A Pew Research Center poll released Thursday, April 23, shows that the recession is causing Americans to reassess their ideas about what items are necessities and which are luxuries. For example, in 2006, 68% said that a microwave was a necessity. Now, only 47% do. Also in 2006, 64% said a TV was a necessity. [...]

continue reading.....

List at least 5 facets of our society that are influenced by competition (e.g., business). Then, look through today’s paper, and skim several articles related to the types of competition you identified. Based on the information you read and your own experiences, define healthy and unhealthy competition. What does each type of competition teach people? [...]

continue reading.....

An old adage advises people to choose a job (or other pursuit) not because they have to do it, but because they can’t not do it. Explain what this means. Next, find a person mentioned in the newspaper who appears to be passionate about her or his job. How can you tell the individual is [...]

continue reading.....

President Obama has promised the American people transparency in government. That means that important information about policies will be available (often online) for the public to view. Transparency allows not only the people, but research, news and other types of organizations to evaluate what the government is doing. Obama told federal agencies that "in the [...]

continue reading.....