A plan to dodge the ‘fiscal cliff’  —  In business I found that a challenging environment often produced our best opportunities.  Perhaps that's why I see the so-called “ fiscal cliff ” of year-end spending cuts and tax increases not as an impassable precipice but as our best opportunity to finally enact meaningful fiscal reform.

The Myth of the Obama Cave-In  —  With the “fiscal cliff” looming, the conventional wisdom is that the president capitulated during the last tax cut fight.  Here's what really happened.  —  At President Barack Obama's first press conference after winning reelection, CNN's Jessica Yellin posed …

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 (PDF) say that the U.S. would face a crisis …

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 …

Extremists threaten mutilation and death for seized ‘homosexuals’  —  A photograph of the captured men posted on the Nawasi militia's Facebook page.  —  Tripoli, 26 November:  —  Extremists say they will execute a dozen men they allege are homosexuals, whom they abducted last Thursday …

SCOTUS orders appeals court to hear Liberty University health care lawsuit  —  The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to examine the constitutionality of the health reform law's employer requirements and mandatory coverage of contraceptives without a co-pay.

The Morning Plum: Republicans whitewash history of filibuster  —  So it's looking more and more likely that Harry Reid and Democrats will introduce some sort of package of filibuster reforms at the start of the next Congress.  Politico reports this morning that Republicans are preparing …

Why aren't Asians Republicans?  —  Last week, I pointed out that there is no such thing as a natural social-conservative skew among Latino Americans.  But that leaves open a rejoinder, expressed by several readers: The GOP doesn't need to get all of the Latino vote, just its fair share.

MANDATE WITH DESTINY  —  Thanksgiving was still two weeks away when the Republican Party, to its evident shock, found itself stuffed, trussed, roasted, and ready to be served with all the trimmings.  This was not the menu that the Party's nominees, donors, and operatives had looked forward to.

Jamie Foxx: ‘Our Lord and Savior Barack Obama’  —  Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx recently called Barack Obama “our lord and savior.”  —  Such occurred at the previously recorded Soul Train Awards broadcast on BET Sunday (video follows with transcript and commentary):

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 …

Do You Live In A Death Spiral State?  —  For the 2013 Investment Guide, click here.  —  Thinking about buying a house?  Or a municipal bond?  Be careful where you put your capital.  Don't put it in a state at high risk of a fiscal tailspin.  —  Eleven states make our list of danger spots for investors.

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 …

Schapiro, Head of S.E.C., Announces Departure  —  Mary L. Schapiro, who overhauled the Securities and Exchange Commission after the financial crisis, announced Monday that she was stepping down as chairwoman of the agency.  —  In recent days, the S.E.C. informed the White House …

Buck fever: Ryan, 10-year-old daughter bag bucks … Wisconsin's nine-day season for hunting deer with guns came to a close Sunday, providing former GOP running mate Rep. Paul Ryan with the perfect father-daughter outing.  —  In a state where bagging a deer—doe or buck …

From Man Who Insulted Muhammad, No Regret  —  LOS ANGELES — Fuming for two months in a jail cell here, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula has had plenty of time to reconsider the wisdom of making “Innocence of Muslims,” his crude YouTube movie trailer depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a bloodthirsty, philandering thug.