As I have stated, there is a difference between scientific breakthroughs and exploiting other peoples work.
How was anyone being"exploited"? Name a few of these exploited people.
The US is nr. 1 (so far) on exploiting the advances of people from around the world, but on the scientific breakthroughs it is no more than below average relative to the amount of people living there and amount of money available.
More than "exploiting the advances of people" they are providing the opportunities, and thus the advances. No one is kidnapping them and bring them to the United States under the cover of darkness.
Most major breakthroughs have not happened by Americans.... cars, jets, rockets, nuclear power, the web (not the internet backbone), computers, heart transplant and so on and so on. But the US has been able to exploit these advances and make them available to the masses.
And there are lists where those breakthroughs did happen in the United States and I could make a list also. But you be sure to keep your list handy. How is making progress available to people everywhere 'exploiting ' anyone? the Japanese have been able to do th same, btw, and more power to them.
And now days, the real innovation is in China.. why? Because that is where the money is and of course a huge growning market that dwarfs the US. In 10 to 20 years, people will be going to China with their ideas to get exploited, not the US.
The Chinese economy is a fraction of the American economy and demographics will play a part in all of this. But if China has its chance in the sun it's fine with me. The same can be true of India. I believe that America, Europe, China and India can all prosper if they play their cards right.
