On both climate change and debt relief, the Bank's president has taken issue with his former boss.

ECONOMIST: Corruption

For better or worse, the net neutrality fight may give strong indications of how upcoming fights over the health care bill, financial regulation, debt management, climate change and other key issues will be scripted.

FORBES: Deep in the Net Neutrality Trenches

Unfortunately, the positive Business Climate report was followed by another European debt downgrade.

FORBES: Irish Debt, U.S. Economy Handcuff Currencies

Despite the volatility, however, Vodafone's emerging-markets exposure has soothed investors as European markets such as Spain, Italy and Portugal have become a drag on the company amid the European debt crisis and sluggish economic climate.

WSJ: Vodafone Overturns Tax Bill in India

While Ameresco has continued to execute well on projects, maintaining or improving operating margins and increasing their backlog of awarded projects to a record level, third quarter revenue plunged as the climate of uncertainty and greater concerns about debt led customers to proceed with extreme caution finalizing projects.

FORBES: Ameresco Revenues Fall Off Fiscal Cliff

Under that bargain, the poor countries were to have the Millennium Development Goals reaffirmed, along with promises of more aid and debt relief, a pledge to tackle climate change and progress on disarmament.

ECONOMIST: The United Nations

Although US bonds remain the safe haven asset during an investment climate of risk aversion, it has become clear that investment grade emerging debt is the reliable second choice.

FORBES: One Week, One Billion Dlrs to Emerging Market Bonds

So despite all of the dialogue, forums, campaign promises, speeches, and political theater, most issues (like the federal budget, the debt ceiling, tax reform, union benefits, health care, jobs creation, climate management, and education) are either stalemated by fundamental disagreements or pushed forward by the power of majority votes.

FORBES: Four Steps for Bridging the Partisan Divide