Obama Expects GOP Tax Cave  —  As the clock ticks toward a tax hike on all Americans in 20 days, President Obama predicted Republicans would join Democrats to extend current rates for 98 percent of earners before the end of the year.  —  “I'm pretty confident that Republicans …

You have the right to not pay union dues  —  Labor groups should have to convince members that their goods and services are worth the price demanded — and not just take the money and run … The battle between unions and state governments continued this week — just as it has for the last two years …

Breitbart Folks Appear to Fake Violence in Lansing  —  When I saw this video-claiming that a “violent mob” destroyed the tent the Koch brothers had paid for in front of the Michigan Capitol-I knew right away it was likely a false flag.  After all, Stranahan, James O'Keefe's buddy, first posted it.

Lie of the Year: the Romney campaign's ad on Jeeps made in China  —  It was a lie told in the critical state of Ohio in the final days of a close campaign — that Jeep was moving its U.S. production to China.  It originated with a conservative blogger, who twisted an accurate news story into a falsehood.

Obama Wins Almost 50% Republicans on Tax Mandate in Poll  —  President Barack Obama won the public argument over taxes so decisively that almost half of Republicans now say he has an election mandate to raise rates on the rich.  —  Majorities of about 2-to-1 also read the election results …

Scientists May Have Finally Unlocked Puzzle of Why People Are Gay  —  Lesbians get it from fathers, gay men from mothers?  —  Scientists may have finally solved the puzzle of what makes a person gay, and how it is passed from parents to their children.  —  A group of scientists suggested Tuesday …

Obama Suggests Raising Medicare Eligibility Age Is On The Table In Fiscal Cliff Talks  —  President Obama didn't rule out raising the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 as part of a comprehensive package to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff,” during an interview with ABC News on Tuesday.

A third option changes the negotiation  —  The conventional wisdom on the fiscal cliff is that there are two options: (1) an Obama-Boehner deal; or (2) no deal, in which case there is no legislation before the end of the year and we “go off the fiscal cliff.”

New marijuana laws cause confusion  —  Laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado and Washington state have exposed a wide disconnect between Congress, the administration and voters on an increasingly controversial issue.  —  The newly enacted laws put President Obama in a tricky spot …

Eric Holder: Time To Consider National Voting Standards  —  Attorney General Eric Holder said during a speech on Tuesday night at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library that it's time to consider setting national standards for how elections should be handled.

The fall and rise of Rockaway  —  We are still recovering from superstorm Sandy  —  An American flag stands on a sand hill in the middle of the street on Beach 127th St. as Rockaway residents rebuild and clean their homes from the devastation caused by superstorm Sandy.

Sandi Jackson not resigning council seat … Ald.  Sandi Jackson opted to clarify a few points Tuesday: She won't resign from the Chicago City Council unless “something catastrophic happens,” she's not a candidate to replace her husband in Congress and she's undecided about whether to move back to Chicago permanently from Washington.

NORAD acknowledges missile launch  —  PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - North American Aerospace Defense Command officials acknowledged today that U.S. missile warning systems detected and tracked the launch of a North Korean missile at 7:49 p.m. EST. The missile was tracked on a southerly azimuth.

Ron Paul Will Charge $50,000 To Speak  —  The libertarian charges more than Mike Huckabee.  Accepts fiat money.  —  Ron Paul will follow the well-trod path of hitting the paid speaking circuit after his retirement from Congress — and will charge $50,000 per appearance, BuzzFeed has learned.

Time and Punishment: Mandatory Sentences Face Growing Skepticism  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Stephanie George and Judge Roger Vinson had quite different opinions about the lockbox seized by the police from her home in Pensacola.  She insisted she had no idea that a former boyfriend had hidden it in her attic.

New Army Manual Orders Soldiers Not To Criticize Taliban … Here is a strong indicator that the Obama Administration's crusade to appease Islam has gone too far; a new U.S. military handbook for troops deployed to the Middle East orders soldiers not to make derogatory comments about the Taliban …

Republicans question need for $60.4 billion in Hurricane Sandy aid  —  Republicans argued Tuesday that the Obama administration has not provided enough evidence that its $60.4 billion request in Hurricane Sandy aid is needed.  —  The GOP also argues Senate Democrats are rushing a bill to the floor.

TRENDING: Former first daughter Jenna Bush pregnant  —  (CNN) - George W. Bush is going to be a grandfather.  —  The former president's daughter Jenna announced Wednesday she was “nervous and so excited” to be expecting her first child, due sometime in the spring of 2013.