In 2008, we were # 1.
In 2009, we became #2.
In 2010, we dropped to #3 in the world.

In just two years, we went from playing world leader to catch up with China and Germany in the alternative energy market.  As Gov. Jennifer Granholm highlights in this piece for the Huffington Post.  Personally, I don’t take offense to other countries doing something better than the U.S.  I’m quite used it, really.  But what it reveals is something important: other countries see the true value of investment.  Pair that with the conservative austerity movement to cut-cut-cut our way into a weaker financial position, and you can see the writing plainly on the wall, and what we can do about it.

For more reasons why investment in U.S. programs should be a priority, check out this earlier post (and comment).