Robert Creamer, 02/22/13

Political Organizer, Strategist, Author; Partner Democracy Partners

This current manmade crisis is one in a series of Republican hostage-taking episodes. In each case the GOP threatens blow up the economy if it doesn't get what it wants. We simply can't allow the GOP to force its unpopular austerity proposals on the country through these undemocratic means.

Bob Burnett, 02/22/13

Berkeley writer, retired Silicon Valley executive

A line has to be drawn somewhere. A line that says we will no longer permit America's energy decisions to jeopardize future generations. A line that says we have to curtail greenhouse emissions while we still have a chance to save the planet.

Christine Pelosi, 02/21/13

Author, Campaign Boot Camp 2.0

With or without the Oscar statuette, in forcing an unflinching, uncomfortable look at ourselves, in making the invisible visible, and in sparking lasting change, The Invisible War takes the gold.

Mark Rosenman, 02/22/13

Director, Caring to Change

Beyond the actual income for an individual, what is the worth to the larger society of a strong, evidence-based belief in the validity and legitimacy of the American Dream? Doesn't that benefit all of us?

Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, 02/21/13

Senior Religion Editor, The Huffington Post

What has changed is that the views of right-wing Christians are now officially out of step with the growing majority of Americans -- including, apparently, Tim Tebow.

Robert Reich, 02/22/13

Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley; Author, 'Beyond Outrage'

We're one week away from a massive cut in federal spending. So where's the outcry? Why aren't more people up in arms? Why aren't big businesses (including major military contractors) and Wall Street screaming into the ears of the GOP? Where's the outrage from Main Street?

Jared Bernstein, 02/21/13

Fmr. Obama administration economist; CNBC and MSNBC contributor

I get that both sides are trying to position themselves to not get blamed for this totally preventable, self-inflicted wound, but here are some facts that belie this ridiculous Republican disowning of a policy they supported.

Heather Roff, 02/22/13

Visiting Associate Professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver

Leon Panetta recently announced the creation of the "the Distinguished Warfare Medal" to recognize outstanding achievements by unmanned aerial vehicle pilots. Yet how can one evaluate acts in war when the fighter is not on the battlefield and is in no physical danger?

Gavin Shulman, 02/21/13

Writer, Producer

The Sequester is like the latest sequel to a movie no one wanted to see in the first place, but did anyway because it had a big budget behind it, and now has to watch because we've all already seen all the previous ones. The Fast and Furious Six of financial crises.

Edward Goldberg, 02/21/13

Professor, Zicklin Graduate School of Business, Baruch College; President, Annisa Group

Besides any job creation impact and economic efficiencies created by an U.S./ EU trade pact, essentially a win win, the pact will enable the U.S. and Europe's economy to be more integrated in order to balance China's growing power in world trade.

Joshua Kors, 02/21/13

Investigative Reporter, The Nation

Kirby Dick spoke with me about The Invisible War's success, the courage of the soldiers who shared their stories, and what it will take to make sure these victims are no longer invisible to the press, the public and those in power.

Molly Rowan Leach, 02/21/13

American-born Peace Activist and Restorative Justice expert; Global Restorative Justice Fellow of The Peace Alliance

Statistics, quotes, citations and facts aside, there is a basic question that resides unspoken in our common humanity with regards to crime: that of punishment's efficacy.

Jon Soltz, 02/21/13

Co-Founder of VoteVets.org, Iraq War Veteran

Though the issue of drones is raging hot and heavy, I personally don't have an issue with the medal itself. What I do have an issue with is this: The new medal ranks above the Purple Heart. I cannot imagine that, had Hagel been secretary of defense, he would have approved.

Jeffrey Young, 02/21/13

Huffington Post Health Care Reporter

Time magazine this week is out with a mammoth, 24,000-word story on the state of the U.S. health care system written by Steven Brill. According to the story, Brill spent seven months researching why health care costs so much in America.

David Halperin, 02/21/13

Attorney, advocate, writer at RepublicReport.org

Instead of taking this opportunity to reform, the industry's big players appear to be digging in, and continuing to use their revenues -- about 86 percent of which come from taxpayers -- to engage in lobbying and propaganda aimed at convincing the public that everything is fine.

Bill Lucey, 02/21/13

Writer on politics and history

We can all rest easy knowing that if members of Congress go after each other's throats during these heated sequestration talks, that there are 5 Peace Corps volunteers in the House who might be able to restore a sense of calm during the stormy sea of discontent.

Robert L. Borosage, 02/21/13

President, Institute for America's Future

Government austerity has already contributed to the worst recovery in post-World War II history. Why would the U.S. repeat this folly, despite warnings from the IMF and Federal Reserve officials?