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 …

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 …

Corker touts fiscal plan, says it's time to ‘rip the Band-Aid off’ and reach deal  —  Republican Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.) on Monday touted his proposal for avoiding the “fiscal cliff” and urged lawmakers to “rip the Band-Aid off” and pass a meaningful deficit-reduction package before January.

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 …

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 …

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.

How Hillary Clinton's choices predict her future  —  On a recent Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton walked with her husband onto a stage at the New York Sheraton to cheers and whoops and a standing ovation that only got louder as she tried to quiet things down.

Ashley Judd's grandmother skeptical of Senate run  —  FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Polly Judd is skeptical of talk that her famous granddaughter, actress Ashley Judd, might run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky as a Democratic challenger to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

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.

GOP warns of shutdown over filibuster  —  A partisan war is brewing that could bring the government to a screeching halt as early as January — and no, it's not over the fiscal cliff.  —  It's all about the filibuster.  —  Democrats are threatening to change filibuster rules …

The Israel-Palestine problem has a simple solution  —  Only political stubbornness, not popular support or irreconcilable differences, prevents the two-state solution from working, argues Matt Hill.  —  Flying the flag: A Palestinian at the border with Israel