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The Debate Over Whether a Dominant America Is Now on the Decline in the World

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America is not an ignorant country,as described by one commment I just read here. Fact is ,America is a very smart country but seems to have trouble remembering it at this present time.I don't think that the country is on the decline but has just had its confidence shaken a little.The current problems and crises facing the country should make it take a look back through the pages of history and realize that no matter how bad things looked at the time,this country always found its way through and never just threw in the towel.Sure,the situation looks a little dire right now,but its not insurmountable.

bryce harrell of MO 3:45AM November 25, 2008

The USA is a very ignorant country, "America has the vital ingredients for success..." like David said. Yet it also has the vital ingredients for destruction. In the collapse of the US government, the US would take other countries down with it like almost all of Europe, most countries in the Americas and et cetera. The US needs to take drastic changes for our world to survive! I won't just blame it all on the USA of course all countries do need to change and become more environmental and put the closing of mind that all religions do to their believers TO IT'S END.

Adrián 11:34PM November 24, 2008

Rob, you have half the picture. But keep in mind, that America still has some of the highest wages in the world. And you are right in implying that there is nothing wrong with that. And I totally agree. But the question then becomes, who gets the high wages. Do you pay someone who works at Starbucks $40/hr? Many engineers, lawyers, pharmacist, etc. easily earn $40/hr and more.
There was a time when the auto industry was more labor and less technology driven. Today of course, an automobile can be designed entirely on a computer. The entire supply chain is completely computer based. So, who should the $40/hr go to? The person who operates the fork lift or the programmer, database manager, etc. that maintains all information in the supply chain. Not to mention designers of those parts.
I'm not saying that the UAW is unnecessary, they are necessary as a counter weight to big corporations. But have they abused their powers through the years as to give more weight to labor than they should have when there are others jobs that can pay the high wages. Technology becomes the greater driver of good wages.
One only has to look at the long shoreman strike that crippled the West Coast ports a few years back. They are some of the highest paid workers in America. And nothing wrong with seeking out high wages. But the long shoreman PRESERVED thier own jobs by resisting automation and going on strike. And the last I recalled, they got their way. Wouldn't it have been better for them to allow the automation to march forward and join the rank and file of the techies that developed the automation. But no, they didn't do that, they wanted to stay with labor and draw the wages rather than jump on board with the techies.
The issue is that some American just aren't able to make that transition. And so, cheap imports do need to be held at bay to allow for people to transition to more tech intensive jobs. But not everyone is going to go willingly. Hence, it is right to frown on that resistance.
It is time for the money to shift away from labor and more towards the design of new and more fuel efficient vehicle.

Howard of WA 7:11PM November 24, 2008

Low wages, cheap imports, dumping of chinesee and Japaneses products in the 80'-90's, wal mart, k-street influencing decisions and wall street's dislike for high wages has taken a toll on the economic structure in this country. Business, politicians, and college education has put forth disengenious feelings towards the hourly workers. All you hear about in the Big 3 automakers challenges is the union labor costs to much however on the flip side is the UAW workers don't draw upon the government for health care like foreign automakers.
UAW workers make about $40 an hour on the check while foreign automakers make about $17 on the check. Therefore their is a $23 an hour difference. However the UAW worker puts about $23X6=$138 dollars an hour more into the economy. Cheap is what third world countries. Every dollar in wages that is less than a union wage costs this country $6 in the economy. Because for every dollar earned it circulates 6 times. Soverenity, and a high quality of life cost money and when citizens are unwilling to pay for the high quality you soon become a third world country. Business is the motor in the economy and wages are the rear end and transmission that drive the economy forward. With inflation and the dollar having a minimal buying $40 an hour is being under paid. Look at the map at of the last election the red states all have low wages and high poverty.

Rob of NV 7:48AM November 24, 2008

The close to 90% of the people who think we're on the wrong track can't all be wrong. Decline isn't inevitable, but public policies are so self-destructive we're not likely to get out of our fix.

Luther of IL 2:43AM November 24, 2008

America has the vital ingredients for success that the so-called competitors don't and will find very hard to obtain. these are opportunity for anyone, low corruption and stable government. these attributes make for long term success. the competitors India and China have very strict class societies that only allow the privileged to succeed. their growth over the past decade is due to coming from a very low base. they both have seriously unstable areas and their authoritarian regimes will only make it worse. the ability for America to change economic direction to create new growth is far superior to these countries and that is how it's done

David 4:29PM November 22, 2008

If you are reading this, then you know how to make it work. The government is of and by the people for the people. Who has this idea that the government is not us, the US? We are whining ourselves to death because we can't get our way. That is what our parents - who are since passed away - were trying to tell us to prevent. Get a grip! We all know how to make it work - it's just we want others to do it. Gomment mommy. gimme, gimme, gimme...
There are enough of us who are fed up with all you rebel rousers who ARE the minority no matter race or, gender, or whatever. I am sick and tired of all the bickering and posturing about holding this person or that person responsible because we want them out of the way to keep them out of our mischief. Get responsible! and not in the usual pessimistic "you gotta do it before I will" way. Stop ripping each other off and remember that the guy with the most toys at the end is an idiot - but, hey! shopping is more important than fidelity. Who'd a thought it! People in other countries have been dying of hunger and disease by thye millions for years and we pass it off with "you'll always have hte poor with you." That's not poor people that's worldwide neglect and the USA has been, in the past, the beakon of example to the rest of the world who has thrashed us for being the nice guy. That does not mean it is our turn to be the bad guy because we will be destroyed. (or are we already destroyed? - it's up to you.)

Mart of KS 10:47PM November 21, 2008

We need members in congress who are for the voters and nonvoters in their home districts and states.Not the special interests at the state and national levels.We need new laws and regulations in the banking operations to protect the consumer.A customer gets behind paying on their credit card. Up goes the interest rate. The banks are making credit card slaves out of people trying to get out of debt. Our borders are wide open. Drugs are coming in by the ton. We are not a super power. We are a country with great pride. The people of our country must come together. To support the leadership who wants to make this a better country.If we don't come together. We won't have a country.

Bob of GA 3:44PM November 21, 2008