To imagine city governments taking on more tasks when they have less money hints that some policy makers might see America adopting a culture where we see city government as an omnipotent parent.

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Mr Riordan has made reforming the city's constitution one of the main tasks of his second administration.

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But even as you carry out your grim tasks, you still see the city fall apart around you.

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However, with matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City to come, they have far tougher tasks ahead of them as the season hits the business end.

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Adam Nadelson, a 29-year-old surgical chief resident in New York City, says he is eager to outsource as many tasks as he can.

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The mannequin represents someone wounded or dead, and the woman is a Disaster City victim who's been "moulaged" -- made up with mock injuries -- and assigned tasks.

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