[W]e thought it would be a good time to step back from the drama of Wall Street and Washington and unemotionally reassess the prospects of the U.S. economy [with] … an inventory of what’s right with the United States.

http://www.theglobalist.com/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=7310

Highlights:

• The United States is the largest and most productive economy in the world
• The United States is the world’s leading manufacturer of goods
• The United States is the largest exporter of goods and services in the world
• The United States remains the world’s favorite destination for foreign direct investment
• America is home to the world’s top global brands
• The United States remains the world’s technology leader
• The top-ranked universities in the world are in the United States
• The U.S. dollar is still the world’s top reserve currency
• The U.S. military is second to none
• The U.S. ranks number one in global competitiveness

True, all is not perfect — America’s crumbling physical infrastructure, unwieldy healthcare system and debtor nation status require immediate attention.

In addition, the world is not standing still. Many nations — think China — are rapidly becoming more adept with technology, creating their own global brands and expanding their manufacturing capabilities. They are spending more on education and weapons and will no doubt create a much more competitive landscape in the years ahead.

That said, the view that “all is not lost” is an understatement, as the United States remains the most competitive and resilient economy on the planet.

http://www.theglobalist.com/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=7310