Reforming the State: Fiscal and Welfare Reform in Post-Socialist Countries

Book Description

Countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are entering the second decade of political transformation and economic reform. The new policy challenges center on the nature of the social contract between citizens and their governments. The essays in this volume focus on two interrelated issues: the making of fiscal policy and the provision of citizens' welfare, particularly regarding pensions and health care. The essays emphasize that there is no single model of a market economy; rather, governments and publics face a range of options for restructuring the socialist welfare state.

Book Description

Focused on the legal documents that every elder should have prepared and on other legal situations that affect the elderly, this book encourages paralegals to consider not only the legal, but the social, physical, and psychological needs and challenges of their elderly clients. Includes questionnaires, checklists, resource lists, and other materials for working interactively with clients. Initial Interview. Advance Directives. Wills. Guardianships. Patients' rights in Healthcare Decision Making. Entitlement Programs. Managed Care and Long-Term Care Insurance. Viatical Settlements. Living Facilities for the Elderly. Financial Planning. Social Security. Elder Abuse. Resources for the Elder Law Team. For paralegals.

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The Future of the German Economy: An End to the Miracle?

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The Future of the German Economy: An End to the Miracle?

Manufacturer: Manchester University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Economic Conditions | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Economic Policy & Development | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Macroeconomics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Theory | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Economic Conditions | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This insightful interpretation covers German economic policy and macroeconomic performance since the election of the Schröder government, the "Alliance of Jobs" employment policy, German corporatism (including finance and industrial relations), the future of the corporate model in a global era, and innovation. The contributors argue that despite high unemployment and net capital outflows, there are real reasons to be optimistic about Germany's future. The innovation system is dynamic, industrial policy is strong, and the corporate model remains adaptable, durable, and competitive.

Book Description

Economic Performance in the Americas compares the economic performances of Brazil, Mexico and the US over the past half century. As with most other high and middle-income countries their economies are service-sector oriented and have been for several decades. This book encompasses all sectors of the economy but focuses primarily on services, analyzing both the main trends in the various service industries in Brazil and Mexico and the underlying forces shaping their huge expansion.

The growth of services obscures large differences between the two Latin countries and the USA in terms of the types of services that gained importance and the driving growth forces. The author provides a fascinatingly unique and comprehensive overview of the long run development of the entire service sector in the countries discussed.

Using new methods for international comparisons of output and productivity in services, Nanno Mulder examines the impact of the increased service sector orientation in the overall economy. Relative to the US, the Brazilian and Mexican service sectors performed better than agriculture and to a lesser extent, industry. However, this positive contribution hides large discrepancies, with some service industries showing important productivity gains whereas others turned out stagnant.

Scholars and analysts of macroeconomics, industrial economics and development economics will warmly welcome this book.

Book Description

A service can be defined as any activity or benefit that one party can offer to another which is essentially intangible and does not result in the ownership of anything. Services encompass a very wide range of activities e.g health care, education, tourism, insurance and finance. This is the second edition of a very successful book written by one of the leading writers and researchers in services marketing and management. The most important change in this new edition is a greater emphasis on the relationship approach to services marketing.

CONTENTS: The Service and Relationship Imperative: Managing in Service Competition; Managing Customer Relationships: An Alternative Paradigm in Management and Marketing; The Nature of Services and Service Consumption, And Its Marketing Consequences; Service And Relationship Quality; Quality Management in Services; Return on Services and Relationships; Managing the Augmented Service Offering; Principles of Service Management; Managing Service Productivity; Managing Marketing or Market-oriented Management; Managing Total Integrated Marketing Communication; Managing Brand Relationships and Image; Market-oriented Organization: Structure, Resources and Service Processes; Managing Internal Marketing; Managing Service Culture: The Internal Service Imperative; Conclusions.

Customer Reviews:

A different approach to service management.......2006-05-28

This book embodies the Scandanvian school of thought in service management, both of which bring a fresh perspective on many issues (aside from the American viewpoint). The book takes you beyond the traditional view of services that emerged from marketing and operations books (whose primary subject was the manufacturing and consumer goods industry with services being an exception than the rule) to a bona fide service-oriented perspective on everything from the definition of services, service quality (beyond the traditional SERVQUAL Quality Gap Model), productivity in services, and "Return on Service" (measuring value for the customer), and the service production function. One way I measure the value of a book is the amount of highlighter ink I leave behind on the pages (or strips of yellow sticky paper). I highlight text only when it provides additional insight or learning. My used copy of this book has quite a bit of highlighting on it so it isn't going to fetch a good resale price here on Amazon.com.

Academicly solid as well as practical!.......2003-03-16

Surprised that there is no other review on this book. I bought it when the 2nd edtion was just in out while doing a masters degree in business administration. It helped me to do an assignment on market focussed management. It goes much further than many standard "hype type" of textbooks on CRM. It makes customer focus operational but still bases it on solid acadamic knowledge.

No doubt that this book will be of value just as long as the first edition!

Book Description

Step by step instructions to regain your credit, identity, and sanity. ( Attorney-composed form letters that will save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in attorney's fees. ( Legal and consumer information to empower you to overcome and prevent further Identity Fraud. ( Do's and Don'ts, insightful tips, and successful techniques for transforming yourself from "Victim to Victor". ( A computer diskette with critical forms and attorney-written form letters to quickly complete your letter writing saga. ( Interviews with identity fraud experts to explain to you how to prevent further losses, and regain you financial security.

Customer Reviews:

OUTSTANING!!! A+++.......2004-08-23

After 400 + letters and 4 years I still had 5 delinquent accounts, originally there were over 40. Every time one would get deleted a previous one would be put back on. Those credit reporting agencies will drive you NUTS!!! Within TWO weeks after receiving this kit and using the letters modified only slightly, my reports are clean and all are 720+ again. Thank God for this kit!!!!

It Saved My Life and Sanity!!!.......1998-07-01

If you are a victim of identity theft, suspect identity theft, or want to be pro-active in protecting yourself against this crime wave of the millenium, this book MUST have a spot close to your local emergency numbers!!!

As a 15 month victim of identity theft ranging from fraudulent bank accounts, fradulent credit card accounts to receiving government documents in my name and finally, gaining access to my own personal accounts and distroying my financial health, the Identity Theft Survival Kit has pulled me from the myre of phone calls, letter writing, government and corporate mazes. Four months ago I had lost all hope of ever regaining my credit, life, and sanity, the Identity Theft Survival Kit has taken me step-by- step through the process of clean-up and given me the hope and spirit to make it through this.

Book Description

Written with the cooperation of Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., who both consented to rare interviews, The Lucy Book is an amazing retrospective of the five-decade television career of America's favorite redhead. Containing hundreds of original interviews with cast members, guest stars, production people, contemporaries, family, and friends, this book will tell you for the first time what it was really like to work with Lucy.

Year by year, episode by episode, television appearance by television appearance, you can follow the meteoric careers of this comedy legend. Her five series--I love Lucy
(1951-57), The Lucille Ball-Dezi Arnaz Show (1957-1960), The Lucy Show (1962-68), Here's Lucy (1968-74), and Life with Lucy (1986)--are thoroughly covered, as are her myriad guest appearances on other situation comedies, dramas, games shows, talks hows, variety shows, commercials, and specials. All told, more than 1,000 television appearances are extensively chronicles in this book. The Lucy Book contains:

--cast and crew information, along with background anecdotes and current interview quotes for each entry.
--particulars about several Lucy TV scripts that were never produced.
--a critical analysis of Lucy's enormous effect on the television industry.

Customer Reviews:

A must for Lucille Ball fans!.......2007-01-10

This is an excellent book for Lucille Ball fans & fans of "I Love Lucy". Excellent information on all her starring roles and appearances on TV.

Treasure trove for the serious Lucy fan.......2006-06-02

This is one of the best books available on the "Lucy" phenomenon. The author exhaustively details her television appearances from the late 1940s until her death in 1989. Many original interviews were conducted with supporting actors, writers, directors, etc.

Not necessarily the *first* book for someone who doesn't know much about Lucy, but a prize for those who enjoy delving into the details.

Exhaustively detailed, opinionated...THE "Lucy" book!.......2005-11-27

Better, perhaps, than any biography ever written about the one and only Lucille Ball, this work details - and I mean DETAILS - every known possible TV moment America spent with the woman called "The First Lady of Comedy". Its author, Geoffery Mark Fidelman, has done a TREMENDOUS service to all of Lucy's fans, capturing every TV appearance in printed remembrance, and the exhaustive research he's done is apparent immediately. At times, it seems downright impossible to believe one man did it all! Unlike OTHER "Lucy" books, however, this is not a 'puff piece'; no no no...Mr Fidelman, and many of those quoted generously throughout the book, freely offer their opinions about Ball, her husbands, co-workers, shows, etc, and while this will no doubt offend those looking for a 'fluffier' or lighter read, it actually makes for a refreshingly well-rounded character profile of its subject and all those who worked with her through the many years. If Fidelman occasionally goes a bit overboard with comments regarding her appearance, let us not forget that Lucille Ball WAS a glamorous, beautiful, and, yes, even sexy and sexual woman, something which apparently bothered another user on this site, which makes this book even MORE essential as a character study: Lucille Ball comes across as a HUMAN BEING, a woman, mother, wife, movie and TV star, head of a company. For that alone, the book can be viewed as essential to Ball fans and fanatics, or those simply interested in classic TV or Hollywood celebrities of yore. Photographs are relatively limited so if you're seeking a more "coffee table" style book, there are certainly others out there, and they're fine enough. But for something that you - and even the casual fan - will actually READ, and come to find INDISPENSIBLE, look no further: you've found THE "Lucy" book!

The Most Complete Book on Lucy's TV Career Ever Written.......2005-10-05

I've enjoyed reading and re-reading Geoffrey's comments on every "I Love Lucy" episode each time I watch one of the reruns. He has certainly written the most complete book on Ms. Ball's TV career. I was fascinated by the remarks made by Lucy's co-stars, both living and deceased. Geoffrey's dedication to providing a wealth of information which is available here for the very first time is phenomenal. This book is a must read for anyone who loves and admires Lucille Ball and her multi-talents. I can't wait to read Geoffrey's next book about the life and career of the fabulous Ethel Merman, which is due out in November 2005.

The Ultimate Lucy TV Handbook.......2005-05-04

This is a great book that is sure to be worn out by the time you're done reading it. It is great for the Lucy fans (like me) who were not alive during Lucille Ball's active TV career and may have not caught every episode of Here's Lucy or the Lucy Show or even Life With Lucy. It sets straight the rumors or stories that have been mis-told throughout the years. With valuable interviews from Desi, Jr., Lucie Arnaz, plus people who have worked with her over the years like Herbert Kennwith, Maury Thompson, Mary Jane (Croft) Lewis, Doris Singleton, Milton Birle, Madelyn Davis, Bob Carroll, Jr....the list goes on and on.
I like the way the author gives a synopsis of each episode or show Ball was in and then gives a commentary about it, whether it was good or bad, or little known facts about the episode itself. After reading plenty of other Lucy books, I still found this one very informative and quite interesting to read. It is laid out by season (years), and the episodes of her regular series are listed in the order they were aired, not the order they were produced. There is even a Lucy Trivia quiz in the end.
For those who have thought they had read every Lucy book they need to, this one is a must-read!

Average customer rating:

Complete Films of William Holden
Lawrence J. Quirk
Manufacturer: Citadel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Actors & Actresses | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0806509872

Complete credit and collection letter book

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Complete credit and collection letter book
John D Little
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Business Writing | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007DQVXA

Complete Credit and Collection Model Letter Book

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Complete Credit and Collection Model Letter Book
Harold E. Meyer , and Scott A. Sievert
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Michigan exam candidates retain paper-based credit; window to complete exam narrows.(Legislative & Regulatory): An article from: Leader's Edge

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Michigan exam candidates retain paper-based credit; window to complete exam narrows.(Legislative & Regulatory): An article from: Leader's Edge

Manufacturer: Michigan Association of CPAs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Leader's Edge, published by Michigan Association of CPAs on May 1, 2004. The length of the article is 558 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Michigan exam candidates retain paper-based credit; window to complete exam narrows.(Legislative & Regulatory)
Publication: Leader's Edge (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2004
Publisher: Michigan Association of CPAs
Page: NA

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Complete Credit and Collection Letter Book : More Than 500 Ready-to-use Letters That Get Results...

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Complete Credit and Collection Letter Book : More Than 500 Ready-to-use Letters That Get Results...
John D. Little
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RBOHT2

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Complete Credit Book
Bruce Brown , and Tom Nelson
Manufacturer: Inflation Reports
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Credit Ratings & Repair | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0941256022

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