During the past few decades modern technology with radio TV air travel and satellites has woven a network of communication which puts each part of the world in to almost instant contact with all the other parts.

In a free society government reflects the soul of its people. If people want change at the top they will have to live in different ways. Our major social problems are not the cause of our decadence. They are a reflection of it.

I never had the high-paying job or the company car. It took me over a decade to pay off my student loans. I never had to worry about where to dock my yacht to reduce my taxes.

I was turning 20 during my first record. Those decade birthdays always kind of cause me it seems to reflect look back and then look forward. I just was closing this period of my life where I was living in a car and scrambling my whole life to then signing a six-record deal with Atlantic.

I am especially grateful that I have been able to keep my own style over the decades in spite of the many changes that have taken place in the world of fashion and in its business.

As you watch the world crumble try taking your Armageddon with this sprinkling of irony: Over the last three decades business has got virtually everything it wanted and its doomsday scenario from the 1970s has come true because of it.

Billions are wasted on ineffective philanthropy. Philanthropy is decades behind business in applying rigorous thinking to the use of money.

We can choose a future where we export more products and outsource fewer jobs. After a decade that was defined by what we bought and borrowed we're getting back to basics and doing what America has always done best: We're making things again.

I think the 1970s will always be the decade for me. Obviously I grew up in that era but the beauty standard was touchable kissable.

After a decade this glum we deserved a shot of 'Glee ' a show that restored our faith in the power of song the beauty of dance and the magic of 'spirit fingers' to chase our cares and woes into somebody else's backyard.