Joan and Jim discuss what Kiplinger has to say about the current trade deficit, the role of robots in surgery, postal rate increases, and a flurry of Chinese imports, among other things.

Rich and Jim discuss why the Federal government has insinuated itself into two separate issues: the baseball steroids debate, and the Teri Schiavo case.

Reviewing the world according to Kiplinger for this week, Joan and Jim discuss the future of petroleum prices, various sectors of the marketplace like the auto industry and retailers, new practices in healthcare and immigration.

Ken and Jim discuss a number of current economic indicators as well as other topics that will impact small business owners over the next twelve months. In his last interview with Jim as Deputy Managing Editor at Kiplinger, Ken reflects on his 30+ year career as a reporter in Washington, D.C.

During her first visit on Jim’s show, Mona talks about how she thinks liberals hurt those they claim to help.

In addition to a few other shorter issues, Joan and Jim talk about the difficulties on the horizon for funding Medicare, including the possibilities of increasing payroll tax, increasing premiums and possibly reducing coverage. They go on to talk about the problem that Medicaid presents for state budgets, especially with regard to long term care for the elderly. Joan and Jim also talk about the growth of personal computer purchases and how that will be affected by new operating system innovations.

Bob joins Jim again to discuss trip to Indonesia and discuss what he found and what he did to help those people. They wrap of their visit about drugs that contribute to having a healthy heart.

Joan and Jim discuss the prospects for the housing industry in the United States, including the influences of the generational waves. Both agree that there isn’t a national housing bubble, but there may be regional housing bubbles. They go on to discuss ways that companies are helping their employees to get more involved in their own health care management. Also discussed is the disparity between how much of the U.S. budget is spent on the elderly (over 65) and how much is spent on children (under 17).

Rich and Jim talk about some for the different between Americas in interest in spreading freedom throughout the world and Europe’s desire merely for stability. They go on to discuss early legislative success by Pres. Bush in the first months of his 2nd term.

Joan and Jim discuss several legislative proposals that should be good news for the business community in 2005 including tort reform, the possibility of passing a new bankruptcy law, an energy bill and capping medical malpractice awards. They go on to talk about the broad language used in the new manufacturing deductions, as well as new rules for deferred compensation plans. Also discussed is the forecasting of fewer Mexican migrants to the U.S. over the next five years as a result of an improved Mexican economy.