America is a beacon of success
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When I went to serve as U.S. ambassador to India in 2009, I hoped to learn more about that country's vibrant democracy and our shared values. I gained an additional benefit while overseas: I learned that America is still deeply admired around the world and the place where many people want to live out their dreams.
Consequently, I have been appalled by the gloom of those predicting that America's greatest days are behind us. These sentiments seep through our society, from pundits to parents at my daughter's basketball game, as people complain they are "despondent" and "depressed" that our children will be left behind by the United States' "decline."
Frustration at current conditions is understandable. Millions of Americans are out of work. Our trade deficit runs about $44 billion per month. The news is filled with stories of greed and corruption. Congress is paralyzed by partisanship. Meanwhile, we hear that India and China are outpacing us in infrastructure, technology and manufacturing capability, and investment.
But living overseas, I saw that ours is not the only country facing profound challenges. Most major powers are experiencing similar or bigger problems. True, we feel the pain of our setbacks and fear that we are losing ground. Yet when I met Indian students at schools or living in slums, they consistently told me America is the place where they most want to study. Rather than underselling our historical record and natural resiliency, we must build on these assets.
The United States has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, a per capita gross domestic product of $47,200 and a gross national purchasing power that equals those of China and Japan. Our national economy is bigger than those of Russia, Britain, Brazil, France and Italy combined.
Our huge GDP is no accident. We have a market-oriented economy where most decisions are made independently by individuals and individual businesses. From Robert Fulton to Thomas Edison to Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, inventions spring from our labs, universities and garages, and eventually propel world growth.
First Published February 5, 2012 12:00 am
