Why can't we have a civil political debate these days? Marie Dubuque joins Jim Blasingame to lament the current state of incivility in political discussion and offer tips on how t create an environment that reverses this trend.

What can you say to foster a productive political conversation? Marie Dubuque joins Jim Blasingame to offer several ways to get a conversation about politics off on the right foot and maintain civility.

How are small businesses currently seeing business opportunity? Tracy Eden joins Jim Blasingame to report on why small businesses are not more optimistic, including little willingness to take risks and pursue opportunities.

Are banks reverting to practices that got them into trouble? Tracy Eden joins Jim Blasingame to report that, facing political pressure to lend money to small business, banks may revert to dangerous practices.

Why aren't businesses hiring? Tracy Eden joins Jim Blasingame to report that, while many small businesses could take advantage of opportunity by adding more employees, most are not hiring because of uncertainty about government polities.

What does classic competitive advantage look like? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to reveal some of the classic markers of competitive advantage, including delivering value.

What is the new face of competitive advantage? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to reveal some of the new elements of competitive advantage, including how being relevant is trumping being competitive.

Are political conventions relevant in the modern era? Bill Brandt joins Jim Blasingame to compare the Republican and Democrat National Conventions, and discuss whether conventions will soon become extinct.

Debating Clinton's speech on behalf of Obama. Bill Brandt joins Jim Blasingame to debate the effectiveness and accuracy of Clinton's endorsement of Obama, including how equal opportunity got turned into shared prosperity.

Will the 2012 election forecast what America will become? Bill Brandt joins Jim Blasingame to debate whether the upcoming election will foretell what kind of country the majority of Americans want.