Some influential people, including Schwarzenegger, say the state needs a new constitution that would restrict ballot initiatives and make budgets easier to pass.

Britain in the Wilderness

But in China, the brand has unwittingly found itself enmeshed in tales that illustrate the powerlessness of ordinary Chinese against the powerful and corrupt.

Instead, special interests compete for influence through campaign contributions and other forms of political donations.

US influence in Burma is unlikely to outweigh that of increasingly powerful Asian neighbors.

With influence must come accountability.

No Country for Young Oligarchs

Finland fell into the Soviet sphere.

The EU has even more leverage.

He possesses more influence than power.

The Romans also exerted influence on the Persian Gulf.

Russia has had centuries of influence in the Middle East and Central Asia, much of which used to be incorporated in the Russian and Soviet empires.

The White Moors are a light skinned Berber people who speak Arabic.

So what led to a policy that is appalling to citizens, damaging to children, and ineffective for improving our security? Welcome to America s current reality, in which threats are hyped so that a handful of insiders can make a killing.

Developments in these countries during the postcommunist years marked a gradual change from Russian to European influence, but that is not irreversible.

The party then hemorrhaged influential members, particularly in the north.

In Iraq, free elections have revealed the enormous influence of Islamist currents.

This confederation, under French influence, put an end to the Holy Roman Empire.

Trading kyat in the black market is formally illegal (and Burma s regime loves rounding up foreign exchange dealers from time to time), but it is the only way that people unconnected to the regime can ever hope to come across foreign currency.

Asia s new clout holds tremendous promise.

Here India has been slow to join the struggle for influence.

As it stands, India and China are openly competing for influence in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Over time, enhanced influence will enable him to get more things done.

Overlapping spheres of influence and frozen conflicts could again cause major conflict.

That influence is bolstered by the electoral rules inherent bias in favor of powerful parties.

Parma was under French influence after the Peace of Aachen (1748).

Arab artistic influence in Sicily mirrors the Lombard influence in the Mezzogiorno.

In fact, the clearest anticipation was given by two British comedians (John Bird and John Fortune) in a television show over a year ago, at a time when high powered financiers were still in denial.

The purpose of influence is not to build your ego, or your net worth.

Japan recognized the link between political clout and science in the 1980 s.

They concern disputes over territory, political power, definitions of rights, and distribution of wealth.

But America s dwindling leverage cannot match the influence of the region s axis of evil.

America s influential Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also was established under Nixon.

China s current international influence likely outstrips its desire or capacity.

A quip says this is a revolt of the millionaires against the billionaires.

Alike are not the inmates of Hell and the residents of Paradise . The men of Paradise will be felicitous .

The People of hell and the People of Paradise are not equal it is only the People of Paradise who have succeeded .

Not equal are the inhabitants of the Fire and the inhabitants of Paradise . The inhabitants of Paradise they are the triumphant .

Not equal are the fellows of the Fire and the fellows of the Garden . Fellows of the Garden ! they are the achievers !

Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise . It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful .

Not equal are the inhabitants of the Fire and the inhabitants of Paradise . It is the inhabitants of Paradise who are the winners .

Those destined for the Fire and those destined for Paradise cannot be alike . Verily it is those destined for Paradise who shall triumph .

Not equal are the owners of the Fire and the owners of the Garden . The owners of the Garden , they are the victorious .

Not equal are the inmates of the Fire and the inhabitants of paradise . It is the inhabitants of paradise who are the successful ones .

The inhabitants of the Fire and the inhabitants of Paradise are not equal . The inhabitants of Paradise shall be triumphant .