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.

Former Florida GOP leaders say voter suppression was reason they pushed new election law  —  Former GOP chair, governor - both on outs with party - say voter fraud wasn't a concern, but reducing Democratic votes was.  —  VOTE ()  —  A new Florida law that contributed to long voter lines …

Court Rejects Plea to Block Taping of Police  —  The Supreme Court has rejected an Illinois prosecutor's plea to allow enforcement of a law aimed at stopping people from recording police officers on the job.  —  The justices on Monday left in place a lower court ruling that found …

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 …

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 …

Filibuster fight seizes Senate  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday blasted Democratic-led efforts to reform the filibuster, warning that the changes would “poison” relations in the already-gridlocked Senate.  —  The Kentucky Republican said changing the filibuster …

Guest on Fox News to Discuss Benghazi Attack Is Given a Quick Exit  —  Thomas E. Ricks, the veteran defense reporter and author, said he expected his Monday morning appearance on Fox News to last about three minutes.  It ended, in fact, after 90 seconds — his last sentence was a description …

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 …

Revenge of the Reality-Based Community  —  My life on the Republican right—and how I saw it all go wrong.  —  I know that it's unattractive and bad form to say “I told you so” when one's advice was ignored yet ultimately proved correct.  But in the wake of the Republican election debacle …

Donald Trump: Mean-Spirited GOP Won't Win Elections  —  More ways to share...  Mixx  —  Stumbled  —  LinkedIn  —  Vine  —  Buzzflash  —  Newstrust  —  Technocrati  —  Forward Article  —  Ronald Kessler reporting from Washington, D.C. — The Republican Party will continue …

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.

Santorum: 'I'm Open' to 2016 Run  —  Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum says he is “open” to another run for president in 2016.  Santorum was asked about a possible presidential campaign Monday at THE WEEKLY STANDARD.  —  “I'm open to it, yeah,” Santorum replied.

Republican Leader Wants Deficit-Reducing Obamacare ‘On The Table’ In Debt Talks  —  During an appearance on Fox News on Monday, House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) asserted that Obamacare “ought to be on the table” for cuts during ongoing budget and deficit-reduction negotiations …

ATTENTION U.S. CUSTOMERS  —  We are sorry to announce that due to legal and regulatory pressures, Intrade can no longer allow US residents to participate in our real-money prediction markets.  —  Unfortunately this means that all US residents must begin the process of closing down their Intrade accounts.

Young Voters Supported Obama Less, But May Have Mattered More  —  In winning reelection, Barack Obama won 60% of the vote among those younger than 30.  That was down somewhat from 2008, when Obama won nearly two-thirds (66%) of the votes of young people.  However, Obama's youth support …

Do You Live In A Death Spiral State?  —  Don't buy a house in a state where private sector workers are outnumbered by folks dependent on government.  —  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.

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.

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.