At the very least, the deficit should be ominous. No country has ever managed to maintain any form of leadership without a corresponding level of productive activity. The idea that the US has some monopoly on creativity is ridiculous. Anthony's recent message about Indian animation is the case in point.
I do admit that the whole dark matter thing represents a masterpiece of creativity. Didn't Ricardo Hausmann show a comparable level of creativity in proving that Chávez lost the Venezuelan election? Exactly what does the US economy bring to the table except in its leadership in finance and distribution? Such sectors usually track productive activity. A little more than a century ago these sectors were largely British. Britain today is reduced to George Bush's sidekick. -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
