US is still rich and powerful, biggest economy, its paper still in demand even through the Washington debacle. Small businesses still backbone of the nation. Major industrial projects now beyond solely private financing, thus a mixed private-public economy. Privatization bottom-lines raising unemployment.

Restoring muscular manufacturing may be a bridge too far as with so many other industrial juggernauts. The US is burdened with focus on wealth accumulation at the top mentioned above, serious educational issues, fading infrastructure, higher wages, globalization with BRIC coming on fast.

The Washington debacle has done nothing to raise confidence that the US is on top of its game, within the country and overseas. Its foreign policy is 3-for-3 in producing failed states in ostensibly democratic Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. Troops are coming home because US can't afford any more military adventures.

There is no simple solution.