Summary Box: Home prices fall in most US cities

John Ransom: Obama Bombs Wrong Target on Open Mic Night

Even amongst world leaders Obama pulls the one-up card and the victim card. Impressive. And we thought Obama saved his pettiness for Congress and voters who cling to their guns and religion as a reaction to a government that arms Mexican drug cartels while telling citizens that they’re not responsible enough to own guns?

Mike Shedlock: Eight Reasons to be Bullish on the US Dollar

My bullishness is relative, but the biggest contributors to long-term wealth tends to be your choice of currency. I have a target of 100 in DXY for next year, so a 25% rise in the US dollar during 2012.

Political Calculations: Connecting the Dots for Ethanol, In Pictures

Do you suppose the U.S. Congress will propose a "meat transaction tax" to deal with the problem of rising meat inequality instead of actually stopping doing the stupid things that created the problem in the first place?

Jeff Carter: China on the Brink

The Chinese government has managed to keep a lid on it for years, but the injection of some capitalism brings different emotions to the front that haven’t existed for a long time there.

Bill Tatro: Hiding Real Estate in Wall Street's Matress

Before we get into the “how did that work out for you” analysis, it’s time to first look at another misguided Wall Street strategy.

George Friedman: Europe, the International System and a Generational Shift

The fundamental patterns of European domination held for 500 years. That epoch of history ended in 1991, when the Soviet Union — the last of the great European empires — collapsed with global consequences.

Carrie Schwab Pomerantz: Can You Use Your SEP-IRA to Pay for College?

Generally speaking, if you take a withdrawal before age 59-and-a-half, you're subject to a 10 percent penalty. In the case of a SEP or traditional IRA, you also would pay ordinary income taxes on the withdrawal.

Ralph Benko: The Super Committee's Great Goat Rodeo

Big Government has become the grotesque man-devouring giant Gargantua, skewered by Rabelais half a millennium ago.

David Sterman: This Stock Could Be the Dow's Biggest Gainer in 2012

Trading at just six times projected 2012 profits, it's clear investors aren't holding her to a very high set of expectations.

John Ransom: From Oakland to DC, Occupy Party Over

In part, this is because the Tea Party has always aimed at party-like activities, like victory in elections or on legislative issues, while the Occupy movement is interested in the extra-legal occupation of other people’s property and persons. Both visions reflect in my opinion, the competing visions of where each movement stands in regards to the Constitution and how it operates in the US.

Dave Ramsey: Dave Says Forget the Crummy Family

When you die, you can leave your belongings to whoever you choose. I mean, it was your grandfather’s stuff, so it was his decision. Period.

Mike Shedlock: Greece to Exit Euro?

Michael Pettis at China Financial Markets asks the question "Will Greece unravel by Christmas?"