I think Friedman makes a fair point. I've lived in three very different countries for some lengths of time, and traveled to many others over the years, so the

I think Friedman makes a fair point. I've lived in three very different countries for some lengths of time, and traveled to many others over the years, so the following is a little more than anecdotal. When I first came to the US several years ago, my first reaction was that in many ways (and remember this was over a decade ago) the US was a little backwards, culturally, socially and most definitely when it came to infrastructure and facilities. Is it still the technological leader of the world? Yes, but that's less due to its own efforts and more due to sheer inertia from the heyday of US technology and an inability of the rest of the world to take advantage of the sense of ennui that seems to be pervasive. There are many countries, out there, young democracies (or not), that are hungry, eager. When they figure it out, watch out. You can't assume that the US will stay ahead forever. America does need a reboot. Our future depends on it.