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Top 5 most influential people in America

While most people like to be positive, and see influence as strictly a positive thing, it is not uncommon for people to use their influence in a negative way as well. My list of the most influential people in America reflects this.

1)President George Bush

President Bush has altered the present and future of the United States and the world in ways that will be felt for decades to come. Whether one agrees with the war in Iraq or not, it has been a costly war in many ways. Since the United States arrived in Iraq, the Middle East has been more destabilized than ever. Having entered the war without the support of other powerful countries, the war has also strained relations with many other countries around the world.

The war to date has cost almost a trillion dollars. Whether you believe the money is well spent or not, the legacy of this debt will have a huge impact for a long time to come. Money that has been spent rebuilding Iraq has not been spent on developing the infrastructure of our country, both in terms of physical items such as bridges, as well as its people.

2)Steve Jobs

While Microsoft and Bill Gates have long dominated the technological landscape, the worm has begun to turn. Apple's splashy announcement of its iPhone has given it a strong financial boost, as well as bringing the company to the fore.

3)Rupert Murdoch

Though not an American by birth his ownership of a conglomeration of media outlets gives him the ear of the public, and the ability to influence and manipulate people as he desires. Media conglomeration, something that most people are unaware of, is leading us into the direction of a single viewpoint being held up as fact.

4)Rush Limbaugh

Though Rush's show may be as much about humor as fact, he is a right-wing force to be reckoned with. Many people believe that Rush's attempts to persuade Republicans to change their registration to the Democratic party for the primaries so as to vote for Barack Obama who they saw as the weaker candidate may have been successful.

5)Hyppolyte Mege Mouries

Also not an American, but someone who has had a dramatic influence on the American people, he was the inventor of trans fats. His one small invention has had a huge effect on American health and our nations economy.

So there it is - the good, the bad and the ugly. Powerful Americans, and people who are having a powerful effect on America today.

Learn more about this author, Frances Simon.
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