Patricia McGuire, 10/16/12

President, Trinity Washington University

Gambling is not about education; it's about profits for casino owners. The house never loses. We should never see advertisements using teachers as the shields protecting the real financial interests behind the gambit of education funding.

Zack Rosen, 10/16/12

Co-founder and former Editor-in-Chief, The New Gay

A great mystery in contemporary music is why Toronto-based trio Dragonette have not become a household name. Like their spiritual sister Robyn, Dragonette is the rare electro outfit who can make you cry through your ass-shaking or boogie through your tears.

Robert D. Atkinson, Ph.D., 10/16/12

President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Reducing the budget deficit is important, but it should not and does not have to come at the expense of growth-inducing investments in areas like federal support for R&D.;

David K. Rehr, 10/16/12

Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Political Management, George Washington University

Forty-nine percent of respondents believe Joe Biden won last week's vice presidential debate, compared to Paul Ryan's 27 percent. Twenty percent believe neither candidate won the debate.

George Lakoff, 10/15/12

Author, The Political Mind, Moral Politics, Don't Think of an Elephant!

Mr. President, this is a grand performance that means something; it is much more than a policy debate where most people won't understand or remember the fine details of the policies. We need you to show America what real moral leadership is.

David M. Walker, 10/15/12

Former Comptroller General of the United States; Author, 'Comeback America'

The campaigns are so caught up in messaging that they aren't seeing that this moment requires real leadership and specific solutions, not spin and mud-slinging.

Michael Smerconish, 10/15/12

Radio host

When I heard on Sunday that Arlen Specter had died, I sought solace in rummaging through personal remnants of our 30-year friendship.

Michael Kaiser, 10/15/12

President, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

While I still believe the best arts managers are those who come to solutions that are based on their organizations' unique situations, there are many arts managers who do not bring that level of creativity to their work.

Kevin M. Ryan, 10/16/12

President and CEO, Covenant House

She was the Mother Teresa of street children, a Holy tornado of determination and compassion. She lived and died every day with the successes and failures of our kids ... and she saw God in the tired faces of beautiful, forgotten kids.

Lizz Winstead, 10/12/12

Co-creator, 'The Daily Show'; Co-founder, Air America Radio

Today we launch our second video, a short reminder that there are people elected to office who are making very important decisions about our bodies, and they have no business doing so.

Rob Richie, 10/15/12

Executive director, FairVote

Looking at turnout in primary elections, both this year and over time, points to one of the particularly disturbing realities of participation in the United States.

Tom Fox, 10/15/12

Vice President, Partnership for Public Service's Center for Government Leadership

While agencies have their own performance management systems and timetables for employee reviews, these conversations should be occurring throughout the year.

Ronald D. Paul, 10/15/12

Chairman and CEO, EagleBank

It will be small businesses that will be the engine for economic recovery. As they grow, so too will jobs. Here in the Washington, D.C. area, "small business" includes a lot of real estate developers. We will literally build ourselves out of the current state.

Matt Zeller, 10/12/12

Adjunct Fellow at the American Security Project; Author, 'Watches Without Time'

After last night's debate, it's clear that Paul Ryan has a lot to learn when it comes to foreign policy. As an Afghan War Veteran, I can unequivocally say that he hasn't a clue as to what is going on in Afghanistan.