Why did Republicans allow Democrats to define their brand? Steve Forbes joins Jim Blasingame to explain that if you allow the competition to define your brand, as Republicans allowed Democrats in the 2012 election, you will lose.

U.S. competitiveness in the world has declined to #12. Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some of the reasons the U.S. has lost its world competitive ranking and how we can recover.

How much will the fiscal cliff hurt your small business? Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to talk about what's at stake for small businesses if Washington doesn't resolve the fiscal cliff elements of tax increases and spending cuts.

What will be the fate of small business with another Obama term? Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to talk about some of the issues small businesses will face in another four years under Obama.

Looming regulatory challenges threaten the health of the community bank sector. Mike Menzies joins Jim Blasingame to report how regulations aimed at big bank reform could cause independent community banks to become collateral damage.

What are the dangers facing America's independent banks? Mike Menzies joins Jim Blasingame to report on challenges facing community banks, including a regulations like Dodd-Frank and Basel III, plus the slow economy.

What demographic revelations resulted from the 2012 election? Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to reveal some of the demographic indicators from the 2012 election, the minority and youth influence.

Will Washington solve Taxmageddon this time? Barbara Weltman joins Jim Blasingame to remind that Washington has very little time to solve Taxmageddon and she predicts they will make a quick fix for now.

Will Washington have the courage to accomplish real tax reform? John Fox joins Jim Blasingame to talk about whether real tax reform is possible, including broadening the base and cutting deductions, not just raising tax rates.

Will Obama and Congress produce real tax reform? John Fox joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the prospects of Washington reforming the tax code in a way that broadens the base, not just raise tax rates.