But can anyone seriously predict what will happen a year, let alone a decade, from now?
The proposals of Cain and Perry are not likely, without further revision, to generate revenue equal to, let alone above, the revenue generated now.
He doesn't have to think about how 17 governments will react to the level of European fiscal integration that America, Britain and China are all now calling for - let alone the massive injections of capital into Europe's banks.
It is now far more difficult for businesses, let alone individuals, to plan for the future.
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"I can't imagine going to a warzone now, in the 21st Century, let alone a woman whose dad was a millionaire, from upper class society, upping sticks and going off, " says Ms Worthington.
In most countries, membership fees now barely cover the smallest of costs, let alone the fortunes that can be spent on media campaigns.
Take one important example: for some years now, America has ensured that no big peacekeeping, let alone open-ended peace-making, missions are undertaken.
In New York City alone, 14, 000 teachers who were set to be let go may now be able to continue pursuing their critical mission.
But no country, until now, has sought to enshrine the principle of positive discrimination, let alone equality, in its constitution.
As of right now, we have zero solid evidence that Apple is even producing a tablet, let alone ready to drop one for a G come March.
As things stand now, however, that step seems unlikely to be approved by the Senate - let alone translate into an end to nuclear proliferation and the dangers associated with it.
That's a job for our schools, but right now our children don't learn the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner, " let alone how a bill becomes a law.
Jittery investors now have little enthusiasm even for such choice offerings as the telephone monopoly or the power grid, let alone rustbelt industries that still keep some 300, 000 workers on government wages.
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