Unfortunately, I believe things have not gotten better. In many ways they are worse.
However, I also believe the American people are capable of leading the world in many areas. Yet, it is an open question as to whether we are focused and motivated.
The only way the USA will lead the world is if we focus on innovation while government policy educates and motivates us to create new small and mid-sized enterprises that will be the growth engines of our children's economy.
Growing new companies is the only chance America has to lead the world. Growing companies that are hiring new workers are needed everywhere. Growing companies develop and deliver innovative products that fill a need. Most new growing American companies export their products overseas and hire Americans.
'Too big to fail' global corporations are not adding American jobs. Most of these companies send America jobs overseas and hide their profits in the Cayman Islands. Reducing these abuses of America and collecting tax windfalls by closing loop holes and enforcing corporate tax laws could help reduce long-term deficits and enable investments in education and job creation.
Internationally, America can no longer afford to be the world's policeman. The military budget needs a thorough review and wasteful spending must be cut. We don't need to spend more than all other countries combined. We should be just as safe with a military that is simply #1 in the world in defense spending.
Since military spending is often used as a foreign policy tool, it only makes sense to ask about how we set our global policies. We too often spoke of freedom while suppressing the will of the people in Central America, Iran (under the Shah), and Iraq (under Saddam).
If America is to be true to the spirit of freedom embodied by our beloved Constitution, we need to protect freedom wherever practical and whenever possible.
If people are not free everywhere, no one is free anywhere.
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