Joan and Jim talk their coverage of the most recent Kiplinger Letter by talking about the potential civil war in Iraq and what it would mean to the world if that happened. They move on to talk about the current state of the economy, with emphasis on hiring levels for last month as well as inflation. Next topics include health care, business costs, immigration and the ATT/Bellsouth merger.
Joan and Jim talk about how some states are taking steps to get more of their citizens covered by health insurance, one way being the so-called "Wal-Mart bills". They move on to talk about the impact of construction and the auto industry on the economy. They talk about the need for America to become less dependent upon foreign oil and is there such a thing as an unemployment rate that is too low.
Joan and Jim begin their visit talking about the impact of foreign investment on the U.S. economy. They move on to talk about the demise of the supermarket, new weather satellites that will help with hurricane predictions, new rules for education savings plans, and the new Republican majority leader, John Boehner. They wrap up their visit talking about how travel niches are being filled by smaller jets, the 2006 economy and an update on Avian flu.
Joan and Jim talk about a slowing housing industry and its impact on the economy. Another issue they cover is what Jim calls the inevitable changes that will come to the real estate brokerage industry. They also cover some of the economic growth projections for several key U.S. trading partners for 2006. Finally, they cover the homeland security issue, especially with respect to the recent issue of U.S. ports being controlled by foreign governments.
Joan and Jim begin their visit talking about the controversy surrounding VP Cheney's delay in getting the news out about his shooting a fellow hunter. The PR lesson is getting the news out earlier is almost always better. They move on to talk about the trend of research and development to be funded more by private companies rather than government. Next up is whether the post office can remain viable in the 21st century, followed by some of the crazy and illogical elements of President Bush's next budget.
Joan and Jim begin their visit by speculating when the cherry blossoms will bloom. They move on to discuss what some are calling "consumer fatugue" and why consumers might be less of a growth factor in the U.S. economy in '06. Next topic is business costs, especially energy costs, followed by a discussion about the change of leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives. Finally, Joan reports on new technology that will allow the elderly to live independently longer.
Joan and Jim talk about what Kiplinger has to say about what's going on in the world these days, and they begin with President Bush's 2007 budget and how it isn't making anyone happy. They go on to talk about the changing of the guard at the Fed and their recent rate increase, the new members of the Supreme Court, the new Vista operating system from Microsoft, and Internet telephone service.
Joan and Jim discuss the fact that small businesses are reporting continued confidence in the future of the economy and their businesses, and they hey go on to talk about some of the best emerging small business opportunities. Next they discuss whether there will be any real lobbying reform this year, the likelihood of more small banks being bought up by big banks, what the Fed will look like after Greenspan and with Bernanke, and they wrap up talking about why the government's employee rolls will be shrinking.
Joan and Jim begin their discussion with news about the economy, including a surge in manufacturing in the U.S. They go on to discuss wage increases, office rents, electricity rates and the price of PCs. They wrap up their visit talking about health savings accounts, politics and some of the likely legislation that will be competed this year.
Joan begins her 8th year as a member of the Brain Trust talking with Jim first about the Supreme Court confirmation process of Judge Sam Alito. They move on to talk about new regulations regarding the accounting of contingent retirement and healthcare obligations to employees. Next they discuss the state of employment in the U.S., followed by some new ideas on managing inventory. Next issue is several technology transfer benefits coming down the pike, among a few other final thoughts.
