There are numerous issues that are at the forefront of our daily political dialogue: Iran, the Fiscal Cliff, Gay Marriage ... we could go on forever. Rarely, however, do we take a step back from the play-by-play to really understand why we are talking about them in the first place. Why has Iran become a place of contention? What does the "fiscal cliff" even mean?

There are numerous issues that are at the forefront of our daily political dialogue: Iran, the Fiscal Cliff, Gay Marriage ... we could go on forever. Rarely, however, do we take a step back from the play-by-play to really understand why we are talking about them in the first place. Why has Iran become a place of contention? What does the "fiscal cliff" even mean?

This year has been turbulent with gun related homicides; highlighted by the killing sprees in Aurora, Colorado, the Sikh temple in Wisconsin, and now the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

Over the course of 2012, Twitter has been a powerful tool for political change. Sparking conversation on the presidential election, facilitating political protests abroad, and fueling conversations on healthcare, it has been instrumental in shaping the political dialogue.

With the ever rising costs of tuition in the United States, how do we rank globally? While the costs of attending a public university, on average, is just over $7k, the elitism of attending private universities in this country has its price, at almost four times the cost.

Where can you get a decent education and not worry about exorbitant fees? Germany, Italy, and Mexico are among the most affordable countries at around one thousand dollars or less a year.

With the ever rising costs of tuition in the United States, how do we rank globally? While the costs of attending a public university, on average, is just over $7k, the elitism of attending private universities in this country has its price, at almost four times the cost.

Where can you get a decent education and not worry about exorbitant fees? Germany, Italy, and Mexico are among the most affordable countries at around one thousand dollars or less a year.

Last Monday was the 64^th International Human Rights Day, celebrating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR).