"It is down to us to hammer out a new consensus on water affordability and I ask ministers to work with us to amend this bill and help hard-pressed families today, " she said.

BBC: Water Bill will 'correct inequality' - minister

But for those skeptics who refuse to believe the Recovery Act has done any good, who continue to insist that the bill didn't work, I'd ask you to take that argument up with Blake and his employees.

WHITEHOUSE: The Recovery Act �C Year One

Senator TED STEVENS (Republican, Alaska): I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed with immediate consideration of House Bill 5946, which it has received from the House.

NPR: Alaska Senator Scrutinized in Corruption Probe

And I ask Congress in a bipartisan way to come back, pass a clean bill, finish the negotiations, and then get to a bigger FAA bill.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

So when Congress reconvenes, this jobs bill will be the first business out of the gate, and I ask Senate Republicans to drop their efforts to block it.

WHITEHOUSE: Small Business Roundtable

So I ask members of Congress and all the interested parties involved to keep at it, pass a bill that helps us achieve the goal of extracting natural gas in a safe, environmentally sound way.

WHITEHOUSE: America��s Energy Security

One afternoon, I watched Robbins teach Scott a routine in which he had to ask a spectator to sign a twenty-dollar bill, fold it, wrap it in a handkerchief, and put it in his pocket.

NEWYORKER: A Pickpocket��s Tale