"Old economy" wealth creating industries, such as manufacturing, agriculture and mining, have seen a steady decline in significance in post WWII America.  Wealth today is generated in a diverse, information driven economy that is global in perspective.  The skill-set required to be successful in that economy is universal, but does not correlate well with those important in the past.

America can be made better or worse, but today it is the preeminent nation in the world - by multiple measures.