But if your MLB franchise is among the top of the payroll list, recent history indicates your chances of getting free agents and dancing on the biggest stage are much enhanced.

FORBES: Can Money Buy A World Series Championship?

This matters because the payroll - the list of ministers and whips and Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPSs) and chairmen, deputy chairmen and assistant chairmen at party HQ, who're all expected to support the government - is an important factor in Commons votes.

BBC: Muzzled?

When he came up with a list of employees to be struck off the payroll, he was turned down by the opposition Peronists, who have a majority in the Senate.

ECONOMIST: Making a meal of austerity