4 Problems That Could Sink America

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To say that Americans don't work hard is really incorrect.
Worldwide comparisons show that, with only a few exceptions, Americans put in more work hours than almost anyone else in the world.
And, when you add commute times, it's much worse.
So, to suggest that Americans need to work harder is really a misnomer.
American families are already stretched emotionally from parents not being around to raise their children. Let's not suggest that we need to make it worse.

Jon of WA 8:12AM September 03, 2009

Mr. Newman's article is right on the mark and the "problems" are indeed serious issues facing the U.S. However the article is couched in future terms, i.e. "could sink..." when in fact the country started sinking from these problems and more 30-40 years or ago.
Examples:
Mr. Newman cites a lack of desire to work longer and harder. I completely agree that this issue plagues America, however that issue has deeper roots. In corporations today there is a total lack of loyalty and commitment stemming from mass layoffs of the 1980's and reductions from acquisitions and mergers. Plus unions, which began as relevant organizations ensuring rights of workers, put the finishing touches on reducing hard work.
Nobody wants to sacrifice because the premises and rewards of doing so have never been fair. Financial bailouts are far from new and the latest rounds of handouts sapped any motivations to individuals or corporations to be more responsible.
The issue of being uninformed is a casualty of the political environment. Too much spin and misinformation rule.
Mr. Newman's article is therefore more of a post-mortem. The problems are the result of decades of culture entrenchment and there is no quick fix. And the remedy is not economic. We no longer make things, we only produce paper and debt. Plus a new modern technological renaissance or other business evolution would only drag America deeper into the downward spiral.

ken A. of VA 7:30AM September 03, 2009

Clearly Corporate America has plenty to be blamed for this, as we the American people have sat back while we were in the realm of comfort. Now as good Americans we will sit, eat and enjoy its bitter taste.
Than you wonderful.

Juno Borroto of NJ 9:22PM September 02, 2009

Wow, you nailed it ....

Roxann of IN 9:19PM September 02, 2009

it's a good start, gary is on to something. we can become like all the other past global powers that got lazy and over taken by the US or we can stand up and get going on something that get's us up early to work on issues (work) that matters...individuals, collectively have been in a daze for sometime in America. You see it in our politics, our schools, our work ethic...all the things we let pass that are average at best (and downright right criminal at worst) without challenging.
Go Gary and lets grow 1 million more like him then you will see an economy, charity, government, workforce, and an America that is full of AmeriCAN's.

LS of CA 8:12PM September 02, 2009

This country is scared of anything that shakes the boat. We dont want change yet we pride ourselves by chanting "We're #1!" and what exactly are we #1 in? Glutony..Check. Greed...Check. Political Corruption...Check. Mall Locations...Check and on and on. This country better get its act together and start embracing the possibility of change being for the good, not everything needs to change but some things do starting with the fact that we love how we have the best sports teams in the world, we pump our fists up at the Olympics and yet we have homeless littering the streets, Katrina is STILL a mess and the sick sit in hospital beds as we let "insurance agencies", not doctors choose the best avenue for recovery. A new "Health Plan" is what we need but unfortunately the current one and the proposed one is not a "Health Plan" but rather a "Sick Plan". How we choose to remedy sickness and pay for it should not be the issue but instead How can we promote wellness as to avoid getting sick. Instead of giving tax breaks to those Food companies that promote and sell healthy food, i mean truly healthy food and even organics so they wont cost more then regular food, or tax breaks to those farmers busting their butts daily we want to screw them over but dont you worry because this is a "capitalist money hungry" country we live in. We'd rather tax the farmer and give a "tax break" to McDonalds. Go figure, Corporate America is our gift, yet it is our curse.
PS Gary Vaynerchuk for President

Lorenzo of NJ 7:14PM September 02, 2009

We are not uninformed... I am a food journalist and pride myself on the ability to extract information while making someone hungry. Is that enough?
http://www.wildriverreview.com/wrratlarge/?p=1789#comment-605

Warren Bobrow of NJ 6:47PM September 02, 2009

"We're uninformed". And it's very dangerous and, oddly, getting worse, not better.
Perhaps we need a good dose of "Mr. Feeney" from the TV show, The Wonder Years. Remember him? Smart. Kindly. Wise. Tough on self discipline. And a good teacher.
We don't know, because we choose to put our attention elsewhere, courtesy of TV and pop culture. Mr. Feeney would not allow his charges to do that.

Muser of NM 5:34PM September 02, 2009