It is hard to ask Americans to make sacrifices for the sake of national security if you are handing contracts to companies that refuse to pay taxes.

ECONOMIST: The only people who could stop a Bush second term

If you are settling a lawsuit, you can refuse to sign the settlement agreement unless it says the defendant will pay you in installments.

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But while people buying an old one-day pink travel card could use it on the buses, Tube and overland rail, many train companies refuse to accept the equivalent pay-as-you-go on Oyster.

BBC: An 'oyster' travel card, sitting on top of a card reader