Dylan Ratigan, 1/9/12

Host, MSNBC's 'The Dylan Ratigan Show'; Author of 'Greedy Bastards'; Founder, Get Money Out Foundation

Most people think of this as an election, where voters go to the polls and select their preferred candidate. But I believe, and an increasing number of viewers believe, that our political system has become an auction in which the highest bidder wins.

Malou Innocent, 1/9/12

Foreign Policy Analyst, Cato Institute

Most of the Republican presidential candidates seem all too willing to surrender more American treasure and possibly more American soldiers for preemptive strikes again Iran.

Dean Baker, 1/9/12

Co-Director of CEPR; Author, 'The End of Loser Liberalism: Making Markets Progressive'

It would be helpful for the media to tell the public that the Republicans have nominated a candidate who doesn't think that he can win the presidency without creating complete fantasies to advance his campaign.

Mike Lux, 1/9/12

Co-founder and CEO, Progressive Strategies

I have been wondering when it was coming that Bill Daley would resign. I have known Daley for a quarter century now, and have always liked him personally, but Bill as chief of staff never made sense.

Keli Goff, 1/9/12

Author, commentator and contributing editor, TheLoop21.com

Gingrich may have lost in Iowa, but he could perhaps take some small consolation in coming close to winning an unexpected new role by default: spokesperson for the movement to get rid of super PACs.

Robert Reich, 1/9/12

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

The little bit of good news about employment is likely to raise the hopes of the great army of the discouraged -- many of whom will now start looking for work they weren't looking for before, thus driving the rate back up.

E. Nina Rothe, 1/8/12

Global Culture Explorer

I caught up with Roberto Saviano on his last day in the Big Apple, and he shared his views on NYC, daily life with a military escort, Occupy Wall Street, 9/11, sex in the mafia and, of course, Gomorrah.

Nancy Keenan, 1/9/12

President, NARAL

Maybe Mitt Romney "can't imagine a state banning contraception." But he should know that his own positions would put birth control out of reach for millions of American women.

Tabatha Coffey, 1/9/12

Hairstylist, salon owner, and TV personality

If people want to call me a bitch for having standards, passion, and expectations, being honest, standing up for what I believe in, and having no problem saying what I think, then I will own it on my terms.

Robert Kuttner, 1/8/12

Co-founder and co-editor, 'The American Prospect'

The only thing wrong with Obama's populism is that it took him until nearly the year of his re-election to practice it resolutely. More, please.

Ariana Grande, 1/9/12

18-year-old actress and singer

We're all fabulous. Everyone. Even the bullies, although they might not see it. All we can do is wish them happiness and celebrate our own.

Steve Young, 1/9/12

Talk show host, author, oped-columnist, television writer, and filmmaker

Two political candidates walk into a bar. The first one is a liar. The second one is not. Which one would you vote for? Neither. The second one doesn't exist.

Rick Jacobs, 1/9/12

Chair of the 750,000-member Courage Campaign

I hope Mr. Arends will step back and look at what the Millionaires Tax of 2012 is all about, not just try to defend a tax code that helps the uber rich while punishing the very middle class he says he advises.

Bill Gates, 1/9/12

Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

In 2009, India had more polio cases than any other country in the world. But much has changed since then, and this Friday will mark a full year since the last case of wild poliovirus was detected in India.

Skye Jethani, 1/7/12

Author, "WITH: Reimagining The Way You Relate To God"

Tim Tebow's behavior on the field does raise important questions about prayer and how Christians ought to practice it.

Raymond J. Learsy, 1/9/12

Author, 'Oil and Finance: The Epic Corruption'

To have brought Goldman to the judgment of its citizen peers in a court of law would have been calmingly therapeutic for the nation as a whole. What transpired, however, seemed like a rigged extravaganza.

Matthew Dowd, 1/9/12

Political strategist

For our grandfathers or our fathers the anti-Wall Street messaging might have fallen on deaf ears, but in today's Republican Party there is a tremendous appeal to attacking excesses of both big business and big government.

Peter G Tatchell, 1/9/12

Human Rights Campaigner

As homophobia diminishes and as future societies eventually embrace a post-homophobic culture, how will this transition to equality, dignity, understanding and acceptance affect the expression of sexuality?

Daphne Eviatar, 1/8/12

Senior Associate, Human Rights First's Law and Security Program

The U.S. government can't credibly insist that the Afghans improve their justice system and treatment of detainees if the U.S. military doesn't first get its own detention house in order.

Don Tapscott, 1/9/12

Advisor to government and business leaders; Author, 'Macrowikinomics'

What will happen in 2012? In the spirit of the aphorism "The future is not something to be predicted, it's something to be achieved," let me suggest 20 transformations.

Michael Cole-Schwartz, 1/9/12

Director of Communications, Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

While the idea of Santorum as commander-in-chief may be far-fetched, the possibility of him anywhere near the levers of power is this country should be a gigantic wake-up call for all fair-minded Americans.

Iain Johnstone, 1/9/12

Author, ‘Tom Cruise: All the World’s a Stage’ and 'Streep: A Life in Film'

It has been known in Westminster and media circles for the the past nine years that Mrs. T was battling with dementia. But the British press chose not to intrude on her private life. So why would the British film industry choose to enter territory where Fleet Street feared to tread? The truth is: they didn't set out to.

Thomas Frank, 1/9/12

Author, Wall Street Journal columnist

In Mitt Romney we have finally found a quarter-billionaire to cry for. Pity the billionaire: it will be a powerful rallying cry for 2012.

Ted Kaufman, 1/9/12

Fmr. U.S. Senator from Delaware

The Consumer Autumn of 2011 wasn't as earthshaking a movement as the Arab Spring that preceded it. Governments aren't going to topple. But it has certainly shaken up some very large corporations and it has done so using the same social media as the Arab Spring.