called Aisha 'ya Aish' as an endearment. 13. Give her a pleasant surprise. I.e. if she loves watermelon, bring her one out of the blue. It will grow the love in her heart. 14. Preserve your tongue! Prophet (saw) said the tongue will throw people in the hell fire so watch what you say and how you say it! 15. All of us have shortcoming. Accept her shortcoming and Allah (swt) will put barakh in your marriage. 16. TELL her you appreciate her. SHOW her you appreciate her.. 17. Encourage her to keep good relation with her relative, her mum and dad etc. 18. Speak with her with a topic of HER interest. 19. In front of her relative praise her. Confirm/ realise that she is wonderful, and that she is a good person in front of her family. 20. Give each other gifts. You will love each other more. Prophet (saw) said gifts increases love. 21. Get rid of the routine once in a while, surprise her with something, it will get rid of the rust and polish it! 22. Husnul zaan- We have a demand from Allah (swt) that we have to think good of people. Think good of your spouse. 23. Ignore some of her mistakes- pretend you did not see/hear some of her small mistakes. It was a practise of Ali (RA). It’s like putting a hole in your memory. Don’t save it in your memory! 24. Increase the drops of patience, especially when she is pregnant or when she is on her monthly period. 25. Expect and respect her jealousy. Even Aisha (ra) used to get jealous. 26. Be humble. If your profession is good, respect that she is looking after your children, she is much more than you, she is the leader at home, her strength is your strength, and her success is your successes. 27. Don't put your friends above your wife. 28. Help your wife at home. Prophet (saw) used to help his wives at home and he was the best of creation. He used to sew his own clothes. 29. Help her respect your parents, you can’t force her to love them, but she can be helped to gradually love them. 30. Show your wife she is the ideal wife. 31. Remember your wife in your duaas. It will increase the love and protect it. 32. Leave the past. It brings nothing but pain and grief. It’s not your business. The past is for Allah (swt). 33. Don't try to show her that you are doing her a favour by doing something, like buying food for the house, because in reality we are the courier of sustenance, not the providers, as Allah is the provider. It’s also a way of being humble and thankful to Allah (swt) 34. Shaitaan is your enemy, not your wife. Sometime when husband and wife are talking a fight breaks out, then shaitaan is present there as a third person so he is the real enemy. It is not enough to hate the shaitaan, but you have to see him as an enemy as Allah has commanded. Shaitaan loves divorce. HE comes everyday and sits office and asks the devils what they have done, some say i have made a person steal, or i have made someone drink etc. And one devil will say i have made a man divorce his wife, and he is crowned as the one who has done the best job. 35. Take the food and put it in her mouth. Prophet (saw) taught us this. It’s a blessing. The food doesn’t just go to her stomach, but straight to her heart. It increases the love and mercy between you. 36. Protect your wife from the evil of the shaitaan and mankind. She is like a precious pearl that needs protecting from the envy of human devils and shitaan. 37. Show her your smile. Smile at your wife. IT’S A CHARITY. 38. Small problems/ challenges can become a big problem. Or if there is small thing she didn't like and y more

Resolved Question: why does anyone think socialism WORKS?

Socialism, liberals will say, is an economic system with state ownership or control of the all the major means of production and distribution of goods and services. Because some businesses still are privately owned, ipso facto, the United States is not a socialistic government. "That definition is confuted by the earliest theoretical writings on socialism. In France, Henri de Saint-Simon, in the first decades of the 1800s, and his pupil and colleague Auguste Comte, in the 1820s and 30s, along with Robert Owen contemporaneously in England, stated that the essential feature of what Owen called socialism is government regulation of the means of production and distribution." When the government controls the volume of money and its economic applications, it has the economy in a stranglehold. When government controls education so that nothing other than secular socialism may be taught, as Saint-Simon advocated, it controls the future destiny of a nation. Not until the birth of the Soviet Union after the Communist Revolution did the idea become generally accepted that socialism meant government seizing ownership of the economy. Experience in 19th and 20th century France, England, and Germany, however, made it clear that regulatory control by government bureaucrats is sufficient to implement socialism. In Communism (the primary variant of socialism) the central goal is to establish a "worker's paradise"-an ideal state with perfect equality. In practice the socialist government owns the banks, railroads, farmlands, factories, and stores, and is the only employer, or at least controls the regulation of production and distribution. The central goal is to destroy the "evils of capitalism" by government ownership or control of the means of production, usually with one party controlling the government on behalf of the working class. The socialist system never manages to establish this "paradise" because management for the benefit of the employees leads to featherbedding and lack of investment or economic growth, at the expense of consumers. Collective farming (operating farms like factories) sharply reduced the food supply. The most thoroughgoing efforts by Communist regimes turned into authoritarian dictatorships. The government controls all investments, production, distribution, income, and prices, as well as all organizations, schools, news media and formerly private societies. Churches and labor unions are suppressed or controlled by the government. Socialism is the antithesis of capitalism, because it opposes private ownership of capital or land, and rejects the free market in favor of central planning. It also rejects "civil society" and makes sure that all organizations are controlled by the government. Theoretically, socialist regimes can have multiple parties. In practice there is only one political party, and it controls the government. The leaders of the party choose the government officials and set all policies for the nation and for cities and localities. Opposition parties are not allowed access to the media or to meeting halls or to funding, and their leaders are often arrested as "enemies of the people." As a political ideology based on the redistribution of wealth, socialism stresses the privileges of the many over the rights of the few, but in practice when socialist economic principles are forced onto a nation by a totalitarian government a new Upper Class appears which is much better off than the Lower Class. “ Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Winston Churchill” more

Resolved Question: Homework Help... American Heroes Questions?

I really need help with this and it counts for a pretty big grade for school. Nobody has to tell me the full answer but they can at least help me through it. Anything would be very helpful. Read this excerpt from Dixon Wecter's "The Hero in America" and answer the following questions. Link to excerpt: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug03/radio/a… 1. What claim does the text address? (Claim: A statement that focuses on an issue within a broad topic. It is a general belief or assertion about this issue and is expressed without support, warrant, and proof of its validity. For example, within baseball, "Good pitching is essential for winning the pennant".) 2. What point-of-view does the author adopt about this claim? 3. What is the author's thesis? 4. Give two examples of evidence from the text. 5. At whom is the article/excerpt directed? 6. What conclusion does the author establish? 7. Is the argument convincing? Why or why not? 8. What is your opinion about the author's claim or position? (be brief) If you can't get to the link, here's the excerpt: "Any roll-call of America's heroes invites one last question. Whom do Americans most admire? What are the signs by which they may be known? No doubt they stand for qualities that seem precious for the group good. Yet scores of worthies, men of high intellect and character, have missed the magic ranks of those- in uniform and buckskin, on horseback or trudging afoot or spanning the sky, at statesman's desk or inventor's work-bench- whom Everyman takes as his heroes." (476) "Certain professions have yielded few national idols. The artist, admired so keenly by another business civilization, the Renaissance, has not met with much popular honor in America... No American writer has received such homage as did Voltaire in Paris in 1778... The scholar as a type has never kindled American imagination... The average american is prone to believe that nobody becomes a teacher who can succeed at any other trade..." (477-79). "The law has trained more American heroes and leaders than has any other profession... But the lawyer qua lawyer, in America as elsewhere, has never been able to match the soldier or explorer as an inevitable hero type." (481) "The sort of man whom Americans admire, trust, and are willing to follow can be sketched with a few lines... At the basic level he must be self-respecting, decent, honorable, with a sense of fair play... He must be firm and self-confident in leadership: Davy Crockett's "Be always sure you're right, then go ahead!"... But a reputation for "genius" is unnecessary and may do the hero harm. An able man must not glory in his cleverness... Vanity or personal arrogance in any form is taboo." (482-83) "The hero of a democracy cannot invite public opinion to go to hell... He must pay tribute to conformity... Fundamentally the hero is required to be chaste, loyal, honest, humble before duty and before God. He is apt to have a dash of Puritan conscience, but the beauty of holiness is no more expected than is a sense of poetry... Hard work, tenacity, enterprise, and firmness in the face of odds are the qualities that Americans most admire, rather than originality or eloquence of tongue and pen." (485) "What is their common denominator? All of them, the people believe, loved America more deeply than any selfish consideration. The hero as made in America is a man who has the power and yet does not abuse it... A Chief Executive may then be called to office who rules as a minor Augustus over a gilded age, or serves as the genial host at a great barbecue." (487) "Our heroes, we believe, are cast in a different mould. Their ruling passion, as we see it, is a sense of duty, alert to the best among the stirring impulses of their time, and able to make that impulse effective. They translate the dream into act. The supreme leader is he who can hitch the great bandwagon to the star of American idealism." (487) Thanks to all who choose to help, I would really appreciate it. more

Resolved Question: What you think illegal aliens off limits to local law enforcements we do not arrest them DUI legal there?

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Click to enlarge1 of 1 Pittsburgh police will no longer be checking immigration statuses or enforcing immigration laws. but growing and becoming more visible in neighborhoods like Beechview and Brookline where Gabriel Berumen and his wife, Missy, just opened Las Palmas Groceria, a grocery store. "Pittsburgh is good. I like the city. I like the community, I like everybody," Gabriel said. The Berumens are here legally, but some of their customers may not be. Either way, Pittsburgh police say a person's immigration status is no longer their business. "We want to make sure that we're not terrifying that individual or stepping across that fine line of racial profiling," Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper said. Harper recently issued new guidelines to his officers to no longer check the immigration status of a person and to leave enforcement of immigration laws to federal officers. Harper says police need good relations with the immigrant community and should not be feared. "It's very important that have communication – a very well-built bridge to all neighborhoods throughout the City of Pittsburgh, " he said. "We don't want to have to go into any neighborhood and not be able to communicate." University of Pittsburgh Professor David Harris who served on an advisory committee which drew up the new guidelines says they will make police more effective. "What this does is it keeps Pittsburgh's police focused on fighting crime instead of checking immigration for which they're not really trained and which will alienate the very people they need as allies to fight crime," Harris said. "I honest to God believe that all local police should be trying to do something to stop illegal immigrants," Rich Stanizzo, a labor leader, said. He says illegal immigrants are taking American jobs and all law enforcement has a duty to investigate and arrest them. "When you crossed this border illegally, that was a crime," he said. "So they already have committed a crime whether it be the city, the state, this country. It's a crime. Somebody better start investigating." Andy Sheehan: "Is that the job of the Pittsburgh Police?" Stanizzo: "It's the job of every law enforcement officer. It's called a crime." Stanizzo says not enforcing immigration laws will make Pittsburgh a safe haven for illegals. "I think we're going to get a bigger influx of illegal immigrants into the area and they'll be taking more jobs off United States citizens," he said. But in Brookline, most people who spoke with KDKA's Andy Sheehan say the immigrants have been a welcome addition. Missy Berumen says aggressive policing would ultimately hurt the city. "We shouldn't be suspicious of the people. We should welcome immigration. We should welcome the people from different countries. That's what America's all about," she said. http://kdka.com/kdkainvestigators/Pittsburgh.immigration.laws.2.1855876.html Can fugitives from Mexico now rest easy knowing nobody will ask any questions about wanted murderers, child molesters, rapists, drug cartel now have a new haven where the laws do NOT apply to them ? What about drunk drivers can they drive drunk as many times as they want with police looking the other way until they take out a life still they walk away free and clear ? more

Resolved Question: I boyfriend doesn't like me for who I really am, I can't be myself, yet I don't want to lose him?

Me and my boyfriend have been dating for almost a year now. We acknowledged that we were different from the very beginning, but we thought it was in a kind of balancing way. We began dating before we got to know the worst of it I guess. For example, I told him of my religious beliefs before dating, but he never admitted how much of an atheist he was. Later on he made me realize that what he actually thought was that I was an idiot for believing in such things (I'm just spiritual really, and believe in the supernatural), and that I was utterly wrong. I was really hurt and we had insane fights over this. However, he kind of made me realize some things perhaps, since in the end I admitted in forgetting my faith to be with him. I didn't stop believing in the things I do, I just stopped making it a "thing". Nowadays I just care less. Later on he began to hate my gaming. I'm a girl, yet yeah, I like to play games a lot. I like all kinds of games, yet I don't think that they overpower my life. For instance, I'd always always always put him, and other more important things first. I didn't really see what the issue was, but he simply told me that it was a huge turn off and simply the idea of me playing made him not want to be with him. So I quit everything except for "girly games" (like the sims, which he didn't mind as much). Yet constantly feeling like my spare time was missing what I really wanted to do. Another thing is that I even thought of becoming a game designer and artist. It's my calling really, since I love drawing and creating as well. He isn't stopping me with this one, although he's not too supportive either. He does love anime fortunately, which is good, since we both do. And that's a part of something I'd also like to do in the future. And yeah, I'm an otaku, so I'd love to cosplay and win events. But I'm not allowed. He'll basicly dump me if I do it, or anything of the earlier things I've mentioned. The reason why not, is because he'd hate to have other people see me look as good. Related to this, he's also changed my wardrobe completely, so that I own nothing that might show too much (includes everything from v-necks to very regular tops really...) It's kinda cute, how he wants to own me and make me only his. He thinks all the things he makes me do and doesn't let me do, are for my own benefit. And that he does them to better our relationship and future. He's been thought very traditionally, as in, he wants to be a business leader and he has a very conservative way of thinking.. He doesn't mind me being just a housewife and so on. At the same time I love him. We have so much fun together when we're not fighting over anything, you know..During the good times. At the same time I feel like he doesn't love me at all. He's even admitted that I wouldn't be good enough for him if I didn't change in the future (say, in 2 years). He thinks I'm too childish. But at the same time he wants to be together forever. I feel so lost. Occasionally I hate him for making me change so much. My self confidence has changed from great to bad. I don't feel loved really. He's the best boyfriend in the world, when I act like his ideal girl. Yet sometimes I feel like I can't live up to it. I want to be both. Myself and what he wants me to be. I see his view, but it's so hard for me to give some things up. I know I'm gonna get a lot of "Dump him", messages. I don't know...He has threatened to dump me many times. However, he's super loyal. And he's really devoted to us, although so am I. I just don't know what to do..I'm also afraid that what I'm experiencing now is just somehow temporary. And that I really will grow up from all this. Then I'd be left with nothing.I'm 18, he's 19. more

Resolved Question: What are your thoughts on this?

Lee Iacocca Says: 'Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage with this so called president? We should be screaming bloody murder! We've got a gang of tax cheating clueless leftists trying to steer our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even run a ridiculous cash-for-clunkers program without losing $26 billion of the taxpayers' money, much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, 'trust me the economy is getting better..' Better? You've got to be kidding. This is America , not the damned, 'Titanic'. I'll give you a sound bite: 'Throw all the Democrats out along with Obama!' You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore.. The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs.. While we're fiddling in Afghanistan , Iran is completing their nuclear bombs and missiles and nobody seems to know what to do. And the liberal press is waving 'pom-poms' instead of asking hard questions. That's not the promise of the ' America ' my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you? I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have. The Biggest 'C' is Crisis! (Iacocca elaborates on nine C's of leadership, with crisis being the first.) Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's easy to sit there with thumb up your butt and talk theory. Or send someone else's kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down. On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of the ashes. A hell of a mess, so here's where we stand. We're immersed in a bloody war now with no plan for winning and no plan for leaving. But our soldiers are dying daily. We're running the biggest deficit in the history of the world, and it's getting worse every day! We've lost the manufacturing edge to Asia , while our once-great companies are getting slaughtered by health care costs. Gas prices are going to skyrock again, and nobody in power has a lucid plan to open drilling to solve the problem. This country has the largest oil reserves in the WORLD, and we cannot drill for it because the politicians have been bought by the flea-hugging environmentalists. Our schools are in a complete disaster because of the teachers union. Our borders are like sieves and they want to give all illegals amnesty and free healthcare. The middle class is being squeezed to death every day. These are times that cry out for leadership. But when you look around, you've got to ask: 'Where have all the leaders gone?' Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, omnipotence, and common sense? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point.. Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo? We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened. Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping the government will make it better for them. Now, that's just crazy.. Deal with life. Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when 'The Big Three' referred to Japanese car companies? How did this happen, and more important, look what Obama did about it! Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the debit, or solving theenergy crisis, or managing the health care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry. I have news for the Chicago gangsters in Congress. We didn't elect you to turn this country into a losing European Socialist state. What is everybody so afraid of? That some bonehead on NBC or CNN news will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some spine for a change? Had Enough? Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I h more

Resolved Question: Any interesting coming out stories? (mine included)?

I grew up in rural central Louisiana, the heart of Cajun country where football attendance is only second to church attendance. The town had maybe all of 1500 residence, with only a handful of struggling businesses non of which where a general store (GOD forbid your car breaks down 'cause the nearest town with all the essentials is a good few miles down the road), it is undoubtedly a conservative area to say the least. Luckily my family (which consisted of my signal mother and older brother) had only moved there when I was five, from a liberal state of course, so they were chock-full of "big city ideas" which eventually made coming-out to them slightly easier. To be more correct the page title should technically read "My Coming-Out Stories" 'cause I technically came-out for all of maybe a whole ten minutes in the seventh grade. It happened during recess, when me and my friends were playing basketball as we did everyday, I managed to make a few good shots *cough* I always did *clears throat* and one of my friends chose to call me a few names for doing so *fag/queer/homo* one of those. And I having had come to that conclusion a few months earlier, thinking nothing of it, and being a natural badass said something along the lines of "yeah I am you got a problem with that?!" he made some snide remark and then I realized that everybody was snickering at me. I asked what was so funny to one of my other friends and he said something like "yeah right like you of all people would be gay" ironically I was shocked and offended of what he was saying to me *how dare he think that I could not be gay*! After quickly remembering all those lessons from Sunday school and Wednesday night bible study(which I attended regularly) I began to think it was all for the best that they thought I was joking and suddenly I began to tell both them and myself that it really was just a joke. Later that year I moved to the neighboring "city", the one with both a super-walmart and two whole grocery stores! Unfortunately soon after we moved there my mother had a brain aneurysm and died about two week before hurricane Katrina, I began living with my older brother. Within another year right before I started high-school we moved to the far south suburbs of Chicago were I continued both my Catholic school education and my lie. Finally sophomore year I accepted who I was and what I thought was my doomed fate to be an outcast.......then it was just a matter if and when I would come-out. Nearly two years pass without me saying a word about it but it was constantly on my mind *what if I slip? Will I be able to lie for ever? *. It was the beginning of senior year which meant I would have to go all the required 4day religious/bonding retreat with 30 other guys from my class......which I was kinda dreading by this time in my life I had given up all of my old faith. I thought I would be just like all of the other retreats I had been to over the years, we would talk about Jesus in our personal lives read some bible verses and eventually go home bored, how wrong I was. First of all you weren't allowed to know where the retreat was, the time of day or what would happen next.......my first thought was brainwashing cult......my second thought was brainwashing cult with cool-aid, luckily I was wrong. First we got settled into out rooms we weren't sure we would have until we saw them, then we went to a large room with a podium and a large group of candles in the center of the room *for a cult ritual!* no it was much more innocent. We began hearing speeches they started of normal, the first one explained that the bonds made a this retreat would last forever and that everything that took place there should remain our life long secret, then they all became disturbingly personal and viciously truthful as both student leaders and teaches told of some their most intimate and traumatic life events. one student leader told of how he use to cut himself(he had the scars to prove), others told about abuses they had suffered, one female teacher told about being raped another about her former cocaine and sex addiction.......it was all so shockingly honest and emotional it went on deep into the night until nearly dawn, then we were told we would all be sharing the next night. As scared as I was I knew despite the consequences, despite the fact I was at a religious retreat I would have to reveal the very thing I had been hiding for years, to do otherwise would be to betray all those who had shared and those who would share. I spent all day trying to write it trying to plan out what I would say when it was time to start the speeches I barely had a thing written.....we all had to turn in our paper to our student group leader(who had already been on the retreat) so that they could read it to themselves to make sure it was appropriate( but if rape and cocaine were what wasn't). Of course my group lead more

Resolved Question: What decan is your rising sign?

Just curious :) http://www.elbertwade.com/page100.html (scroll down to find other rising signs) THIRD DECAN of GEMINI Rising (20.00 - 30.00 degrees) The sub-influences of this Aquarius/URANUS decan can induce interesting external characteristics and personality differences. Aquarius -- natural ruler of the eleventh house of friends, hopes, and wishes--inclines you to he very much a social type, a friend-oriented individual. You live an important percentage of your life through your relationships with others. You have an inherent desire to want to reform beliefs and situations for the benefit of all, not just a select few. You are optimistic, believing (often mistakenly) that the better side of people ultimately will out. You may or would like to belong to clubs, organizations and groups which are supportive of your beliefs and ideals. You would make an excellent leader or officer in these organizations, or you might elect to form your own. Select your friends wisely and carefully for they can either aid you to accomplish more or pull you down, holding you back. Without doubt, Uranus adds uniqueness to your personality. You are one-of-a-kind, whether this manifests itself through your mannerisms, speech pattern, or otherwise. Appearance-wise, Uranus likely will add something essentially striking. Sometimes it gives an unusual eye color, a large amount of hair or a unique pattern of hair growth. Wherever you go, you seem to get attention from others, perhaps a bit more than you'd prefer at times. You'd do well to realize that others normally don't mean to stare; it's just that they want to be certain they saw you right the first time. You could turn this attention-getting characteristic into an asset, especially if you aspire to succeed in any career/business (acting, politics, etc.) in which getting others' attention is an essential advantage. You usually show a friendly countenance and normally find it easy to smile. You could have outstandingly-attractive teeth. Some of your opinions may be a bit too advanced (or "far-out") for others to appreciate. Scorpio sun/Pisces moon Thanks ^ ^thank god! finally someone answers, my questions were not showing to people to answer >< more

Resolved Question: Atheists are you being taken for a ride by scientists?

No doubt we all benefit from science--computers, medicine, etc. But, I was amazed of the results of my research! 1. Fraud or misconduct in science is becoming an epidemic. ( One source of many: Ensuring the Integrity of the Research Process, vol 1, Panel on Scientific Responsibility and the conduct of Research. By: National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine) 2. There are a number of fraudulent evidence for Evolution—e.g. Piltdown Man, Lucy, Archeoraptor fakery, Nebraska Man, etc. If not fraud, personal bias of scientists cloud their judgment as in the case of Neanderthals. Later, they were confirmed as humans. (source: (http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1987568,00.html#ixzz0vg1mIjMz) Given the above, this question arise: Question: Given the above, why do scientists still persist on this theory? Answer: by Richard Lewontin, a geneticist, and one of the world’s leaders in evolutionary biology—“Biologists are not the only scientists who, having made extravagant claims about their merchandise, deliver the goods in bite-sized packages. Nor are they the only manufacturers of knowledge who cannot be bothered to pick up a return package when the product turns out to be faulty. Sagan's own branch of science is in the same business. Anxious to revive a failing public interest in spending large amounts on space research, NASA scientists, followed by the President of the United States, made an immense fuss about the discovery of some organic molecules on a Mars rock. There is (was) life (of some rudimentary kind) on Mars (maybe)! Can little green men in space machines be far behind? If it turns out, as already suggested by some scientists, that these molecules are earthly contaminants, or were produced in non-living chemical systems, this fact surely will not be announced at a White House press conference, or even above the fold in The New York Times”( source: Richard Lewontin, Billions and billions of demons (review of The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan, 1997), The New York Review, p. 31, 9 January 1997) In plain English? •Biologists, just like any other scientists, have to make extravagant claims. They are like manufacturers who can not be bothered to pick up a return package when the product turns out faulty. •They have to revive a failing public interest in spending large amounts—just like space scientists! Questions to Atheists : How can you sleep at night knowing that what you believe—or rather your disbelief—is based on fraud, and vested interest of scientists? Are you not being taken for a ride? Questions to believers: Why can’t they open their eyes? Do you have bible scriptures to help our poor atheist-brothers? more

Resolved Question: help me please is for tomorrow.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank?

1-how did buying on margin help reinforce the bull market? a-it reduced the risk associated with buying stocks. b-it allowed investors to make a profit even when stock prices dropped. c-it allowed more people to invest in the stock market. d-it reduced the total price investors had to pay for a stock. my answer is correct is b-it allowed investors to make a profit even when stock prices dropped. 2-what was the result of the demand for automobiles in the 1920s? a-it stimulated growth in many other industries. b-it led to a nationwide recession. c-it closed down the steel industry. d-it brought about the collapse of the suburbs. my answer is correct is d-it brought about the collapse of the suburbs. 3-u.s. leaders in the 1920s hoped to keep the rest of the world ........... . a-from ratifying the Kellogg-Briand pact b-at war to maintain high demand for u.s. products c-from collecting america's unpaid war debts d-at arm's lenght in order to avoid another war my answer is correct is b-at war to maintain high demand for u.s. products 4-what did president harding do to help american businesses? a-he restricted the freedom of business leaders. b-he refused to adopt a laissez - faire approach. c-he broke up monopolies. d-he signed a bill that raised protective tariff rates. my answer is correct is c-he broke up monopolies. 5-what was the teapot dome scandal? a-it wasted taxpayers' money by spending many thousands of dollars on a great deal of floor cleaner. b-it allowed the attorney general to use his position to accept money from criminals. c-it allowed president harding to reduce government regulation of business and return to a more traditional laissez - faire approach. d-it involved transferring oil reserves from the navy department to the inderior department and then forgot about the navy's needs. my answer is correct is a-it wasted taxpayers' money by spending many thousands of dollars on a great deal of floor cleaner. 6-where did african americans face the most discrimination in the 1920s? a-the south, where the jim crow laws were in effect b-the south,where they were not allowed to work c-the north, where they were not allowed to work d-the north, where the jim crow laws were in effect my answer is correct is d-the north, where the jim crow laws were in effect 8-what was the significance of harlem? a-harlem was a central place for african americans to voice concerns about racial problems. b-harlem was an area largely dominated by wealthy white americans. c-harlem did not welcome african american writers or musicians. d-the residents of harlem refused to support the universal negro improvement association. my answer is correct is a-harlem was a central place for african americans to voice concerns about racial problems. 9-why is louis armstrong considered a jazz legend? a-for being the highest - paid african american entertainer b-for becoming the first white musician to contribute to jazz c-for his ability to play the trumpet and his subtle sense of improvisation d-for predicting that america will be best remembered for the constitution, baseball, and jazz my answer is correct is c-for his ability to play the trumpet and his subtle sense of improvisation 10-what was the impact of the sense of group identity created by the harlem renaissance? a-it formed a basis for later progress for blacks in america. b-it enabled african americans to form their own nation. c-it aided in the migration of blacks to the north. d-it ended discrimination against blacks in america. my answer is correct is d-it ended discrimination against blacks in america. 13-why was formal education more important for urban americans than rural americans? a-most higher - paying jobs in the cities required a formal education. b-urban children needed a safe place to stay while their parents worked. c-a better education provided more opportunities to obtain inexpensive housing. d-urban americans needed an education to work in factories. my answer is correct is a-most higher - paying jobs in the cities required a formal education. 14-which of the following was enacted to enforce the eighteenth amendment? a-twenty-first amendment b-prohibition c-volstead act d-national origins act my answer is correct is a-twenty-first amendment 15-in 1933, congress repealed prohibition with the ....... . a-twentieth amendment b-twenty-first amendment c-eighteenth amendment d-nineteenth amendment my answer is correct is d-nineteenth amendment 16-what economic condition did economist john maynard keynes believe caused the great depression? a-strict controls on stock speculation b-lack of government intervention c-too much oversight of the banking system d-limits on production and consumer spending my answer is correct is b-lack of government intervention 17-why did the great crash represent a hallmark in the u.s. business cy more

Resolved Question: What are the main Ideas in this piece of writing?? Confused0_o?

ok so here is a piece of writing by gary lautens but seriously i have no clue what the main ideas in his writing are?? any ideas cuz i am seriously confused please help and thanks:) A Country Called Canada I have an idea. Let's start a country. This country would have bright leaders in politics, labour, business, education and other fields. They wouldn't squabble. They wouldn't call each other names. They would try to get along. In this country people would work hard - and they would be allowed to keep a lot of their money. Oh, they'd help out the handicapped, the old, the sick, those who have been thrown out of work for no fault of their own. But no freeloading. You couldn't sit around twiddling your thumbs, abusing your body, making trouble or just being a nuisance. You would have to carry your share of the burden and not expect somebody else to always look after you. You'd be responsible for your life - and no running away. You'd have to be useful. In this country you'd respect other people and they'd be expected to respect you. You could not sit around griping all the time or making a lot of demands. If you made a mess of things, you'd be told to look for the culprit first in a mirror before you started pointing a finger. You'd have to follow some rules because this country would work best that way. For example, you'd have to keep your mitts off other people, unless in affection. No abusing animals either, or property, or people's dreams. You'd be asked to understand things like feelings and hopes. Kids? In this country kids would be special and need a lot of love and peanut butter sandwiches and talks. In return, they'd be expected to go to school, learn something useful and not be smart alecks. They could keep pets provided they looked after them. You'd be expected to cherish this country and treat it kindly. You'd be expected to understand its riches - and make sure something was left for the next generation. And no putting it in second place to another country. You can get sentimental about some holiday place, or a country in your past, or something you saw in National Geographic. Of course, it's permissible to get dreamy about Paris, too. Everyone does. But this country would be top priority, Number 1, your very own place, home. You'd feel good about other people from your own country, even if they were a little different. You wouldn't act like a goof and insult them or treat them in a way you wouldn't want to be treated. This country would have a nice touch of pride - but pride in important things like integrity, intelligence, cleanliness, decency and being fair. It wouldn't get a big head about things that are just luck. What else? I think I've left out fun. This country should have lots of fun because life isn't much without it. You wouldn't want a country where every one has a long face and snaps about the littlest thing. You'd want to hear laughter. It's about as important as sunshine. No idlers. No bullies. No grouches. No ingrates. No shouters. No sourpusses. No crybabies. No parasites. No hotheads. Yes, let's start a country. We could call it Canada. more

Resolved Question: What do you think of British conservative PM comparing Gaza to a prison camp?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jul/27/david-cameron-gaza-prison-camp "David Cameron used a visit to Turkey to make his strongest intervention yet in the intractable Middle East conflict today when he likened the experience of Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza strip to that of a "prison camp". Although he has made similar remarks before, his decision to repeat them on a world stage in Turkey, whose relations with Israel have deteriorated sharply since it mounted a deadly assault on the Gaza flotilla, gave them much greater diplomatic significance. Cameron's comments, in a speech to business leaders in Ankara, prompted the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to issue another strong condemnation of how Israel dealt with the flotilla. Erdogan likened the behaviour of Israeli commandos, who shot dead nine Turkish pro-Palestinian activists, to Somali pirates. Cameron's criticism of Tel Aviv came when he called for Israel to relax its restrictions on Gaza. "The situation in Gaza has to change," he said. "Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp." more

Resolved Question: Would this be good or bad for America and why?

I had this idea that we can try to make wealth more equal in America by forcing rich people to pay very high taxes to be redistributed. What we would need is a very strong central Government with all the power in Washington, DC. And then we would need to pass this legislation: 1) Rich people must work in their trade or business with the same effort as in a capitalist system, or else they would be arrested and worked by Govt officials until they agree to work again. 2) Rich people above a certain income would NOT be allowed to exit the USA. 3) Make it illegal for any American to have a fire arm except Govt. 4) Govt regulation of internet access in America. So now with this said, rich people would be forced to keep working hard, they would be taxed by the strong Central Government that would be given MUCH MORE executive power, And then the US Govt officials, artistans, philosophers, and scholars, and the national army, would get that money before redistributing the rest to the poor people. Also musicians of the state would make beautiful songs and sing in chorus. Also we would ban private property and make it common public shared property, by Govt regulations.... if we did this, America would still be hardworking among the rich because they would be forced to serve the Central Government and would not be armed to resist it. Now to run this we would need one person to serve as leader for life with absolute unquestionable power to make decisions for America. more

Resolved Question: Why would anybody ever vote for "any" Republican or even a "Conserva-Democrat" if they were aware of this info?

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the… The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking. Here Are the Stats to Prove it "the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough. Here are the statistics to prove it: • 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people. • 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007. • 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans. • 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings. • A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. • 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year. • Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008. • Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975. • For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together. • In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one. • As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets. • The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. • Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008. • In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector. • The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago. • In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks. • More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying. • or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011. • This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour. • Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. • Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009. • The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income. Giant Sucking Sound The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool. " Shouldn't we go back to real progressives, that support the idea of "We The People" instead of these corporate sell-out Republicans and the "New Dem's" that have now are scattered throughout the Democratic party? more

Resolved Question: Why would anybody ever vote Democrat again after this information?

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=^DJI,^GSPC,SPY,MCD,WMT,XRT,DIA The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking. Here Are the Stats to Prove it "the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough. Here are the statistics to prove it: • 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people. • 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007. • 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans. • 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings. • A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. • 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year. • Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008. • Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975. • For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together. • In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one. • As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets. • The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. • Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008. • In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector. • The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago. • In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks. • More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying. • or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011. • This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour. • Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. • Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009. • The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income. Giant Sucking Sound The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool. "Umm, hey guys, that was CLINTON who signed NAFTA. Not Reagan, not Bush. Try to keep up, OK?Steve, you sure are right, look at the answers before yours. Amazing the powers of denial on the left.That Guy, I gave the source at the beginning of the quote. more

Resolved Question: For those who were here last night, do these statistics look familiar?

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=^DJI,^GSPC,SPY,MCD,WMT,XRT,DIA The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking. Here Are the Stats to Prove it "the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough. Here are the statistics to prove it: • 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people. • 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007. • 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans. • 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings. • A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. • 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year. • Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008. • Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975. • For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together. • In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one. • As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets. • The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. • Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008. • In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector. • The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago. • In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks. • More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying. • or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011. • This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour. • Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. • Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009. • The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income. Giant Sucking Sound The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool. " Bill Clinton was the one who signed NAFTA, against the firm advice of Ross Perot. He's the one to blame for all of this. And I notice Obama is doing nothing to stop any of this. Do you now LOL the person who was posting them last night without a source, so he could blame them on the Republicans? more

Resolved Question: Which president signed NAFTA into law?

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=^DJI,^GSPC,SPY,MCD,WMT,XRT,DIA The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking. Here Are the Stats to Prove it "the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough. Here are the statistics to prove it: • 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people. • 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007. • 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans. • 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings. • A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. • 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year. • Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008. • Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975. • For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together. • In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one. • As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets. • The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. • Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008. • In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector. • The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago. • In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks. • More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying. • or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011. • This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour. • Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. • Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009. • The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income. Giant Sucking Sound The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool. "Why do leftist apologists act like Clinton was powerless to withdraw from NAFTA? more

Resolved Question: middle class dying......................?

's note: Michael Snyder is editor of theeconomiccollapseblog.com The 22 statistics detailed here prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence in America. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer at a staggering rate. Once upon a time, the United States had the largest and most prosperous middle class in the history of the world, but now that is changing at a blinding pace. So why are we witnessing such fundamental changes? Well, the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough. Here are the statistics to prove it: • 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people. • 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007. • 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans. • 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings. • A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. • 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year. • Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008. • Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975. • For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together. • In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one. • As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets. • The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. • Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008. • In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector. • The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago. • In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks. • More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying. • or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011. • This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour. • Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. • Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009. • The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income. Giant Sucking Sound The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool. What do most Americans have to offer in the marketplace other than their labor? Not much. The truth is that most Americans are absolutely dependent on someone else giving them a job. But today, U.S. workers are "less attractive& more

Resolved Question: Arizona state of Nazi, whites only state?

about tight budgets every day of the week, so it is no surprise that Arizona has complained that the federal government is not doing enough to curb illegal immigration, as if incompetently assuming that the federal government has unlimited access to money and also does not have tight budgets like the state of Arizona. What has the governor and legislature of Arizona ingeniously done to build up their economy, other than trying to detract from their own incompetence by passing a new bully immigration law to beat up on some people who by appearance no less “might” be illegal aliens, just as easily as they might be legal immigrants---absent racial profiling? Even if the state of Arizona removed every person who might be an illegal alien---and removed them from jobs as field hands picking fruit and vegetables, or was waiters and waitresses, it would not remove the fact that white Americans more often than do not pursue these low-paying jobs, and production in these areas would plummet either from a lack of workers or from employers closing companies because they cannot afford to hire white Americans who demand greater salaries. In the feverish haste of their delusional minds the supporters of this new immigration law forgot that a large number of residents of Arizona are senior citizens with extremely limited budgets who are not generating significant salaries and businesses that improve the economy of Arizona. However, the governor and legislature are not demanding that its senior citizens get out of the state or open companies that will generate jobs and boost the economy, despite the fact that their combined incomes could collectively open new companies and generate new businesses, teaching and sharing with the young of Arizona their lifetime experiences. Instead, the state of Arizona wants the federal government to basically go broke tracking down people who “might” be foreign aliens along a 3,000 mile plus border, and then spend a fortune sending these people back to their home countries, while the state Arizona government begs for more federal money. Perhaps the state of Arizona and its government should get off their backsides and ingeniously create better ways of making money instead of costing the federal government more money. Nevada thought of gambling, California thought of Silicon Valley. It is incumbent upon the leaders of every state government to become creative in elevating their respective economies, not become tyrants and a Nazi, whites only state..what you thinnk? more

Resolved Question: Anybody good at history?? help!!! please?

please help me??? :D 1. One factor that led to the Russian Revolution was A) civil war between “red” and “white” forces. B) the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. C) problems associated with industrialization. D) nationalization of the banking industry. 2. Who was the leader of the Bolsheviks? A) Nicholas II B) V. I. Lenin C) Joseph Stalin D) Karl Marx 3. After the Russian Revolution, the czar and his family were A) executed by revolutionaries. B) advisers to Russia’s first parliament. C) exiled to Siberia. D) figureheads—political figures with no actual power. 4. The Gulag was a network of A) worker-owned factories. B) labor activists. C) revolutionaries. D) prison camps. 5. Which event was a direct result of the Russian Revolution? A) Russia was defeated in the Russo-Japanese War. B) Factory workers began to demand their rights. C) The Russian economy rebounded. D) Russia pulled out of World War I. 6. Which statement best describes conditions surrounding the March Revolution of 1917? A) The czar would stop at nothing to protect the autocracy. B) Lenin was concerned about competition from other revolutionaries. C) Peace with Germany was considered more important than keeping territory. D) Support for revolutionary activity was increasing. Stalinist Russia 7. What is one key trait of a totalitarian system of government? A) freedom of the press B) the use of violence C) worker control of industry D) multi-party rule 8. In Stalin’s command economy, A) migrant labor became a major force. B) workers set their own hours. C) millions returned to subsistence farming. D) the government alone made all decisions. 9. Police terror was a weapon used by Joseph Stalin, mainly against A) Communist leaders. B) the military. C) ordinary Russians. D) Ukrainians. 10. In Stalinist Russia, religious leaders were A) often persecuted. B) mostly ignored. C) forced to create propaganda. D) helpful in keeping people obedient. 11. What was one goal of the Communist government of Stalin’s Soviet Union when they tapped people’s telephones and read their mail? A) making people afraid to protest B) increasing open communication C) pioneering new technologies D) looking for a worthy new leader 12. What caused 5 million Ukrainians to starve under Stalin’s rule? A) the government took their food from them B) their crops were destroyed by blight C) they could not keep pace with industrialization D) severe overpopulation resulted in famine Totalitarian Regimes in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union 13. What conditions surrounded the rise of totalitarianism in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union? A) All the regimes re-energized weak capitalist systems. B) The regimes followed the devastation of World War I. C) Each regime, built upon a former totalitarian government. D) Each totalitarian regime arose after a revolution. 14. Which traits were shared by all three regimes—Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union—during the 1930s? A) state control of the economy B) widespread use of murder C) total control of the media D) single-party rule 15. Which trait was unique to the totalitarian regime in Germany compared with other totalitarian governments of the 1930s? A) encouragement of a high birth rate B) belief in a “master race” C) an emphasis on total obedience to the leader D) Catholicism as a state religion 16. Which trait was unique to the totalitarian regime in the Soviet Union compared with other regimes of the 1930s? A) the widespread use of propaganda B) a desire for a classless society C) partnerships between government and businesses D) religious freedom 17. A main reason that an estimated 20 million Soviet citizens were imprisoned under Stalin was that they were A) Jewish. B) not really citizens. C) suspected of opposing Stalin. D) at war with the government. 18. In a police state, the police carry out the will of A) the people. B) police chiefs. C) military equals. D) the ruling leader. more

Resolved Question: anybody good at history?? help!!! please?

Resolved Question: Should rewarding terrorism and violence and corruption be the only alternative for the West?

So it looks like a pullout of Afghanistan is likely within five years, leaving a corrupt and inept Government in its place Karzi is a crook and is well known through Cronyism that his brother controls a huge lump of the Heroin business. Iraq is no better, a sectarian government and a hand picked leader who is also a crook. Closer to Home we have Northern Ireland, a farce of democracy, the British Government handed power to a Terrorist Organisation and Party of right wing fundamentalist bigots, both directly and indirectly have the blood of thousands on their hands. So in a no win situation is it better to just give power to the strongest and most Machiavellian adept rather than just hand power over without finishing what they started? It often, if not always makes a mockery of regime change, so why does the west insist on doing it? more

Resolved Question: This is connected to my previous question.?

In the Mideast and other countries if a woman gets raped and she was wearing tight jeans then its her fault and she is punished. Illiteracy rates are in the double digits and GDP per capita is really low. I've learned that many Americans are opposed to imperialism because its "evil" "its not right to impose our will on others" "its not right to reap benefits from war" but isn't it a greater good to make Iraq and afghanistan colonies or colony like. I don't think the world hate the U.S but only the countries that hate the U.S are the ones that have been invaded by the U.S or a poor and corrupt and use bad will against the U.S to maintain power by claiming they will oppose western dominance. If America took complete control of Iraq and enforced a constitution much like what you have and built public schools all over Iraq then at first Iraqis would and the rest of Mideast would hate the U.S but I know for sure 30+years later with the new generation or generation after America would have much better relations. If done right American dominance can be a force for great good world wide. BTW I'm African and have the perspective of a foreigner. There is nothing I would want more than American and European businesses opening up shop all over Africa but not missionaries they can stay home. That would help with your immigration problem since Africans would stay in Africa. Imperialism can be good just think about it. In alot of countries all over the world young girls are taken to be sex slaves. Their married off at young ages to men old enough to be their grandfathers. Homosexuals are judged and charged under archaic laws. These are a few issues and they may never go away. But if more gov'ts were democratically elected by an educated group of people(men and women) rather than the rich and powerful few like in so many countries that make the poor poorer or in a difficult position to advance. In my country young kids are sold for less the $50 to work instead of being sent to school and local village leaders allow this because its either customary or they profit somehow. This would never happen in a country where freedom is guaranteed, enforced and protected by the gov't. more

Resolved Question: Winner & Losers of NBA Freaa Agency?

Winner: Pat Riley -Proved he is the best in the Business Loser: Cleveland -What Can I say? Winner: Magic -Now the front runner in the East Loser: Lebron, Dwyane, and Bosh -Can they fit together? Will they still be friends at the end of the season? PPG will drop by 5 for each of them. Will they like it? Winner: Chicago Bulls -No one to challenge them in the Central Division now. Loser: Boozer -Sure is going to a great team, but his son's in a hospital in Miami. Was wishing he would go there, to be with his son. Winner: Eric Spoltra -Still the coach Loser: NBA - No true NBA fan (Not counting Heat fans) wanted him to go to Miami. They want the top teams to be the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, and Bulls. And The "Decision" was an embarassment to the league. Say where your going on your site, then make a press conference. Not an hour long, snore fest. And then you say Miami. Then in your interview with Wilbon you look like you just thought " Oh shit! Am I Jordan or Pippen? What If I become the Kukoc or Paxson?!?!?!" Winner: Undrafted Picks - Go to Miami and be a 6th man, go to any where else be a 10th or 11th man. Loser: Lebron -I'm sorry Heat fans, I just don't see how the chemistry works! Celtics did it but they were all in mid-lower 30's who only wanted a ring. But can we really believe, that Lebron will like being the Pippen of the team? Or will Bosh like being the Rodman or Armstrong of the team? Don't see them winning a ring together, but I do think Lebron leaves in 2013 and Wade and Bosh stay, and contend for a Championship! Winner: 2nd Tier Players -People like Reddick and Childress will get way overpaird now that the likes of James, Wade, and Bosh are all in Miami. (Gooden, Milicic, Amir, Frye) Loser: Nets -Biggest loser, have signed no one. Winner: Knicks -I like Carmelo alot more than Lebron, if they can get him and Paul That's the best team, although I expect Melo will stay in Denver or the Bulls trade for him now that they lost out. Loser: Next Years FA Who wants to be a free agent, when a lockout is looming. Winner: Lebrons wife and children - Get to live in all-year nice weather. Loser: Lebrons Mom, and other family in Cleveland. -Get to have people give them snobby looks while trying to buy food. Winner/Loser: Bucks -Got quality players, but overpaid quality players. Will keep in contention with the Bulls for the top spot in the Central, but I don't see that team full of players who could be a 6th man on everyteam. (Save Jennings and Redd. Bogut Maybe) Winner: Stephen A. Smith and Chris Broussard -Smith was the first one to definitely put his name and reputation on the Miami Splice route. He’s stuck to his report for the last week and he comes out as a reborn information king. It’s quite the transformation after ESPN and the Philly media kicked him to the curb. He’s a star again on FOX Sports Radio and a trusted reporter once more. Broussard went from the second fiddle guy to The Man in this process. He’s been on the World Wide Leader for 15 hours a day pushing information, Loser: Ric Bucher -Before the John Clayon of the NBA. Now is the Dan Lebetard if everything else Winner: Rudy Gay -Good not $16 Mill good Loser: Dan Gilbert Looked like a baby, although I agree Lebron quit. Another reason I don't see the Heat playing well. Wade is a hard working man that wants to win. Lebron shoots full court shots before a game, and is a sore loser.Wow 3 Kings? Bandwagon jumper! more

Resolved Question: How terrible is greed and delusion? How to protect human and world?

1 old racial problem politician or evil move I observe. He can't even keep himself rest but every now and than yak and yak! Every now and than or can not stop to create racial issue or try to mislead other view him as race hero with his nonsense words:- That is his race will be left behind as they are incompetence ! With people from other part of country, his race can not do any more! Hey! this is not true! never! Once upon the time many foreign came open factory in our country, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and etc, this actually gave the local people to learn skill and knowledge from them and make our people widen the scope of learning and create more multi skill intelligence. Well! not everybody is born in the world same. They have different talent and what they wish to do for the world for his whole life. To be a good human leader, nation leader or world good being or 'insan' in Bahasa Malaysia. You should think how to create chance for the people to learn and all kind of fields that the people can act and do their best for their life happily. They may not be engineer, doctor, lawyer, lecturer or teachers, they can be good actor, dancer, business man, contractor, technician, waiter, diomond designer or best designer for all product making . ... or may be they become the best designer of shoes that can sale to the whole and make tons of money for the country. Make all human enjoy wearing his shoes happily everyday. Well! if this is what he like to do for his life, this will make him live with great happiness. ...stop planting you old and orthodox thoughts in haman to create al kinds of nonsense. I think if you are not thinking to make people happy than basically you are in terrible, greed and delusion people. This terrible greed and delusion in you will bring hatred, evil energy and problem in this world. I think greed and delusion can destroy you. human kind, country and world, what you think? But, what happen we have many people like this in our neighbourhoon, country and in this world. How are we protect our world? more

Voting Question: Help im lonely and no one cares and im upset?

ok well, i do have friends but they live about 15 miles away, and my best friend just would rarther play on the xbox that go out and socialize, and sam (the best friend) will litiraly just answer "meeeh" if i ask him to do anything, and all my othe rfiends wont do nothing if he dont, sam is not the leader of the pack or "the queen bee" people just wont do anything without him, ............... its always been hard for me o make friends and up untill last year when i first rally met sam at school i didn hve anyt friends and thats what i was used too, and i had verry little confidantes, and sam being a friend has really boosted every part of my personality, but lately sam has been like tired everry day as he iss gaming till like 5am and then complaining he is tired at school the next day, and i have told him mannyer time that its not good for him, and like he is failing in ever lesson at school cuz he is tired and not paying attention, and i often find myself repeating what the teatcher has said three or 4 times to him and even doin a bit of his work to get him stated, and see if sam fails even 1 gcse he wont get into sixth form as me and sam lost out on a gcse early in the year, so yeh and he does nt care for anything i do for him, and OMFG YESTERDAY i even went up to our business&economics teacher to see if she would give him a weeks extension on his coursework (she said yes) and i told sam and he didn't say thanks or anything he just latterly went (meh), anywhay about me, cuz the summer holidays are comen up and i wont see anyone from school for 6 weeks i will be lonely and im lonely now and, well their is this girl i like, and i dunno, just nobody seems to care about me AND THATS IT NO ONE CARES NO ONE FUCCING CARES pleases dont feel you have to answer this i just needed to get this of my chest and type it donw somplace and whatever BYE more

Resolved Question: There's no sugarcoating it. I want to be financially wealthy. How can i make this happen?

I am a student in high school and i want to be wealthy when i grow up. Hopefully very comfortable by my early 30s. What are some jobs or ways that I could make this happen. My grades and test scores are very good so I can go to a great college maybe not the greatest college but a great college. I am interested in everything. Science and Business and Economics facisnate me. I can be a leader and I can be mean if I have to. What's something i could do? more

Resolved Question: Is the Reaping of the socialist seeds sewn well underway?

ATHENS (Dow Jones)--Greece's two main umbrella unions said Thursday that they have called for another general 24 hour strike for Thursday, July 8 over proposed pension and labor reforms. The unions are campaigning against a proposed cut in pensions, an increase in retirement ages, a fall in the minimum wage and the fact that employers will be able to lay off more staff. However the government argues that it has to keep its promises to the International Monetary Fund and European Union so it can keep drawing portions of the EUR110 billion bailout that was put in place in May to rescue the debt-laden country. Europe's leaders believe they can do what needs to be done without a treaty revision. Top of their list is to convert Europe's sclerotic economy into a dynamic one. It is now obvious that annual growth of 1% just won't do, especially in a period of austerity. All save the unreconciled Left agree that labor-market reform is crucial...Lower marginal income tax rates, fewer regulatory hurdles for entrepreneurs who seek to establish new businesses, a competition policy that makes cartels criminal ventures rather than mere fine-payers, an end to the protection of over-manned national champions from the threat of takeover, and farmers from more efficient producers outside the EU The problem with too much labor protection The labor laws in Spain have created a distorted economy, where those workers in permanent positions almost have jobs-for-life, while the remainder can't find stable employment, or jobs period. That may be good for the protected workers, but nobody else. Not companies, not young people (who, as new entrants to the workforce, have the hardest time finding regular jobs), and not the overall economy. If Spain can't put people to work, it's going to have a rough time rebounding from the Great Recession and its own disastrous housing bust. The government has to make labor laws more flexible. And the problem isn't limited to Spain. Many other countries in Europe, including Greece, have similar counterproductive labor markets and suffer from similar labor woes. If they don't reform, Europe won't be able to create jobs, boost growth or compete with the U.S. and Asia. http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com/2010/06/14/the-problem-with-too-much-labor-protection/ http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com/2010/06/14/the-problem-with-too-much-labor-protection/The scandanvian countries are fallinmg like flies; at least those that rely on socialism. Nowrawy for example relies on capitilism and oil exports ..et alI am suggesting an END to socialism more

Resolved Question: How to become CEO of a company? or other?

so i am do not want to be a salesman but am a hard worker and a good leader and can make things happen...but i do not like being a salesman...i really like business and have a degree in economics but i DO NOT want to work as an analyst writing pages upon pages analyzing an industry and i do not want to be an investment banker trying to convince customers to invest with me... what business professions are right for me...i kinda just want to manage(hotels and the like i do not enjoy doing) and make good money!people have told me to become an accountant but i want something a bit more glamorous with people interactions...i feel like accoutants just have lots of busy work? is this true all they do is punch numbers and balance the books...its time consuming many late nites, reminds me of homework. i do not want a homework type job more

Resolved Question: Do you think it would be good or bad for business to write a vampire book during the rein of 'twilight'?

It didn't suddenly hit me one day to become a fan of the 'vampire' world, though I can say that I've had a genuine interest in them. When I was younger, people didn't really give a hoot for vampires, but now all of a sudden, with Twilight going on a rampage now, anyone and everyone adores or despises vampires! I wasn't originally planning on writing a book with Vampires in it, especially now with Twilight out... I'm not sure where to lean though- would it make it easier to get buyers due to the fact that its a vampire book, or would it give the opposite affect? I've never actually read through all of the Twilight series- I considered it at a time, but then when just about everyone I knew, including some of my parents' friends and siblings, began obsessing over it, along with the reviews on the character, writing, and plot quality... Well I decided to just forget about it! I find it rather unbelievable that it got so popular so fast, along with its development into a movie. I'm not saying its necessarily terrible, but it doesn't deserve as much credit as it has been given. Anyhow, this all goes to say that I wonder whether or not its safe to write about the topic- despite many differences it would have, people would say it was because of this 'twilight frenzy'! It's given me mixed feelings about it. It doesn't help that certian friends of mine have hounded me for the idea, saying 'vampires are stupid and you don't need to write about it... Except if it's some old, ugly vampire that is misunderstood', along with others giving the 'I don't know about that', due to the fact that they just aren't too keen on the blood-sucking creatures, along with any other beings that are usually involved. Though I can see this being from their views as Christians, just seeing it as occult, I myself am a strong Christian and don't find anything wrong with a fun fiction story, as long as it isn't 'dirty'. (Such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings). I don't have much for an idea yet, though I do want it to have action, adventure, fantasy, romance (due to the fact that I'm a sucker for a good love story), etc. Of course, for the romance I'd want it to be a bit more realistic- all that book 'romance' such as seen in Twilight really isn't 'true love' as the fans love to say (lust more likely). Here is just a bit of writing I jotted down. -------------------------------------------------- *things to take note* -This is in a different universe/reality -It is set during a time with little technology, such as the fact that they still use horse and buggy, swords and shields, bows and arrows, etc. Though some more advanced technology may be introduced. --------------------------------------------------------------- Vampires are finally out to conquer- not each other, but all other races... At least so it seems. For the most part, it isn't that they are out on the rampage to get this job done, but rather that they are doing what they do to give themselves more convinences. At this time, they have a ruler called the 'Overlord' (perhaps the name of the book). For as long as they could remember, they had a ruler named Adalhard, who was the second to be acknowledged as the leader of the Vampires- Also the one who united them together the most. An answer to whether or not he still exists is questionable, though now there is a new ruler- his son Alastair. It doesn't mention either, how long Alastair had been reining, though it seems like the majority of the vampires are agreeable with his rule- whether or not that makes him young or old is still questionable as well. Waring upon different civilizations, they are being seen as a true threat to one of the greatest groups- the humans. These humans however, have different distinct things that set them apart; some of these differences seen as valuble in the eyes of the vampires. One region in particular they had been attacking were known to have one of these 'valuble' gifts, though few out of the many people actually contained it at this day and age. When one of these people are found, however, a young woman (starting age is yet to be determined...), the vampire soldiers bring her back to King Alastair, who soon finds interest in her (though not in a romantic fashion). He then makes a deal with her people- he would stop the attacks on their region in return for the girl. With this deal being set, the girl is then kept at the Vampire court, clueless to what is going to happen to her. *That's as far as I went for the girl (which isn't far) though I went farther for Alastair. Alastair's mother was human- his father, having a soft side for humans, didn't give her the virus. Unlike what you may be thinking, this doesn't make him a 1/2 breed- in fact, the only way for VampirVampires to "reproduce" more Vampires is by giving people the virus by injecting them with their fangs. This being said, the only reason why Alastair is a vampire and a legitamit heir to the throne is due to the fact that his father bit him. One of the main antagonists of the story is his brother (yet to be named), who is actually much older than him, and has a mother who is also a vampire. Because of this, he is trying to lay claims to the throne. On the other side, Alastair holds a claim, though he is in fact younger by perhaps hundreds or even thousads of years (is quite possible that he is actually in his 20s), he was the only offspring known to have been turned into a vampire by the King himself. That being said, many see Alastair as the legit heir to the throne, if it's to be judged by his lineage and how he became a vampire. (sorry there- cut me off above! Wish I had a bit more characters to use to write a few more details... but ALAS! I don't) more

Resolved Question: Read my college essay?

“Suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and  character produces hope.” Hope was something I had lost at a young age. I was very much affected by my parents less than successful marriage; my biological fathers’ disregard for me, and my stepfathers’ abuse but these things did not phase me. No matter how hard things got. I always had one person I could count on. My grandmother. She encouraged me to be the best person I could be, to pursue my wildest dreams, and to prepare myself for the future. With her constant encouragement I was able to do well in school. As I started high school my grandma become ill. I tried to be successful in the IB program but I could not with the constant trips to the hospital with my grandmother. After a year, I exited the program only to find that a week later my grandmother died. I lost any shred of hope I had left. I tried to commit suicide. I began to cut myself. I believed that I was worthless, that I could not possibly move forward. The childish insecurities we all have but made worse by my manic depressive episodes. I did not know it at the time but my depression was partly due to my manic depressive disorder. Through art I was able to beat my disorder. As a junior in high school I started a small clay jewelry business called “Fresh Sugar”. I didn’t know what it was but art could lift me up on my worst days. I loved everything about it. One day I came across a quote from one of my idols Andy Warhol, “They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” I realized that I had to get up and change things for myself. I picked up the pieces and put myself back together with the help of my counselors. It took me a couple of years but I started doing better in school. I felt confident. I became editor of the yearbook and school newspaper. I became a Girl Scout troop leader. I worked extremely hard to raise my GPA and managed to get the Bright Futures Scholarship. My grandmother had been there to point me in the right direction. To teach me that sometimes you have to walk away from what you love in order to be successful, and that you cannot rely on others to solve your own problems. But in the end it was all in me. I found the hope I had lost and moved forward. I was able to make a name for myself and be successful. The final decision to be successful is within oneself.comments or criticism needed!word count is fine, im writing about bumps in the road in life and academicsokay what about my grammar thats what i need help on! more

Resolved Question: If my country has no diplomatic ties with Israel, is it still possible to study there?

I am Indonesian, 25 years old, about to finish my bachelor's degree next year and add another year of postgraduate studies in my country after that. If it all works out well, I would like to come study in Israel at age 27 in 2012. Before this, I have studied Advertising and Philosophy in Europe (finished neither); and am currently studying a combo of Performing Arts Communication and Journalism. I am currently unemployed and have not started a "career path"; although I have previously worked as a translator, MC, and multilevel marketer. For some years by now, I've been wanting to study an English language master's program at the Hebrew University; majoring in either "The Bible and the Ancient Near East" or "Community Leadership and Philanthropy Studies." I have recently visited Israel and dropped by the campus, but the admissions office was not open. I am starting correspondence with someone from the admission's office but would also like to hear other people's well-informed opinions on the subjects. I was on a religious pilgrimage led by an Australian tour leader, and accessed Israel on a group visa organized by the tour company in Israel. However, my passport must not be stamped, and the authorities in my country must not know that I have visited Israel, because my country does not recognize the State of Israel and deems it illegal for its citizens to go there. Many Christians do anyway, just like I did, and I've never heard of an Indonesian Christian going to jail because of it. But neither have I ever heard of an Indonesian citizen going to live in Israel and study there. About the possibility of my studies at the Hebrew University, I have four main concerns: 1) The Hebrew University said that it can organize a visa for me, and that I will have papers separate from my passport in order to enter Israel. When I returned from my short visit, I told the immigration officer that I was coming from Istanbul, Turkey, because that's where I transited. How different would the procedure be if I were coming to Israel alone on a student visa, as opposed to as a group for religious pilgrimage? What are the risks of me being caught by Indonesian authorities to be living in Israel, and what can I do to minimize the risks? 2) Are there full scholarships for Hebrew University international students? Which organizations offer them, and what are the terms and conditions? I've heard that Hebrew University has an office in Australia which offers financial aid. I'm neither an Australian PR/citizen nor living there at the moment, but I studied secondary school and graduated from there; do you think it will help if I try applying for scholarship from there? Otherwise, where else can I look for scholarships? 3) How can I obtain a work permit in Israel? I am considering to either work on campus as a research assistant or off campus as a journalist. How much would I be making a month if I worked these jobs alongside my graduate studies? 4) How would studying abroad affect my personal life, for better or for worse? While 27 is a perfectly normal age to have just graduated a bachelor's degree and begin master's in Israel, in Indonesia that is considered very late. A higher priority for me right now should be starting my career; and the options I have found in Jakarta over the past three years have either been corrupt, requiring personal connections, very low paying, or simply unable to satisfy my appetite for intellectual challenge. Would working in Israel while studying a master's degree there give me a boost to later get better jobs or start a good business in Indonesia? Still part of question 4)... I'm currently in a steady relationship with a lawyer in Indonesia, whom I'm fixed to marry sometime after I graduate from my current studies. If I go to Israel, I may have to postpone our marriage by another 2 years. How will this impact our relationship? I'd like to think that it will be OK, because we need time anyway to save up money to buy a house, and I think my experience in Israel will be a good investment for us: my future husband will have a wife who is more mature, more well prepared in running a household, and have the satisfaction of living my youth to the fullest by mastering another trade and jump starting a career (as opposed to always being jealous of his career and never understanding what it's like to satisfy the demands of a profession). He's told me that if I wanted to study a little bit more overseas, he's fine with it, and even looking forward to come visit me on holidays. However, I also worry that pursuing this might create a rift between us and forever change the relationship I had always been looking forward to have with him. If the study goes on, I'd be 29 and he'd be 32 when we get married at earliest... year 2014! Would that be too long? Please help me sort out these que more

Resolved Question: My lecturer has bullied and victimised me and has now ruined my university results?

I am deeply upset, aggrieved and concerned by the actions of the Business and Management leader, Chris Dancer. I have previously made a complaint to I have been bullied and victimised by my university lecturer and now he has given me the worst possible outcome I could have hoped for. Throughout my final year at university I achieved high grades ranging from 65-80%, my dissertation was the final showpiece of my studies and I was aiming for a solid 2:1 honours. Then I got the programme administrator as my tutor and things began to turn upside down. First of all he was always too busy to see me and insisted on me emailing him to arrange a time to meet rather than arranging in person. He often avoided me and would not have the time to speak to me in person and was rather insistent on doing it via email. I was late in contacting him initially as I felt he made himself unapproachable and started working on my own dissertation subject which was approved by another lecturer. Half way through completing this I scheduled an appointment with him and he laughed at my work and told me it was rubbish, he said it was 'way off target', 'not suitable' and he said 'I strongly recommend you change your subject completely'. Although I was very upset by this I did in fact follow his guidance and chose a subject title which he agreed was very good. He then proceeded to not help me with the subject and often insisted he was too busy and could only make odd appointment times which clashed with my classes. Again he made himself very unapproachable but finally I got to see him for an hour where he reviewed my work. Again he laughed and literally told me it was inaccurate and too complicated, he told me I should make it so the reader can understand it and he had little knowledge of marketing so I literally had to dumb down my work as he insisted this was the right thing to do. I cut out massive parts of academic literature which he told me 'did not make sense' he also told me he only 'skim read over my work' and often said he spent an hour on it when I know in fact he had spent far less time as there were no or little annotations on my work, he would circle theories and say 'what' and put a question mark next to anything which looked complex. Finally I got him to review my work properly through making a complaint through George (management project leader) and Chris managed to look at half of it and again told me to take out bits which he thought were too complex for the reader to understand. After doing all of this and working nonstop on my dissertation for months he marked my work and gave me 45% which is some 20% below my average and it dragged my honours down to a 2:2. I know I been victimised and bullied but I don't understand why. I don't know where to go from here and I don't know who to speak to. Can someone please help?I live in the UK, Chichester and i studied at the University of Chichester if this is any help more

Resolved Question: Neb. Town Votes to Restrict Illegal Immigration , I say GOOD What say you ?

FREMONT, Neb. -- Voters in the eastern Nebraska city of Fremont on Monday approved a ban on hiring or renting property to illegal immigrants, the latest proposal in a series of immigration regulations taken up by communities around the country. About 57 percent of voters in Fremont supported the proposal, according to unofficial results that still must be certified by the election commissioner. The measure is likely to face a long and costly court battle, with the American Civil Liberties Union saying it will try to block it before it even goes into effect. The town of about 25,000 people has watched as its Hispanic population surged in the past two decades, largely due to the jobs available at the nearby Fremont Beef and Hormel meatpacking plants. The city also has an enviably low unemployment rate that matches the Nebraska rate of 4.9 percent. Nonetheless, residents worry that jobs are going to illegal immigrants who they fear could drain community resources. Proponents of the ballot measure collected enough signatures and fought in the Nebraska Supreme Court to put the question to a public vote. Supporters say the measure is needed to make up for what they see as lax federal law enforcement. Opponents say it could fuel discrimination. Trevor McClurg said the measure is fair because it's aimed at people who aren't legally in the U.S. "I don't think it's right to be able to rent to them or hire them," McClurg said. "They shouldn't be here in the first place." Clint Walraven, 51, who has lived in Fremont all his life, said the jobs should go to legal residents who are unemployed -- something he believes the ordinance would help fix. Discussions on the issue can get heated, he said, particularly if racism is mentioned. "It has nothing to do with being racist," said. "We all have to play by the same rules. ... If you want to stay here, get legal." Rachel Fleming said she voted against the measure, noting that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants. "This country has been founded on waves of immigration," Fleming said. "I just think it's (the ordinance) contrary to the spirit of the country." From about 165 Hispanics -- both legal and illegal -- living in Fremont in 1990, the total surged to 1,085 in 2000, according to census expert David Drozd at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He said an estimated 2,060 Hispanics lived there last year. The measure will require potential renters to apply for a license to rent. The application process will force Fremont officials to check if the renters are in the country legally. If they are found to be illegal, they will not be issued a license allowing them to rent. The ordinance also requires businesses to use the federal E-Verify database to ensure employees are allowed to work. Communities that have passed such laws have faced costly legal bills and struggled to enforce them because of legal challenges. Hazleton, Pa., passed an ordinance in 2006 to fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and deny permits to businesses hiring them. The Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch also has tried for years to enforce a ban on landlords renting to illegal immigrants. Federal judges struck down both ordinances, but both are on appeal. Even before the Fremont measure passed, the ACLU of Nebraska had said it would sue. "Our goal would be to bring an action to ensure that there is not even one day that the law can go into effect," said Amy Miller, legal director for the ACLU of Nebraska. Fremont City Councilman Scott Getzschman said he wasn't sure when the ordinance would take effect if it's not blocked by a judge. Once the Dodge County election commissioner certifies it, the City Council must accept the vote. Getzschman didn't support the measure but said he expects city leaders will respect the outcome of the election and defend the ordinance in court. The vote is the latest chapter in the tumult over illegal immigration across the country, including a recently passed Arizona law that will require police investigating another incident or crime to ask people about their immigration status if there's a "reasonable suspicion" they're in the country illegally. Kansas City, Mo.-based attorney Kris Kobach, who helped write the Arizona law, has been working on the ordinance in Fremont. He is also running for secretary of state in Kansas. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/21/neb-town-votes-restrict-illegal-immigration/ more

Resolved Question: What "standard" was Collins software developed to ?

<A ten-year review of the vision for transforming the defense acquisition system.(TUTORIAL) Defense A R Journal| January 01, 2004 | Rogers, Edward W.; Birmingham, Robert P. | COPYRIGHT 2007 Defense Acquisition University Press. "With this report, then, we begin a decade-long process of reinvention." "We hope it will transform the hatis, culture, and performance of all federal organizations." (Former Vice President Al Gore, 1993) This paper traces the vision for reform of the Department of Defense Acquisition System from 1993 through 2003. Using a qualitative document review process, a conceptual picture of overarching themes is presented. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the change roadmap to assist building empirical research models of the effectiveness of the various initiatives, programs restructurings, and policy mandates that have all contributed to the current climate for change within the DoD and the acquisition community. ********** The year 2003 marks the end of a decade of concerted effort at transforming the way the government does business. A major focus of that effort has been the transformation of the way the Department of Defense (DoD) acquires new equipment through the Defense Acquisition System. In fact, the beginnings of this journal were steeped in acquisition reform. The topic has been an on-going subject with six or more articles per year dealing with acquisition reform efforts. The inaugural issue in 1994 opened with a piece by then Deputy Under Secretary for Defense (DUSD) Colleen Preston outlining the new initiatives for acquisition reform (Preston, 1994). The pages of the Acquisition Review Quarterly have proven to be a forum for a fertile debate on the merits, means, and misgivings of acquisition reform. This article looks back over the last ten years and traces the path of the vision for that change. In 1993, the National Performance Review (NPR), released under then Vice President Gore, laid out a vision for change that many have considered the landmark for a new decade of effort to change the way the government does business. This paper attempts to take a conceptual view of what evolved from that NPR mandate into the particular vision for changing the Defense Acquisition System within the DoD (Gore, 1993). What makes this a good time for reflection is the fact that near the end of 2002, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Paul Wolfowitz issued a memorandum canceling the DoD 5000 series of acquisition policy documents (Wolfowitz, 2002). Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz judged the latest documents to be "not conducive to an acquisition environment that fosters flexibility, efficiency, creativity, and innovation." This raises the question of what exactly happened to the vision for acquisition reform during the past decade. To answer this question the authors of this paper decided to bring together their respective academic knowledge of organizational change and the practical experience of program management to examine a decade of reform effort. METHODOLOGY We conducted a broad review of literature on reform of the DoD to identify key documents that could be considered landmarks or mandates for the acquisition transformation process. We searched government documents available on-line as well as those suggested by talking with people working in the acquisition corps. We also reviewed published articles in the Acquisition Review Quarterly since its inaugural issue in 1994. From a total of several hundred documents collected and examined, we selected seven as dealing broadly with a vision for changing the acquisition system. In addition to the document search, interviews were conducted with a number of individuals in the Pentagon, the acquisition community, program managers, and industry leaders. The purpose of these interviews was not to collect a sample of data but to clarify the understanding of the documents and the intent of the some of the terms, titles, and statements to avoid misinterpreting the written records. We also used the interviews to confirm that we had selected what people involved in defense acquisition generally consider the landmark documents that have set the direction of change during the decade. Since the overall purpose of the report was very broad we agreed to a complete non-attribution arrangement with all the people interviewed. We distilled the contents of the seven documents into tables highlighting their key elements for ease of comparison. From the summarized tables and interviews, we traced the evolution of the different aspects of the overall vision for change including the drivers (perceived problems), and the description of the desired end state. From our analysis of key milestone documents we developed a conceptual picture of how the transformation vision has evolved over the decade. Finally, we propose several observations that should be addressed with empiri...cal methods to help answer important policy questions regarding acquisition reform. We hope this review effort will help spawn research and debate for charting the way towards a new and better acquisition system for the DoD. THE NATIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW--1993 The decade beginning in 1993 certainly was not isolated from the previous decades and prior attempts at reforming the DoD. David Packard had a large influence on the reform movement starting with the Packard Initiatives in 1969 through the Packard Commission and its report, "The Quest for Excellence" delivered in 1986. This era closed with Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney's "Defense Management: A Report to the President" in 1989. These efforts attempted to deal with ballooning costs, duplicative programs across services, and the authority lines for determining acquisition priorities, budgets, and program evaluations but often also added layers of reporting and bureaucracy. This led Thomas McNaugher to lamentat the end of the 1980s that the defense acquisition system may actually be worse for the reform efforts of that decade (McNaugher, 1990). Without ignoring the impact of prior efforts, we limit this review to the decade that began on September 7, 1993 when Vice President Al Gore released his landmark report: "Creating a Government that Works Better and Costs Less: The Gore Report on Reinventing Government" as part of the NPR. While the Gore Report primarily focused on government waste and inefficiency, elements of the report impacted efforts at transforming the way the government conducts the business of defending the country as well. While the Gore report only mentioned three things directly related to acquisition reform, the fact that the Office of the Vice President was behind the concepts carried considerable weight. As related to defense, the Gore Report called for a need to 1) simplify procurement, 2) eliminate regulatory burden and 3) rely more on the commercial marketplace.These goals spoke of a need to change the culture of how the government conducts the business of defense. The key theme of the NPR was that government was broken and the system needed to be overhauled from the top to the bottom to regain effectiveness. After the release of the NPR, many people in the government bureaucracy faced uncertainty about just how the government would function in the future. Such a broad change mandate coming from such a high level created a sense of imminent change. In response, many departments began to develop change programs including the DoD and its new Secretary, William Perry. The release of the NPR was quickly followed by a document outlining how and why change was needed within the DoD. A MANDATE FOR CHANGE: THE PERRY MEMO--1994 On February 9, 1994, six days after being confirmed as Secretary of Defense William Perry released a memo titled, "A Mandate for Change" calling for a complete cultural change in how the DoD operates. Budgetary andefficiency issues remained important guiding principles drawing from the NPR, but the focus shifted from processes to outcomes (capability in the field). The main directives of the Perry Memo were based upon themes in the NPR. First, he called for a cultural change pointing out that the systems themselves were dysfunctional. Second, the outcomes were not effective (primarily too slow). Third, the obstacles to change were mostly internal (bureaucratic inertia). Secretary Perry clarified the essence of the need for change in his memo and created the sense of urgency that required immediate action. It also became clear that the DoD was not exempt from the NPR mandated transformation effort in the Federal Government. If the NPR showed what was wrong with government, then the Perry Memo demonstrated what was wrong with the DoD and why it had to be changed now. With many examples (following the NPR format), Secretary Perry carefully built an argument to show the failure of existingsystems to deliver effective solutions to the warfighters. In particular he noted the threat of a reduced defense industrial capability in the post-Cold War era. In response to the challenge laid out by Secretary Perry, an office was created to specifically deal with transformation issues and to ensure that change was made in an effective way. ACQUISITION REFORM UNDER THE DUSD (AR) COLLEEN PRESTON--1995-97 After the Perry Mandate in 1994, a special office of Deputy Under Secretary for Defense (Acquisition Reform) (DUSD[AR]) was established with Colleen Preston the first office holder. Her vision for change was based heavily upon events at the time including the recent passage of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1993 (FASA). The formation of the AR office was a strong signal to the acquisition community that change was coming as a result of the Perry Memo. Colleen Preston became a spokesperson writing articles in the Acquisition Review Quarterly (Preston, 1994),testifying before Congress (Preston, 1995a), and appearing in other DoD publications (Preston, 1995b). Her mandate was to find ways to address the declining industrial capability while improving system responsiveness and reducing costs again echoing the main drivers of the Perry transformation vision. It thus was a mandate for both increased efficiency and effectiveness while restructuring the industry-government relationship base. This was obviously a daunting task especially given the size and inertia of the defense industry and the acquisition community in general. DUSD(AR) Preston set out to build a specific change vision around the elements of the Perry Memo by importing best practices from the business world. Three specific initiatives probably best characterize her efforts: the implementation of Process Action Teams (PAT), the adoption of Integrated Product Teams (IPT), and efforts made to capture lessons learned within the DoD and the acquisition change process itself.All three of these have endured within the broader acquisition community as acceptable methods of operation throughout the decade. A major focus was directed toward rewriting the DoD Directive 5000.1 and the DoD Instruction 5000.2 documents. At the same time, a project was started for creating …> > more

Resolved Question: Why do liberals cheer when Obama tries to rob BP - are they economically ignorant?

I promise to you, my dear liberal friends, that when you reach the bottom of my explanation I will make you marvel at your own stupidity. Do you even suspect what is good for you. First of all, Obama cannot legally take a penny from BP. Who should compensate the victims and in what amount is up the courts to decide. And of course an army of BP lawyers will argue that BP is liable for $10 Billion of damage, and Obama's negligence makes Federal Government liable for the rest $40 billion. We do not know how the court will rule. Lets consider both possible outcomes. If the court finds in favor of the government, then BP pays $50 billion. They write it all as the cost of doing business, and make up losses by hiking gas price at the pump by 50 cent. If the court finds in favor of BP, then taxpayers are on the hook for Obama's incompetence. And who are "taxpayers", again? Right, the top 10% income earners who pay 80% of all IRS tax revenues. See, in the former case welfare momma pays at the pump, and in the latter case rich folks pay. So why do you cheer your clueless leader? more

Resolved Question: as for my earlier question about less benefits for congress, how about this? NON PARTISAN PLEASE?

Ok, a lot of people agreed with me and a few had some disinformation. but alot of great ideas a congress member makes 174k the leaders of the party make 193k the speaker makes 223k this is fact, this is their paycheck before taxes and before adding any benifits of any kind. each congress member has about a 1 million dollar a year office expenditure account. this is for office supplies,leases and certain staff memebers (im not sure which members) as well as the congress person's vehicle. they can retire and get a small pension after only 5 years (not a full pension like some of the disinformation out there [and they cant recieve it until age 54 i think]) the longer they are in the congress the larger the pension they also have a travel and housing allowance, medical insurance , dental, vision and a host of other small benefits. now as i stated in my other question, I dont think that these should be taken from them. but i do believe that with 10% unemployment, and the economy in the crapper, this is a bit too much waste. how about this pay cut of 10%-15% must lease a car for under 20k (any extra comes from their paycheck) they get their own health insurance. which would cost a family about 500 a month etc etc basically a reasonable lowering of perks they should not be able to vote their own raises, (that is BULL) I know many are lawyers and business men who can make more in the private sector. but guess what? they should stay their butts in the private sector then. the TAXPAYERS are paying their wage now, not the private sector. dont do the job for the money. do it for love of country! YES YES YES! Term limits. I think 2 for the senate (12 years) and 5 for the house (10 years) please no partisan Bull crap. thank you all for good answers and suggestions! more

Voting Question: How many of you believe Rand Paul is a racist?

Personally I think he's just doing his part to protect the rights of small business, and one point many people don't bring up is how much power he gives to minorities to exclude those who would make life disruptive for their cause. Of course it goes without saying that oftentimes those with the heaviest hand are those in power but what if an organization with repeated incidents of racial intolerance happening to their members were able to bar a member of the group responsible on the grounds of their views in order to simply take pre-emptive measures and not have their meetings interrupted? According to what some people believe, a good many of the African-American leaders of the Civil Rights Movement were actually opposed to segregation because they feared it would reduce the power of their movement, and guess what? Apparently many caucasion folks did too. Now I'm not trying to say who is right or wrong here as thankfully we've all learned(or are gradually learning) to live together as a multicultural society but I'd just sort of like to know where you guys stand. I realize of course that his views on immigration may seem extreme(especially to you younger folks) and while I agree with you guys based on what our founding fathers regarded as immigration at the time I now feel that that same law which was intended to promote our great country has now resulted in encouraging people to break the law or in some very unfortunate cases die while trying to achieve. Ok well that's all. I realize that compared to some of what I post this may seem to air on the lighter side of things but now that I've said what I wanted to say I don't mind spreading things out a little! Love...Always love... Friend of Alice more

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