National: The failure of the congressional Supercommittee to reach an agreement on reducing the deficit was not just bad fiscal news. It was a significant failure of political leadership. Comment.

Viewpoints: President Obama will end 2011 in much better shape to gear up for his re-election bid than anytime this year. Like 1992, when Bill Clinton short-circuited the second-term ambitions of George H.W. Bush, this was always going to be another “It’s the economy, stupid” election, given what primarily was responsible for Obama’s triumph in ’08 and what has been the biggest source of frustration in his tenure to date. Comment.

Belize: I was born and raised in Dangriga Town 56 years ago on Sawai Street and grew up with Punta Rock Stars, Muhubub and Miamie in the heart and central part of the town. Comment.

Viewpoints: After a year of fighting hard to protect the wealthy from tax increases, the House Republicans have settled on a plan to raise taxes on the working poor. To offset the cost of extending unemployment benefits, the Republicans propose to deny approximately two million immigrant households the opportunity to claim the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) when they pay their taxes. Comment.

Queens: As many in Queens will tell you, there are many non-profit organizations throughout the borough that have helped thousands of people get back on their feet. Non-profit organizations have traditionally been exempt from paying property taxes on buildings they own and provide services in, like churches and non-profit affordable housing developers. Comment.

Viewpoints: Main Street small businesses like mine are part of the 99 percent who have suffered in the Great Recession. There are few business owners in my acquaintance -- I should say no business owners in my acquaintance, from convenience store owners to construction businesses to dentists, who have not felt the effects of the financial meltdown. Comment.

Viewpoints: On Nov. 21, thousands of people from all over the City crowded into the Riverside Church in upper Manhattan to make their voices heard loud and clear: it is time for this administration to do right by the people of this City and pass the “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” Act. Comment.

Brooklyn: Hearing and reading about these remarks made by NYPD officers, “animals, savages, bomb them” was truly disappointing, however, not surprising. While these are the views of many, I am sure that does not reflect all of the administration. These are gross, irresponsible descriptions that undermine the mission and purpose of the event. Comment.

Viewpoints: We live in a bully culture. We even watch it play out on the stage of national politics, and have been for years. It has been 20 years since Anita Hill came forward to testify about the harassment she endured from Clarence Thomas. Comment.