Some of these reactions were expected but others raise serious concerns about the direction Latin America is taking in what is called "the battle of ideas".

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The Gaza Crisis and the Intellectual Left in Latin America

When disaster struck they lurched in the opposite direction, telling financial institutions to raise capital when they could least afford to do so.

FORBES: Slay the Basel Accord Beast

The question facing banks this quarter, which by extension is a bellwether of economic growth and the direction of equities, is can banks raise top-line revenue?

FORBES: Bank Earnings Will Show the Way for Stocks

Lower Taxes, Fewer Deductions: Are Romney and Ryan Dodging the Specifics? and Fact-checking Romney-Ryan: Does the math add up? and A Progressive Tax Code is Economically Destructive Lowering, not raise, the top marginal rate is the right direction.

FORBES: No, I'm not voting for Obama

In fact, over the last year, the Democratic majority in Congress has begun to move us in the right direction - with bipartisan action to strengthen our national security, raise the minimum wage and reduce the costs of college loans.

NPR: Text of the Democratic Response to the State of the Union Address