CNN Poll: Two-thirds say fiscal cliff poses major problem  —  Washington (CNN) - A new national poll suggests Americans understand that the “fiscal cliff” is no joking matter.  —  Two-thirds of people questioned in a CNN/ORC International survey say that the U.S. would face a crisis …

Fighting Fiscal Phantoms  —  These are difficult times for the deficit scolds who have dominated policy discussion for almost three years.  One could almost feel sorry for them, if it weren't for their role in diverting attention from the ongoing problem of inadequate recovery …

A Minimum Tax for the Wealthy  —  SUPPOSE that an investor you admire and trust comes to you with an investment idea.  “This is a good one,” he says enthusiastically.  “I'm in it, and I think you should be, too.”  —  Would your reply possibly be this?  “Well, it all depends on what my tax rate …

How Hillary Clinton's choices predict her future  —  On a recent Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton walked with her husband onto a stage at the New York Sheraton to cheers and whoops and a standing ovation that only got louder as she tried to quiet things down.

Corker touts fiscal plan, says it's time to ‘rip the Band-Aid off’ and reach deal  —  Republican Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.) on Monday touted his proposal for avoiding the “fiscal cliff” and urged lawmakers to “rip the Band-Aid off” and pass a meaningful deficit-reduction package before January.

GOP warns of shutdown over filibuster  —  A partisan war is brewing that could bring the government to a screeching halt as early as January — and no, it's not over the fiscal cliff.  —  It's all about the filibuster.  —  Democrats are threatening to change filibuster rules …

Obama faces huge challenge in setting up insurance exchanges  —  The Obama administration faces major logistical and financial challenges in creating health insurance exchanges for states that have declined to set up their own systems.  —  The exchanges were designed as the centerpiece …

Alleged Walmart thief dies after confrontation  —  DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. —  A police investigation is under way after a man suspected of shoplifting from a local Walmart died during his confrontation with store employees.  —  According to a police report obtained by Channel 2 Action News …

White House Turns to Obama Voters for Support  —  WASHINGTON — When Tea Party activists swamped town hall-style meetings about health care in the summer of 2009, President Obama's army of campaign volunteers largely stayed away, seemingly less interested in fighting for legislation …

Ashley Judd's grandmother skeptical of Senate run  —  FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Polly Judd is skeptical of talk that her famous granddaughter, actress Ashley Judd, might run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky as a Democratic challenger to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

New York State Special Education Enrollment Analysis  —  Charter Schools and Public School Choice  —  Responding to concerns that charter schools do not provide equal access to students with special needs, advocates in districts, states, and courts across the country have sought to improve such access.

The Israel-Palestine problem has a simple solution  —  Only political stubbornness, not popular support or irreconcilable differences, prevents the two-state solution from working, argues Matt Hill.  —  Flying the flag: A Palestinian at the border with Israel

The Fake Skills Shortage  —  Kudos to Adam Davidson for some much-needed mythbusting about the supposed skills shortage holding the US economy back.  Whenever you see some business person quoted complaining about how he or she can't find workers with the necessary skills, ask what wage they're offering.

McCain Backs Off Susan Rice Smear Campaign  —  Shortly after news broke about a fatal attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney accused President Obama of “sympathiz[ing] with those who waged the attacks.”  And Romney continued …

Disagreeing with Obama can ruin Christmas, says White House report  —  Any Republican refusal to accept President Barack Obama's fiscal plan may ruin Christmas for the nation's retailers, the White House claimed in a report released Monday morning.  —  “The National Retail Federation …