But like certain other exclusive clubs, Club 250K has an inner sanctum, a special club within the club, the champagne room of socioeconomic status.

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Its favourable demographic trends mean its fiscal day of reckoning is further off than Europe's and the dollar's reserve-currency status provides manoeuvring room.

ECONOMIST: The economy

Harley owners receive rider-friendly hotel services, automatic upgrade to elite status upon enrollment, and discounted room rates.

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Free Radicals found situations to combust and destroy, but in the end, it was only to make room to build the new disrupt the status quo, do more with less, advance society, drive progress rather than have progress drive them.

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That was something -- his status was discussed, and it was I think in the Situation Room where the President was briefed on the notion that the grand jury was likely to indict him, as they did the next day.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Jennifer Oz LeRoy marches into her Manhattan office and, rhinestone-studded cell phone in hand, demands a status report on a doorman who has been rude to patrons at the Russian Tea Room.

FORBES: Heir Waves

Across the room, a striking Lorenzo Lotto portrait shows a middle-class family proudly displaying an Anatolian carpet, an expensive status symbol.

ECONOMIST: Venice and the East