Richard (RJ) Eskow, 12/06/12

Writer; host, 'The Breakdown'; Senior Fellow, Campaign for America's Future

DeMint's performed one public service by abandoning his post: He's given us a glimpse of a half-hidden Washington where leaders don't lead, think-tankers don't think, and the house always wins.

Bob Cesca, 12/06/12

Host of The Bob & Chez Show, Media Producer

The bumper-sticker party of "these colors don't run" -- the party that practically branded the notion of American patriotism -- is only around half-sure that it doesn't want to abandon the United States. The other half is split between still making up its mind on secession and totally wanting to secede right away.

Richard V. Reeves, 12/06/12

Former Deputy Director of Strategy to the UK Government

In the 21st century, America has the opportunity to globalize the Enlightenment. But only if it can defeat the sovereignty fetishists at home.

Neil Young, 12/06/12

Activist and rock legend

For survival of the planet and our way of life as human beings, we need to drastically reduce our carbon output. The approach being taken does not do that.

Ira Chernus, 12/06/12

Blogger at MythicAmerica.us

All the Obamas signed the card, even their little dog Bo. In fact, Bo is the star of the card. There he is right on the front -- take a look -- romping through the snow on the Obamas' lawn. What could be more traditionally American than that?

Debra K. Decker, 12/06/12

President, Decker Advisors, LLC

We keep getting twisted and tied up by urgent matters because we don't address America's important underlying issues: what we want as a people and the role of government in helping us achieve that. To develop a framework, we need a fuller accounting.

Michael S. Lofgren, 12/06/12

Former Republican Congressional Staffer

I am sure we have all had it up to here with breathless reporting about the fiscal cliff. But within a month or two after the December 31, 2012 deadline for resolving the cliff, there looms another, more serious economic issue: extending the debt limit.

Jim Wallis, 12/06/12

Christian leader for social change

The discussion we are having about "the fiscal cliff" is really a debate about our fiscal soul. What kind of nation do we want to be? We do need a path to fiscal sustainability, but will it include all of us -- especially the most vulnerable?

Arianna Huffington, 12/06/12

Camden's cops feel embittered and abandoned by the community they've been trying to protect.

Harlan Green, 12/06/12

Editor and Publisher, PopularEconomics.com

The debt ceiling debate is a manufactured crisis. The drive by conservatives to cripple government spending, deregulate whole industries, and emphasize military power over social spending has only made us weaker overseas and at home.

Jag Bhalla, 12/06/12

Entrepreneur & writer, 'Errors We Live By' series

What would happen if everybody did the same -- if everybody found a way to create a legal fig leaf loophole that allowed them to evade contributing to the costs of running the country, or rationalized why they should get payments from the public purse?

Robert Koehler, 12/06/12

Syndicated writer

The Global Terrorism Index indicates that terrorist incidents across the globe have increased pretty much every year since 9/11 and the onset of the "war on terror."

Kathy Kemper, 12/06/12

Founder and CEO, Institute for Education

We should be taking risks, the Nobels said, not avoiding them. We should be encouraging ideas from outside the established community, from diverse sources; we should accept failure as a necessary stepping stone to revolutionary progress.

Elena Shore, 12/06/12

Editor, New America Media

If the Supreme Court decides not to review the Prop 8 case, the Ninth Circuit Court's decision will stand, and same-sex couples in California will soon be able to marry again. The court has already delayed announcing its decision several times.

Daphne Wysham, 12/06/12

Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies

What about the remaining 56 percent of World Bank energy lending, most of it still devoted to fossil fuels? Is this what the Bank calls "stepping up to the challenge" of climate change?

Chris Rodda, 12/06/12

Senior Research Director, Military Religious Freedom Foundation; Author, 'Liars For Jesus'

Really? If you're not religious you don't belong at West Point and shouldn't expect to fit in and be treated equally?

Joe Baker, 12/06/12

President, Medicare Rights Center

Proposals to limit Medigap -- a widely used form of supplemental coverage to Medicare -- pose significant risks to seniors and people with disabilities. In the end, proposals like these amount to nothing more than a "sick tax."