[Bob Seger]

We can't invent like we have in the past because our government has erected barriers that did not exist when most of the greatest American inventions were made. I think the ability to take risks and reap the profits from successful inventions is what has given this country its competitive edge in the past. We are no longer the freest country in the world.

I can remember many years ago when many people said that the Japanese people could only copy our technology but were incapable of coming up with their own inventions. How often do you hear people say that now? Today, the most advanced consumer electronic devices appear in Japan first. Many products sold in Japan are never even seen by American consumers.

Any nation whose government is willing to unleash capitalism the way that China has done will see its economy boom and will make its own share of advances in technology. China has given itself a jump start by stealing American technology for many years and its quality control is nowhere near those of Japan or the US but it will reach parity with us if its government does not shackle its economy again.

Basicly that was my meaning with some of the 10 items I listed in post #4. The government and it's agencies(EPA, etc.), along with both greedy labor and management, shortsighted investor financial epectations, frivoulous lawsuits, and laws bolstered and sponsored by self benefied attorney/legislators, ingenity or potential ingenuity is being stangleheld in this country. There is a huge liability in even attempting to be innovative or to initiate developed innovation , so much that many are not even willing to attempt it.

Lets also not forget that the Chinese basicly use sweatshop labor as well. We are obviously turning a blind eye, as consumers, to unfair labor practices as well.