Unlimited Website Traffic: Mohamed A. El-Erian: This Political Polarization Is Really Bad for America

Mohamed A. El-Erian: This Political Polarization Is Really Bad for America HPFB.init();

HuffPost's QuickRead...ShareBox.ad = function (tag_id){if ($(tag_id) == undefined) return; if ($(tag_id).innerHTML != '') return;ad_spec = {"zone_info": "huffpost.business","ord": 1356783558,"tile": 3,"width": 300,"height": 250,"el_id": tag_id + "_js","class_name": "ad_block ad_wide top","type": "iframe"}HuffPoUtil.WEDGJE.write(ad_spec, tag_id);};Loading... HuffPost's QuickRead...

For Profit Colleges iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More Log in Create Account Notifications Profile Settings Logout #topnav_margin_btm { margin:0 !important } December 29, 2012

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributorsHot on the BlogMohamed A. El-Erian Alan Colmes Ralph Nader Jared Bernstein HuffPost Social Reading

Some error occurred Login with Facebook to see what your friends are reading Enable Social Reading i

Settings Read Share Settings Learn More

Mohamed A. El-ErianCEO and co-CIO, PIMCO

GET UPDATES FROM Mohamed A. El-Erian Like 473 This Political Polarization Is Really Bad for America Posted: 12/28/2012 11:59 pm React

Inspiring
Greedy
Typical
Scary
Outrageous
Amazing
Innovative
Infuriating
Follow

Economy , U.S. Economy , Fiscal Cliff , Fiscal Cliff Negotiations , Obama Fiscal Cliff , Political Polarization , Business News
#news_entries #ad_sharebox_260x60 img {padding:0px;margin:0px} share this story Submit this storydigg reddit stumble

As the year comes to an end, dysfunctional Congressional politics continues to dominate the headlines, and rightly so.

Our politicians are scrambling to deal with a mess that they created all on their own -- a fiscal cliff that risks pushing the country into recession. And while a last minute "micro deal" is still possible, there will be little celebration, nor should there be.

Whatever transpires in the next few days, look for politicians to point fingers at each other. By diverting your attention to those in the other party on Capitol Hill, their hope is, of course, to influence your assessment of who is to blame for taking the country so close to the edge.

I argued in a prior post that the fiscal cliff is the result of a monumental Congressional political miscalculation back in the summer of 2011 -- one that a "game theorist" could have predicted based on an analytical assessment of the conditions under which politicians cooperate.

Yesterday, Jon Horne, a PIMCO colleague, pointed me to a column by Nate Silver which takes the analysis an important step further. And Mr. Silver's findings are quite depressing.

An anchor for Mr. Silver's analysis is the view that "one of the firmest conclusions of academic research into the behavior of Congress is that what motivates members first and foremost is winning elections." By combining this with realities on the ground, his analysis makes a strong case for continued political polarization going forward.

Mr. Silver's conclusion is stark: "As partisanship continues to increase, a divided government may increasingly mean a dysfunctional one."

It was once fashionable to argue that a divided government was good for the economy. The view then was that politicians would be too busy with political brinkmanship to get in the way of a dynamic private sector. As a result, unfettered by government interference, the private sector was more likely to invest, hire and prosper.

It is hard -- very hard -- to make this argument today; and for at least three reasons.

First, even diehard conservatives would admit that, since the 2008 global financial crisis, the country still has to overcome certain market failures. And for that, enlightened government policies are needed, including in clarifying property rights in segments still suffering from post financial bubble disorder.

Second, it is hard to deny the extent to which America has experienced a worsening in the distribution of income, wealth and opportunities in recent years. If we are not careful, this will tear at the social fabric that underpins a dynamic and prospering private sector.

Then there is the international evidence and related comparisons.

America has fallen behind several other countries when it comes to enhancing our human and physical capital. In many cases this is not something that the private sector can (and will) -- remedy fully. In particular, some of the slippages in education and infrastructure need (and should be solved via) public-private partnerships; others involve (indeed, urgently require) more active government reform efforts.

The bottom line is simple and consequential: Our self-inflicted fiscal cliff drama may be the most visible illustration of Congressional political dysfunction but it is unlikely to be the last one or the most challenging.

Judging from Mr, Silver's analysis, we could well experience several iteration of the analytical equivalent of the fiscal cliff in the months ahead. And we would do so with declining policy flexibility.

If left to fester, the related inability of Congress to step up to economic responsibilities would risk being associated with more than just sluggish growth, persistently high unemployment, and a growing sense of financial discomfort.

It would also undermine the country's longer-term growth potential and, with that, the ability of many citizens to realize the American dream.

FOLLOW BUSINESS Like 45k Get Alerts #ad_bottom_article_text {margin-bottom: 15px} Fiscal Cliff Economy More in Business...

Warren Buffett On Fiscal Cliff: 'We'll Get...

Boom Turns To Bust As Wind Industry...

Bankrupt Politics: The Republican Plan to Kill...

Fiscal Cliff Tax Hikes Are Not The...

Comments26Pending Comments1 View FAQ

Previewing Your Comment. This comment has not yet been posted You have exceeded your word limit by words. Please click the "Edit" button and shorten your comment.

Post Comment Edit Cancel

You can post to us this information Contact us

Click here to leave a comment.HuffPost High School welcomes a lively, thoughtful debate in the comment section. Keep in mind that the articles here are penned by young authors, so please keep criticism respectful, and help us to keep this a safe and supportive place for writers of all ages to contribute.Post Comment Preview Comment To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to. Post Comment Preview Comment To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.

Share your Comment:

Post to Facebook. Post to Blogger. Post to Twitter. Post to WordPress. Post to TypePad. Post to Tumblr. Post to Yahoo! Blogger login: Blogger password: Select blog: refresh list Remember me: Wordpress host: Wordpress login: Wordpress password: Remember me: TypePad host: TypePad login: TypePad password: Select blog: refresh list Remember me: Tumblr login: Tumblr password: Remember me: Community Notice: We've made some changes to our badge program, including the addition
of our newest badge: Community Curator.

View AllFavorites Recency | Popularity Page: 1 2 Next › Last » (2 total)

aimup 8 Fans 29 minutes ago ( 6:56 AM)We need to back and ask more basic questions about the banking system.Why are banks able to create their own money and call it the money supply as if the money existed in the first place.And the Federal Reserve is neither federal or has reserves.Like Andrew Jackson threw out the banks and Lincoln by-passed the banks.What is accepted as natural and normal banking is root of most of problems.aimup: We need to back and ask more basic questions abouthttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/aimup/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217412465.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation.

Loading comments…

HUFFPOST SUPER USERAnne Towsley 233 Fans 30 minutes ago ( 6:55 AM)It is so blatantly obvious that the house and the senate are dysfunctional and as a result the country is suffering. What happens in the real world when people are unable to their job, why they are fired or retired. We the People need new ways to evaluate their elected officials job performance and same of those seeing office . So much space is wasted with political speculation/interpretation rather then simply presenting what is actually happening. "KISS" Just show the people what each of these elected officials have actually accomplished along with what we are paying them ..Anne_Towsley: It is so blatantly obvious that the house and thehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Anne_Towsley/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217412404.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation.

Loading comments… Shepgg 13 Fans 42 minutes ago ( 6:42 AM)The American dream? Research indicates upward mobility is virtually impossible in this age. Private/Public Partnerships? Shown to envolve incredible transfer of wealth from the collective to the elite. America is stuffed.Shepgg: The American dream? Research indicates upward mobility is virtually impossiblehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Shepgg/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217411566.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation.

Loading comments…

HUFFPOST SUPER USERsonoflarsGrowing old is mandatory, growing up is optional808 Fans 1 hour ago ( 6:17 AM)The author is accurate in his analysis of our dysfunctional govermenmet, but far too kind. The truth is that we are ungovernable. We are incapable of solving our problems, investing in our future and caring for our citizens. No one is talking about the rising structural unemployment being driven by technology. We are not discussing he fact that more than half of the baby boomers have no retirement and will drop into poverty when they lose their jobs. America is in serious trouble and we need smart people in Washington instead of well paid actors who are given their scripts by lobbyists.sonoflars: The author is accurate in his analysis of our dysfunctionalhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/sonoflars/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217409960.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share it HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATORconfuseddemocrat 3904 Fans 43 minutes ago ( 6:42 AM)great comment.

We are not discussing he fact that more than half of the baby boomers have no retirement and will drop into poverty when they lose their jobs.

And at the same time this is becoming a stark reality, we have people intent on shredding the social safety nets. This along with a crumbling infrastructure and educational system will plunge our nation into a economic crisis which will push us to second or third world statusconfuseddemocrat: great comment.

We are not discussing he fact that morehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/confuseddemocrat/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217411536.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERbobh 66 Fans 1 hour ago ( 5:57 AM)Why even pretend that both sides are responsible here? It is the Republicans' doing.bobh: Why even pretend that both sides are responsible here? Ithttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/bobh/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217408826.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program LizMMy micro-bio is too long for this space.182 Fans 2 hours ago ( 5:35 AM)>>>Mr. Silver's conclusion is stark: "As partisanship continues to increase, a divided government may increasingly mean a dysfunctional one."

If this is Mr. Silver’s conclusion then he is a day late and a dollar short.

It stopped being fashionable to argue that divided government was good for the US economy - or for anything else - not long after the inauguration of President-elect Barack Hussein Obama and certainly since the mid-term elections in 2010 by which time it should have become quite apparent, even to the most casual observer, what havoc congressional Republicans were prepared to wreak on America and the US economy.

And, one more thing ... if you actually believe that all of this can be described simply as “political polarization”, then America and the US economy are both, undoubtedly, in a far worse place than I might have otherwise suspected.

Is it really so difficult to call a spade, a spade?LizM: >>>Mr. Silver's conclusion is stark: "As partisanship continues to increase,http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LizM/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217407647.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… mashtoe 861 Fans 3 hours ago ( 4:24 AM)Mr El Erian, you were appointed CEO by the US government. You didn't earn it. And if your family didn't immigrate to the US then YOU would be living in Egypt. So stop bad mouthing the US or move to Egypt. And as a banker, you have never produced anything in your life.

What makes bankers like you rich is the fact that the US government will keep bailing you out.mashtoe: Mr El Erian, you were appointed CEO by the UShttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mashtoe/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217404207.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share it Peter Meurer 2 Fans 2 hours ago ( 5:00 AM)Neither did you earn it, unless you happen to be of Native American heritage. And where exactly is he badmouthing the US? He's just saying that it's dangerous how impotent the congress is.Peter_Meurer: Neither did you earn it, unless you happen to behttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Peter_Meurer/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217405881.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… JPHR 276 Fans 2 hours ago ( 5:26 AM)Did you read his second point:
"Second, it is hard to deny the extent to which America has experienced a worsening in the distribution of income, wealth and opportunities in recent years. If we are not careful, this will tear at the social fabric that underpins a dynamic and prospering private sector."
He clearly indicated what has to change. So if you want to accuse him call him empathic and socially responsible.JPHR: Did you read his second point: "Second, it is hardhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/JPHR/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217407198.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… Poppinfresh 18 Fans 4 hours ago ( 3:39 AM)This article should be the headline instead of what we have now about the fiscal cliff.Poppinfresh: This article should be the headline instead of what wehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Poppinfresh/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217401709.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERKeith LeBrun 43 Fans 4 hours ago ( 3:18 AM)In a way, I think most of the issues we're looking at today are a direct result of the so-called "dynamic private sector". In order to continue to be "unfettered", they have driven more funds into our political process and have forced politicians to compete for contributions and air time rather than to focus on solving the problems our country faces. It's impossible to serve 2 masters - the corporate donations and the public electorate.

At the same time, our economy suffers due to our ability to keep up with corporate efficiency. It simply takes less man-hours to produce goods today. That lack directly contributes to the loss of good jobs at good wages, and further fuels the widening of the wealth distribution woes. This is not something the private sector is equipped to even care about - the remedy must come in the form of a private-public partnership. Failing this, our entire free-market economy must collapse - which will take our government along with it.Keith_LeBrun: In a way, I think most of the issues we'rehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Keith_LeBrun/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217400352.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… kf40 53 Fans 5 hours ago ( 2:26 AM)I would offer two reflections. One, regarding, "a 'game theorist' could have predicted..." I've seen so often in my 65 years, anyone with a little sense of history, some common sense, and a newspaper could have foretold the outcome of many a failed political fiasco. For example, the US incursion into Afghanistan following the September 11 WTC attacks:

Who with but slight reason wouldn't have predicted abject failure? It's been 700 years and the Mongolians since any conqueror there lasted. They lasted 300 years. England and Russia, beginning in the 1800's couldn't even make a go of it there. England was booted around 1919 and the Soviets finally bailed in 1989.

Last, your closing assertion is already happening. Last night I filled up my Honda with gasoline. The young pump jockey at the station bemoaned a pickup that cost him a hundred dollars to fill and a commute which drank it all up in less than a week.

A hundred dollars, I rejoined. A day’s pay for a tank of gas! Man, I said, if any politician isn’t speaking up for policy that supports workers and the poor, vote him out.

Oh yeh, I know, he said emphatically. I graduated in government and finance.kf40: I would offer two reflections. One, regarding, "a 'game theorist'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/kf40/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217396574.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… GetRealView 61 Fans 5 hours ago ( 2:24 AM)This is a long running show. Back in1996, my senator Barbara Boxer announced to an astonished audience in California that the age of Congressional gridlock was over. Little did she realize that it had only begun and would get much worse.GetRealView: This is a long running show. Back in1996, my senatorhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/GetRealView/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217396451.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share it HUFFPOST SUPER USERnenitaBNot the talk. What good result would it hav174 Fans 10 minutes ago ( 7:15 AM)As many have predicted the road to recovery is bumpy whatever come out of the deal or talks. It would be a slow moving pace whether you like it or not the root of the problem had been so deep, quick fix is still remote.nenitaB: As many have predicted the road to recovery is bumpyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/nenitaB/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217413770.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… mintoreality is more interesting than ideology150 Fans 5 hours ago ( 2:20 AM)Congress and many state legislatures are currently doing everything in their power to make America a third world country. They don't want a middle class to exist at all, let alone an American dream.minto: Congress and many state legislatures are currently doing everything inhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/minto/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217396140.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… patricia duffy 10 Fans 5 hours ago ( 2:16 AM)Term limits. It's the only way now to lessen the influence of lobbyists and crony capitalists. Term limits, my friends.patricia_duffy: Term limits. It's the only way now to lessen thehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/patricia_duffy/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217395850.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share it JPHR 276 Fans 2 hours ago ( 5:31 AM)Term limits will definitely help but the root is a dysfunctional winner takes all district based system encouraging partisanship through redistricting and establishing a duopoly on power with associated political elites for decades without any real competition.JPHR: Term limits will definitely help but the root is ahttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/JPHR/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217407464.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program RantaI don't need no ****** badges.335 Fans 1 hour ago ( 6:01 AM)Public financing of elections would go farther. What would lobbyists do if congressmen didn't have to waste their time having to raise money? Perhaps a combination of both would be best.Ranta: Public financing of elections would go farther. What would lobbyistshttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Ranta/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217409044.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… Gussmith 89 Fans 6 hours ago ( 1:40 AM)Mr. El-Elrian, when addressing...."Our self-inflicted fiscal cliff drama...." alludes to the tip of the ice berg when further he says: "Our politicians are scrambling to deal with a mess that they created all on their own". Truer words have not been written. Many many members of Congress have been in office for decades and voted for the massive overspending that they now can not ameliorate.Gussmith: Mr. El-Elrian, when addressing...."Our self-inflicted fiscal cliff drama...." alludes tohttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gussmith/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217392400.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share it JPHR 276 Fans 2 hours ago ( 5:32 AM)Massive undertaxing or didn't you read his second point?JPHR: Massive undertaxing or didn't you read his second point?http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/JPHR/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217407514.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… Bible Rocks 199 Fans 6 hours ago ( 1:11 AM)"It is hard to deny the extent to which America has experienced a worsening in the distribution of income, wealth and opportunities in recent years. If we are not careful, this will tear at the social fabric that underpins a dynamic and prospering private sector."

We are already there.....disproportionate distribution of income is why healthcare is unaffordable......costing the govermnent billions yearly.....yet, GOP want to stand in the way.

They won't stop until they truly destroy the health of the country.......thankful, the people have the power to vote them out. Meanwhile we will watch them dig their own grave during the fiscal cliff debacle. ..so please proceed GOP.Bible_Rocks: "It is hard to deny the extent to which Americahttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Bible_Rocks/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217389234.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share it Gussmith 89 Fans 6 hours ago ( 1:43 AM)That voting out thing sounds good but the problem is that everyone likes their own representative. Voting anyone out is a rarity.Gussmith: That voting out thing sounds good but the problem ishttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gussmith/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217392717.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERCassidyK 49 Fans 5 hours ago ( 2:01 AM)That partisan opinion is what you got from this op-ed?
The Democrats are all good guy?
Obama's Fiscal Cliff was a good idea?
The people who voted the Republicans in will do it again.
They blame the Democrats.
The only thing any of them are concerned about is reelection.
While they are in office they are on easy street. That is what they know. That is what they will work for.
They have healthcare. They have pensions. They have expense accounts. THEY are the 1%ers.CassidyK: That partisan opinion is what you got from this op-ed?http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/CassidyK/political-polarization-fiscal-cliff_b_2379060_217394588.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… Page: 1 2 Next › Last » (2 total) new comment(s) on this entry — Click to refreshLoading comments… FOLLOW US Connect with your friends Check out stories you might like,
and see what your friends are sharing! Most Popular on HuffPost kvsxjHsBndaz94kOEl70hGgMKfP%2BixfHxaiirfM93jA8lWINvtyBS02269asjQLToC4f3%2Br7CE7Mhz9OKoKXG67xwdqNAGX15zRtVRtfgxF8j5Ab5gdJoU5IebkIfMtJP1Lc0s8rsoqNZljlgVg5D9UJaFKgFbaE5ADsUikYdAUTkr4jw6KlwplrCNXwGIll1 of 2 Matt Lauer Reportedly Getting Yelled At Over Ann Curry
Like 1k Yoko Ono Says McCartney Mostly To Blame For Beatles Breakup
Like 2k Teen Commits Suicide After Police Pressure Her To Drop Gang Rape Case, Marry Attacker
Recommend 21k WATCH: The 9 Wildest Things Fox News Said In 2012
Like 10k Man Gives Outrageous Explanation For Racist Obama Display
Recommend 6k 112th Congress To Make History As Most Unproductive Since 1940s
Like 18k India Gang-Rape Victim Dies
Recommend 5k LOOK: This Is What The 'Perfect Woman' Looked Like In 1912
Like 5k Too Poor For Health Care, Too Rich For Medicaid
Like 12k Don't Miss HuffPost Bloggers1 of 5Mohamed A. El-ErianThis Political Polarization Is Really Bad for America Alan ColmesRight-Wing Freaking Out About Dianne Feinstein’s Gun Control Suggestions Ralph NaderMake Civic Engagement a Priority in the New Year Jared BernsteinToo Many Baselines!Greta Van SusterenThe Washington Secret (or Is It Washington Lie?): Don’t Believe the 10-year Plans They Are Pedaling to You Trita ParsiMore Than Just About Hagel Bill MoyersThe Most Underreported News Story of 2012 Is...Rev. Al Sharpton2012: The Year the Rich Couldn’t Buy David BromwichChuck Hagel and the Trial-Balloon Method Ted DansonChile Enacts Landmark Fishing Reforms, Protects All Seamounts Concrete Ways to Turn Back the Gun Lobby’s Agenda

Gun Debate Must Avoid Crazy 2nd Amendment Claims

Even With Boehner's Bold Offer, Fiscal-Cliff Gaps Remain

Bloomberg View RSS Feed » Obama Calls for Open Votes on Mini-Bill if Reid-McConnell Negotiations Don't Bear Fruit

Coal's Ascendancy May Leave Ailing U.S. Miners in Pit

Is The Dairy Cliff Part Of Barack Obama's Plot To Keep The White Race Down?

Slate Articles » Today's MarketsLoading..S&P 500 NASDAQ NYSE Gainers Losers Most ActiveSEARCH WIKINVEST POWERED BY Wikinvest data is provided as-is, delayed, and subject to Terms TOP VIDEO PICKS1 of 9 Dow Dives +150 Points as Fiscal Cliff Hopes Dissolve Weekly Market Wrap: December 28, 2012 These Elephants Can Actually Play Soccer MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW2RgnQXLokElFimSGDV8i8a43pip0bdKPiJKomeBLqmM3QvAVQ0trgKQA9zRBn5c91 of 2 Hobby Lobby's Controversial Decision Could Cost It Big Time
Too Poor For Health Care, Too Rich For Medicaid
HOT ON FACEBOOK2RgnQXLokElFimSGDV8i8TKPvBq8xPkmgYINREC4w8w%3DiJKomeBLqmM3QvAVQ0trgPTAYkCdRanfpr%2BnvSQA9QM%3DjpeKJKgSs0bJPlRX0pV4Fss35VaaM%2Fhsd5ArrOAf1yA%3DTJAy0RMw5Me5nXjRfAMFrA%3D%3D1 of 3 Coke's 'Doc Pemberton' May Actually Be Disgraced Confederate General
Shopper Finds Plea For Help From Labor Prisoner In Unexpected Place
HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES Celebrity Beauty Advice: Miranda Kerr, Alicia Keys And More Stars Share Their Best Tips Makeover Madness The Perils Of Aging Alone Planning For Retirement How Can Astronauts In Space Contribute To Aging Research?Health Best Movies Of 2012 For Grownups Year In Review 2011 Clippers' Winning Streak Reaches 16: Los Angeles Beats Utah Jazz, 116-114 NBA 'Alien' Skulls Found At Sonora, Mexico, Ancient Burial Site (PHOTO, VIDEO)Mexico Wedding Trends 2012: Industry Insiders Choose The Year's Top Trends (PHOTOS)Planning 101 Rebecca Tarbotton, Rainforest Action Network's Executive Director, Dies In Swimming Accident AP New Year's Resolutions 2013: Our Cooking Ambitions For The New Year Baking more big news pages »
Advertise | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | About Our Ads | Contact Us Copyright © 2012 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Part of AOL Money & Finance
HuffPost Lightbox
View the original article here