It was not long ago that there was a big concern regarding the future of Apple in the absence of Steve Jobs.

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Rather, alternative visions are on offer, not of the long-term future, but of how best to compete in a changing global market.

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Let's focus on our long-term future, and not be bogged down in meeting a ridiculous report card for the satisfaction of the media.

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"But this announcement comes after more price rises last year, record numbers in fuel poverty and not long after the energy regulator warned of higher still energy prices for the foreseeable future, " she added.

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With respect to Social Security, as I indicated earlier, making changes to these programs is so difficult that this may be an opportunity for us to go ahead and do something smart that strengthens Social Security and gives not just this generation but future generations the opportunity to say this thing is going to be in there for the long haul.

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