Some countries acutally work to keep their currency low in order to boost exports, and, incidentally, to make imports more expensive. Unfortuately, the US will struggle to benefit from this because it still needs to import oil, lots of it, and at higher prices. This is just one of the long term results of relying too much on imported oil. And there is no quick fix to this state of affairs. Long term, if Americans want to chnage this, then as a people, they will need to embark on a multi-pronged appoach: alternative energy, reduction in the use of oil, finding new ways to extract difficult to reach oil. These will take considerable time and effort, and they will not always be easy. The US has re-invented itself several times over the last two centuries. It can happen again.

Your post is one of the most logical and well thought out ones I've read on these message boards.

In my opinion, more effort should be made to eliminate the need for any fossil fuels since they are a finite resource. The nation that succeeds in creating the first truly viable infrastructure for renewable energy will be the center of the world's economy. Unfortunately, politics and lack of education about this issue is keeping the US out of the running. I, like you, am optimistic about our chances of catching up and re-inventing ourselves again. We face an uphill battle though as the populace has shown a severe reluctance to make the necessary changes.

It wouldn't hurt if Americans began saving a bit more and slowing our demand for cheap products produced overseas. The Japanese, Europeans and Chinese need to stimulate consumer demand to take up a greater share of the world's production. The market WILL decide how this turns out.

Another hole getting deeper by an incompetent government. Get the government out of our lives. Let freedom back into the free market. I have much more confidence in the common sense of man than in the power of politicians.

you don't say.