Is America turning into a third world country?

[RKP5637]

I though this was excellent...

Arianna Huffington
March 29, 2010 02:05 PM
When It Comes to Innovation, Is America Becoming a Third World Country?

"Is America turning into a third world country? That was the provocative topic of a panel I took part in last week at a conference sponsored by The Economist entitled "Innovation: Fresh Thinking For The Ideas Economy."

Once upon a time, the United States was the world's dominant innovator -- partly because we didn't have much competition. As a result of the destruction wreaked by WWII, the massive migration of brainpower to the U.S. caused by the war, and huge amounts of government spending, America had the innovation playing field largely to itself. None of these factors exist as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.

America now has plenty of countries it's competing with -- many of which are much more serious about innovation than we are. Just look at the numbers:"

...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/when-it-comes-to-innovati_b_512280.html

[SharonAnn]

1. Yes.

[ixion]

2. Yep

sad but true.

[Paranoid Pessimist]

21. We'll be exceptionally lucky if we get off that easy n/t

[SPedigrees]

3. We've got a ways to go, but that's where we're headed. nt

[kestrel91316]

4. Yes.

[virgogal]

5. "Third World" is a bit of a stretch.

[ixion]

7. unless you're in a bad part of town

then it's not so far fetched.

[whathehell]

10. Yeah, but I think all cities..even those in Europe, have "bad parts" of town.

I was standing alone in the parking lot of a shopping mall last year in Vicenza, Italy and a young guy came over and propositioned me.

I GUESS I could take that as a compliment (:think:) since he had to be half my age, but it scared me.

And btw, for any wingnuts trolling here...No, I was NOT "asking for it"...Freaking A, I had on a winter coat that went down to my ankles

[salguine]

16. See if you're still saying that in fifteen to twenty years. Its no coincidence that

immigration to the United States from industrialized nations has slowed to a trickle...It's not a step up for them any more.

[troubledamerican]

20. You obviously haven't seen Detroit lately.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=detroit+ruins&aq=f&aqi=g9g-m1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

[On the Road]

6. The Division of Wealth is Certainly Trending to be

more like that of a third-world country. But in innovation, I suspect it's more of a matter of the rest of the world catching up to the US. Which in general is a good thing.

Some other countries, particularly in Asia, are more directed to commercial development than basic innovation, which is an area the US could improve in.

I am glad to see the stem-call ban repealed, because this is an important areas for development in the biological sciences and pharmaceuticals. That will help recover some of the ground lost during the Bush years.

[Coyote_Bandit]

8. The Idea Economy?

We'd be better off if we'd focus on real productivity. Really. And, yes, ideas are still relevant.

[mrs_p]

9. i think the analogy ridiculous

yes, there are many aspects of this country that are unjust and need progressive change, but as someone who has lived in third world nations, we are very, very far from it. i'm sure a kid on the streets of calcutta would change places with one of us any day.

[Bitwit1234]

11. Corporations have the hold on this country

and all they care about is the profit margin. Republicans know that as long as they hang on to corporations they will go right along with them. They don't care about this country as long as they are making money.

What would be wonderful, is, if there were some organizations, corporations, who really cared about this country and who are willing to set up jobs, research and the like to make us strong again. Til that happens we are sunk.

[RKP5637]

13. This is what I grew up with, corporations (quite a few) that seemed to care about

employees, the country and often trying to be good citizens, and R&D was a major factor for success. Then, the whole bottom seemed to blow out of it...

I think you are quite correct, "What would be wonderful, is, if there were some organizations, corporations, who really cared about this country and who are willing to set up jobs, research and the like to make us strong again. Til that happens we are sunk."

I also think what you said about republicans is quite true, "They don't care about this country as long as they are making money."

[DavidDvorkin]

12. Our cities are shabby enough for it

Bad streets, dirt, crumbling infrastructure.

[damntexdem]

14. Is the world turning into a third world world?

[RKP5637]

15. Good question, I've sort of wondered that too sometimes... n/t

[Doctor_J]

17. Right-wing, seditious media. Historical wealth inequality.

Open, unprosecuted violence. Corrupt government.

What's missing?

[RKP5637]

19. Predatory behavior. Compulsive lying. n/t

[The Wizard]

18. Turning? (NT)