Some weeks, not much happens in political news, and other weeks it seems like almost too much happens. This was one of the latter types of week.

Loopholes are generally not accidental oversights by legislators. No, they are usually more accurately called "kickbacks," tossing money and/or power back to those who were so kind to provide major campaign support.

* Kansas Democrats, Republicans see a threat to jobs * Private-jet industry accounts for 1 in 10 jobs in region * Confli...

With the economy showing signs of recovery, it's high time that our federal lawmakers move beyond these self-induced crises and begin to talk about tax reform that can help taxpayers move forward with a clear understanding of how the tax code works and how much they owe.

The basic problem is that Republicans want to use the revenue from limiting tax breaks to cut tax rates. Democrats want to limit tax breaks to raise revenue. And in the aftermath of the election and the Republicans' concession on tax hikes for the wealthy, both sides seem to have dug in more deeply.

The GOP can try to repackage their party by reaching out to all demographics. But, for many Americans, the GOP is just the same old party.

Republicans argue that our revenue discussion should be over. They'll say that we already agreed to raise tax rates a little bit on the rich, so now we should only be cutting spending. But they ignore that America gives away through the tax code just as much money as it collects.

Republicans have done a lot of damage. Despite this, the American people have been, characteristically, resilient. But we are at the end of our rope and holding the debt ceiling hostage for destructive spending cuts will do nothing to lengthen it.

While the entire political punditry world is caught up in yet another horserace, major tenets of the Republican party's faith seem to be crumbling. Their bedrock ideology is revealing itself, in multiple ways, of having been built on sand all along.

* Charities could be hit by Republican tax plan-White House * Obama aides meet with executives of largest nonprofits * C...

President Obama, you must lead. It is you who must "settle." Or it will be you who gets blamed for the second credit downgrade and second recession in five years, not your oft-blamed predecessor, George W. Bush.

There's going to be pain all around in whatever deal is struck. Most Americans are going to be directly impacted in one way or another by whatever bargain is made between President Obama and congressional Republicans.

Republicans have suggested that they would prefer to capture that $700B by closing loopholes, rather than raising tax rates back to the Clinton economy levels. Of course, they never say $700B, they just hint that they would increase revenues by closing loopholes.

Romney's performance was welcome relief to Republicans after several weeks of poor performances and embarrassing gaffes. He was convincing, and his debate appearance revved up his own base. But did Romney convert any new voters? Will Americans support a candidate whose numbers do not add up?

WASHINGTON -- Mitt Romney has repeatedly insisted during the presidential campaign that layoffs and other controversy surrounding Bain Capital compani...

The Romney campaign disputed the findings of a study released Wednesday that found that the Republican candidate's tax plan would raise taxes on middl...

Back in 2010, House Republicans made a bold promise. To show they were serious about reform, they would deny themselves two well-used — but frequent...

It's one of the age-old Washington mind-benders: How is it possible that more than two dozen major U.S. companies post enormous profits and pay no tax...

It's been a big week for calling out corporate tax dodgers.

What is our values compass as we seek solutions to rampant joblessness and poverty among millions of Americans, including 16.4 million poor children?

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- President Barack Obama signed the long-debated patent reform bill into law on Friday, finally ending a seven-year nightmare for inn...