Gripped by Consumption

America has just celebrated its 234th Independence Day.  An assertive country that has fought many battles for right or for wrong, and having wielded considerable power over most of this period, influencing countless countries, led innumerable discoveries and inventions, encouraged people who came upon her shores for better prospects, it would be a sad day indeed when we can no longer look upon her as a country of opportunities.

The crisis that engulfed this country two years ago brings a serious and sober thought as to where her economic strength is headed.  There is a lot wrong there, something inherently unhealthy, fueled on by greed and consumption.  It would be terrible indeed if the enemy which ultimately destroys her vitality lurks within her own inner workings. After all, battles need not be just military or even political to be destructive.

"Independence really means healthy, robust, resilient interdependence," says Professor Ronald Jepperson, professor of political science at the University of Tulsa.  Adds V.V. Chari, economist at the University of Minnesota: "At the end of the day most people think about it as the same as self-reliance for a household."

Click here for a more indepth view on America's need for economic freedom.

Click here for Andy Grove's ideas on making company growth more US-centric in order to boost the flagging US job market.