Learning Curve

A change that needs to occur is an alteration of the United States’ economy to return it back to a manufacturing economy. The United States used to be one of the leading producers of steel and agricultural goods. Mines and factories used to flourish in the United States. Now the United States’ economy has completely transformed into a service economy. Most United States’ citizens do not leave high school and work in factory or attend a trade school. Most Americans go to college to become doctors, lawyer, business men, etc. There is nothing wrong with these occupations, but a careful balance must be maintained. A society that does not have enough sustenance to support itself is destined to fail. For example the Unites States consumes twenty five percent of the world’s oil, but produces very little of its own. The United States has become extremely dependent on countries such as Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Venezuela for its oil. The United States’ national debt has exceeded ten trillion dollars and its average increase is at about four billion dollars a day. This shows that the United States would have to make economic changes if it is to remain a superpower.

The United States’ educational system is struggling to keep up with foreign countries. Many American children are not getting pushed to perform to their best and work their hardest. Teachers are not allowed to be as strict, and Americans are quickly losing the work ethic and respect that once characterized the United States. Another main problem is college education. The tuition costs at colleges are soaring every year, and even with financial aid it is very difficult for some Americans to attend college. The average tuition costs for a private four-year school is $25,143 and the average tuition costs for a public four-year school is $6,585. The United States needs to remember that are children are our future. The result of education is great thinkers that make developments in many fields. The United States needs to be able to invent the newest technologies, more efficient fuel alternatives, new food production techniques, better military supplies, and new medical cures if it is going to remain a world superpower. Great minds are also needed for politics and diplomatic relations. The United States can not afford to lose any more respect and dominance on the world political stage. In order for the United States to retain its title as a superpower it has to better its educational system and continue to produce brilliant, imaginative minds.

If Americans do not stop pretending that current conditions are fine and that the United States is still the dominant world power the United States will not remain a superpower. Many Americans have developed an arrogance and ego that make them think that they are superior to everybody else. The world recognizes the attitudes of many Americans and therefore resent the United States. The first step in solving a problem is recognizing the problem. Americans have to recognize the problem and make changes, whether they are changes in thought or changes in life style, to better the world’s opinion of the United States. Countries like China and Russia are quickly thriving and rising in power. The United States needs to work with these countries, but cannot become at all reliant or dependent upon these foreign countries. The United States must also continue to provide humanitarian aid to foreign countries, but has to avoid the unilateral approach it has adopted in recent year. The United States must realize that it can not do everything by itself and must make sure that it has the support and consent of foreign nations, as well as the United Nations. By doing this the United States may be able to lessen American hatred and remove its reputation as a global bully. This does not mean that the United States should remain docile and unresponsive to global affairs, but must keep its power and influence under control. The United States must be able to realize that it is quickly falling behind and that it must change its world opinion if it is to remain a great superpower.