Well, it's hard to disagree with the Maverick on this one. Except, of course, for the fact that the European Union is a bigger producer and exporter than the U.S., and country-wise, so is Germany--according to the WTO. Though, as per usual, McCain's facts may not be completely straight, his heart at least seems to be in the right place. McCain seems to be trying (I think) to present a little cause for hope for the American people. With markets experiencing the biggest point drop in history this week, a looming credit crisis, and Congress struggling to come to terms on a bailout plan while CONTINUING to display bitter partisanship, the American people are certainly in need of some hope. As are those in the rest of the world: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/business/worldbusiness/01global.html?_....
And certainly, the economic situation can't get TOO MUCH worse, because it's already pretty bad. So, yes, technically, our best days are certainly ahead of us. Though I will offer the conjecture that the U.S. will never quite be once it once was, especially as we watch the emergence of other world powers...
I certainly hope they are! I strongly believe, though, that Barack Obama is the best person to lead us to the "broad sunlit uplands" rather than the reactionary and out-of-touch McCain.
We, as a country, have to agree with this statement - but not necessarily the messenger. I am also in agreement with Rip's comments. The world is watching very closely right now.
I am not inspired by John McCain or any other political leader (an oxymoron). "Spin doctors" is what comes to mind. The hope salvation will delivered by the government is little more than a pipe dream. We need to take responsibility for our greed and complacency. We need to regenerate our economic engines within the our local communities. We need to communicate and not dominate the conversation. We need to ensure that everyone participates... this happens at a grassroot level... not in the money centers and Washington.
I am not confident that the greed and excess demonstrated by our society in the context of business and even personal lives can be countered even by a financial downturn. Character-driven behavior (or the lack thereof) will apply the same basic principles in the attempt to climb out of the pit as those that got them into the pit.
To borrow a term from the Christian community, maybe we need to be reborn in terms of character and commitment to the betterment of the common good instead of the "selfgood" that seems to dominate today's business culture. Stan Patterson, PhD
I know that many people would like to believe as John McCain does and would like to think we are still the land that we once were. But the fact that we have outsources so much our manufacturing makes this a hard statement to swallow. As far as an exporter, we export plenty, several million tons of materials a day, but we are importing several trillion tons daily and we are consumers, not producers. Our days of truly being producers of manufactured finished products are numbered. We make pieces and then ship them overseas to be assembled in a plant because they don't have to meet the same wage requirements and environmental standards that they would need to in the USA.
Producer, exporter of WHAT? I need some specifics here. We have little to no manufacturing, so people find ways to create wealth from nothing! Trade Energy, Trade Mortgages, Trade money, Trade Stocks.... we don't produce much except a lot of ideas, and most are not so good for us.
Since it is predicted that China will be the world's biggest producer, exporter and importer in 20 years, one must infer that America's greatest days are behind it.
I guess it comes down to defining 'greatest'. Imports - sure. But really? Are we the greatest at exporting and producing? Our trade deficit is over $60 billion, so McCain must define 'greatest' in a way I don't understand.
Our best days are ahead of us ... if adversity forces innovation ... or we go the way of Imperial Rome, stretched too thin, overcomitted, with unreasonable expectations, and poisoned from within
Is it that important that we're the world's largest manufacturer, really? But assuming that is important, simply because a country isn't at the top of the charts, so to speak, at the present, doesn't mean its best days aren't ahead of it.
Boy, I wish I could meet most of you passive males who left comments about our country and people. Show me a country that gives more and helps more and creates more. Instead of your negativity, prove it.
First off, China is about to burst. Sure, they have the opportunity to overtake us on many fronts but that's the cycle of life. You seem so happy about a country with little freedoms. They can't even get on the Internet without supervision. You are so lost. Do you really want us to fail or do you hate Christianity and white males so much.
Our best days are ahead of us. If you don't think so, why are you here taking our money. People like you are why we are in trouble.
Weak and passive leaders over the past 30 years have contributed to where we are. Passive and weak husbands and fathers. It's simple.
Again, I wish I could meet those of you who speak so low about our country. You are bold and brave on your tiny keyboards. You guys are not who made us great. You are the bi-product of America getting lazy. All things come to an end. I hope we are not headed that way. If we are you guys will fade away soon and the strong will have to prop you up again 50 years from now so you can meet with your therapist twice a week and sip your green tea and dream of flowers and meadows.
The world is going to get better and we will become a Green nation and lead in alternative energy inventions so there is hope.
We are the greatest nation and our best days are ahead of us.
Please come visit me in Orlando, FL tough guy keyboard punchers.
The U.S. is purported to use about 50% of everything there is to be used, with a middle class of some 200 million people, give or take. If one considers the nascent middle classes in India and China, one is forced to stipulate that, sooner or later, the lot of us will be using more than 100% of everything there is to be used.
Barring some technology-indistinguishable-from-magic, the resources that have given us our "best days" will become more expensive or, chillingly, unavailable.
The notion of "best days ahead" can be thought only in abstraction or, by politicos, as a slogan, a little catchphrase onto which the credulous can latch.
Also, to Mr. Carbone, who seems to be suffering from a bad case of *masculine protest*: about 24 of the last 28 years have been overseen by a Republican executive, a Republican congress, or both. There's a good chance for more of the same, and soon.
Try to bear in mind that, with each "we have to drill in the ANWR" and "Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction" ruse, they hammer another nail in the coffin of your hoped-for green revolution.
They do bluster and machismo really well, though, just like you.
Comments | 16 Total
October 1, 2008 at 10:56am by Rip Empson
Well, it's hard to disagree with the Maverick on this one. Except, of course, for the fact that the European Union is a bigger producer and exporter than the U.S., and country-wise, so is Germany--according to the WTO. Though, as per usual, McCain's facts may not be completely straight, his heart at least seems to be in the right place. McCain seems to be trying (I think) to present a little cause for hope for the American people. With markets experiencing the biggest point drop in history this week, a looming credit crisis, and Congress struggling to come to terms on a bailout plan while CONTINUING to display bitter partisanship, the American people are certainly in need of some hope. As are those in the rest of the world: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/business/worldbusiness/01global.html?_....
And certainly, the economic situation can't get TOO MUCH worse, because it's already pretty bad. So, yes, technically, our best days are certainly ahead of us. Though I will offer the conjecture that the U.S. will never quite be once it once was, especially as we watch the emergence of other world powers...
October 1, 2008 at 11:20am by Francis Anderson
I certainly hope they are! I strongly believe, though, that Barack Obama is the best person to lead us to the "broad sunlit uplands" rather than the reactionary and out-of-touch McCain.
October 1, 2008 at 11:29am by wayne mortensen
With a trade deficit of over $256B with China I am curious about what McCain's definitions of "exporter" and "best days" are.
October 1, 2008 at 11:35am by meg colombo
We, as a country, have to agree with this statement - but not necessarily the messenger. I am also in agreement with Rip's comments. The world is watching very closely right now.
October 1, 2008 at 11:51am by Terry East
I am not inspired by John McCain or any other political leader (an oxymoron). "Spin doctors" is what comes to mind. The hope salvation will delivered by the government is little more than a pipe dream. We need to take responsibility for our greed and complacency. We need to regenerate our economic engines within the our local communities. We need to communicate and not dominate the conversation. We need to ensure that everyone participates... this happens at a grassroot level... not in the money centers and Washington.
October 1, 2008 at 12:26pm by Stanley Patterson
I am not confident that the greed and excess demonstrated by our society in the context of business and even personal lives can be countered even by a financial downturn. Character-driven behavior (or the lack thereof) will apply the same basic principles in the attempt to climb out of the pit as those that got them into the pit.
To borrow a term from the Christian community, maybe we need to be reborn in terms of character and commitment to the betterment of the common good instead of the "selfgood" that seems to dominate today's business culture. Stan Patterson, PhD
October 1, 2008 at 1:21pm by Megan DaGata
I know that many people would like to believe as John McCain does and would like to think we are still the land that we once were. But the fact that we have outsources so much our manufacturing makes this a hard statement to swallow. As far as an exporter, we export plenty, several million tons of materials a day, but we are importing several trillion tons daily and we are consumers, not producers. Our days of truly being producers of manufactured finished products are numbered. We make pieces and then ship them overseas to be assembled in a plant because they don't have to meet the same wage requirements and environmental standards that they would need to in the USA.
October 1, 2008 at 3:20pm by Ron DeLong
Producer, exporter of WHAT? I need some specifics here. We have little to no manufacturing, so people find ways to create wealth from nothing! Trade Energy, Trade Mortgages, Trade money, Trade Stocks.... we don't produce much except a lot of ideas, and most are not so good for us.
October 1, 2008 at 3:24pm by Bill Barlett
Since it is predicted that China will be the world's biggest producer, exporter and importer in 20 years, one must infer that America's greatest days are behind it.
October 1, 2008 at 3:27pm by Louise Johnston
I guess it comes down to defining 'greatest'. Imports - sure. But really? Are we the greatest at exporting and producing? Our trade deficit is over $60 billion, so McCain must define 'greatest' in a way I don't understand.
October 1, 2008 at 6:14pm by Michael Chase
Our best days are ahead of us ... if adversity forces innovation ... or we go the way of Imperial Rome, stretched too thin, overcomitted, with unreasonable expectations, and poisoned from within
October 1, 2008 at 6:28pm by Brandon Hull
Is it that important that we're the world's largest manufacturer, really? But assuming that is important, simply because a country isn't at the top of the charts, so to speak, at the present, doesn't mean its best days aren't ahead of it.
We're such short-term thinkers here.
October 2, 2008 at 4:37am by Mark Carbone
Boy, I wish I could meet most of you passive males who left comments about our country and people. Show me a country that gives more and helps more and creates more. Instead of your negativity, prove it.
First off, China is about to burst. Sure, they have the opportunity to overtake us on many fronts but that's the cycle of life. You seem so happy about a country with little freedoms. They can't even get on the Internet without supervision. You are so lost. Do you really want us to fail or do you hate Christianity and white males so much.
Our best days are ahead of us. If you don't think so, why are you here taking our money. People like you are why we are in trouble.
Weak and passive leaders over the past 30 years have contributed to where we are. Passive and weak husbands and fathers. It's simple.
Again, I wish I could meet those of you who speak so low about our country. You are bold and brave on your tiny keyboards. You guys are not who made us great. You are the bi-product of America getting lazy. All things come to an end. I hope we are not headed that way. If we are you guys will fade away soon and the strong will have to prop you up again 50 years from now so you can meet with your therapist twice a week and sip your green tea and dream of flowers and meadows.
The world is going to get better and we will become a Green nation and lead in alternative energy inventions so there is hope.
We are the greatest nation and our best days are ahead of us.
Please come visit me in Orlando, FL tough guy keyboard punchers.
October 2, 2008 at 6:49am by Theo van der zee
This statement is empty without definitions. For example, how does McCain define "best days"? Perhaps "days with McCain as president"?
October 2, 2008 at 2:13pm by Credulous Dolt
The U.S. is purported to use about 50% of everything there is to be used, with a middle class of some 200 million people, give or take. If one considers the nascent middle classes in India and China, one is forced to stipulate that, sooner or later, the lot of us will be using more than 100% of everything there is to be used.
Barring some technology-indistinguishable-from-magic, the resources that have given us our "best days" will become more expensive or, chillingly, unavailable.
The notion of "best days ahead" can be thought only in abstraction or, by politicos, as a slogan, a little catchphrase onto which the credulous can latch.
October 2, 2008 at 2:28pm by Credulous Dolt
Also, to Mr. Carbone, who seems to be suffering from a bad case of *masculine protest*: about 24 of the last 28 years have been overseen by a Republican executive, a Republican congress, or both. There's a good chance for more of the same, and soon.
Try to bear in mind that, with each "we have to drill in the ANWR" and "Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction" ruse, they hammer another nail in the coffin of your hoped-for green revolution.
They do bluster and machismo really well, though, just like you.