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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Capito Plans 2014 Senate Run  —  West Virginia Republican Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito will announce Monday morning that she is running in 2014 for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Jay Rockefeller.  —  Capito has long considered a run for the Senate, and passed …

The war on men  —  The battle of the sexes is alive and well.  According to Pew Research Center, the share of women ages eighteen to thirty-four that say having a successful marriage is one of the most important things in their lives rose nine percentage points since 1997 - from 28 percent to 37 percent.

Alleged shoplifter dies after being subdued by Walmart workers  —  The Black Friday shopping weekend apparently took a tragic turn early Sunday morning when an alleged shoplifter died while being apprehended by employees and a contract security officer outside a Lithonia Walmart.

Mohamed Morsi of Egypt Faces Backlash Against Decree  —  Mr. Morsi's justice minister began arguing publicly for a retreat.  At least three other senior advisers resigned over the measure.  And it has prompted widening street protests and cries from opponents that Mr. Morsi was moving …

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 …

Ukip fostering row: ‘we want our foster children back’  —  The couple at the centre of the Ukip fostering row spoke yesterday of their desire to have the three children returned to them.  —  In an interview with The Telegraph, the experienced foster parents called on the council involved …

Lindsey Graham, Peter King break with Grover Norquist  —  A pair of congressional Republicans reiterated their willingness Sunday to violate an anti-tax pledge in order to strike a deal on the “fiscal cliff,” echoing Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the Georgia Republican who suggested last week that the oath may be outdated.