HOW DOES THE US ECONOMY RATE TODAY?

GET THE FACTS BEHIND THE NEWS

In judging measures to help our economy we should look at the effect on the “forest” and not get completely lost in the woods. The OECD, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development an international non-gov’t and non-profit group dedicated to furthering growth and competitiveness completed Nov 08 a study of 144 nations for eleven categories from Institutions to Business Sophistication.

Over all the US ranked first. However many will be shocked to see how low the US economy is rated on several important economic categories.

For instance US workers want to be paid high wages. High wages are usually paid to highly skilled well educated workers with good experience. This is one of the reasons Prof Michael Porter (Harvard School of Business) and others including Pres Obrama believes our educational system must be upgraded. Data from OECD reports show the US IS 12TH out of 144 nations IN THE NO. OF COLLEGE GRADS 25 TO 34. We have not made any progress in this vital area in 30 years. We have to compete with the best skilled workers of other countries and regions of the world. It is in our national interest to make it possible for intelligent people who desire to do so can get an education and become skilled people,

Fallowing are some figures from the Global Competitive Report
2008-2009.as to where the US rates as a free market economy.

US
Out of 144 countries
1) Openness to Capital Flows 20


2) Low Trade Barriers 21


3) Absence of Distortion from 35
Taxes and Subsidiaries

We will continue to examine in greater detail where the US ranks on several important t categories.