Many families have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order put on the patient record, and the health care proxy (usually a close relative) thinks that takes care of the problem.

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Because the private sector has shrunk, many families depend upon a pension or public-sector wage to put bread on the table.

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And many families also keep a sizable amount of money in their savings account or continue to put money into their 401(k)s, while still carrying thousands of dollars in credit-card debt--even though dipping into savings and paying off their credit-card bills would guarantee them an immediate return on investment of 15% or 18%.

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There are just so many poor-performing schools here, and there are so many kids in our city that want to do the right thing, and families that want to put their kids in a quality school.

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