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.

Chris and Jim talk about the dangers of America becoming too xenophobic and isolationist as we attempt to balance trade and protecting ourselves from terrorists.

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.

Don joins Jim to report on what politicians have learned, in the wake of VP Cheney's past week, about the timely reporting of incidents to the press. They go on to talk about the growth of 401Ks and how this is - and will - affect politics.

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.

Rich and Jim talk about President Bush's state of the union speech from a political perspective, including the renewing the Patriot Act and topics Rich thinks the President will accomplish in 2006.