Joan and Jim talk about the current scandal on Capital Hill before moving on to talk about the new record the Dow Jones index hit this week and other stock issues. They also talk about the state of energy prices and the good news about the drop in oil prices. They wrap up talking about manufacturing in the U.S. and finally several small business opportunities coming down the pike.

Rich and Jim talk about the challenges Republicans are facing heading into the mid-term elections.

Art and Jim talk about outsourcing as an internal and an external business function, and why the word outsourcing is misused.

Joan and Jim talks about the impact of lower oil prices, alternative fuels, new banking rules, small business investment companies, among other topics.

Tom talks with Jim about some of the reasons the U.S. might consider ending its relationship with the United Nations.

Jim begins his visit with Joan by talking about the patriarch of Kiplinger, Mr. Austin Kiplinge, who just turned 88 the same week the Kiplinger Letter celebrated its 83rd anniversary. They move on to talk about events at the U.N., then about the upcoming November Congressional elections. They wrap up with a discussion on hiring seniors, inflation, the price of oil and at least one Supreme Court case.

Joan and Jim talk about the challenges the U.S. is having in getting China to compete on a more equitable way, including not stealing our intellectual property. They move on to talk about several legislative issues that are before Congress and what are the chances of passage of each one. Finally, they discuss the price of oil and how the recent drop will impact the economy and politics.

Rich joins Jim from NYC to help him commemorate the 5th anniversary of the attacks on 9-11.

Dawn joins Jim to talk about the world of micropreneurs, those tinyest of small businesses.

Joan and Jim talk about the impact of the slowing housing market on the overall national economy. They also talk about the prices of various energy products, especially gasoline. Next they talk about how to use Health Savings Accounts in your small business as a way to add value to employees. And finally, they discuss the impact of hurricanes, etc., on the price of insurance.