Should we let it all fall apart?

Someone recently said that change only comes when you hit rock bottom. Or another way to say it; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well, America's economy may be down, but I would hardly call it out. That's a good thing right? I'm not 100% convinced it is. Let me preface this by saying that this approach isn't applicable to all sectors, but lets focus on the auto industry for the sake of argument.

I don't believe that there was a lot of thought put into the future of the American auto industry. Why not? The writing was on the walls! I think none of us are really innocent. We should have been demanding change from Detroit as apposed to flirting with quaint ideas of electric and hybrid cars. So far Detroit only managed to come up with ONE car to carry the torch of the US auto industry into the future? The Volt. Good job. I'm not being sarcastic. Truly, good job. Now give us 12 more options. But is a shift like this even possible with the old guard still at the helm of Detroit? What will it take to convince American business (not just Detroit) that the old way needs a revamp? We invented capitalism, why cant we get it right? What can we do to prevent our financial institutions and businesses from being ran by greedy idiots? Should we let it all go to hell and hope we have what it takes to rise from the ashes smarter, faster and better? That's a dicey proposition.

Energy Independence, Nanotechnology, Genetics, and yes, even simple things like cars. I believe these are huge growth sectors that America is in the greatest position to capitalize upon. We need a new breed of company and leadership that is going to charge full steam ahead in these areas. We need CEO's that aren't obsessed with big bonuses, companies that don't do things on the cheap while still being profitable and keeping shareholders happy. Who are going to be the new leaders? I think we are on the cusp of learning how to create an economy of this nature, but if we let the same old school way of doing things prevail, we will have squandered one of the greatest wake up calls we have ever had.

Are we lucky that the economy isn't worse, or have we not been pushed far enough to enact true change? I'm hoping that we are smart enough to figure out the next move without having to start from scratch, but only time will tell.

Obama Reverses Bush Stem Cell Policy

AP

WASHINGTON (March 9) – President Barack Obama on Monday cleared the way for a significant increase in federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research and promised no scientific data will be "distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda."

Finally. This is great news for America. While private companies have been able to research stem cells, up until now, there has been no government funding in this area. All that has changed, which city is going to be the Silicon Valley of genetic research? Obviously I'm hoping its going to be Chicago. As I've stated in previous posts, I believe there are a range of issues, social, financial and urban, that are on the cusp of change throughout the United States, and whatever city or mega-region embraces these inevitable changes first is going to gain a great foothold in an ever transforming and competitive global economy.