The top issues of the week Jonathan Strong, reporter for the Daily Caller covering Congress, Seton Motley, the president of Less Government and Susan Turnbull, the Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party.

In this week's conversations with Great Minds Thom Hartmann talks with Chris Hedges, journalist and author of "The Death of the Liberal Class". Chris Hedges says, "The lunatic fringe of the Republican Party, which looks set to make sweeping gains in the midterm elections, is the direct result of a collapse of liberalism. It is the product of bankrupt liberal institutions, including the press, the church, universities, labor unions, the arts and the Democratic Party."

Anti-Gay Activist says, "Gay Rights Groups Stole The Rainbow From Us!" Thom Hartmann talks with Bryan Fischer, the Director of Issue Analysis for American Family Association (AFA)

This morning, President Obama released his Afghanistan war review strategy which revealed significant progress against the Taliban, but also warned that progress may be lost if a growing insurgency from Pakistan is not tamed. Thom talks to Robert Greenwald about US progress in Afghanistan. Then, Tea Partiers are insisting that House Republicans hold their own against the tax cut deal, arguing that the GOP can craft a much better bill once they take control of Congress. Thom talks to Bill Pascoe about the Tea Party Tax Intervention. Finally, Congressional Candidate Renee Elmers released a campaign ad based on Muslim-bashing. Thom talks with Corey Saylor about a possible spike in Muslim bashing.