"Norm, your are joking, right"
Your doom and gloom forecast is not justified. Yes, the construction industry is at rock bottom. Our manufacturing industry has substantially declined. There is major abuse in our social programs costing us hundreds of billions of dollars each year. We're currently running a $1.1 trillion deficit per year without war costs. All these things are fixable. I'm optimistic that American business will show our politicians how to be good citizens and stop partisan politics. As a country American business is one of our key competitive advantages and is the major reason we're a great nation.
If this country is going down the "rat-hole" as you suggest why has disposable income per person in 2005 dollars more than double since 1970: 1970 - $15151, 1980 - $18855, $23557, 2000 -$28886 and 2010 - $32446. Now maybe on a medium basis it is not as favorable because many families do not understand and emphasize the importance of education to their kids while the situation in dramatically opposite in Asia. That's a choice they have made and if they want to live in poverty because they're not competitive with the labor force worldwide so be it.
Bottom line is that I disagree with your opinions because they are not supported by fact. I think if you spent more time researching your subject matter your opinions might be different. But then again, I think you're lazy and unambitious.