This is not surprising. We don't make anything in America anymore, and almost all our products come from China. If we want to compete in the world economy then we are going to have to bring industry back to America. Until that happens, our economy will continue to fall.

I also think that Mexico will be rising up in the world economy.

This article brings to mind a moment of clarity I had yesterday. It's something I guess I always new but never pondered on the point. Then I got to thinking about how so many people have a misunderstanding of Capitalism. Democracy and capitalism are not one in the same nor are they dependent upon each other for survival. All my life I've heard people refer to Capitalism as though it were a form of government and it's nothing more than an economic practice.

Having clarified that point in my own mind I don't see why an economic renaissance of sorts could not yield an even better form of economic practice than Capitalism. Staying on top is about raising the ceiling and if we intend to compete and stay within the top three we need to expand our minds implement ideas and out smart the competition.

"Do you think Americans can adapt to a new world order?"

We, and the rest of the world, will most likely have to, and that will be very interesting to watch. I'm just glad I grew up speaking and reading Mandarin

Cine and hypno, excellent points all!

Wow! You're lucky, Jude C!

If by "raising the ceiling" you mean constantly being innovative and competitive I think you're on to something. To compete, we need to be smart, diligent and yes, concerned.

I'd add that I hope "raising the ceiling" also refers to the higher value-driven ground we as citizens can attain: i.e. corporate accountability, environmental awareness, quality employee treatment etc. I worry when the "ceiling" is referred to maximizing output and profit at the cost of our natural and social environment. In my mind, that is a falling ceiling that provides a shirt-term benefit, but a sad and hazardous future.

I think so too, Liberty

My parents definitely knew what they were doing. I wasn't allowed to speak English to them; if I tried to say anything in English to my mom, she'd ignore me the first time and give me a clout in the head the second. It worked!

wow, Jude, really? That is great! And I agree with you - it seems we will have little choice but to adapt. World powers rise and fall...

Well, not great that she clopped you on the head, but great that they made sure you learned!

Oh, it wasn't that bad. Anyway, if I knew I had a smack coming but did it anyway, that'd be my fault!

Bring back manufacturing to America.....

NolanOB I agree. I am not for Capitalism on steroids. In fact Capitalism is what spawned Social Democracies. Those governments found Capitalism to be profitable but at the expense of too many casualties.

We need something reformed intelligent profitable yet compassionate.

well said hypno

This is something I can hardly imagine, but then again I couldn't imagine high gas prices either and I knew they were coming too.

Corporate America sure bit itself in the ass.

just felt the urge to point out...that stock photo is of Japan's economy