Whatever Mr Brown may have in store for us on policy, he's putting the rebuilding of trust in public life at the heart of his premiership.

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"We have a difficult situation in front of us, and it is impacting individuals at the heart of their being, " Sen.

CNN: Obama: 'We have to act swiftly' on economy

What's at the heart of this is something that is much easier to obtain in the US than in Europe - software patents.

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In the 2008 US presidential campaign, acts including Heart and Bon Jovi expressed their disapproval that their music had been played at Republican Party events.

BBC: Keane's anger at Tory use of song during election