The problems stem from the government, as most systemic, long term economic problems do. Governments skew demand for fuel supplies by passing onerous regulations that cause further supply disruptions and different problems (e.g. fuel additives, like ethanol). Government wages unconstitutional, open ended wars and occupations against countries that are no real threat, one of which happened to be the 2nd largest supplier of oil, so that causes supply disruptions.
Government massive spending and borrowing leads to printing money, weakening the dollar, creating bubbles (in stock, housing, etc.), and then inflation. Massive government growth robs the productive sectors as more government employees feed on the wealth that is produced. This kills domestic businesses (e.g. manufacturing), leading to more imports and a weakened economy and standard of living while other countries get rich supplying us and we end up with massive trade deficits.
Hassling people because they have kids is stupid, and typical of a short sighted individual who obviously has no one to care for but themself. In reality, just as a nation depends on wealth generation for its current and future prosperity, a nation depends on kids (and the familys that have them) for social stability and a national future. Every entitlement program depends on a next generation, and should the USA continue with family hostile policies, then people living in the usa will have fewer kids, and less wealth. The wealth of a nation is intricately tied to its population. In the end, taken to an extreme, countries like China, Mexico, etc., will just move their populations into areas like the former USSR and USA where declining "native" populations are aging and fading. You will notice that this is in fact happening, leading to rapid demographic shifts that make the USA of 1940-50 culturally, socially, and ethnically an alien nation to what it is now, and what it will be in 30 years.
In short (and these examples could continue endlessly), the root problem is govnernment and its policies. The USA needs a small, Constitutional government that takes in less than 10% of GDP at all levels. It might bear mentioning that before WW1 the average take of government of GDP was under 5% for most nations (UK, Germany, France, USA), and it was a time of incredible advancement in science, industry, agriculture, public health, and pretty peaceful too. This much government is poison to the long term survival of a nation (even the "commie" chinese actually only have about 8-10% of GNP as government spending, as opposed to the "free market" USA which has about 40% or more of GNP as government spending at all levels). The differences in government consumption of the economy (which is what it is, not investment) account for the differences in economic growth rates and the rapid ascent of the Chinese.
Unfortunately, in a nation full of Americans who have been indoctrinated by over a decade of public schooling (go to John Taylor Gatto's site to see what that has meant), I don't see that the problem of addiction to government will change. The mindset of "needing" government in every facet of daily life for "security" and such is just too deeply embedded!
Government massive spending and borrowing leads to printing money, weakening the dollar, creating bubbles (in stock, housing, etc.), and then inflation. Massive government growth robs the productive sectors as more government employees feed on the wealth that is produced. This kills domestic businesses (e.g. manufacturing), leading to more imports and a weakened economy and standard of living while other countries get rich supplying us and we end up with massive trade deficits.
Hassling people because they have kids is stupid, and typical of a short sighted individual who obviously has no one to care for but themself. In reality, just as a nation depends on wealth generation for its current and future prosperity, a nation depends on kids (and the familys that have them) for social stability and a national future. Every entitlement program depends on a next generation, and should the USA continue with family hostile policies, then people living in the usa will have fewer kids, and less wealth. The wealth of a nation is intricately tied to its population. In the end, taken to an extreme, countries like China, Mexico, etc., will just move their populations into areas like the former USSR and USA where declining "native" populations are aging and fading. You will notice that this is in fact happening, leading to rapid demographic shifts that make the USA of 1940-50 culturally, socially, and ethnically an alien nation to what it is now, and what it will be in 30 years.
In short (and these examples could continue endlessly), the root problem is govnernment and its policies. The USA needs a small, Constitutional government that takes in less than 10% of GDP at all levels. It might bear mentioning that before WW1 the average take of government of GDP was under 5% for most nations (UK, Germany, France, USA), and it was a time of incredible advancement in science, industry, agriculture, public health, and pretty peaceful too. This much government is poison to the long term survival of a nation (even the "commie" chinese actually only have about 8-10% of GNP as government spending, as opposed to the "free market" USA which has about 40% or more of GNP as government spending at all levels). The differences in government consumption of the economy (which is what it is, not investment) account for the differences in economic growth rates and the rapid ascent of the Chinese.
Unfortunately, in a nation full of Americans who have been indoctrinated by over a decade of public schooling (go to John Taylor Gatto's site to see what that has meant), I don't see that the problem of addiction to government will change. The mindset of "needing" government in every facet of daily life for "security" and such is just too deeply embedded!