In the meantime, social mobilisation seems to work best when it is done in a good cause, or offers a financial incentive.

ECONOMIST: Monitor

But can we be content with good nature and hard work when something more intense seems to lie beneath the surface?

NEWYORKER: Boyz II Man

Merck's other bit of good tidings this week was that its AIDS vaccine seems to work better when combined with another HIV inoculation form Aventis (nyse: AVE - news - people ).

FORBES: For Merck, Steps In The Right Direction

That seems a very good week's work -- even if he also managed to find time for a little sunbathing.

CNN: Give Obama a break

With this in mind, it seems a good time to take a look at the actual policies and laws at work here as, only then, can individual Americans form a realistic position as to whether or not these policies are unfair to the majority of income-tax paying Americans or necessary and proper policies that benefit the nation as a whole.

FORBES: The Real Truth Behind The 47 Percent - Why Aren't These People Paying Federal Income Taxes?