Rick V asked:


Let the trash collectors stop working for a few weeks then what good are the CEO’s.
Let the workers who build auto’s stop working then what good are the CEO’s
I guess you know where this is going. It is time to redistribute the wealth so that America can get going again. What is the big problem with spreading the wealth around. Should the garbage man make 110K per year instead of the CEO making $500M per year. I vote to redistribute.

Just Me asked:


also Historians often describe 19th Century businessmen in two contradictory ways:

1. Captains of Industry, who should be celebrated as ingenious and industrious capitalists who transformed the American economy and built an industrial giant.

2. Robber Barons, who deserve to be condemned as immoral, greedy, can corrupt businessmen who used bribery, illegal business practices, and cruel treatment of workers to limit opportunities for their competitors and build their own wealth at the expense of the working class.

Which of these is the more accurate characterization of these men?

THANKS so much for your help!

tiffany . asked:


A. Italy was removed from the medieval wars in Europe and was able to flourish on its own.
B. Italy was a neutral country during the wars, and many educated and talented people moved there.
C. The Italians were friends with the French and formed a treaty to prevent war.
D. In part, Italy had thriving cities, increased trade, and a wealthy merchant class.

2. The interest in Roman and Greek culture, which included grammar, poetry, art and philosophy, inspired a movement called
A. culturalism.
B. humanism.
C. Romanesque.
D. Latin.

3. Renaissance religious paintings tended to focus on the
A. personalities of religious figures.
B. religious significance of the time.
C. history of the Crusades.
D. human suffering brought about by war.

4. To draw three-dimensional objects on paper, Renaissance artists studied
A. floor plans of ancient buildings.
B. philosophy.
C. perspective.
D. Michelangelo’s writings.

5. Which of the following artists or architects were not part of the Renaissance movement?
A. Leonardo da Vinci
B. Bramante
C. Michelangelo
D. Calder

6. Who was the Renaissance architect whose design for St. Peter’s Basilica influenced many other churches?
A. Michelangelo
B. Donato Bramante
C. Leonardo da Vinci
D. Raffaello Sanzio

7. Why was Johannes Gutenberg an important factor in spreading the Renaissance movement?
A. He invented paper, so the monks could write stories about the Renaissance movement.
B. He developed oil paint, which made paintings last longer.
C. He developed the printing press, which made it possible to spread information faster over greater areas.
D. He was credited with inventing turpentine, to help with the printing process.

8. Italian Renaissance artists painted scenes from Greek and Roman myths. What did the northern European artists of the Renaissance period focus on?
A. Painting the natural world as realistically as possible
B. Preserving history by painting the images from past wars
C. Painting portraits of kings and lords
D. Painting scenes from the Bible

9. What merchant organization was responsible for developing a trade network and ensuring protection of its members across northern Europe?
A. European Trade League
B. Northern Renaissance Group
C. Northern Trade Group
D. Hanseatic League

10. Which of the following was not a major factor in spreading the Renaissance movement into northern Europe?
A. Education
B. Farmers
C. Artists
D. Philosophers and writers

11. During the Renaissance, which of the following philosophies made its way from Italy to England and had an impact on writers such as Sir Thomas More and William Shakespeare?
A. Darwinism
B. Capitalism
C. Humanism
D. Individualism

12. Which of the following best describes how the Renaissance in Italy influenced art and literature in Europe?
A. It created more of an interest in the natural order of life and human personality.
B. It caused more of a focus on mythological stories and ideals.
C. There was more of a concern and interest over the wealth and power of monarchs.
D. There was a move away from personal achievement and more importance placed on the church.

13. What was important about the year 1517 and a monk named Martin Luther?
A. That was the year that Luther was ordained as a priest.
B. Luther created the first church bulletin written in Latin.
C. It marked the year that Luther became the first Catholic monk in Germany.
D. Luther’s actions in 1517 were considered the start of the Protestant Reformation.

14. Martin Luther wrote a list of complaints about the Roman Catholic Church called the
A. Catholic Chronicles.
B. Reformation Act.
C. Ninety-five Theses.
D. Orders of Reform.

15. The Holy Roman emperor handed down the decree, Edict of Worms, which declared Martin Luther
A. an outlaw, and condemned Luther’s writings.
B. a selfless monk who worked hard to support his parish.
C. a historian, due to Luther’s ability to translate the Bible into other languages.
D. a disgrace to the church because of his use of academic Latin for his writings.

16. What led to the break of King Henry VIII from the Catholic Church?
A. The church denounced King Henry VIII’s method of raising taxes.
B. The church would not annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
C. The pope heard rumors that King Henry VIII wanted to start his own church.
D. The pope wanted King Henry VIII to pay for the building of a new Catholic church.

17. King Henry VIII, with the help of the Reformation Parliament, pulled away from the Catholic Church and formed the
A. Age of Reckoning, which meant England was no longer under the control of the Roman Catholic church.
B. Church of Reformation, which led to reforming the monks to the new English church.
C. first movemen

Dina asked:


What was the result of developed countries extracting resources from their colonies?

A. Developed countries lost jobs to the colonies because labor was cheaper there.
B. The colonizers used these resources to help the colonies build their infrastructure.
C. There was a one-way flow of wealth favoring the colonizers.
D. Trade wars began among the colonies to attract investment from developed countries.

Bill S asked:


Socialism has failed multiple times in history and is contradictory to the capitalism and freedom that America has been built upon. Why would we elect a president who holds socialist idealogies?

Viva la Vida asked:


I’m reading Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book, and it seems to me that for all the effort he puts into explaining his philosophy of peace, cooperation, tolerance, understanding, and self-criticism, he himself was a dictator who ruled on the principles of war, religious persecution, and single-mindedness. A similar observation: If Nicolae Ceausescu was a Communist, then why did he spend so many billions of tax dollars on building himself a palace? What is up with dictators like Mugabe, Mao, Ceausescu, and Pol Pot who are suppposed to be Communists, but still insist on hoarding all their country’s wealth and brutally oppressing opposition?

In synch dunky ducky asked:


Ex. Every year the population has the same number of children forever. Houses etc. last longer then we live.Wealth is made by the biggest increase in population, in all businesses. All money is borrowed. If politicians had a plan, they would know all wars are a product of people that need money or is a big factor in a war. Politians think all money should be borrowed because they don’t know how to distribute money fairly to the population. Economic Disaster Plan. Give money to people without children, build new houses, increase taxes to decrease economic jealousy. Some counties need welfare. Terrorism, war,economics and the mentality of people has changed since the Boston tea party. Improving the economy again should not be a big problem. If people feel economic secure they will try to improve the world peacefully. There are two other questions in this Profile that you may like. A little bit different but more terrifying.
We have been scared barbaric masochist, our choice, when we became preditors and pick up a stick and started killing for *** and food.
Hire me I work for peanut. I don’t need anything. That’s called a seeing I dog hard to buy but you can adopt one.
There is a brain for every occupation. What is the brains economic requirements. What did I do with that part of the brain.

nigelbestpeace asked:


are the wealthy thieves?

are there legal thefts?

eg, monopoly profits – isnt this theft? – since govts legislate against it?

isnt any money without work, theft?

one person works hard and gets 1c an hour – $15 an hour [av.] – another works hard and gets $15,000 an hour – another works hard and gets $15,000,000 an hour

isnt this theft? – shouldnt every hard worker get the same amount per hour?

isnt this justice? [nothing to do with communism which is injustice and force and tyranny]

‘the purpose of govt is justice’ james madison – justice is equal pay for equal work – the state built on injustice cannot stand – isnt injustice therefore sedition, isnt the person who fails to pursue justice a traitor, an enemy of the state?

what would be the range of ‘pays’ ie fruits of labour, if everyone was given same tools, same materials for a variety of jobs? – not very large range? – much smaller than present pay range, from $1 to $1,000,000,000 a fortnight’s work?

Arckitekt asked:


A) Yep look at Britney Spears
B) Naa the American dream still Rocks
C) Over consumption is good and trickle down economics is the way to build a successful nation
E) Its all going to fall apart like a cheap suit get it while the getting is good

smart-doctor-egypt asked:


Stress is life. Stress is anything that causes mental, physical, or spiritual tension. There is no running away from it. All that matters is how you deal with it. This article does not deal with the factors of stress, anxiety, and depression, nor is it a clinical advice. If you feel depressed, you are not alone. It has been estimated that 75 to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians in America are for stress-related problems. This is why it is wise to consult a doctor if you are having physical symptoms of stress. However, here are some tips that can help from a spiritual perspective.

Torture. Beatings. Loss of property. The death of loved ones. These were
just some of the enormous challenges the Muslims of Makkah faced in the
seventh century following their acceptance of Islam in fiercely tribal and
polytheistic Makkah.

Detention. Harassment. Beatings. Discrimination. Loss of Job. Profiling.
Hate Crimes. Constant media attention. Surveillance. These are just some of
the challenges Muslims in America today face, post-9/11. Like our
predecessors in Makkah, we have begun to face great stress, anxiety, and
pressure, more than ever in our recent history on this continent, although
Muslims who were brought here as slaves faced worse than what we can even imagine.

1. Ask Him. He Listens: DU`A

Turn each anxiety, each fear and each concern into a Dua (supplication). Look at it as another reason to submit to God and be in Sajdah (prostration), during which you are closest to Allah. God listens and already knows what is in your heart, but He wants you to ask Him for what you want.

The Prophet said: Allah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything
(Tirmidhi).

The Prophet once said that in prayer, he would find rest and relief (Nasai). He would also regularly ask for God’s forgiveness and remain in prostration during prayer praising God (Tasbeeh) and asking for His forgiveness (Bukhari).

Allah wants you to be specific. The Prophet advised us to ask Allah for exactly what we want instead of making vague Duas. Dua is the essence of worship (the Prophet as quoted in Tirmidhi).

“Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds. Do not make mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear. And longing (in your hearts): for the mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good” (Quran 7:55-56).

2. Tie your Camel: DO YOUR PART

One day Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, “Why don’t you tie down your camel?” The Bedouin answered, “I put my trust in Allah.” The Prophet then said, “Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah” (Tirmidhi).

Muslims must never become fatalistic. Although we know only Allah is in control and that He has decreed all things, we are each responsible for making the right choices and doing the right thing in all situations of our lives. We must take action (link to planning articles on SV). We must work to alleviate the hardships we, our families and our communities face.

Ask yourself the following questions if you are worried about the state of the world: are you part of the peace movement? Is your Masjid part of the peace movement? Are you part of an interfaith group with an agenda of peace and justice? Are you working with a group fighting discrimination? If your answer is no, it is time that you sat down to plan your share of time and money in finding solutions to the problems you face.

“Verily Allah does not change men’s condition unless they change their inner selves” (Quran 13: 11).

Turn each worry into a Du`a and each Du`a into an action plan. That will show your commitment to your request and will focus your energy in the right direction.

3. Remember that human responsibility is limited

While we need to carry out our duty to the best of our abilities, always remember that you don’t control the outcome of events. Even the Prophets did not control the outcome of their efforts. Some were successful, others were not. Once you have done your duty, leave the results to Allah. Regardless of the results of your efforts, you will be rewarded for the part you have played.

However, never underestimate your abilities. Understand the concept of Barakah (blessings from Allah) and remember that Allah can and Insha Allah will expand them if you are sincerely exerting your energies for the right path.

4. Leave the world behind you FIVE TIMES A DAY

Use the five daily prayers as a means to become more Hereafter-oriented and less attached to this temporary world. Start distancing yourself as soon as you hear Adhan, the call to prayer. When you perform Wudu, keep repeating Shahada, the declaration of faith, as water drops slip down your face, hands, arms, and hair. When you stand ready to pray, mentally prepare yourself to leave this world and all of its worries and stresses behind you.

Of course, Shaytan will try to distract you during prayer. But whenever this happens, go back and remember Allah. The more you return, the more Allah will reward you for it. Also, make sure your Sajdas (prostrations) are talking Sajdas, in which you are really connecting to God and seeking His Mercy, praising Him, and asking His forgiveness. (link to Sajda article…ramadan page)

5. Seek help through SABR

Seek help through Sabr and Salat (Quran 2:45).

This instruction from Allah provides us with two critical tools that can ease our worries and pain. Patience and prayer are two oft-neglected stressbusters. Sabr is often translated as patience but it is not just that. It includes self-control, perseverance, endurance, and a focused struggle to achieve one’s goal. Unlike patience, which implies resignation, the concept of Sabr includes a duty to remain steadfast to achieve your goals despite all odds.

Being patient gives us control in situations where we feel we have little or no control. ‘We cannot control what happens to us but we can control our reaction to our circumstances’ is the mantra of many modern-day self-help books. Patience helps us keep our mind and attitude towards our difficulties in check.

6. Excuse Me! You are Not Running the World, HE is.

It is important to remind ourselves that we don’t control all the variables in the world. God does. He is the Wise, the All-Knowing. Sometimes our limited human faculties are not able to comprehend His wisdom behind what happens to us and to others, but knowing that He is in control and that as human beings we submit to His Will, enriches our humanity and enhances our obedience (Uboodiah in Arabic) towards him. Read the story of the encounter of Moses with the mysteries behind God’s decision (Quran: 18:60-82). Familiarize yourself with God’s 99 Names, which are also known as His Attributes. It is a powerful way of knowing Him.

“God-there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent Fount of All being. Neither slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that could intercede with Him, unless it be by His leave? He knows all that lies open before men and all that is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to aught of His knowledge save that which He wills them to attain. His eternal power overspreads the heavens and the earth, and their upholding wearies Him not. And He alone is truly exalted, tremendous.” (Quran 2:255).

The Prophet recommended reading this verse, known as Ayat al kursi, after each prayer, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Once Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, approached the Prophet during a difficult time and he found the Prophet in Sajda, where he kept repeating “Ya Hayy Ya Qayyum”, words which are part of this verse.

7. Birds Don’t Carry their Food

Allah is al Razzaq (the Provider).

“How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah Who feeds them and you, for He hears and knows all things (Quran 29:60).”

By reminding yourself that He is the Provider, you will remember that getting a job or providing for your family in these economically and politically challenging times, when Muslims are often the last to be hired and the first to be fired, is in God’s Hands, not yours. As Allah says in the Quran:

“And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion (Quran 65:3).

8. God controls Life and Death

If you fear for your physical safety and security, remember that only Allah gives life and takes it back and, that He has appointed the time for it. No one can harm you except if Allah wills. As He says in the Quran:

“Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong and high!” (Quran 4:78).

9. Remember that life is short

It’s easy to get caught up in our own stress and anxiety. However, if we remember that our life is short and temporary, and that the everlasting life is in the Hereafter, this will put our worries in perspective.

This belief in the transitory nature of the life of this world reminds us that whatever difficulties, trials, anxieties, and grief we suffer in this world are, Insha Allah, something we will only experience for a short period of time. And more importantly, if we handle these tests with patience, Allah will reward us for it.

10. Do Zikr, Allah, Allah!

“… without doubt in the remembrance (Zikr) of Allah do hearts find tranquility”
(Quran 13:28).

If you commute, use your time in Zikr. Pick any Tasbeeh and do that instead of listening to the radio or reading the newspaper. Maybe you can divide it up between Zikr and planning. Personally, I recite the Tasbeeh of “Subhana Allahe wa be hamdihi, subhan Allahil Azeem” 100 times as I drive. The Prophet taught us these two short phrases which are easy to say but will weigh heavy on our scale of good deeds in the Hereafter.

When your heart feels heavy with stress or grief, remember Allah and surround yourself with His Zikr. Zikr refers to all forms of the remembrance of Allah, including Salat, Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, Tahleel, making supplication (Dua), and reading Quran.

“And your Lord says: ‘Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer)…” (Quran 40:60)

By remembering Allah in the way He has taught us to, we are more likely to gain acceptance of our prayers and His Mercy in times of difficulty. We are communicating with the only One Who not only Hears and Knows all, but Who can change our situation and give us the patience to deal with our difficulties.

“Remember Me, and I shall remember you; be grateful to Me, and deny Me not”
(Quran 2:152).

11. Relying on Allah: Tawakkul

When you awaken in the morning, thank Allah for giving you life after that short death called sleep. When you step out of your home, say ‘in Your Name Allah, I put my trust in Allah, and there is no power or force except with Allah’ (Bismillahi Tawakal to al Allah wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah). At night, remember Allah, with His praises on your lips.

Once you have established a plan you intend to follow through on to deal with a specific issue or problem in your life, put your trust in the most Wise and the All-Knowing.

“When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah” (Quran 3: 159).

Rely on Allah by constantly remembering Him throughout your day. When you
lay down to sleep, remember that sleep is death. That is why one of the recommended supplications before going to sleep is “with Your (Allah’s) Name I die and become alive”.

12. Connect with other human beings

You are not alone. Muslims are not alone. We are not suffering in silence. There are millions of good people who are not Muslim with beautiful hearts and minds. These are people who have supported us, individually and collectively, post-9/11, by checking up on us and making sure we are safe. These are individuals and organizations who have spoken up in defense of Muslims as we endured harassment and discrimination.

We must think of them, talk to them, connect with them, and pray for them. Through our connections, we will break the chain of isolation that leads to depression and anxiety.

13. Compare your dining table with that of those who don’t have as much as you do

The Prophet said: Whenever you see someone better than you in wealth, face or figure, you should look at someone who is inferior to you in these respects (so that you may thank Allah for His blessings) (Bukhari, Muslim).

Next time you sit down to eat, eye the table carefully. Check out the selection of food, the quality, the taste, the quantity, and then think of the millions of others who don’t have even half as much. The Prophet’s Hadith reminds us of this so that we can appreciate and thank God for all that we have.

Also remember that the Prophet only encouraged us to compare ourselves to others in two respects: in our Islamic knowledge and level of belief in God (Deen). In these two areas, we should compare ourselves with those who have more than what we do.

14. Say it Loud: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Takbirat & Adhan

Find a corner of a lake, go out in the wilderness, or even stand on your lawn at your home and call the Adhan with your heart. While driving, instead of listening to the same news over and over again, say Allahu Akbar as loudly as you can or as softly as you want, based on your mood. Year ago, I remember calling Adhan on a Lake Michigan shore in Chicago after sunset as the water gushed against my knees. I was calling it for myself. There was no one else accept the waves after waves of water with their symphony. It was relaxing and meaningful. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.

15. Pray in congregation (Jamat)

Pray with other people instead of alone. If you can’t pray all five prayers in congregation, at least find one or two prayers you can pray with others. If you are away, establish Jamat in your own family. During the Prophet’s time, even though the Muslims endured great persecution, including physical beatings, they would sometimes meet on the side of a mountain or valley and tried to pray together. This is a great morale booster.

16. How is your Imam’s Dua?

Does the Imam at your local mosque make Dua silently or out loud? Ask him to supplicate with the whole congregation. Suggest Duas for him to make. Ask him to make Dua for other people.

17. Work for the Unity of Muslims

Bringing Muslims together will not only help the Muslims, but it will also encourage you to focus your energies on something constructive versus zeroing in on and consistently fretting about difficulties you are going through.

Invite Muslims from other ethnic groups to your functions. Visit Masjids other than yours in your city. When you meet a Muslim leader, after thanking him for his efforts, ask him what he is doing for Muslim unity. Ask Imams to make Dua for this. These are just small ways you can help yourself and the Muslim community.

18. Sleep the way the Prophet slept

End your day on a positive note. Make Wudu, then think of your day. Thank Allah for all the good things you accomplished, like Zikr and Salat. Ask yourself what you did today to bring humanity together and what you did to help Muslims become servants of humanity. For everything positive, say Alhamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah). For everything negative say Astaghfirullah wa atoobo ilayk (I seek Allah’s forgiveness and I turn to You [Allah]). Recite the last two chapters of the Quran, thinking and praying as you turn on your right side with your hand below your right cheek, the way the Prophet used to sleep. Then close your day with the name of Allah on your tongue. Insha Allah, you will have a good, restful night.

19. Begin the Day on a Positive Note

Get up early. Get up thanking God that He has given you another day. Alhamdu lillahil lazi ahyana bada ma amatana, wa ilaihin Nushoor (Praise be to Allah Who gave us life after death and unto Him will be the return). Invest in an audio tape driven alarm clock so you can get up to the melody of the Quran. Or Let Dawud Wharnsby’s joyful notes put you in a good mood. Sing along if you like. Develop your to do list for the day if you didn’t do it the night before. Begin with the name of Allah, with Whose name nothing in the heavens or the earth can hurt you. He is the Highest and the Greatest.

(Bismillahillazi la yazurru maa ismihi shaiun fil arze wa la fis samae, wahuwal Alee ul Azeem).The Prophet used to say this after every Fajr and Maghrib prayers.

20. Avoid Media Overexposure: Switch from News to Books

Don’t spend too much time checking out the news on the radio, television or internet. Spend more time reading good books and journals. When you listen to the persistent barrage of bad news, especially relating to Muslims nowadays, you feel not only depressed, but powerless. Cut down media time to reduce your stress and anxiety. It’s important to know what’s going on but not to an extent that it ruins your day or your mood. (similarly, when you are in a sad mood, refrain from wallowing and listening to sad songs)

21. Pray for Others to Heal Yourself.

The Prophet was always concerned about other people, Muslims and non-Muslims, and would regularly pray for them. Praying for others connects you with them and helps you understand their suffering. This in itself has a healing component to it. The Prophet has said that praying for someone who is not present increases love.

22. Make the Quran your Partner

Reading and listening to the Quran will help refresh our hearts and our minds. Recite it out loud or in a low voice. Listen to it in the car. When you are praying Nafl or extra prayers, pick it up and use it to recite portions of the Quran you are not as familiar with. Connecting to the Quran means connecting to God. Let it be a means to heal your heart of stress and worries. Invest in different recordings of the Quran and their translations.

“O humanity! There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a cure for all [the ills] in men’s hearts – and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy” (Quran 10:57).

23. Be thankful to Allah

“If you are grateful, I will give you more” (Quran 14:7).

Counting our blessings helps us not only be grateful for what we have, but it also reminds us that we are so much better off than millions of others, whether that is in terms of our health, family, financial situation, or other aspects of our life. And being grateful for all we have helps us maintain a positive attitude in the face of worries and challenges we are facing almost daily.

24. Ideals: ONE STEP AT A TIME

Ideals are wonderful things to pursue. But do that gradually. Think, prioritize, plan, and move forward. One step at a time.

25. EFFORTS not Results Count in the Eyes of Allah

Our success depends on our sincere efforts to the best of our abilities. It is the mercy of Allah that He does not demand results, Alhamdu lillah. He is happy if He finds us making our best sincere effort. Thank you Allah! http://www.imanway.com/en/page.htm